#Backgrounds (背景)

Contents

A character's life before they stood on the battlefield. Origin determines skills, traits, and the road to a Renown Title. At 5th dan and 9th dan, a background presents forking paths.

Related Entries: Progression · Renown Title · Skills

#Scent — Where Did You Come From?

A warrior's sword skill on the battlefield is not enough to know who they are. Are they the last heir of a fallen house, a farmer who took up a blade from the fields, or a monk expelled from a temple? That origin changes the weight of the sword.

And as choices on the battlefield accumulate, the meaning of origin also changes. Will the fallen noble rebuild the house, or walk the path of revenge? Will the farmer become a leader of the people, or a warrior soaked in war? The forking paths at 5th dan and 9th dan decide the character's later narrative.

#Law — Background Rules

Choose 1 background during character creation.

Timing	Effect
1st dan	background skill benefits (choose 2 of 3, 1 point each) + 1 background trait
5th dan	choose background fork (route A or B) → that route's 5th-dan trait
9th dan	9th-dan trait of the chosen route (route deepening)
Tatsujin	background capstone according to the chosen route (when choosing a Renown Title)

#Background List

#Fallen Noble (沒落貴族)

#Scent

Descendant of a house that once held a castle (城). The house has fallen, but pride remains. Retainers still remember the lord's bloodline.

#Law

Skill Benefits (choose 2 of 3): Military Science, Negotiation, Bearing
1st-dan Trait — Family Name [aptitude]: Negotiation/Intimidation checks +2 (always). Initial Cohesion +1 for allied squads you command (at combat start).

#5th-Dan Fork

Route	Name	5th-Dan Trait	Direction
A	Road of Restoration (再建の道)	Summon Retainers: during combat, deploy 1 Veteran squad (3 members, Wounds 2) for free. "Scattered retainers return."	faction expansion, politics
B	Road of Revenge (復讐の道)	Blade of Grudge: in battle against the faction that destroyed your house, attack +3 and Wounds +1. "Blood washes blood."	personal martial power, revenge drama

#9th-Dan Route Deepening

Route	9th-Dan Trait
A Restoration	Secure Domain: between sessions, income gold +5. During combat, deploy 1 additional Minion squad for free.
B Revenge	Undying Return: in battle against the revenge target, automatically revive when incapacitated (Wounds 2). 1 time per combat.

#Tatsujin Capstone

A Restoration → Daimyo (大名): personal domain. 2 regular-army squads for free.
B Revenge → King of Asura (修羅王): automatic critical hit against the revenge target. That faction's squad Cohesion -3 (always).

#Farmer (農夫)

#Scent

One who abandoned the fields and took up the sword. Tenacity born from living with the earth loses to no one.

#Law

Skill Benefits: Survival, Hardiness, Agitation
1st-dan Trait — Child of the Earth [aptitude]: Physique (體) checks +1 (always). Cohesion recovery amount +1 for squads in the same zone (automatically during lull).

#5th-Dan Fork

Route	Name	5th-Dan Trait	Direction
A	Leader of the People (民の指導者)	Seize Popular Support: during the lull phase, all allied squads Cohesion +1 (automatic). Negotiation/Agitation +2.	command, morale management
B	Farmer of the Battlefield (戰場の農夫)	Unyielding Earth: Wounds +2. Immune to Overload. "The stamina that tilled fields serves on the battlefield too."	tanking, survivability

#9th-Dan Route Deepening

Route	9th-Dan Trait
A Leader	Ikko Uprising: 1 time per combat. Summon 10 Mob to the allied Rear Zone. "Farmers rose with sickles in hand."
B Battlefield	Ten-Thousand-Year Tree: can act for 2 rounds even after Wounds become 0. Incapacitated afterward.

#Tatsujin Capstone

A → Ikko-ikki (一向一揆): large-scale uprising. 20 Mob + 2 Minion squads.
B → Avatar of the Earth (大地の化身): Wounds +4. When physically hit, 50% chance to nullify.

#Merchant's Child (商人の子)

#Scent

They learned there is nothing money cannot do. Supplies, bribery, information gathering — gold is the weapon.

#Law

Skill Benefits: Bribery, Negotiation, Perception
1st-dan Trait — Capital [aptitude]: wallet gold +3 at character creation. This does not refresh automatically each combat; it accumulates as starting gold bonus.

#5th-Dan Fork

Route	Name	5th-Dan Trait	Direction
A	Merchant Company Management (商團經營)	Merchant Network: before combat starts, obtain information on 1 enemy unit. Automatically gain gold +1 each lull.	information, economy
B	Black-Market Merchant (闇商人)	Contraband: 2 times per combat, spend 1 gold to instantly swap equipment for an ally. Access to special consumables such as poison, smoke, and powder.	utility, underhanded trade

#9th-Dan Route Deepening

Route	9th-Dan Trait
A Company	Trade Monopoly: cut off enemy-faction supply (lull effects nullified, 2 rounds). Gold +3/lull.
B Black Market	Deal on the Death Line: can "deal" with an enemy elite during combat (Presence opposed check). On success, the target stops acting for 1 round.

#Tatsujin Capstone

A → King of Finance (財界王): permanently cut off enemy supply. Gold +2 each lull, maintaining combat cap 20.
B → Dark Merchant (闇黑商): bribe enemy units (Minions automatic, Elites require check).

#Temple-Raised (寺院出身)

#Scent

Raised in a temple. They learned scripture and martial arts together, and knew of yoma from childhood.

#Law

Skill Benefits: Exorcism, Medicine, Fighting Spirit
1st-dan Trait — Power of Scripture [aptitude]: attack checks against yoma +1 (always). Fear resistance checks +2 (always).

#5th-Dan Fork

Route	Name	5th-Dan Trait	Direction
A	Path of the Warrior Monk (僧兵の道)	Warrior Monk Connections: during combat, deploy 1 Minion warrior-monk squad (4 members, Defense 12) for free. Exorcism +1.	combat monk, military
B	Path of the Physician Monk (醫僧の道)	Great Medicine: during combat, spend 2 Energy to restore 2 Wounds to an ally (ordinary Medicine restores 1). Automatically remove poison/disease.	healing specialization

#9th-Dan Route Deepening

Route	9th-Dan Trait
A Warrior Monk	Warrior Monk Captain: strengthen warrior-monk squad to Veteran (Wounds 2, Defense 13). + 1 additional squad.
B Physician Monk	Return from Death: immediately revive 1 incapacitated ally (half injuries). 1 time per combat.

#Tatsujin Capstone

A → Head Temple Abbot (總本山): warrior monks (3 Veteran squads) + automatic barrier.
B → Saint of Medicine (醫聖): every lull, all allies recover 2 Wounds. Incapacitation-prevention aura.

#Wanderer (放浪者)

#Scent

No homeland, no lord. They wandered Sengoku and learned survival in their bones.

#Law

Skill Benefits: Survival, Infiltration, Fortune
1st-dan Trait — Wanderer's Instinct [aptitude]: at combat start, initiative modifier +1. Ambush immunity (always).

#5th-Dan Fork

Route	Name	5th-Dan Trait	Direction
A	Bonds of Travel (旅の縁)	Summon Ally: during combat, 1 random NPC ally (Minion-grade) joins. A different person each combat.	narrative, bonds
B	Wild Sense (野生の感覚)	6th Sense: at the start of each round, know 1 enemy's next action in advance. Automatically detect traps/ambushes.	information, survival

#9th-Dan Route Deepening

Route	9th-Dan Trait
A Bonds	Friends Across Sengoku: NPC ally strengthens to Elite-grade (Wounds 3, Energy 8). Can summon 2 at once.
B Wild	Undying Wanderer: when incapacitated, automatically flee to the Outside Zone (survival). Return at the next lull with Wounds 1.

#Tatsujin Capstone

A → Legendary Wanderer (傳說の放浪者): 2 Elite NPCs every combat. Legendary allies met while traveling.
B → Deathless Wanderer (不死の放浪者): incapacitation immunity. When Wounds become 0, retreat to the Outside Zone and return next round with Wounds 3.

#Child of the Spirit Realm (靈界の子) — Alternate Background (General)

Expansion of the existing "hanyo bloodline" background. A birth background for hanyo, celestial beings, arahitogami, and others with a connection to the Spirit Realm. Any class can use it.

#Scent

A being born with the energy of the Spirit Realm. Perhaps yoma blood is mixed in, perhaps the family touched the divine realm, or perhaps they were born near a Spirit Realm gate and awakened spiritual senses.

#Law

Skill Benefits (choose 2 of 3): Fighting Spirit, Perception, Exorcism
1st-dan Trait — Spirit Realm Resonance (靈界の感應) [aptitude]: detect Spirit Realm beings (yoma/celestials/heroic spirits) (2 zones). When hit by [Incorporeal] attacks, Incorporeal Defense +2 (stacks with Exorcism exemption). Hanyo/celestials/arahitogami additionally recover Wounds +1 naturally during lull.

#5th-Dan Fork

Route	Name	5th-Dan Trait	Direction
A	Human Will (人の意志)	Blood Suppression: suppress yoma blood. Full fear immunity. No Cohesion penalty to allied squads (hanyo hatred nullified). Negotiation +2.	integration with human society
B	Yoma Awakening (妖の覺醒)	Half-Transformation: yoma form for 1 round. Attack +2, Defense +2, Wounds +2 (temporary). 1 time per combat. On use, allied squad Cohesion -1 (fear).	explosive combat power, cost

#9th-Dan Route Deepening

Route	9th-Dan Trait
A Human	Proof of Mixed Blood: fully recognized by human factions. Domination aura +2 (regardless of Presence). Negotiation automatic success (ordinary NPCs).
B Yoma	Full Awakening: Half-Transformation lasts 2 rounds. Apply Critical Expansion (adjacent faces also critical, not only doubles). Uses 2 times/combat.

#Tatsujin Capstone

A → Hero (英雄): mediator between humans and yoma. Can negotiate with yoma. All allied attacks on battlefield +1.
B → Great Yoma (大妖魔): complete transformation. Wounds +5, attack +4, Defense +4, fear aura (all enemies make Courage check). Lasts 3 rounds. 1 time per combat.

#Drifter (漂流者) — Alternate Background (General)

#Scent

One raised outside civilization. Deep mountains, remote islands, ruins of battlefields. They do not know society's rules, but they know the rules of the wild.

#Law

Skill Benefits (choose 2 of 3): Survival, Perception, Unarmed Combat
1st-dan Trait — Wild Sense (野生の感覺) [aptitude]: outdoor action (movement/search/tracking) checks +2. Poison/poison fog resistance +2. Negotiation -2.

#5th-Dan Fork

Route	Name	5th-Dan Trait	Direction
A	Return to Civilization	Wisdom of Adaptation: remove Negotiation penalty. Reputation gain ×2.	return to society
B	King of the Wild	Animal Friend: during combat, can summon 1 animal (Veteran-grade). Yoma communion +2.	deeper wild

#9th-Dan Route Deepening

Route	9th-Dan Trait
A Civilization	Child of Two Worlds: keep wild bonuses + Negotiation +2. Advantages of both worlds.
B Wild	Rule of the Earth: Domination +3 in outdoor zones. 2 animals at once.

#Tatsujin Capstone

A → Sage of Two Roads: integration of civilization and wild. Checks +2 in all environments.
B → King of the Mountain: automatic ambush in outdoor combat. Summon animal army (2 Minion squads).

#Battlefield Orphan (戰場孤兒) — Alternate Background (General)

#Scent

One who lost everything to war and grew up on the battlefield. No family, no home. Only the instinct to survive remains.

#Law

Skill Benefits (choose 2 of 3): Fighting Spirit, Hardiness, Infiltration
1st-dan Trait — Survivor's Instinct (生存者の本能) [aptitude]: when Wounds are 1 or lower, Defense +2 and attack +1. "You are strongest just before death."

#5th-Dan Fork

Route	Name	5th-Dan Trait	Direction
A	New Family (新しき家族)	Power of Companions: attack/Defense +1 per allied PC in the same zone (max +3).	bonds, party synergy
B	Lone Blade (孤獨の刃)	Power of Solitude: when there are no allies in the same zone, attack +3 and Energy cost -1.	solo combat

#9th-Dan Route Deepening

Route	9th-Dan Trait
A Family	I Will Protect Them: when an ally in the same zone faces incapacitation, automatically take the hit instead (0 Energy). 2 times per combat.
B Solitude	Undying War Machine: incapacitation immunity (1 time per combat, remain at Wounds 1). Automatically recover 1 Wound each lull.

#Tatsujin Capstone

A → Battlefield Family: all party members gain incapacitation immunity (1 time per combat). "I will protect you."
B → Battlefield Ghost: always infiltrating. Automatic ambush when fighting alone.

#Dedicated Alternate Backgrounds

The backgrounds below are available only to specific expansion classes.

#Memory of the Modern Age (現代の記憶) — Modern Human Only

#Scent

Occupation and knowledge from modern society are the only weapons in the Sengoku era.

#Law

Skill Benefits (choose 2 of 3): Stratagem, Medicine, Negotiation
1st-dan Trait — Common Sense of Another Age (別の時代の常識) [aptitude]: all non-combat checks (Negotiation/Medicine/Stratagem/Perception) +1. Combat checks (attack/defense) -1.

#5th-Dan Fork

Route	Name	5th-Dan Trait	Direction
A	Settling In (定着)	Person of This Age: remove the -1 combat check penalty. Negotiation +2. "I decided not to go back."	taking root in this age
B	Search for Return (歸還探究)	Spirit Realm Research: checks related to Spirit Realm gates +3. Automatically detect Spirit Realm Wandering Treasures.	search for a way back

#9th-Dan Route Deepening

Route	9th-Dan Trait
A Settled	Mediator of the Age: all Negotiation/influence checks toward humans of this age +3. Automatic success at conflict mediation (non-combat).
B Return Search	Catalog of Rifts: when discovering a Spirit Realm rift, automatically decipher it — GM reveals size/danger/duration. Can trace a ley line 1 time each session.

#Tatsujin Capstone

A → Bridge of the Age: fusion of modern knowledge and Sengoku technique. All adaptation penalties removed. All non-combat checks +2.
B → Key of Dimensions: ability to control Spirit Realm gates. 1 time per combat, create/seal a Spirit Realm rift in a zone.

#Land of a Previous Life (前生の國) — Heroic Spirit (Foreign Origin) Only

#Scent

Memories of a hero from another continent and another culture.

#Law

Skill Benefits (choose 2 of 3): Bearing, Intimidation, Geography
1st-dan Trait — Foreign Reputation (異國の名聲) [aptitude]: Negotiation +3 with NPCs from your own cultural sphere. Intimidation +2 against NPCs from other cultures. "The name echoes beyond the continent."

#5th-Dan Fork

Route	Name	5th-Dan Trait	Direction
A	Path of the Foreigner	Cultural Crossing: remove Negotiation -2 penalty. Can understand 2 foreign divine items at once.	adaptation, exchange
B	Return of the Hero	Legendary Power: while holding a unique divine item, attack +2. "The power of the previous life returns."	combat, divine-item specialization

#9th-Dan Route Deepening

Route	9th-Dan Trait
A Path of the Foreigner	Transcend Language: automatic communication with NPCs from every culture. Cost to learn other-culture schools -1 slot.
B Return of the Hero	Legendary Halo: while holding a unique divine item, allied attacks in your zone gain +1 aura. Fear aura against yoma (on Courage >= 13 failure, Defenseless).

#Tatsujin Capstone

A → Mediator of the World: automatically understand all cultures. Automatic success negotiating with yoma. Mediator of conflicts between civilizations.
B → Legend Completed: all techniques of your unique divine item cost Energy -1. Devotion limit removed (usable without disappearance).

#Memory of the Future (未來の記憶) — Heroic Spirit (Spirit Realm Wandering Treasure Origin) Only

#Scent

A hero from a Japan in an age that has not yet come. They speak the same language, but they are a person of another era.

#Law

Skill Benefits (choose 2 of 3): Military Science, Negotiation, Perception
1st-dan Trait — Echo of Time (時の殘像) [aptitude]: history checks +3 (you know history after your own time). If you meet "your younger self" in this age, or an ancestor, GM triggers a scenario event.

#5th-Dan Fork

Route	Name	5th-Dan Trait	Direction
A	Protect History	Guardian of the Future: can intervene in historical events and change results (GM judgment). Remove Negotiation -1.	history involvement
B	Sword of the Previous Life	Sword Across Ages: while holding a unique Spirit Realm Wandering Treasure, gain Critical Expansion (adjacent faces also critical).	combat, treasure specialization

#9th-Dan Route Deepening

Route	9th-Dan Trait
A Protect History	Prophetic Instinct: at the start of each round, GM reveals one enemy's next breath action. No Reputation penalty when intervening in history.
B Sword of the Previous Life	Blade Pressure of the Past: when you critical with a unique Spirit Realm Wandering Treasure, trigger "blade pressure from your age" — all enemies in the same zone suffer -2 on their next breath check.

#Tatsujin Capstone

A → Observer of Time: foresee enemy action next breath (each round). On successful history intervention, Reputation +5.
B → Legendary Swordsman: all techniques of the unique treasure gain +2 bonus. Automatic critical hit (1 time per combat).

#Heavenly Role (天上の役割) — Celestial Only

#Scent

The office held in the divine realm determines character in the present world.

#Law

Skill Benefits (choose 2 of 3): Exorcism, Barrier, Bearing
1st-dan Trait — Divine Duty (神の義務) [aptitude]: when defeating yoma, recover Authority +1 (max 5). "When you fulfill your duty, power returns."

#5th-Dan Fork

Route	Name	5th-Dan Trait	Direction
A	Guardian	Remnant of Sacred Ground: allies in the same zone are treated as having Exorcism 1 rank higher when hit by `[Incorporeal]` attacks. Automatic barrier (1 zone).	defense, guardianship
B	Judge	Heavenly Punishment: when an attack against yoma is a critical hit, +3 Wounds (total 5 Wounds).	attack, purification

#9th-Dan Route Deepening

Route	9th-Dan Trait
A Guardian	Divine Punishment Immunity: allies in your zone are treated as having Exorcism 2 ranks higher when hit by `[Incorporeal]` attacks + Defense +2 aura. Barrier expands to 2 zones.
B Judge	Gaze of Purification: curse 1 yoma in sight (1 Wound each round, Exorcism>=15 removes). Applies to 1 target each round.

#Tatsujin Capstone (alongside ascension)

A → Sanctuary: a zone purified by Authority is permanently Holy Fire. Yoma in that zone have Defense -2 and lose 1 Wound at the end of each lull.
B → Final Judgment: spend all Authority (5), instant-death check against all yoma on the battlefield (Physique>=18 exempt).

#Mechanical Origin (機械の起源) — Automaton Only

#Scent

Who made you, why, and how? The purpose of creation is the meaning of existence.

#Law

Skill Benefits (choose 2 of 3): Hardiness, Disable, Perception
1st-dan Trait — Maker's Engraving (製作者の刻印) [aptitude]: effect branches by purpose of creation. (a) combat: attack +1. (b) exploration: Perception +2, automatically disable traps. (c) escort: when 1 designated target is hit, take the hit instead (0 Energy, 1 time per round).

#5th-Dan Fork

Route	Name	5th-Dan Trait	Direction
A	Emotional Awakening	Spark of the Heart: can negotiate (previously impossible). Presence +1. "The machine gained a heart."	humanization
B	Function Specialization	Weapon Transformation: add 1 built-in weapon. Defense +2. "The machine is completed as a machine."	machine deepening

#9th-Dan Route Deepening

Route	9th-Dan Trait
A Emotional Awakening	Trust Circuit: "synchronize" with 1 ally in the same zone — can exchange Energy (2 Energy→2 Energy), can choose to share damage.
B Function Specialization	Self-Improvement: during lull, temporarily change 1 of your specs (Defense +1 vs attack +1 vs swap built-in weapon).

#Tatsujin Capstone

A → True Life: keep all human immunities (poison/fear/bleed/charm) + gain human emotions. All negotiation/social penalties removed. Wounds formula remains (4+Physique).
B → Ultimate Weapon: 3 built-in weapons. Defense 20. Self-repair (recover 2 Wounds at lull). "A completed machine god."

Origin does not decide destiny. But a path must be chosen. Even for those who do not belong to this age — there is a choice.