Hagakure Ninjutsu (EXCLUSIVE)
By Kuseru
Entrance Requirements: Minimum Attributes include I.Q.: 10, M.E.: 12, P.P.: 10, P.E.: 9.
Skill Cost: 18 years.
Hagakure Ninjutsu originated in the Hizen province of Kyushu. The Ninja of the Hagakure school in their quest for martial knowledge began to delve into the metaphysical factors of combat, this led to the use of Mudra (In) and Mantra (Jumon). Realizing that many years of study were required to master these esoteric powers, they also searched for a quick solution to combat, this led the Hagakure to develop science beyond what was available in Japan at the time, making the Hagakure Shinobi appear to be masters of magic, so their reputation as mystical shadow warriors spread and their services were called on by many a Daimyo who was rich and could afford to resort to magic spies and saboteurs.
Costume: Red or Camouflage Shinobi Shozoku: The ninja outfit consists of jacket, hakama (loose pants), hand gauntlets, sandals, tabi socks, double belt, leg ties, separate leg and
arm pieces, and quilted groin and body protector. Numerous pockets are designed for concealing shuriken and other Ninja items. Also comes with a two-part hood. All of the clothing
is relatively loose, with ties around the waist, wrists and ankles. (For just the clothing, A.R.: 8 and S.D.C: 15) For fighting operations on the battlefield there were chain mail jackets
and leggings. Chain mail guards for the wrists, hands and neck along with a metal chin guard completed the armor. Armor triples the price of the outfit. (For chain mail armor
additions, A.R. 13 and S.D.C. 59) The clothing is traditionally died one of several colors, depending on the environment in which the shinobi is working: the default color is off-black
for night and utter blackness, brown for fields and forests, gray for stone and urban settings, and white for snow. True black is not available, the closest being a nearly black, dark red
or dark indigo, dark brown or rust colored, due to the available dyes. For more theatrically inclined ninja, the following colors are available; blue for ninja which clumsy, incapable, or
poor, red and/or orange for villainous ninja (especially ninja assassins), grey for neutral ninja, white for good ninja and evil ninja attempting to mend their ways, and no color or
shinobi shozoku at all for powerful ninja. Reversible forms of shinobi shozoku may be made (or bought), with a second color or even a complete set of faux garb that can be used as
a disguise (such as common bonge garb, priests's garb, etc.) when the garb is turned inside out. A second color on the reverse of the garb adds +50% to the listed cost; having a set
of faux garb on the reverse doubles the cost of the shinobi shozoku.
Stance: Stand with the legs slightly apart and with hands together as if in prayer.
CHARACTER BONUSES
Double Normal Chi.
Add +1 to I.Q.
Add +1 to P.P.
Add +2 to P.E.
COMBAT SKILLS
Attacks per Melee: 3
Escape Moves: Back Flip, Maintain Balance, Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact.
Attack Moves: Cartwheel, Grab, Somersault.
Basic Defensive Moves: Automatic Parry, Dodge, Entangle, Parry.
Advanced Defenses: Combination Parry/Attack, Disarm, Multiple Dodge.
Hand Attacks: Backhand, Knife Hand, Palm Strike, Punch.
Basic Foot Attacks: Kick Attack, Snap Kick, Trip/Leg Hook.
Jumping Foot Attacks: None.
Special Attacks: Combination Grab/Kick, Death Strike (New!), Hip Throw (New!), Roll/Knockdown, Shoulder Throw (New!).
Holds/Locks: None.
Weapon Kata (pick two): W.P. Black Powder, W.P. Black Powder Grenades, W.P. Chain, W.P. Crossbow, W.P. Ninja-To (Short Sword), W.P. Thrown.
Modifiers to Attack: Critical Strike, Critical Strike from Behind, Knockout/Stun, Pull Punch.
SKILLS INCLUDED IN TRAINING
Martial Arts Powers: Select a total of ONE (1) Martial Art Power from among Arts of Invisibility and Martial Art Techniques. Select TWO (2) Mudra from the Kuji-Kiri. Except for
Mudra, any number of Martial Art Powers can be traded, on a one-for-one basis, for Basic Skill Programs (excluding Physical).
Language: Japanese
Other Skills: Advanced Math, Meditation, Prepare Doku, Use Ninja Equipment.
Weapon Proficiencies: W.P. Black Powder, W.P. Black Powder Grenades, W.P. Chain, W.P. Crossbow, W.P. Ninja-To (Short Sword), W.P. Thrown.
Philosophical Training: Ninja Code of Honor: The ninja code of honor stresses four areas, motivation towards the mission, loyalty to the clan and ryu, improvisation through
awareness, and disguising one's true nature. Motivation to the mission is stressed by accepting missions only from the ninja's chunin, considering the enemies of the employer as
one's own enemies, never refusing or questioning a mission, failure not being an option in the mission, putting the mission before oneself, killing in a mission when necessary and
avoiding killing when not necessary, escaping when captured, killing one's self when escape is impossible, resisting when suicide is impossible, and taking the life of a comrade
rather than allowing them to be captured. Loyalty to the clan and ryu is achieved by never betraying the clan, putting the clan before oneself, not striking another member of the ryu,
aiding a genin of the ryu, and not ever leaving the ryu, even to the point of killing ninja who do leave the ryu. Improvision through awareness is achieved by always observing other
people and knowing one's surroundings with the thought that one is always being observed and being mentally and physically alert enough to make use of anything at hand.
Disguising one's true nature is accomplished through maintaining disguises, never revealing one's true self, speaking in circumlocutions and obfuscation while in public, using code
words and metaphors which jeopardize neither one's self or the mission. Due to the unique requirements of the ninja code of honor, the character does not have to have an
alignment with a discipline of honor.
Mikkyo Buddhism, Tendai Sect: This form of Buddhism is also known in Japanese as mikkyo, meaning "secret teaching". Mikkyo is one of several streams of practice within the
Mahayana Buddhist tradition. Mikkyo blends many doctrines, philosophies, deities, religious rituals, and meditation techniques from a wide variety of sources. Assimilation of Hindu
and local deities and rituals was especially marked in the Buddhism that became Mikkyo. Such diverse elements came together over time and, combining with Mahayana
philosophical teachings, formed a comprehensive Buddhist system of doctrine and practice. Esoteric (Tantric) teachings, central to the Tendai and Shingon schools, also contributed
to Buddhism's eventual broad acceptance. These teachings, termed "esoteric" because they were transmitted orally and in secret from master to qualified disciple, were designed to
lead a practitioner to Buddhahood in his present life. In this sense esotericism was highly elitist, but it was also laced with folk elements, such as techniques of healing and magic,
that enhanced the appeal of Buddhism to simple people. Aristocrats and commoners alike were also attracted by the expressions of esoteric Buddhism--Sanskrit syllables uttered as
charms, splendid and colorful rites, and images of the buddhas carved on mountain cliffs.
TENDAI BUDDHISM The Japanese founder of the Tendai school was Saichou. Not long after he was ordained, he retreated to a small hermitage at Mt. Hiei northeast of present-day
Kyoto. His scholarship and skill at lecturing attracted the emperor's attention, and he was selected to join an official mission that departed for China in 804. Having studied Tendai
scriptures at Hiei, Saichou proceeded to the head temple of the Chinese Tendai (T'ien Tai) school. He studied there for nine months or so, then returned to Japan with many volumes
of Buddhist scriptures. His attempts to establish an autonomous Tendai school--one that did not have to have its monks ordained at Toudaiji-- succeeded shortly after his death.
If this is your Primary Martial Art Style then the following other styles can be learned in a shorter time: Araki Ryu Kusarijutsu (3 Years), Asayama Ichiden Ryu (3 Years), Enmei Ryu
(3 Years), Fudo Ryu (4 Years), Fukushima Ryu (4 Years), Fuma Ryu (5 Years), Ganritsu Ryu (2 Years), Gyokko Ryu (6 Years), Hakko Denshin Ryu (4 Years), Kashima Shin Ryu (3
Years), Kogusoku (3 Years), Kukishinden Ryu (8 Years), Masaki Ryu Kusarijutsu (4 Years), Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto-Ryu (4 Years), Togakure Ryu (7 Years).
LEVEL ADVANCEMENT BONUSES
1st: +2 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, Knockout/Stun on a Natural 20.
2nd: Select another Mudra from the Kuji-Kiri.
3rd: +3 to Parry/Dodge, Critical Strike from Behind.
4th: +1 Attack per Melee. Select another Mudra from the Kuji-Kiri.
5th: +2 to Strike, +2 to Initiative.
6th: Select another Mudra from the Kuji-Kiri.
7th :Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Arts of Invisibility or Martial Art Techniques.
8th: Select another Mudra from the Kuji-Kiri.
9th: +1 Attack per Melee, Critical Strike on a Natural 19 or 20.
10th: Select another Mudra from the Kuji-Kiri.
11th: +2 to Disarm, +3 to Damage.
12th: Select another Mudra from the Kuji-Kiri.
13th: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Arts of Invisibility or Martial Art Techniques.
14th: Select another Mudra from the Kuji-Kiri.
15th: +1 Attack per Melee, Death Strike on a Natural 20.
WHY STUDY Hagakure Ninjutsu?
To get access to a fighting art that has the fabled Kuji-Kiri of course! Fairly weak physical combat is more than offset by the mystic abilities of this art.