Legend of the Five Crafts part 1

I’ll occasionally be reposting stuff from my original blog, but when I do, I’m going to seek to add significant additions. This was originally posted on blogger, but has been significantly updated for balance and with double the material!*

* Almost.

I’ve run an number of Legend of the Five Rings games, and the techniques of the various samurai clans leads to some interesting parallels with Fantasy Craft feat progressions. I was inspired by the Legend of the Five Rings Mastercraft conversion by Morgenstern, Glimmerat, Aegis, and others I’m probably missing on the Crafty Games boards. However, that project seems to have trailed off after several months. Keep in mind this is from scratch, and not based on their conversion – there are probably minor conflicts of conversion here and there.

In any case, rough conversions (or in some cases reworkings) for Hida, Doji, Mirumoto, and Akodo bushi schools here. The Mirumoto don’t get a full conversion as most of their techniques are aptly covered by the two-weapon feats of Fantasy Craft and Adventure Companion.

For the record, the Hida Bushi feats are Basic Combat Feats. The Crane and Lion feats are Melee Combat Feats. Blood of my Brothers is a Spellcasting feat and Heart of the Dragon is a Style feat.

Hida Bushi Basics

You embody the might of the Carpenter Wall.

Benefit: The first time you are hit in a round yet take take 1 or 0 damage, you gain 1 edge. Also, you gain a Stance.

The Mountain Does Not Move (Stance): You are treated as one size larger for the purpose of Bull Rush, Grapple, or Trip actions. Furthermore, any character trying to Tumble through your space adds an additional +5 to their TN. You may not move while in this stance (though you can still take 5-ft. steps as usual).

Hida Bushi Mastery

Pain in, pain out!

Prerequisites: Hida Bushi Basics

Benefit: When wearing medium or heavy armor and not using a shield, the AP of any attack that targets you is reduced by a number equal to the Basic Combat feats you possess. Also, you gain a trick.

Devastating Blow (Attack Trick): Spend 3 Edge. If you hit and inflict damage, the target is stunned for one full round.

Hida Bushi Supremacy

Death no longer concerns you.

Prerequisites: Hida Bushi Mastery

Benefit: You gain 5 edge when your vitality points are expended for the first time in a scene. You also gain a trick.

The Mountain Does Not Fall (Refresh Trick): Spend 4 Edge. This Refresh action can be used even if you are suffering from conditions, and you gain the benefits of two action dice (though only one is still spent).

Crane Bushi Basics

You aim to end fights swiftly – in your favor.

Prerequisites: Edged forte

Benefit: You gain an additional bonus to initiative checks equal to the number of melee combat feats you possess. Also, you gain a stance.

First Stance (Stance): Any one-handed sword you use alone gains the finesse quality. In addition, you get +2 to melee attack rolls and +2 to melee damage rolls when your Initiative Count is higher than the Initiative Count of the opponent you’re attacking.

Crane Bushi Mastery

You focus in on a singular, perfect strike.

Prerequisites: Crane Bushi Basics

Benefit: The first time you use Aim or Anticipate in a round, gain 1 Edge.

Strike From the Void (Sword Attack Trick): Spend 2 Edge. If this melee attack inflicts damage, the target is -4 to attack rolls against you until your next initiative count.

Crane Bushi Supremacy

Your blade strikes so fast, it may as well be invisible.

Prerequisites: Crane Bushi Mastery

Benefit: You may replace the bonuses granted by the Aim or Anticipate actions with your Dexterity modifier. Anticipate actions that target you add +10 to their DC. You also gain a trick.

Strike With No Thought (Sword Attack Trick): If the target is a standard character with a lower Initiative Count than yours, he
immediately fails his Damage save (damage isn’t rolled). You may use this trick once per round.

Blood of My Brothers

You have been exposed to mysticism and spells of many sorts, and can ease or hinder magic performed on you.

Benefit: You gain +3 on saves against spell effects. Furthermore, when you willingly accept a spell effect (this can be chosen even when the spell presents no saving throw for purposes of this feat) you can add 2 to the spellcaster’s threat range.

Heart of the Dragon

You win all the staring contests.

Benefit: You may use Resolve for Distract and Threaten checks. You also gain a trick.

Unnerving Patience (Threaten Trick): Take a -4 penalty with your check. If you succeed, the target gains the slow condition for one full round. You may only use this trick once per target during each scene.

Akodo Bushi Basics

When you use a blade, nothing occurs by accident.

Prerequisites: Edged forte, Called Shot

Benefit: Your penalty when using the Called Shot trick is reduced by the number of Melee Combat Feats you possess (to a minimum of -0). You also gain a stance.

Fury Without End (Stance): When you suffer penalties due to conditions, those penalties are reduced by a number equal to your starting action dice (to a minimum of -0).

Akodo Bushi Mastery

Your nobility and honor are impeccable.

Prerequisites: Akodo Bushi Basics

Benefit: When you lose reputation, that loss is reduced by your Wisdom modifier (minimum 1). Also, you gain a trick.

Strength of Purity (Sword Attack Trick): You may add your Noble renown as a bonus on your damage roll.

Akodo Bushi Supremacy

No defense stands against your fury.

Prerequisites: Akodo Bushi Mastery

Benefit: When you spend an action die on an melee attack roll and miss, you do not lose that action die. You also gain a trick.

Triumph Before Battle (Sword Attack Trick): If your opponent is in Total Defense and you successfully attack them, they lose the benefits of Total Defense. Total Defense tricks may not apply to this attack.