Shimazu Family of the Spider
Shimazu Family
Benifit: +1 Int
Equal part scholars and battle priests, the Shimazu were the first step in the long road to changing the narrative about the Spider. How successful this change has been is up to some debate, especially among the Kuni, Asako and Kuroiban, however few can deny that the Shimazu have been great aid to the Empire in ages past. For the Spider, the Shimazu focus on the study of the dark realms, mostly Toshigoku and Gaki-do, but at least a little on Jigoku and the Dark Fortunes, recognizing that they cannot fully escape or deny the past, as well as the art of war. This in turn allowed the Gyushi to focus on technology, keeping the family researching what their founder would have preferred them too.
Research into the realm of Meido has caused a small amount of contention at times between the Shimazu and the Gyushi, due to the latter family’s connection of Emma-O, however it rarely becomes public, due to their vastly different spheres of influence. The Shimazu's dislike of the Isawa is more commonly known, although the Phoenix desire for peace and the Spider's following of Shourido means it rarely if ever actually reaches anything more than political attacks. Neither family nor Clan gains anything from war with the other.
Shimazu Shugenja School:
The original techniques of this school were locked away for Three Centuries, only known the the Imperials and the Phoenix, and not allowed to be used by anyone. Instead of completely losing hope, the Shimazu founded a lesser school to tide them over, waiting for the day when they would relearn the secrets of their Founder, and continued to research the dark realms. Through this, the Shimazu developed a tradition of study and a powerful instinct on the battlefield. When they were finally given permission to relearn the secrets of Shimazu, the schools merged, the Shimazu ever seeking to make students understand both the glory of their founder and the struggle of lacking such guidance.
Benifit: +1 Willpower
Skills: Lore: Spirit Realms[Main focus of study], Calligraphy (Cypher) , Lore: Theology, Spellcraft [All Shugenja have these three], Defense [Combat focus, but not yet capable of summoning an army], Battle [To think stratigically when the time to summon armies comes], any one High Skill.
Honor: 1.5
Affinity/Deficiency: Earth/Air
Outfit: Robes, Wakizashi, Scroll Satchel, Traveling pack, Any One Weapon, 3 Koku.
Starting Spells:
Sense, Commune, Summon, 3 Earth Spells, 2 Fire Spells, 1 Water Spell.
Technique:
The Way of Two Schools:
The Shimazu traditional focus on Earth as well as the famous horde of Gaki summoned by Diagotsu Shimazu lead many to believe that students first learn to summon Gaki. However the risks of taint, the fact that the traditions of the lesser school focus on Earth, and thus there would be too great a conflict, and the Toshigokujin's strength of Will and sheer potential for destruction means that it is a far more efficient lesson to students to summon them. The very techniques of the Shimazu school are designed as a tool to remind the student of the way of Shourido, and a true test of those who wish to become a Shugenja that follows the path revealed by the Dark Kami's reborn soul. Should they die, it is for their arrogance more than anything else.
Specialization shall come latter if the user proves skilled and dedicated enough to continue down the paths revealed by the founders of both schools.
As a Simple Action you may spend 1 Fire or Void spell slots to summon a Toshigokujin (The stats are below). The creature appears beside you and is hostile upon summoning but can be controlled through a TN15 Willpower roll. This roll is increased by +10 for every additional Toshigokujin summoned and must be repeated whenever you summon a new one, whenever you banish them back to Toshigoku, and every 2x insight rank rounds.
Should you fail the roll, all current Toshigokujin break from your control and cannot be rebound, nor will you be able to bind another Toshigokujin for the rest of the day.
After 4 hours the grip of Meido pulls them from your grasp, and they return to Toshigoku. However at any time the summoner can banish all currently summoned spirits as a Simple action, assuming the pass the previously mentioned Willpower Roll.
You also gain a free Raise on any spell with the Battle Keyword.
Toshigokujin Stats
Air: 2 Earth 2 Fire: 1 Water: 1
Reflex:4 Agility:4
Initiative: 6k4 Attack: 5k4 (Yari)/4k4 Unarmed
Armour TN: 15 (TN 18 with Armor) DMG: 2k2 (Yari)/1k1 (Unarmed)
Reduction: 0 (1) Wounds: 12: +5; 24: +10;
36: Dead
Skills: Spears 1, Two additional skill points to spend how you please.
Abilities:
Swift 1
Partial Invulnerability: Slaughter spirits are immune
to all spells, skills, and techniques which affect the
mind or thoughts. They can, however, have their
senses fooled by illusions
Relentless Aggression: Slaughter Spirits are always in Full Attack Stance.
Shimazu Obsidian Dojo
When the Emperor banned the teachings of Diagotsu Shimazu for several centuries, the Shimazu school were left without the research of their founder. Understanding that their duty to the Empire and the Clan as those who "Conquer in the Emperor's name" required them to be able to fight, and yet to try and get around the Emperor's ban would potentially lead to the death of the entire family, the Shimazu family began to search for something the Emperor could not count as Blasphemous, could not declare was not part of their duty, something that the Empire had to acknowledge was something of Tengoku but no other clan would willingly touch. It also was possible they would have to fight monsters like they faced in the Ivory Kingdoms once more, and the Spider could not afford the losses that were caused by a lack of access to Jade. It did not take long for the Shugenja to realize that Obsidian lay their salvation.
While always considered the lesser school by those of the Shimazu family, the fact remains that the Obsidian Dojo is what allows the Spider to fight some of its more powerful foes, the Ancient and terrible spirits that are immune to attacks not empowered by Sacred Substance, and while the abilities of the Obsidian Dojo make members of the other clans uncomfortable, they are usually far more willing to accept such things then the idea of fighting beside enslaved spirits. The Gyushi Shugenja rarely join this school, but it has been known to have and in such situations, deadly weapons blessed by the Obsidian Dragon usually come forth.
New Alternative Path:
Student of the Obsidian Dojo [Shugenja]
Technique Rank 3
Replaces: Shimazu Shugenja Rank 3, Gyushi Shugenja Rank 3
Requires: Earth 3, Lore: Theology 2(Tengoku)
Special: By joining this Path, you gain Haunted: (Obsidian Dragon), for no points. While it is not often the Obsidian Dragon chooses to test you, occasionally the Dragon tests you to see if remain worthy to continue to use the power it has gifted you. The nature of these tests seems almost random, except a temptation is always involved. Failure of this test can have terrible, if temporary, consequences.
Technique: The Shadows in the Light.
The Shugenja of the Obsidian Dojo look to the Heavens more than their brethren, focusing on the Obsidian Dragon and Lord Moon. They recognize their vices, the dangers and risks inherent in what they do, and yet in doing so, call out for more power. That is the way of Shourido. That is the way of the Obsidian Dragon. And if you finish your training at the Obsidian Dojo without going completely insane, you find that the Obsidian Dragon and Lord Moon are still willing to reward those who pass such tests.
For Two raises you may apply the Obsidian keyword to any damaging spell. If you choose to do so, the spell will take on an unearthly black color, bypass immunities, increase the spells damage by 1k0 and force a TN 20 Earth roll to avoid being stunned by the madness of Lord Moon.
This roll replaces the roll you would normally make for stun, meaning you will be effected by the whole stun or none of it.
Certain spells cast with the Obsidian Keyword will ALWAYS draw Imperial Attention, and more then one Student of the Obsidian Dojo has been arrested for causing to much destruction.
Benifit: +1 Int
Equal part scholars and battle priests, the Shimazu were the first step in the long road to changing the narrative about the Spider. How successful this change has been is up to some debate, especially among the Kuni, Asako and Kuroiban, however few can deny that the Shimazu have been great aid to the Empire in ages past. For the Spider, the Shimazu focus on the study of the dark realms, mostly Toshigoku and Gaki-do, but at least a little on Jigoku and the Dark Fortunes, recognizing that they cannot fully escape or deny the past, as well as the art of war. This in turn allowed the Gyushi to focus on technology, keeping the family researching what their founder would have preferred them too.
Research into the realm of Meido has caused a small amount of contention at times between the Shimazu and the Gyushi, due to the latter family’s connection of Emma-O, however it rarely becomes public, due to their vastly different spheres of influence. The Shimazu's dislike of the Isawa is more commonly known, although the Phoenix desire for peace and the Spider's following of Shourido means it rarely if ever actually reaches anything more than political attacks. Neither family nor Clan gains anything from war with the other.
Shimazu Shugenja School:
The original techniques of this school were locked away for Three Centuries, only known the the Imperials and the Phoenix, and not allowed to be used by anyone. Instead of completely losing hope, the Shimazu founded a lesser school to tide them over, waiting for the day when they would relearn the secrets of their Founder, and continued to research the dark realms. Through this, the Shimazu developed a tradition of study and a powerful instinct on the battlefield. When they were finally given permission to relearn the secrets of Shimazu, the schools merged, the Shimazu ever seeking to make students understand both the glory of their founder and the struggle of lacking such guidance.
Benifit: +1 Willpower
Skills: Lore: Spirit Realms[Main focus of study], Calligraphy (Cypher) , Lore: Theology, Spellcraft [All Shugenja have these three], Defense [Combat focus, but not yet capable of summoning an army], Battle [To think stratigically when the time to summon armies comes], any one High Skill.
Honor: 1.5
Affinity/Deficiency: Earth/Air
Outfit: Robes, Wakizashi, Scroll Satchel, Traveling pack, Any One Weapon, 3 Koku.
Starting Spells:
Sense, Commune, Summon, 3 Earth Spells, 2 Fire Spells, 1 Water Spell.
Technique:
The Way of Two Schools:
The Shimazu traditional focus on Earth as well as the famous horde of Gaki summoned by Diagotsu Shimazu lead many to believe that students first learn to summon Gaki. However the risks of taint, the fact that the traditions of the lesser school focus on Earth, and thus there would be too great a conflict, and the Toshigokujin's strength of Will and sheer potential for destruction means that it is a far more efficient lesson to students to summon them. The very techniques of the Shimazu school are designed as a tool to remind the student of the way of Shourido, and a true test of those who wish to become a Shugenja that follows the path revealed by the Dark Kami's reborn soul. Should they die, it is for their arrogance more than anything else.
Specialization shall come latter if the user proves skilled and dedicated enough to continue down the paths revealed by the founders of both schools.
As a Simple Action you may spend 1 Fire or Void spell slots to summon a Toshigokujin (The stats are below). The creature appears beside you and is hostile upon summoning but can be controlled through a TN15 Willpower roll. This roll is increased by +10 for every additional Toshigokujin summoned and must be repeated whenever you summon a new one, whenever you banish them back to Toshigoku, and every 2x insight rank rounds.
Should you fail the roll, all current Toshigokujin break from your control and cannot be rebound, nor will you be able to bind another Toshigokujin for the rest of the day.
After 4 hours the grip of Meido pulls them from your grasp, and they return to Toshigoku. However at any time the summoner can banish all currently summoned spirits as a Simple action, assuming the pass the previously mentioned Willpower Roll.
You also gain a free Raise on any spell with the Battle Keyword.
Toshigokujin Stats
Air: 2 Earth 2 Fire: 1 Water: 1
Reflex:4 Agility:4
Initiative: 6k4 Attack: 5k4 (Yari)/4k4 Unarmed
Armour TN: 15 (TN 18 with Armor) DMG: 2k2 (Yari)/1k1 (Unarmed)
Reduction: 0 (1) Wounds: 12: +5; 24: +10;
36: Dead
Skills: Spears 1, Two additional skill points to spend how you please.
Abilities:
Swift 1
Partial Invulnerability: Slaughter spirits are immune
to all spells, skills, and techniques which affect the
mind or thoughts. They can, however, have their
senses fooled by illusions
Relentless Aggression: Slaughter Spirits are always in Full Attack Stance.
Shimazu Obsidian Dojo
When the Emperor banned the teachings of Diagotsu Shimazu for several centuries, the Shimazu school were left without the research of their founder. Understanding that their duty to the Empire and the Clan as those who "Conquer in the Emperor's name" required them to be able to fight, and yet to try and get around the Emperor's ban would potentially lead to the death of the entire family, the Shimazu family began to search for something the Emperor could not count as Blasphemous, could not declare was not part of their duty, something that the Empire had to acknowledge was something of Tengoku but no other clan would willingly touch. It also was possible they would have to fight monsters like they faced in the Ivory Kingdoms once more, and the Spider could not afford the losses that were caused by a lack of access to Jade. It did not take long for the Shugenja to realize that Obsidian lay their salvation.
While always considered the lesser school by those of the Shimazu family, the fact remains that the Obsidian Dojo is what allows the Spider to fight some of its more powerful foes, the Ancient and terrible spirits that are immune to attacks not empowered by Sacred Substance, and while the abilities of the Obsidian Dojo make members of the other clans uncomfortable, they are usually far more willing to accept such things then the idea of fighting beside enslaved spirits. The Gyushi Shugenja rarely join this school, but it has been known to have and in such situations, deadly weapons blessed by the Obsidian Dragon usually come forth.
New Alternative Path:
Student of the Obsidian Dojo [Shugenja]
Technique Rank 3
Replaces: Shimazu Shugenja Rank 3, Gyushi Shugenja Rank 3
Requires: Earth 3, Lore: Theology 2(Tengoku)
Special: By joining this Path, you gain Haunted: (Obsidian Dragon), for no points. While it is not often the Obsidian Dragon chooses to test you, occasionally the Dragon tests you to see if remain worthy to continue to use the power it has gifted you. The nature of these tests seems almost random, except a temptation is always involved. Failure of this test can have terrible, if temporary, consequences.
Technique: The Shadows in the Light.
The Shugenja of the Obsidian Dojo look to the Heavens more than their brethren, focusing on the Obsidian Dragon and Lord Moon. They recognize their vices, the dangers and risks inherent in what they do, and yet in doing so, call out for more power. That is the way of Shourido. That is the way of the Obsidian Dragon. And if you finish your training at the Obsidian Dojo without going completely insane, you find that the Obsidian Dragon and Lord Moon are still willing to reward those who pass such tests.
For Two raises you may apply the Obsidian keyword to any damaging spell. If you choose to do so, the spell will take on an unearthly black color, bypass immunities, increase the spells damage by 1k0 and force a TN 20 Earth roll to avoid being stunned by the madness of Lord Moon.
This roll replaces the roll you would normally make for stun, meaning you will be effected by the whole stun or none of it.
Certain spells cast with the Obsidian Keyword will ALWAYS draw Imperial Attention, and more then one Student of the Obsidian Dojo has been arrested for causing to much destruction.
