The samurai are the feudal warrior nobility of the Far Eastern island empire of Nippon. Each serves the interests of their feudal masters, the powerful ruling samurai lords of Nippon, to the death.
Role
Samurai adhere to a strict martial code of honour in which defeat is considered to be the greatest humiliation. They are much concerned with their personal reputation and honour as warriors and always fight to the utmost of their ability. [1][2]
A proud samurai warrior of Nippon in his full panopoly of war.
In Nippon, the samurai have developed their martial skills to a level far above those of normal Men -- their training, devotion and continual practice has turned them into extraordinary fighters.[1][2]
On the battlefield, samurai act as elite light or heavy infantry armed with bows and swords, respectively, or as shock heavy cavalry mounted atop swift Nipponese warhorses.[1][2] Sometimes they also use pistols.[3a]
Alas, fatalism has reached such a hold upon these warriors that some (estimated at up to 10%) regard it as a high honour to die in battle, and become Kamikaze.[1][2]
Trivia
Samurai mirror the military nobility of feudal Japan with the very same name.
Sources
- 1: Warhammer Armies (3rd Edition)
- 2: Ravening Hordes (2nd Edition)
- 2a pp. 41-46
- 3: Warhammer Fantasy Battle: Rulebook (3rd Edition)
- 3a: pg. 89
