#Makeshift Weapons (臨時武器)
Contents
Measures for when a proper weapon is lost, or when there is no other option. Farm tools, improvised craft, junk — what a person without a blade grips in place of one.
Related Entries: Weapon Catalog · Equipment · Factions §Ikko-ikki Peasant Army
#Scent — Everything Within Reach
Sengoku streets do not hold only samurai blades. When peasants rise up, they cut bamboo spears; when bandits raid a village, kitchen knives are swung. Even a proper samurai, if they lose their weapon on the battlefield, must survive with one stone underfoot or one broken spear shaft.
Makeshift weapons have neither the soul of a famed blade nor the art of a license. They are single tools made by desperation and will alone. Yet they can kill a person — it simply takes longer.
#Law — General Rules for Makeshift Weapons
#Common Specifications
- No masterwork/Fine Work/Divine Treasure: Makeshift weapons cannot house a soul. An ordinary tool remains an ordinary tool.
- No licensed techniques: Only the step 1 basic level. License/Master effects do not apply.
- 2 techniques: main technique(attack) + defense technique. No additional techniques.
- Price: 0~1 gold. Available anywhere(scavenged nearby).
- No carrying limit: Can be carried together with normal weapons. However, "a samurai with a normal weapon choosing to use a bamboo spear is unreasonable" — GM judges the situation.
#Ikko-ikki Bamboo-Spear Squad
In Ikko-ikki peasant uprisings, every squad member carries a bamboo spear. This is not because they lost their weapons, but because this is all they can possess: the thing the peasant's faith grips in its hand is the bamboo spear.
#Squad Use
Makeshift weapons can also be used for squad volleys/attacks. However, they grant no hit bonus and have weakened Critical Hit effects(the Heavenly Mandate table does not apply even on a Critical Hit).
#9 Makeshift Weapons
#1. Bamboo Spear (竹槍) — Farm Tool
A peasant's blade. A simple thrusting tool made by cutting bamboo on a slant.
| Technique | Type | Energy | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bamboo Spear Thrust | [technique] Attack A | 2 | 2d10 + Courage >= Defense. 1 Wound. |
| Shaft Block | [technique] Defense | reservation 1 / improvised 2 | Ordinary defense. 1 time in the same round. |
Price: 0 gold (cut by hand). Acquisition: anywhere.
#2. Sickle (鎌) — Farm Tool
A curved blade used to cut rice. It bites into human skin surprisingly well.
| Technique | Type | Energy | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sickle Cut | [technique] Attack A | 2 | 2d10 + Physique + Swordsmanship >= Defense. 1 Wound + bleeding (additional 1 Wound at the end of next round). |
| Shaft Block | [technique] Defense | reservation 1 / improvised 2 | Ordinary defense. |
Price: 0~1 gold. Acquisition: any farming village.
#3. Pickaxe (鶴嘴) — Farm Tool
A heavy tool for digging the ground. It can dent armor.
| Technique | Type | Energy | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pickaxe Blow | [technique] Attack A | 3 | 2d10 + Physique >= Defense. 1 Wound + [Pierce 1] + [Break] (armor damage). |
| Handle Catch | [technique] Defense | reservation 2 / improvised 3 | Heavy, so quick defense is difficult. |
Price: 0~1 gold. Acquisition: farming villages, mines.
#4. Stone (石) — Improvised
Anything that can be held and thrown. It lies in the street.
| Technique | Type | Energy | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Throw | [technique] Attack A | 1 | 2d10 + Finesse >= Defense. 1 Wound. Adjacent zone(can also be thrown from the Rear Zone). |
| Dodge | [technique] Defense | reservation 2 / improvised 3 | Unarmed evasion. Very weak. |
Price: 0 gold. Acquisition: anywhere.
#5. Kitchen Knife (包丁) — Junk
A knife used for cooking. Short and light, but usable much like a dagger.
| Technique | Type | Energy | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen Knife Thrust | [technique] Attack A | 1 | 2d10 + Finesse >= Defense. 1 Wound. Short weapon classification (Core Combo Fatigue -1 applies). |
| Back-of-Hand Block | [technique] Defense | improvised 3 | Very weak. |
Price: 0~1 gold. Acquisition: village kitchens.
#6. Wooden Stick (棒切れ) — Improvised
A broken branch or handle. Useful enough for hitting people.
| Technique | Type | Energy | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Club | [technique] Attack A | 2 | 2d10 + Physique >= Defense. 1 Wound. Nonlethal (even if the target reaches Wounds 0, they do not die instantly; they are knocked unconscious). |
| Block | [technique] Defense | reservation 1 / improvised 2 | Ordinary defense. |
Price: 0 gold. Acquisition: anywhere.
#7. Chain (鎖) — Improvised
A load chain, stable chain, or steel cord. Wrap it around someone and it becomes a weapon.
| Technique | Type | Energy | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entangle | [technique] Attack A | 3 | 2d10 + Finesse >= Defense. 0 Wounds + bound for 1 round (target cannot act; removed on Physique check 11 or higher). |
| Chain Block | [technique] Defense | reservation 2 / improvised 3 | Defense by wrapping the weapon. On successful weapon entangle, seal enemy weapon for 1 round. |
Price: 1 gold. Acquisition: stables, porters, mines.
#8. Rusted Blade (錆刀) — Junk
Battlefield debris. Something that was once a blade.
| Technique | Type | Energy | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rusted Cut | [technique] Attack A | 2 | 2d10 + Courage + Swordsmanship >= Defense (Swordsmanship bonus applies). 1 Wound. |
| Rusted Block | [technique] Defense | reservation 1 / improvised 2 | Weapon durability -1 each use. Breaks after 5 uses. When broken, it disappears from the hand. |
Price: 1 gold. Acquisition: battlefield debris, junk dealers.
#9. Broken Spear Shaft (折槍) — Junk
Only the shaft of a yari remains. The end is not sharp, so it is mostly threat.
| Technique | Type | Energy | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swing | [technique] Attack A | 2 | 2d10 + Physique >= Defense. 1 Wound. |
| Shake | [technique] Defense | improvised 2 | Threat only. Ordinary defense. No additional effect even on Critical Hit. |
Price: 0 gold. Acquisition: battlefield debris.
#Makeshift Weapons and Squads
#Ikko-ikki Bamboo-Spear Squad
One of the standard squads of the Ikko-ikki. The core armed force of a peasant uprising.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Grade | 5 Minions (or 10 Mobs) |
| Wounds | 1 |
| Defense | 9 |
| Weapon | bamboo spear(2 Energy) |
| Cohesion | 4 (fanatical faith) |
| Faction Trait | Ikko-ikki — Fanaticism immunity |
Tactics:
| Tactic | Type | Added Cost | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bamboo-Spear Formation | [Tactic:Stance] | base | Domination +1 against enemy Front Zone in the same zone (substitute spear wall). Removed on movement. |
| Nembutsu Charge | [Tactic:Kata] | +1 Energy | Cohesion -1 / automatic volley against enemy squad. Apply hit-strength table. No Cohesion loss because of Fanaticism. |
They die for faith. Even without proper weapons, that is the truth of the battlefield.
Makeshift weapons are tools of desperation and tools of will. Even if it is not a samurai's blade, it is enough to kill a person — if there is time and will.