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Xeviat-DM 04-01-04, 05:30 AM

While taking a course on world literature, I came to realize the origins of some of D&D's Eurocentric class structure and names. Paladins embody the romantic knight in shinning armor, possibly a romantisized version of the holy crusaders. Blackguards, on the other hand, are a "anti"-romantisized version of the dark side of the crusaders. Both lacked holy, or un-holy, powers in real life, but they are given such powers in D&D because it is fantasy. Samurai, on a similar note, are the "knights in shinning armor" of Japanesse legend. Ronin are the "fallen" samurai, samurai who have disgraced their lord, commited some dishonor, or abandoned bushido (their code of honor). Within the given society, both Blackguards and Ronin would have probably been treated much the same; the only difference is that European legend extoles Good over Evil, while Japanese legend extoles Order over Chaos. My setting focuses mainly upon Order vs. Chaos. I have crafted a Knight class for my setting (which I have come to realize a small alteration that I will add to it when I next edit it), one that serves both as the Knight to my Western setting, and the Samurai to my Eastern setting (and I'm sure it will function as the honorable warrior of my African setting when I get around to researching it some more). But the Blackguard/Ronin archtype comes to mind then; I cannot use the Blackguard of the DMG, because my knight has no direct magic (the DMG blackguard does inspire my Vile Warrior Advanced class, and the PHB paladin inspires my Exalted Warrior Advanced class). So, I guess what I'm doing here is looking for a little feedback on both my observation, a little pat on the back for my work on my world (hehe), and a nudge in the right direction as to where to find inspiration for my Blackguard/Ronin PrC. PS: I have seen the Ronin from Complete Warrior, and I will use it to an extent. My Knight has very little to do with the Samurai from CW, though, so it doesn't help that much.