The Tenets of Bushidō

Each of the seven tenets listed below is accompanied by a number of examples of situations when a character might have to forfeit honor to disobey it, need to stake honor on upholding it, or receive an honor reward for giving something up to pursue it. The GM can use these as guidelines for honor losses and awards.

Compassion (Jin)

Just as the farmer does not grow crops merely to fill their own belly, the warrior does not fight for just their own sake. A samurai must be constantly aware of their duty to protect others.

Breaches of Compassion

Example breaches of Compassion include:

(Minor) Verbal cruelty to a foe or stranger, allowing easily prevented suffering, tormenting animals

(Major) Verbal cruelty to a friend, physically harming someone for revenge alone, letting an ally die without trying to save them

(Massive) Murdering someone of lower status in cold blood, physically harming someone for fun

Sacrifices for Compassion

Example sacrifices for Compassion include:

(Minor) Giving someone a common useful item, spending two or more downtime scenes helping a friend, treating a foe’s wounds after a battle

(Major) Giving up your chance to be awarded 6 or more glory for someone else, saving someone’s life despite knowing they may trouble you later

(Massive) Giving away an irreplaceable item, completing a dangerous heroic task for someone else who cannot repay you

Courage (Yū)

Only fear of death can destroy life; the samurai replaces it with an understanding of danger. Common folk allow fear to swallow their hearts. An extraordinary soul is one with the courage to live as if each moment were the last.

Breaches of Courage

Example breaches of Courage include:

(Minor) Allowing fear for yourself to influence your actions, leaving a lost battle to protect your lord

(Major) Allowing fear to prevent you from acting entirely, fleeing to save your own skin

(Massive) Committing a despicable act out of fear, sacrificing someone else to save yourself

Sacrifices for Courage

Example sacrifices for Courage include:

(Minor) Refusing to back down from an armed enemy while unarmed, accepting a challenge from a foe you know to be a superior warrior

(Major) Facing an inhuman foe such as an oni alone, preventing a comrade’s massive breach, suffering a severity 8 or lower critical strike for your lord

(Massive) Preventing your lord ‘s major or massive breach, suffering a severity 8 or higher critical strike for your lord

Courtesy (Rei)

Table 7–2: Honor Scores

VALUE | DESCRIPTION

VIRTUES/ FLAWS

100

Honor Is Stronger than

Steel: The character believes that Bushidō is worth upholding at any cost, and do so even unto death.

3 virtue advantages

80–99

Never Stray from the Way: The character has given up much to embody the ideals of Bushidō, and they shall continue to do so as honor requires. They would rather forfeit their personal desires than fail to live up to their own expectations.

2 virtue advantages

65–79

My Honor Is My Life: Those who live in accordance with Bushidō are strengthened by it, and can endure the hardships it requires of them. Rarely, they may slip, but afterward they cannot easily forgive themself.

1 virtue advantage

A samurai is neither a bully nor a brute killer. Samurai must treat their enemies with Courtesy.

Breaches of Courtesy

Example breaches of Courtesy include:

(Minor) Drunkenness or coarse language in the presence of someone of higher status, letting an insult to your clan or family pass without remark

(Major) Directly insulting someone of equal or higher status, letting an insult to your ancestors, sensei, or lord pass without remark

(Massive) Directly insulting your lord

Sacrifices for Courtesy

Example sacrifices for Courtesy include:

(Minor) Paying a sincere compliment to a foe, allowing a tired foe a moment’s respite, letting someone of higher status receive aid first

(Major) Giving an unarmed foe a weapon or setting aside your own weapons to fight fairly

(Massive) Taking an enemy of higher status captive without killing or maiming them

30–64

Honor Is the Ideal: Most samurai are brought up to believe in Bushidō and strive to embody its virtues. When the character speaks and acts, it is with honor in mind, but they are still human and periodically succumb to temptation, or they are simply willing to sacrifice their honor if they must. Importantly, they still feel guilt over betraying their ideals.

–

20–29

Honor Is about Appear-

ances: While the character does not reliably uphold the virtues of Bushidō, they still recognize the importance of honor to society and play the part of a samurai.

1 flaw disadvantage

1–19

Honor Is a Nicety: They believe that most of the tenets get in the way of what they need—or want—to accomplish. Their reality no longer aligns with samurai ideals, so they have given up on such luxuries.

2 flaw disadvantages

0

I Make My Own Code: The character has completely lost faith in Bushidō and adheres to another code—or none at all!

3 flaw disadvantages

Duty and Loyalty (Chūgi)

Actions and their consequences define those who take them. The samurai’s Loyalty to their charge is unshakable.

Breaches of Duty and Loyalty

Example breaches of Duty and Loyalty include:

(Minor) Refusing an order to protect your lord’s interests, intentionally misinterpreting an order

(Major) Refusing an order from your lord

(Massive) Forsaking your post for another lord

Sacrifices for Duty and Loyalty

Example sacrifices for Duty and Loyalty include:

(Minor) Refusing to commit an act of disloyalty to your lord despite personal feelings

(Major) Refusing to obey an unjust order from someone who is not your lord

(Massive) Dying in your lord’s service

Honor (Meiyo)

Praises and curses are not what defines Honor; the samurai reserves their own judgment.

Breaches of Honor

Example breaches of Honor include:

(Minor) Touching dead flesh anywhere other than at war, persuading another to act dishonorably

(Major) Neglecting your duty to pursue your earthly desires, killing in an unjustified duel

(Massive) Refusing seppuku when required

Sacrifices for Honor

Example sacrifices for Honor include:

(Minor) Persuading someone to abandon a dishonorable plan to help you

(Major) Negotiating to avoid an unjustified duel

(Massive) Offering to commit seppuku for failure

Righteousness (Gi)

Set lies aside. A samurai does not make Righteousness a matter for debate; they know that there is only truth and falsehood, justice and injustice.

Breaches of Righteousness

Example breaches of Righteousness include:

(Minor) Abetting or covering for a comrade’s major breach of honor, lying to someone of equal or lower status for personal gain

(Major) Abetting or covering for a comrade’s massive breach of honor, lying to someone of higher status for personal gain

(Massive) Murdering someone of equal or higher status, lying to your lord for selfish gain

Sacrifices for Righteousness

Example sacrifices for Righteousness include:

(Minor) Delivering bad news to your lord without deflecting blame, taking responsibility for the failure of a subordinate

(Major) Retiring from a post you can no longer fulfill, relinquishing a claim or large gift to your lord

(Massive) Refusing to deny true allegations of a failure requiring you to forfeit 9+ glory or status

Sincerity (Makoto)

Sincerity is more complex than mere Honesty; Sincerity is the ability to speak earnestly without giving offense or compromising one’s family’s interests. It is to be truthful without causing embarrassment or inconvenience—to maintain one’s Integrity while eliding unpleasant realities.

Breaches of Sincerity

Example breaches of Sincerity include:

(Minor) Breaking your word to someone of equal or lower status, misleading a friend

(Major) Breaking your word to someone of higher status, manipulating someone for fun

(Massive) Deceiving or manipulating your lord

Sacrifices for Sincerity

Example sacrifices for Sincerity include:

(Minor) Publicly revealing a truth that damages your reputation (a forfeit of 3 or more glory)

(Major) Giving (honest) testimony against a political ally that jeopardizes future relations

(Massive) Forfeiting 6 or more glory to claim responsibility for your lord’s mistake