Dragonfly

Born in 1920 and raised on a remote farm in the mountains of northern Japan, Takara had a picturesque lifestyle for her first 10 years. Her father, a government agent who spent a lot of time overseas, guided her training in the basic principles of self-defense and threat reduction. He also taught her to speak Korean. Although his work took him far from home, her father would return every few months for a brief vacation. During this time at home, he would coach her and give her goals to meet upon his next return; then he would leave again on another government job. In the winter of 1930, her father left home on an assignment and never returned. Her mother committed suicide later that year. Takara never learned the true fate of her father, though she has a strong desire to find out.

With both her parents gone, young Takara was taken to the outskirts of Tokyo to live with her uncle. Within a year, she was studying at the knee of one of the greatest Ninja masters of the day. The lessons of her father served her well and quickly earned her a place as a student of the Black Dragon Society

Besides providing training in Ninjutsu, the Black Dragon Society is also an ultra-conservative, nationalist group of radicals who specialize in sabotage, assassinations and subversion. Dragonfly quickly became indoctrinated in their philosophy of Japanese superiority and military rule.

The demands of training were extreme and life with her uncle was difficult. By the age of 14, Takara left her uncle’s home and became a full time student of the Black Dragon Society, taking the name Dragonfly. During these years as a student of the Black Dragon Society, she took part in several assaults, arsons, and other petty crimes. At the age of 17 she graduated to the elite status of "Ninja" and became an official agent of the imperial army.

From 1938 to 1942, Dragonfly spent a lot of time in Hong Kong and Shanghai. It was during these years that she learned to speak Cantonese and English. In the summer of 1942 she was sent into the Philippines to spread sabotage and confusion ahead of the imperial army’s invasion. Since then, she has been moved around to various hot spots and dangerous situations throughout the Pacific. She has been on assignments in Australia, America, Vietnam, China, and several places in between.

Dragonfly is somewhat shy and reclusive. Taking the principles of threat reduction to heart, she believes that the first step in defending yourself from others is keeping them from knowing that you even exist. Those that do discover her existence are usually killed.

Dragonfly tends to be quiet and reserved, rarely showing any emotion. She is dedicated to serving her country and perfecting her Ninjutsu skills. When she interacts with other people, she often comes across as remarkably cold and cruel. She is very task-oriented and takes a no-nonsense approach to her assignments.

She is dedicated to serving the Emperor and believes strongly in the war effort. She has a strong dislike of Westerners and Capitalism and yearns for a return to the Ancient days of Feudal Japan.

In combat, Dragonfly prefers to hide and ambush her opponents at close range. She is a superb martial artist and enjoys using her Elusive Target feat while brawling in the midst of a gun battle. She prefers the hit-and-run tactics of guerrilla warfare and will not hesitate to flee from a situation that might turn against her.

Takara Tokuru (Code Name: Dragonfly): (Fast-3, Dedicated-2, Martial Artist-5, Ninja-2) CR 12, Medium-size Human; HD 10d8+2d6+24; HP 79; Mas 17; Init.+8; Spd 30 ft; Defense 28 [29 Vs melee] (+4 Dex, +12 class, +2 ring) [touch 29, flat footed 24]; Rep +3, Bab +9, Grap +11, Att +11 melee (+13 unarmed/1d8+2), +13 range; saves Fort +8, Ref +13, Will +7; Str 14, Dex 16 (18), Con 14, Int 12, Wis 12, Cha 10

Action Points: 6

Allegiance: Black Dragon Society

Occupation: Criminal (+1 Hide and Move Silently, bonus Brawl feat)

Talents: Evasion, *Basic Acrobatic Moves (not figured into the stat-block above), Zen Awareness (already added in the skill bonuses below)

Special Abilities: Living weapon (1d8), flying kick, shadow stalking, divine spells, ninjutsu, sneak attack +1d6, iron fist (1 attack)

Skills: Balance +7, Climb +12 (+14 with gloves), Escape Artist +8, Hide +16, Jump +5, Knowledge (theology and philosophy) +7, Listen +11, Move Silently +16, Perform (dance) +4, Speak English, Speak Chinese, Speak Korean, Spot +11, Tumble +12

Feats (11): Brawl, Simple Weapon Proficiency, Combat Martial Arts, Defensive Martial Arts, Combat Reflexes, Elusive Target, Heroic Surge, Cloak Dance, Archaic Weapons Proficiency, Improved Damage Threshold, Weapon Focus (unarmed strike)

Spells: 3/2 per day, DC 11 + spell level. 0^th level—Daze (x3); 1^st—Expeditious retreat, shield of faith

Equipment: Bracers of Initiative (+4), Ring of Deflection +2, boots of dexterity (+2), katana (+1), shuriken (x12), smoke grenades (x2), climbing gloves (+2 Climb checks), false ID papers, and other standard equipment.

Adjusted Wealth: +3

* Basic Acrobatic Moves is a talent for the Fast hero and can be found in Another 22 Talent Trees

Check out 1948: the Ninja to get all the d20 game rule information on the Ninja's special abilities and spells, as well as the Black Dragon secret society!  

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