#Romance — Section Index

Contents

Emotion is weaker than a Barrier. But even after the Barrier crumbles, emotion remains.

Even in a domain fallen into the Spirit Realm, people love people — and sometimes love what is not people. This section covers the rules of that possibility, and how that possibility seeps into the campaign's endings.

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#What This Section Is

[New Rule] The Romance Affinity system is a supplemental device that extends the core-book Bonds and Relationships rules. It can be applied in parallel with the core-book "bond points" system — if bond points handle "social ties," this supplement's Affinity tracks emotional and romantic ties on a separate axis.

#What This Section Covers

• 9 romance-eligible NPCs (5 human + 4 yoma)
• Affinity 0~10 scale and per-stage events
• Three Ways and Six Hearts integration — when a Heart tilts, love tilts with it
• Parallel pursuit allowed — but jealousy events trigger
• Romance endings — Marriage, Separation, Transformation, and Tragedy as 4 major branches + partner-specific endings

#What This Section Does Not Cover

• Explicit sexual depiction — forbidden without Session 0 consent. The rules stop at the level of "they spent the night together."
• Adult romance with Akihisa (age 16) — in-session limit is "a promise of marriage." Adult depiction only in the ending epilogue, and even then, omission is recommended.
• Coercion and non-consent — not handled under any circumstances. The safety of the whole table is the top priority.

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#Safety — Read This First

#Session 0 Consent Recommended

Before applying this section's rules, the whole table must consent. In particular:

• Whether to accept the romance theme at all
• Whether to enable or disable Akihisa (age 16) romance
• Whether to accept yoma partners (otherworldly union, Transformation)
• Whether to accept tragic endings (partner death or disappearance)
• Whether to accept jealousy and love triangles

#X-Card and Lines and Veils

Apply the core-book safety tools as-is. In particular, if the X-Card is used during a romance scene, immediately end that scene and move on with no Affinity change.

#Special Rules for Akihisa Romance

Akihisa is 16. Romance with Akihisa in this section has the following restrictions:

1. Affinity may reach only 8 within a session — full union (10) is only available in the ending epilogue (after coming of age).
2. Physical intimacy is limited to holding hands, embracing, and a promised kiss — depiction beyond that is forbidden.
3. "A promise of marriage" (Affinity 7) is the in-session endpoint — realized if the PC waits 3 years after returning to the domain.
4. Deactivate immediately if the table is uncomfortable — tables that do not want this option should remove it from the start.

The "Transformation" union of yoma partners is a separate rule. Age constraints there operate on a different dimension (yoma have a different concept of age).

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#Section Structure

#24-00. Index (this file)

Section overview, safety, and guidance to other files.

#24-01. Romance System — ★ New Rule

The Affinity 0–10 scale, triggers for change, per-stage events, Three Ways and Six Hearts integration, courtship checks, and parallel-pursuit rules. The rulebook for this section.

#24-02. Human Partners

5 romance-eligible human NPCs:

• Kamijo Akihisa (age 16, lord)
• Kagemitsu (young samurai)
• Komachi (female shinobi)
• Minako (female physician)
• Uta (drifted half-blood — Chapter 4 encounter)

#24-03. Yoma Partners

4 romance-eligible Spirit Realm Intelligences, each from a different Hell:

• Reviving Hell — Kagura (revived girl)
• Black Rope — Ryukage (young naga)
• Screaming Hell — Namibe (soul of an old fisherman)
• Shonetsu — Homura (flame spirit)

#24-04. Romance Endings

4 major branches (Marriage, Separation, Transformation, Tragedy) + 9 partner-specific endings. Rules for intersection with Endings A/B/C.

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#Quick Reference Table — 9 Characters Summary

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#Recommended Approach Order

#Chapter 1 (Immediately After Drifting)

• Accumulate daily Affinity with 6 retainers — conversation and accompaniment.
• Kagemitsu, Komachi, and Minako can reach Affinity 2–3.
• Akihisa maintains a formal relationship (Affinity 2 or below).
• Yoma partners have not yet been encountered.

#Chapter 2 (Black Rope)

• Ryukage can be encountered — at the Black Rope Hell border.
• Kagemitsu and Komachi enter Affinity Stage 2.
• Akihisa Affinity 3–4.

#Chapter 3 (Screaming Hell)

• Namibe encountered — at the Screaming Hell shore.
• Minako's past revealed — enters Affinity Stage 2–3.
• Retainer Affinity Stage 3 now possible.

#Chapter 4 (Shonetsu)

• Homura encountered — at the Scorching Heat Hell rocks.
• Uta can be encountered — former drifted survivor.
• Kagura can be encountered — Reviving Hell revived body.
• Romance Stage 4 (just before union) possible.

#Chapter 5 (Avici)

• Ending confirmed. Stage 5 (full union) possible.
• Yoma partner union leads to Transformation Ending.
• Tragedy branch possible.

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#Core-Book References

• Required: Bonds and Relationships — core-book bond point rules
• Required: Three Ways and Six Hearts — basis for Heart wavering rolls
• Reference: Sengoku Faith — marriage customs and taboos
• Reference: Daily Life — Sengoku-era romance and marriage realities

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#References Within This Supplement

• NPC Index — full NPC map
• Young Lord — Akihisa
• 6 Retainers — Kagemitsu, Komachi, Minako
• Drifted Outsiders — see Uta
• Spirit Realm Intelligences — yoma partner foundation
• Ending Branches — stage for romance endings

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#GM Caution — Do Not Use Romance as a Tool

This section is not an "NPC acquisition" system. Affinity is not points; it is an approximation of a relationship. Keep the following in mind:

#What Not to Do

• Affinity-maximization optimization play: The game must not become one where PCs repeat "gift +2" to stack Affinity. In such cases, the GM should make the value of repeated gifts feel diminishing in practice.
• Treating partners as rewards: Partners are NPCs. They have feelings and can refuse. Even at Affinity 10, they can choose Separation in certain situations.
• Provoking competition between players: When multiple PCs pursue the same partner, the GM must not take sides. Place the partner's own feelings at the center.

#What to Do

• Hide the Affinity number and describe the emotion: Rather than showing PCs the number directly, convey it through changes in the partner's attitude.
• Keep refusal possible: Partner NPCs have the right to refuse a relationship at any time. Especially when Three Ways and Six Hearts conflicts are intense.
• Tragedy is part of the story: Not every romance needs a happy ending. A tragic ending carries the greatest weight when it is the result of choices, not something forced.

#Player Caution

• Respect other players' romance scenes: When one PC has a romance scene, other PCs must not undermine it with jokes. Cut quietly to another scene, or engage earnestly.
• No non-consent or coercion: If a partner NPC signals refusal, stop immediately. The essence of romance is mutual consent.

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#Relationship to the Core Book

#Relationship to Core-Book Bond Points

The core-book bond point system centers on "social ties" (clan, party, liege). This supplement's Affinity centers on emotional and romantic ties. The two systems operate independently, but influence each other:

• Core-book bond point alignment (same target) → Affinity +1 bonus, 1 time
• Reaching Affinity Stage 4 → gains core-book bond point "trusted confidant" (bidirectional)

#Relationship to Core-Book Marriage Rules

The Sengoku-era marriage customs from the core-book Daily Life §Marriage operate as background. However, certain aspects are relaxed in the drifting situation:

• Clan permission: Since the domain is drifting, Lord Akihisa's approval is the sole official procedure
• Matchmaking: Not possible (no access to outside matchmakers). Centers on the parties' mutual agreement.
• Dowry: Omitted (wartime economy)
• Divorce: More relaxed than core-book — lord's approval is sufficient

#Relationship to Core-Book Anti-Christian Laws

When romancing Minako (a secret Kirishitan), the threat of the ban on Christianity applies exactly as in the core book. During the drift the ban is not enforced, but it emerges as a real threat in Ending A (return).

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#Getting Started Right Away

If you intend to activate the romance system in the first session:

1. Share only the safety and parallel-pursuit rules from 24-01 Romance System in Session 0. Details may be kept hidden.
2. Tell players only the names of the 9 partner candidates. Background information is revealed as they are met.
3. The GM manages Affinity privately. The player feeling "I think I'm starting to like this person" matters more than any number.
4. The first Affinity event is at the end of Chapter 1 or the start of Chapter 2. Do not let it run mechanically too fast.

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#Connected Documents

• Romance System — Affinity rules
• Human Partners — 5 characters in detail
• Yoma Partners — 4 characters in detail
• Romance Endings — ending branches
• NPC Index
• Ending Branches

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"I must send this person back. And even after this person is gone, I must remember this person. I still do not know how to keep that memory from becoming pain." — Hoshino Gensho, a passage from a diary three months into the drift.