#Dan 9 — Those Just Before Legend
Contents
Dan 9 Use Standard. Dan 9 is an odd-numbered dan — Dan 9 advanced talents open (cumulative: total attribute bonuses +7, 17 skill points, 12 talents[gaijin 13, Commoner 11], 4 licenses, 1-3 Masters). There is still no Renown Title (Dan 10 capstone). Dan 9 Commoners are the Livelihood peak that reaches Master Artisan(+3).
#Scent — One Step Not Yet Received
Dan 9 is people one step before receiving a Renown Title. Their names have crossed beyond one region, and they already hold the Dan 9 advanced talent of one class. Yet they are not legends yet — that final step is something they delay, or fail to reach, for their own reasons.
The core of a long campaign lies here. They are the PCs' mentors, nemeses, or heads of a power.
| # | Name | Class / Livelihood | Role | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Muso of Kazamatsuri | ronin (mobility / assassination) · masterwork | adversary — founder-level swordmaster | Kii |
| 2 | Ryozenbo Kaichin | Pure Land monk (support / healing) | client — upper seat of a great temple | Hokuriku-Shinetsu |
| 3 | Misuzuhime of Aso | arahitogami + onmyoji (dual build) · Divine Treasure | rival — miko of Divine Power | Saikai |
| 4 | Kumagiri of Oshu | wildlander + hanyo (dual build) | ally — human of kamuy | Ou |
| 5 | Horanda of Iwami | gaijin (ranged / bombardment) | mentor — peak of teppo and artillery | Sanyo-Sanin |
| 6 | Kyuemon of Nada | Commoner — Livelihood:Brewing(Master Artisan) | local figure — toji of famous sake | Kinai |
#Law — Character Distribution in This Chapter
The five standard/dual-class NPCs were drawn one each from five role groups (mobility / assassination, support / healing, divinity / transformation, Core Zone / grappling, ranged / bombardment) — including a low-frequency role group (ranged / bombardment). Their origins were chosen from five different entries among the ten regions of fc09 (standard in the regional cross-reference table).
| # | Class (Role Group) | Region | 1st Purpose | Table Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ronin (mobility / assassination) | Kii | path of the sword(劍) | adversary |
| 2 | Pure Land monk (support / healing) | Hokuriku-Shinetsu | sect, faith | client |
| 3 | arahitogami+onmyoji (divinity / transformation) | Saikai | Divine Power(神通) | rival |
| 4 | wildlander+hanyo (Core Zone / grappling) | Ou | kamuy, coexistence | ally |
| 5 | gaijin (ranged / bombardment) | Sanyo-Sanin | artillery, age of gunpowder | mentor |
| 6 | (Commoner slot, separate axis) Commoner (Livelihood:Brewing) | Kinai | livelihood, famous sake | local figure |
The roles, purposes, role groups, and regions of the five standard/dual-class NPCs do not overlap. The two dual builds (Divine Power and Great Kamuy) are combinations first shown in this volume (keeps the overall dual-class cap of ≤2). The Commoner slot (No. 6) is a separate axis (
ex1-99-06).
#1. Muso of Kazamatsuri (風祭の無双) — Dan 9 Ronin
He owns nothing but one sword — so that sword is everything.
A founder-level swordmaster wandering the mountains of Kii. Rumor says he founded a school, but he keeps no disciples and no dojo. Only one masterwork, Fudan, and the path of the sword — when he draws, swordfighters across one region are said to hold their breath.
Muso of Kazamatsuri (風祭の無双) — Dan 9 ronin · adversary(founder-level swordmaster)
Secondary Class: none (single class)
Wounds 5, Defense 12(light armor), Energy 13. Finesse+3, Courage+2, Physique+2, Wisdom+1, Presence 0, Fate-1.
Background: wanderer (Dan 5 branch B wild sense) | Path/Heart: Way of Mystery / Truth (Inscribed Heart)
Skills: Swordsmanship Master · Footwork Licensed · Speed Licensed · Infiltration Licensed · Survival Licensed · Perception Initiated (Master 1=Swordsmanship, licenses 4=Footwork/Speed/Infiltration/Survival)
Talents: Blade of the Wind[aptitude](automatic) · Wanderer's Intuition[aptitude](background) · Quick[aptitude](Dan 1 general) / First Strike(先手一撃)[aptitude](Dan 3) · Danger Sense[aptitude](Dan 3 general) / Gale(疾風)[aptitude](Dan 5) · 6th Sense(Dan 5 background branch B) / Shadowless(無影)[aptitude](Dan 7 advanced) · Tough[aptitude](Dan 7 general) / Shadowless Guest(無影客)[aptitude](Dan 9 advanced) · Indomitable, Long Haul[aptitude](Dan 9 general 2)
Equipment: masterwork uchigatana "Fudan(風斷)" · kodachi · light armor · sedge hat and straw sandals. 4 gold.
Source: co canon + masterwork "Fudan" = narrow Canon (this volume only).Masterwork Uchigatana "Fudan(風斷)" [co-07-02 masterwork rules / fc05-04-01 ownership bond · narrow Canon] — Ownership Conditions: Swordsmanship Master(4 points) + devotion to the path of the sword (only someone who stakes a lifetime on one blade). Masterwork Technique: Fudan Flash[form] (Swordsmanship Master prerequisite — met). Blessing[aptitude]: when drawing in the Core Zone or Flank Zone, gain [Direct N]. Cost: if another weapon is held, Fudan cools in the hand (masterwork techniques of weapons other than this sword cannot be used).
- Operation. Free Core Zone entry (Blade of the Wind), Shadowless and Shadowless Guest (Dan 7 and 9 advanced — shadow sword), Swordsmanship Master (offense-defense unity), masterwork Fudan (Fudan Flash, Master prerequisite). Non-combat: sword instruction, wandering, survival. Weakness: he has nothing but one sword — wandering poverty, no path but the sword.
- Backstory. A swordmaster one step short of the Renown Title (Sword Saint). He delays that step deliberately — because the campaign ends the moment he reaches it.
- Relationship Hook. Crosses swords with a PC swordsman (adversary). Defeating him, or learning from him, becomes the path of one swordsman.
- PC Conversion. Ronin Dan 1→9. Priority: Finesse axis / Swordsmanship Master / 4 licenses / Dan 7 and 9 Shadowless, Shadowless Guest. Dan 10 Renown Title = Shadowless Guest (無影客, ronin class capstone). Core Zone freedom is automatic at Dan 1.
#2. Ryozenbo Kaichin (霊山坊戒鎮) — Dan 9 Pure Land Monk
The force and faith of a whole head temple wait for his one word.
An upper-ranked priest of a great temple in Hokuriku. He commands the head temple's warrior monks and monto, supporting the faith of one region. When he raises nembutsu, collapsing squads stand again; when he speaks of uprising, farmers across a region rise.
Ryozenbo Kaichin (霊山坊戒鎮) — Dan 9 Pure Land monk · client(upper seat of a great temple)
Secondary Class: none (single class)
Wounds 5, Defense 11(monk-robe barrier, Defense +2 against yokai), Energy 11. Presence+3, Physique+2, Wisdom+2, Finesse+1, Courage 0, Fate-1.
Background: temple origin (Dan 5 branch A warrior monk) | Path/Heart: Way of Emptiness / Mercy (Inscribed Heart)
Skills: Negotiation Master · Bearing Licensed · Medicine Licensed · Agitation Licensed · Fighting Spirit Licensed · Perception Initiated (Master 1=Negotiation, licenses 4=Bearing/Medicine/Agitation/Fighting Spirit)
Talents: Shield of Amida[aptitude](automatic) · Power of Sutras[aptitude](background) · Indomitable[aptitude](Dan 1 general) / Nembutsu(念佛)[form](Dan 3) · Field Command[aptitude](Dan 3 general) / Grand Dharma Assembly(大法會)[form](Dan 5) · Warrior Monk Connections(Dan 5 background branch A) / Rebirth in the Pure Land(極樂往生)[aptitude](Dan 7 advanced) · Tough[aptitude](Dan 7 general) / Amida Manifestation(阿彌陀顯現)[form](Dan 9 advanced) · Long Haul, Danger Sense[aptitude](Dan 9 general 2)
Equipment: naginata · tanto · monk-robe barrier · prayer beads, sutras, Pure Land banner(南無阿弥陀仏) · warrior-monk command banner. 4 gold.
Source: co canon — no source badge needed.- Operation. Squad Cohesion (Shield of Amida), Grand Dharma Assembly and Amida Manifestation (Dan 9 advanced — wide-area recovery and manifestation), many warrior-monk foot squads (Warrior Monk Connections; Dan 9 warrior-monk captain grade), Negotiation Master. Non-combat: head temple upper rank, sect politics, popular sentiment, decision over Ikko uprising. Core Zone entry is forced Breakthrough. Weakness: the weight of sect and uprising — between mercy and force.
- Relationship Hook. Entrusts the PCs with sect force, faith, or uprising (client/head of power). Head-temple superior of Gyonen (Dan 7) and Ryokai (Dan 4).
- PC Conversion. Pure Land monk Dan 1→9. Priority: Presence axis / Negotiation Master / 4 licenses / Dan 9 Amida Manifestation. Dan 10 Renown Title = Dharma King (法王). Core Zone entry is forced Breakthrough.
#3. Misuzuhime of Aso (阿蘇の御鈴姫) — Dan 9 Arahitogami + Onmyoji Dual Build
Inside sacred ground, a shikigami becomes divine.
An arahitogami and practitioner enshrined in a shrine in Aso, Saikai. She spreads sacred ground and strengthens shikigami into divinity inside it. Faith and shikigami are bound into one economy known as "Divine Power (神通)" — burning faith to keep shikigami alive, and using shikigami to protect sacred ground.
Misuzuhime of Aso (阿蘇の御鈴姫) — Dan 9 arahitogami · rival(miko of Divine Power)
Primary Class: Dan 9 arahitogami / Secondary Class: onmyoji (declared at Dan 3)
Wounds 4, Defense 10(miko robes), Energy 11. Presence+3, Wisdom+3, Finesse+1, Physique+1, Courage 0, Fate-1.
Background: temple origin (Dan 5 branch B righteous monk) | Path/Heart: Way of Emptiness / Mercy (Inscribed Heart)
Resource: Faith (starts 3 · maximum 10)
Skills: Bearing Master · Sorcery Master · Barrier Licensed · Agitation Licensed · Prophecy Trained · Medicine Initiated (Masters 2=Bearing/Sorcery[secondary onmyoji], licenses 2=Barrier/Agitation)
Talents: Manifest Divine Majesty[stance](automatic) · Power of Sutras[aptitude](background) · Indomitable[aptitude](Dan 1 general)
/ Blessing(祝福)[form](Dan 3) · Shikigami Enhancement(式神強化)[aptitude](Dan 3 general slot -> borrowed from secondary onmyoji)
/ Great Barrier(大結界)[form][stance](Dan 5) · Great Medicine(Dan 5 background branch B) / Sacred Ground Expansion(神域擴張)[aptitude](Dan 7 advanced) · Field Command[aptitude](Dan 7 general) / Human-Divine Union(人神合一)[aptitude](Dan 9 advanced) · Tough, Long Haul[aptitude](Dan 9 general 2)
Equipment: kaiken · sacred mirror(神鏡), bells, gohei · miko robes and chihaya · shikigami talismans(secondary onmyoji) · Divine Treasure "Shikigami Sacred Mirror(式神の神鏡)" · herbs and sacred water. 3 gold.
Source: co canon + Divine Treasure "Shikigami Sacred Mirror" = narrow Canon (this volume only).Divine Treasure "Shikigami Sacred Mirror(式神の神鏡)" [co-07-03 Divine Treasure rules · narrow Canon] — Acquisition: Divine Treasure dedicated to the shrine. Ownership Conditions: Bearing Master(4 points) + faith match (Shinto -> Way of Mystery, Truth/Demon). Devotion Technique: Divine Shikigami Descent[form] (makes a shikigami inside sacred ground Elite-grade — Wounds 4, Defense 14). Blessing[aptitude]: spend 1 Faith -> shikigami recovers all Wounds. Curse[aptitude]: if the shikigami falls, Faith -1.
- Dual Build. Primary arahitogami Dan 9 / secondary onmyoji (declared at Dan 3). Prerequisites: Wisdom +3 · Sorcery Master (onmyoji prerequisite: Wisdom+2, Sorcery trained+). Borrowed talent: 1 general slot is replaced with the onmyoji Dan 3 talent Shikigami Enhancement. Secondary Renown Title, secondary Dan 1 automatic (Shikigami Command), and Dan 7+ are not gained. Core Zone entry follows the primary arahitogami (forced Breakthrough, Rear Zone). Dan 10 = Divine Power (神通).
- Operation. Sacred ground (Manifest Divine Majesty, Great Barrier, Sacred Ground Expansion, Human-Divine Union Dan 9), Elite-grade shikigami enhancement inside sacred ground (secondary onmyoji + Divine Treasure — Faith↔shikigami linkage), Bearing and Sorcery Masters. Non-combat: shrine priest, practitioner, oracle, divination. Weakness: if Faith reaches 0, both divinity and shikigami stop — "just a miko."
- Relationship Hook. As an arahitogami of another faith community, competes with the PCs' arahitogami or practitioner (rival). Contests divinity with Sakuya (Dan 5) and Myojinni (Dan 8).
- PC Conversion. Arahitogami Dan 1→9, declare secondary onmyoji at Dan 3. Why two paths: divine faith and the practitioner's shikigami become one economy. Dan 10 = Divine Power. See dual build patterns.
#4. Kumagiri of Oshu (奥州の熊霧) — Dan 9 Wildlander + Hanyo Dual Build
A human who became kamuy — half beast, half god, yet standing as a person.
A wildlander and hanyo living in the deep mountains of Ou (奧州). He bears both yokai blood and kamuy power in one body, and speaks human words even while transformed. He is known as "a human who became kamuy (Great Kamuy)," but he stands in the place of a human to the end.
Kumagiri of Oshu (奥州の熊霧) — Dan 9 wildlander · ally(human of kamuy)
Primary Class: Dan 9 wildlander / Secondary Class: hanyo (declared at Dan 3)
Wounds 6, Defense 16(Kamuy's Protection = 10 + Physique + Courage), Energy 11. Courage+3, Physique+3, Finesse+1, Fate+1, Wisdom 0, Presence-1.
Background: child of the Spirit Realm (Dan 5 branch B yokai awakening) | Path/Heart: Way of Mystery / Truth (Inscribed Heart)
Skills: Unarmed Combat Master · Survival Licensed · Perception Licensed · Fighting Spirit Licensed · Hardiness Licensed · Footwork Initiated (Master 1=Unarmed Combat, licenses 4=Survival/Perception/Fighting Spirit/Hardiness)
Talents: Hand of Kamuy[aptitude](automatic) · Spirit Realm Resonance[aptitude](background) · Tough[aptitude](Dan 1 general)
/ Bear Slayer(熊殺し)[aptitude](Dan 3) · Claws(爪)[aptitude](Dan 3 general slot -> borrowed from secondary hanyo)
/ Kamuy's Protection[aptitude](Dan 5) · Half-Transformation(Dan 5 background branch B) / Kamuy Descent[form](Dan 7 advanced) · Indomitable[aptitude](Dan 7 general) / Avatar of the Earth(大地の化身)[aptitude](Dan 9 advanced) · Long Haul, Danger Sense[aptitude](Dan 9 general 2)
Equipment: makiri(small knife) · tetsubo(iron club) · claws(bare hands, secondary hanyo) · no armor(Kamuy's Protection) · bear hide. 2 gold.
Source: co canon — no source badge needed.- Dual Build. Primary wildlander Dan 9 / secondary hanyo (declared at Dan 3). Prerequisites: Fate +1 · yokai bloodline (hanyo prerequisite: Fate+1, yokai bloodline — child of the Spirit Realm background). Borrowed talent: 1 general slot is replaced with the hanyo Dan 3 talent Claws. Secondary Renown Title, secondary Dan 1 automatic (Yokai Blood), and Dan 7+ are not gained — Core Zone freedom is the primary wildlander's own Hand of Kamuy, not borrowed from secondary hanyo. Dan 10 = Great Kamuy (大神威).
- Operation. Barehanded/claw melee (Hand of Kamuy + Claws, free Core Zone entry), Kamuy Descent (Dan 7 — beast descent), Avatar of the Earth (Dan 9), Half-Transformation (yokai form), Kamuy's Protection (Defense 16). Non-combat: mountains, yokai knowledge, survival, mediation (between humans and yokai). Weakness: conflict between Truth and Demonic blood, fear from civilized society.
- Relationship Hook. Helps the PCs with the power of mountain and kamuy (ally). Shares the hanyo path with Nuemaru (Dan 5).
- PC Conversion. Wildlander Dan 1→9, declare secondary hanyo at Dan 3. Why two paths: beast power and yokai blood become kamuy in one body. Dan 10 = Great Kamuy. Core Zone freedom is the wildlander Dan 1 automatic.
#5. Horanda of Iwami — Dan 9 Gaijin
He proved in one region that teppo change the age.
An artillerist from across the sea who settled in Iwami, Sanyo-Sanin. Through teppo and cannon, he changed the warfare of one region. He is said to have proven that the "Age of Fire (火の時代)" has come — the age of swords is setting, and the next age opens from the end of his gun barrel.
Horanda of Iwami — Dan 9 gaijin · mentor(peak of teppo and artillery)
Secondary Class: none (single class)
Wounds 4, Defense 13(Nanban armor, [Pierce] resistance +1), Energy 13. Finesse+3, Courage+2, Wisdom+2, Physique+1, Presence 0, Fate-1.
Background: merchant's child (Dan 5 branch A merchant-house management) | Path/Heart: Way of Mystery / Hegemony (Inscribed Heart)
Skills: Archery Master · Navigation Licensed · Survival Licensed · Perception Licensed · Speed Licensed · Deceit Initiated (Master 1=Archery, licenses 4=Navigation/Survival/Perception/Speed)
Talents: Foreign Gunpowder[aptitude] · Outsider Affinity[aptitude] (2 gaijin Dan 1 automatic talents) · Funding[aptitude](background) · Quick[aptitude](Dan 1 general)
/ Sniping(狙擊)[aptitude](Dan 3) · Tough[aptitude](Dan 3 general) / Repeating Gun(連發銃)[form](Dan 5) · Merchant-House Network(Dan 5 background branch A) / Cannon(大砲)[form](Dan 7 advanced) · Field Command[aptitude](Dan 7 general) / Age of Fire(火の時代)[aptitude](Dan 9 advanced) · Indomitable, Long Haul[aptitude](Dan 9 general 2)
Equipment: Tanegashima · nicchoho(short gun) · cannon(squad operation) · Nanban armor · gunpowder and bullets · telescope(foreign). 8 gold.
Source: co canon — no source badge needed. (Archery includes teppo and cannon; there is no separate gun skill.)- Operation. Teppo sniping (Foreign Gunpowder — [Pierce all], fixed 11), Repeating Gun, Cannon, Age of Fire (Dan 9 — age of gunpowder), Archery Master. Core Zone entry is forced Breakthrough (teppo cannot be used in Core Zone). Non-combat: teaching artillery, foreign knowledge, interpreting, trade. Weakness: gunpowder is powerless in rain or underwater.
- Relationship Hook. Teaches the PCs teppo, artillery, and the age of gunpowder (mentor). Connected to Gunsmith Jubei (Dan 7) and Yazo the Gunsmithing Craftsman (Dan 5) through the teppo path.
- PC Conversion. Gaijin Dan 1→9. Priority: Finesse axis / Archery Master / 4 licenses / Dan 7 and 9 Cannon, Age of Fire. Dan 10 Renown Title = Artillery Commander (砲兵司令官). Core Zone entry is forced Breakthrough.
#6. Kyuemon of Nada (灘の久右衛門) — Dan 9 Commoner · Livelihood:Brewing (Master Artisan)
People say one barrel of his sake becomes a tribute gift for daimyo.
A toji (杜氏), master brewer, of Nada in Kinai. He brews sake whose name is known beyond one region, and people say his sake becomes a tribute gift for daimyo. Leading the brewing za and supporting the livelihood of one village — this is the highest place Commoners can reach, Dan 9 Master Artisan.
Kyuemon of Nada (灘の久右衛門) — Dan 9 Commoner · local figure(toji of famous sake) [ex1-99-06]
Wounds 6, Defense 10(work clothes), Energy 11. Physique+3, Wisdom+2, Presence+2, Finesse+1, Courage 0, Fate-1.
Background: farmer (Dan 5 branch A commoner leader) | Path/Heart: Way of Mystery / Truth (Inscribed Heart)
Skills(Dan 1 9 points[free allocation 5+background 2+free 2] + 4 even-numbered dan +2 points = 17 points): Negotiation Licensed · Perception/Bribery/Geography Trained · Hardiness/Agitation/Survival/Herbalism/Deceit/Fortune/Bearing/Intimidation Novice (license 1=Negotiation, background perks 2=Hardiness, Agitation[farmer: Survival/Hardiness/Agitation]) · Livelihood:Brewing Master Artisan [ex1-99-05] is separate
Talents: (no automatic talent — Commoner) Child of the Earth[aptitude](background) · Grasp Popular Sentiment(Dan 5 background branch A) / Skilled, Tough, Long Haul, Indomitable, Danger Sense, Lucky, Quick, Field Command, Yokai Knowledge[aptitude] (9 general, all within the 10 Commoner types)
Equipment: brewery(koji, cauldrons, barrels) · famous sake sample · work clothes · za license, ledgers · toji(杜氏) hood. 8 gold.
Source: Commoner [ex1-99-06] · Livelihood:Brewing [ex1-99-05]. If ex1 is absent — replace with an unranked non-combat NPC.- Operation. Non-combat — brewing (Livelihood:Brewing Master Artisan +3 — toji known beyond one region, cannot be used for battlefield checks), leading the brewing za (Grasp Popular Sentiment — za Cohesion and Negotiation/Agitation +2), trade (Negotiation license). Local figure and Master Artisan: Nada's Master Artisan toji; his sake is a daimyo tribute gift. The highest dan Commoners can reach (Dan 9 cap) and Master Artisan (Livelihood peak). On the battlefield, he is an untrained Commoner -> treated as rabble (雜) (Wounds 0, instant death).
- Backstory. A name that crossed beyond one region without ever gripping a sword. Master Artisans are one or two in a lifetime — he is one of those one or two.
- Relationship Hook. PCs, daimyo, and merchant houses become entangled over his sake and za (local figure). Trading partner of magnate Sotoku (Dan 5) and head Doami (Dan 8).
- PC Conversion. Commoners cannot be used as PCs. (A Dan 9 Commoner Master Artisan is the peak of Commoners in this volume — Dan 10 and Renown Titles belong to the adventurer path.)
#Closing Dan Note — Those Who Have Not Yet Received It
- Sword and Age. Muso (swordmaster) stands at the peak of the sword age, while Horanda (artillery) stands at the end of the sword age — if one sword and one gun face each other on the same battlefield, the replacement of an age fits inside one scene.
- God and Kamuy. Misuzuhime (Divine Power) and Kumagiri (Great Kamuy) both stand on the boundary between human and beyond — sacred ground and yokai blood face each other on one mountain.
- Commoner Ceiling. Kyuemon (Brewing Master Artisan) reached Dan 9 without a sword — at the highest place a Commoner can climb, he holds a region's livelihood instead of a Renown Title.
#Scent — One Sentence
"The moment just before becoming legend is the most dangerous — because one step ends it, and refusing the step makes it forever just before."