Miko (Apath)

Unofficial rules compendium

The miko is a virgin shaman from the Japanese culture whose power comes from living at the border between adult and child. Mikos come into their power naturally and at an early age, without training.

Class Features

The miko has all the standard shaman’s class features, except as noted below.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency

A miko is proficient with the dagger (tanto) and one of the following weapons: composite long bow, naginata, or temple sword. She is not proficient with armor or shields.

Arcane Bond

A miko has the arcane bond feature of the wizard and can choose to bond either with a familiar or an object. A miko that chooses a bonded object can use it to cast any spell on the druid spell list once per day, even one she does not herself know. This ability replaces the spirit guide, guide concentration, and guide walk abilities.

Mage Armor

A miko adds mage armor to her spell list and list of spells known.

Virginity

Only adolescent women can become mikos, and mikos start play in the youngest age bracket for her race. A miko gains her power as a virgin, but need not abstain from sex once she has become a miko. If she ever has a child she stops being a miko. This ability replaces shaman taboos.

If male mikos exist in the campaign, they lose their miko abilities if they marry or lives in a stable relationship with a woman.

Ex Miko

A miko that becomes a mother immediately stops being a miko and cannot regain the class short of leaving her family and using atonement or similar effect. She loses the miko archetype and becomes a regular shaman, needing to change her class abilities accordingly. Her weapon and armor proficiencies do not change until she gains a full level as a normal shaman.

Summary of Changed Class Abilities

These abilities of the original class are lost or modified in this archetype:

• Weapon and Armor Proficiency
• Shaman Taboos
• Spirit Guide
• Guide Concentration
• Guide Walk