#Yabusame Samurai
Contents
Scene Tool (fc04-internal only). This document is a Heian variant layered on top of the
co-04-07-01-samurai.mdsamurai class. It does not change the body of the co samurai class — this volume adds only era adjustments on top of it. On conflict, co takes priority.
#Fiction Intro — Courtesy Atop the Bow
The warrior drove his horse. But before loosing the arrow, he first ordered his own name and his opponent's name in his heart. Heian combat, even when the body moved first, was not complete if the name did not follow.
A young mounted warrior asked. "Must one give one's name even to a yoma?"
The master answered while holding the reins. "It does not mean to be courteous to a yoma. It means: do not forget who you are when you fight. An arrow loosed without a name is no different from a bandit's arrow."
"I have heard that the samurai of the Sengoku are not so slow."
"We are not the Sengoku," said the master. "Here, even combat unfolds beneath watching eyes. The court watches, the house watches, and the dead ancestors watch."
The arrow flew. The yoma did not fall, but the young warrior atop the horse knew that his own breath had changed. The strength of the Heian samurai lies not in mere horsemanship and archery but in being conscious to the very end of from what station one fights.
#The Position of This Document
The Heian samurai differs from the Sengoku and Edo samurai — bow and horse are the main craft, and the sword is secondary. This document defines the Heian variant of the co-04-07-01-samurai.md samurai class.
- It is not a new class. co samurai class + Heian-era adjustment.
- A Heian-campaign PC samurai uses it.
- A PC samurai in a campaign of another era does not use it.
For details on the background of Heian warrior culture, see fc04-01-03-warrior-dawn.md.
#Scent — The Declaration of Single Combat
A day in the mid-Heian. Two warriors face each other on a plain by the riverside. One in black armor, the other in red armor. Both are mounted and bear bows.
The black armor cries out first.
"Minamoto no [given name], protector of the people of Settsu. My house is descended from Emperor Seiwa, and the way of my house is the way of bow and horse. Who are you?"
The red armor answers.
"Taira no [given name], protector of the people of Ise. My house is descended from Emperor Kanmu and follows the same way of bow and horse. I accept."
The two drive their horses and draw their bows. The distance is 30 paces. The first arrow departs.
This is the duel of the Heian warrior. Who killed whom must be clear. For another to intervene — defiles the honor of both men.
#The Five Traits of the Heian Samurai
#1. The Way of Kyuba (弓馬)
Bow and horse are the main craft. The sword is secondary. The standard training of the Heian warrior is not swordsmanship but kyuba (弓馬) — the art of hitting a target with the bow from horseback. In this variant, this kyuba-centered combat is called yabusame (流鏑馬) in game terms.
#2. Single Combat (一騎打ち)
The duel of honor. One vs one. An era when squad tactics are weak — one warrior's martial deed becomes one house's honor.
#3. Oyoroi (大鎧) Armor
Huge, splendid armor. Excellent at defending against bow and arrow, but heavy for movement on foot. A rough splendor woven with red thread and blue thread over black lacquer.
#4. Name-Calling (名乗り)
The ritual of calling out one's house, name, and court rank before combat. "Who killed whom" must be clear.
#5. Weakness of Squad Tactics
Squad tactics like the later Sengoku "square formation" (方陣) did not develop in the Heian. The duel of one warrior, the pride of one house.
#Heian Variant Rules — Five
#1. Yabusame (Bow + Horse)
The yabusame of this volume is a game term for Heian kyuba.
| Item | Adjustment | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Accuracy when using a bow | +2 | Same Energy cost |
| Using a bow from horseback | range +1 zone, movement penalty nullified | Same Energy cost |
| Bow → sword conversion | the co samurai's sword Kata can be used as bow Kata (optional) | Same Energy cost |
#The Effect of a Bow Strike (example)
The Energy cost and Wounds damage of the "bow strike" itself follow the standard "bow attack" of the
co-04-07-01-samurai.mdsamurai class as is. The Heian variant adds only accuracy +2 and range +1 zone to that strike.Example: standard "bow attack" = Energy 2, on hit enemy Wounds -1.
Heian variant = Energy 2 (same), accuracy +2 adjustment, on hit enemy Wounds -1 (same).
#2. Single Combat (一騎打ち) Rules
| Item | Effect |
|---|---|
| Declaration of single combat | One PC samurai declares to one NPC samurai. On agreement of both sides, single combat is established. |
| Single-combat adjustment | All checks of both sides +2 (accuracy, evasion, and Kata effects all) |
| Another's intervention | If another intervenes after single combat is established — the intervener's honor -2 (until the next scenario). The single combat itself ends. |
| Refusal of single combat | If an NPC refuses single combat, that NPC's honor -1 (at the end of combat). |
#3. Oyoroi (大鎧) Armor
| Item | Adjustment |
|---|---|
| Bow-and-arrow defense | Defense +2 against the enemy's bow attacks |
| Movement on foot | movement -1 zone (heavy) |
| Maximum Energy penalty | During that breath, maximum Energy -1 (heavy armor obstructs the breath) |
#A Heian Samurai Not Wearing Oyoroi
Possible. Oyoroi is the standard but not mandatory. It can be replaced with light armor, robes, or battle clothing — but then there is no bow-and-arrow defense +2 adjustment either.
#4. Name-Calling (名乗り)
| Item | Effect |
|---|---|
| On declaration | At the start of a breath, call out your house, name, and court rank. Energy 1 cost. |
| Adjustment for that breath | During that breath, accuracy and Kata +1 (pride bonus). |
| Refusal to declare | If you do not call out at the start of a breath — no declaration effect. No separate penalty. |
#The Social Effect of Name-Calling
Name-calling has meaning even outside of combat. If a PC politely calls out their name, an NPC samurai's trust is +1 (social-check adjustment). However, the accuracy adjustment of this rule is limited to the start of a combat breath.
#5. Squad-Tactics Penalty
The Heian samurai is weak at squad tactics. When using this variant:
| Item | Effect |
|---|---|
| Squad Resolve effect | Squad effects such as the co samurai's "Squad Resolve" (7th-dan optional trait) get adjustment -1 |
| Single-combat priority | When single combat is established, the actions of other squad members are handled separately (this PC is in single combat — others against other enemies) |
This penalty is a reflection of Heian aesthetics. It expresses the weakness of squad tactics as a rule.
#Detailed Rules Table (Summary)
| Item | Heian Adjustment | Cost/Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Bow + horse (yabusame) | accuracy +2, range +1 zone | Same Energy cost |
| Single-combat declaration | both sides +2, honor -2 on another's intervention | No direct numeric change |
| Oyoroi armor | bow defense +2, movement -1, maximum Energy -1 | — |
| Name-calling | that breath +1 | Energy -1 (cost) |
| Squad Resolve penalty | squad effect -1 | — |
#Scope of Application
#Heian-Era Campaign
- PC samurai = this variant applies (mandatory)
- NPC samurai = this variant applies (GM discretion)
#Heian → Kamakura Campaign
Up to the Kamakura (1185~1333), Heian warrior aesthetics are partly retained — partial application of this variant is possible. By GM agreement, retain only "oyoroi + maximum Energy -1" and nullify the other adjustments, and so on.
#After the Sengoku Era
From the Sengoku era (16th century) onward, this variant does not apply. Use the standard samurai class (co-04-07-01-samurai.md) as is.
#Fiction Intro
#The Declaration of Single Combat
"Minamoto no Yoshiie, of the main line of the Kawachi Genji. The bow of my house is under the protection of the god Hachiman. Who are you?"
"Sehara Yoshiaki, come from Mutsu Province. The bow of my house is shorter than that of yours — but the arrow travels the same path."
#In Armor, Toward the Enemy Camp
The weight of the armor presses on his shoulders. With each breath, the breath is shorter than usual. But when he draws his bow — the weight of the armor is forgotten. An arrow departs. The next arrow departs.
#The Model of the Heian Samurai — Yorimitsu and the Four Heavenly Kings
The exemplary application of this variant is the 5-person sheet of fc04-03-02-yorimitsu.md. Their signatures "Vanguard of Command," "Oni Cleaving," "Mountain Might," "Hawk's Eye," and "Quick-Draw Strike" are all secret arts of the Heian samurai layered on top of this variant.
Kiyomori (fc04-03-05-kiyomori.md) also applies this variant — though as the late Heian approaches, the weight of the sword increases somewhat.
#In One Line
"The way of bow and horse. The sword is drawn only at the last."
#References
#co — Body of the Samurai Class
co-04-character/co-04-07-classes/co-04-07-01-samurai.md— body of the samurai class (the foundation of this variant)
#Within fc04
fc04-01-03-warrior-dawn.md— background of kyuba and yabusame culturefc04-03-02-yorimitsu.md— the 5-person sheet of samurai modelsfc04-03-05-kiyomori.md— late-Heian samuraifc04-05-05-class-guide.md— guide to the 33 classes
#Other fc Volumes
fc03-99-01-kenshi-roster.md— swordmasters by era (includes some Heian warriors)
The Heian samurai galloped toward the battlefield, but always bore the gaze of the court at his back.