Sohei
Sohei are religious soldiers who protect large monasteries or temples in the Shao Yan. Many large temples maintain armies of warrior-priests for use against rival temples, or to advance their political views in the larger world. Sohei are formidable warriors but untrustworthy allies, as they always put the best interests of their temples first. Due to a sohei’s total dedication to his temple, this kit cannot be abandoned.
Role
Almost as much warrior as priest, a sohei receives limited religious training. Nonetheless, he will defend his temple with a fervor unmatched by any other type of priest. These temples are dedicated to a single Order and are too esoteric for the common people to be comfortable worshiping there. Because of his role as a temple guardian, it is unusual but not unheard of for a sohei to leave his temple grounds. Occasionally, fleeing enemies must be tracked down, plots against the monastery uncovered and ended, or exploration for new temple sites undertaken.
Distinctive Appearance
None
Special Benefits
All sohei possess a religious fanaticism that can cause them to become filled with an almost berserk energy they can use to increase their combat skills.
This fanaticism lasts for one turn and can be used once per day. While in this frenzied state, a sohei gains the following bonuses:
- an additional +1 on attack and damage rolls
- an additional attack per round
- armor class improves by 1
- dodging or deflecting non-magical missiles by making a successful saving throw vs. breath weapon.
The sohei’s fanaticism allows him to fight on even after he reaches zero hit points. If already fighting in a fanatic state, he can continue to fight until he reaches -10 hp or the enemy is defeated, whichever comes first. At that point, the sohei collapses and dies.
Military training allows the sohei to select a weapon of choice. Thereafter, the sohei gains a +1 bonus on both attack and damage rolls when using that weapon.
Special Hindrances
Limited religious training means that the sohei can only select spells from the Charm, Combat, Guardian, Protection, and Wards spheres, regardless of their priesthood.
A sohei must also live by certain religious principles. He must refrain from eating meat and from excesses in personal behavior, such as gluttony, lust, expressions of pain, etc.
The character gains full experience points only for defeating opponents in the cause of defending or upholding his monastery goals or any task assigned to him. All other cases earn the sohei half experience points.
Class
Priest
Attribute Requirements
Strength 13, Constitution and Wisdom 10
Barred Beliefs
None
Race Requirement
Normally a sohei is human.
Bonus Weapon Proficiencies
None
Required Weapon Proficiencies
None
Recommended Weapon Proficiencies
Bo stick, chain, dagger (tanto), hand axe, long sword, mace, pike, sai, short sword, spear, tetsubo, two-handed sword. Historically, sohei are famous for their use of the naginata.
Barred Weapon Proficiencies
None
Bonus Non-Weapon Proficiencies
Recommended Non-Weapon Proficiencies
Healing, Herbalism, Religion, Blind-Fighting, Endurance, Running
Equipment
None
Wealth Options
The sohei gets the usual 3d6 x 10 gp starting money for priests.
Homeland Terrain
None
Economic System
None