Sohei

Sohei are warrior monks from Kara-Tur, religious soldiers who protect large monasteries. Unlike shamans, sohei are more militant than holy, and receive very little religious instruction. Instead they are trained in the art of fighting. Sohei defend their monastery against attacks and advance its political claims in the outside world. They are subject to the leader of their temple.

Adventurers
Like paladins, sohei think of their adventures as “quests” in the service of their religion. Like samurai, however, they are typically sent on these quests by a superior whose command is law to the sohei. Sohei are often charged with defending their temples in times of conflict, but they can also expect to strike against enemy temples, monks, or shamans, to hunt down evil monsters terrorizing the countryside, or to recover a relic that is sacred to their order. They welcome all challenges as tests of their prowess and, secondarily, their faith.

Characteristics
Sohei mix martial prowess with divine power that grants them spell ability (as they gain experience), the ability to heighten their strength and speed in battle, and protection from mental and bodily harm. Very experienced sohei can shrug off physical damage and ignore certain magical effects. Their spells are useful in battle to grant protection, enhance attacks, and damage foes.

Alignment
Sohei, like monks, live a life of strict discipline and obedience to their orders. Sohei must be lawful, and lose their divine power if they stray from the path of law.

Background
Sohei come from all walks of life to train in their temples and monasteries. Many join their orders as children, and become sohei when they demonstrate a strength of both body and mind that lends itself to the temple’s defense. Often, though, young men and women who show little promise for the contemplative life of the monk are the ones selected to become sohei.

Races
As with monks, most sohei are human or near-human (hengeyokai or spirit folk). The monastic orders to which sohei belong are predominantly human, and korobokurus, nezumi, and vanaras rarely join such orders (though of course exceptions exist).