Sohei (pronounced: /soʊhɛ/ soh-heh[6]), sometimes called yamabushi "mountain warrior",[7] were special warrior-priests that could be found in Kara-Tur and the Hordelands.[1] In Shou Lung, they were called no-sheng[8] (pronounced: /noʊʃɛŋ/ noh-sheng[6]) Sohei were similar to paladins found in Faerûn.[9]
Culture[]
Sohei usually served as guardians for monasteries.[1] While they were clerics similar to shugenja, they focused more on their military training. They structured their lives around religious principles but not as strictly as a shugenja. These principles included vegetarianism and discipline. Sohei were often dedicated to their duties to the point of fanaticism. An individual from any caste might train to be a sohei. Upon entering the service of a monastery, they shed all family or clan connections. A sohei's status was based on the power and importance of the monastery, and honor was very important to a sohei, similar to ninjas. Most sohei were human or hengeyokai, although some monastaries had accepted korobokuru into their orders.[10][9]
Abilities[]
To defend their monasteries or temples from attacks, Sohei trained extensively with weapons as well as martial arts. They also possessed limited magical powers.[1] Sohei can access their ki abilities to go into a berserker-like frenzy. Sohei were able to cast some divine spells, but did not have access to as many divine spells that a shugenja had. [10] A sohei who was dismissed from their order lost the ability to cast divine spells.[11]
Notable Sohei[]
- Akirakeiko was a sohei adventurer in Miyama Province in Kozakura in 1357 DR.[12]
- Changchub Zangpo was the Sergeant of the Guard for Saikhoi in Ra-Khati during the mid–14th century DR.[13]
- Hoseki was a disguised sohei follower of the dai-oni in Kozakura in 1357 DR.[14]
- Ichi, a sohei leader who lead over 420 comrades in Miyama Province.[15]
- Kidera Ujisato was the commander of the sohei of the Winter Sect in Nakamaru around 1357 DR.[16]
- Shyarn Feng was a sohei adventurer in Shou Lung in 1358.[17]
- Tsao Ho was a sohei adventurer in Shou Lung.[18]
- Tu-shun was a sohei who administrated a shoen of the Konjo school near the Itsuki village in Kozakura.[19]
Appendix[]
See Also[]
Appearances[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Troy Denning (1990). Storm Riders. (TSR, Inc), p. 3. ISBN 0-88038-834-X.
- ↑ Mike Pondsmith, Jay Batista, Rick Swan, John Nephew, Deborah Christian (1988). Kara-Tur: The Eastern Realms (Volume I). (TSR, Inc), p. 16. ISBN 0-88038-608-8.
- ↑ James Wyatt (October 2001). Oriental Adventures (3rd edition). (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 27–29. ISBN 0-7869-2015-7.
- ↑ James Wyatt (April 2004). “Oriental Adventures Update: Eastern Flavor”. In Matthew Sernett ed. Dragon #318 (Paizo Publishing, LLC), p. 34.
- ↑ Gary Gygax, David Cook, and François Marcela-Froideval (1985). Oriental Adventures. (TSR, Inc), pp. 14, 24. ISBN 0-8803-8099-3.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 James Wyatt (October 2001). Oriental Adventures (3rd edition). (Wizards of the Coast), p. 251. ISBN 0-7869-2015-7.
- ↑ Chris Sims (October 2011). “Character Themes: Fringes of Kara-Tur”. In Christopher Perkins ed. Dragon #404 (Wizards of the Coast), p. 4.
- ↑ Curtis Smith, Rick Swan (May 1990). Ronin Challenge. Edited by Jon Pickens, Steve Winter. (TSR, Inc.), p. 2. ISBN 0-88038-749-1.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 James Wyatt (October 2001). Oriental Adventures (3rd edition). (Wizards of the Coast), p. 27. ISBN 0-7869-2015-7.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Gary Gygax, David Cook, and François Marcela-Froideval (1985). Oriental Adventures. (TSR, Inc), p. 24. ISBN 0-8803-8099-3.
- ↑ James Wyatt (October 2001). Oriental Adventures (3rd edition). (Wizards of the Coast), p. 28. ISBN 0-7869-2015-7.
- ↑ David "Zeb" Cook (1986). Swords of the Daimyo. (TSR, Inc), p. 21. ISBN 0-88038-273-2.
- ↑ Troy Denning (1990). Storm Riders (Cover sheet). (TSR, Inc.). ISBN 9-781560-765646.
- ↑ David "Zeb" Cook (1986). Swords of the Daimyo. (TSR, Inc), p. 12. ISBN 0-88038-273-2.
- ↑ David Cook (1986). Swords of the Daimyo (Province Book of Miyama). (TSR, Inc), p. 25. ISBN 0-88038-273-2.
- ↑ David "Zeb" Cook (1987). Blood of the Yakuza (Encounter Construction Booklet). (TSR, Inc), p. 3. ISBN 0-88038-401-8.
- ↑ Jeff Grubb (1988). Mad Monkey vs the Dragon Claw. (TSR, Inc). ISBN 0-88038-624-X.
- ↑ Curtis Smith, Rick Swan (May 1990). Ronin Challenge. Edited by Jon Pickens, Steve Winter. (TSR, Inc.), p. 93. ISBN 0-88038-749-1.
- ↑ David Cook (1986). Swords of the Daimyo (Province Book of Miyama). (TSR, Inc), p. 26. ISBN 0-88038-273-2.