Samurai, as a caste, not a class for Kaidan

[gamerprinter]

So although I've already created one idea for a samurai class for my Kaidan: a Japanese Ghost Story setting. In hindsight, I'm thinking it would better serve to leave samurai as a caste or social class, not a player class. Rather allow for several base classes as archetypes that all represent samurai, chosen by the player of appropriate caste.

Cavalier - would suit well with the traditional mounted archer, emphasis on Japanese weapons and mounted archery.

Fighter - especially those of the Shogun's army, imperial and provincial guards.

Paladin - for the rare good samurai seeking to better society, ancestral connection for divine powers (ojigami).

Anti-Paladin - except I need him to be Lawful Evil, instead of Chaotic Evil.

Ranger - with added combat styles, ki powers instead divine casting.

Hatamoto (courtier) - a bard adaption (?) or courtly bureaucrat samurai.

Ancestral Weapon feats allow for the samurai's chosen weapon to level up starting at 1st, 3rd, the every three levels above this (these are bonus feats).

Perform: (tea ceremony) is a required 'centering' skill.
Perform: (calligraphy) is a requierd skill.

Samurai can be both male and female.

Ronin is a status, not a class, loss of honor, intolerance by authorities, distrust by commoners.

Samurai weapons include: daikyu, katana, naginata, wakizashi, yari, yumi as variations of standard PF weapons, though daikyu might be unique.

I need some kind of honor system, granting diplomacy bonuses, and linked ancestral weapon bonuses.

I think this works better than creating a whole new class just for samurai.

Thoughts?

GP

 

[Kaiyanwang]

I like this very much.

No need of new classes for samurai. Cavalier and Fighter (mainly) fit the archetype very well IMO.

For the hatamoto, the bard is good, even better a Cavalier/Bard/Battle Herald well versed in Diplomacy and Bluff (APG prestige class).

Thumbs up!

One thing: what do you think of the Honor System of the D&D 3.5 SRD? Could be interesting, as a mechanic for paladins too (below X honor, you fall).

 

[gamerprinter]

I like this very much.

Thanks!

For the hatamoto, the bard is good, even better a Cavalier/Bard/Battle Herald well versed in Diplomacy and Bluff (APG prestige class).

I think a Bard with the Arcane Duelist archetype, and Battle Herald might be a better way to go, then to have to multiclass.

Of course all my archetypes will have some Japanese flavor mixed in with their abiliites so they stand out better than non-oriental classes.

GP

 

[gamerprinter]

Oh, the Wizard (onmyoji) are also of the samurai caste as well, and serve only the imperial court, shogunate and provincial courts, under the control of the Imperial Ministry of Onmyodo.

Onmyoji use origami 'figures' as material components. Their familiars are Shikigami (mostly invisible oni spirits).

Regarding Paladins/Anti-Paladins I was originally planning to make Sohei a variant paladin, now as an archetype, however is limited to medium armor. Sohei are of the Commoner Caste (Heimin).

Perhaps I should pull Paladin/Anti-Paladin from the Samurai class list.

Thoughts?

GP

 

[Kaiyanwang]

I see better the paladin as a Sohei. And commoners. Sort of exalted commoners, maybe.

The struggle between Sohei and unjust Samurai ruler could be an hook for adventures and setting, IMHO.

 

[pawsplay]

Are you using Traits? I could definitely see a number of samurai traits.

Family Daisho: You are proficient with the katana and wakizashi. You begin play with a masterwork version of one of these weapons.

Exquisite Tea Ceremony: You have been trained from a young age in the art of the tea ceremony. When you are able to perform the ceremony, you gain a +2 trait bonus to relevant Diplomacy and Performance checks. Performance (tea ceremony) is a class skill for you.

 

[gamerprinter]

Are you using Traits? I could definitely see a number of samurai traits.

Family Daisho: You are proficient with the katana and wakizashi. You begin play with a masterwork version of one of these weapons.

Exquisite Tea Ceremony: You have been trained from a young age in the art of the tea ceremony. When you are able to perform the ceremony, you gain a +2 trait bonus to relevant Diplomacy and Performance checks. Performance (tea ceremony) is a class skill for you.

I will definitely be using Samurai Traits. I think I'd want one available for the kyushu masters (archers) as earlier feudal samurai were renowned archers.

Perhaps riding/equestrian trait and a few more.

Of course all Samurai regardless of class would follow the Code of Bushido, be subservient to some noble lord, etc - as a code of conduct requirement. Failure leading to Ronin status.

The Onmyoji wizards follow their own code and do not adhere to Bushido, serving the noble caste directly. Perhaps gaining variants of the Arcane Traits from the APG, and one's specifically to origami, and shikigami friend.

Good idea, Pawsplay!

While the setting is intended as dark Japanese horror, I want the player class elements to be solid and usable outside of the setting, and not an odd class bound by the setting itself. So one could play a feudal Japan game as a home-brew using my classes, skills, feats, ki powers, magic items, new monsters.

GP

 

[gamerprinter]

Looking at some ideas of including Iaijutsu Duel into something to replace as an archetype ability for Cavalier (hatamoto), and perhaps Fighter samurai...

Iaijutsu Stance: Quick Draw as a prerequisite and +3 BAB, on a successful Intimidate check cause maximum normal damage + applicable bonuses as a standard action.

Vital Strike + Iaijutsu Stance: if you meet prerequisites for Vital Strike and possess the Iaijutsu Stance feat, with a successful Intimidation check, cause maximum normal damage and vital strike double damage on a successful strike as a standard action.

Iaijutsu Mastery: iaijutsu stance, vital strike and +12 BAB (maybe +16 BAB or higher) as prerequisites, with a successful Intimidation check you can perform a Coup de Grace on your opponent in an iaijutsu duel as a standard action.

Perhaps grant some out of dueling combat benefits, but as a bonus to damage, or causes opponent to become flat-footed.

Thoughts?

GP