The Alligator Clan
By: David E. Loewen ([email protected])
Modified and updated by: JCMarshall([email protected])
History
Mirumoto Akutso was an aspiring samurai in the
Mirumoto Bushi school. He studied his lessons with a
focus unmatched by many monks. He said very little in
class and seemed, to some, to be nothing more than
lazy. He moved slowly if he had something to do, and
not at all if not. But what many, including his teacher,
took for laziness was nothing of the sort. Akutso
simply believed that every movement he made should
have a purpose. Movement with out purpose, to him,
was so much wasted jerking about.
Everything about him was deliberate and calculated.
From his movements to his speech. From the grandest
sweep of his katana when he practiced his daisho
technique to the smallest movement of his eyes when
taking in his surroundings. Even the muscles beneath
his skin seemed to move only when they thought
necessary. And when he did not see the need to move,
or, more importantly, saw the need to stay still, he was
as a rock. He could sit, unmoving and unblinking, for
hours. But when he needed to, his speed was blinding.
There was no better example of this than the day his
skills were needed to protect his family daimyo.
Mirumoto Shinbu had been requested to come to
Otosan-uchi by the Emerald Champion, Kakita
Sashinatsu, and Akutso was one of the samurai
assigned as an escort for this trip. They had stopped for
a short meal with the daimyo of Clan Dragonfly. As
they were preparing to leave, Akutso saw movement
out of the corner of his eye. A man leaped from the
trees above Shinbu, tanto poised for a killing blow.
Before anyone knew what had happened, Akutso was
there. Even those watching did not see the actually
draw, but, suddenly, Akutso's daisho were in hand. His
wakizashi was pressed against the tanto to deflect the
blow. His katana was held less than an inch from the
would-be assassin's belly, the edge of the blade pointed
away. Akutso slowly raised his foot, then snapped it
out in a sidelong kick to the assassin's head. The torso
landed some 10 feet away. Until that point, no one had
known that Akutso's katana had sliced the assassin in
two.
Akutso cleaned his blade and re-sheathed them both.
He turned, bowed to Lord Shinbu, and continued his
preparations to leave. Shinbu made no indication of
how impressed he was with Akutso's skill, power,
speed, and bravery until the reached Otosan-uchi. It
was here that Shinbu presented Akutso to the Emerald
Champion. But not as Mirumoto Akutso, Dragon Clan
Bushi, but as Lord Akutso, daimyo of the newly
founded Clan Alligator. Other than a quick glance to
Shinbu, Akutso's face displayed no emotion as he
bowed to Kakita Sashinatsu.
When they were alone, Akutso thanked Shinbu for
the profound honour he had bestowed upon him and
asked, "But why, if I may ask, Shinbu-sama, Clan
Alligator?"
Shinbu smiled. "Because the alligator is a slow beast.
Slow and deliberate, but ever watchful and prone to
bursts of speed that betray it's size and strength. Much
like you are, Akutso-san."
Lands
Akutso was granted lands on the banks of the
Sleeping River. In the 125 years that Clan Alligator
has been around, they have grown to approximately
7500 people and are staunch allies of Clan Dragon.
They are still seen as slow, almost lazy looking people.
But most know that they are, like the slow moving
alligator, much more dangerous than they appear.
Clan Colours
Members of this clan wear a dark green and brown
colour pattern, with both colours sharing an equal
space on the clothing.
Clan Mon
The mon of the Alligator clan is a top view of an
alligator circling and swallowing its own tail.
Families
Akutso
The Akutso, like their first Daimyo, are powerful
people, but also surprisingly fast.
Bonus: Strength +1
Family Mon: A head on view of open Alligator jaws.
Favored Class: Fighter
Starting Honor: 2
Class Skill: Iaijutsu Focus
Starting Outfit: Great armor
Bonus Languages: None
Views on the other Clans:
Greater Clans: They are our forefathers, our ancestors
and our creators.
Minor Clans: Brothers in conflict, both on the
battlefield and in the courts.
Akutso Bushi School
The Akutso Bushi School teaches the use of power in
short, precise movements so as to strike before your
opponent. Akutso believed in the logic of the Dragon's
daisho technique and adapted it to his own way of
moving and thinking. Avery movement is designed to
achieve maximum force through minimal effort, thus
conserving the warrior's energy.
Bonus: Stamina +1
Beginning Honour: 2, Plus Five Boxes
Skills
Iaijutsu, Kenjutsu, Battle, Defense, Athletics, plus 2
High or Bugei skills
Techniques:
Rank 1: A Place For The Strike
The bushi learns how to place his strikes for maximum
effect. He gains a Free Raise for his attacks (for
damage, hitting a specific spot, etc.)
Rank 2: A Way For The Strike
The bushi learns to use the full power of his body
behind the short movements that grant him his speed.
He may add his Water to all Damage rolls (ie Water 3,
Strength 4 with a katana would be (7k2)+3)
Rank 3: A Time For The Strike
The bushi learns to time his strikes around his
opponents’ movements and use only short, deliberate
motions. The speed of these strikes allows for two
attacks per round.
Outfit
Bushi
(All considered to be average quality) Katana,
Wakizashi, Bow, 20 Arrows (Any Type), Light
Armour, Travelling Pack, Any 1 Weapon, Kimono, 1
Koku
Akutso Bushi
(Prestige Class)
Requirements
To qualify to become a Akutso Bushi, a character
must fufill all the following criteria.
Base Attack Bonus: + 4
Clan: Alligator
Feats: Combat Reflexes, Improved Initiative, Quick
Draw.
Special: Must be invited to join the dojo.
Class Skills
The Akutso Bushi's class skills (and key ability for
each skill) are Battle (Wis), Balance (Dex), Climb
(Str), Concentration (Con), Jump (Str), Listen (Wis),
Sense Motive (Wis). (See the Player's HandbookTM
for sill descriptions. The Battle skill is described in
RokuganTM).
Skill Points at Each Level: 2+ Intelligence modifier.
Class Features
See Table 1-1
A Place For The Strike: The bushi learns how to
place his strikes for maximum effect. He gains an
Attack Bonus of +1 per level in the Prestige class.
A Way For The Strike: The bushi learns to use the
full power of his body behind the short movements that
grant him his speed. The PC adds double his strength
bonus to all damage rolls.
A Time For The Strike: The bushi learns to time his
strikes around his opponents’ movements and use only
short, deliberate motions. The speed of these strikes
allows for two attacks per round.
Noted Clan Members
Akutso Hokusai
Current son of the Clan Daimyo, Hokusai spends his
time sitting and contemplating the world about him.
Some same Akutso himself has been reborn in
Hokusai.
Akutso Miyo
Sister to Hokusai, she is nothing like her brother,
being a hyper-active, always moving individual. She
finds it impossible to sit still for more than two
minutes.
Nemuranai
Ancestral Katana of the Alligator
The Alligator Ancestral Katana counts as a +4 weapon
with the Keen enhancement.
This was the blade used by Akutso in defense of the
Mirumoto daimyo. The edge is exceptionally sharp and
never dulls. Damage is 4k3 and the sword's exceptional
balance makes the difficulty of To Hit rolls -5.
Ancestral Wakizashi of the Alligator
The Alligator Ancestral Wakizashi counts as a +4
weapon of Defending.
Akutso's wakizashi was always used to deflect an
enemy's weapons. The blade itself seemed to absorb
some of Akutso's sixth sense-like ability to detect
attacks. The users can add his kenjutsu skill rank to the
TN to hit him.
Ancestors
Feat: Akutso
Clan: Alligator
Prerequisite: Base attack bonus of +3
Effect: You gain +2 to Reflex saves and your build is
at the max for medium sized humanoid beings.
Akutso: 10 Points
Akutso was known for both his size and his speed.
Those who take Akutso as an ancestor gain Advantage:
Large and roll To Hit rolls as though the appropriate
trait (usually Agility) were one rank higher.
Feat: Katsanu Tashamira
Clan: Alligator
Prerequisite: Battle of 4 ranks or higher.
Effect: You roll all Battle Skill tests at a DC of 5 less.
Katsanu Tashamira: 5 points
Tashamira was the advisor to Akutso Shojin, third
daimyo of the Alligator clan. Some say his tactical
knowledge was greater than many from the Akodo
School of the Lion. Characters who take Tashamira as
an ancestor re-roll all dice for Battle rolls that are
lower than their school rankx2.
Noted Battles
The Alligator do not often become involved in major
battles, seeing them as a waste of energy and time.
Instead they tend to attempt to settle their disputes with
quick silent duels of skill.
Secrets of the Alligator
The Alligator clan is not much for secrets. Being a
rather forward and basically normal minor clan, they
have nothing really to hide.
Scorpion Clan Coup Update
The Portal Wars Update
With the massive gates now open and new lands to
explore, the Alligator could’ve easily expanded its
territories and influence, but they choose to sit and bid
their time, protecting their lands and lending aid to the
Dragon and Phoenix were needed.
The Jade Empire Update
With Toturi I in charge, the Alligator gained a few
concessions and territorial gains over their neighbours.
They threw their allegiance to the new Jade Throne
and the new emperor.
The Four Winds Era Update
The Alligator have put their power behind Akodo
Kaneka, the Shogun. They dislike the other Winds,
not wanting to side with someone who is not a battle
hardened warrior as the shogun is.
During the wars with the Lion and Dragon, the
Alligator suffered extreme losses and are almost wiped
out as a clan.
The Steel Throne Era Update
With Hantei Naseru, now Toturi Naseru, as the new
emperor and Akodo Kaneka still retaining his title of
shogun, the Alligator have slowly rebuilt themselves to
a stable level again.
Though pledged to Toturi III, they are still the
Shogun’s men.
Reign of Blood Era Update
The Alligator are indifferent in this new time,
tending to their lands and getting their clan back into a
status of survivability.
They are largely unaware of the events in the
Shadowlands or with the Gozoku.
Hidden City Era Update
The Alligator clan was not involved with the incident
at Gisei Toshi.
During the Coup, the Alligator sent a number of their
more elite samurai as guards for members of the
Phoenix Clan. They participated in the final assault on
the capital but were not noted for anything special.
The Wrath of the Emperor Era Update
Clan War Update
Who’s Who of the Alligator
As the clans went to war, the Alligator followed their
allies into the battles, lending aid to the Dragon and
Phoenix where needed. Many of their Bushi died at
Beiden Pass, and still more when the Elemental
Masters went mad.
The Alligator clan enthusiastically join in the witch
hunts for bloodspeakers, using the opportunity to try to
cleanse their small lands of all undesirables.
Akutso Hokusai, Male Human
Fighter 6/Samurai 2/Akutso Bushi 3
Akutso Bushi 3
Born mere moments before his sister, Hokusai was
seen as the savoir of the clan. His birth was at the
exact same time that the clans “pet” alligator’s clutch
of eggs also hatched. See as a portent, Hokusai was
trained almost from the day he could talk to be the next
Daimyo of the clan.
In his early years he lived up to the clans notoriety,
seeming to be a lazy young hang about but in reality
his skills were as deadly as anyone else’s. He
frequently demonstrated his abilities to his sensei.
His father and many of the court began to note the
similarities between Hokusai and the clan founder,
Akutso, upon his gempuku he perform his skills with
peak efficiency and expertise and many took this to be
a sign that Akutso had been perhaps reborn in the
young man, a sure sign of fortune to come.
Hokusai is a quiet and soft spoken man, who spends
his time sitting and contemplating the world about him.
He finds solace in games of skill and strategy as well
as his exercises. He moves only if necessary and when
he does it is with purpose and deadly skill.
screaming from one location to another, much to the
chagrin of her older brother and father. As she grew
she became wiry and full of even more energy. She
took to running, climbing, swimming, as well as her
sword and hand to hand.
Many hoped that as she reached her coming of age, she
would slow down and become, as most of the Bushi of
the Alligator were, quiet, contemplative and relaxed.
Sadly this never occurred. As she passed into full
samurai status and entered the border guard of the
Alligator she never lost her youthful energy. Even
today she can still never sit still for more than two
minutes at a time and tends to go out of her way to
engage in any activity that will keep her moving.
Akutso Miyo, Female Human
Fighter 4/Samurai 1/Akutso Bushi 2
Akutso Buishi 3
Born moments after her brother, Miyo has been the
total opposite of her brother from day one. She has
been a hyperactive, headlong, overconfident psycho
most of her life. When she was six she would run
Class
Level
1st
2nd
3rd
Table 1-1 The Akutso Bushi
Base
Fort
Ref
Will
Attack Bonus
Save
Save
Save
Special
+1
+2
+0
+0
A Place for the Strike
+2
+2
+1
+1
A Way for the Strike
+3
+3
+2
+2
A Time for the Strike