D&D 5th Ed / FATE compatible supplement by Yoru Creative Studio
EDO: VOLUME IV — YAMABUSHI (MOUNTAIN ASCETIC • WARRIOR MONK • WALKER BETWEEN WORLDS) is a multi-system, multi-framework character class zine presenting a deeply resonant playable archetype for Japanese fantasy role-playing games. Stepping completely away from standard localized skins of a generic cleric, this supplement uncovers the true historical practitioners of Shugendo. It captures the fierce, enduring discipline of ascetics whose power is forged through intense physical trials across sacred, towering peaks.
This volume contains fully integrated, tactical rulesets for system-agnostic mechanics, the Fate Condensed engine, and a complete D&D 5e System Reference Document (SRD 5.1) Monk tradition.
“He had walked the mountain routes forty times. His body was extraordinary. His mind was somewhere else entirely, and the somewhere else was more real to him than the path under his feet.”
The heart of the Yamabushi archetype lies in Shugendo—the Way of Austerities. Founded by the legendary En no Gyoja, it is a magnificent syncretic path that fuses Buddhist enlightenment philosophies, Shinto reverence for the natural spirits (kami), and core Taoist elements. Rather than burying themselves in dense doctrinal scrolls, the Yamabushi seeks immediate spiritual transformation through direct, grueling physical ordeal in the harsh wilderness.
This conditioning gives them a stark, fascinating profile at the gaming table. Traversing legendary trails like the Omine range or the peak of Dewa Sanzan, they treat the severe alpine environmental hazards as a spiritual curriculum rather than mere obstacles. Donning iconic white robes, a black cap, and carrying a heavy ringed shakujo staff and a horagai (conch shell trumpet), the Yamabushi acts as a powerful protector. When they descend to aid mortal communities, they serve as lethal exorcists, tireless warriors, and unmatched physical healers who channel the very weight of the mountain.
Key Features
- Forged by Ordeal: Play a character who thrives under raw physical extremity, carrying a body so highly conditioned by wilderness austerities that standard environmental penalties simply slide off.
- The Echoing Horagai: Sound the sacred conch shell trumpet to alter the flow of combat. This iconic instrument functions as both a vital signal and a disruptive focus, capable of rallying allies, shattering enemy resolve, or summoning mountain spirits.
- True Spirit Exorcism: Deploy specialized tools like Ofuda talismans and sacred strikes that deal devastating, punishing damage to fiends, undead, and rogue entities.
- System-Agnostic Attribute Matrix: Highlights a top-tier 5-rating in Endurance alongside 4-ratings in Spiritual Power and Mountain Knowledge. Features signature traits like Ordeal Conditioning and Mountain Healing.
- Fate Condensed Integration: Build a deeply focused practitioner with suggestive stunts like Ordeal Body and evocative narrative trouble aspects like I Have Seen the Other Side of Things and It Is Difficult to Take This Side Entirely Seriously.
- D&D 5e SRD Monk Subclass: Unlock the evocative Way of the Mountain Monastic Tradition at 3rd level. Features tool-free Speak with Animals utility, total immunity to non-magical environmental exhaustion, and the devastating, ki-driven Exorcist’s Strike.
Monastic Tradition Features (D&D 5e SRD)
- 3rd Level – Horagai: You fashion a conch trumpet. As an action, you can blast it to grant all allies within 60 feet advantage on their next saving throw, force all enemies within 30 feet to take disadvantage on their next attack roll, or cast Speak with Animals (targeting mountain spirits only) without expending any ki points.
- 3rd Level – Mountain Medicine: Gain proficiency with the Herbalism Kit and Medicine. Once per short rest, you can spend 10 minutes treating a target to automatically cleanse one level of exhaustion or lift a blinded, deafened, or poisoned condition.
- 6th Level – Ordeal Conditioning: You become permanently immune to exhaustion caused by non-magical environmental effects (such as severe cold, intense heat, or high altitude). You take half damage from physical falls of any height, and traversing difficult terrain costs you no extra movement.
- 11th Level – Exorcist’s Strike: When landing an unarmed strike or a monk weapon attack against a fiend, undead, or spirit creature, you can instantly spend 2 ki points to deal an extra $3d10$ radiant damage. The target must also pass a Wisdom saving throw or be turned for 1 minute.
- 17th Level – Mountain’s Gift: You roll with advantage on all death saving throws. Whenever you pass a death save, you instantly regain ki points equal to your proficiency bonus. Once per long rest, you may expend all remaining ki points to cast Heal as a 5th-level spell without needing any material components.
Edo – Yamabush is available through DriveThruRPG in PDF.
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Voices From The Pulpit 