Iga Clan
Shadow of the Mountain
“Where armies fail, shadows succeed.”
The Iga Clan wasn't a single ruling family, but a network of ninja families and mercenaries from Iga Province. Isolated by mountains, they developed independent, stealth-based warfare tactics and were famed as ninja (shinobi) — masters of espionage, sabotage, assassination, and guerrilla tactics.
They maintained autonomy from powerful daimyo for decades by mastering irregular warfare.
Very few have names and are even known to discard their own birthname when joining this clan. most people of this clan go by aliases, codes, or nicknames given by rumors or other Shinobi, but still same do have actual names that they may only use within a very strong inner circle of individuals.
Environment & Strongholds
- Location: Hidden enclaves in mist-covered mountain valleys
- Defense: Forest traps, hidden watchtowers, alarm birds, illusion wards
- Training Dojos: Used to train generations in infiltration, combat, survival, and unarmed defense
Class Breakdown of the Iga Shinobi
- Monk (Way of Shadow) – Masters of silent infiltration and stunning precision
- Rogue (Assassin or Inquisitive) – Masters of disguise, traps, and sudden strikes
- Ranger (Gloom Stalker) – Experts in ambushing from darkness and tracking across mountains
- Artificer (Alchemist) – Trained in poisoncraft, smoke bombs, and explosive powders
- Wizard (Illusionist) – Rare elite spellcasters focused on deception, fog, and misdirection
Faction Traits and Ideals
| Principle | Interpretation in Game |
|---|---|
| Secrecy Above All | Outsiders rarely know the full truth — even allies |
| Survival First | The clan always survives, even if individual cells fall |
| Service for Gold or Honor | Sometimes hired as mercenaries or spies — but never cheaply |
| Ritual & Loyalty | Members swear blood-oaths and are trained from childhood |
Iga Clan in D&D Terms
| Trait | D&D Analogue |
|---|---|
| Ninja Families | Guilds of Shadow Monks, Assassins, and Gloomstalkers |
| Stealth Warfare | Ambush specialists, trap-makers, poisoners |
| Independent Villages | Hidden mountain enclaves, heavily warded |
| Alignment | Neutral or Lawful Neutral (focused on clan survival over ideology) |
Using the Iga in Your Campaign
As Allies:
- PCs seek their help infiltrating a fortress or spying on a rival warlord
- The Iga offer training in return for a favor — like recovering a lost artifact
- A dying ninja entrusts the party with secrets that multiple factions want
As Enemies:
- The Iga have marked a PC or their employer for assassination
- A noble hires the party to “clean out” an Iga hideout, but the mission reveals moral gray areas
- A rogue Iga cell has gone mercenary, threatening the clan’s code
As a Neutral Force:
- A third-party faction that sells services to the highest bidder
- A mysterious presence in the political landscape — they’re always watching, rarely acting openly
Comments