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gamer-printer wrote:

Another 5/5 star review, this one from RPG.org

Everyone seems to agree that Way of the Samurai offers more than just a supplement for Kaidan, rather any oriental PFRPG setting.

FYI: Noticed in Way of the Samurai that the clan development template has a heading - Yakusa Clan. I think it should be Samurai Clan.


It is my understanding that Kaidan is fantasy Japan with historical roots imbued with spirits and legendary monsters. As such, a ninja class should have components that touch on the fantastic and supernatural(magic)as well as the mundane "rogue" abilities. Of course, even though the ninja class may only be a prestige class, the GM will undoubtedly expose player characters to ninja npcs at any level. Different ninja clans would have specialized training unique to that clan as well as common training. At least that is how I would like to see it presented. GMs always have the option to allow or disallow anything in their game. So, those opposed to ninja magic should just not allow it in their game, but the system should present the option to have ninja magic for those GMs that wish to use it in their campaigns.

gamer-printer wrote:

So why is it that gamers can accept a fantasy oriental setting that includes oriental dragons, undead, animal-human shapechangers, oni demons and other very fantastical beings, when the conversation turns to Ninja - it seems to turn into... Ninja are just farmers, so don't let them use any magic, heck they're rogues and we already got them, etc, etc.

Depending on which source you want to look at Ninja are often placed in the most fantastical of capabilities, especially regarding the use of magic.

Sure if you read a historical fictional account like Shogun, or other publications, you'll see a non-magical, rogue-like stealth operator. So does this mean they have to be mundane martial characters only?

Truth is there is very little written in the historical record concerning ninja - they were a secret organization throughout their entire history and there are no 'tell all' books regarding ninja secrets. Some historical documents reference a house of ninja was used to obtain classified information, but how they did it is never mentioned.

So all we got is the various fantasy sources, and 'wannabe' ninja martial artists professing what a ninja really is - and they just don't know.

Ninja can means lots of things to lots of people.

For the hardliners that see ninja only as a rogue-like person - what is your reference (since there aren't any) to justify your argument?

To me, oriental fantasy is fantasy, and ninja with magical like powers is perfectly acceptable. Seeing them as only stealth operatives and mundane rogues is not condusive to how they've been written about - just your own guess work and preferences.

Why are those wanting a more magical ninja wrong?

GP


Michael,
Great job on The Gift, Part 1. My gaming group has just converted all of our ongoing campaigns to Pathfinder. I have previously run Japanese adventures and am excited about using an actually "Pathfinder-based" format for my Japanese campaign. I'm anxious to see Part 2 & 3 and hopefully many more contributions to the world of Kaidan!
Vaughan