Clan of Origin: Lion
Dojo: Castle of the Swift Sword

Description: Over the centuries, many Swordsman Schools within the Empire have embraced specialties that have distracted their focus: the use of of “less honorable” weapons, the pursuit of scholarly interests, or even dabbling in the courtly arts. The Akodo consider such diversions a mistake, and have carefully avoided it. They concentrate on the art of battle and precision with their katanas: the highest callings of any Swordsman.

The Akodo School teaches that if one strikes a target exactly as intended every time, there is no need to study anything more complicated. Some regard this as simplistic, but few argue with an Akodo Swordsman’s capabilities in battle. Indeed, the study of battle is a strong component of every Akodo’s training, and there are virtually no Akodo-trained samurai who do not possess a rudimentary knowledge of tactics and strategy.

Akodo Techniques exist only to ensure success on the part of an Akodo Swordsman, virtually independently of an opponent’s abilities. This can be very effective, but disregarding an opponent’s special training can lead to overconfidence and, consequently, being taken by surprise when the opponent executes a maneuver for which the Swordsman isn’t prepared.

Basic Curriculum: Commander, Kenjutsu
Knacks: Exploit Weakness (Akodo), Feint (Kenjutsu), Lunge (Kenjutsu), Tagging (Kenjutsu), Wall of Steel (Kenjutsu)

Revised Swordsman Knack: Feint. When attacking an enemy, you can declare a Feint. You roll Wits + Feint, and must take a number of Raises equal to your enemy’s Wits in order for your Feint to be successful. If you are successful, he cannot avoid the attack using any Active Defense. The Raises taken on this roll add Unkept Dice to your damage roll as usual.

Apprentice: Akodo Swordsmen hone their skills until they are as precise as their blades, and may add twice their Mastery Level in Akodo to attack rolls using Attack (Kenjutsu).

Students of Akodo study at the Castle of the Swift Sword, where they train extensively in tactics and strategy, preparing them for service in the greatest military in Rokugan. They may add or subtract (their choice, made after the roll) their Mastery Level in Akodo to all Personal Results Rolls during Mass Combat.

Journeyman: As a Journeyman, an Akodo Swordsman understands that there is no such thing as luck, and that all actions are preordained. He no longer needs to take Raises when attempting a Called Shot; however, he must still take Raises if he wishes to add Unkept Dice (+1k0) to his Damage Roll.

Master: No opponent is beyond the reach of a devoted Akodo Swordsman. At the beginning of every Round, the Master may designate a singe opponent prior to rolling Initiative. (A Brute Squad is considered a single opponent for purposes of this Technique.) He receives one free Raise per Mastery Level when attacking that opponent using Attack (Kenjuitsu) or any of his Swordsman Knacks. This is in addition to the free Raise provided by the Apprentice Technique, if appropriate. Even if that opponent is eliminated from the combat, the Master may not choose another target until the beginning of the next Round.