Using Subterfuge Agents
Subterfuge agents are single characters who are used to commit acts of espionage on the campaign map. They are able to act upon enemy armies or buildings but cannot go inside them, so always remain visible and easy to locate. It is possible for your own agents to enter your armies and castle towns or settlements (in Fall of the Samurai) up to a maximum of three agents per army or castle town. When there are agents embedded inside castle towns or settlements the effects provided by their presence gradually diminish - so a second agent provides a further 50% of the effects of the first, and a third provides a further 25%. Before carrying out an ordered action a prompt will appear, requiring confirmation. Every agent action has a monetary cost associated with it, which is stated on the prompt. An agent's rank – represented by the stars at the top of his character details panel - in combination with other bonuses inferred by skills, retainers or traits, enhance his ability to carry out the various actions he is capable of and withstand the hostile actions of enemy agents.
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Ninja
The ninja acts as an assassin, spy, saboteur and scout and is recruited via stealth buildings. In addition to their subterfuge skills, ninja also increase the movement of and prevent the demoralisation of your armies when placed inside them. They can also establish spy networks within your own castle towns that increase the distance you can see into a neighbouring province and decrease the likelihood of rebellion. Ninja are invisible to the enemy unless detected.
Geisha (Shogun 2)
Like ninja, geisha in Shogun 2 are assassins, but, unlike their male counterparts, they automatically start with the highest level of subterfuge skill and can only assassinate or spy passively. Geisha are always visible to the enemy, making them susceptible to capture by metsuke.
Metsuke
In Shogun 2 the metsuke are your daimyo's secret policemen, recruited through the market building chain. Metsuke ensure loyalty and obedience from friendly generals and keep your settlements and armies safe from enemy subterfuge when positioned inside them. Metsuke can also bribe enemy garrisons, generals and armies, and detect and apprehend enemy agents. They are especially vulnerable to removal from the game through conversion by enemy monks or missionaries.
Monomi
In Rise of the Samurai the monomi acts as an assassin, spy, saboteur and scout, and is recruited from province speciality buildings. In addition to their subterfuge skills, monomi also increase the movement and line of sight of our armies when placed inside them. They can also establish spy networks within our castle towns, which increase the chances of discovering any rival agents and armies that may be hiding within a province. Monomi are invisible to the enemy until detected. They are vulnerable to detection by junsatsushi and exceptionally dangerous to sou.
Shirabyoshi
In Rise of the Samurai the shirabyoshi is a traditional dancer who performs for nobles on formal occasions. Dressed as a man in formal Shinto clothes and white powdered make-up, the slow, rhythmic dances she performs in veneration of the gods, also involve poetry, singing and musicianship. The shirabyoshi's main skill is seduction, which convinces her target to join her lord's cause. Shirabyoshi are able to entertain the nobles of friendly castle towns in order to boost their growth and entertain friendly generals in the field, which increases their loyalty to the family and counteracts the efforts of enemy agents to bribe or seduce them into changing sides. She can also distract enemy armies with her alluring performances. Shirabyoshi can be recruited via the clan chain of buildings.
Junsatsushi
In Rise of the Samurai junsatsushi are your secret policemen, recruited through the barter building chain. Junsatsushi ensure loyalty and obedience from friendly generals, increase income by preventing corruption, keep your castle towns and armies safe from enemy subterfuge when positioned inside them, and can request the allegiance of neutral and enemy castle towns, along with any forces garrisoned there. Junsatsushi can also pay off rival agents. They are vulnerable to indoctrination by enemy sou and are exceptionally dangerous to monomi.
Shinobi
In Fall of the Samurai the shinobi acts as an assassin, spy, saboteur and scout, and is recruited via the traditional military building chain. In addition to their subterfuge skills, shinobi also increase the action points and line of sight of your armies when placed inside them. They can also establish spy networks within your cities, which in turn increase a province's line of sight. Shinobi are invisible to the enemy until detected. They are vulnerable to detection by shinsengumi and ishin shishi, and are exceptionally dangerous to geisha.
Geisha (Fall of the Samurai)
In Fall of the Samurai the geisha is a traditional entertainer who uses her skills to enchant, inspire, entertain and distract. Geisha can use their enchantment skills to convince her target to join your cause. They are able to entertain the nobles of friendly towns in order to boost their growth and inspire friendly generals in the field, which increases their loyalty and counteracts the efforts of enemy geisha to enchant them to change sides. If placed in a friendly town geisha improve town growth simply by their presence. They can be recruited via the business chain of buildings. Geisha are vulnerable to shinobi and exceptionally dangerous to foreign veterans. Shingsengumi and ishin shishi are too loyal to their causes, and as such are immune to the geisha's charms.
Shinsengumi
In Fall of the Samurai shinsengumi are the investigators used to weed out corruption and anti-Shogunate sentiment across Japan. They are expert propagandists who can coerce an enemy army to support the Shogunate, uncover enemy agents on friendly territory, instil discipline in friendly armies, subdue pro-imperial dissidents, incite revolt in an enemy province, or assassinate a general or another agent. If placed in a friendly town shinsengumi improve pro-Shogunate allegiance and the effectiveness of counter-spying simply by their presence. They are recruited via the propaganda building chain. Shinsengumi are especially effective against shinobi or their opposite number, the imperialist ishin shishi.
Ishin Shishi
In Fall of the Samurai ishin shishi are Imperialist activists whose mission is to wrestle power from the Shogunate and restore it to the Emperor. They are expert propagandists who can rally a population or persuade an enemy army to support the emperor, uncover enemy agents on friendly territory, instil Imperial fervour in friendly armies, incite revolt in an enemy province or assassinate a general or another agent. If placed in a friendly settlement ishin shishi improve pro-Imperial allegiance and the effectiveness of counter-spying simply by their presence. They are recruited via the propaganda building chain. Ishin shishi are especially effective against shinobi and foreign veterans.
Foreign Veteran
In Fall of the Samurai foreign veterans are British, American or French nationals who have entered the country in order to supervise troop recruitment, train, and equip the armies of the Emperor or the Shogunate. Generally apolitical, veterans are only interested in the money that the escalating conflict can bring them, and will work for either side if the price is right, even carrying out sabotage missions if paid to do so. Foreign veterans can be recruited via the foreign quarters of the port building chain. If placed in a friendly town foreign veterans reduce recruitment costs simply by their presence. In addition, they are also able to harass enemy armies, reducing their morale and causing attrition, and can challenge other agents to single combat, which will result in the death or dishonour of the losing party. Foreign veterans are both vulnerable to geisha and unable to act against them.