Book III: Fire

Weapons

Weapons with the [R] tag are restricted, which means they are typically restricted to the samurai class in Rokugan. Weapons with the [X] tag are completely illegal in Rokugan, even among the samurai.

Weapons are split by category. Certain talents are based on the category of weapon. Weapons that fit into multiple categories are listed in their description.

Ashigaru Armor

Ashigaru armor is typically made of wooden plates and supplied to peasant soldiers. Some samurai use it because it is cheap and easy to repair or replace, and it is relatively light.

Tatami-yoroi (Foldable Armor)

Tatami-yoroi (foldable armor) is essentially a heavy cloth kimono or tunic, made from thick layers of burlap or chainmail. It offers reliable protection and is light, though not very adaptable or prestigious.

Ō-yoroi (Heavy Armor)

Ō-yoroi (heavy armor) is heavy infantry armor, covering most of the bodies except for a few spots along the joints. It is perhaps the most identifiable armor in Rokugan.

Nusa (Wand)

A nusa (wand) is a short wand with a number of zig-zag-shaped streamers (called shide) dangling from the tip.

When a character makes or obtains a nusa, the GM determines one effect that the nusa lets the wielder add to any appropriate invocation without increasing the invocation’s difficulty. Without a nusa, the effect the GM chooses should only increase the difficulty of an invocation once.

Attack invocations cast by the wielder increase their base damage by +3.

Prayer Scroll

Prayer scrolls are closely guarded tools utilized by clan shugenja to aid them when calling the kami. Each shugenja school produces their own scrolls with their own ciphers, making sure to protect their secrets.

When a character makes or obtains a prayer scroll, the GM determines up to two effects that the scroll lets the wielder add to any appropriate invocation without increasing the invocation’s difficulty. The effects the GM chooses should normally (without the scroll) only increase the difficulty of an invocation by a total of three.

If a character that acquires a prayer scroll intended for a shugenja of another school, they must make a hard (ddd) Cryptography check to decipher it first. The GM may modify the difficulty of this check depending on the circumstances and who made the prayer scroll.

Shaku (Ritual Baton)

A shaku (ritual baton) is a short, flat baton that tapers from one end to the other.

When a character casts an invocation while using a shaku, they add b to the check. Adding the Close Combat effect does not increase the difficulty.

Attack invocations cast by the wielder increase their base damage by +2.

Shakujō (Sounding Staff)

A shakujō is a staff with a metal ring at the head, with a number of other smaller rings dangling from the larger one; these rings produce a distinctive tinkling sound.

When a character casts an invocation while wielding a shakujō, the first Range effect added to the invocation does not increase the invocation’s difficulty.

Attack invocations cast by wielder increase their base damage by +4.

Alchemist's Lab

An alchemist’s lab provides a character the right tools for the job when making Alchemy checks. In addition, it adds b to Alchemy checks. While the tools and devices are extremely heavy and cumbersome, a lab can be considered somewhat portable if a wagon and draft animal are used to transporting it.

Alchemist's Kit

When a character uses an alchemist’s kit, they have the right tools for the job (see Genesys Core Rulebook p. 93) when making Alchemy checks, although some potions may require specialized ingredients. At the GM’s discretion, some complex alchemical items may not be created with the limited resources of an alchemist’s kit.

Apothecary's Kit

An apothecary’s kit allows a character to perform Medicine checks to heal wounds and critical injuries without penalty (see Genesys Core Rulebook p. 116).

Climbing Gear

When a character uses climbing gear, they remove b from any Athletics checks they make to climb something.

Craftsman's Tools

When a character uses a set of craftsman's tools, they have the right tools for the job (see Genesys Core Rulebook p. 93) when making Crafting and ENgineering checks, although some projects may require specialized tools.

Extra Quiver

If a character has an extra quiver, they may spend a maneuver to replenish their bow when it has run out of ammo due to d.

Lantern and Torches

A lit lantern or torch provides light and removes b imposed on checks due to darkness. If it becomes important to determine how far the light reaches, a lantern or torch provides light out to short range.

Lock Picks

When a character is using a set of lock picks, they add a to Skullduggery checks made to open a lock or latch.

Medicinal Herbs

When making a Medicine check, a character may use medicinal herbs to add sa to the results. This may only be done once per check. The herbs are consumed when used.

Traveling Pack

While wearing a traveling pack, a character increases their encumbrance threshold by +4.

Wagon

A wagon can hold characters and hear totaling up to 50 encumbrance. A wagon features two or more wheels and can move at a moderate speed if a beast of burden pulls it.

Weapon Maintenance Kit

When purchasing a weapon maintenance kit, the character must specify the category of weapon (Sword, Polearm, Heavy, etc.). The kit adds bb to any Crafting checks made to repair, maintain, or modify a weapon, but only for that specific category of weapon.

Winter Cloak

When wearing a winter cloak, a character removes bb from any Survival or Resilience checks they make imposed due to cold weather. When worn, a winter cloak’s encumbrance is 1.

Miscellaneous Gear

• Flask
• Flint and steel
• Rope (various lengths)
• Tatami sleeping mat
• Trail rations

Bayushi's Bane

Using Bayushi’s bane immediately nullifies any mundane poisons or toxins afflicting the character (some magical or otherwise extraordinary poisons might not be affected, at the GM’s discretion). In addition, for the rest of the encounter, the user upgrades Resilience checks made to resist poisons and toxins twice.

Crane's Tongue

When a character uses crane’s tongue, they gain one additional maneuver during their turn. While under the effects of crane’s tongue, the character can perform a maximum of three maneuvers in a turn, rather than two. Crane’s tongue lasts for the character’s next three turns, after which they suffer 6 strain.

Earth's Anvil

When a character uses earth’s anvil, they gain +1 soak for their next three turns.

Earth's Hammer

When a character uses earth’s hammer, they increase their Brawn by 1. This effect lasts until the end of the encounter. If the character’s Brawn is already 5, they instead add bb to all checks using Brawn. When the potion wears off, the character suffers 6 strain.

Health Elixir

A health elixir is a painkiller (see Genesys Core Rulebook p. 116). When a character uses a health elixir, they immediately heal 5 wounds. Each subsequent elixir used in the same day heals 1 less wound, so that the sixth elixir (and further) has no effect. After one day, the lingering effects of the elixir wear off, and the character may again use a health elixir to full effect.

Lion's Heart

When a character uses lion’s heart, they upgrade Discipline checks made to resist fear and Coercion once until the end of the encounter.

Liquid Fire

As an action, a character can throw a vial of liquid fire at a point within short range, where it releases a cloud of acidic mist large enough to encompass a single character and other characters engaged with the target. The cloud is a corrosive atmosphere with a rating of 4 (see Genesys Core Rulebook p. 111). The cloud remains for the duration of the encounter, unless the GM determines that circumstances cause it to dissipate faster.

Shadow Tonic

When a character uses a shadow tonic, they become invisible for 3 rounds. During this time, the character cannot be seen and casts no reflection or shadow. They produce noise, smells, and so on as usual, and they have a physical presence. An invisible character may also be detected through magical means. An invisible character benefits from concealment worth +4 dice (see Genesys Core Rulebook p. 110).

Smoke Bomb

As a maneuver, a character can throw a smoke bomb at a point within short range. Upon impact, the bomb creates a thick smokescreen large enough to conceal a single character and other characters engaged with the target. The smoke provides concealment worth +2 dice (see Genesys Core Rulebook p. 110).

Poisons

A character can apply poison to a target’s food or drink, in which case the target suffers the effects when they ingest it. Poison can also be applied to smoke bombs or other items at the GM’s discretion. As a maneuver, poison can also be applied to a weapon with a sharp point or edge that can induce the poison into the target’s bloodstream. If applied to a weapon, the first successful hit that deals at least 1 wound causes the target to suffer the effects of the poison. Once the poison has affected one target, it is depleted and another dose must be applied.

Fine Balancing

Use With: This attachment can be applied to any Melee (Light) weapon.
Modifiers: The weapon gains the Accurate 1 quality, or increases any existing Accurate quality by +1. (If the weapon has the Inaccurate quality, it reduces that quality's rating by 1 to a minimum of 0, instead.)
Hard Points Required: 1

Razor Edge

Use With: This attachment can be applied to any melee weapon that has a blade.
Modifiers: The weapon gains the Pierce 2 quality, or increases any existing Pierce quality by +1. The weapon also decreases its critical rating by 1, to a minimum of 1.
Hard Points Required: 1

Serrated Edge

Use With: This attachment can be applied to any melee weapon that has a blade.
Modifiers: The weapon gains the Vicious 1 quality, or increases any existing Vicious quality by +1.
Hard Points Required: 1

Superior Weapon Customization

Use With: This attachment can be applied to any weapon.
Modifiers: The weapon gains the Superior quality.
Hard Points Required: 1

Weighted Head

Use With: This weapon can be applied to any melee weapon that relies on blunt force.
Modifiers: The weapon increases its damage by +2. The weapon gains the Cumbersome 2 quality, or increases its existing Cumbersome quality by +1.
Hard Points Required: 1

Deflective Plating

Use With: This can be applied to any armor.
Modifiers: The wearer increases their ranged defense by 1.
Hard Points Required: 1

Intimidating Visage

Use With: THis attachment can be applied to any armor.
Modifiers: When wearing this armor, the wearer adds s to Coercion checks they make, and f to Charm checks they make.
Hard Points Required: 0

Quality Materials

Use With: This attachment can be applied to heavy armors (such as riding armor and ō-yoroi).
Modifiers: The armor reduces its encumbrance by 2, and it adds one fewer b to Stealth checks.
Hard Points Required: 2

Reinforced Plating

Use With: This attachment can be applied to heavy armors.
Modifiers: The armor gains the Reinforced quality. The armor also increases its encumbrance by +1.
Hard Points Required: 2