Spirit Shugenja (3.5e Class)

Spirit Shugenja

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Spirit Shugenja Are masters of the Polythiestic worship of Kami (The spirits of nature and the void) They have also been called Shamans in Ages past. The Spirit Shugenja is in many ways a spontaneous caster much like a Sorcerer but her spells are Divine and Primal in Origin. She generally learns her spells from communing with nature spirits and even the Greater Kami deities themselves. No two Shugenja are quite the Same especially if they come from different elemental schools but All masters seem to have climbed to the top of the Mountain of Magick even if they took very different paths. The Shugenja are classically masters of speaking to the Greater Kami and the host of lesser Kami spirits, the Greater Kami themselves are equivalent to Gods and Asuras while the lesser Kami can be either fae, elemental or ghost. Many of these spirits can teach a Shugenja spells and she is known to speak to the souls of the dead and the kami frequently.

Making a Spirit Shugenja

Shugenja, based on their Elemental Spheres they learn can make them either specialize in Offense, Defense, Healing, Damage or Control. The Elemental Schools fall into the classical four Elements of the Cosmos, Earth (Defensive), Water (Healing), Fire (Damage) and Air (Utilitiy and Control). Only with great ability can they reach the mystical Fifth element of the Void and be able to freely cast from all Spheres but this level of Magical enlightenment takes quite some time to attain.

Abilities: Charisma is where they derive their magic power and it is the most important of all attributes. Dexterity and Constitution are also useful to increase their defensive capabilities.

Races: Human is definetely the most common Shugenja but various other races have Shugenjas or Shamans of their own. Uruks, Varana, Soritami, Kokurburu, Kitsune, Hengoyoaki...etc.

Alignment: Shugenja can be of various alignments but generally most of them are either chaotic or good. Any alignment but those different alignments attracts different spirits. Nature Kami generally refuse to speak to Evil Shugenja and instead Yokai, Oni and even Akuma will speak to evil Shugenja... these evil Shugenja are known as Maho.

Starting Gold: Same as Wizard.

Starting Age: "Complex" or "As wizard".

Table: The Spirit Shugenja

Hit Die: d4

Level	Base Attack Bonus	Saving Throws			Special	Spells per Day										Power Points/Day
		Fort	Ref	Will		0	1^st	2^nd	3^rd	4^th	5^th	6^th	7^th	8^th	9^th
1st	+0	+0	+2	+2	Primary Elemental School, Qi Spell Ability I, Spiritual Charisma	5	3	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	1+Cha	—	—
2nd	+1	+0	+3	+3	Allied Elemental School	6	4	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	2+Cha	—	—
3rd	+1	+1	+3	+3	Other Allied Elemental School	6	5	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	3+Cha	—	—
4th	+2	+1	+4	+4	Qi Spell Ability II	6	6	3	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	4+Cha	—	—
5th	+2	+1	+4	+4		6	6	4	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	5+cha	—	—
6th	+3	+2	+5	+5	Qi Spell Ability III	6	6	5	3	—	—	—	—	—	—	6+cha	—	—
7th	+3	+2	+5	+5	Enlightenment of the Void I(spells lvl 1,2,3)	6	6	6	4	—	—	—	—	—	—	7+cha	—	—
8th	+4	+2	+6	+6	Qi Spell Ability IV	6	6	6	5	3	—	—	—	—	—	8+Cha	—	—
9th	+4	+3	+6	+6	Qi Meditation I (Regenerate Qi in combat=Cha)	6	6	6	6	4	—	—	—	—	—	9+Cha	—	—
10th	+5	+3	+7	+7	Qi Spell Ability V	6	6	6	6	5	3	—	—	—	—	10+Cha	—	—
11th	+5	+3	+7	+7		6	6	6	6	6	4	—	—	—	—	11+Cha	—	—
12th	+6/+1	+4	+8	+8	Qi Spell Ability VI	6	6	6	6	6	5	3	—	—	—	12+Cha	—	—
13th	+6/+1	+4	+8	+8		6	6	6	6	6	6	4	—	—	—	13+Cha	—	—
14th	+7/+2	+4	+9	+9	Enlightenment of the Void II (4, 5, 6)	6	6	6	6	6	6	5	3	—	—	14+Cha	—	—
15th	+7/+2	+5	+9	+9	Qi Meditation II (Qi Regeneration=Cha+Con)	6	6	6	6	6	6	6	4	—	—	15+Cha	—	—
16th	+8/+3	+5	+10	+10	Qi Spell Ability VII	6	6	6	6	6	6	6	5	3	—	16+Cha	—	—
17th	+8/+3	+5	+10	+10		6	6	6	6	6	6	6	6	4	—	17+Cha	—	—
18th	+9/+4	+6	+11	+11	Qi Spell Ability VIII	6	6	6	6	6	6	6	6	5	3	18+Cha	—	—
19th	+9/+4	+6	+11	+11	Qi Meditation III (x2 Qi Regeneration if only meditating in combat)	6	6	6	6	6	6	6	6	6	4	19+Cha	—	—
20th	+10/+5	+6	+12	+12	Enlightenment of the Void III (7, 8, 9)	6	6	6	6	6	6	6	6	6	6	20+Cha	—	—
Class Skills (2 + Int modifier per level, ×4 at 1st level) Bluff (Cha), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Knowledge (arcana) (Int), Profession (Wis), Spellcraft (Int), Healing (Wis), Religion (Wis), Nature (Wis)

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Class Features

Shugenja are known for their abilities to speak to various spirits like the Ancestors and the Kami. They weild fantastic magic that borders on the Arcane, They use thier innate Qi energy to warp the limited number of spells they know. They use their Qi abilities to switch the elemental energy of spells, combine destructive spells with healing ones, enlarge the area of certain spells or even cast the spell on multiple allies or enemies instead of a single individual. They harness both Energetic hot forces of Yang with the Cold energy depleting forces of Yin into a harmony. This harmony is the energy of Qi that allows them to bridge contrasting forces in the cosmos and unite polar opposites in undreamed of fusions of magic. Shugenja can also learn spell and cast spells from the Wizard/Sorceror list and or the Cleric list but the only caveat is All abjuration and any earth based spells that use gravity, anti-magic, acid or petrification must fall into the Earth School. All Healing, Resurrection, Divination, restoration, Ice and Water spells go into the Water School. All Fire, Lightning, Magnetism and offensive blessings fall into the Fire Domain. All Illusion, Enchantment, Necromantic curses and Teleportation spells with Sonic or Wind Damage can fall into Air School.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Is only capable of using Simple weapons and light armor or natural armor of medium level. can use shields made of wood or leather. Generally they prefer to use staffs.

Primary Elemental School: This is the first elemental school that the Shugenja picks, they are now permanently tied to this school and every knew spell level they must learn at least one or two spells from this school. So if a Fire Shugenja can learn Fire spells but cannot learn Water spells until he is able to convert into the opposite school of magic using "Enlightenment of the Void". Another opposite set of schools is Earth and Air.

Allied Elemental School:' at levels 2 and 3 the Shugenja can now begin to learn and cast spells from others schools of elemental magic allied to their primary school. So a Fire Shugenja can now learn Air and Earth spells respectively or a Air Shugenja can now learn Fire and Water spells respectively.

Enlightenment of the Void I: This allows the Shugenja to now convert spells that they now into the equivalent of spells from the opposite school or any unknown spells. but they can only convert lvl 0-1-2-3 spells at this level. But these spells cannot be cast with Qi Spell abilities or metamagic feats.

Enlightenment of the Void II: Shugenja can now convert spells to cast from the opposite school of magic or any unknown spells as high as lvl 4-5-6. But these spells cannot be cast with Qi Spell abilities or metamagic feats.

Enlightenment of the Void III: Shugenja has finally mastered magic and can convert spells into the opposite school of magic or any unknown spells at lvl 7-8-9. But Shugenja can only apply one Qi spell ability to these spells and or one metamagic feat.

Spells: <-Delete this section if this class does not cast spells. description of spell casting abilities: on what stat save DCs are based, on what stat bonus spells are based, and what stat determines the highest level spell that can be cast.->. <-pluralized class name-> choose their spells from the following list:

0— Acid Splash, Daze, Flare, Ray of Frost, Touch of Fatigue, Arcane Mark, Ghost Sound, Resistance, Commune with spirits, Celestial Character

'1st— Water: Bless, Cure Light Wounds, Remove Paralysis, Animal friendship. Fire: Burning Hands, Cause Fear, Faerie Fire, shocking Grasp. Earth: Magic Weapon, Magic Fang, Shield, Shield of faith. Air: Sleep, Feather Fall, Expeditious Retreat, Silent Image.

2nd— Water: Cure Moderate Wounds, Remove Poison, Lesser Restoration, Locate Object. Fire: Flame Blade, Flaming Sphere, Heat Metal, Character of Fire. Earth: Make Whole, Barkskin, Bull's Strength, Endurance. Air: Silece, Minor Image, Levitate, Invisibility, Mirror Image.

3rd— Water: Water Walking, Water Breathing, Ice Prison, Remove Blindness/Deafness, Rejuvenation. Fire: Fireball, Keen Edge, Lightning, Fire Wings. Earth: Magic Circle, Greater Magic Weapon, Meld with Stone. Air: Wind wall, Haste, Clauridience/Clairvoyance, Dimension Door.

4th— Water: Restoration, Neutralize Poison, Healing Circle, Control Water. Fire: Wall of Fire, Explosive Runes. Earth: Death Ward, Dismissal, Stone Spikes, Stone Skin. Air: Illusory Wall, Hallucinatory Terrain, Air Walk, Detect Scrying.

5th— Water: Heal, Scrying, Atonement, Wall of Ice. Fire: Flame Strike, Shield of Fire, Circle of Flame, Righteous Might. Earth: Wall of Stone, Passwall, Wall of Iron, Spell Resistance. Air: Improved Invisibility, Mirage Arcana, Baleful Teleport, Persistent Image.

6th— Water: Regeneration, True Seeing, Freezing Sphere, Greater Dispelling. Fire: Delayed Blast Fireball, Flaming Avatar, Blade Barrier. Earth: Antimagic Field, Banishment, Statue. Air: Permanent Image, Wind Walk, Teleport

7th— Water: Resurrection, Greater Scrying, Greater Restoration. Fire: Chain Lightning, Fire Storm, Mass Fire Shield. Earth: Spell Turning, Mass Stone Skin, Prismatic Wall. Air: Mass Invisibility, Reverse Gravity, Mislead. Void:

8th— Water: Mass Heal, Mass Icy Prison, Discern Location. Fire: Incendiary Cloud, Giant Size, Immolation. Earth: Iron Body, Earthquake, Protection from spells. Air: Whirlwind, Screen, Weird. Void:

9th— Water: True Resurrection. Fire: Meteor Swarm. Earth: Imprison (Earthly Tomb). Air: Ride the Lightning. Void: Prismatic Sphere, Time Stop, Miracle, Teleportation Circle.

Table: Shugenja Spells Known

Level	Spells Known
	0	1^st	2^nd	3^rd	4^th	5^th	6^th	7^th	8^th	9^th
1st	4	2	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2nd	5	2	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
3rd	5	3	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
4th	6	3	1	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
5th	6	4	2	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
6th	7	5	2	1	—	—	—	—	—	—
7th	7	5	3	2	—	—	—	—	—	—
8th	8	5	3	2	1	—	—	—	—	—
9th	8	5	4	3	2	—	—	—	—	—
10th	9	5	4	3	2	1	—	—	—	—
11th	9	5	5	4	3	2	—	—	—	—
12th	9	5	5	4	3	2	1	—	—	—
13th	9	5	5	5	4	3	2	—	—	—
14th	9	5	5	5	4	3	2	1	—	—
15th	9	5	5	5	4	4	3	2	—	—
16th	9	5	5	5	4	4	3	2	1	—
17th	9	5	5	5	4	4	4	3	2	—
18th	9	5	5	5	4	4	4	3	2	1
19th	9	5	5	5	4	4	4	3	3	2
20th	9	5	5	5	4	4	4	3	3	3

Qi Points/Day: A <-class name->’s ability to manifest powers is limited by the power points he has available. His base daily allotment of power points is given on Table: <-class name->. In addition, he receives bonus power points per day if he has a high Charisma score (see Table: Ability Modifiers and Bonus Power Points). His race may also provide bonus power points per day, as may certain feats and items.

Qi spell abilities: These abilities act very similar to Metamagic Feats but they have no requirements and they only cost Qi. Since Qi is a quickly regenerating energy it allows the Shugenja to truly maximize the spells she casts to full power or even substitute them for something else.

Double Cast: Qi=(Spell level)x2Qi (Acts like Repeat Spell but does not require a higher spell slot, only Qi)

Magnify spell: Qi=(2Qi)X (higher spell level). This acts just like Maximize spell and or an "Empower Spell" and or a Heightened Spell but only costs Qi. These different effects can be combined but the each effect will then add another Qi expenditure. Fireball can be cast as both empowered and maximized but that will cost 6 Qi + 6 Qi and be a total of 12 Qi.

Triple Cast Qi=(spell level)x4Qi. Against similar to Repeat spell but cast a third time and simply costs Qi.

Combine spell Qi=2x (1st spell + 2nd spell + (third spell)).... The Shugenja must cast both spell slots to combine the spells and then Qi equal to both spells slots so combining Fireball with Heal, lvl 3+ lvl 5 spell slot and then 16 qi = (5 Qi + 3 Qi)x2.

Change Element Qi=2Qi X (spell lvl) (This ability acts just like Energy Substitution but it only requires Qi)

Qi to Magic =(Qix2=Spell level). The Shugenja can be able to use lvl 1 spells to lvl 9 spells. A Shugenja could theoretically sacrifice all her lvl 1 spells gaining 12 Qi at level 20 for example. The Shugenja can also reverse this ability and convert Qi into spell slots.

Greater Area Qi=(spell lvl)x4 Qi and double areas. This acts just like Enlarge Spell

Manipulate Magic Qi=1 for every re rolled dice in a damage or healing spell. Also the Shugenja can spend 1 Qi to have area effect spells avoid damaging their allies or certain targets.

"Devourer of the Void" Qi=??? This ability allows the Shugenja to siphon Qi from an allied player as long as they are willing to expend their Qi to the Shugenja.

Void Magic Qi x 2=Spell level; The spell can be cast as either or effected by "Reach Spell" or "Silent Spell" and can be cast even when scrying on distant foes.

Ex-Shugenja

Shugenja only lose their powers and abilities if they willfully wish to break contact with their Kami generally through some grave act such as casting a world spells that largely drives out the Kami spirits or severely weakens their powers. IF this happens she becomes a sorceror or a Wilder.

Epic Shugenja

Table: The Epic Shugenja

Hit Die: d6

Level	Special
21st	21+Cha Qi and ability "Avatar of the Kami" 1/day
22nd	22+Cha Qi
23rd	23+Cha Qi
24th	24+Cha Qi
25th	25+Cha Qi "Avatar of the Kami" 2/day
26th	26+Cha Qi
27th	27+Cha Qi
28th	28+Cha Qi
29th	29+Cha Qi
30th	30+Cha Qi and "Avatar of the Kami" 3/day
<-number of skill points-> + Int modifier skill points per level.

The Epic Shugenja is so powerful that She has attained Demigood status and can awaken the Inner powers of the Greater Kami Gods, allowing her to use their strengths and in-vulnerabilities in combat. She automatically regains her Qi, her Qi pool doubles and it regenerates twice as fast as it already does.

Bonus Feats: The epic <-class name-> gains a bonus feat (selected from the list of epic <-class name-> bonus feats) every <-number of feats per level-> levels after 20th.

Epic <-class name-> Bonus Feat List: <-list of bonus epic feats->.

Human Shugenja Starting Package

Weapons: Staff. Embroider Silk Kimono.

Skill Selection: Pick a number of skills equal to 4 + Int modifier.

Skill	Ranks	Ability	Armor Check Penalty
<-Skill name->	<-4 for class skills and 2 for cross-class skills->	<-Abbreviated key ability->	<-armor check penalty based on starting armor. If inapplicable put "—"->
<-Skill name->	<-4 for class skills and 2 for cross-class skills->	<-Abbreviated key ability->	<-armor check penalty based on starting armor. If inapplicable put "—"-> <-copy and paste the rows as necessary.->

Feat: Improved Initiative.

Bonus Feats: Healing Mastery.

Gear: Silk Komo, Staff, Backpack, Needle and Thread, Knuckbones, Mirror, incense, dry food.

Gold: 200

Playing a Spirit Shugenja

Religion: Shugenja are the priestly class that speaks to the Ancestors and lesser Kami spirits (which is animism) and they also commune with the Greater Kami Deities (Polytheism).

Other Classes: Shugenja are powerful spellcasters who can fuse Divine, Natural and Arcane magic together because of their mastery of Yin, Yang and Qi. They can act as a force of destruction if they specialize in Fire, They can control the battlefield and defend allies if they specialize in Earth, They can Heal allies and dispel magic and purge poison as a Water Master and With Air they are specialists of Illusion, emotional manipulation and control. The final Void domain comes only to very high powered Shugenja who are no longer bound by the contrasting and allied elemental forces of the universe but can see the strands of Qi woven in all of these forces throughout the cosmos. Therefore a Shugenja can act as a destructive sorcerer, a tricky illusionists, a defensive Abjuration cleric or even a potent Healer based on their Primary elemental school. Shugenja generally use thier spells to hinder and destroy their enemies and bless their allies.

Combat: Be Warned that a Shugenja would be considered a Prestige class in normal campaigns. The DM has every right to outright ban or limit the abilities of the Shugenja in a normal power campaign. Aside from that at early level the primary elemental school dictates their playstyle. A Water Shugenja that uses Earth and Air is great for healing, defense and controlling. A Fire Shugenja on the other hand that uses earth and Air, deals alot of damage, uses illusions and enchantment as well as slowing the battlefield and buffering allies. As Shugenja become more powerful at higher levels these distinct differences are blurred with Void Enlightenment and Qi substitution.

Advancement: If a Shugenja is played in a normal campaign then they should advance at a slower rate than regular characters to keep their power levels even with other players. This is up to the DM's discretion.

Shugenja in the World

“	"Humans are not just the only creature to fantasize.... they need fantasy to be Human!" Fujin, Before the Host of Taishoyama.	”
—<-NPC name->, <-race-> <-class->

Shugenja are related to their Tang counterpart, the Celestial Sages. They use a ancient philosophy before written history of "The Way", They respect the Gods, Dragons and all the lesser Kami and Ancestors and act as an intermediary between them and Mortals that walk across the Continent of Zhong.

Daily Life: Shugenja generally attend the temples of the Ancestors and the Shrines of the Kami. They are paid for their services to drive out Yokai and Gaki spirits that haunt forests and houses. The offer prayers for deceased spirits as well as cast wards to protect buildings and homes from evil spirits. Evil Shugenja instead perform the opposite and defile the tombs of the dead, create Gaki, Yokai and Jiangshi from these processes to haunt forests and homes or even kill their enemies.

Notables: <-notable NPCs of this class->.

Organizations: Shugenja generally do not worship the religion of the Naga Bodhishavas. Though Hotei is one of their greater Kami. They have no conflict with the Bodhishavas and their Saint worship but they Bodhishavas only use magic in dire situations while the Shugenja use it much more frequently when dealing with the natural and spiritual world.

NPC Reactions: In the lands of the Tang Empire or the Masamune Shogunate Shugenja and Sages are generally greatly respected. In the Altai Highlands they are called Shamans by the local human and Uruk tribes but the locals are suspicious of their power. In Astrakhan the Shugenja are distrusted and generally kept as slaves by the Immortal Khan and his lesser Ilkhan lords. In the Tribal lands of Sindh the Naga Jadugara perform this role or the wandering Human Yogi.

Shugenja Lore

Characters with ranks in Arcana, Religion or History can research Shugenja to learn more about them. When a character makes a skill check, read or paraphrase the following, including information from lower DCs.

<-the appropriate skills->

DC	Result
5	Shugenja are the later stage of Shamans who worshiped polytheistic greater deities and lesser animistic spirits.
10	Shugenja perform a variety of services for the masses such as driving out evil spirits and casting wards
15	Shugenja can fall to evil and become blood speakers or Maho and use their abilities to bring more Oni, Bakemono and Yokai to the world.
20	Shugenja widely respect an Ancient writer from the land of Tang known as Zhuang-zi who was known for his oneness with nature, the natural order of the cosmos, serenity and his effortless powers over spirits and magic. He simply lived as a hermit but during dire necessity could control the very forces of nature and the universe itself to destroy whole armies of corrupt dukes, khans and Emperors. Though he was believed to be myth from the ancient Bronze Age there is actually enough artifacts and writing from his time period to be found that gives a very real argument that he did exist in this time. He might have attained enlightenment and wanders around to this day on the back of a water buffalo looking like an elderly peasant or even a beggar. Shugenja show extreme hospitality to meet their original patron and some say that they might have encountered him on the highways and the byways of Zhong. Though numberless peasants ride on water buffalo there have been writings of these wanders sometimes commmiting great acts of magic to save a village from a rampaging warlord or Ilkhan. There is talk of this wander in south Western Tang, who on on instance has split a mountain in half and crushed an entire army led by the Tiger general Himself. If someone shows great respect and genuine humility the Sage will offer a Tortoise shell with ancient characters written inside of it.... this actually is a collection of spells much like a spell book.

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