RPGObjects: Legend of the Samurai

[Crothian]

Wow, I cannot wait to see this PDF!!

Vigilance, could you e-mail me please?

 

[Vigilance]

As harsh as this may sound, a child of a Ronin is a Ronin, until that child -- now an adult -- find a master to serve.

Assuming this was possible. At many times in Japanese history the child would make his way as a societal freak for his entire life, sometimes taking jobs beneath him (many Ronin taught swordfighting to peasants when in need of ready cash or served as bodyguards to rich merchants).

But again, for me this is a big issue. You're describing a character who is an "ex-Samurai" at 1st level and is an "ex-Samurai" for his entire life. That doesn't sound like an "ex" anything. It sounds like someone who is something else.

The Ronin himself may wish to ensure his child be taught the warrior way in the hope that if he failed or too old to be employed, his child can take the mantle and restore the honor of the family. Unlike the Western Way, a child's duty is to his family.

Agreed. But unless the child was willing to throw his swords in the river (or sell them) he also didnt have a whole heck of a lot of choice.

I hope so. Miyamoto Musashi was a Ronin, wandering Japan to hone his swordfighting skill. After his famous duel with Sasaki Kojiro, he gained employment as a clan fighting instructor.

You talk about being Ronin as this tremendous loss of honor (below). While this was sometimes true, as Musashi shows there were some Ronin perfectly happy being Ronin.

I wouldn't say Musashi spent much time as a Samurai at all. He took jobs. That's very different. He would train a rich Daimyo's personal bodyguard, collect his money and then go back into the mountains to meditate with his closest friends, the Buddhist monks.

That's not a Samurai. Samurai is a life long commitment.

So in game terms, if you ask a player to be perfectly happy spending his whole career as an "ex-Samurai", being defined as a Samurai with fewer abilities than one in service to a master... well not many players are going to take that.

And again, the character of Ronin was distinctly different. They were a different archetype. You *could* make a bard out of a sorcerer/rogue or a Paladin out of a Fighter/Cleric but d20 doesn't make you do that.

When something is a major archetype it gets its own class.

So what happens if a Ronin gain employment and honorable status for him and his family into a clan? Does he become an Ex-Ronin?

He would add an allegiance to his list, swear undying devotion to his new master, and would then be eligible (assuming his Honor was high enough) to take levels in the Samurai class.

Chuck

 

[Ranger REG]

I see. So how is a Ronin any different from the Fighter class, assuming you're using straight-up d20 rules? Unless you intend ban the fighter from your LotS campaign.

As for the "ex-Samurai" term in this particular class case, I did not intend it to be literal. But if you wish, I suggest you add a "Ronin [Born]" entry to the class description. Personally, I don't see it warrant a character class distinction, unless you intend to ban the Fighter class (and add possibly a Bushi/Ashigaru class in its place).

 

[Vigilance]

As explain above, I am not using any of the PHB classes in Legends of the Samurai. I used five PHB in Excalibur (Fighter, Rogue, Barbarian, Bard, Druid) and there were concerns about how three of those five classes balanced with the new classes.

So this time I am building everything from the ground up.

I appreciate the feedback, and I'm certainly not claiming my way is the only way to do a game like this. However, to me, Ronin is an important archetype of its own, and in d20 important archetypes get their own class.

Again, thanks for the interest and the feedback

Chuck

 

[Razuur]

I just need to say that Legends of Excalibur is easily in my top twenty D20 products (I have a lot of products!).

I can't wait for this to hit the shelves at my FLGS.

It looks simply outstanding!

So what is next in the legends series?

Arabia? India? China? Russia?

Keep up the great work!

Razuur

 

[Ranger REG]

I appreciate the feedback, and I'm certainly not claiming my way is the only way to do a game like this. However, to me, Ronin is an important archetype of its own, and in d20 important archetypes get their own class.

Again, thanks for the interest and the feedback

As you've said, it's all about one's own interpretation. I look forward to seeing your product though, including the revised Blood & Space.

 

[Vigilance]

I just need to say that Legends of Excalibur is easily in my top twenty D20 products (I have a lot of products!).

I can't wait for this to hit the shelves at my FLGS.

It looks simply outstanding!

So what is next in the legends series?

Arabia? India? China? Russia?

Keep up the great work!

Razuur

Whoa thanks a lot

As for what's next, these books are such an investment of time and money (which are not just Floyd songs) that we sort of have to take them one at a time.

So nothing firm yet, however I have a short wish list which actually includes two of the four on your list. Now you just have to guess which two!

Chuck