Rosuto-Shima

Steampunk Musha The Classes of Rosuto-Shima

Credits Authors: Rick Hershey, Lucus Palosaari, Jeff Gomez, J Gray, Ismael Alvarez, Rodney Sloan Editors: Rick Hershey, Lucus Palosaari, Rodney Sloan, Troy Daniels, and J Gray Artist: Rick Hershey Design and Layout: Rick Hershey Fat Goblin Hoarde: Ismael Alvarez, Jason Owen Black, Jeff Collins, Kristopher Cruz, Ben Dowell, Kim Frandsen, Scott Gladstein, J Gray, Taylor Hubler, Jacob W. Michael, Jennifer R. Povey, Matt Roth, Rodney Sloan, Jessie Staffler, Jeffrey Swank, Landon Winkler, Lucus Palosaari, Troy Daniels, and Rick Hershey. Line Developer: Rodney Sloan Publisher: Rick Hershey

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2 Contents Classes 4 Ashigaru (Fighter) 4 Monks 5 Ninja 6 Samurai 7 Gaijin-Only Classes 8 Shangti Cowboy 10 Class Skills 10 Class Features 10 New Racial Favored Class Options 15 A Short Listing of Firearms 16 Shangti Cowboy Archetypes 18 Honor Code of the Shangti Cowboy 19

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3 Classes of Rosuto-Shima Samurai, ninja, ashigaru, sōhei, and a wide variety of other classes exist in the vibrant culture of Rosuto-Shima. Some of Weapon and Armor Proficiency these classes are drawn directly from the Pathfinder Roleplaying An ashigaru is proficient with all simple and martial weapons, Game hardcover books, with little or no modification. Others including martial firearms, and with all armor (heavy, light, and are more tricky, especially some western inspired character medium), but not proficient in shields. See the section entitled classes that have no clear analogy in an Asian setting. But Weapons of Rosuto-Shima for what counts as a martial weapon this is Rosuto-Shima, a land in flux, where foreign gaijin draw instead of gaijin weapons and armor in Steampunk Musha. into port daily, bringing unfamiliar practices to challenge the ancient ways of tradition. Throughout this section you’ll find ideas for using existing Alternate Fighter Weapon Groups classes in Steampunk Musha, like the alternate fighter, See below for additional weapons within the fighter weapon ashigaru. Future books and supplements will introduce further groups that can be chosen by ashigaru. character options to tailor your character to fit the setting. Within this Explorer’s Guide we’ve covered the most iconic Asian inspired classes within the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game, In addition to using this slightly modified fighter class, a the monk, the unchained monk (Pathfinder Roleplaying Game: number of archetypes printed in Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Pathfinder Unchained), the ninja, and the samurai (Pathfinder books are solid theme choices for Steampunk Musha warriors. Roleplaying Game: Ultimate Combat). A final section on Gaijin- While the classic ashigaru is well trained in the use of the many Only Classes gives valuable insights into playing a foreign ken (swords), yari (spear), naginata (polearm), and yumi (bows), character. any veterans of the War of States are as likely proficient in matchlock firearms. But the Way of the Warrior holds mastery of a single skill set above other things, so that the archer, polearm master, two-handed fighter, two-weapon warrior, ¿¿Ashigaru (Fighter) and weapon master archetypes are all common throughout Rosuto-Shima. Alternately, schools of warriors specializing in While the noble samurai is the iconic “warrior” — bushi — of specific styles can be represented best by archetypes like the the lands of Rosuto-Shima, less than a tenth of the people that free hand fighter, mobile fighter, unarmed fighter, and even try to live by the Code of Bushido (see more in Philosophies of those fighters with great discipline pushing their bodies to Rosuto-Shima below) are even ronin after the War of States, let the limit as unbreakable. Finally, while some read bushido as alone full samurai. The common footsoldier or man-at-arms holding specialization in the highest regard, others believe is most often known by the name ashigaru. These “lightfoot” a more general learning of weapons and strategy should be soldiers were commonly trained and equipped by wealthy emphasized, represented in the martial master and tactician samurai, daimyo, and shogun for province conscription. Today, archetypes. ashigaru are as likely to be employed by merchants and others made wealthy by the influx of gaijin money and trade. Beyond these archetypes, almost any type of fighter can be found as a gaijin mercenary for hire in port towns or in places In Steampunk Musha, the ashigaru are played using the like Shangti. In general though, these foreigners are viewed as standard fighter class with the following changes to represent not following the true bushido spirit of the Warrior’s Way. the different choices in weapons and armor available in the SteampunkSample Musha game-world of Rosuto-Shima. file

4 Sōhei in Steampunk Musha are represented by the core For the purpose of the fighter class’s weapon training ability, monk class from the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Core add the following weapons to the fighter weapon groups as Rulebook, with the following additional restrictions. defined in the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Core Rulebook and Pathfinder Roleplaying Game: Ultimate Equipment books.

Blades, Heavy: hwandudaedo. Bladed, Light: jian, tachi, tsurugi. Bows: daikyu, hankyu. FighterDouble Weapons Weapon: jō staff. Groups Monk: jian, jō staff.

¿¿Monks Powerful martial artists, the monk represents the pinnacle of physical training and esoteric abilities. In the diverse lands of Steampunk Musha, both the core monk class from the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Core Rulebook and the unchained monk from Pathfinder Roleplaying Game: Pathfinder Unchained exist.

The Yamabushi — Mountain Warriors (Unchained Monk) Mountain hermits and ascetics, the yamabushi (literally “mountain warriors”) are believed to hold esoteric supernatural powers, a reputation upheld by their mastery in battle. In truth, their rigorous commitment to their training, unswerving discipline, and unmatched endurance are beyond compare, and have more to do with their apparent powers than any form of magic. Yamabushi in Steampunk Musha are represented by the unchained monk class from Pathfinder Roleplaying Game: Pathfinder Unchained, with no additional restrictions or modifications.

Sōhei — Warrior Monks (Monk) Dedicated to a monastic order or a fellowship of likeminded monks rather than an individual temple or their own selfish purpose,Sample the sōhei (literally “monk soldiers”) are devout warriors file with a cause to uphold.

5 In addition to using this slightly modified monk class, a Weapon and Armor Proficiency number of archetypes printed in Pathfinder Roleplaying Game A sōhei is proficient with all simple and martial weapons in books are solid theme choices for Steampunk Musha monks. addition to the usual monk weapon proficiencies. A sōhei is When applying an archetype, the monastic commitment proficient with light armor only, but not proficient in shields. normally required of sōhei monks is applied on a case by When wearing armor, using a shield, or carrying a medium or case basis. The kata master and wildcat, both from Pathfinder heavy load, a monk still loses their AC bonus, as well as their fast Roleplaying Game: Advanced Class Guide, represent exhibitionist movement and flurry of blows abilities. See the section entitled and street-trained monks respectively. An aikido practitioner Weapons of Rosuto-Shima for what counts as a martial weapon can be built with the flowing master monk archetype from instead of gaijin weapons and armor in Steampunk Musha. Pathfinder Roleplaying Game: Ultimate Combat, and similarly a judo or sumo specialist might be constructed using the maneuver master or tetori archetypes from the same book. The Monastic Commitment martial artist, master of many styles, and sensei archetypes, also from Pathfinder Roleplaying Game: Ultimate Combat, provide A sōhei must dedicate themselves to one monastic order. excellent martial artist builds focusing on some popular Many of these orders ascribe a number of vows to their themes, while the sohei archetype provides useful options for a members, and the sōhei must follow all the vows required mounted sōhei specialist. of their order. For more information on monk vows, see the chapter on Spellcasting Class Options in the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game: Ultimate Magic. A monk who deserts or is ¿¿Ninja cast out of their order cannot gain new levels as a monk but retains all monk abilities. Two example orders are detailed The ninja is a master of stealth, a skilled killer, and a below. A monastic order most often holds one philosophy (as practitioner of esoteric means of subterfuge. In the world of presented later in this book) above all others, and members of Rosuto-Shima, anyone can take on the role of the assassin, but that order must likewise follow that philosophy. only those who submit to a grueling training regime under a true master of ninjitsu can truly call themselves ninja. The ninja character class presented here represents the highly The Silent Kinship Monastic specialized covert training available to those belonging to a Order ninja clan, yet there are many paths to mastering the skills of stealth and assassination. Characters selecting other classes The Silent Kinship believe that actions matter more than might also be ninja who have simply followed a different path words, which only spread deceit and disharmony. While in their training. initiates to the order might carry a slate to communicate with others, the most ardent followers reject even this crude aid. In Steampunk Musha, ninja are played using the standard ninja class presented in Pathfinder Roleplaying Game: Ultimate Primary Philosophy: Hansei — Self-Reflection Combat. The following changes are introduced to represent Required Vows: Vow of Silence the different choices in weapons and armor available in Headquarters: Chengti Rosuto-Shima.

The Harmonious Fellowship Monastic Weapon and Armor Proficiency A ninja is proficient with all simple weapons, plus the kama, Order katana, kusurigama, nanchaku, sai, shortbow, longbow, short While many jinteki-oni seek to live peacefully, the sword, shuriken, siangham, wakizashi, and one handed martial harmonious order goes to great lengths to avoid aggression in firearms. They are proficient with light armor but not with their own lives and to ensure tranquility wherever they go. shields. See the section entitled Weapons of Rosuto-Shima for Primary Philosophy: Heiwa — Social Harmony what count as martial versus gaijin weapons and armor in Steampunk Musha. RequiredSample Vows: Vow of Peace file Headquarters: Tendou

6 In addition to using this slightly modified ninja class, a number In addition to using this slightly modified samurai class, a of rogue archetypes depict specializations in the ninja arts number of cavalier archetypes printed in Pathfinder Roleplaying for Steampunk Musha ninjas. For assassins, the knife master Game books are solid theme choices for Steampunk Musha archetype from Pathfinder Roleplaying Game: Ultimate Combat, or samurai, and can be used in the interim until the release of the poisoner, sniper, and trapsmith from Pathfinder Roleplaying a supporting class book. Speed and agility are favored by Game: Advanced Player’s Guide are all great choices. For spies, the many samurai, which makes the daring champion (Pathfinder chameleon and charlatan archetypes from Pathfinder Roleplaying Roleplaying Game: Advanced Class Guide), and emissary Game: Ultimate Combat or the investigator and spy from (Pathfinder Roleplaying Game: Ultimate Combat) archetypes good Pathfinder Roleplaying Game: Advanced Player’s Guide provide choices. Potent combat focused samurai can be created using valuable options. For infiltrators, the roof runner from Pathfinder the gendarme or musketeer archetypes from the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game: Ultimate Combat or the acrobat, burglar, and Roleplaying Game: Ultimate Combat. Other interesting samurai can scout from Pathfinder Roleplaying Game: Advanced Player’s Guide be built using the honor guard, luring cavalier, standard bearer, are worth a look. Other interesting ninja can be created using or strategist archetypes, which are described within Pathfinder the sanctified rogue, for a temple trained ninja monk, or the Roleplaying Game: Ultimate Combat. survivalist archetype, for a ninja hermit, both from Pathfinder Roleplaying Game: Ultimate Combat. The rake and swashbuckler rogue archetypes, from Pathfinder Roleplaying Game: Advanced Player’s Guide, can be used to make bold, stand-out-from-the- crowd ninja.

¿¿Samurai Not everyone who wields a sword and wears armor is a samurai, elite soldiers who represent the most iconic of the combat classes. Likewise, not every samurai spends their days fighting on the battlefield, when their skills in court could just as easily decide the fate of those they fights for. To be a samurai is to bear a title, but it is the samurai’s actions that truly define who they are. The samurai character class as presented in Pathfinder Roleplaying Game: Ultimate Combat represents the highly specialized military training available to many nobles of the samurai social class. It is perfectly reasonable to build a character that belongs to the samurai social class, but which uses another character class instead. Apply the following changes to the samurai class presented in the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game: Ultimate Combat to represent the different choices in weapons and armor available in the Steampunk Musha game-world of Rosuto-Shima.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency A samurai is proficient with all simple and martial weapons, plus all nihontō (including the katana, naginata, and wakizashi), and martial firearms. They are proficient with all armor (light, medium, and heavy), and shields, except tower shields. See the section entitled Weapons of Rosuto-Shima for what counts as a martialSample weapon (and nihontō) instead of gaijin weapons and file armor in Steampunk Musha.