The yakuza consider themselves to be the defenders of their communities, civil servants who keep the peace and ensure tranquility and order. Historically, machi-yakko was the designation given to those individuals who banded together against the predations of the kabukimono. Today, the machiyakko is a title of respect for prominent yakuza, typically oyabun. Because of their position within the yakuza, the machi-yakko receive a great deal of respect from their community and have ready access to family resources. Utilizing enchanted tattoos, these yakuza leaders can be fearsome opponents in combat, though most opponents must first fight an army of underlings if they wish to challenge a machiyakko.

However, the machi-yakko's real power is in their ability to manipulate and influence others.

The machi-yakko is a natural prestige class for a rogue or bard, but is available to any yakuza member who meets the criteria.

Role The machi-yakko is a prominent member of a yakuza family. He works well as a behind-the-scenes mastermind, rarely venturing forth to do the gang's dirty-work himself, though his enchanted tattoos give him an edge when he is forced to draw his blade.

Hit Die: d8

Requirements

To qualify to become a machi-yakko, a character must fulfill all of the following criteria:

Class Skills

The machi-yakko's class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Appraise (Int), Bluff (Cha), Craft (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Disable Device (Dex), Escape Artist (Dex), Intimidate (Cha), Knowledge (history) (Int), Knowledge (local) (Int), Linguistics (Int), Perception (Wis), Profession (Wis), Sense Motive (Wis), Stealth (Dex), Swim (Str), and Use Magic Device (Cha).

Skill Points at Each Level: 8 + Int modifier.

Table: Machi-Yakko

Class Features

The following are class features of the machi-yakko prestige class.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Machi-yakko are proficient with all simple weapons, plus the kama, longsword, sap, shortbow, shortsword and wakizashi. They are proficient with light armor but not with shields.

Community Leader

A machi-yakko adds his class level to all Diplomacy and Knowledge (local) checks.

Gang Leader

When determining the machi-yakko's leadership score, levels from the machi-yakko prestige class count double.

Tattoo

At 1st level, the machi-yakko gains an enchanted tattoo. The machi-yakko gains an additional tattoo at 2nd level and ever 2 levels thereafter. These tattoos do not take up a magical item slot and can utilize, if needed, preexisting tattoos. The machi-yakko can choose from the following options. Each choice, unless the description indicates otherwise, can be taken only once.

Gang Profits

By 3rd level, the machi-yakko's position insures him a continual income. Each week he gains an amount of gp equal to twice his leadership score. At 5th level, the amount of gp he is earning from this ability increases to three times his leadership score and at 10th level it becomes five times his leadership score. If, for any reason, the machi-yakko's followers are killed or dispersed, this income is reduced to zero until such time as he can gain new followers.

Sneak Attack

At 3rd level, the machi-yakko gains the sneak attack ability. This ability functions exactly like the rogue ability of the same name and stacks with any sneak attack bonuses granted from other classes. The amount of sneak attack damage dealt increases at 6th and 9th levels.

Community Father

At 5th level, the machi-yakko is so respected he can take 10 on any Diplomacy or Intimidate checks.

Skilled Leader

At 7th level, the machi-yakko's ability to influence others improves. The machi-yakko gains a +2 bonus to all Charisma-based skill checks.