Noble. You were born, and are still, a noble. Samurai is not just a soldier. Samurai is a way of life. Your existence is to protect the helpless, to bring order and justice to the land, and to ensure everyone who would bring injustice and death to your shores be punished. The punishment? Your blade at their throat. Since a very young age, you have been trained in the art of the sword, the bow, the pole arm, and the art of martial arts. You are proficient in all, but a master in 1.
When you choose this background, work with your DM to determine which clan you were a part of, whether that clan is based off real life or if it’s fantasy, and how important that clan was to your country of origin.
- Skill Proficiencies: Athletics, Insight
- Tool Proficiencies: One type of gaming set, vehicles (land)
- Equipment: An insignia of clan, a trophy taken from a fallen enemy (a dagger, broken blade, or piece of a banner), a set of bone dice or deck of cards, a set of fine clothes, and a pouch containing 20 gp
During your time as Samurai, you had a specific role to play in your clan or country. Work with your dm to work in these changes to your game, depending on what you roll or what you choose. To pick a role for your background, roll a d4 or choose from the options in the table below to determine your role:
a breakdown of your roles:
Umamawari - Third rank retainer (has the right to wear two swords).
Churo - Second rank retainer (has the right to wear two swords, and ride horse in war).
Koshogumi - First rank retainer (has the right to wear two swords, and rid horse in war & peace).
Gokenin - Household Vassal (Hatamoto - Banner Knight (Karo - Elder Councilor.
| d4 | Specialty |
|---|---|
| 1 | Banner Knight |
| 2 | Retainer, 3rd Rank |
| 3 | Retainer, 2nd Rank |
| 4 | Retainer, 1st Rank |
You have a military rank from your career as a Samurai. Soldiers loyal to your clan still recognize your authority and influence, and they defer to you if they are of a lower rank or social status. You are known amongst most military encampments based on your insignia due to your clans infamy in battle. This typically grants you entrance to the camp or stronghold, should you need to discuss with one of the commanders.
Suggested Characteristics
The life of Samurai is not always a long one. Those who live long enough to see their hair turn grey have wisdom beyond a multitude of lifetimes. But this life has also made you rigid. Made you strict in your views, those of which you will never stray from, for fear of dishonoring your clan.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I’m always polite and respectful. |
| 2 | I’m haunted by memories of war. I can’t get the images of violence out of my mind. |
| 3 | I’ve lost too many friends, and I’m slow to make new ones. |
| 4 | I’m full of inspiring and cautionary tales from my military experience relevant to almost every combat situation. |
| 5 | I can stare down a hell hound without flinching. |
| 6 | I enjoy being strong and like breaking things. |
| 7 | I have a crude sense of humor. |
| 8 | I face problems head-on. A simple, direct solution is the best path to success. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Greater Good. Our lot is to lay down our lives in defense of others. (Good) |
| 2 | Responsibility. I do what I must and obey just authority. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Independence. When people follow orders blindly, they embrace a kind of tyranny. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Might. In life as in war, the stronger force wins. (Evil) |
| 5 | Live and Let Live. Ideals aren’t worth killing over or going to war for. (Neutral) |
| 6 | Nation. My city, nation, or people are all that matter. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I would still lay down my life for the people I served with. |
| 2 | Someone saved my life on the battlefield. To this day, I will never leave a friend behind. |
| 3 | My honor is my life. |
| 4 | I’ll never forget the crushing defeat my company suffered or the enemies who dealt it. |
| 5 | Those who fight beside me are those worth dying for. |
| 6 | I fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | The monstrous enemy we faced in battle still leaves me quivering with fear. |
| 2 | I have little respect for anyone who is not a proven warrior. |
| 3 | I made a terrible mistake in battle that cost many lives—and I would do anything to keep that mistake secret. |
| 4 | My hatred of my enemies is blind and unreasoning. |
| 5 | I obey the law, even if the law causes misery. |
| 6 | I’d rather eat my armor than admit when I’m wrong. |
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