You grew up in a ninja clan, and were taught the secret ways of the shinobi. A ninja understands the art of stealth and infiltration, whether as a sneaky rogue, a clever master of disguise, or a student of illusion and misdirection. Ninja clans tend to exist in remote locations, training hard in a family, clan environment, and are often hired by warlords and generals to accomplish clandestine military objectives. While feared and renowned as assassins, in reality ninjas encompass a much bigger arc.
- Skill Proficiencies: Deception, Stealth
- Tool Proficiencies: Poisoner’s tools or disguise kit
- Equipment: A crowbar, grappling hook, a set of dark common clothes including a hood, dark ninja outfit, a smoke bomb, and a pouch containing 5 gp
The specialties of the Shinobi are broad, as such there are different ranks within a Clan. But all of them pay respect to the leader/sensei. Shinobi usually take on contracts for espionage, deception, and surprise attacks. As such there are many different teachings within a clan, most are the martial arts, but also creating poisons, plotting, setting traps, and much more. Many nobles hire them to do the dirty work. Choose the role you played in your life, or roll on the table below.
| d7 | Shinobi Specialty |
|---|---|
| 1 | Blackmailer |
| 2 | Burglar |
| 3 | Enforcer |
| 4 | Fence |
| 5 | Hired killer |
| 6 | Pickpocket |
| 7 | Smuggler |
Each Clan has his own way to reach out to their members. You know how to get messages to and from your contact, even over great distances; specifically, you have a keen eye for the local messengers, corrupt caravan masters, and seedy sailors who can deliver messages for you.
Suggested Characteristics
Shinobi's might seem like villains on the surface, and some clans are villainous to the core. But most have an abundance of endearing, if not redeeming, characteristics. There is great honour among Shinobi's, but they rarely show any respect for law or authority, for they hide in shadows.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I always have a plan for what to do when things go wrong. |
| 2 | I am always calm, no matter what the situation. I never raise my voice or let my emotions control me. |
| 3 | The first thing I do in a new place is note the locations of everything valuable—or where such things could be hidden. |
| 4 | I would rather make a new friend than a new enemy. |
| 5 | I am incredibly slow to trust. Those who seem the fairest often have the most to hide. |
| 6 | I don’t pay attention to the risks in a situation. Never tell me the odds. |
| 7 | The best way to get me to do something is to tell me I can’t do it. |
| 8 | I blow up at the slightest insult. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Honor. I don’t steal from others in the trade. (Lawful) |
| 2 | Freedom. Chains are meant to be broken, as are those who would forge them. (Chaotic) |
| 3 | Charity. I steal from the wealthy so that I can help people in need. (Good) |
| 4 | Greed. I will do whatever it takes to become wealthy. (Evil) |
| 5 | People. I’m loyal to my friends, not to any ideals, and everyone else can take a trip down the Styx for all I care. (Neutral) |
| 6 | Redemption. There’s a spark of good in everyone. (Good) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I’m trying to pay off an old debt I owe to a generous benefactor. |
| 2 | My ill-gotten gains go to support my family. |
| 3 | Something important was taken from me, and I aim to steal it back. |
| 4 | I will become the greatest thief that ever lived. |
| 5 | I’m guilty of a terrible crime. I hope I can redeem myself for it. |
| 6 | Someone I loved died because of a mistake I made. That will never happen again. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | When I see something valuable, I can’t think about anything but how to steal it. |
| 2 | When faced with a choice between money and my friends, I usually choose the money. |
| 3 | If there’s a plan, I’ll forget it. If I don’t forget it, I’ll ignore it. |
| 4 | I have a “tell” that reveals when I’m lying. |
| 5 | I turn tail and run when things look bad. |
| 6 | An innocent person is in prison for a crime that I committed. I’m okay with that. |
Although your capabilities are not much different from those of an assassin or thief, you learned and practiced them in a very different context: as an espionage agent. You might have been an officially sanctioned agent of the crown, or perhaps you sold the secrets you uncovered to the highest bidder.
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