Path of the Southern Star

Some shugenja follow a different path from their brethren. They use any means necessary to root out enemies of the faith. Often above the edicts of their religion, disciples of the Southern star train specifically to seek out and destroy dangers and heretics.

Inquisitorial Magic

At 4th level, the disciple of the southern star may choose to learn spells from the inquisitor spell list (in addition to the cleric list). Additionally, he may ignore alignment restrictions on spells, need not remain within one step of his deity in alignment, and never is subject to alignment shifts as a result of spellcasting.

Additionally, the shugenja chooses an inquisition appropriate to his goddess. He gains the first-level granted power for this inquisition. At 9th level, he gains the second granted power.

Stern Gaze (Ex)

At 4th level, Disciples of the Southern Star are skilled at sensing deception and intimidating their foes. A disciple of the southern star receives a competence bonus on all Intimidate and Sense Motive checks equal to 1/2 his shugenja level (minimum +1).

Judgement (Su)

At 7th level, the disciple of the southern star gains the Judgement class ability as an inquisitor of his shugenja level - 3.

Discern Lies (Sp)

At 9th level, a disciple of the southern star can discern lies, as per the spell, for a number of rounds per day equal to his shugenja level. These rounds do not need to be consecutive. Activating this ability is an immediate action. The saving throw DC for this ability is 10+1/2 Shugenja level+Wis mod. At 15th level, the shugenja is so insightful that this ability always succeeds, no longer allowing a saving throw. In addition, at this level, the ability now picks up on evasive language and omission.

Bane (Su)

At 12th level, a disciple of the southern star can imbue his unarmed strikes with the bane weapon special ability as a swift action. He must select one creature type when he uses this ability (and a subtype if the creature type selected is humanoid or outsider). Once selected, the type can be changed as a swift action.This ability lasts for a number of rounds per day equal to the shugenja’s level. These rounds do not need to be consecutive.

Exploit Weakness (Ex)

At 15th level, the disciple of the southern star learns to take advantage of any opportunity that presents itself. Whenever the disciple of the southern star scores a critical hit with a monk weapon or unarmed strike, he ignores any damage reduction the target might have, including DR/- and DR/epic. In addition, if the target has regeneration, the creature loses regeneration on the round following the critical hit and can die normally during that round. Creatures whose regeneration always functions are immune to this ability. Finally, if the shugenja deals energy damage to a creature with vulnerability to that energy type, he deals +1 point of damage per die rolled.

Final Judgement (Su)

At 19th level, whenever a disciple of the southern star uses his judgment ability, he selects two different judgments, instead of one. This only consumes one use of his judgment ability. As a swift action, he can change one of these judgments to another type.