Dead-Eyes Berserker

"Dead Eyes" berserkers are employed more in the Crab armies than any other clan in Rokugan.

They are those who embrace bushido to the exclusion of all elso and go into a sort of trance during combat, heightening their strength and stamina. In a clan at a constant state of war their unique talents are always needed.

The majority of the berserkers are Hiruma because of the loss of their lands in 716. They also occasionally appear in the Hida because of their love for battle.

A berserker will spend hourse before a battle meditating, involving screaming, foaming at the mouth and striking nearby objects.

In battle they achieve and amlmost zen like balance between discipline and emotion, the combined with power of both comes to the berserker in a great rush. They will strike with heedless abandon, raining blows like a thunderstorm, their eyes become glassy and distant, they move with the speed of a panther and attack with the ferocity of wolves. Some berserkers even cackle or howl like animals, but the most scary ones are the ones who remain completely silent.

(Crab p. 53 -54)