Samurai

The samurai are elite members of the Usilian military. They began as provincial warriors before rising to power when the Shogun united all of Usilia and chose representatives to oversee the lands, the shogunate. As servants of the daimyos, or great lords, the samurai back up the authority of the Shogun and their Lord.
With the exception of the Shogun, no more than 7 samurai may ever serve a Daimyo (Great Lord). Three of said Samurai must be approved by the Shogun's appointed Samurai while the other three can be approved exclusively by the Daimyo.
While the Omo (Minor Lords) can't technically declare anyone a Samurai, they are allowed to pick warriors to serve and protect them. These warriors swear vows similar to the Samurai, but they have little-to-no authority outside of their local provinces. While these warriors regard themselves as Samurai, among outsiders and locals they are commonly known as the Yatouha ("Hired Blades") and are more often feared for their tendencies to overstep their power, than the revered Samurai.

Way of the Warrior - Bushido

These warriors are well respected throughout Usilia for they embody and live by the ideals that most Usilians strive for and whose life hangs by the fulfillment of their code of honor: the Way of the Warrior (Bushido).

• Righteousness - a Samurai must never stray from his path. He must not be tempted or swayed from honoring the rest of his code
• Courage - they must be an unwavering force in the face of any danger
• Honor - a Samurai must be dignified and value the duties and privileges of his position. Fear of dishonor hangs over every Samurai like a sword tied to the strand of hair of a horse
• Loyalty - to follow a superior is one of the most distinctive traits of a Samurai. One must always be loyal to their superior and it is in the face of adversity that this tenet can best be measured.
• Character - The difference between good and bad and between right and wrong are givens, not arguments subject to discussion or justification, and a Samurai should know the difference

When a Samurai fails his code the only way to redeem himself and prevent dishonor is by taking his own life, though not all choose this path.

Ronin

When a Daimyo fails the Shogun and takes his own life his former Samurai are given the option to either sacrifice themselves for the Shogun or to live the rest of their lives without a Lord to protect. These former samurai wander, known as the Ronin (drifters or wanderers) roam the lands of Usilia as sellswords, occasionally finding employment by Minor Lords, merchants or less scrupulous folk who need talented muscle.
Unbound by their moral code and loyal only to their own goals, the Ronin are some of the best warriors a Usilian can hire when they can not count on the aid of their Lords, but at the same time, they are also frowned upon and feared by many of the locals.

Overall training Level

Professional