Bushi

== Buke / Bushi (Mouseling, Kitsen) ==
These very small creatures are a species of Erathes resembling ordinary foxes except for being bipedal and intelligent. They have always existed, hiding in the shadows of the larger races. In their own language, an individual is referred to as Bushi, meaning 'warrior', and the race or a group of them is called Buke meaning 'military family'. Generations ago, revolution took place when the samurai became the unchallenged rulers of the Buke. Since then, the social order, based on inherited position combined with personal merits, has been rigid and highly formalized. At the top are the emperor and court nobles (kuge), together with the shōgun and daimyo. There are four classes of samurai, peasants, craftspersons, and merchants under the daimyo, with 80% of peasants under the 5% samurai class, followed by craftsmen and merchants. But, socially, all Bushi are equal, and peasants, craftsmen, and merchants are not a social pecking order, but a social classification.
DIMINUTIVE: Bushi stand only about 12 inches tall. This makes them Size −3 and grants them the benefits of being Very Small (see Scale modifiers in Savage Worlds). They subtract 3 from their Toughness and have a Strength of d6. See Diminutive on page 8 (SWADE Fantasy Companion) for more information. Gear made for Very Small characters weighs and costs a quarter the listed value. Reduce the Min Str for Very Small Armor three die types (minimum d4). Bushi can freely maneuver between a foe’s massive legs, or even ignored completely as though they were tiny insects. Creatures that are two or more Scales smaller than another may attempt to climb up the larger foe with an opposed roll of Athletics. If the smaller creature wins, he’s attached and moves along with the larger creature on its turn. If the larger creature wins, the smaller creature falls or is shaken off, taking appropriate Falling damage. If the smaller creature is in an appropriate spot (GM’s call), he ignores up to two points of Called Shot penalties when making a melee attack. This lets a Bushi clamber up the back of a regular sized species, say Homsi, for example, and strike it in the back of the neck, eye, or other vulnerable spot.
LOW LIGHT VISION: Bushi have incredible eyesight. They ignore penalties for Dim or Dark Illumination.
OUTSIDER (Major): Buke are cute novelties to most humanoid races. They subtract 2 from Persuasion rolls and may not have basic rights outside their own people.
UNIMPOSING: Most foes don’t consider Bushi a threat. They have the Mild Mannered Hindrance.