Credits Contents Writer Proofreading Credits & Contents 1 Lawrence Whitaker Ted Chang Introduction 2 Editor Playtesting Japan and the Heian Era 4 Charlotte Law Tony Higgins, Scott Life in Japan 21 Hughes, Steve Pettifer & Land of the Samurai Characters 31 Cover Art Matt Roberts Wquipment of the Samurai 53 Chris Quilliams Special Thanks Religion and Faith 60 RuneQuest Logo Adrian Walters, Andrew Magic of Japan 71 Anne Stokes Williams, Georgina Ways of the Warriors 82 Calderbank, Newt Newport Creatures of Japan 91 Interior Illustrations and Pete Nash Jesse Mohn, Leonardo Borazio, Ki For the Sensei 106 Marco Morte, Nathan Furman Beneath an Opal Moon 110 and Phil Renne (Scenario) Glossary of Japanese Words 120 and Terms Index 123 Copyright Information RuneQuest Land of the Samurai ©2008 Mongoose Publishing. All rights reserved. Reproduction of of this work by any means without the written permission of the publisher is expressly forbidden. All signifi cant characters, names, places, items, art and text herein are copyrighted by Mongoose Publishing. This game product contains no Open Game Content. No portion of this work may be reproduced in any form without written permission. To learn more about the Open Game License, please go to www.mongoosepublishing.com. This material is protected under the copyright laws of the United Kingdom. This product is a work of fi ction. Any similarity to actual people, organisations, places or events is purely coincidental. RuneQuest is a trademark (TM) of Issaries, Inc. Produced under license from Issaries. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA. 1 INTRODUCTION Ancient Japan has held a long fascination for the west. period, leading to a radical progression of belief and The formality of the society, steeped in notions of philosophy but also to schisms within the religious honour and debt almost unheard of in the west; the infrastructure. In the latter half of the Heian period the traditions of the samurai and their code of bushido; temples and monasteries took on a pseudo-militaristic the enigmatic ninja and the duality of the Shinto and approach, partly out of necessity, partly in response to Buddhist religious philosophies – each contributes to the power base in the Imperial court and this offers a a unique society that is ideal for adventure on many perfect backdrop for Japanese mystics and magicians. different levels. Fourthly, women occupied a unique place in Japanese society that was thoroughly diminished in the feudal era. Women were power-brokers, artists, thinkers and What Period is shapers of the cultural changes that marked the Heian the Setting? period from its predecessors and successors. Finally, The most famous feudal period is that of Sengoku this is an era of Japan largely unexplored in roleplaying (‘warring states’). The setting for RuneQuest Land games, which have concentrated on the feudal period. of the Samurai is based on the earlier, Heian period This is fertile ground and RuneQuest wishes to tread (794 – 1192). It was in this era that the samurai began it. We know you, the Games Masters and players, will their ascent to power as a socio-military force and it thoroughly enjoy it. encompasses a burgeoning period for the arts, religion and culture. Whilst the Emperor rules supreme, true power is held by the Fujiwara nobility, which exercised What Do I Need regency throughout the period. to Know? This book assumes the reader is new to historical Japan, The Heian (pronounced HEE-yun) period predates the although those with knowledge of it through popular Sengoku period archetypes. Ninja, that staple of popular mediums and historical research should not fi nd it Japanese and now western, culture, did not come into wanting. Within these pages you will fi nd everything existence until much later. The warrior tradition of the needed to create an authentic sense of mythic Japan bushi was in its formative years and the shogunates – the using the RuneQuest rules system. military dictatorship that controlled medieval Japan – came into being at the end of the Heian period. However, as this is intended as a mythic interpretation of the Heian What Other Books era, guidance is given on including anachronisms such Do I Need? as the ninja. Aside from this book, you will need the RuneQuest main rules and the RuneQuest Companion. Other books that will There are several reasons for focusing on the Heian prove useful but are not essential, are RuneQuest Monsters period. First, most, if not all, the most crucial elements (volumes I and II), RuneQuest Arms and Equipment, of the feudal period were developed during this time. RuneQuest Legendary Heroes and the RuneQuest Spellbook. It is therefore an opportunity to explore the rise of the samurai, the establishment of the shogunate and the decline of imperial Japan. Second, power was What is in this Book? consolidated into the hands of one or two clans, each Japan and the Heian Era with different agendas and this provides a perfect This chapter gives a full overview of the setting for backdrop for a diverse range of character types without RuneQuest: Land of the Samurai, with information about the dominance of the samurai that transpired the islands, its provinces, and people. This chapter also in later eras. Thirdly, certain key precepts of provides an extensive timeline for the Heian era, noting Japanese Buddhism were developed in this key personalities and events; historical and mythical. Introduction 2 Life in Japan Magic of Japan The social, personal and political customs of Heian Full guidance on how the various magic systems of Japan are explored and explained, including the Japanese RuneQuest should be treated in Land of the Samurai, calendar and time notation. along with new spells and Kai abilities. Character Creation Way of the Warriors Full guidelines on creating a RuneQuest character for Land An overview of the martial classes of Japan: the samurai, of the Samurai with new professions, skills, a clan/family the sōhei and as an optional inclusion, the ninja. table and the introduction of the On system, used for measuring personal and family honour. Creatures of Japan The monsters of Japanese myth and legend. Equipment of the Samurai An overview of traditional Japanese equipment, Ki for the Sensei including new weapons. Campaign advice for the Games Master and an introductory scenario Beneath and Opal Moon and Religion and Faith a full Glossary of words and terms used throughout Detailing the Buddhist and Shinto faiths, with this book. descriptions of the key beliefs and major deities. Introduction 3 JAPAN AND THE HEIAN ERA This chapter fulfi ls two objectives: to describe Japan the From the void something heavy and opaque took shape; a complete place and to give an overview of the Heian period, which contrast to the light and insubstantial Plain of High Heaven and will be explored in greater detail in the chapters to come. this was the earth, which was like an oyster pearl, coalescing within Most people are familiar with some aspects of Japan; the shell of the void. On this heavy, ungainly place, two further that it is a collection of islands; that it embodies strict deities appeared. These were Umashi-Ashi-Kahibi-Hikoji-no- social codes; that it has a long, highly evolved culture Mikoto (the Pleasant Reed-Shoot Prince-Elder Deity) and Ame- and that it has experienced great localised turbulence no-Tokotachi-no-Mikoto (The Heavenly Eternally-Standing (wars and natural disasters) throughout its long history. Deity). They looked about the world and saw it was incomplete However, there is much more to understand and learn and adrift in the void but did nothing at that particular point. So and so in this chapter we present the facts about this it was that, after these fi ve deities came into existence, so did many fascinating country, from the perspective of the 9th and more; however, surrounded by the chaos, there was little for them to 10th Centuries. do except observe and so that is precisely what they did. Eventually though, Izanagi and Izanami, two of the deities of Heaven, were However, RuneQuest is also a fantasy game and whilst told to descend to the nebulous earth and make it substantial. This this book strives for historical accuracy, woven into the they did together, by pushing the point of the spear, Ama-no- factual material is a certain degree of myth and legend. Nuboko, into the murkiness surrounding the pearl. As Izanagi There are also some deliberate anachronisms. Ninja, for drew-up the spear, droplets fell from it and formed islands, with example, do not strictly appear until the later, feudal era Onokoro being the fi rst. This creation caused much delight between but they are eluded to here and offered as a character the two and they descended to the island and made it their home. option in the Chapter beginning page 31. Whilst this subverts the historical veracity, ninja and the like have In its centre Izanagi and Izanami erected a pillar which was become such staples of the west’s perception of ancient named Heavenly August Pillar. Around the pillar they built a Japan and are such an enticing concept for adventuring, great palace called the Hall of Eight Fathoms. Then, the two that we feel a case can be made for deliberately skewing circled the pillar from opposite directions. When they met, Izanami history to include them in this, a fantasy RuneQuest greeted the handsome man approaching her and Izanagi greeted setting. Thus, the Japan described throughout this book the beautiful maiden but told Izanami that it was improper for should be viewed as a mythical, alternate Japan and the a woman to anticipate the greetings of a man.