III. Player Factions

During the Sengoku era, there were a number of large, militarily strong temples whose economic strength was drawn from lands given to them by the Emperor in ancient times. Many lords seemed content to live and let live, but the Sohei, or “warrior monks,” were much resented by some Daimyo and the Bakufu for often interfering in matters outside their temples. Although in national terms these temples were only monastic city-states, their might could be significant in particular circumstances.

A Sohei team is led by an Abbot (the temple head) who is supported by his senior advisors and subordinates. At this time there are two Sohei Sects, both of which wield significant power from behind their fortress walls. These two Sects, each representing a different militarized branch of Shinto Buddhism, are at odds with one another. Over the centuries, this conflict has alternated between unfriendly disagreement and blood feud.

The Sohei would sooner ally with one another though than face compliance to an ambitious Shogun, as the Sohei way of life is a direct antithesis to the centralized order imposed by the Bakufu.

Sohei have the following unique rules:

• Zealots: Sohei Sect agents cannot perform the Smuggle Goods action. Instead, they are capable of Disrupting Resource Nodes (high chance of agent death). This targets a specific Resource Node to try and block or steal its income.

• Sohei Shrines: Scattered across Japan, Sohei Shrines earn a small amount of income for the Sect from religious donations each turn. These are not represented on the map.

• Inspire Religious Revolt: Whenever Sohei agents use the Instigate Revolt action, there is a small chance that the size and furor of the rebellion will be magnified by the Sect’s religious influence. If this occurs, the rebellion’s size increases by 20%, and the rebel army comes under the Sohei’s control. Conversely, Sohei agents that use the Pacify Populace action have a chance to bring Buddhist stability to a region, reducing any active rebellion’s size by 20% instead of the usual 10%.

• Blessed Alliance: Sohei Sects can preside over diplomatic treaties that are signed while invoking the spirits or the Buddhas, adding their seal to a document to ratify it. This lends credibility to cement an alliance between clans and give weight to the agreement. This can also signify the temple’s personal support of the agreement. Breaking such an agreement is considered an insult to the temple.

• No Matter How the Wind Howls, the Mountain Cannot Bow to It: Sohei troops are famous for their fanatical zeal, each troop requires two hits to kill when defending their home temple.