#Gaijin Alternate Path — Prayers and Hymns [Variant]

Opt-in / GM approval recommended. This path is a Variant under co-99-01. It does not replace the gaijin class; as one of its branches, it opens a way to build "faith instead of the teppo." Attributes, skills, checks, proficiency, Three Ways and Six Hearts, Energy, and Wounds all follow the core canon. Because the concept is strong, GM approval at Session 0 is recommended.

Non-overlapping with ex2-01-03. The canon ex2-01-03 covers only the alternate techniques of the 3 Outside classes (modern person, heroic spirit, celestial) and the Commoner — the gaijin is not a subject of that document. This path covers the gaijin, so there is no overlap.

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#Rule — What This Build Changes

The gaijin's domain is "the interpreter between two worlds." The canon gaijin's Outsider Affinity (auto-understanding of Exotic Sacred Objects, a bonus on foreign texts, favorable treatment at foreign ports) remains as is. Even if gunpowder is exchanged for faith, the fact that he is an interpreter who came from Nanban does not change.

What changes is what he fights with. Gunpowder (Might/Finesse) is moved to faith (Grace/Wits).

#1. Attribute Axis — Might/Finesse → Grace/Wits

The attribute allocation rules and total are exactly the canon. This path only changes the recommendation for "which axis to raise as the core"; it does not create a new attribute.

#2. Swapping the Starting Automatic Skills

The canon gaijin's starting automatic skills are Archery Trained · Navigation Novice · Survival Novice · Perception Novice (gunpowder/seafaring focus). This path swaps them to a faith focus. Every skill is within the canon 36 skills, and no new skill is created.

The Master-eligible skills are also redefined from gunpowder→faith: this path changes the 6 Master-eligible skills from the gunpowder set (Archery, Navigation, Survival, Perception, Speed, Deceit) to the faith set (Bearing, Exorcism, Negotiation, Prophecy, Medicine, Deceit) (Deceit is common to both builds — a missionary, too, needs to hide and disguise). However, the count (6), the start at 2nd dan, the combined cap above Licensed, and the advancement rules follow the canon exactly — only the eligible skill set (membership) changes.

#3. Dan-Tier Techniques — Replacing teppo Techniques with Prayers and Hymns

The canon gaijin's dan-tier technique slots (1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th dan) are all centered on the teppo, gunpowder, and cannon. This path replaces those slots, at the same dan and same slot count, with effects from 03 Prayers and Hymns. The slot count, the dan, and the Energy/limit system are not changed — only the contents change.

The type, Energy, limit, and exact effect of each technique are carried as data in 03.

Mixed-build caution. A gaijin cannot hold a gunpowder technique and a prayer/hymn at the same time in one slot (only one is used per dan slot). However, a single gaijin can do a per-dan mix, taking gunpowder at 1st and 3rd dan and going to faith from 5th dan on — the story of a former sniper who converted while still holding gunpowder in hand. The GM need only check the slot count so that a mixed build does not become too strong on one side.

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#Rule — Where the Faith Gaijin Is Torn (Three Ways and Six Hearts)

If the canon gaijin's core drama is "the loneliness of running ahead of the age," the faith gaijin is torn by two loyalties — loyalty to the lord and loyalty to Deus.

The faith gaijin's Three Ways and Six Hearts question: "My god is a guest in this land. Even so, do I pray for the people of this land?"

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The individual effects of prayers and hymns are in the next chapter. → 03 Prayers and Hymns