Ashigaru

For millenia, Mishima's society has been divided into castes. Only Samurai could be warriors in service to the Mishima megacorporation -- not peasants. However, pressures upon the Lord Heirs have prompted them to consider recruiting from the peasants -- if only to have some more bodies to serve as cannon fodder. These peasant warriors are known as the Ashigaru, typically equipped with only the lightest of armor and most basic of weaponry.

Samurai

The most celebrated class in Mishiman society would be that of the Samurai. Samurai traditionally comprise the backbone of Mishiman forces. They put great value in prowess in close combat, and thus carry the katana and wakizashi -- marks of Samurai status.

Hatamoto

The Hatamoto are the elite of the Samurai, serving as bodyguards of the Mishiman Overlord and the Lord Heirs, and of Samurai lords -- but often deployed for missions of special sensitivity. They wear powered armor, giving them considerable mobility.

Shadow Walkers / Deathbringers

These assassins are shrouded in much mystery, and it is rumored that they may even have made some sort of pact with the Darkness in exchange for mystical powers. Whatever the case, they are indeed quite skilled in the arts of stealth, and are typically armed with silenced versions of the P60 Punisher handgun, and poisoned Punisher short-swords, though they just as often make use of the Archer sniper rifle. Shadow Walkers traditionally dress all in black and hide their faces, with the glove of the sword hand red, in symbolism of the blood they shed. Deathbringers are considerably more bold, wearing armor and uniforms of other colors -- most often red.

The Shadow Walker Cult's existence is not secret, but it is still widely regarded as possibly being merely a legend. In truth, however, they are indeed quite real - and many of the darkest rumors are true.

Even among those who know this much, there is little in the way of facts available about the cult. Some believe that the Shadow Walkers are in fact an elite military force employed by Mishima's leaders. Others suggest that it is the remnant of an ancient religion. Others believe that the Shadow Walkers are part of a powerful conspiracy present in every level of Mishiman society. Others believe that the Shadow Walkers are divided into warring sects, some aligned with the Light, others with the Darkness. Some believe that, beneath their masks and black garb, Shadow Walkers are disfigured mutants.

No Shadow Walker has ever been taken alive, and no body has ever been found for examination. When Shadow Walkers are slain or captured, mortuary enzymes dissolve their bodies into pools of toxic slime.

According to rumor, the Cult steals infants from their parents and trains them in the mysterious arts of death-dealing from the moment they are old enough to walk. The very finest pupils are subjected to arcane rites to become the elite of the Shadow Walker Cult - the Deathbringers.

No Mishiman noble would, of course, publicly have any dealings with the Shadow Walkers ... but it is surprising how often they turn up on the battlefields when Mishima is at war.