One of the highest-ranked ninja, this master assassin uses a single ninja sword and powerful ninja magic in a deadly combination. Sometimes called a “Shadow”, which is a direct translation of their ninja title. – Imban
Kage (CR 12)
XP 19,200
Hume ninja (shadow) 13
TN Medium humanoid (hume)
Init +9; Senses Perception +17
DEFENSE
AC 24, touch 24, flat-footed 18 (+5 Dex, +4 Int, +1 dodge, +4 ninja)
hp 102 [144] (13d8+40)
mp 44
Fort +10, Ref +15, Will +9
Defensive Abilities improved evasion, improved uncanny dodge
OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft.
Melee +2 wakizashi +17/+12 (1d6+7/15-20)
Special Abilities Ki Pool (13 pts), Ki Powers (Faceless Shroud, Ghost Step, Improved Ki, Invisible Blade, Ki Blade, Unbound Steps), Light Steps
Special Attacks Sneak Attack +5d6
Spells Known (Ninja CL 13th; concentration +17)
0th (DC 14) – Alter Food, Dark Orb, Grab, Ignite, Message, Torchlight
1st (DC 15) – Air Bubble, Charm (DC 17), Choco Feather, Dark, Flame Breath, Mage Armor, Saber, Shield, Wind Armor
2nd (DC 16) – Elemental Resistance, Fiery Shuriken, See Invisibility, SIlence (DC 18), Temper, Wall Climb
3rd (DC 17) – Bio (DC 19), Blacklight, Blindga (DC 19), Infect (DC 19), Sleepga (DC 19), Water Walk
4th (DC 18) – Break (DC 20), Dark IV, Disable (DC 20), Frog (DC 20), Poisonga (DC 20), Vanish
5th (DC 19) – Darkga, Flight
TACTICS
Before Combat: Given that it lasts for 13 hours, kages will almost always cast Mage Armor at the beginning of each day, giving them an AC of 28, touch 24, flat-footed 22. If combat is well-known to be coming in advance, they’ll also cast as many of their other longer-duration buffs (Elemental Resistance, Flight, Shield, Temper, Vanish, and Wind Armor) as they feel appropriate.
During Combat: Blacklight removes their ability to attack at range, but generally gives a kage an overwhelming advantage in melee combat, so they’ll either use that or attack at range with magic. They can also become invisible more normally with Invisible Blade if they want to retain their ability to attack at range.
STATISTICS
Str 10, Dex 20, Con 14, Int 18, Wis 13, Cha 8
Base Atk +9; CMB +9; CMD 33
Feats Dodge, Great Fortitude, Greater Spell Focus (Enfeebling), Improved Critical (Wakizashi), Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Spell Focus (Enfeebling), Throw AnythingB, Toughness, Weapon FinesseB, Weapon Focus (Wakizashi)B
Skills Acrobatics +21 (+27 jump w/at least 1 ki), Bluff +16, Disable Device +29, Disguise +16, Escape Artist +21, Fly +18 (+22 with Flight), Knowledge (arcana) +20, Perception +17 (+23 trapfinding), Sleight of Hand +21, Spellcraft +20, Stealth +21; Racial Bonus +1 Bluff, +4 Diplomacy (gather information), +1 Disguise, +1 Knowledge (local)
Languages Common and four others
SQ AC Bonus, Ambush, Clear Mind II, Cloaked in Shadows, Master Tricks (Improved Evasion), Mystic Brilliance, Ninja Tricks (Combat Trick, Bleeding Attack, Finesse Training, Thief Talent (Offensive Defense), Trapfinding), No Trace +4, Sociable
Gear Belt of Physical Might (Dex/Con) +2, Cloak of Resistance +2, Cure Potion (4), Disguise Kit, Headband of Vast Intelligence +2 (Stealth), mwk Thieves’ Tools, +2 Wakizashi, 315 gil
ECOLOGY
Environment any, frequently urban
Organization solo, pair, or team (3)
Treasure gear