Ronin Background

You understand wealth, power, and privilege. You were once a Samurai - servant of the Shogun of the lost country, Taiyo. You were an honest, hard-working Bushi who cared deeply about the people who live and work on your Daimyo's land, keenly aware of your responsibility to them.

Work with your DM to come up with an appropriate Clan and/or family and determine how much authority you had. A Samurai is a member of the upper echelon of Rokugani society —you were connected to an entire family, and whatever authority you held is now lost, nothing will pass down to your children. 

Ronin is the lowest Samurai in society - you are master-less. Through actions of your own or circumstances beyond your control, you have fallen. However, this misfortune can be a path to higher status - for you serve Bushido. 

As an emblem of Bushido, you might include among your equipment a banner or other token from a noble lord or lady to whom you have failed or hope to atone for/to — in a chaste sort of devotion. (This person could be your bond.)

The family you belonged to was one of the founding families of Taiyo, the Hlat'tar family. They were one of the most respected families in the nation, only being overshadowed by the Shogun´s family itself. You were seen as a good man from a good family, helping the needy, feeding the poor, etc. You were loved by your family and held great respect as an individual. In short, you were the ray of hope alongside the Shogun to all in the nation. However, that all changed when the country was attacked by foreign countries, who envied the countries prosperity and sought to destroy it with the other countries. You are now the last survivor of your clan, while all others were ruthlessly murdered, and the country razed to debris. 

Your position was the heir t the family, and you received the title of the head before you watched the original head die of blood loss before your very eyes. You are the final survivor of not only your clan and your former nation, but the dying hope of all in the country. Now, the title of head of the family is on your shoulders, and with it, the determination for vengeance against those who killed all you loved and held dear. Your family felt proud of your free spirit and devotion to the sword and encouraged you to explore and learn more as an adolescent. 

 The family name of the clan was Hlat'tar, and the mon resembles a twisted dragon. The main animal of the clan is a Japanese dragon.

These details help establish how much you have lost, and perhaps how much you yet hope to regain.

Skill Proficiencies: Athletics, Intimidation, Persuasion

Tool Proficiencies: One type of gaming set, vehicles (land)

Equipment: An insignia of your family, a piece of banner with your clan insignia on it (a dagger, broken blade, or piece of a banner), a set of bone dice or deck of cards, a set of common clothes, and a pouch containing 10 gp

Suggested Characteristics

Samurai are born and raised to a very different lifestyle than most people ever experience, and their personalities reflect that upbringing. A " noble Servant" comes with a plethora of bonds—responsibilities to family, Clan, to other nobles (including the sovereign), to the people entrusted to their Diamyo’s care, or even to the title itself. But this responsibility is often a good way to undermine a Samurai - as you have learned.

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.