Shuji

Shuji are social techniques, leveraging that most powerful of human tools; communication. Shuji can be used in intrigues, duels, skirmishes, and other types of conflict as common sense and the GM's discretion diictates. Only characters with one or more ranks in a school that lists Shuji among it's available techniques can purchase Shuji.  

Air Shuji

Air Shuji are indirect, probing, and sometimes teasing. More than other forms of rhetoric, this style of conversation tends to revolve around setting up subtle traps in conversation for others to fall into before exploiting them for all they are worth. Air Shuji thus tend to hinge on details rather than the bigger picture; they control the scope of the conversation to deflect away from contrary evidence or logical argumentation.

Rank 1

Flowering Deceptions

With a few well-chosen words, a skilled leader can create an opening for one person while impeding another. Allowing one Opponent to have an edge can cause them to inadvertantly trip up one of their allies. Alternatively, exposing one's own ally to adversity can give another a key opportunity to strike unhindered.   Activation - Oncer per scene, as a Scheme and Support Action, you may make a Courtesy (Air) or Tactics (Air) check targeting two characters that are not hostile to each other. the TN of the check is equal to the highest Vigilance amongst your targets.   Effects - if you succeed, choose one of your targets and increase the TN of their next check by 2. Decrease the TN of the other target's next check by 2. This effect persists until the end of your next turn.   Opportunities;

• Air, 1 Opportunity - Neither of your targets realise your duplicity in hindering one to help the other.
• Air, 2 Opportunity - You can use this technique one additional time this scene.

Rank 2

Rank 3

Pack Gambit

Whether in conversation or in a fight, numbers account for a great deal, but only if they are guided by a single purpose. To make best use of a larger force, a character must be able to give direction, helping multiple others make the most of their efforts to both collaborate and exploit enemy weaknesses.   Activation - As a Scheme Action, you may make a TN3 Social skill (Air) check targeting one character.   Effects - If you succeed, each character who performs an Attack or Scheme action targeting that character counts as having your Assistance. This effect persists until the ned of your next turn.   Opportunity;

• Air, 2 Opportunity - Choose one of the target's Disadvantages that you know. Each character who performs an Attack or Scheme action targeting that character may exploit that Disadvantage without spending a Void point.

Rank 4

Rank 5

Ruse of The Moon's Reflection

Things are not always as they seem - the moon's light falls upon the water and appears to be within arm's reach, yet none can touch it. To lead is to tell your subordinates not the truth, but what they need to hear to complete their objectives. To face an enemy general is not to move your troops against theirs, but to imagine their troops as if they were own, and manouvre them to the positions required for your victory.   Activation - As a Scheme action, you may make a Command (Air) check targeting any number of charcters in the scene who are not hostile to each other. The TN is equal to the highest vigilance amongst your targets. In a mass battle, you must atrget all commanders (other than yourself, if applicable).   Effects;

• If you succeed on the check during an Intrigue, Skirmish, or Duel, you may exchange the initiative values of any number of the targets.
• If you succeed on the check during a mass battle, you may reveal that two leaders of the same army have swapped cohorts and positions.

 

Earth Shuji

Earth Shuji focus on building others up through a combination of support, expectation, and pressure when needed. A character using this sort of rhetoric is likely to speak at a measured pace, weighing their words carefully, and devolping an argument from the foundation up.

Rank 1

Bellow of Resolve

A well-timed word of encouragement or shout of warning can get a fighter back on their feet at a crucial moment, which can mean the difference between life and death on the battlefield.   Activation - Once per scene, as a support action, you may make a TN2 Command (Earth) check targeting one Compromised or Incapacitated character.   Effects - If you succeed one, of the following effects occurs;

• If your target is Compromised, they remove Strife until their Strife is equal to their Composure minus 1.
• If your target is Incapacitated, they remove Fatigue until their Fatigue is equal to their Endurance minus 1.

Opportunities;

• Earth, 2 Opportunity - You may use this technique one additional time this scene.
• Earth, 3 Opportunity - This technique instead targets any number of Compromised and Incapacitated characters of your choice in the Scene.

Rank 2

Rank 3

Look Out

When the first arrow falls, a word of warning can save dozens of lives.   Activation - When you make a check to resist an effect, you may spend Opportunity in the following way;

• Earth, 1+ Opportunity - One character of your choice per Opportunity spent this way may immediately switch to a stance of their choice.

Rank 4

Rank 5

Mentor's Guidance

Among warriors, those who live long enough to reach old age tend to be considered espescially wise. Many consider it their duty to explain the tricks they have used to stay alive to their younger compatriots.   Activation - Once per scene as a Support action, you may make a TN4 Command (Earth) Check or TN4 Performance (Earth) Check targeting one character.   Effects - If you succeed, choose one of your Kata, Ninjutsu, or Shuji techniques. Your target may use that technique as if they knew it. This effect persists until the end of the scene.

Fire Shuji

Fire Shuji focus on provocation in the most direct sense, eliciting a reaction immediately and with fervor. Anger, joy, despair, and the burning desire for justice are all tolls of one who wields Fire Shuji. With it, a speaker can illuminate injustice or set hearts ablaze with pride. But it can also blind people to the wider situation, or the consequences of their actions.

Rank 1

Illuminate the Way

Fire pushes back the darkness, but it is knowledge that truly lights up the world. On the fringes of society, one encounters those whose wisdom is gained through first-hand experience.     Activation - Once per session at the start of a scene, or as a Support action, you may make a TN 2 Scholar skill (Fire) check targeting one character.   Effects - If you succeed, that character treats their vigilance as 2 lower (to a minimum of 1) and their focus as 2 higher. This effect persists until the end of the scene.   Opportunity;

• Fire, 1+ Opportunity - Choose one additional target per Opportunity spent this way.
• Fire, 1 Opportunity - This effect persists until the end of the next Scene instead.

Rank 2

Rank 3

Goading Taunt

Some Bards are known for their scathing insults—but for foulness of tongue and raising ire, even these masters of provocation are put to shame by some warriors.   Activation - Once per scene as a Scheme action, you may make a Performance (Fire) or Tactics (Fire) check targeting one character. The TN of the check is equal to your target’s vigilance.   Effects;

• If you succeed during an intrigue encounter or a duel, your target receives strife equal to their honor rank unless they forfeit that much honor.
• If you succeed on the check during a skirmish, that character must immediately move 2 range bands toward you unless they choose to receive 3 strife, plus 1 additional strife for every 2 bonus successes.
• If you succeed on the check during a mass battle, that character must target your cohort with an Assault or Challenge action next turn, unless they choose to receive 3 strife, plus 1 additional strife for every 2 bonus successes. If you succeed or fail, reduce the TN of your target’s next check by 1.

Opportunity;

• Fire, 2 Opportunity - You may use this technique one additional time this scene.

Rank 4

Rank 5

Roar of Encouragement

A shout of triumph or desperation can pierce the fog of exhaustion, drawing a warrior back to the now, and focusing their energies. A skilled commander knows exactly when to raise their voice and drive their forces on to the Final Push, eliminating a key foe, or turning the tide of the battle with renewed vigour.   Activation - Once per Secen as a Support action, you may make a TN3 Command (Fire) check targeting a friendly character.   Effects;

• If you succeed during a skirmish, your target may immediately perform a strike action with your Assistance.
• If you succeed during a mass battle, your target's cohort may immediately perform and Assault action, with your assistance on the check.

Opportunity;

• Fire, 2+ Opportunity - Choose 1 additional target to be affected by this Technique per 2 Opportunity spent this way.

 

Water Shuji

Water Shuji play to the heart rather than the mind, calling upon the listener to let their emotions guide them and be swept along without question. Camaraderie, shame, and guilt, as well as material needs and base desires, are all the domain of Water Shuji. With these techniques, a skilled courtier can draw even the harshest enemies to the negotiating table by making it the path of least resistance.

Rank 1

Eyes Up!

Warriors who spend their life on the battlefield learn to expand their senses before the fight begins, letting them leap from bedroll to battle in an instant, or react quickly to unexpected threats.   Activation - Once per game session, at the start of a Scene, or as a support action, you may make a TN2 Scholar skill (Water) check targeting one character.   Effects - If you succeed, that character treats their Focus as 2 lower (to a minimum of 1) and their Vigilance as 2 higher. This effect persists until the end of the Scene.   Opportunities;

• Water, 1+ Opportunity - Choose one additional target per Opportunity spent this way.
• Water, 1 Opportunity - This effect persists until the end of the next scene instead.

Rank 2

Fluent Bargaining

"And, of course, our fee will need to cover various expenses..."   Activation - When you make a Commerce (Water) check to negotiate payment for a job, you may spend opportunity in the following way;

• Water, 1+ Opportunity - If you succeed, you also convince the client to pay up to 10% of the fee up front per Opportunity spent this way.

Rank 3

Malleable Formation

Picking the right person for the right job is a key skill for any leader, whether they are an experienced carpenter building a house or a great general commanding an army. So too is knowing when to change tactics - or opponents - even in the midst of a conflict.   Activation - Once per scene as a Movement and Support action, you may make a TN2 Command (Water) check targeting two willing charcters at a range of 0-2 of you who could reasonably reach each other's positions.   Effects - If you succeed, your targets immediately move the range bands to switch places. If they do, each target may select a new stance.   Opportunity;

• Water, 2 Opportunity - You can use thgis technique one additional time this scene.

Rank 4

Rank 5

Watch My Back

Putting your full faith in someone else is the greatest risk a warrior can take. By fighting together without reservation, two can accomplish the deeds that a dozen could not undertake if each operates individually.   Activation - Once per scene as a Movement and Support action, if you are in a Water stance, you may call for a character at range 0–2 to cover you while you rush to complete an important task.   Effects - The character you chose may immediately perform a Guard action targeting you, ignoring range restrictions. If they succeed, you may move up to 2 range bands. Reduce the TN of the next action check you perform this turn by 1.  

Void Shuji

Void Shuji revolve around understanding and expressing the inner mysteries of the universe to help oneself and others move towards Enlightenment, selfless goals, and otherworldly ends. Some Void Shuji are limited to a specific Kingdom, as noted in their title, meaning only a member of that Kingdom can ordinarily take that Shuji.

Rank 1

Wanderer's Resolve

A noble with a lord can find resolve in the loyalty they feel, but a Noble with no lord has no easy well-spring from which to draw that resolve. This hardship and isolation, however, can lead a landless noble to discover a certainty all their own. For, if they do not act - no one else will. The lives of their friends - of those who depend upon them - rest solely in their hands.   Activation - Once per scene, as a Support Action, if you are in the Void Stance, you may focus on protecting what is important to you.   Effects - You remove 3 fatigue and 3 Strife, plus an additional 3 Fatigue and 3 Strife for each Compromised or Incapacitated character in the Scene with which you share a bond.

Rank 2

Rank 3

Tonight, I Am Your Opponent

Normally, interrupting someone else's duel of honour or battlefield clash is an act of substantial dishonour, affecting all involved. However, sometimes a dueling warrior will swallow their pride and let someone else step in. by making an impassioned plea to a friend, speaking nobly to an old rival, explaining why it would be improper for the pair to fight, or simply having such conviction that no others can question their honour, a speaker can attempt to cut into a one-on-one fight between two other warriors.   Activation - Once per game session as a Scheme and Support action, you may make a TN3 Social skill (Void) check targeting one character who is currently fighting in a duel or clash.   Effects - If you succeed, you immediately replace your target in the Duel or Clash, staking your own Honour and Glory as usual. Your target forfeits half the Honour and Glory they staked upon fighting uninterrupted. If you share a bond with the character you are replacing or with their adversary, no charcter must forfeit Honour or Glory for you interruption.

Rank 4

Awe of Heaven (Kingdom of Xian families only)

With but a word or glance, a noble of the Imperial families can invoke the power of the Lotus Throne.   Activation - Once per scene, as an Attack and Scheme action, you may make a Command (Void) check targeting any number of characters in the scene. The TN of the check is equal to highest Status Rank among your targets.   Effects: If you succeed, each target suffers the Silenced condition.

Rank 5

Bond of Heroes

Whenever heroes arise it is not just their force of arms that makes them legends. Their bonds, their feelings for one another - these are what drive them to great deeds, and why people tell their tales time and again across the ages.   Activation - Once per game session, as a Support Action, you may mkae a TN5 Performance (Void) check, targeting each character who shares a Bond with you in the Scene.   Effects - If you succeed, each target removes 5 Strife and 5 Fatigue, plus 1 for every two bonus successes.