How do you play a Samurai?

[Macbeth]

Well, I've got my first game with a new group tonight (looking forward to it, BardStephenFox), and I'm playing a Samurai. As I usually do, I've put in some research on the background of the character, but I also wanted to know what the great minds of ENWorld think about how a samurai should be played. to give you an idea of the character, I'm basing him on the characters in the Seven Samurai, in particular the main character (who's name escapes me). And, just a note, I'm not using the samurai class (though he may multiclass later), he's a Psychic Warrior (but with only 2 power points, psionics are hardly the focus of the character).

Some game info:
Li Xian Gao
Human
Psychic Warrior 1
Feats: Inertial Armor, Dodge
Weapons: Two katanas (used seperatley), one normal, one a wodden sword that deals subdual damage.
Armor: None, though with Inertial Armor and Dodge, he can definately handle combat.

So, there you have it, any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[trilobite]

Here is the Samurai Creed. It might give you some ideas on your character.


I have no parents; I make the Heavens and the Earth my parents.
I have no home; I make the Tan T'ien my home.
I have no divine power; I make honesty my Divine Power.
I have no means; I make Docility my means.
I have no magic power; I make personality my Magic Power.
I have neither life nor death; I make A Um my Life and Death.


I have no body; I make Stoicism my Body.
I have no eyes; I make The Flash of Lightning my eyes.
I have no ears; I make Sensibility my Ears.
I have no limbs; I make Promptitude my Limbs.
I have no laws; I make Self-Protection my Laws.


I have no strategy; I make the Right to Kill and the Right to Restore Life my Strategy.
I have no designs; I make Seizing the Opportunity by the Forelock my Designs.
I have no miracles; I make Righteous Laws my Miracle.
I have no principles; I make Adaptability to all circumstances my Principle.
I have no tactics; I make Emptiness and Fullness my Tactics.


I have no talent; I make Ready Wit my Talent.
I have no friends; I make my Mind my Friend.
I have no enemy; I make Incautiousness my Enemy.
I have no armour; I make Benevolence my Armour.
I have no castle; I make Immovable Mind my Castle.
I have no sword; I make No Mind my Sword.

 

[Black Omega]

Well, I've got my first game with a new group tonight (looking forward to it, BardStephenFox), and I'm playing a Samurai. As I usually do, I've put in some research on the background of the character, but I also wanted to know what the great minds of ENWorld think about how a samurai should be played.

I don't think there is One True Way (tm) but I've been running a Rokugan game for two years now, and asian themed games in general for far longer, so I'll give it a try.

to give you an idea of the character, I'm basing him on the characters in the Seven Samurai, in particular the main character (who's name escapes me).

Presumably Kambei Shimada, he's the one who shaves his head to pretend to be a monk to save the boy.

And, just a note, I'm not using the samurai class (though he may multiclass later), he's a Psychic Warrior (but with only 2 power points, psionics are hardly the focus of the character).

The samurai class is not a requirement to be a samurai, though this can get confusing. Samurai is a social class of warrior nobility. Typically associated with codes of honor like Bushido.

Some game info:
Li Xian Gao

A fine Chinese name. There's not -that- much I can say here, really, since I'm not sure how the character is a samurai. The basics are bushido. A good point of view from the time frame when Bushido was dying can be found in Hagakure. The basics though are: Honesty, Courage, Compassion, Courtesy, Honor, Sincerity, Duty. Substitute Lawful for Good and Chaotic for Evil in terms of the common perception of alignments for DnD.

 

[alsih2o]

i don't think most folks can even tune a samurai anymore can they?

 

[mmadsen]

I'm basing him on the characters in the Seven Samurai...Li Xian Gao

My first thought: Why are you giving a quasi-Japanese character a quasi-Chinese name?

 

[trilobite]

i don't think most folks can even tune a samurai anymore can they?

They can if it is a six string samurai.

 

[alsih2o]

They can if it is a six string samurai.

wow, have you too seen this horrible excuse for a movie?

 

[Macbeth]

My first thought: Why are you giving a quasi-Japanese character a quasi-Chinese name?

I can't really say. I'm not an expert on the culture, so i didn't know that I screwed up, but at the same time, in the hombrew world I'm playing in, there is only one Japan/China type area, so I think I can take a little license with the name.
Thanks alot, everyone, and Trilobite in particular. That samurai code is now printed on the back of my character sheet, just for reference. When you think about it the last stanza is really fitting for a psychic warrior, what with mental combat and all...

 

[Altalazar]

Watch Tom Cruise for research?

 

[Dr. Strangemonkey]

Six String Samurai is the Cooolest Movie Ever!

There's a lot of variety in playing a samurai. The biggest distinctions versus a generic warrior is that there seems to be a lot more contemplation in terms of balancing your personal actions with the interests of those you are aligned with. At least, that's the mythology espoused by Kurosawa movies and a lot of the fiction.

A lot of working the angles and considering the rhetorical aspect of action where the classic DnD fighter might favor a more direct consideration of force.

Another important point to consider is the importance of impression in samurai stories. Making a point of creative intimidation, humility, and comunication of resolve. Not too mention style and honor.

Oh and I recommend Ghost Dog: Way of the Samurai for a nice interpretation of how you play a samurai counter-culture.