Issun-Bōshi is an Eidolon warrior no taller than a thumb who wields a toothpick-sized sword. Despite appearing insignificant, Issun-Bōshi possesses exceptional combat prowess and is used by Bravos trainers to teach recruits not to underestimate opponents.
Appearance and Size
Issun-Bōshi stands no taller than a thumb, with hands that can rest on hips in a proud stance. The small warrior uses a megaphone to be heard by full-sized people. The Eidolon’s sword was forged by Tinker Bell and measures no longer than a toothpick.
Combat Abilities
Issun-Bōshi demonstrates extraordinary capabilities that contradict the warrior’s diminutive size:
- Speed: Moves as quickly as a tiger beetle
- Strength: Possesses the ability to jump several yards from a standstill
- Tactics: Can crawl inside clothing or into ear canals, causing severe injury from within
- Record: Has subdued giants and defeated mastodons
The difficulty in fighting such a small opponent stems from the challenge of tracking and striking a target that can move with insect-like speed and exploit any opening in defenses.
Role in Training
385 AC - Recruit Training at Haven
New recruits at Haven crowded around a table where Issun-Bōshi stood. The Eidolon stared them down proudly with hands on hips. Some recruits openly mocked the warrior’s size and tiny sword, not stifling their laughter. Most trainees were still children who had not yet learned the value of respecting all opponents.
Issun-Bōshi remained accustomed to being looked down on and taunted, showing no reaction to the jeering. The warrior climbed onto a wooden cup and shouted through a megaphone to be heard by the young students. Year after year, new recruits underestimate Issun-Bōshi, and year after year, they come up short against the warrior who proves worth any twenty of them combined.
Recruits fail to realize how difficult it is to fight such a small opponent. They assume Issun-Bōshi can be flattened like a common fly. However, the Eidolon’s combination of speed, strength, and unconventional tactics consistently defeats overconfident trainees.
Personality
Issun-Bōshi maintains a proud bearing despite constant mockery. The warrior has grown accustomed to being underestimated and no longer allows taunts to cause distress. This confidence stems from countless victories that prove small size poses no obstacle to combat effectiveness.
Notable Feat
Basira once used Issun-Bōshi as a delivery vehicle to sneak the warrior onto a Fagn abomination, demonstrating the tactical advantages of the Eidolon’s size when properly deployed.
Relationships
- Basira al-Arshad: Summons Issun-Bōshi for recruit training and tactical operations (385 AC)
- Tinker Bell: Forged Issun-Bōshi’s toothpick-sized sword