#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 dealt with five yoma while in Austerity 1st State. He lost 1 Wound, but the cost of austerity gave him +2 to the check, and he struck perfectly. 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 3, Defense 10(shugenja robe), Energy 10

![The Yamabushi at ascetic completion, torso bearing layered scar-lines (blank), an unbreakable vajra, standing despite collapse](../../../../assets/interior/20260624/batch-5-additional/CDAN-10.webp)

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 → Austerity 1(2) + Vajra Strike(2) + defense reservation(1) = 5. Burn Wounds to raise the check.

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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. During that time, he reached Austerity 2nd State: with own Wounds -2, he gains check +4 and adds 1 Wound to attacks. In the third year, he awakened the Enduring Body aptitude on his own: Overload resistance +3. A body that has repeated austerity does not break easily even when it exceeds the one-breath limit.

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 4(3+Physique 1), Defense 11(robe+endurance), Energy 11(10+Physique efficiency)
Courage+0, Finesse+0, Physique+3, Wisdom+2, Presence-1, Fate+1
Background: Temple Origin route A (training devotion) | Heart: Truth (complete)
School: Shugendo-ryu (Exorcism — license)

Weapon: vajra(Fine Work)

Additional Maneuvers:

Typical Breath: Core → Goma Formation(stance) + Austerity 2(2) + Vajra Strike(2) = 4. Yoma burn inside Holy Fire.

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 of Austerity Complete"

#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: Austerity 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 triggered Austerity 3rd State for the first time. He reduced his own Wounds by -3 and gained check +6, added 2 Wounds to attacks, and [Pierce all]. For three days, he faced Sanno and finally succeeded at the Great Seal.

At the moment of sealing, his Wounds reached 0. Normally, this would mean incapacitation, but through the effect of the Austerity Complete Renown Title, he cast his final technique as an automatic Critical Hit. Sanno was permanently sealed, and Yamabushi slept there for three days without waking. When he rose, a new scar had been added to his body: the mark left by Sanno.

The Shugendo-ryu head temple granted him the Renown Title Austerity Complete. 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 5(3+Physique 1+Tough 1), Defense 12(robe+Holy Fire always active), Energy 13(10+Physique efficiency)
Courage+2, Finesse+0, Physique+3, Wisdom+3, Presence-1, Fate+1
Background: Temple Origin Tatsujin (training complete)
Heart: Truth (complete)
School: Shugendo-ryu (secret art — Great Seal)
Renown Title: Austerity Complete (Class Capstone)

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

Additional Maneuvers:

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