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</noinclude>{{quote|In accordance with custom, the combatants exchanged names and swords were unsheathed, the three samurai on one side facing the solitary opponent with whom the sympathies of the onlookers evidently lay. The keen blades of the duelists glittered in the sun. The ''ronin'', as calm as a mirrored lake, advanced steadily with the point of his weapon directed against the samurai in the centre of the trio, and apparently indifferent to an attack on either flank. The samurai in the middle gave ground inch by inch and the ''ronin'' as surely stepped forward. Then the right-hand samurai, who thought he saw an opening, rushed to attack, but the ''ronin'', who had clearly anticipated this move, parried and with lightning rapidity cut his enemy down with a mortal blow. The left-hand samurai came on in his turn but was treated in a similar fashion, a single stroke felling him to the ground bathed in blood. All this took almost less time than it takes to tell. The samurai in the center, seeing the fate of his comrades, thought better of his first intention and took to his heels.|orig=Harrison, Human historian, on the prowess of ronin}}

The ''ronin'', as calm as a mirrored lake, advanced steadily with the point of his weapon directed against the samurai in the centre of the trio, and apparently indifferent to an attack on either flank. The samurai in the middle gave ground inch by inch and the ''ronin'' as surely stepped forward. Then the right-hand samurai, who thought he saw an opening, rushed to attack, but the ''ronin'', who had clearly anticipated this move, parried and with lightning rapidity cut his enemy down with a mortal blow. The left-hand samurai came on in his turn but was treated in a similar fashion, a single stroke felling him to the ground bathed in blood.  All this took almost less time than it takes to tell. The samurai in the center, seeing the fate of his comrades, thought better of his first intention and took to his heels.|orig=Harrison, Human historian, on the prowess of ronin}} When a samurai is exiled from the service of his lord, he either commits seppuku or becomes a ronin. But this class is not for those ronin. Instead, this focuses on the progeny of the dishonorable warrior, who is recognized as a ronin himself, whether he has done anything dishonorable or not. Growing up in a harsh world, bearing the weight of their father's actions, and otherwise fending for himself has taught the ronin one thing: Clean fighters Truly honorable duelists never win. As such, the ronin is a master of cheap shots and intimidation.

A ronin focuses on mobility and flanking. While he shares several abilities with that of the [[SRD:Rogue|rogue]] and [[SRD:Ranger|ranger]], he is better at head on combat then either of them. Of courseUnfortunately, he lacks the hit points of some of the more martially inclined classes.

'''Abilities:''' Charisma is the most important ability for a Ronin, followed by Dexterity and Strength. A ronin has little use for Wisdom or Intelligence, and Constitution is only important if you want more hit points.

'''{{Anchor|Cheap Shot}} ([[SRD:Special Abilities Overview#Extraordinary|Ex]]):''' If a ronin can catch an opponent when he is unable to defend himself effectively from his attack, he can strike a vital spot for extra damage, thus taking and therefore being a 'cheap shotbit of a cheater.'

The ronin’s attack deals extra damage any time his target would be denied a [[SRD:Dexterity|Dexterity]] bonus to [[SRD:AC|AC]] (whether the target actually has a [[SRD:Dexterity|Dexterity]] bonus or not), or when the ronin [[SRD:Flanking|flanks]] her his target. This extra damage is 1d6 at 1st level, and it increases by 1d6 every two ronin levels thereafter. Should the ronin score a [[SRD:Critical Hit|critical hit]] with a cheap shot, this extra damage is not multiplied.

With any weapon that can deal [[SRD:Nonlethal Damage|nonlethal damage]] with no penalty (ex: the sap), a ronin can make a cheap shot that deals [[SRD:Nonlethal Damage|nonlethal damage]] instead of lethal damage (but some opponents would argue that getting hit with a cheap shot hurts ''more'' then lethal damage, if you know what I mean). He cannot use a weapon that deals lethal damage to deal [[SRD:Nonlethal Damage|nonlethal damage]] in a cheap shot, not even with the usual –4 penalty.

This ability is otherwise identical to the [[SRD:Rogue|rogue's]] sneak attack, and is treated as such in regards to feat and prestige class prerequesitesprerequisites, and it stacks with sneak attack damage from other sources.

'''{{Anchor|Confidence}} ([[SRD:Special Abilities Overview#Extraordinary|Ex]]):''' A ronin is supremely confidant in his abilitisabilities, and may add his Charisma bonus to his Dexterity bonus to modify his Armor Class. This only works when he is wearing armor lighter than heavy and not using a shield. As with normal Dexterity AC modifications, positive modifiers are lost when the ronin is flat-footed.

'''{{Anchor|Ronin's Ire}} ([[SRD:Special Abilities Overview#Extraordinary|Ex]]):''' A ronin can bring the wrath of his full hatred wrath down upon his enemies. Starting at 2nd level, a ronin may designate one opponent as the receiver of his ire. The confers several benefits. First, a ronin automatically has [[Races of War (3.5e Sourcebook)/Advanced Combat#Base Attack Bonus and Combat Maneuvers|the Edge]] on the subject of his rage, even if their base attack bonus is higher than his own. Additionally, he gains a +2 bonus to attack rolls and +1d6 bonus to all attacks (not spells) against any creature that is designated as the subject of his ire. This damage bonus increases by another d6 every time he gains the ability again, and stacks with any extra damage from Cheap Shot damage. Every time he gains this ability, he can select one additional creature to receive his ire, to a total of 4 receivers at one time at 20th level. Switching the subject(s) of his ire is a swift action.

'''Religion:''' Religion among ronins variesronin vary. Some spurn religion, and others are devout believers. Those that do pay homeage homage to a higher power prefer gods of travel, revenge, and secrets. Even those ronin often worship loselyloosely, perhaps invoking a short prayer before battle, and little more.

'''Other Classes:''' Ronin have an inner distrust of samurai, for they represent the people that cast off their parents, and thus them, into the lawless existence, and the feeling is mutual. While they laugh inwardly at the strictness of the paladin's code of conduct and the monk's strict regime, they do recognize their use in combat, which is more important above all else. Ronins Ronin get along best with rogues and other shadowy characters, and a ronin/rogue tag-team can demolish an enemy in seconds.

'''Combat:''' Ronins Ronin are typically second-line combatants, but are better in single combat and can able to hold their own more readily than a rogueif need be. With is his high charisma, a ronin is a master of demoralizing and feinting in combat, and can take out foes that earn his rage. Typically they will flank opponents with the barbarian or fighter, hoping the monster will pay more attention to those classes.

'''Advancement:''' Most ronin stay ronin throughout their entire career, but those that decide to multiclass are generally pick levels of rogue or fighter. With their high charisma, some ronin are naturally inclined to become sorcerers.

Ronin are adept swordsmen who often function as mecenaries mercenaries or bodyguards. The ability of famous ronin is legendary, for they possesse possess abilities far above those of normal men. Most ronin wear their weapons in plain sight, usually to attract the attention of employers and challengers alike. Like samurai, ronin are knowledgeable about an ancestral exotic weapon, but they have no qualms about using the ancestral weapons of other samurai.

'''Daily Life:''' All ronins ronin have wanderlust of varying degrees, and rarely stay in the same place for more then a few months. This is part of necessity, for they carry their father's bad reputation for dishonor. Many acrue accrue large gambling debts, and often become heavy drinkers and smokers.

'''Notables:''' Yasuga was a powerful ronin who saved the emperor of a far off land the Rising Sun and was able to regain his honor, advancing as a samurai after that. Many ronin seek to follow in his footsteps, and but they usually fail.

'''Organizations:''' Ronin will occasionally gather in bands or groups, generally acting as mercenaries or enforcers for a noble. Ronin tend to propogate propagate in the worst areas of a city, and some act many serve as bodyguards for high-ranking members of the criminal underworld.

'''NPC Reactions:''' NPC reactions are mixed, but most view them shun as simple criminals, and react accordingly. Commoners fear the ronin, and honorable warriors like the paladin and samurai dislike do not trust him.