Here are mine. I wanted something more in line with the historical descriptions of these two types of warrior-monks and warrior-priests with the slightly magical D&Dish influence of the Cleric role. We'll get to the Priest after that.
And so....
Sohei
Buddhist warrior-monks, trained temple guardians, more fighter than cleric. They are primarily trained in combat, can use any weapon and wear any armor, and slowly gain a few clerical spells. They are bound to the temple they serve and their masters will send them on various missions to serve the temple's interests. A Sohei must be of Lawful alignment but they can be Good, Neutral, or Evil depending on their temple's alignment and masters they serve.
The Sohei does have a few basic religious restrictions such as not eating meat (fish is allowed) and moderation of his behavior in gambling and drinking, but it is allowed. Over indulgence is frowned upon. As a soldier of his temple and faith he may use violence and kill his enemy in battle but murder and assassination are forbidden.
Prime Requ: Wis
Ability Requirements: Str 13, Wis 12
Exp: As Cleric
HD: 1d6
Save: As Cleric
Attack: As Cleric
Armor: Any
Weapons: Any.
⦁ Spells: As Cleric. Gains first spell at level three. Gains a new spell level at levels 3, 6, 9, 12, etc.
⦁ Unarmed Combat: The Sohei is trained to fight bare-handed as well as armed. At first level the unarmed damage is 1d3, at fifth level it rises to 1d4, and at twelfth level it rises to 1d6.
⦁ AC Bonus: The Sohei is trained to protect himself when unarmored. When he has no armor bonus from equipment he adds a +1 to AC at level one, +2 at level five, and +3 at level twelve.
⦁ Favored Weapon: The Sohei may choose any one weapon type such as Naginata (pole-arm) and receive a +1 to hit with that weapon type as well as increase the weapon's damage by one dice step.
⦁ Religious Fervor: Once per day per two levels (round up) the Sohei can call upon his fanatic zeal and dedication to his duty to increase his damage in battle. The attack is at a -2 to the attack roll but does x2 damage if successful, x3 if a natural 20 is rolled.
Yamabushi/Shukenja
A wandering warrior-priest devoted to the service of others he is a practitioner of the religion of Shugendo, they are also known as Shukenja.
Yamabushi must always be of Lawful (Good) alignment. They are mountain mystics studying religion, mystical texts, and the arts of war. They are similar to Sohei but are less combat orientated and are free to wander as they please, often performing ceremonies such as marriages and funerals for the often isolated mountain folk. The Yamabushi are mostly solitary but will form alliances with Buddhist or Shinto temples to serve the people. They would also participate in defending a temple or in major battles with Sohei and Samurai.
The Yamabushi has a number of religious restrictions: he cannot eat meat, he must show moderation in eating and drinking, he must refrain from violence when possible, and must not kill outside of war or in defense. They sever all connections to family and social status when becoming a Yamabushi and is expected to donate excess wealth to charity and live a life of poverty.
Prime Requ: Wis
Ability Requirements: Str 12, Wis 13
Exp: As Cleric
HD: 1d6
Save: As Cleric
Attack: As Cleric
Armor: Any
Weapons: Any.
⦁ Spells: As Cleric. Gains first spell at level two. Gains a new spell level at even levels thereafter.
⦁ Turn Undead: As Cleric.
⦁ Favored Weapon: The Yamabushi may choose any one weapon type such as Naginata (polearm) and receive a +1 to hit with that weapon type as well as increase the weapon's damage by one dice step.
⦁ Create Talisman: Creates a temporary holy item in the form of writings and drawings on paper. The Yamabushi can create one talisman per day per level. The item's power lasts for a number of days equal to the Yamabushi's level.
⦁ Spirit Strike: The Yamabushi as the ability to strike undead, spirits, and creatures that require silver or a magic weapon to hit. This ability does not add a bonus to hit or damage but only confers the ability to hit and damage the foe with an otherwise ordinary weapon. At level one he can hit foes requiring silver to hit. At level four +1 weapons. At level eight +2. At level twelve +3. IF your game goes beyond these levels : At level sixteen +4. At level twenty +5.
And then we get to the Priest.
I'm stuck at the moment. I confess I do not enjoy religion in gaming. In my normal Old School D&D I tend to hand wave deities for clerics. The players probably know more about the evil humanoid gods than their own. I'm just not into that. So....... I need to do a bit more research on Buddhism, Taoism, Shintoism etc to round out this class with restrictions, etc. I really don't need to but if I'm going to to this class I feel I have too even if it's just a few fluff paragraphs.
For now: here's a generic priestly class orientated towards ceremonies and little bloodshed.
Add in restrictions such as vegetarian, cannot kill, no wealth, etc for now.
Priest
Ability Requirements: Wis 13
Exp: As Cleric
HD: 1d4
Save: As Cleric
Attack: As Magic User
Armor: None
Weapons: Bo, jo, sling, and any other blunt weapon which will not likely spill blood or kill.
⦁ Spells: As many per day as a Magic User but uses the Cleric Spell List.
⦁ Rituals: The Priest can cast spells via rituals and can attempt to cast spells of a higher level. The Priest may add his level to the casting roll.
⦁ Turn Undead/Spirits: As a Cleric.
⦁ Create Talisman: Creates a temporary holy item in the form of writings and drawings on paper. The Priest can create one talisman per day per level. The item's power lasts for a number of days equal to the Priest's level.
⦁ Languages: The Priest is educated in many languages and writing, often being utilized by the local lords as a translator or scribe when necessary. He begins with an bonus language at first level and gains another at levels 4, 8, and 12.
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