#Shugenja Sample: Yamabushi (山伏)

Contents

"At the end of austerity — true power waits."

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#1st Dan — Practitioner of the Mountains

#Scent

A young practitioner who completed training at a shugenja head temple in the mountains north of Kyoto. Yamabushi is not a real name, but a title meaning "one who prostrates in the mountains." His body already bears training scars, and his eyes differ from those of his peers.

#Background — How the Adventure Began

Yamabushi's real name was Goro (吾朗). The third son of a fishing village. After witnessing his elder brother's death at age ten — his brother died when a storm capsized the boat — he became obsessed with the idea that "without understanding pain, one cannot understand death." At thirteen, he entered the shugenja head temple.

The old master of the head temple taught Goro the sequence of austerities: standing beneath waterfalls, fasting, fire-walking (火行), and sutra recitation. Goro completed all seven stages of austerity. In the final fire-walking, burns remained on his soles. Looking at those scars, the old master said, "You are no longer Goro. You are Yamabushi."

His first field mission was investigating a yoma lair in the mountains. It was a commission from Kagura Domain to the shugenja head temple. Yamabushi climbed the mountain alone, observed for three days, and on the fourth day declared Austerity 1 under the Vow of Fudo Myoo and dealt with five yoma. He burned 1 Wound to gain +2 on every check in that breath. When he returned, the old master said, "Now go down from the mountain. Until the mountain calls you again."

#Law

Yamabushi — Shugenja 1st dan
Wounds 6(3+Physique 2+Tough 1), Defense 10(shugenja robe), Energy 10
Courage+0, Finesse+0, Physique+2, Wisdom+1, Presence-1, Fate+1
Background: Temple Origin | Heart: Truth (Way of Mystery)

Weapon: vajra(shugenja-only ritual weapon)

Maneuver List:

Typical Breath: free Core Zone entry → declare Austerity 1 before a technique(Wounds -1) → Vajra Strike(2) × 2 + defense reservation(1) = 5. Austerity is a free declaration, not a maneuver.

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#5th Dan — Completer of Austerity

#Scent

He received formal license in Shugendo-ryu. He can cast Goma Formation, covering a zone in Holy Fire (聖火). His body has more scars, and he fights while accepting Wound loss as the price of austerity, but his checks are more precise than anyone's.

#Background — How He Came This Far

After 1st dan, Yamabushi was assigned for four years to yoma hunts in Kagura Domain's mountain region. He learned Austerity Chain, which returns Energy when he burns Wounds, and completed Mountain Trek, the art of leading squads through harsh terrain. Declaring Austerity 2 costs 2 Wounds but grants +4 to every check and +1 Wound to attack techniques in that breath.

In the fourth year, Yamabushi received formal Shugendo-ryu license. Goma Formation is a rite that covers a zone in Holy Fire. On the first day he demonstrated it, the sight of yoma burning inside the Holy Fire was so solemn that he felt the beauty (美) of austerity for the first time.

Around the same time, he performed several joint missions with the esoteric monk Enku. The two practitioners had different styles, but respected each other. Enku said, "You enjoy burning your body. I fear it." Yamabushi answered, "Enjoying fear is austerity."

#Law

Yamabushi — Shugenja 5th dan
Wounds 7(3+Physique 3+Tough 1), Defense 11(robe+endurance), Energy 10(10+Finesse 0)
Courage+0, Finesse+0, Physique+3, Wisdom+2, Presence-1, Fate+1
Background: Temple-Raised Route A (Path of the Warrior Monk) | Heart: Truth (complete)
School: Shugendo-ryu (Exorcism — license)

Weapon: vajra(Fine Work)

Additional Maneuvers:

Typical Breath: Core → maintain Goma Formation(2) → declare Austerity 2(Wounds -2; Austerity Chain grants 2 Energy in this breath) → Vajra Strike(2) × 2. Holy Fire deals 1 Wound to yoma each lull.

The typical breath of a 5th-dan Yamabushi uses his own Wounds as fuel. Medicine/healing companions are mandatory.

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#10th Dan (Tatsujin) — "Yamabushi Who Completed Sokushinbutsu"

#Scent

A living legendary practitioner. The only practitioner capable of casting Shugendo-ryu's Great Seal. The scars carved into his body are records of austerity, and the signature of the divine. Renown Title: Sokushinbutsu Complete.

#Background — How He Earned the Renown Title

Yamabushi's legend was completed in the Sanno Sealing Incident. When Hannyakai deployed the great yoma Sanno (山王), a yoma shaped like the mountain itself, in Hokuriku, Yamabushi invoked Sokushinbutsu and set his Wounds to 0. For the rest of that round, every check automatically succeeded and every attack dealt 3 Wounds with [Pierce all]. In that absolute round, he succeeded at the Great Seal.

At round end, Yamabushi became incapacitated. Great Seal held Sanno unable to act until combat ended, and his companions completed the surrounding rite in that opening. Yamabushi woke three days later and thereafter mastered Return Alive, recovering all Wounds spent on Austerity at each lull. A new scar marked his body: Sanno's trace.

The Shugendo-ryu head temple granted him the Renown Title Sokushinbutsu Complete. Austerity Wound costs are now halved, and the Austerity 3 bonuses—checks +6, attack +2 Wounds, and [Pierce all]—always apply without Wound cost. He is now the living practitioner who has sealed the most yoma, and the one who has burned his own body the most.

#Law

Yamabushi — Shugenja Tatsujin
Wounds 7(3+Physique 3+Tough 1), Defense 12(robe+Holy Fire always active), Energy 10(10+Finesse 0)
Courage+2, Finesse+0, Physique+3, Wisdom+3, Presence-1, Fate+1
Background: Temple-Raised Route A (9th dan: Warrior Monk Captain)
Heart: Truth (complete)
School: Shugendo-ryu (secret art — Great Seal)
Renown Title: Sokushinbutsu Complete (Class Capstone)

Weapon: Immortal Vajra (masterwork/Divine Artifact grade — adds yoma sealing)

Additional Maneuvers:

"Even when the body is spent — the fire does not go out."