OSE Class: Samurai

SAMURAI

Requirements: Minimum CON 9, minimum DEX 9

Prime requisite: STR

Hit Dice: 1d8

Combat aptitude: Martial

Maximum level: 14

Armour: Any, no shields

Weapons: Any

Languages: Alignment, Common

Samurais are warriors who serve a noble house, carrying out their liege’s command and upholding the honour of the liege at all costs.

Alignment: A samurai must have the same alignment as their liege.

CODE OF THE SAMURAI

Samurai are bound by a stringent code. A samurai does not earn any experience points for deeds performed at odds with this code. The fundamentals of this code are: preference of death over dishonour; service of the samurai’s liege as the greatest honour; glory in single combat; defence to the death of any in the samurai’s charge; honouring of superiors; respect of equals; demanding obedience from inferiors; scorning the ignoble.

Dishonour: A samurai who brings dishonour upon themselves or their liege (this may include changing alignment) may have their samurai status revoked. In this case, the character becomes a fighter of equivalent level. It may be possible to regain the status of samurai by performing a special quest.

COMBAT

Samurais can use all types of weapons and armour, but cannot use shields (it hinds their performance).

Single combat: In a battle, a samurai must attack the most powerful or worthy foe in single combat if possible.

FENCING

Samurais gain a +1 bonus to attacks rolls with bladed melee weapons.

Critical: An attack roll of natural 20, or 4 or more than the target number required with a bladed melee weapon inflicts double damage.

FIERCE FIGHTING

Upon reaching 2nd level, a samurai gains a +1 bonus to damage rolls. This increases to +2 at 5th level, +3 at 8th level, and a +4 at 11th level.

MORALE BREAK (Optional Rule)

If morale is checked due to a samurai’s attack, monsters of Hit Dice at most equal to the samurai’s level make the check with a –1 penalty (if the optional morale rules are being used).

STEADINESS

Samurais of 5th level or higher are immune to fear effects and are only surprised on a roll of 1.

AFTER REACHING 8TH LEVEL

A samurai can build a castle or stronghold and control the surrounding lands. The permission of the samurai’s liege is always required.

A samurai may be granted a title such as Fief Protector. The land under the samurai’s control is then known as a fiefdom. 

Samurai Level Progression				Saving Throws
Level	XP	HD	THAC0	D	W	P	B	S
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14	0 2,500 5,000 10,000 18,000 36,000 75,000 130,000 260,000 390,000 520,000 650,000 780,000 910,000	1d8 2d8 3d8 4d8 5d8 6d8 7d8 8d8 9d8 9d8+2* 9d8+4* 9d8+6* 9d8+8* 9d8+10*	19 [0]  19 [0]  19 [0]  17 [+2] 17 [+2]  17 [+2]  14 [+5]  14 [+5] 14 [+5] 12 [+7] 12 [+7] 12 [+7] 10 [+9] 10 [+9]	12 12 12 10 10 10 8 8 8 6 6 6 4 4	13 13 13 11 11 11 9 9 9 7 7 7 5 5	14 14 14 12 12 12 10 10 10 8 8 8 6 6	15 15 15 13 13 13 11 11 11 9 9 9 5 5	16 16 16 14 14 14 12 12 12 10 10 10 8 8
* Modifiers from CON no longer apply.

Note: Adapted from Oriental Adventures (AD&D 1e) and Dragon Magazine to fit in Old-School Essentials.

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