ACTION TYPES

Attack Actions that a character can use to inflict harm on a another character

A character must generally have line of sight and an unobstructed path to their target
Movement Actions that allow a character to reposition in their environment

A chat must usually have a path to the point their trying to reach
Scheme Actions that allow a character to attempt to influence targets with whom they can communicate

A character must generally be able to communicate with their targets, verbally or otherwise
Support Actions that build up the character´s position or help others

A character must generally be communicate or interact with the one their attempting to help

Mounts and riding:

While riding a mount during a conflict:
- When rider succeeds on a Movement action, add bonus successes = mount´s Water ring
- The rider may use their Survival skill in place of their Fitness skill

ASSISTANCE
Each assisting character must describe how they are helping, and must be approved by GM.
The character making the check may roll 1 additional die per assisting characters who has one or more rank in the skills in use, and
1 additional die per assisting character with 0 ranks in the skill in use.

Up to 1 advantage from 1 assisting character can be applied to the check.

A character making a check with assistance may keep 1 additional die during their check.
Each assisting character may choose to suffer 1 strife to negate 1 symbol on the check.

COMPLICATED TASKS AND MOMENTUM POINTS

Some tasks can take more than one action to accomplish. For such task the GM can use momentum points to track the progress of
individuals or groups

The number momentum points sets the difficulty for a given task (it can be known or secret, determined by GM)

Each time a character succeeds at an action that contributes to completing the objective, they contribute 1 momentum
For every 2 bonus successes they contribute 1additional momentum point

If 2+ characters are racing to complete the same task, the winner is the one with the highest number of momentum points at the end
of a round after the set difficulty has been reached
In case of a tie, the winner is the one with the higher status (or glory depending on circumstances)

GAUGING AN ENCOUNTER
Group rank = encounter rank The PCs are generally matched with the NPCs
Group rank = 1,5-2 X encounter rank The PCs have significant edge over the NPCs
Group rank = 0,5 X encounter rank The PCs are significantly outmatched

Group Rank: During a turn

Sum of the group´s school ranks 1. Beginning of turn
2. Set stance (and grip)
Encounter Rank: 3. Perform action (and movement)
Sum of combat conflict ranks for battles a. 5-6 words allowed
Sum of intrigue conflict ranks for social scenes 4. End of turn

Side 1 af 16
 INTRIGUES

Initiative
TN 1 Sentiment Check

When 2+ characters wish to act at the same time the one with the higher initiative acts first
-1 honor and -1 glory if done to act before one or more characters of higher status in this way

SAMPLE SOCIAL OBJECTIVES

Appeal to a Person or Group
Discern Someone´s Qualities
Discredit Someone
Spread a Rumor
Description
The character is trying to
convince someone to act in a
certain way
Target and objectives should
be stated at the outset
The character engages with a
target in order to draw out
their less obvious qualities
Target and the features the
character wants to uncover
should be stated at the outset
Provoking one´s enemies
directly in order to put them in
positions where they must
accept a loss lest their
reputation suffer harm
Target should be stated at the
outset
A way for a character to lead
foes astray or into carefully
laid traps
The rumor and objective
should be stated at the outset
Objectives
Achieve a number of
momentum points =/> targets
focus rank
(adjusted at GM discretion)
Achieve a number of
momentum points =/> targets
vigilance rank
(adjusted at GM discretion)
Have a target become
Compromised (strife >
composure) and either unmask
or leave the scene
Achieve a number of
momentum points =/>
vigilance rank of the character
in the scene with the highest
status
(adjusted at GM discretion)
Effects
The target is persuaded to
adopt the character´s
perspective (or stops raising
an argument against it)
The character learns 3 of the
following:
- social objective
- ninjō
- giri
- composure
- endurance
- 1 advantage
- 1 disadvantage
Such provocation makes it
very hard to get someone to
take the provoker´s side in a
matter
Might result in a challenge to
a duel
The rumor becomes self-
sustaining with the crowd
If the character fails at two
consecutive checks, the rumor
fails to take root and the
objective cannot be completed
in this scene

SEEING THROUGH LIES

Earth Lets you know whether the potential liar is behaving differently than usual
Water Lets you know whether someone has your best intentions at heart
Fire Lets you figure out whether someone neglected to mention something important
Sentiment
Air Lets you know whether some lied directly
Void Lets you uncover what someone wants to accomplish with their words

To lie to someone:
Sentiment (any ring) check where TN is target´s vigilance

Side 2 af 16
INTRIGUE ACTIONS
Description Activation
Assist You offer an ally an argument they might Support action, describe how
use, an insight about the opposition or a you are helping 1 other
novel idea character at range 0-2 with
their next action
Calming Breath You may inhale deeply before exhaling, Support action, take a deep
drawing upon your inner strength breath to calm yourself a
recover stamina
Persuade You attempt to foster or quell an idea, TN = highest vigilance among
emotion or desire in a person your targets
Command:
- 1 TN if each target status
rank = your status rank
Effects
You provide assistance on the
targets next check
(GM needs to approve)
If strife > ½ composure – 1
strife
If fatigue > ½ endurance – 1
fatigue
If successful you add 1
momentum point toward
appropriate social objective +
1 per 2 bonus successes

Courtesy:
- 1 TN if each target status
rank = your status rank

Unique Action You make a check using a skill for a
mechanical or narrative effect
Games/Performance/Other:
- 1 TN if each target status
rank = your status rank
You make a skill check to If successful, you may use the
attempt a task you have skill for its narrative effects
described to the GM

UNMASKING
Bend principles
Expose an opening
Honor´s challenge
Inappropriate outburst
Description
The character does something that conflicts
with their values , oaths or view of right and
wrong to bring about the result they desire
The character reveals a vital flaw in their
argument, defenses or positions, often related to
one of their disadvantages
The character can bear their indignities no
longer and demands satisfaction by way of steel
The character say something out of line or
commits a deep breach of etiquette, shocking
onlookers
Effect
May let a character implement a solution to a
problem they would otherwise never consider
-honor (attribute rank or more)
-1 TN at next check by opponent targeting
character
The character must challenge the antagonist in
the scene to a duel (not necessarily to the death)
Might let a character express a vital argument
forbidden by propriety or reveal something that
society demands they keep within

-glory (attribute rank or more)

Panicked retreat The character departs the scene immediately, Might allow a character to run away from
without regard for propriety certain defeat and live to fight another day

-honor (attribute rank or more)

-glory (attribute rank or more)
Rage The character fails to contain their fury and Might let a character launch a first strike against
they lash out at people or objects nearby an unready foe or let them reinforce a threat by
destroying a nearby object

-honor (attribute rank or more)

-glory (attribute rank or more)

Side 3 af 16
 DUELS

COMMON FORMS OF DUELS

Description Winning condition Objectives
Iaijutsu Duel Highly ritualized duels where First Strike Inflict a critical strike on the opponent
combatants wear ceremonial clothes, First Blood Inflict a critical strike of severity 5+ on the
only the katana and wakizashi are opponent
allowed and each warrior must begin Death Kill the opponent or inflict them with the
with their weapons sheathed Dying condition
Sparring Bout Practice duels frequently practiced by Incapacitation Inflict the opponent with the Incapacitated
bushi and monks. condition
Training weapons or blunted weapons
are required
Warrior´s Duel Duels fought with any weapon on Defeat Kill the opponent or inflict them with
hand and few regulations Unconscious or Dying condition or get them
to yield
Taryu-Jiai Bouts between shugenja that are Incapacitation Inflict the opponent with the Incapacitated
fought primarily with invocations condition or get them to yield by
demonstrating one´s absolute superiority
Physical strikes are permitted in the
Crab and Scorpion clan
Physical strikes are prohibited in the
Phoenix and Crane clan

SPECIAL RULES FOR DUELS

Initiative:
TN 1 Meditation check

Each round the characters modify their initiative value in a staredown

Each character receives strife equal to the number of the round
Each character (who is not Compromised) may secretly bid additional strife to increase their initiative value for that round
To bid, each character chooses a number between 0 and their focus rank
The character with the higher initiative value takes their turn first, if tied the one with the lower honor goes first

Finishing blow
The first time their opponent becomes Compromised or unmask in a duel, a character may immediate execute a finishing blow
Attack action, TN 2 Martial Arts [appropriate skill] check
If successful, inflict a critical strike severity = 2x Weapon DLS + bonus successes

A finishing blow can interrupt another

If 2 finishing blows are triggered simultaneously, the one with the lower honor goes first

Side 4 af 16
DUEL ACTIONS
Description
Calming Breath You may inhale deeply before exhaling,
drawing upon your inner strength
Center You let the world around you slow as the
Void overtakes your senses and your mind
weaves through infinite possibilities
Predict By predicting your foe´s actions, you aim
to win the in the mind, leaving the foe open
to a decisive strike or forcing them to
attack early
Prepare Item You prepare, ready or stow 1 weapon or
other item
Strike You make an attack against a single foe
Unique Action You make a check using a skill for a
mechanical or narrative effect
Activation
Support action, take a deep
breath to calm yourself a
recover stamina
Support action in Void stance,
roll a number of skill dice up
to your rank in a chosen skill
and reserve any number of
those dice
Attack and Scheme action,
secretly select and record Air,
Earth, Fire or Water
Support action
Attack action using readied
weapon, TN 2 Martial Arts
[appropriate skill for
weapon] check, targeting 1
character within range of
weapon
You make a skill check to
attempt a task you have
described to the GM
Effects
If strife > ½ composure – 1
strife
If fatigue > ½ endurance – 1
fatigue
The next time you make a
check with the chosen skill in
this scene
If opponent chooses the same
stance their next turn:
+4 strife
Must change stance
Prepare 1 item for use, ready a
weapon in a grip of your
choice or stow an item
If successful, inflict physical
DMG = weapon base DMG +
bonus successes
: If successful, inflict
critical strike = weapon DLS
If successful, you may use the
skill for its narrative effects

DUEL SCORING RESOLVING A DUEL

Feat Score Score Difference Result
Achieved your + 6 points 0 No Winner
objective 1 Narrow Victory
Struck the enemy + 3 points 2 Clear Victory
first 3-6 Absolute Victory
Inflicted fatigue on + 1 point per fatigue +3 to any glory award
the enemy 7+ No Contest
Inflicted one or + points = severity of highest + 5 to any glory award
more critical strikes critical strike (after reduction)
on the enemy
Killed the enemy + 14 points
(only in duel to
death)
Unmasked - 2 points
Was witnessed Automatic loss
cheating

Side 5 af 16
 SKIRMISHES

SPECIAL RULES FOR SKIRMISHES RANGE BANDS ON A TACTICAL GRID

Initiative: Distances:
TN 1 Tactics check Range 0 The square the character occupies
Range 1 The squares adjacent to range 0
Range 2 The next row of squares adjacent to range 1
If 2+ characters are tied, the one with the lower honor acts
Range 3 The next 3 rows of squares after range 2
first Range 4 The next 4 rows of squares after range 3
Range 5 The next 5 rows of squares after range 4
Character may spend from this check to get additional Range 6 Any squares on the grid beyond range 5
information about their surroundings and undertake small
tasks Movement:
The characters move 3 squares per range band
Movement Moving to a diagonally adjacent square counts as moving 1
A character may move 1 range once during their turn, before additional square
or after performing an action Exiting a square occupied by an enemy counts as moving 1
additional square

INITIATIVE CHECK EXAMPLES OF :

Earth : Choose another character´s disadvantage you know. They do not apply that disadvantage to their checks this scene.
Water : Assess the qualities of all terrain in the scene
Fire : Use your focus instead of your vigilance for your initiative when surprised
Air : Assess one foe´s weakness. Learn one of their disadvantages by that foe´s choice.
Void : Sense if there is an otherworldly being in the scene

CLASHES
A way to embed a duel in another scene
Can arise from a Challenge action or via narrative events that lead to a duel occurring

Function mechanically as a normal duel

Using the Challenge action on an enemy involved in a clash allows a character to “cut in” , exchanging themselves for an ally in a
clash. Any ally helped this way forfeits their staked honor.

-10 honor if a character interrupts a clash in any other way

Side 6 af 16
SKIRMISH ACTIONS
Description
Assist You offer an ally a plan of attack,
an insight about the foe or an
encouraging word
Calming breath You may inhale deeply before
exhaling, drawing upon your inner
strength
Challenge You issue a challenge to a foe,
calling for them to face you in
single combat
Guard You focus on warding off foes from
yourself or an ally by positioning
yourself defensively
Maneuver You shift on the battlefield, moving
to a more advantageous position
Prepare Item You prepare, ready or stow 1
weapon or other item
Strike You make an attack against a single
foe
Unique action You make a check using a skill for
a mechanical or narrative effect
Wait You bide your time, waiting to
spring into action
Side 7 af 16
Activation
Support action, describe how you
are helping 1 other character at
range 0-2 with their next action
Support action, take a deep breath
to calm yourself a recover stamina
Scheme action, TN 1 Command
check to target at range 0-5
Must stake 10 honor and 5 glory,
which is forfeited if you sabotage
the clash
Support action using readied
weapon, TN 1 Tactics check
targeting yourself or 1 other
character within weapon range
Movement action, reposition for
more distance.
Optionally, TN 2 Fitness check
Support action
Attack action using readied
weapon, TN 2 Martial Arts
[appropriate skill for weapon]
check, targeting 1 character within
range of weapon
You make a skill check to attempt a
task you have described to the GM
Attack, Scheme and Support action,
declare a non-Movement action you
will perform after the occurrence of
a specified event before the end of
the round
Effects
You provide assistance on the
targets next check
(GM needs to approve)
If strife > ½ composure – 1
strife
If fatigue > ½ endurance – 1
fatigue
If successful, target must
choose:
Accept:
Target stakes 10 honor and 5
glory, which they forfeit if they
engage before the clash
Decline:
Target forfeits glory = your
Command rank + bonus
successes
+2 strife to each of target´s
allies with glory < your glory
+1 void point for you
If you win:
+3 strife to each of your foes
allies
If you lose:
+3 strife to each of you allies
If successful, you guard target
until beginning of your next turn
TN attack checks against target
+1 +1 per 2 bonus successes
Move 1 range band
If successful on Fitness check,
move 2 range bands + 1 per 2
bonus successes
Prepare 1 item for use, ready a
weapon in a grip of your choice
or stow an item
If successful, inflict physical
DMG = weapon base DMG +
bonus successes
: If successful, inflict
critical strike = weapon DLS
If successful, you may use the
skill for its narrative effects
After the specified event occurs
this round, you may perform the
action
 If the specified event does not
occur, you may perform q action
of your choice at the end of the
round

MASS BATTLES

SPECIAL RULES FOR MASS BATTLES

Initiative:
TN 1 Command check, made by the commander of each army

The one with the highest initiative value decides whether to go first or wait. If it is a tie the one with the lower honor has to go first
For every army there is a commander who decides on the strategic objective they are pursuing
Every PC is put in control of a cohort (opposing force typically has same number of cohorts)

Fortifications Length of battle and battle fatigue

Attrition Difficulty Value After 6 rounds of a mass battle, strategic engagement
reduction generally terminates and armies withdraw to their camps for
Woods or -1 4 the day.
defensive terrain If the fighting continues beyond round 6, both armies begin
Outpost -2 6
to suffer from battle fatigue.
Fortress -3 8
At the beginning of each round after, a commander must
Castle -4 12
make a TN 4 Command check to control their forces

If failure, +10 panic + shortfall from check

The difficulty value is the amount of momentum points an army must achieve in order to achieve an objective

MASS BATTLE ACTIONS

Description
Assault You move your cohort to a
particular position, attacking the
cohort of a chosen enemy leader
Challenge You stride to the forefront of your
force, bellowing a challenge to the
enemy leader
Activation
Attack and Movement action, TN 2
Tactics check targeting 1 enemy
cohort
Movement and Scheme action, TN
1 Command check targeting 1
enemy leader with a challenge to
single combat
Must stake 10 honor and 5 glory,
which is forfeited if you sabotage
the clash
Effects
If successful, you deal attrition
to enemy army = your
Command rank + bonus success
If successful, target must
choose:
Accept:
Target stakes 10 honor and 5
glory, which they forfeit if they
engage before the clash
Decline:
Target forfeits glory = your
Command rank + bonus success
+3 panic to target´s army
+1 void point for you

If you win:
+5 panic to enemy army

If you lose:
+5 panic to your army
Rally You command your troops to Support action, TN 1Command If successful, - 1 panic - 1

Side 8 af 16
 regroup and support an allied
contingent
Reinforce You call for your troops to dig in
and hold a position at all costs
SAMPLE STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
Description
Capture a position The commander calls for the leaders to
uproot the enemy from a specific
position, so that the army can occupy it
The position must be a fortification or a
piece of terrain occupied by the enemy
Cut off the head The commander calls for their army to
corner and kill a particular leader in the
enemy force
Draw them in The commander tries to draw the foe into
attacking a hardened position, preparing
for a counterattack
Grind them down The commander calls for the army to
focus on inflicting harm on the foe to
weaken their forces and break their
resolve
Seize victory The commander calls for their forces to
deliver a final blow to the enemy army
Can only be declared after a number of
strategic objectives have been achieved
(3, adjusted at GM discretion)
When a leader completes a strategic objective they gain 3 glory
RESOLVING A MASS BATTLE
Side 9 af 16
check targeting 1 friendly leader´s additional panic per bonus
cohort success
You assist the target on their
next check in the scene
Movement and Support action, TN If successful, TN to attacks
2 Tactics check targeting your cohort
+ 1 + 1 per 2 bonus success
Persists for 1 round
Objectives Effects
Momentum points =/> The enemy is driven out of the
difficulty value of the fortification and the victorious
fortification leader may choose to occupy
it immediately
Alternatively, if the enemy
leaves and a friendly leader
performs Reinforce action at
location
Gain 1 momentum point per
casualty the enemy army has
suffered after an Attack action
Momentum points =/> enemy If target is a leader:
leaders focus rank + 10 panic to enemy army
Gain 3 momentum points after If target is the commander:
a leader attacks the targets + 20 panic to enemy army
cohort
Momentum points =/> enemy The enemy army suffers 5
commanders vigilance panic
Next round, 2x attrition
Gain 1 momentum point after inflicted by army leaders
a friendly has suffered 3-
casualties after being attacked
Gain 1 momentum point after
an enemy leader challenges or
accepts a challenge from a
friendly leader
Momentum points =/> enemy The enemy army suffers 10
commanders glory rank + panic
Command rank
Gain 1 momentum point per
casualty the enemy army has
suffered after an Attack action
Momentum points =/> enemy The enemy is driven back and
commanders focus rank + must retreat from the field
Tactics rank
Gain 1 momentum point per
casualty the enemy army has
suffered after an Attack action
Rout If casualties > strength the army is routed at the end of the round
All minion NPCs in the army are killed or scatter
Each PC and adversary NPC suffer a critical strike severity 12, and might be captured or left for dead
on the battlefield (GM discretion)
Morale collapse If panic > discipline the army breaks apart
PCs and adversary NPCs can escape in the confusion
Strategic victory/defeat If an army succeeds in its Seize victory strategic objective, it wins the battle at the end of the round

EXAMPLE ARMIES
Description Strength Discipline Army ability
Peasant levy Untrained citizens who have been 35 20 Conscripted:
conscripted or found the resolve +1 TN Attack actions for any leader in the
to fight due to the scourge of war army
Ashigaru army Ashigaru are career soldiers 55 30 Rank formation:
Though tey are not of the samurai When a leader performs Reinforce action:
class and lack the elite training +: after an enemy cohort attacks this
and equipment , many are veteran leader´s cohort, the enemy army suffers
campaigners with more battlefield attrition equal to spent this way
experience than most Rokugani
samurai
Elite samurai army Fighting forces composed 50 45 Hardened veterans:
primarily of members from the When this army may remove 1+ panic, it
samurai caste may remove an amount equal to the glory
rank of its commander instead

Elite training:
Each cohort in this army confers one of
the following abilities upon its leader:

Cavalry: After successful Assault action,

the enemy army suffers panic equal to
your rank in Survival

Siege specialists: After successful Rally

action, add a number of bonus success
equal to your rank in Labor

Infantry: After successful Assault action,

add a number of bonus success equal to
your rank in Command

Archers: After a successful Reinforce

action, the enemy army suffers panic
equal to your rank in Tactics

Mystics: After a successful Rally or

Reinforce action, remove casualties or
panic from your army equal to your rank
in Theology
Shadowlands horde Goblins, oni, undead 65 40 Relentless:
monstrosities and other horrors This army does not suffer the effects of
rallied by a dread leader strong battle fatigue
and cunning enough to control
them Monstrous enemies:
At the end of each round, each opposing
army suffer panic equal to this army

Side 10 af 16

TERRAIN QUALITIES
Description
Dangerous Physically hazardous to enter or
even linger in
Found in most regions
Defiled Supernatural terrain, afflicted by
the vile touch of the Shadowlands,
found in especially unhallowed
places
Entangling Ground that seriously hampers the
movement of anyone within it
Found in most regions
Hallowed Supernatural terrain, close to one
(one or more elements) or more of the Spirit Realms, found
in places where Kami dwell or
miracles have occurred
Invocations are easier to perform in
such locations
Imbalanced Supernatural terrain, marked by a
(one or more elements) distinct absence or disquiet of the
Kami of a certain element, found in
regions affected by an elemental
imbalance
Invocations are harder to perform
in such locations
Obscuring Limits the visibility of (and to)
anyone within, making it very
difficult to land strikes
Side 11 af 16
commander´s rank in Command
Wake of the Shadowlands:
After a mass battle against this army, the
battlefield becomes Defiled terrain
Effects Examples
Character suffer physical - Fire
damage equal to symbols on - Intense cold
kept dice - Jagged rocks
At the end of scene, each - An oni´s lair
character within must make - A battlefield with unburned
TN 2 Fitness or Meditation dead
check - The secret hideout of a
mahō-tsukai
Failure leads to Afflicted
condition
-1 to checks made by Tainted
beings to resist effects
+2 TN to movement actions - Sucking mud
and checks to move - Deep snow
- Moving water
-1 Meditation and Theology - A shrine to a Kami
check using the terrains - A place of natural beauty
specified ring - A location where a powerful
spirit resides
(+2 TN if they use the
specified ring)
+1 Meditation and Theology - A forest mysteriously
check using the terrains missing all its leaves
specified ring - A barren farm field
- An out-of-control river
+1 to checks made by
Otherworldly beings to resist
effects (+2 TN if they use the
specified ring)
+1 TN to attack checks - Dense foliage
targeting characters within - Darkness
- Heavy rain or snow
Characters within generally
cannot see beyond range 2 of
their current position
Characters outside generally
cannot see beyond range 2 of
the edge
STANCES
Name Description Stance effect
Earth You focus on your foundation, employing tactics that keep you rooted and Others cannot spend to inflict critical
defended while you await the exact right moment to act strikes or conditions on you
Water You remain flexible, ready to adapt as the situation demands, seize Perform a second action on your turn that
chances as they arise, or turn your opposition´s force against them does not require a check or share a type
with your first action
Fire You go on the attack, bearing down on your foes and trusting your If you succeed, +1 bonus success per
momentum to carry you forward to safety symbol
Air You move into a stance that favors grace, circling your opponents nimbly +1 to TN of Attack or Scheme checks
while theirs attacks slide harmlessly past you targeting you
(+2 at rank 4+)
Void You take a stance that does not commit to any direction or tactic, reading You do not receive strife from symbols
the potential energy of the situation and then acting as a conduit for its on checks
release

CONFLICT AND MARTIAL SKILL EXAMPLES OF :

Earth : During a movement action, ignore a terrain quality of your choice
+: Reduce the severity of the next critical strike you suffer before the start of your next turn by 1 per spent this
way
: Do not apply one of your disadvantages to checks until the end of your next turn
Water : Remove 1 fatigue
+: During an Attack action check, ignore 1 point of target´s physical resistance per spent this way
: Move 1 range band
Fire : Choose another character in the scene; increase the TN of the next check they make before the end of your next
turn by 1 if it does not include you as the target
+: During an Attack action check, increase the TN of the next check the target makes to resist a critical strike they
suffer before the start of your next turn by 1 per spent this way
: Other characters must receive 2 strife to choose you as the target of their Attack and Scheme actions until the
start of your next turn
Air : Add a rolled set to an result to your next Martial skill check
+: During a Movement action check, up to 1 range band of any distance you move per spent this way may be
along a vertical surface
: Increase the TN of the next Martial Arts [Ranged] check targeting you before the start of your next turn by 2
Void : During the next Attack action check you make before the ened of your next turn, ignore one terrain quality of your
choice
+: During a Support action check, increase your Iniative value by 1 per spent this way
: Ignore the effects of one condition you are suffering until the end of your next turn

Side 12 af 16
CONDITIONS
Name Description Effects Removal
Afflicted Possessed or tormented Vigilance = 1 Rituals and similar abilities
by malevolent spiritual OR
entity At check GM may alter 1 kept to TN 4 Fitness or Meditation
result (Any ring) every 2 weeks

When Compromised (based on last used Failure removes condition, but

ring): inflicts Shadowlands Taint
disadvantage to used ring
Earth – -1 endurance until Afflicted is
removed (cumulative)
Water – severity 5 critical strike
Fire – Enraged condition
Air – Delusional condition
Void – loss of all Void points
Bleeding Losing blood, internally Physical damage = symbols on kept dice TN 2 Medicine (Earth)
or externally (no resistance) check
Support: RNG 0-1
Severity of critical strike from effect =
current fatigue
Burning Ablaze +3 strife and physical damage (no resistance) TN 2 Fitness (Water) check
after action Support: RNG 0-1

Severity of critical strike from effect is 5

(+5 for each turn)
Compromised Emotionally distraught Cannot keep dice showing symbol When strife =/< composure
and distracted
(strife > composure) Vigilance = 1
Dazed Vision is obscured or +2 TN for Attack and Scheme actions End of turn, if no Attack or
focus is hampered Scheme action is made
Delusional Mistake someone in Has to attack every other turn. TN 3 Meditation (Earth)
scene for a person from check
the past making Attacks target a random character in the scene OR
accusations of sin and Removed at the end of scene
failure
Disoriented Senses are scattered +2 TN for Movement and Support actions End of turn, if no Movement
or Support action is made
Dying [x rounds] On the verge of death Once the allotted time has passed, the Support: RNG 0-1,

Side 13 af 16
 character passes at the end of their next turn. TN 4 Medicine (Air) Check

Failure decreases number of

rounds remaining by shortfall
Enraged Consumed with rage +2 severity of critical strikes to and from TN 3 Meditation (Void)
and fights with fury character check
OR
+1 void point from first kill in scene Removed at the end of scene
Exhausted Caused by 24+ hours No removal of fatigue or strife at the end of Sleeping for 6+ hours
with no sleep scene
Immobilized Incapable of movement Cannot perform movement actions End of turn if no movement
Cannot change stance action is made
Incapacitated Incapable of action due Cannot perform actions checks When fatigue is =/< endurance
to scope of harm
Cannot defend against damage
Happens when fatigue >
endurance Critical strike to character leads to
Unconscious condition in addition to other
effects

Intoxicated Character is drunk x 2 strife suffered and removed End of scene, TN 3 Fitness
(Water) check
OR
Downtime scene spent resting
Prone Character is flat on the Movement of max 1 range band per turn Movement action
ground
+1 TN to spot or hit character with ranged
attacks
Silenced Speechless by shock or +3 TN Scheme checks End of turn if no action
injury requiring speech is made
+3 TN invocations, mahō and shūji
Unconscious Rendered totally Cannot move or perform actions Spend 1 Void point to awaken
unaware of immediately
surroundings Can make checks to resist effects OR
Awaken after several hours
+10 severity to critical strikes to character
Wounded Part of body injured Lightly wounded: Treatment:
badly enough to hinder +1 TN with affected ring TN 4 Medicine (Water)
use of it check

Can be attempted once per

Becomes Severely wounded if they suffer it week per wounded ring
or additional Lightly wounded OR
Bed rest:
Severely wounded: TN 3 Fitness (Wounded
+3 TN with affected ring ring) check

Lightly wounded  removed

Severity 8 critical strike if they suffer Lightly Severely wounded  Lightly
wounded or additional Severely wounded wounded

Thematic injuries by ring (Wounded condition)

Ring Bodypart
Earth Back, torso, thigh

Side 14 af 16
 Water Foot, leg, eyes
Fire Hand, arm, fingers, nose
Air Face, neck, ears
Void Head, skull, brain
First aid and treatment
First aid support action TN 2 Medicine (Water) check targeting character range 0-1
If successful, - 1 fatigue + bonus success
+: affect additional target per spent this way
Only once per character per conflict scene
Treatment downtime scene TN 2 Medicine (Water) check targeting convalescing character
If successful, - fatigue = healer´s Water Ring + bonus success
+: affect additional target per spent this way
RESULT OF CRITICAL STRIKES BY SEVERITY
Severity Description
0-2 Close call: The hit slices the characters
hair or clothes but fails to draw blood
3-4 Flesh wound: The hit sinks into the
character´s flesh, slicing shallowly and
creating a vicious contusion
5-6 Debilitating gash: The hit is
agonizing, cutting a deep furrow in the
flesh or splitting muscle and fracturing
bone.
The character will likely need time to
recover fully.
7-8 Permanent injury: The strike leaves
the character permanently injured,
bearing a scar that will impact them
the rest of their life.
9-11 Maiming blow: The character is
gravely hurt by the strike and might
never fully recover from it.
12-13 Agonizing death: The blow is mortal,
and the character knows it.
14-15 Swift death: The character lives just
long enough to realize their demise.
16+ Instant death: The character dies
Mechanical effect
If the character is wearing armor, the armor gains the Damaged quality
The character suffers the Lighly Wounded condition for the ring they used
for their check to resist
If the attack had a Razor-Edged quality, the character suffers the Bleeding
condition
The character suffers the Severely Wounded condition for the ring they
used for their check to resist
If the attack had a Razor-Edged quality, the character suffers the Bleeding
condition
The character suffers the Bleeding condition
Chooses one of the following scar disadvantages for the ring they used
for their check to resist:
Earth – Damaged Organ or Fractured Spine
Water – Lost Eye or Lost Foot
Fire – Lost Fingers or Maimed Arm
Air – Maimed Visage or Nerve Damage
Void – Lost Memories
The character suffers the Bleeding condition
Chooses one of the following scar disadvantages for the ring they used
for their check to resist:
Earth – Damaged heart or Damaged Organ
Water – Blindness or Lost Leg
Fire – Lost arm or Lost hand
Air – Deafness or Muteness
Void – Cognitive Lapses
The character suffers the Severely Wounded condition for the ring they
used for their check to resist
The character suffers the Bleeding and Dying (3 rounds) conditions
The character suffers the Severely Wounded condition for the ring they
used for their check to resist
The character suffers the Bleeding and Dying (1 round) conditions
The character dies immediately
Side 15 af 16
 without even a last word.

Mitigate Critical Strike:

TN 1 Fitness (ring of stance)
If successful, - (1 + bonus success) to severity of Critical
Strike (min. severity 0)

Shattering parry:
One per session, may spend 1 void point to reroll all dice
after roll to mitigate Critical strike
Weapon used becomes Damaged

Repeated injury:
Critical Strike severity 7-11 suffered to same body part leads
to Dying (5 rounds)
UNSPECIFIED DEADLINESS

Side 16 af 16
Description Severity
Invocations and Value of ring used for attack + kept
Mahō symbols on check
Kihō 8
Extreme 5
temperatures +2 for each instance of repeated
exposure
Falls 7
Very long falls also inflict critical
strikes directly
Heavy objects x3 objects silhouette

Side 17 af 16
FALLING DAMAGE
Distance Effects
Range 0 The character suffers the Disoriented condition
Range 1 The character suffers 4 physical damage and the Disoriented condition
Range 2 The character suffers 8 physical damage and the Prone and Disoriented conditions
Range 3 The character suffers 12 physical damage and the Prone and Unconscious conditions
Range 4 The character suffers a critical strike with severity 10 and the Prone and Unconscious conditions
Range 5 The character suffers a critical strike with severity 16 and the Prone and Unconscious conditions
Range 6 The character suffers a critical strike with severity 18 and the Prone and Unconscious conditions

Fall resistance:
TN 3 Fitness (Air 1, Earth 5) check
If sucessful, - 1 + bonus success rangeband fall (min. Range 0)

SUFFOCATION
+ 2 fatigue and strife at the beginning of each turn
If Incapacitated, must resist with TN 4 Fitness (Earth 3, Fire 6) check. Failure results in death

THE 7 RANGE BANDS

Range Distance Most effective (outer range)
0 0-½ m Punch (fist)
Bite (mouth)
Knife
1 1-2 m Kick (leg)
Sword
2 3-4 m Spears
Naginata
3 5-10 m Thrown missile weapon
(edge of earshot for most)
4 11-100 m Bow
Crossbow
5 100 m+ Catapult
(farthest most can see any details)
6 1000 m+ Sight
(farthest any can interact with a human-sized character)

EXAMPLE COMPLICATIONS
Receiving a letter from a loved one who the character has not seen in some time
Realizing that a masked enemy is, in fact, the character´s long lost sibling
Encountering the haunting scent of a perfume often worn by the character´s deceased friend
Running into a character´s secret lover somewhere the two cannot acknowledge each other
Spotting an obvious reminder of one´s unfulfilled oath to bring the enemy of the clan to justice
Noticing a chance to pursue one´s desire or duty – at the cost of the group´s current goal
Being presented with a chance to pursue one´s ninjō or one´s giri – but not both

Resolving a complication
If the character stoically accepts it there is no effect
If the character is deeply moved + 3 strife and + 1 void point

EARNING VOID POINTS to rise

After choosing to be affected by a complication
After failing a check on which one their adversities was
After the GM conceals the TN of a check from the players
resolved
One per scene, after one of their anxieties caused the strife

Side 18 af 16
SPENDING VOID POINTS

Side 19 af 16
Seize the While making a check, a character may
moment spend 1 void point to roll one
additional die and keep one
additional die
Shattering parry One per session, may spend 1 void
point to reroll all dice after roll to
mitigate Critical strike
Weapon used becomes Damaged
Techniques and Certain techniques and abilities require
other abilities spending 1 void point to activate

Side 20 af 16