Fortress-Monasteries of the Sohei

The Sohei of the Pearl Islands are warrior-monks, the Pearl Island culture's equivalent of clerics. Although they may often establish shrines in cities and towns, their training and headquarters are fortress-monasteries known locally as shudoin, often in borderland areas between civilization and the wilderness. They are often divided into different religious sects called orders - these are large organisations, though often centred around a single temple or shudoin.

art by Wayne Reynolds, source

The Sohei orders are nominally answerable to the Shogun (the Emperor's representative and second in command), who has delegated the Office of Monastic Affairs to deal with the Sohei. However, sohei can be very stubborn and strong-willed and will sometimes ignore or reject edicts from the Shogun, particularly if they feel strongly on a matter, either out of principle or perhaps honour, so in many ways they are independent. Theoretically the Shogun can assign his chosen abbot as head of a monastery, but unpopular choices have led to sohei protests and uprisings prompting even the Shogun to back down and reconsider. 

Sohei shudoin will often comprise of a quarter being proper sohei (with levels as clerics) and two thirds being lay men-at-arms, often referred to as ikko-ikki (“Devoted League”), who are actually fighters rather than clerics but with a strong sense of religious devotion. The rest of the shudoin are servants who have no character class levels, but are still true believers. The larger fortress-monasteries can thus be a considerable military force, with up to a thousand sohei and ikko-ikki ready to defend their home. 

Sohei are essentially variant clerics, using the XP advancement, to hit chart, d6 hit dice and saving throws as normal clerics. Sohei can use clerical spells and turn undead just like most clerics. They are granted spells through their faith, discipline and spiritual connection. This connection is usually to the cosmic forces of Law, Chaos or Neutrality - sohei tend towards philosophies rather than immortals. However, a few will follow an immortal - often one who was a great and noble leader in the Pearl Islands. Even then, the sohei who are granted spells will often view their immortal patron as a teacher guiding them to a better philosophy and enlightenment rather than a deity to be worshipped in themselves. 

Sohei will often use samurai armour (treated here as banded armour, AC 4), but rather than using maces or warhammers with shields they will use najinatas - these are two-handed polearms that do 1d8 damage; Ikko-ikki will also tend to use naginatas in favour of other weapons. Sohei never use shields. Although some say sohei will use bows and arrows, this is not actually true - their ikko-ikki will, but the clerical sohei will not as their religion forbids it. Since both the lay brothers and the sohei wear the same armour and white cloth head scarves it is not easy to distinguish between the two, particularly in the heat of battle. 

Sohei will find themselves involved in various conflicts, mostly to do with their monasteries. 

• Order vs Order conflicts: This may be a matter of religious or philosophical argument that has escalated, or it may be something more prosaic such as money, land and converting each other’s followers. 
• Order vs secular authorities. As noted, although theoretically answerable to the Shogun and his Office of Monastic Affairs, the sohei are often effectively independent, at least in their own opinions. This can lead to violent clashes if a controversial issue is not resolved peacefully. 
• Orders allying with daimyos or other feudal authorities against other secular groups. Although some sohei strive to remain above feudal politics and conflicts, they have been known to throw their support, both moral and military, behind one feudal lord in order to defeat or at least defend themselves against another who is their common enemy.  
• Orders against bandits. Sohei are not expected to be policemen or border troops but when they or their lands and people are threatened by brigands they are capable of defending themselves, even launching expeditions to destroy brigand strongholds that threaten their monastic holdings. 
• Orders against marauding monsters. Similar to the situation with brigands, the sohei are not expected to be dedicated monster hunters (though a rare few are), though they will defend their territories against non-human threats as well. 

Known Orders and Shudoin of the Pearl Islands

These are the largest and most famous orders on the Pearl Islands: there may be others not described here.

Order of the Yellow Pearl

• Strength: 120 sohei, 400 ikko-ikki, 60 servants
• Base: Shudoin of the Yellow Pearl, hills south of Kaiko  
• Member alignment: Always lawful

This popular order is focused on serenity and enlightenment but with an awareness that self-defence and defence of innocent people is necessary. When not in battle gear the sohei and ikko-ikki will often wear saffron-yellow robes. The sohei of the Yellow Pearl have been known to offer healing and curing of diseases at their shrines and temples that may become informal hospitals. They also have been known to counsel the bereaved, the distraught and the emotionally unwell. 

Order of the Eternal Sunrise

• Strength: 150 sohei, 200 ikko-ikki, 100 servants
• Base: Temple of the Jade Lotus, north of Kaiko
• Member alignment: Usually Lawful, sometimes neutral, never chaotic

The Order of the Eternal Sunrise is less militant than some orders, and is focused on knowledge and wisdom. It often assists with record keeping and is famed for its extensive libraries. Its members, especially sohei, are forbidden from deliberately destroying books and records. The sohei sometimes establish schools in towns to teach people reading and writing - places for pupils in these schools are much sought-after. 

Order of the Mandate of the Heavens

• Strength: 300 sohei, 960 ikko-ikki, 120 servants
• Base: Steel Shoduin on outskirts of Raisukawa
• Member alignment: Always lawful

This order is dedicated to the preservation of Law and order, particularly assisting the Shogun and his daimyos against bandits and monsters. They maintain shrines in other major cities and the senior members are often well-travelled around the Pearl Islands. They are probably the only order to always respect the Shogun’s commands, and as such are sometimes seen as his pet clerics, following political directives rather than their own principles. The order can also be culturally conservative, disapproving of changes to procedures, customs or laws and also being wary of foreigners and demihumans. The Order of the Mandate of the Heavens prefers white robes and vestments. 

Order of the Hidden Cobra

• Strength: 230 sohei, 750 ikko-ikki, 200 servants
• Base: hidden monastery somewhere on Tekitai island
• Member alignment: Mostly chaotic, a few neutral

This is perhaps the most sinister order of sohei in the Pearl Islands, and many other sohei and civilians do not trust this order. The members tend towards Chaos and are in regular contact with serpent folk who have made a lair somewhere on Tekitai, possibly directly underneath their hidden monastery. However, they are cautious and do not want to provoke reprisals, so maintain a level of respectability and civility at least around the rest of society. They are found wandering other islands and towns of the Pearl Islands, and may well have other secret hideouts as well as connections to the Yakuza (organised criminals).  

Order of the Snarling Tiger

• Strength: 450 sohei, 1600 ikko-ikki, 300 servants
• Base: The Invincible Fortress south of Atsui-Yogan on the slopes of a volcano
• Member alignment: Mostly neutral, a few chaotic

This order is similar to the Thyatian cult of Vanya, with a focus on martial prowess, conquest, courage and glory. They are often looking to test themselves against foes, both monstrous and human. They are also among the most volatile orders when dealing with the Shogun and other authorities, and have proven to be powerful allies as well as bitter foes. They will sometimes try to push other orders out of a town or province that they want for themselves. They have several different outpost temples in various towns. The Order of the Snarling Tiger will wear orange and black vestments and robes underneath their laquered armour.  The most skilled and courageous will wear skins of tigers or panthers that they themselves have slain. 

Order of the Golden Throne

• Strength: 140 sohei, 200 ikko-ikki, 40 servants
• Base: The Resplendent Shudoin, Yunohama, Tennotochi island
• Member alignment: mostly neutral, a few chaotic and lawful

This order is focused on trade, wealth and prosperity. It encourages artisans, labourers and officials to do their best work, and merchants to spread the produce and benefits. Of course, the Order of the Golden Throne often ends up making a tidy profit as well. Other orders view them as materialistic and greedy, which can be true. But the order is popular among many townsfolk who strive to make a living. The sohei and ikko-ikki of this order are not official police, but they hate and will hunt down bandits and pirates who threaten trade and hard work, and many daimyos appreciate this vigilance. 

Sources:

My main source for this post has been this book:

Japanese Warrior Monks AD 949 - 1603, written by Stephen Turnbull, illustrated by Wayne Reynolds (he of Pathfinder fame!) and published by Osprey publishing