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History

The Hedgehog Clan was established due to the long and loyal service of the Harinezumi family. The original Harinezumi lineage was a ronin family of little note, founded by a member of an unknown clan, exiled in shame. The Harinezumi lived as the humblest of ronin, little better than peasants until one day, the scion of the family was saved from bandits himself by an Emerald magistrate.

The Harinezumi, perhaps a little overawed due to his bumpkin nature, swore himself and his entire family in service to the Emerald Magistrate and his organization. The Magistrate amused, agreed, but was surprised when indeed, the ronin’s son followed him, and then his grandson. Over multiple centuries the Harinezumi continued to serve the Emerald Magistrates with constant loyalty, being dogged pursuers of bandits, and contributing their experience at woodcraft.

After a particular Harinezumi was being rewarded in the Imperial City for his service, the extent and length of his family’s contribution was revealed. Impressed, the Emperor offered the man to name a reward of his choice. To the surprise of everyone, the embarrassed samurai answered that there was no reward as fulfilling as the honour of service. Pleased with this humility and loyalty, the Emperor called for the creation of the Hedgehog Clan – named for a humble beast that hunted snakes and insects that would otherwise trouble the people of the Empire.

Lands

The Hedgehog Clan owns a small village on the edge of the southern Shinomen Mori, just within the trees. The holdings are quite small and easy to miss. The Harinezumi have barely enough subsidence farms to feed themselves and must rely on the forest to sustain them. The forest does support some trade - particularly to the Unicorn clan who has less compunction about purchasing animal hides and products.

Customs

The Hedgehog Clans live quite humbly for a clan, due mostly to their lack of wealth – though they also try to remain close to nature and avoid unnecessary frivolity. They see themselves as the protectors and helpers of the lower order of Rokugan, which their minor status helps remind them of.

At home the Hedgehog live simply and close to nature, trying to foster diligence in their students. Many Hedgehog samurai serve in various capacities to members of other clans – they excel at tracking which makes them popular as hunting guides and as assistants to Emerald Magistrates. Though not particularly sociable, they also tend to have more contacts among the peasant class than other samurai might have.

The loyalty of a Hedgehog is widely noted, which is another reason they make such good law enforcers – they are very difficult to bribe, since there is not much they want aside from helping others. As fighters the Hedgehog are solid and uncomplaining, often fighting cautiously but rarely giving ground – their training also emphasizes toughness. Hedgehog Samurai are expected to be able to travel long and hard without complaint, and are often noted by their employers to seem little troubled by disease or exhaustion.

Many Hedgehog find formal courts very disorienting, and the clan does not get much exposure, relying on other minor clans to help them train courtiers. They invariably tend to come off as rustic and simple in these settings – the Hedgehog are most comfortable in the village, farms and forests of Rokugan.

Though they do not have the innate spiritual connection to nature of the Kitsune, they have a deep respect for it and are often uncomfortable around cruelty towards animals - many Hedgehog find it difficult not to speak up if they see a dog or horse being beaten. Some see their direct and humble natures somewhat dishonorable, but others approve of such firm loyalty and duty.

Families
Harinezumi Family: +1 Stamina

The Harinezumi would be, without their daisho and samurai accoutrements, difficult to recognize as members of the noble caste. They tend to be short and sturdy in stature, and do not ornament themselves much, tending towards traditional hair styles or short ones.

They are known to be quiet and hard working people, and good foragers. Though many assume them to be foolish bumpkins, can produce methodical and careful thinkers. They are also known for their benevolent nature, to the point that some have accused them of being too soft hearted to be good samurai, or too idealistic to succeed in clan politics.

They tend to emphasize loyalty and duty, at the cost of being somewhat of a "follower" clan with little ambition and many of the Harinezumi find themselves adrift in courtly settings, being easy targets for mockery by those more used to courtly ways - the Harinezumi are herefore always grateful to find allies who can help them navigate the courts, or who are willing to train younger Harinizeumi in courtier schools.

Harinezumi Bushi [Bushi]
Benefit: +1 Agility

Honor: 4.5

Skills: Spears OR Polearms, Defense, Hunting, Investigation, Kyujutsu, Lore (Nature), Any 2 Bugei Skills

Outfit: Sturdy Clothing, Ashigaru Armour, Yari OR Sasumata, Han-Kyu and 20 Arrows, Daisho, Traveling Pack, 3 Koku

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Rank 1: Way of the Hedgehog
The Hedgehog make skilled assistants to magistrates working in the field. You gain +1k0 on attacks with Spear and Polearm weapons, and to social skill rolls made with Peasants. As well, you may add your Ranks in your Hunting skill to any Investigation skill roll.

Rank 2: Maintain the Distance
Harinezumi Bushi must often deal with bandits and peasants armed with small and concealable weapons, and learn to keep such dishonorable enemies at a distance, and to take advantage of those using poorly balanced weapons with deft deflections with their spear tip.

When wielding a weapon with the Large Keyword you gain a bonus TN against melee attacks from weapons with the Small and/or Peasant Keywords, and Unarmed Attacks (including those with Improvised Weapons), equal to your School Rank x 2.

Rank 3: Purity of Intention
The Harinezumi are devout both in their worship of Amaterasu, and in their endurance training - many Harinezumi expose themselves to poisonous materials in anticipation of those using such dishonorable substances against them, and train with lengthy marches.

You may add your School Rank in Unkept Dice to Earth Ring, Stamina and Willpower rolls. You also do not suffer movement penalties from traveling through thick forest or woodlands.

Rank 4: One Hundred Points
Righteousness always finds ways to punish the deserving. You may make attacks with weapons with Spear and Polearm weapons, and all weapons with the Samurai Keyword, as Simple Actions.

Rank 5: Spines of the Hedgehog
The greatest Harinezumi warriors can cause the enemy to defeat themselves, finding their weak spots and leading the enemy to impale themselves in their eagerness to do harm.

When an enemy makes a melee attack against you while you are in the Full Defense Stance and fails to hit, you may immediately spend a Void Point to deal Xk1 damage to them, where X is your Earth Ring. This damage also ignores Reduction.