“
We are but scarecrows, turning bandits away from the crops”
Name: Kambei Shimada
PL: 11
PP: 165
Abilities: 40
STR: 18 (+4), DEX: 16 (+3), CON: 18 (+4), INT: 12 (+2), WIS: 18 (+4), CHA: 16 (+3)
Skills: 21
Acrobatics: 11 (+14)
Bluff: 11 (+14)
Concentration: 6 (+10)
Diplomacy: 10 (+13)
Escape Artist: 7 (+10)
Knowledge (Tactics): 9 (+11)
Notice: 8 (+12)
Search: 5 (+7)
Sense Motive: 9 (+13)
Stealth: 8 (+11)
Feats: 50
Accurate Attack
Acrobatic Bluff
All-out Attack
Assessment
Attack Focus (4): Melee
Beginner's Luck
Blind-Fight
CounterattackDedication: Fulfilling his duty
Defensive Attack
Defensive Roll (4)
Deflect Arrows (6)
Dodge Focus (6)
First Strike (1)
Follow-up Strike*Iaijutsu Strike (1): +2 Damage (and +1 per rank after first) to melee attacks made with a weapon drawn this turn.
Improved Block (1): Melee
Improved Disarm (1)
Improved Initiative (1)
Improved Sunder
Jack-of-All-Trades
Leadership
LionheartMobilityMove-by Action
Power Attack
Perfect TimingQuick Draw (1)
Rhythm of CombatSeize Initiative
Takedown Attack (2)
Taunt
Veteran Fighter: Drain Toughness
Feats in red are from the Mecha and Manga Source Book
Feats in Blue are from the Mastermind's Manual Source Book
Feats in Green are from the Warriors and Warlocks Source Book
*Feats with Asterisk are homemade*Powers: 6
Device (Easy to Lose), Rank 2
Kambei's Sword
Strike (Mighty, Thrown, Improved Critical [2], Penetrating), Rank 3Equipment: 0
Combat: 34
Attack: +9, +13 Melee, Defense: +14 (+4 flat-footed), Init: +7
Dmg: +4 Unarmed, +7 Sword
Saves: 14
Toughness: +8 (+4 flat-footed), Fortitude: +9 (+4 Mod. +5 Base), Reflex: +9 (+3 Mod. +6 Base), Will: +7 (+3 Mod. +3 Base)
Drawbacks: 0
Total CostAbilities 40 + Skills 21 (84 ranks) + Feats 50 + Powers 6 + Combat 34 + Saves 14 – Drawbacks 0 = 165/165
Trade Offs+2 Attack/-2 Damage
+3 Defense/-3 Toughness
ComplicationsDeathseeker: Kambei has survived battle after battle, while others who deserved to live died, leaving him jaded and unhappy. He may not admit it, but Kambei wants to die, though he also wants it to have a purpose as well.
Guilt: Kambei never fought on a winning side during the era of war, despite his great skill
Honor: Kambei is a veteran samurai, and acts like one. In particular, Kambei cannot simply give up, even after the fight is over
Pride: Despite his quiet and usually humble behavior, Kambei views himself as far above most other samurai in terms of experience and worldly knowledge. He has little time for idealists and those that question him, and can be unnecessarily harsh.
Reputation: Kambei is one of the greatest samurai to fight in the Great War, and is legendary among those that survive
Responsibility: Shichiroji, The 7 Samurai, Katsushiro
NotesKambei is an example of how complex the characters of Samurai 7 series were. At first, he seemed to the typical shell-shocked war veteran, but as time went on, he became more and more complex. While he was a leader and father figure to the cast, he was also judgmental and unlike most mentors, he did not really warm up to the idealism of the rest of the cast. He was forgiving and understanding to people, often to the surprise of everyone, but at the same time, was cold and sometimes even cruel to Kiku and Katsushiro, refusing to acknowledge them as real members of the Seven Samurai until later, despite Kikuchiyo nearly sacrificing his life of the safety of the group in the first few episodes and Katsushiro being Kambei's "pupil" of sorts. He was well experienced and wise in many ways, but he also demanded much from others, especially Katsu, even though he was a green as a warrior.
An excellent example of Kambei's character comes late in the series (when it really starts to hit the fan.). Kambei had been captured after a failing in a mission he had taken on his own, and was planned to be executed. At Kikuchiyo's urging, Katsushiro, Kirara, and Komachi go to rescue him. However, Kambei manages to free himself, and later, without warning, he attacks and berates Katsushiro and Kikuchiyo. Some very harsh words are said on both sides, and Katsu leaves. Now, I'm not saying that what Katsushiro said to Kambei was justified (it wasn't), but that the same time, I do note this:
1. Kambei had left without word as to what he was doing (though everyone guesses correctly), and no real standing orders, something the leader of the group should NEVER do. Yet he gets mad when his soldiers act on their own.
2. He wasn't angered by anyone else actions (Kirara's following them or the other Samurai letting them go). His anger is directed at the two that are the lease experienced of the lot, despite the others also being partly responsible.
3. He acted as though he planned it all out when in truth, Kambei was confronted by something he didn't expect, hesitated (something he slapped Katsushiro for and
cut off Kiku's head for doing earlier), surrendered, and escaped buy chance and luck mostly. Though it did take tactical, on-the-fly planning on his part, Kambei wasn't guaranteed anything.
4. Lastly, and most importantly, he doesn't do anything other than hit and belittle them! It's not like -
Whack- "You Fools! Do you not trust me to be experience enough to know what I'm doing?!" He just hits them and then when they get mad, he insults them, and then when Katsushiro gets angry says it would have been better to die and fulfill his duty, instead of being the good mentor and explaining why that's not the right way to think, Kambei basically says that Katsushiro's so weak and foolish he wouldn't be able to do even that right. Then they get
really mad at each other.
Note that I'm not saying that Kambei's a bad character. I'm saying he's a deep one. He's not one-sided, he's not above reproach, and he most certainly is not without his flaws. But he his flaws only help point out just what kind of life he leads. He's known nothing but battle, and he's fought in but never won a war, but always survived while men with more reason to live died. Now he lives in an era of greed with no place for Bushido or the men that follow it. That would make anyone tired of living. And yet, his honor demands that he can't give up.
Kambei is easily the best of the Seven. A veteran, he can tell an experienced warrior from the rest and can find a path to victory regales the odds. Kambei's a monster with the sword, having an ridiculous number of feats to give him options to do basically what ever he wants with it. The
Veteran Fighter feat, from
Warriors and Warlocks, grants a player any 10-point-total power that can be activated whenever they score a critical hit (in place of the extra 5 damage). Kambei's lets him Drain Toughness, to simulate the vibrating trick he uses break down doors and such.
The
Iaijutsu Strike feat is one I made. It inflicts +2 extra damage, +1 per rank after 1, to an enemy when you draw a weapon and strike them in melee. Damage caps able normally.
Ironically, Kambei, the oldest and most severer member of the group, is one of the more wily ones, especially considering that Katsushiro's, the kid of the group, never taunts or fights dirty. One time, he even crushes another dude's groins during a fight. And Kambei's one of the more honorable samurai! Not to mention, even though he's the team leader, aside from Leadership, Kambei has nothing to in the department of teamwork.
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