Disciples of Sun Tao (Secrets of the Empire p205)

The Disciples are an ancient ronin band based around Sun Tao’s legendary book. The leaders of the band believe they possess the only complete copy of Sun Tao’s writings. Due to the band’s age and dedication, it has actually developed multiple Techniques. Those raised within the band usually learn the Gaze of Sun Tao initially before moving on to study the Disciples’ advanced teachings. However, the Disciples also recruit other ronin who have learned different basic Techniques.

Requirements:

Rings/Traits: Fire 4, Water 3
Skills: Battle (Mass Battle) 4, any two Weapon skills at Rank 4
Other: Must be born into or recruited into the Disciples of Sun Tao ronin band.
Techniques

Rank One: Terumoto’s Lesson
Sun Tao’s chief disciple was a skilled warrior who embraced his master’s doctrine of studying battle in all its forms and mastering all types of warfare. Choose any three Weapon Skills; you gain a +1k0 bonus to your rolls with those Skills.

Rank Two: Sun Tao’s Legacy
All members of the Disciples study the Book of Sun Tao, which binds them together as a group. You gain a bonus of +1k1 to your Battle Skill rolls when rolling to determine who is winning a battle, and a bonus of +1k0 when rolling to determine your status on the Mass Battle Table.

Rank Three: Aikumo’s Perfection
The second leader of the Disciples perfected their teachings and his Technique is the pinnacle of the band’s training. You may make attacks with melee weapons as a Simple Action.

Legion of Two Thousand (Secrets of the Empire p205)

Sponsored by the Imperial house, the Legion of Two Thousand – recruited from some of the best soldiers in Toturi’s ronin army – enjoys resources and support which most ronin can only dream about. As a result, it has been able to develop extensive martial techniques, an extremely rare accomplishment for wave-men.

Requirements:

Rings/Traits: Fire 3, Water 3
Skills: Battle 3, Defense 4, Kenjutsu 3
Other: Must have Honor 5.0 or better and be recruited into the Legion of Two Thousand ronin band.
Techniques

Rank One: Stand as Two Thousand
The Legion earned fame in its early years for protecting remote corners of the Empire and for helping defend the Kaiu Wall. You gain a +1k0 bonus to your Defense Skill rolls. When you are fighting in defense of the innocent or of the common people, this bonus is +1k1 instead.

Rank Two: Kuronada’s Honor
The son of the tyrant Karatsu embraced honorable ways despite his father’s legacy and became one of the most famous commanders in the Legion. So long as you have an Honor of 5.0 or better, you gain a bonus of +2k1 whenever you spend a Void Point on a roll with a School Skill, rather than the normal +1k1. This ability cannot be used in the Center Stance.

Rank Three: Tamago’s Expertise
The ascension of the brilliant tactician Tamago to the leadership of the Legion of Two Thousand leads to the Legion developing more advanced training. You may make melee attacks with Samurai weapons as Simple Actions.