Path of the Shikaku

The Shikaku

The ninja have long been aware of that with power comes corruption.  Even in these deadly times the ninja rise to the task of removing those who would be considered a threat to what remains of humanity.  Traitors cannot be tolerated and a Shikaku who has been given a mark is not one to be trifled with. 

Sense Ki

This is a early power that all Shikaku must learn.  Sense Ki allows a Shikaku to read and detect auras of others. This allows the user to detect alignment type and strength (as detect evil) within 60ft.  This ability with practice will also let a Shikaku track based on personal Ki.

Bond of Blood

The path of the Shikaku is not one given lightly assassin’s must be of the highest discipline, treachery at this level is not an option.  To ensure the loyalty of those who this training is offered at test must be taken and passed.  By gaining her 11^th level a Shikaku Ninja has passed the test.  She from that point on gains a +1 moral bonus for every 2 levels against compulsion effects (max of +10 at 20^th level).

Unnatural Sight

A Shikaku at this stage of training is able to tap in to a vast community form of Ki created by others with the ability to Sense Ki.  This vast community can provide information to the Shikaku in regards to her current prey.  This ability functions like an Augury Spell with a caster level equal to ½ the Shikaku’s current level.

Locate Ki

A Shikaku has finished her initial testing and can now be sent on entry level missions.  They can now focus their sight into a third realm that allows them to see the Ki of individual people and track it.  Locate Ki allows a Shikaku to track via the independent Ki of others.

Table: Locate Ki Tracking

The base DC to locate and track Ki is DC 10 Search Check 

*An aura this strong is very unusual, and tracking it is difficult due to the fact it is blinding to the tracker.

Target Ki

A Shikaku can not train her sight to follow a specific target.  This ability takes many weeks of training and meditation.  At the end of this training period the Shikaku learns to identify specific Ki trails and auras.

Strike Ki

The Shikaku has learned to not only sense personal Ki but also to disrupt the spiritual bond and damage it.  To do this she must land a sudden strike blow and deduct 5 points of sudden strike damage or 1d6 if unarmed to deal 2 points of charisma damage (Max of 8).  To make an attack this specific the Shikaku must have the opponents Ki targeted.

Restore Ki

A Shikaku has learned a secret art of Ki transference.  This allows her to heal the wounds of others at the expense of her own Ki.  Each use of this ability drains 2 Charisma from the Shikaku and heals the target the equivalent of 1 full day of bed rest.  The charisma damage cannot be healed by magic but it heals normally over time.

Feel Ki

The Shikaku can now sense Ki as a part of her normal sight and no longer requires 3 rounds to gain full information on an individual.  Her sight range is also increased to 120ft.  She can also locate beings hidden by invisibility.  She has also gained the ability to sense the Ki of inanimate objects (as detect magic) she is holding.

Improved Sudden Strike

The Shikaku has improved her ability to sudden strike by learning the secret vital areas only taught to a Shikaku.  Her sudden strike now deals and 24 points of damage on each successful attack or 4d6 for unarmed attacks.

Silent But Deadly

A Shikaku has learned the art of silence to masterful levels.  She no longer creates any battle noise if she is able to disable or kill an opponent before they can act.  Ninja who attack from stealth or concealment gain an additional +3d6 on sudden strike attacks.

Graceful and Agile III

The ninja has advanced her art to the point where she can master another acrobatic skill or improve on her original choice from Graceful and Agile I or II.  She may still only master balance, climb, jump, tumble, or swim.  If she a new skill she gains mastery in it as per Graceful and Agile I.  If she chooses to improve her current skill she may now take 15 instead of taking 10.  She also gains the improvements from the following chart in relation to the skill.

Graceful and Agile IV

The ninja has advanced her art to the point where she can master another acrobatic skill or improve on her original choice from Graceful and Agile I, II, or III.  She may still only master balance, climb, jump, tumble, or swim.  If she a new skill she gains mastery in it as per Graceful and Agile I.  If she chooses to improve her current skill she may now take 15 instead of taking 10.  She also gains the improvements from the following chart in relation to the skill.

Vang Hong Master

The Shikaku has gone to a place that few could venture in training.  This mastery of the Vang Hong is left for the student to find and only the Shikaku is capable of this mastery.  She may now take 15 on Hide and Move Silently Checks.  She has also learned the 5 hidden vital points.  Any opponent who has been struck 5 times by a Shikaku who has mastered the Vang Hong must make fortitude save DC 10 + Dex Modifier + ½ ninja level.  A failed save can result in either paralysis or death the effect must be chosen after the first attack lands.

Greater Sudden Strike

The Shikaku has improved her ability to sudden strike by learning the target central areas in a targets Ki.  These techniques take a life time to master but a Shikaku of this rank can almost destroy a beings spirit with a well placed touch.  Her sudden strike now deals and 31 points of damage on each successful attack or 6d6 for unarmed attacks.  This increase in damage only applies to targets that have a Ki aura to target.