By Soshi Mikano

The Amasu began as a small vassal family of the Hida shortly after the return of the Unicorn Clan. However, only recently has their name and school become synonymous with what it means to be a Crab. Amasu Kano was a huge man, serving in the Great Bear's army before the Clan Wars. His size was said to rival that of Hida himself. And with that size came great power; power that could easily be put into wielding his favorite toy -- his tetsubo. Kano was the undisputed master of the tetsubo, and quickly gained a following of bushi from every crab family, wishing to learn his ways with the dreaded weapon. The school grew from 50 to 1000 almost overnight. And as quickly as the students of the Amasu Bushi School were trained, they were sent to battle.

New Vassal Family: the Amasu

Mon: A Tetsubo surrounded by lightning
Amasu Family Bonus: +1 Stamina

New School: the Amasu Bushi

The Amasu Bushi School teaches one weapon: the tetsubo. Students learn how to wield their prized weapon just as other schools teach the use of the katana. Only a true warrior can lift up a cry in the mist of battle and crush his enemy's skull with a tetsubo without so much as an afterthought. To the Amasu Bushi, the tetsubo is simply an extension of themselves.

Amasu Bushi School

Benefit: +1 Strength
Starting Honor: 1 plus 5 boxes
Skills: Athletics, Battle, Defense, Intimidation, Kenjutsu, Lore: Shadowlands, Tetsubo
Starting Outfit: (All average quality, except noted) Katana, Wakizashi, Tetsubo (fine quality), Light or Heavy Armor, Helm, traveling pack, kimono, 6 koku

Techniques:

Rank 1 - The Tetsubo's Grasp
The first thing an Amasu Bushi is taught is that he and his tetsubo are one. Attempts to disarm the bushi have their TN increased by the Bushi's rank x 5. Also, Amasu Bushi use their strength as the basis of their attacks. All attack rolls using a tetsubo are made using strength instead of agility.

Rank 2 - The Tetsubo's Fury
When the Amasu Bushi reaches rank two, he learns to place his fury fully in his tetsubo. When the Bushi makes a full attack while wielding a tetsubo, he keeps an additional die on his damage roll.

Rank 3 - The Tetsubo's Will
The master of the Amasu Bushi School knows his tetsubo's lust for blood and carnage. He no longer forces the tetsubo to his will, but instead works in harmony with the it. The Bushi now can make two attacks per melee while using his tetsubo.

Rank 4 - The Tetsubo's Sting
The Bushi now knows the power of the tetsubo. At this rank the Bushi receives a free raise on any roll involving his tetsubo skill, whether it be physical or non-physical.

Rank 5 - The Tetsubo's Vengeance
At this rank the bushi learns not only of the tetsubo's vengeance but also its commitment to it master. While making a full attack, the Bushi ignores all wounds taken this turn and all additional wounds until the end of the turn (including those that would reduce him to down, out, or even dead). Further, if the Bushi is struck during a turn in which he declared a full attack, he may elect to spend a void point to immediately make an attack on the enemy who struck him.