Artisans are the skilled professionals who create things for the beauty of the empire. Artisans often do not create a physical object, but rather a temporary and elusive act of beauty performed for the benefit of a small group. Artisans are highly valued in the courts of Rokugan and are often in great demand during the months of Winter Court.

Although artisans exist in every clan the most prominent are those that attend the Kakita Academy of the Crane Clan. There, every type of artisan in the Empire can find masters to teach them the secrets of their styles. As might be expected, the most renowned artists in Rokugan are Crane, although the Shiba family of the Phoenix are respected for their artisans as well.

Courtiers and Shugenja are the classes most likely to become artisans. The social element of the artisan's performance and the semi-magical effects they can evoke appeal to those classes.

Role: Utility

Characteristics: Professionals in a variety of trades and performances

Source: Rokugan Campaign Setting

Game Rule Information

The Artisan has the following game statistics.

Abilities: Intelligence for the number of skill points that you can funnel into your character, and Charisma for boosting all of your charisma checks and ability to perform in general.

Alignment: Any

Hit Die: d6

Starting Gold: N/A

Class Skills

The Artisan's class skills are Bluff (Cha), Craft (any) (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Gather Information (Cha), Listen (Wis), Perform (Cha), Profession (Wis), Search (Int), and Spot (Wis)

Skill Points at 1st Level: (6 + Int modifier) × 4

Skill Points at Each Additional Level: 6 + Int modifier

Class Features

All of the following are class features of the Artisan.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: A Artisan is proficient with alll simple weapons and the wakizashi

Artisan Ability: Beginning at 1st level the artisan can choose any one ability from the following list.

Kabuki Master (actor): A master of acting the artisan can assume any role while interacting with others. The artisan gains a +2 competence bonus to all Bluff, Diplomacy, Disguise and Intimidate checks. This ability may be taken a second time, increasing the bonus to +4. In addition, the artisan gains Disguise as a class skill.

The Kami's Grace (dancer): Deft mastery of the art of dance has enabled the artisan to entrance others with graceful movements and darting eye contact. The artisan, if desired, may select one person in the audience to focus the dance upon. That person must succeed on a Will Save (DC 10 + the artisan's level + Charisma Modifier) or be subject to an effect identical to that of the spell Hypnotism. Openly hostile targets receive a +10 circumstance bonus to their will save. This ability may be taken multiple times. Each successive time increases the number of HD affected by this ability by one die type (from 2d4 to 2d6, from 2d6 to 2d8, so on). In addition, the artisan gains Escape Artist as a class skill.

Mocking Countenance (jester): With succinct, biting commentary, the artisan mocks another in court, a dangerous prospect indeed. With a successful Perform (buffoonery) check (DC 20), the artisan may turn others' opinions against his target, lowering their disposition towards the target by one rank on the NPC Attitude table). Intially Helpful or Indifferent, and the Jester can never make anyone Hostile with his humor. This ability may be taken a second time, reducing the Perform (jester) DC to 15. In addition, the artisan gains Sense Motive as a class skill.

Origami Master (origami): So great is the artisan's mastery of the ancient art of folding paper that he can actually animate the tiny figures he creates by focusing his will upon them. With the expenditure of a Void point, the artisan may animate the Fine-sized creations and cause them to perform simple tricks (cranes fly about his head, foxes run up and down his arms etc.) This requires the artisan's full concentration, and he may not speak or take actions while animating the figures. The effect lasts as long as he concentrates, up to a maximum of 10 minutes per level in this class. This ability may take the form of any animal of the appropriate size (Fine through Small), gaining similar abilities (cranes can fly, hares can leap, etc.) Origami constructs may carry a written message to anyone the artisan knows within a 1 mile radius. The construct will unflod itself for the target but anyone else attempting to read the message will result in the construct shredding itself to pieces rendering the message unreadable. In addition, the artisan gains Forgery as a class skill.

Skilled Acrobat (acrobat): In addition to being impressive when demonstrated for court, acrobatics assist an artisan in avoiding attacks in combat. This ability grants an additional +3 dodge bonus to AC when executing a total defense action. This is cumulative to the bonus granted by the Tumble skill. This ability may be taken up to two times, with the second time conferring an additional +3 dodge bonus. In addition, the artisan gains Tumble as a class skill.

Soul of Music (Musician): The artisan has so mastered the art of music that the beauty of song can indeed soothe the savage breast. The artisan's music has an effect identical to the Calm Emotions spell, with the artisan's equivalent caster level equal to a 3rd level sorcerer. This ability may be taken a second time, increasing the artisan's equivalent caster level to 5. In addition, the artisan gains Skill Focus (Listen) as a bonus feat.

Master Chef (chef): A master of combining herbs and exotic spices, the artisan is a peerless culinary creator. Given adequate time to prepare and suitable resources, the artisan may prepare a meal that will, if fully consumed, confer one of the following effects to up to six people: +1 Con, -1 Con, +1 Dex, -1 to attack rolls, -1 Reflex save, +1 Reflex save, or -1 Fort save. This enhancement bonus lasts for 1 hour. In addition, the artisan gains Knowledge (Nature) as a class skill.

Natural Performer Ex: Whatever their chosen specialization, artisans are accustomed to performing in front of others and develop considerable skill in front of a crowd. While performing, the artisan gains a +2 bonus to any Bluff, Diplomacy, or Gather Information check. This bonus increases to +4 at 6th level and +6 at the 10th level.

Reputation: As the artisan/craftsman increases in reputation his influence increases as well. Beginning at 6th level, the artisan may add half their class level to their perform checks to make money. At 8th level this bonus increases to the artisan's class level.