Backgrounds

Study hard and all things can be accomplished. Give up and you will amount to nothing. - Yamaoka Tesshu

1. Bandit (Sanzoku)

Thieves and highwaymen, operating outside the law for personal gain. Quick to gain knowledge of terrain and listen for approaching prey.

Starting Gear

  • 3d6 Ryo
  • Rations (3 uses)
  • Tinderbox and flint
  • Forged documents
  • Disguise kit
  • Lucky charm
  • Tekko (Iron Knuckles) (d6)
  • Darkened Leather Armor (1, bulky)

2. Blacksmith (Kaji)

Skilled and highly respected metalworkers crafting and repairing weapons, tools, and armor.

Starting Gear

  • 3d6 Ryo
  • Rations (3 uses)
  • Tinderbox and flint
  • Small whetstone
  • Hammer
  • Oil for lubricating tools
  • Wakizashi (Sword) (d6)
  • Leather Apron (1, bulky)

3. Carpenter (Daiku)

Skilled artisans and woodworkers who build houses, temples, and other structures.

Starting Gear

  • 2d6 Ryo
  • Rations (3 uses)
  • Torch (3 uses)
  • Small chisel
  • Compass
  • Saw
  • Nata (Carpenter’s Hatchet) (d6)
  • Cloth Tunic

4. Cleric (Souryo)

Priests or monks offering spiritual guidance and prayers. Well respected by most people, can more easily engender goodwill.

Starting Gear

  • 2d6 Ryo
  • Rations (3 uses)
  • Torch (3 uses)
  • Pouch of medicinal herbs
  • Small scroll of poems
  • Shakujo (Ceremonial Staff) (d6, reach)
  • Kimono

5. Farmer (Hyakushou)

Hardworking, they toil on the land to provide sustenance for their communities. Well respected for their food generation and tax income.

Starting Gear

  • 2d6 Ryo
  • Rations (3 uses)
  • Torches (3 uses)
  • Bundle of seeds
  • Waterskin
  • Sickle (d4)
  • Light cloth garb

6. Fisherman (Ryoushi)

Navigating the rivers and seas seeking the best catch. Their life at sea makes them resourceful and adept at reading the weather and tides.

Starting Gear

  • 2d6 Ryo
  • Rations (3 uses)
  • Torches (3 uses)
  • Fishing rod
  • Fishing net
  • Fishing spear (d6, reach)
  • Oil skin coat

7. Gambler (Tobakushi)

Professional gamblers operating in teahouses and gambling dens. Can find hives of scum and villainy in most every town.

Starting Gear

  • 3d6 Ryo
  • Rations (3 uses)
  • Torch (3 uses)
  • Marked coin
  • Origami crane
  • Pouch of dice
  • Tessen (Iron Fan) (d4)
  • Silk garments

8. Herbalist (Kusushi)

Traditional medicine practitioners using herbs and natural remedies.

Starting Gear

  • 2d6 Ryo
  • Rations (3 uses)
  • Torch (3 uses)
  • Mortar and pestle
  • Pouch of medicinal herbs
  • Small notebook of recipes and notes
  • Kama (Small Sickle) (d6)
  • Light cloth garb

9. Hunter (Shuryousha)

Skilled hunters providing meat and furs, often survivalists living on the outskirts of settlements.

Starting Gear

  • 3d6 Ryo
  • Rations (3 uses)
  • Tinderbox and flint
  • Snare wire
  • Vial of animal attractant
  • Pouch of dried herbs
  • Compass
  • Yumi (Longbow) (d6, bulky, ranged)
  • Hide Vest (1, bulky)

10. Merchant (Gyousha)

Shopkeepers and traders dealing in various goods. Despite low status, typically wealthy and well connected.

Starting Gear

  • 4d6 Ryo
  • Rations (3 uses)
  • Torch (3 uses)
  • Miniature scale
  • Silk cloth
  • Pouch of fragrant incense
  • Tessen (Iron Fan) (d4) or Tanto (d4)
  • Decorated Silk Robe

11. Miner (Kofu)

Workers extracting resources from mines, often under harsh conditions.

Starting Gear

  • 2d6 Ryo
  • Rations (3 uses)
  • Torch (3 uses)
  • Salt for purifying water
  • Pickaxe
  • Sturdy twine
  • Kusarigama (Sickle on a Chain) (d6, reach)
  • Reinforced Leather Coveralls (1, bulky)

12. Mountain Ascetic (Yamabushi)

Hermits seeking spiritual enlightenment in remote mountainous areas. Often act as guides.

Starting Gear

  • 1d6 Ryo
  • Rations (3 uses)
  • Torches (3 uses)
  • Pouch of herbs
  • Scroll of sutras
  • Rope (25 ft)
  • Shakujo (Ceremonial Staff) (d6, reach) or Ono (d8)
  • Simple worn robes

13. Ninja (Shinobi)

Covert agents skilled in espionage, sabotage, and assassination. Easily blend in with crowds and environment.

Starting Gear

  • 3d6 Ryo
  • Rations (3 uses)
  • Tinderbox and flint
  • Lockpicks
  • Ninjato (Short Sword) (d6)
  • Shuriken (d4, ranged) or Kunai (d4)
  • Ninja Garb

14. Performer (Geinoujin)

Actors performing comedy and acrobatics. Has the means and skills to impersonate classes outside of their own.

Starting Gear

  • 2d6 Ryo
  • Rations (3 uses)
  • Torch (3 uses)
  • Makeup
  • Small instrument (player’s choice)
  • Notebook of songs
  • Bo (Staff) (d6, reach)
  • Embroidered Cloth Garments

15. Pirate (Kaizoku)

Corsairs and pirates operating on the seas, defying trade regulations. Knows all the good hiding spots along the coast.

Starting Gear

  • 3d6 Ryo
  • Rations (3 uses)
  • Tinderbox and flint
  • Spyglass
  • Pouch of spices
  • Compass
  • Naginata (Polearm) (d10, bulky, reach)
  • Leather Jacket (1, bulky)

16. Ronin (Ronin)

Masterless samurai working for hire, sometimes outlaws due to their independent nature.

Starting Gear

  • 2d6 Ryo
  • Rations (3 uses)
  • Tinderbox and flint
  • Scroll, inkwell, and brush
  • Whetstone
  • Book of philosophical text
  • Katana (Sword) (d8)
  • Ashigaru Armor (2, bulky) or Darkened Leather Armor (1, bulky)

17. Samurai (Samurai)

Elite warriors and skilled swordsmen, samurai serve as protectors, administrators, and soldiers.

Starting Gear

  • 2d6 Ryo
  • Rations (3 uses)
  • Tinderbox and flint
  • Whetstone
  • Calligraphy set
  • Book of philosophical text
  • Katana (Sword) (d8) or Yumi (Longbow) (d6, bulky, ranged)
  • Yoroi Armor (3, bulky) or Darkened Leather Armor (1, bulky)

18. Servant (Kerai)

Domestic servants or retainers working in households, performing various tasks.

Starting Gear

  • 2d6 Ryo
  • Rations (3 uses)
  • Torches (3 uses)
  • Sewing kit
  • Tea kit
  • Pouch of herbs
  • Tessen (Iron Fan) (d4)
  • Simple Linen Tunic

19. Soldier (Ashigaru)

Foot soldiers often recruited from the peasant class, backbone of military forces.

Starting Gear

  • 2d6 Ryo
  • Rations (3 uses)
  • Torches (3 uses)
  • Jingasa (Hat)
  • Water flask
  • Small cooking pot
  • Yari (Spear) (d6, reach)
  • Do-Maru (2, bulky)

20. Tea Master (Chajin)

Artists of hospitality, performing intricate tea ceremonies that promote tranquility and mindfulness.

Starting Gear

  • 2d6 Ryo
  • Rations (3 uses)
  • Tinderbox and flint
  • Tea set
  • Pouch of incense
  • Tessen (Iron Fan) (d4)
  • Simple Linen Tunic