The Ninja do not regard their art a profession, but see their way of living like the demands of a family. Although any Ninja may become part of this family, it is a close-knit group who are involved in secret illegal operations; but no one is just *a* Ninja.

According to themselves, Ninjas do not exist -although the stories of the Ninja do not deny them - nor do they accept any stories about the Ninja. The ninja do what they are paid to do, they do not align themselves with what they feel is wrong or what is right for this reason they will never be of the truehearted ethics for they will kill, steal, or plunder for money or for whatever their contracts are for. Also like assassins they can and will kill, however, it is not just there, there are many different jobs a ninja can be asked to do. Spy, smuggle, and embezzle, many different things, the sky is the limit.

A Ninja must have an at least a 16 dexterity. These masters of the night have earned the nickname "Swift Death" for the ability to move, it seems, out of the very night and kill, leaving no sound or trace of them. If a Ninja ever betrays the Honor of the Ninja Code, they would be hunted by the other Ninja's and killed for revealing their secrets. Also there are two types of Ninja, sort of diversions or derivates of them. Those that gather together to form ninja houses are then aligned with that house. However, those ninja that choose to remain to alone, they are called Lone Wolf Ninja. The name explains itself.

Honor is completely different from the way the Samurai views this. A Ninja's honor is extremely important to them, who must include completion of his mission and secrecy among his objectives. If he fails or is discovered, he risks being brought before the head of the ninja house, and thus, it is up to the head of the house to decide wither or not the punishment deserves death, or what type of punishment what-so-ever.

Again comparing the Samurai, who walk the path of good and light, the Ninja walk the darker more secretive side of the coin. This almost constantly brings them head to head unless under the most dire of circumstances where that would be the only way for the Ninja to survive or complete his duty. Around the summit or the inn, you would likely see one at the others throat or both for that matter.

As their allegiance is to their *family* first, rarely will you see these masters of the night choose to wed. If they do choose to take a wife, or husband, the spouse then falls under the same rules as the Ninja house, or the main rules. They will not speak nor discuss the true motives of the house, or ninja. If they are caught breaking the ninja’s trust in them, they will more than likely be as a message to others, as well as to the ninja.

• Ninja are of the rogue class.
• Ninja can not dual class.
• Ninja must have a minimum of 16 Dexterity.
• Ninja are speedy and stealth-like much like thieves due to this they gain a +5% to Evade rolls.
• Ninja may use any weapons under d6 damage, and all Ninja weapons. If they use any Weapon over d6 which is not a Ninja weapon, they receive a penalty of -15% to hit.
• Ninja cannot wear large amounts of armor. They usually stay with Padded, Leather and Studded Leather suits of armor. Any other suits of armor hinder their skills. (Giving them a -20% to all their skills). Their maximum soak is 50%.
• Ninja can only be dark or even hearted.
• Ninjas will never be seen to use a magical item, nor will they ever deal in them or use them as gifts, finding the very existence of such things insulting to one's skill.
• Ninjas will forfeit all social life for their family loyalty. The honor of the family comes first.
• Ninjas are experts in throwing small weapons. Due to this, they gain a bonus to hit with any thrown weapon that is classified as a ninja weapon (+5% to a maximum of 90% to hit).

Rogue Skills

• Stealth (Hide in Shadows/Move Silently) - Ninja may move in a stealthy manner, effectively becoming invisible for a time, unnoticed. Stealth is affected by shadows, if there are no shadows present then stealth mode can not be done. Once the ninja has made an attack, stealth is ended. (High Dex bonus adds to a 30% Chance at Level 1 with a +5% Each Level gained afterward.)
• Ascend (Climb Walls.) - Ninja can climb walls and some other surfaces. The difficulty may be determined by the Host. However the base chance for this to be successful is as follows. (High Dex bonus adds to a 30% Chance at Level 1 with a +5% Each Level gained afterward.)
• Martial Arts - Ninja have learned throughout their experience and fighting to be able to master their entire bodies as weapons. Through training and dedication, the ninja are able to cause greater damage with hand and feet attacks. (All ninja gain +1 Damage at level 1 and then another + 1 for every 3rd level they obtain with all hand or feet attacks)(+1 at level 1, +2 at level 4, +3 at level 7, +4 at level 10 and +5 at level 13+).
• Dual Attack/Wield - Since Ninja are a thief type profession, they have the ability to attack twice from the very beginning. However, unlike thieves who have a wide range and combination of weapons they can use, to an extent. Ninjas can only make dual attacks with specific sets of weapons. (Katana and Hand/Foot ; Ninja-To/Half Katana and Hand/Foot ; Hand/Hand ; Foot/Foot ; Hand/Foot).
• Fall - Ninjas, after reaching level 4, have the ability to fall in a manner (from a reasonable distance) in which they would land safely on their feet, without hurting themselves. (High Dex bonus adds to a 25% Chance at Level 4 with a +5% Each Odd Level gained afterward [starting with level 5].)
• Escape: Ninjas, after reaching level 4, have the ability to escape from ropes, chains, etc (High Dex bonus adds to a 25% Chance at Level 4 with a +5% Each Odd Level gained afterward [starting with level 5].)
• Backstab/Sneak Attack: Ninjas are known for attacking an unsuspecting victim swiftly. This is a technique that is mastered. (This must be stated in the attack and if successful, it deals out normal damage and there is no evade as the target did not expect such an assault. (High Dex adds to %) The ninja must be behind the target and using stealth to do this.)
  • Lvl's 1 - 3, they gain a +1 to dmg when using backstab/sneak attack.
  • Lvl's 4 - 6, they gain a +2 to dmg when using backstab/sneak attack.
  • Lvl's 7 - 9, they gain a +3 to dmg when using backstab/sneak attack.
  • Lvl's 10 - 12, they gain a +4 to dmg when using backstab/sneak attack.
  • Lvl's 13 - 15, they gain a +5 to dmg when using backstab/sneak attack. (+5 is the max added dmg they can receive)

Powers of Chi

• Control Breathing: Ninjas, after reaching level 3, can hold their breath for a number of rounds equal to their level, three times per day, then constitution check applies.
• Water Walk: Ninjas, after reaching level 6, can walk across water a distance of 10' per level. This can be done a number of times per day equal to the Ninja's level, but requires concentration which is broken if the Ninja is injured in the attempt. The Ninja cannot wear armor while attempting this feat, and each new round must be re-rolled for the distance the Ninja has traveled (30% chance at level 6, with +5% at each level starting with level 7).
• Shadow Walk: Ninjas, after reaching level 9, can pass through walls or other solid barriers, this like the name also allows any Ninja to move through the shadows. This requires one round of concentrated preparation before beginning, with the Ninja moving 1' per round thereafter. This feat takes a lot out of the Ninja, making them light-headed afterwards and unable to defend themselves for one round before returning to normal (50% chance at level 9, with +5% at each odd level starting with level 11).

• Ninja Star (3d4 damage/Thrown)
• Sai (d6 damage)
• Shuriken (3d3 damage/Thrown)
• Garrotte (Thin line/wire used for choking; d4 damage)
• Chijiriki (Spear and chain; d10 damage)(*NO* Thrown weapons bonus)
• Ninja-To(Half Katana)(d6 damage)
• Nunchucku’s (2d4 damage)
• Kama (d7 damage)
• Tonfa (d5 damage)
• White Waxed Bo (d8 damage)
• Tiger Rattan (3d4 damage)

Starting Equipment

• Choice of 2 Ninja Weapons
• 1 Black Suit of Clothing (No Soak)
• 1 Tent
• Cooking Utensils
• 1 Canteen
• 1 50' Rope
• 1 Grappling Hook (Not a Weapon)
• 3 Smoke Bombs (d3 rounds, 25' radius, -5% to hit & evade to all except the ninja)
• 1 Shoulder Pack
• 1 Bed Mat
• 3 Torches
• 1 Utility Knife (Not a Weapon)
• 1 Flint and Striker
• 25 gold pieces