#GM Custom Squad Template

Contents

Used when a GM creates a unique famous squad for their own campaign. A structure similar to the 21-05 school-authorship guide.

#§ 6-Step Authorship Procedure

#1. Choose the squad grade

Choose 1 of the core squad's 5 grades (Mob/Minion/Veteran/Elite/Lord). Match it to the campaign PCs' dan:

PC dan 1~3: Mob/Minion-grade
PC dan 3~5: Minion/Veteran-grade
PC dan 5~7: Veteran/Elite-grade
PC dan 7~9: Elite/Lord-grade

#2. Set culture/era

Decide the cultural sphere (from Japan/Joseon/Ming/Western/nomad/fictional/Spirit Realm) and era (Sengoku/Bakumatsu/medieval/ancient, etc.). Comply with the core squad's value standard.

#3. Design 1 unique aptitude

An always-on effect (1 line). The pattern of this expansion's 25-02~08:

"+N on X terrain"
"+N against Y enemy"
"+N on Z condition"

Strength: within ±2 of an ordinary core squad.

#4. Design 1 unique tactic

A 1-combat or 1-session 1-time effect. Energy cost + effect:

a [Kata] or [Tactic:stance] type
Energy 2~5
effect: 1 stage stronger than an ordinary core tactic

#5. Hire conditions 1~3

Combine 1~3 of the following:

merit recognition (choose 1 of main-class dan/faction recognition/renown)
renown value (renown value N+)
ties with a house/society (3 stages or higher)
assets (gold N+)
alignment with a cause (PC ideology)

#6. Decide cost/loyalty

Cost: core same-grade squad × 1.5~3 (depending on strength).
Loyalty: state the departure/disband conditions.

#§ Authorship Template

### [squad name] ([kanji]) — [one-line description]

**Grade**: [Mob/Minion/Veteran/Elite/Lord]-grade / Wounds [N] / Defense [N] / Equipment: [...]

**Unique Aptitude [name]**: [always-on effect 1~2 lines]
**Unique Tactic [name]**: [type] Energy [N]. [effect]. 1 combat (or 1 session) 1 time.

**Hire**:
- [condition 1]
- [condition 2 (optional)]

**Cost**: core [grade]-grade × [1.5~3]× (1 session [N] kan)
**Loyalty**: [departure/disband condition]

**Narrative hook**: [intro scene 1~2 lines]

#§ Authorship Checklist

[ ] Complies with the core squad's grade value standard
[ ] Unique aptitude strength within core ±2
[ ] Unique tactic is core ordinary tactic +1 stage
[ ] Hire conditions are clear
[ ] Cost/loyalty are balanced
[ ] Differentiation from other 1st/this-expansion squads

#§ Custom Squad Example (GM demonstration)

### Yagyu Shinkage Swordsman Squad (柳生 新陰 劍士團) — an elite swordsman squad of the Yagyu house

**Grade**: Minion-grade / Wounds 4 / Defense 11 / Equipment: katana/wooden sword

**Unique Aptitude [Sword of Martial Virtue]**: +1 against an enemy with killing intent, +2 when non-lethal (swordmaster ideology).
**Unique Tactic [Yagyu Combined Attack]**: [Tactic:stance] Energy 3. 3 squad members pressure 1 target. Target evasion -2. When forcing lethality, the next round's one-breath limit -1 (mental disturbance of martial-virtue ideology, exhaustion 1 round). 1 combat.

**Hire**:
- a Yagyu Shinkage-ryu core school license or ties of 3 stages or higher with the Yagyu house

**Cost**: core Minion-grade × 2.5× (25 kan)
**Loyalty**: Yagyu martial-virtue ideology. Immediate departure upon abusing the weak/forced lethality.

**Narrative hook**: in Edo, an NPC candidate for shogunate swordsmanship instructor proposes "the accompaniment of an orthodox swordmaster corps" to the PC.

"The GM makes a squad's banner. But the lives that gather under that banner are made by the PCs."