Nitōjutsu Sensei

Disdaining other pursuits, the nitōjutsu sensei has spent his life perfecting the art of fighting with a katana and wakizashi. These warriors often choose to be ronin, so as to not allow themselves to be distracted by the demands of a lord. Even so, they are good men to have by your sides in a fight, if you can convince them to join your cause. Nitōjutsu begin play with less gold than other samurai.

The nitōjutsu sensei is an archetype of the samurai class.

Starting Wealth

A nitōjutsu sensei starts with 2d6 x 10 gp (average 70 gp.)

Class Skills

The nitōjutsu sensei’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Acrobatics (Dex), Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Handle Animal (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Knowledge (nobility), Knowledge (religion), Ride (Dex), Stealth (Dex), and Swim (Str).

Skill Ranks per Level

The nitōjutsu sensei gets 2 + Int modifier skill ranks per level.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency

A nitōjutsu sensei is proficient with all simple and martial weapons, with the katana, and the wakizashi. They are proficient with light and medium armors, but not with shields or heavy armor.

Twin-Sword Fighter

At 1st level, a nitōjutsu sensei gains the ability to bond with a pair of swords, one katana and one wakizashi. When using these swords, the nitōjutsu sensei receives a +1 bonus to attack rolls. This bonus increases by an additional +1 every 7 levels (at 8th and 15th). If the nitōjutsu loses or changes weapons, it requires a week of practice to form a bond with a new pair of swords. In addition, at 1st level, a nitōjutsu sensei gains a non-masterwork katana and wakizashi free of cost (characters who multiclass into the nitōjutsu class do not gain these weapons).

This ability replaces mount.

Orderless

A nitōjutsu sensei does not adopt an Order and gains no abilities associated with belonging to an Order.

Resolute Honor

The nitōjutsu sensei’s devotion to his art and his honor has steeled his mind. He may add his Honor score to all Will saves. The nitōjutsu may possess an amount of Honor equal to half his nitōjutsu character level (minimum 1). If he is beholden to a lord, he gains Honor as normal by defeating a challenge with a CR 1 greater than his character level in the name of his lord. A ronin nitōjutsu must defeat an opponent with a CR 2 greater than his character level in order to gain a level. The nitōjutsu is under no obligation to defeat this challenge alone but he must contribute significantly to the success of the endeavor. If the nitōjutsu ever fails at a challenge where the CR is 1 or more less than his character level he loses 1 Honor.

Two-Weapon Combat Style (Ex)

At 2nd level, the nitōjutsu sensei gains the combat style feat ranger class ability but he must choose the two-weapon combat style and Two-Weapon Fighting must be his first feat. His effective ranger level is equal to his nitōjutsu sensei level. This means that at 2nd, 6th, 10th, 14th, and 18th levels, he gains a bonus feat that he must choose from the two-weapon combat style.

This ability replaces the samurai normal bonus feats.

Weapon Expertise (Ex)

At 3rd level, the nitōjutsu gains weapon expertise as a samurai, but the benefits apply to both the katana and the wakizashi.

Swift Warrior

At 4th level, so long as the nitōjutsu sensei is wearing light armor or no armor, his speed increases by 10 feet and he gains a +2 bonus to initiative.

This ability replaces mounted archer.

Grace under Pressure (Ex)

At 5th level, the nitōjutsu sensei gains a +1 dodge bonus to AC for every two enemies who have the nitōjutsu within range of their melee attack. If a nitōjutsu sensei is caught flat-footed or otherwise denied his Dexterity bonus, he loses this bonus. The enemies must be armed and conscious. At 14th level, this dodge bonus increases to +2 per two enemies.

This ability replaces both banner and greater banner.

Charging Double Slash (Ex)

At 7th level, the nitōjutsu sensei learns how to move and attack with both of his blades. So long as he is using a katana and wakizashi, as an attack action or at the end of a charge, the nitōjutsu sensei can make two attacks, one with this main-hand and one with his off-hand weapon.

Section 15: Copyright Notice

The Way of the Samurai Copyright 2012, Steven D. Russell and Michael Tumey, all rights reserved; Author Jonathan McAnulty

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