Lore

History and Lore of Imarelian Knighthoods - by T.A. Saunders ©2011 v1.6

Knight Rank Chart

Candidate
Squire
Knight-Errant
Knight
Knight-Captain
Knight-Templar
Lord/Dame Templar
Champion

Samurai Rank Chart with Descriptions Chugen (Candidate)

A chugen's primary duties are to learn the martial arts, archery, horsemanship, spearmanship and swordsmanship. Addition to physical learning, they are also required to learn the code of the samurai warrior, Bushido. Basic knowledge of customs, courtesies, and protocols are also required. In order to become officiated they must prove themselves in a test of both knowledge and skill before a superior.

Ashigaru (Squire)

An ashigaru's duty is to be the nameless, driving force of their lord's forces. There may be any number of Ashigaru in a Daimyo's retinue; hundreds is likely, thousands wouldn't be considered unusual. The likelihood of any one Footman proceeding beyond this position is rare, as few have the aptitude and tenacity required. Even then, some who do simply don't survive the battlefield ill-equipped against superior forces. However, those who do receive much in the way of training, both as a warrior and as a man.

Hyougou Samurai (Knight-Errant)

The mainstay of their lord's forces. Now well-armed both defensively and offensively, these trained soldiers' task is a daunting one. Carrying the flag of their lord into battle may seem either suicidal or completely pointless, however it serves the Ashigaru as a rallying point and as a potent source of morale and purpose on the battlefield. These warriors are hand-chosen by their Busho, or even a Taisho in larger armies, as their representatives on the battlefield and their fall can be a crushing blow to morale.

Samurai (Knight)

The epitome of Taijun's male warriors, the flip-side of the coin to the Scythe Witch, a Samurai's job is to serve as their master's bodyguard without question. Selected only after five years of exemplary service, it is an honor above almost any other and to lose it is a disgrace among disgraces. Trained to the extreme, they are able to fight toe-to-toe with the Masar, Zissah, and other forces of Chaos who reach Taijun from Vocoria. At this rank, the Samurai is provided with a steed of the utmost breeding to ride onto the battlefield.

Busho (Knight-Captain)

After years of service or some extraordinary deed, a Samurai might be promoted further. A Busho captains a unit of Samurai, in addition to a retinue of Ashigaru and the Samurai's Chugen. They take orders from their Taisho, often to secure a specific area or eliminate nuisances such as bandits or Masar. While what some might consider an easier job than those before it, a Busho who neglects his duties or grows lax in practicing his skills will often meet his end on the battlefield due to lapsing morale.

Taisho (Knight-Templar)

A Taisho's duties are above and beyond that of a Busho, now tasked with addressing concerns such as meriting out funding to ensure the performance of his many Busho. A Busho's appearance on the battlefield is a dire thing, both for themselves and their enemies. Seen as a driving force behind that of their Daimyo, many a Chaotic minion consider their death a major blow and will throw themselves upon them en mass to crush them. Often considered foolhardy, as a Busho's might and skill is said to never grow dull with age, older become keener.

Hatamoto (Lord-Templar)

A Daimyo's blood brother, his most trusted retainer. Rarely does more than one exist per Daimyo, but on occasion there may be more; two to three at the most. To achieve this means a loss of life on a fundamental level, as one loses the choice to pursue anything else in life. These men act as their Daimyo's shadow, messenger, and living shield as a matter of fact, living for these things just as they breath.

Daimyo (Champion)

A Daimyo is a vassal of the Shogun, ruler of Taijun. The number of these he has at any one time is fluid, often numerous in war times with Albadosia and the minions of Chaos, while in rare times of peace it may be no more than a few. To become a Daimyo means to have been a Hatamoto at the time of their Daimyo's death, and while ascending to the position is on some level an honor it is also a shame, for it often means they failed in some manner to protect them. Those who inherit the position for any reason but death by natural cause are suspect to much scrutiny for often vast amounts of time, and must dedicate their lives to betterment and retaining the Shogun's influence as Adnor's Voice.