#Artisan Sample: Tetsu (鐵)

Contents

"There is nothing I cannot make."

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#1st Dan — Village Blacksmith

#Scent

A blacksmith settled in a Kagura Domain border village. Quiet, with a large build. More familiar with hammers than blades, and even more familiar with calculations than hammers. On the battlefield, he is assigned to a support role.

#Background — How the Adventure Began

Tetsu's real name is Tetsujiro (鐵次郎). At twelve, he became apprentice to a master blacksmith. His manual skill was ordinary, but his eye for structure was different: the angle of a blade, the seams of armor, the tension of a bowstring. The master said, "This one is better suited to being an artisan than a blacksmith." An artisan (工人) is someone who makes things and also builds battlefield positions.

At nineteen, his master died of old age, and Tetsu inherited the forge. Since it was a border village, battle often came close, and he volunteered to repair weapons and set up temporary palisades for ashigaru squads. His first combat experience was village defense. When a band of kooni attacked the village, he built one Karakuri Fieldworks in half a day: a simple defensive structure where spearheads sprang out by spring mechanism. The village survived.

#Law

Tetsu — Artisan 1st dan
Wounds 6(3+Physique 2+Tough 1), Defense 12(craftsperson's vest), Energy 10
Courage+1, Finesse+0, Physique+2, Wisdom+1, Presence+0, Fate-1
Background: Wanderer (artisan lineage) | Heart: Truth (Way of Mystery)

Weapons: suyari(combat use) + hammer(tool)

Maneuver List:

Typical Breath: deploy in Front Zone → Karakuri Fieldworks(3) + Straight Thrust(2) = 5. Build the position in the first round.

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#5th Dan — Battlefield Engineer

#Scent

He directly operates a Karakuri Doll and handles fortress renovation and position construction for Kagura Domain. He exchanges designs with Ichi, an autonomous automaton, and other artisans he has met on his travels.

#Background — How He Came This Far

After 1st dan, Tetsu spent four years handling renovations for Kagura Domain border fortresses. In the third year, the autonomous automaton Karakuri Ichi visited. Ichi said, "I want to see your designs," and Tetsu took out a bundle of blueprints. Ichi looked over them for three days and then said, "If you change one gear here, efficiency becomes eight times greater." Tetsu was startled and accepted the advice. Since then, the two have often exchanged letters. The core design of the karakuri dolls Tetsu makes came from Ichi's advice.

In the fifth year, Tetsu completed his first combat-ready Karakuri Doll. Around the same time, Ichi joined him as an ally met on the road. Tetsu continued carrying the unfinished Field Forge plans from battlefield to battlefield.

#Law

Tetsu — Artisan 5th dan
Wounds 7(3+Physique 3+Tough 1), Defense 13(craftsperson's vest+reinforcement plates), Energy 10(10+Finesse 0)
Courage+1, Finesse+0, Physique+3, Wisdom+2, Presence+0, Fate-1
Background: Wanderer Route A (Bonds of Travel) | Heart: Truth (Way of Mystery)
School: none (independent artisan lineage)

Weapons: self-made mechanical hammer + suyari

Additional Maneuvers:

Typical Breath: shift Rear Zone to Front Zone → Karakuri Doll(3) + Karakuri Fieldworks(3) = 6 (Overload check). Or Barricade(3) + Straight Thrust(2) = 5.

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#10th Dan (Tatsujin) — "Tetsu of the Fortress"

#Scent

The highest authority on fortress design in the realm. People say a castle made by his hands does not fall. Honorary master artisan (工人長) of Kagura Domain.

Renown Title: Class Capstone — Fortress Artisan.

#Background — How He Earned the Renown Title

Tetsu's legend lies in the defense of Minamoto Castle. When a great majin attacked Minamoto Castle, Tetsu had redesigned the entire castle structure starting a month earlier. Double-layered walls, changed moat paths, internal karakuri placement. The great majin's assault continued for three days, but the castle did not fall. During those three days, the person who made the most hammering sounds on the walls was Tetsu. Even during battle, he kept repairing.

After receiving the Renown Title Fortress Artisan, Tetsu became chief supervisor for three major Kagura Domain castles. Castles built from his designs share one common point: every castle always has an evacuation route so civilians can escape first.

#Law

Tetsu — Artisan Tatsujin
Wounds 7(3+Physique 3+Tough 1), Defense 14(modified heavy armor — Physique offsets the Energy penalty), Energy 12(10+Finesse 2)
Courage+1, Finesse+2, Physique+3, Wisdom+3, Presence+0, Fate-1
Background: Wanderer Route A (9th dan: Friends Across Sengoku — artisan chief)
Heart: Truth (complete)
Renown Title: Fortress Artisan (Class Capstone)

Weapon: self-made masterwork mechanical hammer (huge weapon, masterwork)

Additional Maneuvers:

"This wall will not fall."