Shinigami Stealth Squad (3.5e Class)

Shinigami

"Death Gods", they channel restless spirits back to where they belong. They are exorcists who do battle with the ghosts and shadows in their world.

Making a Shinigami

Shinigami are warriors who are strongest when not in their native plane. They work best in planar campaigns, but make excellent ghost and undead slayers even without plane hopping. While some shinigami are armed with the sword while others are potent with kido, a special kind of shinigami lurk in the shadows and finish their work and disappears before the body drops to the ground.

Abilities: Dexterity and Wisdom are vital for a member of the special squad, though Strength also plays a large roll, such as their attack and damage rolls. Charisma is good for their special class skills, and Constitution helps as they have mid ranging health. Shinigami who want to use their skills may want Intelligence to shore up their low skill points per level.

Races: Any race is capable of becoming a Shinigami. Strong races focus on the melee attacks while dexterous and wise races take a defensive roll. Charismatic races focus on the more magical aspects of the class.

Alignment: Any.

Starting Gold: 4d4×10 gp (80 gp).

Starting Age: Simple.

Table: The Shinigami

Hit Die: d8

Level	Base Attack Bonus	Saving Throws			Special	AC Bonus	Unarmored Speed Bonus	Spells per Day
		Fort	Ref	Will				0	1st	2nd
1st	+0	+0	+2	+0	Zanpaktou, Spiritual Form, Aura, Sneak Attack +1d6	0	+0 ft.	—	—	—
2nd	+1	+0	+3	+0	Planar Senses, Evasion	0	+0 ft.	—	—	—
3rd	+2	+1	+3	+1	Ghost Hunter, Sneak Attack +2d6	0	+10 ft.	—	—	—
4th	+3	+1	+4	+1	+1 Weapon	0	+10 ft.	1	1	—
5th	+3	+1	+4	+1	Shikai, Flash Step, Ghost Strike, Soul Burial, Sneak Attack +3d6	1	+10 ft.	2	1	—
6th	+4	+2	+5	+2	Spiritual Armor, Suppress Spiritual Pressure, Shikai Special Ability	1	+20 ft.	2	2	—
7th	+5/+1	+2	+5	+2	Sneak Attack +4d6, Ghost Hunter Increase	1	+20 ft.	2	2	—
8th	+6/+1	+2	+6	+2	+2 Weapon	1	+20 ft.	3	2	1
9th	+6/+1	+3	+6	+3	Sense Spirit, Sneak Attack +5d6, Improved Evasion	2	+30 ft.	3	2	1
10th	+7/+2	+3	+7	+3	Shikai Special Ability, Ghost Hunter Increase	2	+30 ft.	3	2	2
11th	+8/+3	+3	+7	+3	Locate Spirit, Sneak Attack +6d6	2	+30 ft.	4	2	2
12th	+9/+4	+4	+8	+4	+3 Weapon, Ghost Hunter Increase	2	+40 ft.	4	2	2
13th	+9/+4	+4	+8	+4	Detect aura, Sneak Attack +7d6	2	+40 ft.	4	2	2
14th	+10/+5	+4	+9	+4	Crippling Strike	2	+40 ft.	5	3	2
15th	+11/+6/+1	+5	+9	+5	Bankai, Sneak Attack +8d6	3	+50 ft.	5	3	2
16th	+12/+7/+2	+5	+10	+5	+4 Weapon	3	+50 ft.	5	3	3
17th	+12/+7/+2	+5	+10	+5	Timeless Body, Sneak Attack +9d6	3	+50 ft.	6	3	3
18th	+13/+8/+2	+6	+11	+6	Ghostly Presence	3	+60 ft.	6	3	3
19th	+14/+9/+4	+6	+11	+6	True Sight, Sneak Attack +10d6	3	+60 ft.	5	3	3
20th	+15/+10/+5	+6	+12	+6	+5 Weapon, Death God Apotheosis	4	+60 ft.	6	3	3
Class Skills (8 + Int modifier per level, ×4 at 1st level) The shinigami’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Balance (Dex), Climb (Str), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Escape Artist (Dex), Gather Information (Cha), Hide (Dex), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Knowledge (the planes) (Int), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Search (Int), Sense Motive (Wis), Spot (Wis), Swim (Str) and Tumble (Dex).

Class Features

All of the following are class features of the Shinigami.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: A shinigami is proficient with all simple and martial weapons, the bastard sword (katana), and with light armor and no shields.

Spells: A shinigami casts divine spells which are drawn from the shinigami spell list. He can cast any spell he knows without preparing it ahead of time, the way a wizard or a cleric must (see below).

To learn or cast a spell, a shinigami must have a Wisdom score equal to at least 10 + the spell level. However, the Difficulty Class for a saving throw against a shinigami’s spell is 10 + the spell level + the shinigami’s Charisma modifier.

Like other spellcasters, a shinigami can cast only a certain number of spells of each spell level per day. His base daily spell allotment is given on Table: The Shinigami. In addition, he receives bonus spells per day if he has a high Wisdom score.

A shinigami’s selection of spells is extremely limited. A shinigami learns one 0th level spell and one 1th level spell at 4th level. At each new shinigami level, he gains one or more new spells, as indicated on Table: Shinigami Spells Known. (Unlike spells per day, the number of spells a shinigami knows is not affected by his Wisdom score; the numbers on Table: Shinigami Spells Known are fixed.) These new spells can be common spells chosen from the shinigami spell list, or they can be unusual spells that the shinigami has gained some understanding of by study. The shinigami can’t use this method of spell acquisition to learn spells at a faster rate, however.

Upon reaching 6th level, and at every even-numbered shinigami level after that (6th, 8th, and so on), a shinigami can choose to learn a new spell in place of one he already knows. In effect, the shinigami "loses" the old spell in exchange for the new one. The new spell’s level must be the same as that of the spell being exchanged, and it must be at least two levels lower than the highest-level shinigami spell the shinigami can cast. A shinigami may swap only a single spell at any given level, and must choose whether or not to swap the spell at the same time that he gains new spells known for the level.

Unlike a wizard or a cleric, a shinigami need not prepare his spells in advance. He can cast any spell he knows at any time, assuming he has not yet used up his spells per day for that spell level. He does not have to decide ahead of time which spells he’ll cast.

Shinigami choose their spells from the following list:

0—Cure Minor Wounds, Detect Magic, Guidance, Read Magic, Resistance, Daze, Dancing Lights, Flare, Disrupt Undead, Touch of Fatigue, Message, Detect Power Level

1st—Cure Light Wounds, Cause Fear, Deathwatch, Protection from Evil, Shield of Faith, Align Weapon, Gentle Repose, Hold Person, Status, Undetectable Alignment, Longstrider, Magic Aura, Jump, Feather Fall, Slide (Spell Compendium)

2nd—Cure Moderate Wounds, Searing Light, Magic Vestment, Remove Curse, Speak with Dead, Gust of Wind, Whispering Wind, Lightning Bolt, Fireball, Halt Undead, Greater Slide (Spell Compendium)

Table: Shinigami Spells Known

Level	Spells Known
	0	1st	2nd
1st	—	—	—
2nd	—	—	—
3rd	—	—	—
4th	1	1	—
5th	2	1	—
6th	2	1	—
7th	2	1	—
8th	3	2	1
9th	3	2	1
10th	3	2	1
11th	4	2	1
12th	4	3	2
13th	4	3	2
14th	5	3	2
15th	5	3	2
16th	5	4	3
17th	6	4	3
18th	6	4	3
19th	6	4	3
20th	7	5	4

Zanpaktou: At 1st level a Stealth Shinigami receives a masterwork weapon to bond with, typically a Dagger. This weapon will become the physical base for all Shinigami powers beyond spellcasting. Each Zanpaktou has a special name, and as the Shinigami levels, he will eventually become aware of it and bring it to a sort of sentience.

In addition, if a zanpaktou is ever broken, the weapon loses its power and zanpaktou related powers cannot be used, and you may not level in the class. In addition you must make a Fortitude save DC 15 or lose 200 XP per class level (a successful save halves this amount). You must repair the weapon yourself, effectively crafting a masterwork weapon from your weapon's remains. You may receive help and use magic and items to help you achieve this. After 24 hours to attune yourself to the newly forged zanpaktou your powers come back in full.

Sneak Attack: If a Stealth Squad member can catch an opponent when he is unable to defend himself effectively from his attack, he can strike a vital spot for extra damage. The attack deals extra damage any time his target would be denied a Dexterity bonus to AC (whether the target actually has a Dexterity bonus or not), or when he flanks his target. This extra damage is 1d6 at 1st level, and it increases by 1d6 every two Stealth Squad levels thereafter. Should the Shinigani score a critical hit with a sneak attack, this extra damage is not multiplied.

AC Bonus (Ex): When unarmored and unencumbered, the shinigami adds his Wisdom bonus (if any) to his AC. In addition, a shinigami gains a +1 bonus to AC at 5th level. This bonus increases by 1 for every five shinigami levels thereafter (+2 at 10th, +3 at 15th, and +4 at 20th level).

Evasion (Ex): At 2nd level or higher if a shinigami makes a successful Reflex saving throw against an attack that normally deals half damage on a successful save, he instead takes no damage. Evasion can be used only if a shinigami is wearing light armor or no armor. A helpless shinigami does not gain the benefit of evasion.

Crippling Strike (Ex): A Shinigami with this ability can sneak attack opponents with such precision that his blows weaken and hamper them. An opponent damaged by one of her sneak attacks also takes 2 points of Strength damage. Ability points lost to damage return on their own at the rate of 1 point per day for each damaged ability.

Spiritual Form (Su): When facing incorporeal opponents, the shinigami may willingly leave their body and enter the ethereal or shadow planes to combat them. While this levels the playing field against incorporeal opponents it comes with a major disadvantage: your physical body remains in the material plane helpless. Therefore it is a good idea to hide your body to have friends who can watch over it. You may exist away from your body for 50 ft. every shinigami level. You may stay out of body as long as you like, but your body continues to age, get hungry, and require maintenance while you are out.

A shinigami is vaguely aware of the condition of their body, as if by a Status spell. When their body is in danger, a shinigami typically rushes back to join with their corporeal form. Leaving or returning the body is a move action which does not provoke attacks of opportunity. If the body dies before the shinigami can return to it, the shinigami also dies.

Aura (Ex): A shinigami of a chaotic, good, or lawful alignment has a particularly powerful aura corresponding to the shinigami’s alignment (see the detect evil spell for details).

Planar Senses (Ex): Able to sense the world beyond, the shinigami may now use Spot, Listen, and other sensory skills on ethereal and incorporeal creatures, as if they were on his plane, with a +10 DC modifier. Spotting an incorporeal creature does not mean you see them, but rather have pinpointed what square they are in. You still incur normal miss chance.

Ghost Hunter (Ex): The focus on defeating incorporeal dangers has given the shinigami an edge in fighting. They receive a +1 competence bonus to attack and damage against incorporeal creatures. You are now able to critically strike and sneak attack undead by 25%. As you progress, your competence bonus increases by another +1 and your percent to critically hit and sneak attack undead increases by another 25%.

Improved Evasion (Ex): At 9th level, a shinigami’s evasion ability improves. he still takes no damage on a successful Reflex saving throw against attacks, but henceforth he takes only half damage on a failed save. A helpless shinigami does not gain the benefit of improved evasion.

Weapon Enchantment Bonus (Su): At 4th level the zanpaktou of he shinigami becomes magical, gaining a +1 enhancement bonus. Unlike magic weapons created by normal means, the shinigami need not spend experience points or gold pieces to accomplish this task. However, an shinigami’s magic bonus only function for him. For every four levels the character advances past 4th level, the zanpaktou gains +1 greater potency (+1 at 4th level, +2 at 8th level, +3 at 12th level, +4 at 16th level, and +5 at 20th level).

The weapon may be enchanted as normal, though the shinigami must first spend the 2000 gold needed for a +1 weapon before applying any additional enchantments, regardless of the class-granted enchantment bonus.

Shikai (Su): At 5th level, after a ritual which takes 24 hours of meditation, the name of the zanpaktou becomes known to the shinigami, and he can unlock its true form. With a move action the weapon transforms, sometimes into an entirely different weapon. It retains any still valid enchantments placed upon the original, as well as any feats such as Weapon Focus still operating, even if the weapon type changed. A zanpaktou can stay in Shikai form for 1 minute per class level and can be activated as many times per day as 1 + Wis modifier (minimum 1).

In shikai form the weapon deals damage as if one size category higher.

There is a feat which allows your shikai to be out permanently.

Flash Step (Su): At 5th level the Shinigami gains the ability to move at blinding fast speeds. At 5th level the Shinigami gains the ability to Dimension Door Twice per day as a swift action. Every three levels after the Shinigami can Flash step Twice more per day. (four times at level 8, six times at 11, eight times at 14, ten times at 17, twelve times at 20)

Ghost Strike (Su): When using the zanpaktou, the miss chance granted by incorporeal creatures is negated, much like Ghost Touch. Unlike Ghost Touch, you cannot be ethereal and attack the physical realm with your weapon, it can only strike ethereal creatures.

Soul Burial (Su): A shinigami's job is to pacify and defeat ghosts. At 5th level, within 1 minute of defeating a ghost you may perform a full round action on the spirit's energies to purge it of its evil essence and guide it to the afterlife. The DC check for a ghost attempting Rejuvenation becomes equal to (10 + 1/2 the shinigami's class level + Cha modifier). Performing this act in a Consecrated or Hallow area adds +4 to the DC. A shinigami may also attempt this on objects which contain souls, such as a Trap the Soul crystal (using the Will save of the caster of the Trap the Soul spell) or a phylactery, if the lich has been defeated but has yet to respawn (using the lich's Will save).

Spiritual Armor (Ex): When on the Material, Astral, Ethereal, or Shadow planes the shinigami has a deflective aura of energy protecting them. They may use their Cha modifier as a deflection bonus to AC (minimum +1).

Suppress Spiritual Pressure (Su): A shinigami in the stealth squad is very potent at hiding his presence, with this ability they may suppress their spiritual pressure. a stealth squad member can not be detected with abilities such as locate spirit or Sense Spirit unless they wish to be detected. They gain the feats, skill focus for hide and move silently.

Sense Spirit (Su): At 9th level the shinigami can attune themselves to 1 person per point of Wis bonus. A shinigami with a Wisdom of 17, for example, can be attuned to 3 people. Attuning takes 24 hours and either requires a personal item of the creature or their presence, but once attuned the shinigami can recognize when they are within 100 ft of them. This ability does not tell them where the creature is located, simply that they are within 100 ft. It only operates if the person is on the same plane.

Shikai Special Ability (Sp): At 6th level and every four levels after, a battle shinigami develops a new ability as he unlocks his weapon's true power. When first chosing a special power you specify which type of zanpaktou you have. This choice will alter which special abilities are available and the nature of his bankai later on. The types of zanpaktou are Booster, Protection, Warding, Toxic, Elemental, Environmental, Healing, Kido, Swift, Summon and Brutal types. These powers are only in effect while in shikai or bankai.

• Booster (Su): At 6th level, the battle shinigami recieves a +2 competence bonus to one ability score chosen when taking this ability. At 10th level, the battle shinigami may apply a second +2, stacking either with the same ability score or a new one. At 14th level, the battle shinigami may apply another +2 to one of his scores. At 18th level, he may apply one last +2 bonus to one of his ability scores.

• Toxic (Su): At 6th level, choose an ability score (Dex, Con, Str, Int, Cha, Wis). Your weapon now deals 1d4 damage to that ability on contact. At 10th level, your poison's DC is increased +2. At 14th level, the bonus raises to 1d8. At 18th level, your poison's DC is increased +2 again. Fort DC(10 + Shinigami's levels).

• Protection (Su): At 6th level, you gain a +1 sacred bonus to AC. At 10th level, you gain a +1 sacred bonus to AC. At 14th level, you gain another +1 sacred bonus to AC. At 18th level, gain another +1 sacred bonus to AC.

• Warding (Su): At 6th level, you gane a +1 sacred bonus to saves, At 10th level, you gain another +1 sacred bonus to saves. At 14th level, you gain another +1 sacred bonus to saves. At 18th level, gain another +1 sacred bonus to saves.

• Elemental (Su): At 6th level, choose an element (fire, cold, elec, or acid). Your weapon now deals 1d6 extra damage of that element. At 10th level, the bonus raises to 2d6. At 14th level, the bonus raises to 3d6. At 18th level, the bonus raises to 4d6. The damage stacks with the various elemental enchantments for weapons.

• Environmental (Su): At 6th level, the shinigami is under the effect of a pass without trace spell. At 10th level, the weapon alters the environment via illusion or some manner, granting 20% concealment. At 14th level, the shinigami is under the effects of a nondetection spell. At 18th level, environmental alteration increases the concealment to 50%. True Seeing bypasses the concealment, but methods that rely on munane means such as blindsight do not pierce the concealment. The concealment does not stack with that of Blur, Displacement, or similar spells.

• Healing (Su): At 6th level, all your Cure spells heal 150% damage as if Empowered. At 10th level, you gain fast healing 1. At 14th level, your Cure spells heal 200% instead of 150% damage. At 18th level, you gain fast healing 3.

• Kido (Su): At 6th level, your caster level rises by 1. At 10th level, your spell DCs rise by 1. At 14th level, your caster level rises by 1 again. At 18th level, your spell DCs rise by 1 again. All of these benefits stack with similar feats, such as Spell Focus. The bonuses apply to all shinigami spells.

• Swift (Su): At 6th level, you gain +2 to confirming critical hits. At 10th level, you gain a +1 to your critical threat range. At 14th level, you gain an additional +2 to confirming critical hits. At 18th level, you gain a +1 to your critical multiplier. All of these benefit stack with the Power Critical/Improved Critical type of feats.

• Summon (Sp): At 6th level, your blade gains spell-like abilities it can use on command. You may select any spell off the cleric or sorcerer/wizard lists up to 2nd level, able to be cast 2/day in shikai form. At 10th level, you select a spell-like ability up to 4th level able to be cast 2/day. At 14th level, you select a spell-like ability up to 6th level, able to be cast 1/day. At 18th level, you select a spell-like ability up to 8th level, able to be cast 1/day. If any spell involves any costly material components you may pay 5 times the gold amount in XP.

• Brutal (Su): At 6th level, you gain +2 to your attack rolls. At 10th level, you gain +2 to your weapon damage. At 14th level, you gain +2 to your attack rolls again. At 18th level, you gain +2 to your weapon damage again. All of these benefit stack with the Weapon Focus/Weapon Specialization type of feats.

Locate Spirit (Su): At 11th level, if you detect a presence with your Sense Spirit ability, you may now locate which direction they are in. This does not tell how far away they are or reveal them if they are invisible. It is useful for keeping track of allies, or if you managed to obtain the personal belongings of someone you are stalking, allows you to find them easier.

Detect Silver Cord (Ex): At 13th level you are aware of the things which bind spirits to their bodies, you may now detect the presence of Silver Cords and those under the Astral Projection spell. This grants the user the ability to detect and pinpoint living beings, undead, and get the Darkvision ability out to 40ft magically. You cannot detect constructs or golems unless they have living parts within them. Living beings and undead have auras that correspond with their alignment/class/race/creater. (Ex): If the undead was created by a Lawful Evil Necromancer, the aura might be black, with a faint blue border, with a bit of green. The black represents evil, grey neutral and white for good, while the blue stands for law, red for chaos and no border for neutral, and the green for the magical hold the Wizard has on the undead). This aura can be seen through walls but only the aura is seen; beings and undead cannot be identified, nor can items be identified through walls with this effect. This does not allow you to strike the Silver Cord.

Bankai (Su): The final transformation of the zanpaktou is a strenuous process. After a week long ritual of meditation and fasting, you must face the manifestation of your weapon's spirit in mental combat, making a DC 22 Will save. Failure means you take 5d6 points of nonlethal damage and you are exhausted. Success means you have unlocked Bankai.

You may unleash your Bankai as a full-round action. It lasts for 1 round/class level and can only be performed 1/day, at 20th level it can be performed 2/day. Bankai's vary greatly. (See below for details on Zanpaktou and Bankai).

Timeless Body (Ex): Upon attaining 17th level, a shinigami no longer takes penalties to her ability scores for aging and cannot be magically aged. Any such penalties that she has already taken, however, remain in place. Bonuses still accrue, and the shinigami still dies of old age when her time is up.

Ghostly Presence (Ex): When slain, the shinigami retains a thin link to the material world. When others, such as his team members, are concentrating they may receive messages from the shinigami as if he still walked among them. In truth he does, as if constantly scrying on one of his party members. Concentrating on the shinigami's ghostly presence is a full round action.

True Sight (Su): Attuned to seeing things clearly in spite of magic and planar effects, the shinigami becomes under the effects of a permanent True Sight spell.

Death God Apotheosis: At 20th level, a shinigami becomes a magical creature. He is forevermore treated as an outsider rather than as a humanoid (or whatever the shinigami’s creature type was) for the purpose of spells and magical effects. Additionally, the shinigami gains damage reduction 10/magic, which allows her to ignore the first 10 points of damage from any attack made by a non-magical weapon or by any natural attack made by a creature that doesn’t have similar damage reduction. Unlike other outsiders, the shinigami can still be brought back from the dead as if she were a member of her previous creature type.

The Zanpaktou and Bankai

Bankai Powers : As a Zanpaktou levels its bankai grows stronger and stronger. At 15th and every three levels after, it obtains the corresponding power from the type of zanpaktou power you chose previously and additional powers taken from the list below. In many respects, it's identical to an intelligent weapon, including gaining an Ego score. Instead of the usual intelligent weapon benefits, they gain a series of spiritual abilities as detailed below. The weapon may also be enchanted with one of the normal intelligent item benefits in place of one or more of its spiritual abilities, but you must pay the appropriate cost. A Lesser Power is worth one spirit power, and a Greater Power or Special Purpose is worth two spiritual abilities.

Each spiritual ability may be taken up to three times, with increasing benefits.

Table: Magic Type

Level	Special
15th	Weapon type Spiritual Ability, +1 Additional Spiritual Ability, 60ft Darkvision and Hearing, Two Ability Scores at 16, One at 10
18th	+2 Additional Spiritual Ability, 90ft Darkvision and Hearing, Two Ability Scores at 18, One at 10
21st	+2 Additional Spiritual Ability
24th	+2 Additional Spiritual Ability, 120ft Darkvision and Hearing, Two Ability Scores at 20, One at 10
27th and beyond	+2 Additional Spiritual Ability

Spiritual Abilities

Brutal: You weapon is a monster in combat, its spirit believing that brute strength wins the day. Your weapon deals damage one size larger than it actually is.

Taken a second and third time increases the effective damage size up again. For a medium creature swinging a medium weapon, after all three they deal the damage of a Gargantuan weapon (does not include the effective size increase from the Shikai). This does stack with feats that increase the effectiveness of your chosen weapon.

Elemental: Your weapon's spirit is mixed in with the natural forces in this world. Fire, lightning, acid, and cold, these are its manifestations. Unlike other spiritual abilities this can be taken beyond three times, but only with a new element. Choose an element from fire, electric, cold, and acid. Your weapon deals 2d6 additional elemental damage.

Taken a second and third time increases the elemental damage, up to 6d6 damage at its third level. You may take the path again for a different element.

Environmental: A field of energy surrounds you, changing the environment. Everybody within 60 ft of you falls under a deep magical suppression of light, sound, and smell, granting you total concealment up to the 60 ft. and negating most blindsense, blindsight, and scent. No save. As long as you hold your weapon, you may ignore the supression effects. This is a mind affecting effect.

Taken a second time, anybody (other than the wielder) within the 60ft is always under the effects of Shaken. Taken a third time and anybody (other than the wielder) within the 60ft is feared for 1d4 rounds and the surrounding 60ft is now a reversed Antilife Shell. It allows living creatures in but not out, even the wielder. This is no longer a mind affecting effect.

Toxic: Your weapon's spirit is hazardous to life around it. On contact it deals its deadly poison which damages the body. Taken once, your weapon now deals a single point of ability damage to an ability score you specify on choosing this power. It is similar to Wounding, and stacks with Wounding if you happen to pick Con damage.

Taken a second time allows you to increases the effect of your poisons to 2 points of ability damage. Taken a third time, you may pick a second ability score to effect and your poisons will also effect those normally immune to poisons.

Kido: Your weapon is magical and assists in your spellcraft. Your energy flows out through your blade naturally. The weapon becomes a Spell Storing weapon. In addition the caster level of any spells you cast rise by 1.

Taken a second time allows you to store two spells in your weapon. You still may only discharge one spell a round, however. You caster level for your spells rises by 1 again. Taken a third time allows you to store up to three spells at a time, with the same limitations, and your caster level rises by 1 again. As this is not a true enchantment, this ability can stack with the actual Spell Storing enchantment, but the same caveat of one spell per round applies.

Summon: The spiritual form of your weapon is monstrous, proud, and strong. It manifests directly to fight the enemy. You gain no benefits to your weapon itself, but you are able to summon a monster that represents your sword's spirit. With DM's permission, choose a creature whose HD your character level -2. You may summon this creature and it exists for 1 round/level. As you level up, it too levels up, gaining additional HD appropriate for its species and additional feats, but it is always -2 your HD. If the summon dies in battle, you may not re-summon it until 24 hours have past.

Taken a second time and the penalty is reduced to -1 HD. Taken a third time, and the summon matches your HD exactly. As this is the same creature summoned every time, one should keep their creature's information on hand as if it were a cohort. In addition the creature, like the sword itself, has its own free will. If the sword is disobeying its master, its summon likewise will be no more willing.

Skillful: Clever and intelligent, the skillful Bankai assists its user in feats of daring and genius. Take one skill which the Shinigami possesses at least 1 rank in. This skill receives a +10 bonus while in Bankai, and the Shinigami receives Skill Mastery in this skill, allowing the Shinigami to take 10 in combat. Once chosen, your selection is fixed.

Taken a second time, and the Shinigami may select another skill. They receive a +10 bonus, and his previous skill rise to +20. Taken a third time, and you may select one more skill, which receives a +10 bonus. The previous skill rises to +20, and the original skill becomes +30. In all cases, each skill with a bonus receives Skill Mastery.

Booster: Without its user, the weapon is nothing. Therefore it goes out of its way to increase the users abilities to its fullest, boosting the Shinigami with a surge of confidence. The Shinigami receives a +4 sacred bonus to two of their abilities scores of their choosing. Once the choice is made, the decision is fixed.

Taken a second time, and the bonuses rise to +6. Taken a third time, and the bonuses rise to +8. This effect lasts as long as the Shinigami wields his weapon.

Swift: Mobility is king. Riding the winds, the Shinigami becomes fast as a thunderbolt. He receives a +10 foot sacred bonus to his land speed, and a +1 dodge bonus to AC when moving at least 5 feet.

Taken a second time increases the speed of his travel to a +20 bonus. He may also employ his Flash Step as an immediate action. Taken a third time, and the speed increases to +30 feet. His Flash Step now grants the benefits of a blur and haste spell when used for a number of rounds equal to the Shinigami's class level.

Protection: The weapon's spirit protects its user from harm. Calling on its Bankai, the Shinigami receives a +3 sacred bonus to his armor class.

Taken a second time, and the bonus rises by +3. Taken a third time and the bonus rises by +3 again and the Shinigami gains 50% less damage from all attacks and spells directed towards him.

Warding: You soul is bound tightly to the soul, and you can endure the worse spells. You gain a +2 sacred bonus to all saving throws.

Taken a second and third time net you an additional +2 to saving throws and grants immunity to mind-affecting spells.

Healing: Your weapon's soul is a kind, gentle one. The Shinigami gains a pool of healing identical to the paladin's Lay On Hands, equal to 2x his Shinigami class level. While it can quickly be spent, the Shinigami can re-charge his pool of healing by dealing damage with his weapon in Bankai. This positive energy can harm undead as well.

Taken a second time, and the amount of the Shinigami's healing pool increases to x3 his class level. Taken a third time, and the weapons healing pool increases to x4 his class level and his pool is full when he taps into Bankai power. In addition the healing pool may be used offensively, releasing a surge of negative energy in a single melee touch attack against an enemy as a standard action. Threat this ability as a smite attack, which is wasted if the attack misses.

Ex-Shinigami

Like a member of any other class, a shinigami may be a multiclass character, but multiclass shinigamis face a special restriction. A shinigami who gains a level in any class other than shinigami may never again raise her shinigami level, though she retains all her shinigami abilities.

Epic Shinigami

Table: The Epic Shinigami

Hit Die: d8

Level	Special
21st
22nd
23rd	Bonus Feat
24th	+6 Weapon
25th
26th	Bonus Feat
27th
28th	+7 Weapon
29th	Bonus Feat
30th
2 + Int modifier skill points per level.

Weapon Enchantment Bonus (Su): The zanpaktou continues to accumulate enhancement bonuses. For every four levels past 20th the zanpaktou gains +1 greater potency.

Bonus Feats: The epic shinigami gains a bonus feat (selected from the list of epic shinigami bonus feats) every 3 levels after 20th.

Epic Shinigami Bonus Feat List: Armor Skin, Blinding Speed, Damage Reduction, Devastating Critical, Dire Charge, Energy Resistance, Epic Fortitude, Epic Prowess, Epic Reflexes, Epic Speed, Epic Toughness, Epic Will, Fast Healing, Great Charisma, Great Constitution, Great Dexterity, Great Strength, Great Wisdom, Improved Combat Casting, Improved Combat Reflexes, Improved Whirlwind Attack, Legendary Leaper, Overwhelming Critical, Penetrate Damage Reduction, Perfect Health, Spell Knowledge, Spellcasting Harrier, and Superior Initiative.

Human Shinigami Starting Package

Weapons: Masterwork Katana (Bastard Sword).

Skill Selection: Pick a number of skills equal to 2 + Int modifier.

Skill	Ranks	Ability	Armor Check Penalty
Jump	4	Str	—
Spot	4	Wis	—
Tumble	4	Dex	-2

Feat: Improved Initiative.

Bonus Feats: Weapon Focus Bastard Sword.

Gear: Chain Shirt, Backpack.

Gold: 23g.

Campaign Information

Playing a Shinigami

Religion: Shinigami typically worship neutral deities of death.

Other Classes: Shinigami typically get along with paladins and samurai, feeling a sense of justice in their dedication to law. Knights are less inclined to ally with shinigami, feeling their lack of armor a weakness. Ninja's, Rogues and evil Clerics are often under close suspicion when traveling with a shinigami.

Combat: Shinigami are to paladins as what barbarians are to fighters. For the barbarian, they excel when raging. For the shinigami, they excel in shikai or bankai. Knowing when and wear to activate their bankai is key to victory. Shinigamis are highly focused on their weapons and benefit the most from weapon based feats, for a shinigami will never willingly change weapons.

Advancement: Shinigamis who multiclass lose out on the bankai and other advance abilities. However, the shinigami's flavor goes well with any divine melee class, making paladin prestige classes a good opportunity to explore their more religious side.

Shinigamis in the World

“	This sword is one with me. That is why you cannot beat me	”
—Zukoe, Human Shinigamis/Fighter

Shinigamis are a secrative lot, working across the planes and keeping the material plane free from harm. Most normal people have never heard, or seen a shinigami. But without them extraplanar horrors would surely reach out and consume them all.

Daily Life: The shinigami can never rest, always on the look out for demons who threaten the world from beyond this dimension. Like a vigilant police officer, they are never really off duty, and must always be on call.

Notables: Ichigo is a strange shinigami, who is completely freelance. He is said to have a sinister side which seems unbefitting of the otherwise good-minded hero.

Organizations: On the neutral and good outer planes, and specifically within the Outlands and the city of Sigil, the shinigami are organized travelers who look out for dangerous demonic invasion attempts and terrible hauntings of souls who refuse to pass on. Here the counsel of Seireitei is ruled over by 13 captains in control of 13 squads, each specialized by their bankais and fighting styles.

NPC Reactions: A common NPC would have no idea to the purpose of a shinigami. To them, they are just another man with a sword, some sort of fighter perhaps. Often shinigami go out of their way to look inconspicuous as well, and it may result in absolutely no reaction at all. Those NPCs who see a shinigami leave his body however may think the poor soul has dropped dead.

Shinigami Lore

Characters with ranks in Knowledge (The Planes) or Knowledge (Religion) can research Shinigami to learn more about them. When a character makes a skill check, read or paraphrase the following, including information from lower DCs.

DC 10: A shinigami hunts ghosts and other incorporeal and extraplanar beings with their powerful weapon.

DC 15: A shinigami may leave their body at will and drift as a ghost. They possess both spell and sword to handle their meneces.

DC 20: A shinigami's magical weapon is an expression of their soul, and through it they can achieve "bankai" and unlock massive power for a short time.

DC 30: Those who reach this level of success can find information on a specific shinigami, their powers and abilities, legends surrounding them, and their common whereabouts.

Shinigamis in the Game

Shinigamis are protectors, and thus are not evil. Those which fall until evil lose their powers or worse, become as demons themselves. They are best in campaigns against incoporeal enemies, but do just fine in the material plane.

Adaptation: By reducing the BAB to Poor, giving a Poor Reflex save, reducing the HD to d6, and granting the cleric's spell list and progression the shinigami becomes much more caster focused while still maintaining the iconic shikai and bankai abilities.

Sample Encounter: The party encounters a comatose man in a field. Attempts to revive him fail, but shortly after the discovery, a gate opens in the nearby town from the shadow plane and monsters roll out. The gate remains open, where the wounded shinigami is found inside beset by more monsters. Assist him and close the gate.

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