Differences between Samurai and Shinobi

The things that make the Samurai and Shinobi different reflect both side’s divergences. 1) Samurai do not use Shinobi arts such as Replacement, Transformation, Shadow Clones, or Shadow Shurikens. Shinobi, due to the unwieldiness of Katana, cannot use sword and weapon skills, though their sword skill may be on par with that of a Samurai. 2) While Samurai usually serve only one master and live openly in castles, Shinobi live in hidden villages and, depending on the highest bidder, at times change their original loyalties.

Samurai

Ranks:

Skillwise:Tsuwamono/Apprentice -> Ronin -> Samurai -> Swordmaster

RankwiseRonin Leader -> (Shizoku/Steward) ->Daimyo/Feudal Lord-> Kazoku -> Shogun

Info:

Samurai are the Light side of society, war and politics. Held to a code of honor and loyal to the death, Samurai, while capable of using Jutsu, generally shy away from Genjutsu and Stealth Ninjutsu (though Genjutsu used in combat is at times condoned). Samurai, being soldiers and public leaders and can control soldiers (up to 100 NPCs).

Samurai Skills and Combat FAQ

1. I’m a Daimyo. Does that make me Samurai-ranked?

No. A Daimyo is simply a status as leader.

2. What is Tsuwamono/Apprentice and how do you gain in skill?

A Tsuwamono/Apprentice is simply a samurai-in-training, the equivalent of a Genin. You can increase your rank through fighting your peers in the Imperial Samurai Exams. The Ronin is the equivalent of Chuunin, and you rank to Samurai in the Imperial Samurai Exams as well. Swordmaster, though, is Kage level and, like Kage, comes mainly through skill. The exact location of Swordmaster on the rank ladder, like Kage, can vary, but it is undoubtedly high. You can only be a Swordmaster when a previous Swordmaster bestows the rank to you.

3. I really want to use Genjutsu or Transformation. Pleasssseee?

We’re trying to enforce the rules here, so unless you use it in open combat, let’s try not to bend the rules.

4. Do bloodlines exist for Samurai?

Of course, and in this RP, the Hyuuga are a Samurai bloodline. Their bloodline clan leader has access to special Jutsu, but can be of any skill level. The process of choosing a bloodline clan leader in the case of a casualty can vary from clan to clan.

Villages, Castles and Leaders FAQ:

1. Does my Rank affect my skill?

No. Daimyo/Feudal Lord has no standing on your actual abilities—as long as someone is willing to follow you, you can be a Daimyo or Ronin Leader even if you can’t really fight. You can only increase skill through exams.

2. What’s the difference between a Ronin Leader and a Daimyo and how do you get promoted?

Until you have 4 people (apart from yourself) who are willing to follow you and openly acknowledge you as leader, you are a wandering Ronin by default (though your skillwise rank may still be Tsuwamono, that of a regular soldier). If up to 3 people are willing to follow you, you are a Ronin Leader, and you get up to 100 NPC soldiers (up to 20 for each person willing to follow you and up to 40 for yourself), which you can distribute to your followers or simply reorder in any way you like. Once you have 4 followers, though, you can either remain as a Ronin Leader or build a castle. You simply give me a coordinate on the map and I will note the location for you. Building a castle lowers the strength of each of your NPC Samurai, but also gives you the ability to use Ashigaru (regular soldiers who can be armed with anything from swords to Naginata to Muskets). It increases your subordinate soldiers from 20 to 100 and your own soldiers from 40 to 160. There is no limit to the amount of soldiers you have within your castle’s population, but remember that it’s not a one-time purchase. For as long as you you’re your soldiers, you’re going to have to pay them weekly, so a large army will drain your money. Once you build a castle, you are a daimyo.

3. Daimyo sounds stupid, can you call yourself something else?

Sure. Call yourself Jesus Christ if you really want to.

4. What’s a Kazoku and what’s a Shogun?

Once you have at least 9 subordinates, you can build a second castle and send some of your subordinates to rule that castle. You HAVE to appoint a Shizoku (a Samurai who becomes the caretaker of your castle) Castles expand the area you control and are places where you can keep reserve troops. It’s never a good idea to keep all your eggs in one basket. If you have 3 castles (that means at least 15 subordinates), you can claim yourself as a Kazoku, a noble of the royal house. At that point, your personal NPC limit is increased to 300, while all your Shizoku are promoted to Feudal Lords, increasing their soldier limits to the 160 of Feudal Lords as well. If half or more of the Kazoku in the continent claim loyalty to you, you can claim the rank Shogun, at which your unit limit is increased to 1000 troops just for yourself, while you gain 800 troops you can distribute to any of your subordinates.

5. As a subordinate or a shizoku, is it possible to rebel?

Absolutely. If you don’t think that your Daimyo or Kazoku doesn’t treat you well enough, you can lead a rebellion. You are automatically promoted to a Feudal Lord as the leader of the rebellion (your subordinates don’t gain or lose any forces.) If you either drive out all the loyal forces in the castle, then the castle becomes your castle instead. If you fail and aren’t captured, though, you are demoted into a Ronin Band Leader. You can also simply peacefully leave your commander.

6. What happens if I build a castle and then my subordinates leave me and I end up with less than the minimum of 4 subordinates? Does my Castle disappear?

Firstly, I’d have to say that I feel sorry for you if your own subordinates leave you that early on. But no, your castle remains, though you’ll be obviously understaffed.

7. What is a special unit?

Once you are a Daimyo, you can register and create a special NPC unit that only your forces can use. It usually should be based on your villages specialty. For example, a castle near a forest area would have Forest Knights, nations that have castles near plains would have horsemen, etc.

8. What is a Ninja Consulate?

If you, as a Daimyo or above, are confident that you will always be allied with a Ninja Clan, you can open a consulate where the clan can station shinobi there instead of at their village so that they’re constantly on call.

9. What is a Foreign Ally?

At the Kazoku level, it is possible to establish relations with nations overseas. Doing so will usually give you NPC soldiers or abilities from that nation. For example, allying with the Tianjing Church will give you Swiss Guard, allying with the nation of Albions will get you Knights and Gelel Users.

10. Can I keep all my generals and soldiers in one castle?

Sure, as long as your total amount of troops does not exceed your city’s population.