Samurais and Ninjas?

[Ace, TW]

Hi folks.

I was wondering if there was anywhere I might look to get a good conversion for these two archetypical japanese OCC's for the new version of Palladiums Fantasy RPG.

Previously there was a small blurb in the back of the N&SS book to wing the creation of a martial artist. Zanji-shijinkin-ryu (sp?) and Ninjitsu being two of the 4 forms allowed.

I had a really cool Samurai Elf for the old non SDC system who was a neat alternative to playing a palladin (swordsmanship specialties instead of jousting). I's like to recreate him if possible.

Any help would be...helpfull. ; )

[Veknironth]

Well, for Ninjas, I would think that Ninja's and Superspies would be a good bet. There is a Samurai OCC in Rifts that might be convertible for the Palladium FRPG setting. Other than that, I don't think there's much available.

-Vek
"Maybe you can find an old Oriental Adventures book."

[Tinker Dragoon]

A Samurai that doesn't use N&S martial arts was recently given in another topic: viewtopic.php?t=16551

For a PF2e version of the Ancient Martial Artist and conversions of the Mystic China classes to PF: http://www.geocities.com/kuseru/conversion.htm

Incidentally, in my version of N&S (revised edition) the Ancient Martial Artist's description actually only lists Ch'a Ch'uan, Choy Li Fut, Te, and Zanji Shinjinken-Ryu, with Ninjitsu being specifically barred, but really any martial arts should be applicable if the GM allows.

[Ace, TW]

Rifts:japan.


DOH! I should have thought of that...

Man, I've been reading about the other game systems soo much I forgot about all the rifts suppliments (trying not to be so one minded).

Yea, thanks guys, I needed a brain reboot.

[Slag]

Be careful when you try to convert N&S OCCs to PF! In my experience they are SUCH a major step beyond the standard PF Men-at-arms (MAA) OCCs (even the Jannissary) that they can unballance a man at arms-based campaign. I suggest either not include them, or bump up all MAA OCCs to even things out.

[Ronin Shinobi]

All I'm going to say about this debate is that the myths and realities of samurais are getting mixed. Also what is put into the PB books is more set more to the popular belifs of what the samurai is than fact. Not to mention that the Bushido code is a alternate verstion of the code of chivalry in Palladium. Both are right and wrong in their debate on what a samurai is. Here a very good link that tells the history and behavior of the samurai class. Read it and come to your own conclustion of what the samurai is. I could have typedit out be I don't feel like typing a 2-4 page review on my break time at work.

http://www.samurai-archives.com/

[Sentinel]

Good sources to support this are (but NOT limited to the following books),
Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts by Donn F. Draeger and Robert Smith, Autumn Lightning, Persimmon Wind, and Moving Towrard Stillness by David Lowry who has also written excellent works on the Jo and the Bokken as well.
There are more, but that's a good start.

[Guest]

Where's Kuseru when ya need him?

On vacation of course.

I find it ironic that neither Lithium's or Sin's gross generalizations were accurate though.

[Guest]

Good sources to support this are (but NOT limited to the following books),
Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts by Donn F. Draeger and Robert Smith, Autumn Lightning, Persimmon Wind, and Moving Towrard Stillness by David Lowry who has also written excellent works on the Jo and the Bokken as well.
There are more, but that's a good start.

I have to disagree, you're looking at martial arts books, rather than historical studies on the samurai.

What you really want is any of Anthony J. Bryant's books on the subject, or Stephen R. Turnbull's many books on the subject. Of course that's just basic resources on the subject, for much more indepth coverage, there are hundreds of books out there on a wide variety of facets that could be studied. Rather than list them all here, I keep them in their own nice webpage at Resources FAQ (which I should get around to updating again...eventually).

[Sentinel]

Actually, the authors of the works I cited are excellent at detailing the history of both the arts, and the practitioners thereof, so these books are not exactly "how-to" books. Autumn Lightning is an especially good book dealing with the author (Lowry) studying the art of Kenjutsu(without going into the technical essays of what he learned and practiced) and the historical elements he learned along the way (which are detailed.) There are arguably better sources (I found several refernces and exerpts from books which haven't been in print since the second World War in my own sensei's library), but there's nothing wrong with the texts I cited.

[clawingwolf]

This is my Samurai and Ninja OCC for PFRPG that converted my self.
Samurai Warrior OCC

Special Samurai Abilities
1) Way of the Horse and the Bow:
Samurai Horsemanship: Includes the ability to ride any horse-like creature at 54% + 4% per level of experience. Roll under horse this horsemanship when ever riding and shooting the bow(see below). A failed roll means that you lose a bit of control over the animal and are unable to shoot. Otherwise roll under the regular horsemanship Knight or Exotic.

Samurai Bowmanship (kyudo): This martial arts training enables the samurai to ride and shoot a bow at a full gallop without penalty (though you still have to Samurai Horsemanship to be able to shoot). The samurai can also shoot the bow from a awkward or in midair with no penalty. (This does not require a percentile roll).

Dodge Arrow Bonus: The samurai can also try to dodge arrow attacks at -3. As usual it counts as a melee action to dodge.

Effective Range: 600 feet (183m) +25 feet (7.6m) per level of experience.

2) Daisho: The Great and Small (Samurai Swordsmanship):
Paired Weapons: Training in the use of two swords, one in each hand, to strike and parry simultaneously. Also see samurai hand to hand combat.

Daisho Bonuses: When using the Daisho, the katana and wakizashi as paired weapons, the samurai is +1 on initiative, +3 to pull punch/sword strike, and get one additional attack per melee round when using the pair of swords.

3) Chi Death Blow (special): The warrior can focus his inner spirit to attack demons, dragons, elementals and other supernatural beings and creatures of magic! When used against supernatural opponents, the attack automatically penetrates the creature's natural armour rating (A.R.) and inflicts double damage plus P.S.. The character can inflict damage with a punch, kick, or hand-held weapon like a sword, spear, staff, etc.. and does double damage plus P.S. bonus, even if the creature is usually impervious to normal weapons! Creatures impervious to normal weapons and which are only affected by magic or magic weapons will suffer half damage (or normal damage) from the samurai's death blow! Double damage if the character is using a magic or holy weapon! Even vampires and other creatures only affects by sliver will suffer half damage (normal damage) from this special attack; double damage if the character is using a sliver weapon.

This attack is so devastating to the creature's body that is cannot bioregenerate injury from the death blow for 1D4 hours! This makes the attack especially deadly to supernatural and magic beings!

Limitation: 1. In addition to being limited to the above, samurai must be pure of spirt and intent. This means there can be no possibility of regret when this spiritual inner strength is used. It cannot be used in anger, fear or for revenge, even if the character wants to.
2. Counts as two melee attacks/actions.
3. Limited to supernatural beings and creatures of magic. The Chi death blow attack is not applicable against body armour, inanimate structures, or ordinary human beings or creatures like.
4. The Chi death blow in not applicable to any projectile weapon.
Note: Using the Chi death blow draws on 3D6 of the character's PPE.

4) Samurai Fan & the Art of Defence: The samurai carries a fan with iron end plates with him, even into battle. It is often used to parry blows from his enemy's sword or spear. It also functions as a fan! Bonuses: W.P. Iron fan: +1 to parry at levels 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15. It can be used in place of a sword or knife to parry attacks. Damage: 1D4 S.D.C.; it is not designed to be striking weapon.

5) P.P.E. Bonus: P.E x2 plus 1D6 per level of experience.

6) Other OCC Bonuses: +1 vs horror factor at levels 1, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12, +1 vs mind control

Family Skills
Note: Select three skills from the categories listed, in addition to OCC skills; all get a +10% bonus.
Old nobility/administrators: Make selections from domestic and/or technical categories.
Minor landowner and farmer: Make selections from wilderness or physical categories.
Weathy landowner and farmer or breeder of livestock: Make selections from math and botany from science category and/or from wilderness or domestic categories.
Military: Make selections from from espionage, military and/or weapon proficiencies.
Medicane: Make selections from medical and/or science categories.
Scholar/teacher/historian: Make selections from science or techincal skill categories.
Business Owner: Make selections from math and archeology from science category and/or any from the rogue or domestic categories.
Politics: Make selections from language, literacy, writing skills under technical skill category and/or any from the domestic or rogue.
Religious: Make selections from art, language, literacy, lore and mythology skills under technical skill category and/or any from the domestic category.
Science: Make selections from science category.
New Samurai warrior: Make selections from the rogue or wilderness skill categories.








The Samurai Warrior OCC
Alignments: Any alignment, but 33% are principled, 33% aberrant, 16% scrupulous, 8% anarchist and 10% other.
Requirements: I.Q. 9, P.S. 10, P.P. 12, and P.E. 10 or higher.

OCC Skills:
Climbing (+5%)
Horsemanship: Knight (+20%)
Lore: Demons & Monsters (+15%)
Wilderness Survival (+10%)
Go (+10%)
Calligraphy (+10%)
Literacy: Japanese (+15%)
Language: Japanese at 98% plus two of choice (+10% each)
Math: Basic (+15%)
W.P. Samurai Archery
W.P. Sword (in addition to the Daisho)
W.P. Two of choice
Hand to Hand: Zanji Shinjinken-Ryo; no other combat alternatives

OCC Related Skills: Select four other skills, plus select on additional skill at levels three, six, nine, and twelve. At level one the samurai also gets an additional three "background" skills (see table). All new skills start at level on proficiency.
Communication: Any (+10%)
Domestic: Any
Espionage: Any (+5%)
Horsemanship: Exotic only (+5%)
Medical: First Aid only
Military: Any (except Camouflage)
Physical: Any (except Acrobatics)
Rogue: Only available as background skill
Science: Astronomy and Math only
Scholar/technical: Art, literacy, language, lore & writing only (+10%)
W.P.:Any
Wilderness: Any (+5%)

Secondary Skills: The character also gets to select two secondary skills from the previous list at levels two, six and ten. These are additional areas of knowledge that do not get the advantage of the bonus listed in the parentheses. All secondary skills start at base skill level. Also, skills are limited (any, only, none) as previously indicated in the list.

Standard Equipment: A suit of Samurai Armour, several changes of cloths, one set of fine silk cloths, sandals, backpack, waterskin 2D4 days of rations, sleeping bag and a quality riding horse.
Weapons include a Daisho (Katana and Wakizashi), samurai longbow with 20 regular arrows, 6 sliver tipped, two additional weapons of choice. Money: 100 gold


Ninja OCC
OCC Abilities
1) The Mystic Art of Stealth: Through his years of martial arts training, the ninja develops certain mystical martial arts powers exclusive to the ninja OCC. They are known as the Art of Stealth. The character gets to select on power form this category at levels 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15.

2) The Art of Escape: In just a few (1D4) melee rounds, the character can escape from any handcuffs, locked chains and tied rope automatically (no need to roll). Slipping out of a straightjacket or similar restraint takes 1D4 melee rounds and a successful skill roll (roll for each attempt; the escape artist can try to slip the bonds repeatedly, but each attempt takes time and may make some noise).
This training is also extremely useful against the martial combat moves that hold, lock joints, or pin and incapacitate. Against holds, the character can escape in one melee action (3 seconds). Escaping from joints locks require one full melee round (15 seconds).
Base Skill: 46% +3% per level of experience.

3) The Ninja Way of the Horse and the Bow: Includes the ability to ride any horse-like creature at 54% + 4% per level of experience. Roll under horse this horsemanship when ever riding and shooting the bow(see below). A failed roll means that you lose a bit of control over the animal and are unable to shoot. Otherwise roll under the regular horsemanship Basic or Exotic.
Ninja Bowmanship: The ninja uses the short bow which is easy to conceal. The ninja, although a skilled bowman, loses all bonuses to strike and half their normal rate of fire when off balance or when shooting from a moving vehicle or horseback. The same penalties apply when using a samurai long bow.
Dodge Arrow Bonus: The ninja can try to dodge arrow attacks, but are -3. As usual it counts as a melee action to dodge.
Rate of Fire with a Short Bow: Two at level one, +1 at levels 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14! Half for long bow.
Effective Range with a Short Bow: 320 feet (97.5m) +10 feet (3.0m) per level of experience.

4) False Identities: The character will start with two false, real world identities (i.e. Hideo Nobue, the sake merchant and Niitabe Shionya, the monk). Through life, the character will create other false identities and aliases.

5) Other OCC Bonuses: +1 to save vs horror factor at levels 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 15; +1 to save vs illusions. Also see ninjutsu bonuses.

6) P.P.E.: P.E. x2 + 1D6 per level of experience after first.




The Ninja OCC
Alignment: Any
Attribute Requirements: I.Q. 9, M.A. 12, P.P. 14 or higher; high P.E. and M.E. are helpful but not required.
OCC Skills:
Acrobatics (+5%)
Climbing (+15%)
Disguise (+20%)
Forgery (+10%)
Imitate Voices (+14%)
Palming (+15%)
Pick Locks (+10%)
Prowl (+10%)
Streetwise (+20%)
Language and Literate in Japanese 96%
Select two additional Languages to speak (+15%)
W.P. Chain
W.P. Sword
W.P. Small Thrown Weapons
W.P. Targeting
Hand to Hand: Ninjutsu (exclusive; no alternatives are possible)
OCC Related Skills: Select four other skills. Plus select an additional skill at levels 3, 5, 7, 9,11 and 15. All new skill start at level one proficiency.
Communications: Any (+10% on all languages and sign language)
Domestic: (+10%)
Espionage: Any (+10%)
Horsemanship: Exotic only
Medical: First Aid only
Military: Camouflage and Surveillance only
Physical: Any (+5% where applicable)
Rogue: Any (+10%)
Science: Any
Scholar/Technical: Any (+10% on all languages)
W.P. Any
Wilderness: Any (+5%)
Secondary Skills: The ninja also gets to select two secondary skills at levels 2, 5, 9 and 12.All secondary skill start at level one proficiency. Also, skills are limited (any, only, none) as previously indicated in the list.

Standard Equipment: A set of regular cloths, several simple disguises, pair of rubber-soled tabi boots, and a black ninja outfit, backpack, waterskin. Starts with all traditional ninja equipment, 1D6 Eggshell Bombs, 1D4 Ninja Emergency Kits, 1D6 Tetsubishi and one of each other ninja equipment. Weapons: Starts with 12 shuriken, two weapons of choice and a Ninja-to (short sword 2D4)
Money: 200gold

[Guest]

Actually, the authors of the works I cited are excellent at detailing the history of both the arts, and the practitioners thereof, so these books are not exactly "how-to" books. Autumn Lightning is an especially good book dealing with the author (Lowry) studying the art of Kenjutsu(without going into the technical essays of what he learned and practiced) and the historical elements he learned along the way (which are detailed.) There are arguably better sources (I found several refernces and exerpts from books which haven't been in print since the second World War in my own sensei's library), but there's nothing wrong with the texts I cited.

Having finally picked up a copy of "Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts" I have to say that my original statement holds true. The accuracy of the book regarding Japanese material isn't that great (I frequently groaned at the gross innaccuracies presented). You're better off getting topic specific books rather than cross-topic entries.

[Svartalf]

A samurai as a substitute for a paladin? You know most of them were selfish and basically Mercs and followed the bushido to whichever Lord payed them the most?
.

OK i have to comment on this because you surley dont know what the hell your talkin about. first off Ronin's were the ones that fought for money and sold to the highest bidder ONLY becuase they were the only survivor of their clan, or becuase they were totally disgraced to the point their clan had booted them in wich case they are being hunted by that clan. secondly samurai Pleged their life to their emperor or lord. Not for money or anything else they will take their life on the command of their lord.

Sorry to dissent, but a samurai's devotion to his lord has *everything* to do with money : you see, outside of his lord's sufferance, a samurai is little more than a pennyless vagabond with a couple swords.

He owns fairly little : his lands, his house, even his house's furnishing rightfully belong to the lord, he only benefits from them (rules them, draws revenue from them, dwells there) because he serves the lord. He's pledged to the lord because the lord will support him and rain down some of his glory on him.

A samurai's willingness to die at his lord's order may have as much to do with it being preferable to die honourably than being cast forth from the clan and becoming a penniless vagabond hounded by the lord's displeasure and servants (including all his former clan mates and possibly some ninja), as it would be the case if he refused an order, even one to slit his belly, as it has to do with pure honour

[Warpig]

DUDES...Check out the new Rifter it has dedicated the Land of the South winds as the Palladium's Orient.
It Includes Samurai/Ronin, Ninjas, Martial Artists O.C.C.s