Kenjutsu Skill

Kenjutsu

Kenjutsu is the sword art of the warriors of Kinlu, and is usable only with the following Kinlu swords: Katana, Wakizashi, No-Daichi, and Ninjato.

Kenjutsu ranks as Warrior for time and EP. It is not possible to add both Warrior and Kenjutsu bonuses at the same time, but where bonuses from both skills would apply the character gains the benefit of the greater.

The Student gains a bonus to their engaged initiative whilst they have an appropriate sword prepared of 1 (+1/Rank).

The Student's base chance with an appropriate sword is increased by 1% (+1/Rank).

The Student inflicts an extra point of damage at Ranks 5 & 10, and gains a bonus of +1 at Ranks 4 & 8 to the Parry Calculation.

The Student gains a bonus to their Defense whilst they have an appropriate sword prepared of 1% (+1/Rank).

At Rank 4 the Student gains the ability to make a Piercing Thrust with their sword. The attack is made with a penalty of -25% (+2/Rank) and if successful does A class damage. In addition, if a Specific Grievous injury is achieved, roll 2D10 (rather than D100) to ascertain the exact injury.

At Rank 8 the Student gains the ability to make a "reverse cut", an attack into any of their flank or rear hexes. The attack is made at -10% if made to a flank or rear-side hex, and at -20% if made directly to the rear. Reverse Cut may be used with a Piercing Thrust.

Kenjutsu also contains 3 sub-skills each of which ranks for both time and EP as Main-Gauche. The Student's effective Kenjutsu rank may not be higher than the Rank they have with the swords being used, and they may have none of the sub-skills at higher Rank than they have Kenjutsu.

Yadomejutsu

This sub-skill is the art of cutting missiles from the air. Whilst Evading, the Student is able to deflect missiles or thrown weapons with their sword or bare hands. The missiles must either be aimed at the Student, or aimed through the hex they occupy. The Base Chance is MD + Weapon Rank + 4/Rank of Yadomejutsu. If the roll is 15% of BC then the missile may be "cut" and broken. If the roll is 5% of BC then the missile may be caught. At Rank 4, 2 missiles may be deflected in a Pulse, at Rank 8, 3 missiles, and at Rank 10, 4 missiles.

Iajutsu

The Lightning Strike sub-skill allows a Student to draw a sword and strike as a single action. This Melee Special Attack is made at -30% (+2/Rank), and the Student's dice roll is reduced by 1 per Rank, min. 0. This is not cumulative with the Assassin ability to cause Grievous Injuries, but may be used with a Piercing Thrust.

Nito Kenjutsu

This sub-skill is designed around the use of 2 swords, either the Daisho (Katana & Wakizashi), or 2 Katana or 2 Ninjato. The Student may attack with one of the swords and defend themselves with the other as though it were a main-gauche. The Student gains 1/2 of this "main-gauche" defense against attacks made from their flank or rear. At Rank 4, the Student learns the Okuden of Fire & Stone. The Student may make an attempt to Disarm using both swords (at the normal disarm penalties), but if successful the defending weapon must either be dropped or be broken. (Some magical weapons may not be broken in this manner but will in that case certainly be wrenched from their wielder's grasp).