Available Schools

[Cearnach]

Crab

Hida and Kaiu schools: Starting Honor 4.5--The absence of the Wall and the buffer against the Shadowlands formed by the Hiruma and Kuni provinces mean that that the Kaiu and Hida are somewhat insulated from the everyday horrors of their ever-war. While the Hida do respond to Shadowlands incursions with encounter battles, they are also able to spend much of their time pursuing more traditional samurai activities, meaning that the stereotype of the boorish, obtuse Wall Crab who values only Chugo has not yet had a chance to develop. As a result, these two families have higher honor than they will in later settings (though not as much as a Seppun, say. They're still pretty countrified and pragmatic compared to the inner clans). This checks out from a story perspective, as Crab samurai in canon tended to take Bushido, especially Honesty and Sincerity, quite a bit more seriously than they will in later years. I cite Hida Tsuneo as the primary exemplar, but the causes of the Crab-Dragon war would not be out of character for Lion or Crane samurai. The Hiruma, however, will still regularly encounter Shadowlands creatures, and thus will still bear some of the scars that such struggles bring. Likewise, the nature of the Kuni family remains unchanged whether or not there is a Wall.


Permitted Schools
Hida Bushi (CR)
Hida Pragmatist (EE)
Hiruma Bushi (CR)
Kaiu Engineer (GC)
Kuni Witch-Hunter (GC)
Kuni Shugenja (CR)
Yasuki Courtier (CR)

Permitted Paths
Crab Defender (BoA)
Crab Knife-Fighter (BoF)
Hida Berserker (CR)
Kuni Oni-slayer (CR)
Tsuru's Legion (Tsuru has not yet been born; call this the Hida Cavalryman path) (IH2)
Yasuki Enforcer (Strongholds)

[Cearnach]

Crane
Culturally, the Crane clan's individual families are largely unchanged, with the following tweaks:
1) the Asahina are largely more committed to pacifism in 487, just 100 years after their dramatic founding, than they will be in the future.

2) This game takes place about 200 years before Daidoji Masashigi’s Battle of the Tidal Landbridge. The concept of the Iron Crane has not been established.

3) Having lost the Imperial Favor during the reign of Hantei Retsuhime, who has not forgiven or forgotten the Gozoku, the Doji and Kakita are more militaristic than they will be in the future. The Crane still have an important artistic and legal tradition, but they have never been (and may never be again) more militarily prepared than they are now, having been politically isolated for a generation.


Permitted Schools
Asahina Shugenja (CR)
Daidoji Iron Warrior (CR)
Daidoji Scout (GC)
Doji Courtier (CR)
Doji Magistrate (EE)
Kakita Bushi (CR)
Kakita Artisan (GC)

Permitted Paths
Asahina Fetishist (CR)
Crane Elite Spearmen (Strongholds)
Daidoji Spymaster* (BOW)
Doji Innocents (BOA)
Doji Warrior-Poet (Strongholds)

*Players should be aware that acting on behalf of or in the interests of a Wind does not qualify for nullifying honor losses. The Wind is not your clan.

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Dragon
The Dragon clan has never been more active than during the past three generations. They demonstrated quick thinking, courage, and skill during the Empire's struggle against the Gozoku and the gaijin at White Stag. Unfortunately, the Dragon also have shown some of their worldly failings, what with the perfidy that led to the Crab-Dragon war and their role in the tragedy of Matsu Hitomi. Overall, the Dragon of today are more politically active, less mysterious (or at least less unfamiliarly mysterious in the case of the Togashi), and more worldly in their aspirations, though there are elements within the clan that are pushing it to return to its isolationist and mystical roots.

Family Matters
The Agasha are still part of the Dragon clan, and the Tamori family has not been founded. Their family bonus is +1 Perception.
The Kitsuki family does not exist yet.
Togashi are monks; they do not have an Influence rank and they do not have Houses like other characters.

Permitted Schools
Agasha Shugenja (CR)
Mirumoto Bushi (CR)
Mirumoto Taoist Swordsman (EE)
The Tamori Shugenja (CR) school is renamed the Agasha Alchemist school.
Togashi Tatooed Order (CR)

Permitted Paths
Mirumoto Mountaineer (CR)
Mirumoto Sentinel (Strongholds)
Togashi Defender (GC)
Water Hammer Smith (Strongholds)

[Cearnach]

Lion
The Lion saw a period of political dominance during the reigns of Hantei Yugozohime and Hantei Muhaki slip away from them as the Otomo decided they had become too powerful. They are deeply divided in a political sense, unsure of what to do without the Empress' favor. But, with the exception of the Matsu, they are also gaining a reputation for scholarship and innovation, both artistic (especially in literature) and scientific.


Permitted Schools
Akodo Bushi (CR)
Ikoma Bard (CR)
Ikoma Lion’s Shadow (EE)*
Kitsu Shugenja (CR)
Matsu Berserker (CR)

Permitted Paths
Akodo Kensai (GC)
Ikoma Warden (Sword and Fan?)
Ikoma Historian (BoF)
Lion Paragon (GC)
Lion Scout (GC)

*Players should be aware that acting on behalf of or in the interests of a Wind does not qualify for nullifying honor losses. The Wind is not your clan.

[Cearnach]

Phoenix
The Phoenix are at the apex of the political hierarchy, and have a firm grip on the Imperial favor. They are led by a dynamic scion of the Shiba family. The Isawa are no less personally mighty, but their divergent personalities and interests and stronger commitment to Shinseism during this period mean that they are finding it difficult to exert their influence in a concerted way.

Family Matters
The Agasha Family is currently part of the Dragon clan.

Permitted Schools
Asako Henshin (CR) (1 per game)
Asako Loremaster (CR)
Isawa Shugenja (CR)
Shiba Artisan (EE)
Shiba Bushi (CR)

Permitted Paths
Asako Philosopher (Strongholds)
Elemental Legions (GC)
Isawa Temple Guardian (BOE)
Isawa Tensai (CR)
Kawaru Sages (BOW)
Provincial Guard (Called the Sapphire Legion) (Strongholds)
Sesai Ninja* (BOV)
Shiba Armorsmith (BOE)
Shiba Illusionist (BOA)
Shiba Yojimbo (CR)

Mechanical Changes
Shiba Bushi: Naginata are samurai weapons for the purposes of the Shiba Bushi school.
The starting skills for the Shiba Bushi should replace 'Spears' with 'Polearms'

[Cearnach]

Scorpion

The Scorpion are culturally largely unchanged from future eras, with the following exceptions:
A large number of Scorpion operatives are integrated into an Empire-wide system of comprehensive espionage. They call this the "grass," and it grows all around.
Traitor's Grove has only recently been established. The Scorpion emphasis on firm Loyalty to clan leadership is not as firm as it will be in the future, though the Bayushi are beginning to assert its importance. Loyalty to the Empress, on the other hand, is strongly reinforced.
The Kuroiban has not yet been founded.

Permitted Schools
Bayushi Bushi (CR)
Bayushi Courtier (CR)
Shosuro Actor (GC)
Shosuro Infiltrator (CR)
Soshi Magistrate (EE)
Soshi Shugenja (CR)
Yogo Wardmaster (GC)

Permitted Paths
Scorpion Maskmaker (IA)
Shadow Blades [Shosuro Infiltrator 3 only] (Strongholds)
Shadow Hunters (CR)
The Scorpion’s Tail (BoW)

[Cearnach]

Brotherhood of Shinsei

Monks
Note: Monks do not have an Influence rank and do not have Houses like other characters. You will, consequently, be playing a slightly different game than the others and will need to rely on yourself for your goals and interests. If that doesn’t appeal, please consider a Great Clan samurai instead.

Permitted Schools
Four Temples Monk (CR)
Order of the Five Rings
Order of Heroes (CR)
Order of the Nameless Gift
Order of Peaceful Repose
Order of Rebirth
Order of the Wind
Shrine of the Seven Thunders
Temple of Kaimetsu-uo
Temple of Heavenly Wisdom
Temple of Osano-wo
Temple of the Thousand Fortunes

Permitted Paths
Barefoot Brethren
Defender of the Brotherhood
Kaze-do Fighter
Order of Ebisu
Student of Mizu-do