Unlike the typical Fighter, a Samurai follows a code of chivalry. This chivalry however, is not the same as a KnightHood. This code that the Samurai hold so dear is known as "Bushido", the warrior's way. A Samurai's philosophy is freedom from fear, therefore they will face any bout without fear and hesitation, facing death with honor. Their actions are ruled by their Honor. Often thought of as being short tempered, a Samurai tries to avoid over reacting to small slights. Patience and forgiveness have become an essential part of their Honor. Their loyalty to their master (daimyo) is unparalleled, as they will follow their master's commands without question. Honesty is very important as untruthfulness is considered cowardly and dishonorable. To disobey their superior will produce a feeling of guilt and shame. When at anytime, a Samurai has dishonored his/herself, they will commit "seppuku", death by self-disembowelment.

Though Samurai serve their House/Clan and master, there are those without house or master. They are known as Ronin (master-less samurai). These warriors still live by the strict code of Bushido but will find other means of work such as often becoming martial arts teachers, or body guards to support themselves, until they are once again able to pledge their allegiance to another House/Clan or Master.

Samurai are elite warriors trained in "Budo", the way of combat, since a very young age. They are fierce fighters, trained in armed and unarmed combat with martial arts. A well known weapon of the Samurai is the katana, as ken-jutsu is one of their many skills of training. A Samurai looks upon their sword as part of his or her soul and trains diligently with it. When they are skillful enough, they are able to wield two swords when in battle, one a katana and the other a wakazashi (half katana). They are considered experts when fighting from horseback and on the ground. Their accuracy at firing a bow and arrow from horseback has earned them a reputation. Their armor is looked upon as being strange, made from lacquered leather armor laced together with some metal plating. A Samurai sees their armor as their skin, protecting their body and displaying their warrior nature. This armor is called yoroi, and is very lightweight, only the samurai are allowed to wear it. Samurai may choose to wear other armor as well but it must come later on as they start out wearing the yoroi armor first. They may choose to wear leather, padded, studded leather, chain mail, cliff sylven chain mail and even scale mail armor but never will they wear plate or full plate armor as they feel it hinders their reflexes. These warriors are often thought of as arrogant and flashy but in truth, the majority of them are the exact opposite, being very humble individuals, it is their tremendous amount of self confidence in themselves and their abilities that make them seem as such.

~PROFESSION ABILITIES & RESTRICTIONS~

• Samurai receive a +5% to hit with the katana (d10) and half katana (d6)(wakazashi). When using the samurai katana (d12), they receive no penalty to their hit %.
• When firing a long bow (d8) or full bow (d10) from the back of a horse, they receive a +5% to hit.
• Due to training in martial arts, when they attack using kicks and punches, they receive a +2 to damage.
• Samurai receive a +2% to hit every even level and a +2% to evade every odd level. Every third level, they receive a +1 to damage.
• Once a Samurai reaches level 5, they have become proficient in the way of kendo (way of the sword), that they are able to weild two swords in combat at the same time if they choose to do so, but it must be a katana (d10) and half katana (d6), no other exceptions and they receive a -10% to hit with the second katana.
• Move Silently: This starts off with a roll of 25% chance of success at level 1 and receive a +5% every other level gained.
• Ki: Samurai can use the ability to focus their inner energy and boost their strength to a stat of 20, gaining all the benefits of that high stat. If their stat is already a 20, then they will gain a +5% to hit or a +1 to damage, their choice. This will last the number of rounds per level the Samurai and this ability increases every other level, so a level 3 Samurai can use this twice a day.
• Samurai can not dual class.
• Samurai can be any ethic chosen, however, even those of the DarkHeart ethic follow the code of Bushido and are more then just some common thug trying to make a name for themselves.
• Samurai can wear leather, padded, studded, yoroi, chain mail, cliff sylven chain mail and scale mail armor. They *MUST* start off wearing the yoroi armor, the others can be purchased later on. *NEVER* will they wear plate or full plate armor.
• Due to the fact that a Samurai prides themselves on inner strength and skill, they *CAN NOT* use any type of magical weapons.
  
  
  ~STARTING EQUIPMENT~
  
  
• Appropriate Clothing
• 1 Half Katana (Wakazashi, d6 dmg)
• 1 other weapon of their choosing.
• 1 suit of Yoroi Armor (35% soak, No penalty to evade, only Samurai can wear)
• Can choose to start off wearing the Samurai Helm only
• 1 War Horse
• Cooking Utensils
• 1 Canteen
• 1 Tent
• 25 Gold Pieces
  Current List of Samurai