UNIDAD 11. JUEGOS POPULARES Y TRADICIONALES DE LA CALLE
B) INSTRUMENTOS DE EVALUACIÓN
Horo Cloaks are stiffened cloaks fashioned of finely woven silk and wrapped around the body. Their primary purpose is to improve the visibility of the wearer on the battlefield, but they also serve as arrow- catchers.
Any mundane shooting attack directed at a model equipped with a Horo Cloak is resolved at -1 Strength. Horo Cloaks have no effect against black powder weapons or Flaming Attacks. A model wearing a Horo Cloak may not have a Sashimono.
51
Commanders
The Daimyo are the feudal lords of Nippon, outranked only by the Shogun and the Imperial family. Daimyo have almost total autonomy in the day-to-day running of their territory, and it is therefore unsurprising that civil strife is common as Daimyo fight over resources and pursue personal vendettas. Though bound by the Way of the Warrior like all Samurai, Daimyo tend to be more pragmatic about its application as they involve themselves in the politics of the Empire.
Although the Emperor owns all land within the borders of the Empire, he has granted members of the samurai class the honour of protecting and overseeing his affairs, acting as his stewards over the vast majority of land in the Empire. Samurai that have oversight of a particular area are granted the title "Daimyo" and given permission to swear other samurai into their service. Rather than serving the Emperor directly, a Daimyo of this sort is usually appointed by and subordinate to the reigning Daimyo of the family or clan that controls the province within which his land falls.
The primary responsibilities of a Daimyo of this sort are protecting his assigned territory and ensuring that the proper taxes are collected for the Emperor. In order to fulfil these responsibilities he is allowed to take a portion of the rice and other goods produced in his province in order to equip and maintain samurai sworn to his service.
Each family recognized by the Emperor has a designated leader who is Daimyo of that family. Family Daimyo are the highest authority within their own family, although they are subordinate to the Daimyo of their clan.
Family Daimyo are also the honorary heads of their family's schools. The actual duties of running the schools are often delegated to someone more inclined to teaching, or in the case of families with multiple schools, someone who is more familiar with the lessons. Nevertheless, for any matter that would require the attention of the head of the school, the family Daimyo's approval would be required, whether or not he has an active hand in the school's day to day affairs.
The leader of a clan, whether a Great or Minor clan, is also given the title Daimyo, although they are more often referred to as the Champion of the clan. The clan Daimyo are generally also the Daimyo of their family within the clan. The clan Daimyo are the most powerful in the Empire, second only to the Emperor and Shogun, in both political and military might.
Taisho is a military rank similar to a captain. A Taisho will have many Chui and their units serving beneath him, and reports directly to the Daimyo, who command the force in which the Taisho serves.
M WS BS S T W I A Ld Daimyo 4 6 5 4 4 3 6 4 9 Taisho 4 5 5 4 4 2 5 3 8
TROOP TYPE:
Infantry (Character).SPECIAL RULES:
Way of the Warrior, Kenjutsu, Death before Dishonour.The Ten Orders
A leader always carries a text with him. The mind must be exercised as well as the body.
When a lord called his samurai, he ran, fall at his feet and spoke his name loudly and proudly. Keep one's sword close and ready and clean. Keep servants only if necessary.
Zanagi and Zanami made a samurai with a left hand and a right hand. In the left hand went the text and in the right hand went the sword.
When a samurai came before a superior, he dropped hands at his sides, and bowed lower than they, showing trust.
Men followed the example of those they admired. A samurai went to bed early, then, at midnight he
would be fresh, rested and ready for any foe who creeped in late hours.
Be clean, because a dirty man must itch and scratch, and an itching and scratching man was slow. Be ready to die.
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Shugenja
The samurai caste holds the keys to the magic realm, proof that the greatest blessings of the Sun and Moon are reserved for the nobility. Occasionally, peasants have a strong affinity for the Kami and in all but the rarest cases this is the same inner path that the monks follow. The peasant then goes on to study among the peaceful Brotherhood of Shinsel. Peasants who show true magical affinity are quickly granted samurai status and trained as Shugenja.
Shugenja do more than simply cast spells. They are the priests of the Kami, their very power a testament to the wisdom and truth of their beliefs. Shugenja record and keep the names of the Fortunes, act as intermediaries between the world of mortals and spirits, and carry the wisdom set down by the Celestial Heavens. Though not the official keepers of the Tao of Shinsei, a duty held by the Brotherhood of Shinsei monks, almost all Shugenja are familiar with the text, and view it as a valuable guide to life.
Shugenja bless villages many times during a year, to help bring about a greater harvest, healthier livestock, and protect the village against threats both mortal and supernatural. They also commune with spirits of the dead, creating a link between the living and the revered ancestors of the family. Such a duty falls to them as both a great honour and a staggering burden. as many souls of the dead are troubled with unfinished business, and will seek a Shugenja's aid in fulfilling It in return for their wisdom.
Magic in Nippon, is not simply a Shugenja bending the elements to her will, magic underlies all activities: the bird taking flight, and the Sun rising each morning. Man too comes from the confluence this magic projected in the blood and tears of the first Moon and Sun mixing together to create something new. Magic spirits dwell everywhere, simply waiting to be called upon.
In a more common definition, however, magic is the art of Shugenja, and even the monk's kiho. While the average Nipponese understands that magic surrounds them every day, it is still a holy practice, and
something to be looked upon with wonder. Shugenja, the most common practitioners of magic, bring with their vocation the blessings of the Kami upon the Empire.
As a force, magic represents a tool and a blessing as a genuine gift from the Heavens. With the power of magic, a Shugenja can purify foul water, tell truth from fiction, hurl fire into their enemies, and convene with the wisdom of the Celestial Heavens. This immense power commands respect both for the Shugenja who wields it, and for the Kami who provide such strength.
Shugenja tend be peaceful women. While most clans have their Shugenja trained for war and capable of casting impressive battle magic, the path of the Fortunes and Kami impresses a Shugenja with a strong reverence for life in all its forms. Shugenja believe life is a gift, and should never be squandered for any reason.
Shugenja stand out as the one exception to the samurai's usual aversion to surrender. As servants of the Kami, they are always treated with respect and offered the option of being taken prisoner when possible. Most Shugenja realise how rare and precious their gift is, and how wrong it would be to deny the clan their gifts, and accept the offer even if the idea of being held hostage is otherwise intolerable.
Most armies keep at least one Shugenja on hand, both as a potent weapon against the enemy and to call upon the blessings of the Fortunes for the battles ahead. Once the battle is done, they give thanks to the Kami and purify the taint of blood and dead flesh that inevitably stains a victorious army.
M WS BS S T W I A Ld High Shugenja 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 1 8 Shugenja 4 3 3 3 3 2 3 1 7
TROOP TYPE:
Infantry (Character).MAGIC:
A Shugenja is a Wizard that uses spells from the Lore of Fire, Lore of the Heavens, Lore of Life, Lore of Shadow or Lore of the Kami.53
Hatamoto
Those Samurai that distinguish themselves on the battlefield become part of a Clan‘s inner circle in the form of Hatamoto. A Hatamoto, or honoured retainer, is the official representative of the family name. It is the chief aid and advisor to a daimyo.
The main duty of the Hatamoto on the battlefield is to protect important members or allies who were not expected to always defend themselves. People such as courtiers and Shugenja were most commonly not trained in the sword, and as such would require someone to protect them. In the case of duels of honour, a Hatamoto can often be someone‘s designated champion, although this is not necessarily always the case.
At other times, the Hatamoto is usually assigned the carry his lord‘s banner into battle as his personal champion. These glorious standards are rich in colour and highly detailed, made from the finest silk available. The Hatamoto takes this honour very seriously, and would rather die than see it fall into enemy hands. Above else, the Hatamoto acts as the Daimyo‘s bodyguard, both on the battlefield and in the castle. The Hatamoto take his given task extremely serious, for to them there is no greater shame than failure. Failure to protect the one they have sworn means their life is forfeit, and there is no other solution than to take one‘s own life, for a life in shame is completely unthinkable to them.
M WS BS S T W I A Ld Hatamoto 4 4 4 4 4 2 4 2 8
TROOP TYPE:
Infantry (Character).SPECIAL RULES:
Way of the Warrior, Kenjutsu, Death before Dishonour.Yojimbo: A Hatamoto may be assigned as a yojimbo, meaning bodyguard, to one character in the army (but not anther Hatamoto).
While in base contact with this character, all failed "Look Out, Sir" hits are taken by the Hatamoto instead of the character, and all challenges issues by enemies are taken up by the Hatamoto.
If the character the Hatamoto is assigned to protect dies, the Hatamoto will immediately commit seppuku as per the Death before Dishonour special rule.
Each character that survives the game with a Hatamoto assigned to it as a Yojimbo gives the Nippon player an additional 50 Victory points.
A character may only have one Yojimbo assigned to it at any time, although a new Yojimbo may be assigned upon the death of another Hatamoto.
54
Kensai
The Kensai is a duellist who over many years of practice and dedication has reached spiritual perfection through use of the sword. He is a master of the tea ceremony and other arts like handwriting. The Kensai spends many hours in meditation and has reached the point where he is almost considered a saint and only kills when absolutely necessary, without resentment or pain.
The Samurai of Nippon prides themselves on their adherence to tradition and their reverence of the brave warriors that served their clan before them. They pass down their methods and kata, ensuring that the next generation of bushi perform them exactly as their ancestors did years before. The Kensai have mastered the kata and made the movements a part of their very souls.
The Kensai have devoted his life to perfecting the skill of the quick draw, known as Iaijutsu. He focus his training and meditation into a rapturous perfection of the use of his katana, channelling his arcane might through it in a dizzying and deadly dance beyond the abilities of even the greatest of mundane warriors. The Kensai are the best of the best, skilled duellists who epitomise the Way of the Sword. To be a Kensai is to be one of the fastest blades in Nippon. The Kensal's speed, skill and dedication to the tenets of bushido are known throughout Nippon, and even their enemies must grudgingly accept the strength of the Kensai.
The Kensai are known throughout Nippon for having an almost supernatural connection with their katana. They are masters of the duel, earned with hours and hours of practise. These samurai go from village to village challenging the different Dojos in order to increase their knowledge and prestige. The Kensai are exceptional individuals whose martial prowess makes them almost invincible in battle. These men are capable of taking on many opponents at once while emerging victorious, and often untouched.
M WS BS S T W I A Ld Kensai 4 7 5 4 4 2 7 3 8
TROOP TYPE:
Infantry (Character).SPECIAL RULES:
Way of the Warrior, Kenjutsu, Death before Dishonour, Killing Blow. Iaijutsu: A Kensai must always issue and accept challenges if possible. At the start of each round of close combat, he may choose to utilize one of the following duelling techniques. He may not use the same technique two rounds in a row. Drawing the Void: The Kensai gains +1 To Hit and To Wound.
A Single Moment: The Kensai gains the Always Strikes First Special rule.
Ritual of Steel: The Kensai gains +D3 Attacks. Wanderer: A Kensai may never be the army's General.