Ronin - Sohei and Hired Swords Question

[Mr. White]

In the rules it says the Sohei Buntai can't hire Swords for Hire, yet there's a sohei warrior monk in the small Swords for Hire list. Is he a no-go for Sohei despite being one himself? I know there are a few mythological creatures that specifically say they work with Sohei, so I assume that overrides the "no swords for hire" in the blue book, but I'm curious about the warrior monk within the blue book.

[jannie]

While the rule seems to contradict itself, it's important to carefully consider the specific details and interpretations within the game system.

In general, rulebooks strive to provide clear guidelines and restrictions to maintain game balance and thematic consistency. However, exceptions and special cases do exist within game systems, often due to unique abilities or mythological elements. In the case of the sohei warrior monk mentioned in the Swords for Hire list, it's possible that their inclusion may be an intentional exception to the general rule regarding Sohei Buntai.

[Metternich]

The Sohei Buntai wouldn't need to hire a Sohei Monk - they have their own.  With the Sohei Monk in the Swords for Hire list, it allow other Buntai to hire a Monk (assume this fellow is a travelling monk, or a disgraced monk, while the Sohei Buntai are the adherents of one of the several temples that had warrior monks during the Sengoku).

[EnclavedMicrostate]

Metternich's hit the nail on the head here, but to be as specific and clear as possible, Sohei cannot hire any Swords-for-Hire into their Buntai, but a Bushi or a Peasant Buntai can hire a Warrior Monk as a Sword-for-Hire for themselves. Note also that the Sword-for-Hire version has two Attribute slots instead of the usual one for a Rank 3 model!