Feudal Japanese NPCs

Sohei

Medium humanoid (any race), any alignment

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• Armor Class 16
• Hit Points 25 (5d8 + 5)
• Speed 40 ft.

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STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
10 (+0)	18 (+4)	12 (+1)	10 (+0)	14 (+2)	12 (+1)

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• Saving Throws Str +2, Dex +6
• Skills Acrobatics +6, Athletics +2, Insight +4, Perception +4
• Senses Passive Perception 14
• Languages Any one language (usually Common)
• Challenge 4 (1,100 XP)

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Unarmored Combatant. The monk adds their Wisdom bonus to their AC while it is wearing no armor and wielding no shield.

Actions

Multiattack. The monk makes three melee attacks.

Unarmed Strike. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 4) bludgeoning damage. If the target is a creature, the monk can choose one of the following additional effects:

• The target must succeed on a DC 14 Strength saving throw or drop one item it is holding (monk's choice).

• The target must succeed on a DC 14 Dexterity saving throw or be knocked prone.

• The target must succeed on a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or be stunned until the end of the monk's next turn.

Glaive. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d10 + 4) slashing damage.

Reactions

Deflect Missile. The monk can use their reaction to reduce the damage of a ranged weapon attack by 14 (1d10 + 8). If this reduces the damage of the attack to 0 or less, it can make a ranged attack with the missile as part of the same reaction against any one target within 20 ft.

Slow Fall. The monk can use their reaction to reduce damage taken from falling by 20.

Warrior Monks

The fighting arts have long been passed down outside of the dojo, often in monasteries that accept any disciple willing to devote themselves to the rigorous training. These monks developed both their bodies and minds into powerful tools, seeking out greater and greater challenges to further their advancement. Together, the monasteries of these warriors gained power and influence that rivaled even some feudal lords. During times of war, they fought to protect their surrounding lands, and often negotiated with neighboring armies like any other political rival.

Some sohei left their adopted homes and wandered the countryside, helping those in need or selling their services as mercenaries. Others branched off to found their own schools and temples, maintaining close ties to their teachers and creating a network of affiliated monasteries, bound together by shared philosophies and personal relationships.

Shinobi

Medium humanoid (any race), any alignment

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• Armor Class 15
• Hit Points 24 (6d8)
• Speed 30 ft., climb 20 ft.

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STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
10 (+0)	16 (+3)	10 (+0)	12 (+1)	14 (+2)	16 (+3)

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• Saving Throws Dex +5, Wis +4
• Skills Deception +7, Insight +4, Investigation +3, Perception +6, Persuasion +5, Sleight of Hand +5, Stealth +7
• Senses Passive Perception 16
• Languages Any two languages (usually Common)
• Challenge 3 (700 XP)

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Unarmored Defense. The shinobi's Armor Class includes its Wisdom modifier.

Cunning Action. On each of its turns, the shinobi can use a bonus action to take the Dash, Disengage, or Hide action.

Sneak Attack (1/Turn). The shinobi deals an extra 7 (2d6) damage when it hits a target with a weapon attack and has advantage on the attack roll, or when the target is within 5 feet of an ally of the shinobi that isn't incapacitated and the shinobi doesn't have disadvantage on the attack roll.

Actions

Multiattack. The shinobi makes two attacks.

Shortsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) piercing damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 11 Constitution saving throw, taking 10 (3d6) poison damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

Shortbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) piercing damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 11 Constitution saving throw, taking 10 (3d6) poison damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

Smoke Bomb (3/day). The shinobi creates a cloud of smoke that fills a 5-foot-radius sphere centered on its space. The sphere is heavily obscured. Wind disperses the cloud, which otherwise lasts for 1 minute.

Shinobi

The warriors known as shinobi or ninja were from secretive clans, often shunned and outcast by the rest of their contemporaries. Some clans, like the samurai, were sworn to specific feudal lords, serving as another option for them when strength of arms or negotiations are not enough. Others operated independently, selling their skills to nobles and criminals alike. While no clan or family would ever admit to employing shinobi in polite conversation, it was rare to find any advantage over one's rivals without them.

The primary mission for most shinobi was espionage, implanting themselves as farmers, servants, or performers close to their targets, sometimes for years at a time. Their skills in theft, sabotage, or assassination are quite well known, but they were also just as capable as escorts and bodyguards. The versatility of the shinobi was one of their greatest assets, allowing them to serve in whatever function was most needed at the time.