Most samurai serve Wa and Kozakura lords making diplomatic trips along the Golden Way. Sometimes they also serve Wa (and occasionally Shou) generals who are leading armies against Tuigans, bandits, or monstrous forces. Their strict code of conduct and respect for authority often takes them beyond where most citizens of Kara-Tur ever dream of going.Samurai rarely form organizations. They are almost always in the service of a feudal lord, Shou elder, or another person in a position of authority. Ronin often join mercenary companies, but it is almost unheard of to find them congregating together. More often, when ronin meet each other (or a samurai), only one ends up leaving the meeting alive.most samurai look for a new patron to serve for their Bushido code. Those who do not become ronin.

Shamans

In many ways, shamans are the druids of Kara-Tur. They channel the spirits of nature, respecting and reflecting the will of their ancestors. Whereas shugenja tend to serve as spiritual advisors among nobility, shamans tend to be local leaders, acting as healers, elders, and midwives. Shugenja are common among the nobility of Shou Lung, T'u Lung, Wa, Kozakura, and Koryo. Shamans are fairly common among the local populace of these nations but are more prevalent in Tabot, Ra-Khati, Bawa, and Malatra. Shamans are also found in the Northern Wastes, where they act as natural guardians and as the crafters of minor amulets and fetishes of protection and healing.

Shugenjas

Shugenja are the priests of Kara-Tur, spiritual guardians who focus on tapping into and balancing the natural elements. Like samurai, they usually come from the noble class, but some are also orphans adopted by noble families or inducted into the priesthood at a young age. Shugenja enter the Realms in similar ways to samurai. They act as priests and spiritual advisors to nobles along the Golden Way. When travelers from Kara-Tur found Shou Towns, Shugenja bring the old ways to the new world. They help to make small oases of tradition in very foreign environments.Unlike samurai, shugenja are not bound by a strict code of morals. They do not need to serve a particular master, thus they can travel the world as they see fit. They are drawn to disturbances in the elemental balance of the world. This leads them on adventures to right environmental wrongs, destroy blights on the land, and keep the balance of the elements.

Sohei

Sohei are similar to monks in their ascetic pursuit of bodily perfection while secluded in monasteries, but they are less academic, favoring zeal over philosophy. As a paladin is a hybrid of fighter and cleric, sohei are hybrids of monks and clerics, monastic warriors working for a temple or a monastery and performing whatever missions and duties are required of them.Unlike samurai and shugenja, sohei come to their paths from all social classes and backgrounds. Those who show a talent for the martial and academic arts become monks. Those that have the physical prowess but lack a contemplative bent (or think more through faith than reasoning) make perfect sohei. Westerners often remark that sohei seem more driven by anger and passion than the relatively calm and dispassionate monks they've encountered.

Spirit Shamans

Spirit shamans are uncommon in the Realms and Kara-Tur. In Kara-Tur, shamans channel and mediate with spirits, acting as the spiritual guide for more primitive populations. Only spirit folk in Kara-Tur follow the path of the spirit shaman and rarely go adventuring. Shamans of Kara-Tur have more of a connection to people and ancestors, whereas spirit shamans are more connected to spirits of the land and the land itself. In the Realms, spirit shamans are found among the witches and independent male divine spellcasters of Rashemen. They are also found among the spirit folk of Rashemen and Thesk (those brought from Kara-Tur along the Golden Way). Finally, a small number of spirit shamans travel the Realms, having come from the distant land of Osse

Wu Jens

Wu jen are akin to wizards in a land where there are no wizard colleges and mentorship is hard to find. Some reject the structures and traditions of their societies, becoming hermits or traveling mystics in distant lands. These are most likely to be found acting as makeshift shamans for the tribes of Purang in Malatra. Many wu jen powers are similar to those of the shugenja. Where they differ is in their relationships to people. Shugenja are rooted in society, serving as spiritual leaders and advisors. Wu jen are often withdrawn and solitary, focusing on personal power and self improvement. Nevertheless, they serve important roles as advisors to the emperor of Shou Lung.