Kyodai

The way of the yakuza can be a hard, violent life, so it is not surprising that many of the yakuza brethren are hard, violent men. These kyodai are less versatile than other rogues but make up for that loss of versatility through their skill at intimidation, extortion and doing harm to those who are in their way. They are especially dangerous when working together.

The kyodai is an archetype of the rogue class.

Class Skills

The kyodai’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Acrobatics (Dex), Appraise (Int), Bluff (Cha), Craft (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Disguise (Cha), Escape Artist (Dex), Intimidate (Cha), Knowledge (local), Linguistics (Int), Perception (Wis), Perform (Cha), Profession (Int), Sense Motive (Wis), Stealth (Dex), and Swim (Str).

Skill Ranks per Level

The kyodai receives 6 + Int modifier skill ranks per level.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency

Kyodai are proficient with all simple weapons, plus the kama, longsword, sap, shortbow, shortsword and wakizashi. They are proficient with light armor but not with shields.

Family Cant

Each yakuza family has a personal cant with which they can communicate simple messages. At 1st level, a kyodai automatically knows the cant of the gang with which he is affiliated.

Note: As with any language, each unique cant can be learned by any character willing to spend a rank of Linguistics, so long as she has a teacher or sufficient exposure to the cant. However, teaching a yakuza cant to a non-family member is a severe offense in must yakuza gangs.

Fearsome

The kyodai gains Toughness as a bonus feat at 1st level. Furthermore, when making an Intimidate check, the kyodai gains a bonus equal to half his class level (minimum +1).

This ability replaces trapfinding.

Strength in Numbers

Beginning at 3rd level, the kyodai has learned how to work well with others in combat and draws strength from the presence of allies. So long as he is adjacent to one or more allies who are also engaged in melee combat, he gains a +1 morale bonus to saves versus fear effects and a +1 bonus to melee attack rolls (it is not necessary for the ally to be attacking the same opponent but it is necessary that they are actively involved in the combat). These bonuses increase by an additional +1 every 3 levels (6th, 9th, 12th, 15th, 18th).

This ability replaces trap sense.

Recommended Rogue Talents: The following rogue talents compliment the kyodai archetype: assault leader, fast stealth, offensive defense, resiliency, powerful sneak, slow reactions and strong impression.

Recommended Advanced Rogue Talents: The following advanced rogue talents compliment the kyodai archetype: another day, crippling strike, deadly sneak, and opportunist.

Section 15: Copyright Notice

The Way of the Yakuza Copyright 2011, Steven D. Russell and Michael Tumey, all rights reserved; Author Jonathan McAnulty.

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