Ninja are a sub-class of thief; the armor restrictions are necessary for the thief functions. On any adventure on which the ninja violates the armor restrictions of the ninja class, the character would receive no experience as a ninja (receiving experience only in the other class--see M. J. Young's Dungeons & Dragons Materials, Special Rules, Experience for Ninja Split-Class for the MyWorld treatment of this). The use of such armor would also prevent the use of basic thieving skills, just as it would a thief. Ninja may wear Chain Mail, Leather Armor, Padded Armor, or Leather Scale. Most DM's would allow that a Ninja could wear Elfin Chain Mail; however, this is not available within the oriental milieu.
Ninja weapons are treated the opposite way. The list of weapons acceptable to the class are those which may be used to fill Ninja proficiency slots. It is expected that such slots will be used for weapon or non-weapon proficiencies which advance the ninja in clear ways. In addition to the weapons listed here, most referees will allow the use of these slots on appropriate non-weapon proficiencies, and on martial arts in styles which are weaponless or which will allow the use of the Shikomi-zue--the only martial-arts capable weapon on the list--in at least one of its two forms (bo stick or spear, some DM's will require that the style use both forms). It is expected that the character will use proficiency slots from the other class for other weapons--especially since the use of ninja weapons as weapons will almost certainly expose the character's secret identity as a ninja.
These are the weapons on which Ninja slots may be spent; many have dual functions.
Shurikens come in three types--large star, small star, and spike. DM's may differ as to whether they prefer treat these as three distinct weapon types, or allow that proficiency in any one is proficiency in all.
Under MyWorld rules, tetsu-bishi, like caltrops, do not require proficiency to use.
Return to Step 10 at the proficiencies count for the Ninja.
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