USAGI YOJIMBO RPG ADDENDA NEW SPECIES These additional species are available as PCs with the GM's permission.
Monkey Monkeys are a common species in the world of Usagi Yojimbo. They are both cheerful and hard-working, and are often found doing peasant labor. Monkeys tend to be short in stature and of wiry build -- what they lack in strength, they make up for in speed and agility. Monkeys are excellent climbers (thanks to their hand-like feet), and their prehensile tails can perform simple tasks. Monkeys gain two extra points each in Movement and in the Climbing skill. Their special ability is Clever Limbs. They can use their feet or their tails to perform any task for which they would normally use their hands. Any rolls that they make when using Clever Limbs suffer a -3 penalty. Monkey • +2 Movement • +2 Climbing • Clever Limbs
Mouse Mice almost never appear among the samurai class. They have a reputation for being timid and harmless... and that's exactly how the mice like it. The truth is that the mice have unparalleled spy networks -- each clan has its own, and they don't always share information. The mouse clans compete with each other, especially in business ventures, but they are all staunch supporters of the Shogun. They remember well the brutal oppression that they suffered under Lord Hikiji's ancestors, and they aren't at all eager to return to those days. Mice aren't usually direct combatants -- they prefer traps and ambushes, and they are expert at circumventing traps. Mice gain one extra point in Movement and two points in Stealth. Their special ability is Better Mousetrap. A mouse gains a +3 bonus on any roll to conceal, detect, disarm, avoid or set a trap. Mouse • +1 Movement • +2 Stealth • Better Mousetrap
Rat Rats are the lowest of the low in Nippon's caste system. They are the eta who do the jobs that are too distasteful for anyone else to even consider -- butchers, embalmers, gravediggers, tanners, and so on. Most samurai won't even acknowledge the presence of a rat except to express disgust. Rats are known for sneakiness and cunning (whether or not they actually possess either), and many rats take advantage of others' willingness to ignore them to become ninja. Rats have a bonus of +1 each to Mental, Movement and Stealth. Their special ability is Dirty Fighting. Once per combat a rat can declare a dirty trick such as throwing dirt in someone's eyes, biting an opponent's ear while grappling or making a low blow. This is only possible when using the Cautious Attack strategy. If this attack succeeds it does no damage, but it imposes a penalty of -6 on the target's next action. Being regarded as filthy saddles rats with a -2 penalty to Persuasion rolls, but this penalty doesn't apply when dealing with other rats. Rat • • • • •
+1 Mental +1 Movement +1 Stealth Dirty Fighting -2 to Persuasion rolls vs. non-rats
Turtle Turtles are the only reptiles other than serpents in Usagi's Nippon. They are quiet, unassuming creatures who are often wise beyond their years, and most turtles look older than their true age. Turtles are slow but hardy; their tough shells and leathery hides protect them from many kinds of harm. Turtles tend to be both patient and highly intelligent, and their "slow and steady" approach to life makes them excellent planners and strategists. Turtles gain two extra points in Mental. Their special ability is Hard Shell. A turtle has six points of natural armor that stacks with any armor worn. Turtles are slow-moving; a turtle character may never have a rating greater than five in Movement. Turtle • +2 Mental • Hard Shell • Maximum Movement = 5
Other Creatures There are many other species in Japan, but some of them are sufficiently similar to species that are already detailed that they require no rules of their own. For each of the species listed here, use the species in parentheses to determine game statistics. Many of these species more commonly appear as gaijin (foreigners); these are in italics. Antelope/Deer/Kangaroo (Rabbit) Armadillo (Turtle) Badger (Mole) Water Buffalo/Wildebeest (Bull) Goat/Ram (Rhino) Hyena (Rat) Jackal/Wolf (Dog) Leopard/Lion/Tiger (Cat) Squirrel (Rabbit)
Equipment The UY game rules don't include equipment lists or prices. This is because the designers didn't want to bog things down with shopping trips (as some players are wont to do). Instead, PCs get equipment packages appropriate to their character concepts. Most characters, with the exceptions of ronin and shugyosha, will also have homes appropriate to their station, but only successful merchants actually own their homes. All others are tenants on the lands owned by their lords. For simplicity's sake, assume that every starting PC has up to three weapons, whatever tools his job requires, whatever wardrobe his job requires and his station demands, and up to two elective items to reflect the character's hobbies and interests -- for example, a calligraphy set or a flute. The character will also have a home unless he is a wanderer of some kind, and this home will be attached to or within easy walking distance of whatever work space is needed for the character's job. Assume that every character has access to at least a week's worth of supplies needed for the job. This includes trail rations for characters who travel. A messenger will have a horse provided by his lord, while a courtier will own several horses. A samurai will have a full suit of armor unless he is ronin, and samurai are the only PCs who may own armor as starting characters.
