ONNA-BUGEISHA The Onna-Bugeisha were the wives of high ranking Samurai in times of war who have been trained in warfare. Technically this was to protect their household, family, and honor if it became necessary, but in many cases widowed women had to become warriors to oversee their dead husbands estate or fend off invasions or coups while he was away.
Many are just as devastating as diplomats and political manipulators as they are on the battlefield. Raised all their lives to be intensely social, their sudden transformation into warriors as competent as any man often throws their opponents off completely. Unfortunately the period of their ascendance is brief, and eventually women in Japan are reduced to subservience again by the 17th century.
MAKING AN ONNA-BUGEISHA You are pretty similar to regular Samurai except that there won't be much of a focus on horsemanship other than in earlier periods (you're supposed to defend the home after all). You will also have a stronger focus on diplomatic abilities as you will have to deal with the subterfuge of the court in ways a man wouldn't be exposed to.
Abilities: Unlike most warriors you are also expected to run a household, appear in court, and be 'charming' (or at least subservient). In other words you need self control and a desire to succeed in more areas than the men in your life. Dexterity and Charisma will be necessary for you, and Intelligence and Charisma will be almost as important. If necessary Strength can be done without so much, but you'll want at least an average score.
Races: Basically how common is the class in the various core races (and other races if you wish to put information in here about them).
Alignment: As any other Samurai the Onna-Bugeisha are required to be Lawful (and probably have less leeway than their husbands in regard to breaches of alignment or behavior).
Starting Gold: Same as a Fighter.
Starting Age: Same as a Fighter.
Class Skills The Onna Bugeisha's class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Appraise (Int), Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Gather Information (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Knowledge (Geography, History, Local, Nobility & Royalty, War)(Int), Listen (Wis), Perform (Cha), Profession (Wis), Ride (Dex), Sense Motive (Wis), Spot (Wis), and Swim (Str).
Skills Per Day at 1st Level : (6 + int)x4
Skills Per Day at Each Additional Level : 6 + int
Hit Dice: d8
[b] BAB Fort Ref Will Abilities[/b]
1. +1 +0 +2 +2 Military Training, Ki Pool, Ki Abilities, Samurai
2. +2 +0 +3 +3 Iron Will
3. +3 +1 +3 +3 Diplomatic Training
4. +4 +1 +4 +4 Military Training
5. +5 +1 +4 +4 Iron Will
6. +6 +2 +5 +5 Diplomatic Training
7. +7 +2 +5 +5 Military Training
8. +8 +2 +6 +6 Iron Will
9. +9 +3 +6 +6 Diplomatic Training
10.+10 +3 +7 +7 Military Training
11.+11 +3 +7 +7 Iron Will
12.+12 +4 +8 +8 Diplomatic Training
13.+13 +4 +8 +8 Military Training
14.+14 +4 +9 +9 Iron Will
15.+15 +5 +9 +9 Diplomatic Training
16.+16 +5 +10 +10 Military Training
17.+17 +5 +10 +10 Iron Will
18.+18 +6 +11 +11 Diplomatic Training
19.+19 +6 +11 +11 Military Training
20.+20 +6 +12 +12 Jotei
Weapon Proficiencies: Onna-Bugeisha are proficient with Simple and Martial Weapons and with Light, Medium, and Heavy Armor. They also have proficiency with any one Exotic Weapon.
Ki Pool (Su): At 1st level the Onna-Bugeisha first begins to learn to channel her Ki to perform acts she would be otherwise unable to do. She may use her Ki a number of times per day equal to either her Charisma or Wisdom Modifier (whichever is greater) plus once more per day for each level of Samurai she takes.
Ki Abilities (Ex): By tapping the power of her Ki a trained Onna-Bugeisha can enhance her abilities in battle, in art, and in life. A Samurai learns one new use for her Ki Pool at each level if she meets the prerequisites. If a Onna-Bugeisha multi classes into a PrC that allows her to continue to learn Ki Abilities, she may still choose Ki Abilities from the Onna-Bugeisha Class list if she meets the prerequisites. At 1st level she may expend up to 1 daily use of her Ki Abilities per round. This increases to twice per round at level 6, and 3 times per round at level 13. Ki abilities are skills the Onna-Bugeisha has trained to perfection, and despite being more than natural, they are not vulnerable to Antimagic Fields and as such are Exceptional Abilities unless it is noted otherwise.
Military Training (Ex): The Onna-Bugeisha is a military occupation primarily, and players can receive training at various fighting styles as long as they remain Onna-Bugeisha. It gives you Bonus Feats at levels 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, and 19 from the following list (you must still meet prerequisites, your Onna-Bugeisha Levels are considered levels in Fighter for purposes of acquiring Weapon Focus, Weapon Specialization, and related Feats): Advanced Kashima Shinto-ryu*, Advanced Ona-ha Itto Ryu*, Advanced Yagyu Shinkage Ryu*, Canny Opportunist, Cavalry Charger, Choke Hold, Combat Expertise, Combat intuition, Combat Reflexes, Defensive Sweep, Deft Opportunist, Earth's Embrace, Evasive Reflexes, Far Shot, Greater Weapon Focus, Greater Weapon Specialization, Improved Critical, Improved Grapple, Improved Unarmed Strike, Improved Initiative, Improved Mounted Archery, Improved Precise Shot, Improved Quick Cut*, Improved Ride-By Attack*, Improved Trip, Kashima Shinto-ryu*, Kashima Shinto-ryu Mastery*, Kiai Shout, Martial Throw, Mounted Archery, Mounted Combat, Ona-ha Itto Ryu*, Ona-ha Itto Ryu Mastery*, Oversized Two-Weapon Fighting, Power Critical, Precise Shot, Point Blank Shot, Quick Cut*, Quick Draw, Prone Attack, Ride-By Attack, Sharp-Shooting, Short Haft*, Spirited Charge, Stand Still, Sweep*, Telling Blow, Trample, Weapon Focus, Weapon Specialization, Yagyu Shinkage Ryu*, Yagyu Shinkage Ryu Mastery*
Samurai: For purposes of everything except Ki Ability selection Onna-Bugeisha Levels are considered to be Samurai Levels.
Iron Will (Ex): At 2nd level the Onna-Bugeisha gains Iron Will as a Bonus Feat.
At 5th level the Onna-Bugeisha gains Indomitable Soul as a Bonus Feat (see PHB II).
At 8th level she gains Mind over Matter. Once per round when targeted by an effect that requires a Fortitude or Reflex Saving Throw, the Onna-Bugeisha may opt to use a Willpower Save instead.
At 11th level the Onna-Bugeisha can violate her alignment if ordered to. If her Lord commands her to commit an act her alignment would not normally allow her to perform, and disobeying him would violate the Code of Bushido, then the Onna-Bugeisha can make a Willpower Save (DC 20) to avoid her alignment changing, and any negative effects for violating her alignment. She must seek to repent afterwards, and qualify for an Atonement spell, or after 1 week she takes the full brunt of violating her alignment.
At 14th level the Onna-Bugeisha gains a +4 Resistance Bonus on Willpower Saves against Mind-Affecting Effects. If a Mind-Affecting Effect would cause her to disobey her Lord or violate the tenets of Bushido at any time (for example a Charm or Compulsion spell was cast on her, and she was ordered to commit an act that either Lord or Bushido would object to) she gains a second Saving Throw to escape the effect.
At 17th level the Onna-Bugeisha is immune to Fear and Morale based penalties.
Diplomatic Training (Ex): The Onna-Bugeisha must learn diplomacy as well as fighting, and as such they gain certain abilities related to it.
At Level 3 she gains her choice of one of the following Feats: Deceitful, Investigator, Negotiator, or Persuasive.
At Level 6 she gains the High Society Feat (see Crystal Keep or Dragon 333).
At Level 9 she gains the Master Manipulator Feat.
At level 12 she gains the Leadership Feat.
At Level 15 she gains the Wanderer's Diplomacy Feat.
At level 18 the Onna-Bugeisha can choose any one skill based off her class list based on Charisma. She gains a Competence Bonus equal to (her Onna-Bugeisha Level divided by 5) with Skill Checks made with that skill.
Jotei (Ex) At 20th level the Onna-Bugeisha has mastered command of herself and the world around her. She may not be a leader in the literal sense of the word (i.e. she may not have officially reached Jotei status), but she is a leader of men nonetheless. All Allies within 60' of the Jotei are immune to Fear or Morale Penalties, and gain a +2 Resistance Bonus to Saving Throws against Mind-Affecting Effects. If you have the Leadership Feat your Leadership score increases by an amount equal to your Charisma Modifier.
PLAYING AN ONNA-BUGEISHA Your life is a complex one. In early periods women aren't the subservient baby machines they are expected to be later, but neither are they usually thought of as warrior material unless they have proven themselves multiple times. Eventually your taking up arms would not only be seen as laughable but the mere desire to might be considered an example of mental imbalance. You will be an enigma, an unknown quantity which others will find difficult to peg down or predict, and that will cause them to hate and fear you. use that to your advantage, you'll need it to remain among the living.
ReligionOther Classes: You relate to other classes in much the same way as any other Samurai, but sometimes your unique perspective causes you to think in ways differently from your male peers. In other words you have the ability to adapt better, and not have such a stick up your behind.
Combat: Identical to your male counterparts in most ways, you prefer speed and finesse over shear physical power. Many Onna-Bugeisha also study exotic, easily concealable weapons that would normally be used by less than honorable fighters who prefer stealth.
Advancement: As with other Samurai, how you advance depends upon the wishes of your Master, assuming you have one. Many Onna are so unique that their Lords let them follow their own whims.
ONNA-BUGEISHA IN THE WORLD War is delightful to those who have not experienced it." You will need a pretty thick skin. Most people assume you have a place due to your gender and station at birth, and they want you to keep to it like everyone else does. With luck the commander of whatever force you're in takes you seriously, or you at least are the head of a household. You'll take less crap as a widow who has become a warrior than you will as a single woman whose taken up a life of slaughter in order to prove herself.
Daily Life: You're busier than the average Samurai. You have to be twice the woman any of the other members of the house are to still be thought of as attractive, and twice the warrior your male counterparts are to be taken seriously. Plus you most likely have a household to run, training to attend to, perhaps children, etc.
Notables: Akiko Sugiwara (LG Human Female Onna-Bugeisha 12) is a widow who has assumed her husbands station in a time of warfare when traditional male Samurai are in short supply. The people are more loyal to her than they ever were to her husband anyway. Misako Koji (LE Human Female Onna-Bugeisha 6/Ronin 6) is a former Samurai who murdered her husband and now spends her days on the run making a living as an assassin.
Organizations: Usually you will be the widow or wife of a powerful Samurai, but not always. Since you will be expected to run his household in his absence you will most likely have the Leadership Feat, and be the head of a small organization yourself.
NPC Reaction You weird NPC's out. Due to your societies strict conformity people of both genders will take every opportunity to remind you of your place. outsiders won't be much better since they will sense your weakness and swarm like all the others do. You will need to rely on your sword twice as much as a man of your station would, not because you'll be challenged to more fights (which you will), but because no one wants to be seen losing to a woman. So the easiest way to get what you want is the threat of violence, and the occasional example made.
ONNA-BUGEISHA IN THE GAME This class will tend to attract controversy if you play it realistically, so if you do, make sure your player knows what shes in for.
Adaptation: This is okay for either silly or serious campaigns, but works best ins serious ones. Drama is well suited for it.
Encounters: Onna-Bugeisha are encountered in warfare like any other Samurai, or guarding the house while their husband is at war himself. On rare occasion they can be encountered in the field on missions like any other Samurai.
EPIC ONNA-BUGEISHA Hit Die: d8
Skills Points at Each Level : 6 + int
Ki Pool The Epic Onna-Bugeisha gains 1 additional daily use of her Ki Pool for every Epic Level. She does not gain new Ki abilities except as Epic Feats.
Bonus Feats: The Epic Onna-Bugeisha gains a Bonus Feat every 3 levels higher than 20th
EX-ONNA-BUGEISHA If a Onna's master dies, or she is dismissed from his service for whatever reason (usually disgrace), or she becomes of an Alignment other than Lawful (which is likely to cause her dismissal), the Onna is supposed to commit seppuku. If she does not, and chooses to live, she can no longer take levels in the Onna class, and becomes a Ronin (taking levels in the Prestige Class of the same name, or some other class). If she is accepted as an Onna again, she can continue to once again take levels in this class.