Welcome to Shadow Scar
In this tabletop roleplaying game, you take on the role of a member of the Shadow Scar Agency, a secret military group
waging a hidden war against the Yokai, magical creatures from Japanese myth, across a Mosaic of different realities. Through
their missions, Shadow Scar agents ensure the safety of their homelands, protect other worlds from corruption, and uncover
the mystery of the apocalyptic force known as Yomi. In this Starter Set, you’ll chase down leads on a sinister smuggling ring
arming the Yokai with magical tools and deadly weapons from other worlds to help them fight the Agency. But before we
get into that, read the section below to get a better idea of what you can expect out of Shadow Scar.
W hat t o E x pec t
The Shadow Scar Agency is a complex organization with many different goals. As an agent of Shadow Scar, you can
expect to embark on all sorts of adventures. Here are just a few examples of what you can expect as you play Shadow Scar.
Learn the Ways of Ninjutsu Work with Powerful Factions
Shadow Scar agents are trained by one of six ancient shinobi Across the Mosaic, numerous factions hold a power in their
schools. In villages hidden in the wilderness, they are taught own worlds. You’ll have to work with figures who represent
secret techniques and sorcery by elder shinobi and enigmatic organized crime, paramilitary organizations, and populist
beings called the daitengu. As they develop, an agent can movements all while keeping the truth concealed. Your enemy
build a collection of techniques to overcome any obstacle. may even have infiltrated one of these factions.
Assassinate Deadly Foes Explore the Mosaic
Shadow Scar agents are expert assassins, with the skills The Mosaic is vast and most of it remains uncharted. The
and tools to infiltrate strongholds and assassinate enemies. discovered portions present a wide variety of experiences to
While you’re trained in combat, head-on assault is rarely explore. Negotiating with spirits in Nakatsukuni, hunting airship
your smartest option. You must plan your strategy to slip past pirates in Steel Court, investigating criminal masterminds with
guards, traps, and barriers to bring down your target and pulp superheroes in 5th Street, and hunting down saboteurs
escape without being spotted. on space stations in Refuge.
Foil Complicated Plans Hunt Down Rogue Agents
The enemy is clever and their plans can be far-reaching Yokai aren’t the only threat to the Shadow Scar Agency.
and complex. As you play, you may wind up chasing down Rogue agents, known as nukenin, flee the Agency carrying
conspiracies and following leads across the Mosaic. Foiling important secrets. They must be hunted down and recovered
one plot often leads to the discovery of another and pursuing before they can use those secrets to harm the Agency or reveal
leads might require you to track down hidden locations, the existence of the Veil War to the people of the Mosaic.
missing people, and lost items.
Where To Go From Here?
With a basic concept of what’s going on, you can grab the next book in the box and check out the world of Shadow Scar.
On the back of this intro sheet, we’ve provided a glossary with a pronunciation guide that might be useful if you’re less
familiar with the Japanese language.
A Glossary of Key Terms
Because of the heavy influence of Japanese mythology, Shadow Scar uses a lot of terminology that may not be familiar
to you if you weren’t raised in Japan or familiar with the Japanese language and culture. Below you can find a reference
glossary for many of these terms with a pronunciation guide.
Akaname (ah-kah-nah-may) Kuji In (kuu-jee · ee-n)
Yokai which lurk in dirty buildings and eat filth. The nine hand seals used by shinobi to perform mikkyo.
Ao Andon (ah-oh · ah-n-doh-n) Kunai (kuu-nah-ee)
Spectral Yokai created by fear who consume fear. A knife-like tool with a broad head which can be used like a trowel.
Amaterasu (ah-mah-teh-rah-suu) Kuromaku (kuu-roh-mah-kuu)
The Amatsukami of the Sun and the ruler of Tamakagahara. One of the Six Great Clans of Shadow who teach ninjutsu.
Amatsukami (ah-mah-tsuu-kah-mee) Mikkyo (mee-kyoh)
The heavenly spirits who oversee all other kami and humanity. Secret techniques which use spiritual life force.
Arashi (ah-rah-shee) Nakatsukuni (nah-kah-tsuu-kuu-nee)
One of the Six Great Clans of Shadow who teach ninjutsu. The native world of the Shadow Scar Agency.
Daitengu (dah-ee-teh-n-guu) Namahage (nah-mah-ha-geh)
Wise, winged yokai who were freed from Yomi and teach humans. Ogres who come down from the mountains to punish lazy people.
Dodomeki (doh-doh-meh-kee) Nurikabe (nuu-ree-kah-beh)
Kleptomaniacal humanoid yokai with eyes covering their arms. A large yokai which can transform itself into a wall.
Futsumashi (fuu-tsuu-mah-shee) Shinobi (shee-noh-bee)
One of the Six Great Clans of Shadow who teach ninjutsu. Covert soldiers from secret clans who act as spies and assassins.
Hanyuu (hah-n-yuu) Susanoo (suu-sah-noh)
An ogre born from jealousy with and great magical knowledge. The tempestuous Amatsukami of the Storm.
Hibana (hee-bah-nah) Takamagahara (tah-kah-mah-gah-hah-rah)
One of the Six Great Clans of Shadow who teach ninjutsu. A floating city in Kakuriyo which is the home of the Amatsukami.
Izanagi (ee-zah-nah-gee) Tantei (tah-n-tay)
The father of all kami and the divine protector of humanity. One of the Six Great Clans of Shadow who teach ninjutsu.
Izanami (ee-zah-nah-mee) Torii (toh-ree)
The mother of all kami who died and was corrupted by Yomi. Ritual gates which mark the passage from one world to another.
Kakuriyo (kah-kuu-ree-yo) Tsuchigumo (tsuu-chee-guu-moh)
A hidden world inhabited by kami and spectral creatures. A large, deadly yokai resembling a burrowing spider.
Kamen (kah-meh-n) Tsukiyomi (tsuu-kee-yoh-mee)
Magical porcelain masks which yokai use to disguise themselves. The enigmatic Amatsukami of the Moon and Night.
Kami (kah-mee) Utsushiyo (uu-tsuu-shee-yoh)
Spirits of nature who range from minor spirits to god-like beings. The material world which can be observed by mortals.
Kappa (kah-pah) Wanami (wah-nah-mee)
Turtle goblins who lurk in bodies of water and attack people. One of the Six Great Clans of Shadow who teach ninjutsu.
Karakasa (kah-ra-kah-sa) Yokai (yoh-kah-ee)
A relatively harmless yokai which resembles an umbrella. A catch all term for magical creatures from Nakatsukuni.
