[b][u]MASTERY ABILITIES[/u][/b] {Insert whatever bonuses certain skills give you here} {Insert whatever bonuses certain skills give you here} {Insert whatever bonuses certain skills give you here} {Insert whatever bonuses certain skills give you here} {Insert whatever bonuses certain skills give you here}
Experience: 4/55 Glory: 0.8 Honor: 5.5 Status: 0.5 Taint: 0.0 Heritage: Your ancestor was a soldier who deserted rather than face the enemies of the Crane. His deeds still stain your family’s reputation. You start with 0.5 less Status and 0.5 less Glory than normal.
Benten's Blessing [Spiritual] (3) The Fortune of Romantic Love has showered you with her blessings. Whenever you are attempting to persuade someone, regardless of the circumstances, you gain a bonus of +0k1 to the total of the Social Skill Roll in question. This bonus only applies to persuasion, not coercion. There is something to Tsuyoshi's attitude that most find strangely pleasant and comforting, despite his faults, and makes him difficult to quite dislike. Warm, open, curious and very attentive whenever he stops to pay attention to someone or something. In the politics and etiquette of Rokugan, sometimes it's a pure earnestness of intent and good nature that stands out most.
Strength of the Earth [Physical] (2) In your soul can be found the spirit of the mountains and the strength of stone. You can overcome injuries that would cripple other men. The TN penalties you suffer from Wound Ranks are reduced by 3. Always an adventurous soul with difficulty sitting still for long, Tsuyoshi has suffered his number of scrapes and tumbles in his days of training, or ill advised athletic adventures. Between getting habitually used to small aches as a sign of a day well spent, and his determination to prove himself, Tsuyoshi ends up surprisingly resilient.
DISADVANTAGES
Bitter Betrothal [Social] (2) You have been promised to another, or perhaps are already married, and neither of you are at all pleased with the situation. Your spouse despises you, but he or she at least has the decorum to manage your estate properly… for the most part. Your mutual dislike, however, can result in tremendous difficulty with even simple domestic or bureaucratic tasks. Tsuyoshi's wife-to-be Fumiko is pleasant enough to everyone but him, and each of the two has so far tried every honorable method they can to sabotage the match. This makes things at home a bit awkward for both, particularly as their families and the matchmaker keep trying to meddle and find ways to push things along, or trick them into getting along. Tsuyoshi couldn't quite place what it is he hates so much about Fumiko other than the feeling that the girl from another less-than-well-to-do family was pushed off on him in a way speaking lowly of his family's chances for any better match, but the feeling is mutual, and he hopes that if he makes a big enough name for himself and redeems his family the matchmaker might quietly help them both dissolve this and find him a more auspicious match.
Contrary [Mental] (3) Your strong will and rigid view of the world insists not only that you develop an opinion on everything, but that you must share it at every opportunity. During any debate or dispute, or even casual discussion, you feel compelled to weigh in and attempt to persuade others to see the matter from your point of view. In any tense situation, you must succeed at a Willpower Trait Roll to avoid taking action, whether to resolve a conflict physically or simply to interject into an argument. The TN for this roll can vary widely, and should be determined by the GM (typically somewhere between 5 and 25). Tsuyoshi was always a very active, engaged child, with difficulty sitting still and doing nothing for long. His family's treatment and position, and his drive to change this have only exacerbated things, and the well meaning samurai finds it hard not to try and find some way to save the day, or do right, no matter where he ends up, all the better to show that everything they said about his great-grandfather is wrong.
Driven [Mental] (2) You are possessed by some goal, and will sacrifice almost anything to accomplish it, even your honor. Family, friends, material possessions, and even Bushido mean nothing compared to the potential completion of this goal, whatever it may be. Tsuyoshi's family name has been stained- and to him, he seems the only one sufficiently concerned with cleaning it. Besides potentially souring his marriage already, the burn to make a new name for his family always incenses him to action- usually trying to be honorable, but anything to show that he is not a traitor or a coward, leading to quite a bit of glory seeking.
Fascination: Sumai [Mental] (1) You are completely fascinated by some subject, and will go to great lengths to learn more about it or to experience it in new ways.This fascination badly impedes your judgment, and you will take even dishonorable actions to learn more, which could end in absolute disgrace if your actions are discovered. Tsuyoshi needs to bring a good name back to his family, but everyone needs a hobby. His is totally relevant to his job though! He has to be ready to stop people non-lethally. It's just that... while all jiujutsu wrestling is really cool, and he loves to get into it, it's the ones who do it in the ring professionally, the real masters- they're so cool! If he didn't have other things to do, he might dream of being one, but it would be enough just to watch them in action. Or maybe get an autograph, or some tips. Maybe a sumai-action figure or two...
Temper Steel with Honor [Doji Magistrate 1] Doji Magistrates are trained to fight with compassion, avoiding injury to both themselves and whenever possible to others, a style known to the Crane as Mizu-do (the Way of Water). They specialize in the use of weapons designed to disarm or capture foes rather than kill them. You may add an amount equal to your Air Ring to your Armor TN (unless caught helpless or unaware). You gain a +1k0 bonus to your attack rolls when fighting with a jitte or a sasumata.
Doji Tsuyoshi stands around an average height for a Crane, maybe only a hair on the tall side, but full of vigor and energy. Though he doesn't dye his hair like many of the Crane, he wears it in a long black cascade down past his shoulders, or ties it up in a rather perfunctory way when he needs it out of the way. His features are generally considered very pleasant, if not a great deal sticks out in particular except his eyes- a little bit on the large side, and very rarely staying still. He tends to come off a bit straightforward and direct for a Crane, perhaps seeming a tad less refined- but when he stops to focus he has a very attentive clarity and a pleasant attitude that many find make it hard to fault him much for it, and to some of the less artsy clans even seems entirely refreshing. Much like the rest of him, his clothing tends to be very simple and sturdy, inexpensive in faded Crane colors, hardy enough for weather and work, but always seem to find a way to sit straight and look well enough- except for when they need a bit of dirt brushed off. He wears his mons plainly and proudly at all times, and tends to accent his otherwise somewhat plainer clothing with bright sashes or other small effects, to lend bursts of very clear white or blue to his outfit, or his hair when he's tying it out of the way.
BACKGROUND Tsuyoshi's story began, as many do, years before he was born, with a man named Doji Haruo. Though no renowned warrior he was a trained bushi, a soldier all the same, if one preoccuppied with trifles and amusements that would have better suited an artisan, or entertainer. He saw many minor battles, but it was during the Clan War, when a false Hoturi tore the Crane apart from inside, and the Lion and Crab attacked from without, that he found himself trapped at Kyuden Doji. When the gates fell and the battle began, the man broke- but where as many in the Crane had lost hope and died for their family and honor there, Haruo fled. He concocted stories to protect himself and lived until many years later, when he was confronted with his shame, and chose seppeku over execution or further shaming his family. Even so, the name was already badly stained- they were the children of a deserter and coward, living in the shadow of his shame and under suspicion that they would someday prove the same.
At a young age, his great-grandson decided that would end.
Long before his gempakku he had chosen the name Tsuyoshi as a step to be everything his grandfather was supposed to be, but had not been. Though his original aspiration had been to be a Daidoji Iron Warrior, it was particularly difficult to find a sensei with his family history, and eventually his parents got the rambunctious child to assent to being trained as a Doji Magistrate, first with disappointment, and then great gusto. Tsuyoshi stood out like a sore thumb, and constantly made waves in small ways, but managed to acquire the skills he needed and not ever seriously upset anyone, and soon enough he was granted adulthood. Tsuyoshi performed well enough, but was never given much opportunity given his background- and that he tended to get himself into trouble and could never sit still for long, despite all of which oddities people always seemed to find themselves liking him for some reason.
Perhaps this is why it was so odd that when the matchmaker brought the un-deterably affable Doji Tsuyoshi and the quietly pleasant Kakita Fumiko together, that sparks immediately flew. Despite that no one else could manage to dislike either, against all odds, the two couldn't stand each other, and created a scene that was almost enough to make their families reconsider the engagement- almost. Tsuyoshi took it as the quiet artistic girl being hoisted upon him as an insult, because they did not believe his family was capable of bringing a better match because of his great grandfather- Fumiko, on the other hand, felt that being offered 'the best of a disgraced line' was less than flattering as well. Though each family felt it could gain from the marriage and repeatedly tried to reconcile the two together, they each started finding excuses to keep them away and working to avoid the wedding moving forward, while their families fought to keep the arrangement from being cancelled.
After the arrangement, but prior to actually meeting the girl, the empire found itself in the violent upheaval of the Destroyer war. Still very fresh from his gempakku and green behind the ears, the young Tsuyoshi put his foremost effort forward, doubling down to prove himself in hopes of being allowed to join Lady Doji's Eyes, or another similar group, to be sent out to aid in the war- his older brother, with several years experience was sent to fight in a more traditional army, but never returned, tales of neither cowardice nor bravery following him back- simply one of many gone. Between his own inexperience and his family legacy, no matter his tireless efforts and begging while assisting Crane cities deal with the plague and the resulting riots and bands of undead, Tsuyoshi was turned down time and again to join the Lady Doji's Eyes and told to remain where he was. He made no attempts to leave, and worked more than hard enough that even as his young age his supervisors and compatriots were willing to ignore his persistence so long as he followed orders to remain and assist where he was- which he did, until the war ended and afterwards. The plague would cost him his grandparents and a sister, but the kami were merciful to the rest of his family. The aftermath left him trying to make an impression in a recovering city that wanted peace and rest more than showy heroism, now that the war was freshly won, and left dealing with his arranged match and missing friends and family.
So, when a tiny imperial girl (well, she looked awfully young at first anyway!) came looking for guards to help with her important mission off traversing the empire and guarding her person to create the Empire's new maps, it seemed the opportunity offered everything Tsuyoshi could want! In his usual way, the man volunteered immediately, and then went off to seek the permission of his daimyo like a good samurai.
Game of Twenty Questions
1. WHAT CLAN DOES YOUR CHARACTER BELONG TO? Crane Clan 2. WHAT FAMILY DOES YOUR CHARACTER BELONG TO? Doji Family 3. IS YOUR CHARACTER A BUSHI, A SHUGENJA, OR A COURTIER? Magistrate trained, primarily bushi. 4. HOW WOULD OTHERS DESCRIBE YOUR CHARACTER’S APPEARANCE? Tsuyoshi's affable nature tends to put people at ease and make it hard to dislike him, even though his emotions tend to come and show themselves more freely than is usually appropriate for a samurai. Bright, sharp eyes and an inability to sit still usually stand out most about him, besides long and silky blackhair, and he usually has the enviable trait of keeping his clothing and appearance up more by accident than through meticulous effort. 5. WHAT IS YOUR CHARACTER’S PRIMARY MOTIVATION? Redemption of his family- Tsuyoshi wants to restore his family's name. Preferrably through honorable and good means, but any glory that can bring their name back suits him. A close second is probably a sheer enthusiasm for adventure. 6. WHO IS THE PERSON YOUR CHARACTER TRUSTS MOST IN THE WORLD? Though he has always honored and loved his family, his strong opinions have put a small gap between them. His most trusted friend is probably his one cousin whom has similar feelings, if a much more patient and moderated approach than Tsuyoshi. The older relative has generally been a moderating influence on him, and offered good advice while supporting his striving to make a good name, and to improve at his task- and perhaps accidentally nutured his love of sumai a little more than he meant to in doing so. If Tsuyoshi actually feels he needs advice, it's usually Hachi he turns to. 7. WHAT IS YOUR CHARACTER’S GREATEST STRENGTH AND WEAKNESS? Tsuyoshi recognizes one of his personal weaknesses- he is too open and up front, and certainly no deep and contemplative thinker. In fact, he is quite mercurial and open, and tends to not dwell on anything long. He is less aware that this can lead to an issue with follow through on long term, more abstract goals, partially because he tends to try and do anything he sees as worth doing right away. Impatience he has, but tends to think of as an attribute. Passion, daring, and genuine good heartedness likely number among his positive traits. 8. WHAT DOES YOUR CHARACTER THINK OF BUSHIDO? Perhaps because of his ancestor, Tsuyoshi focuses excessively on the tennet of courage, though he often thinks of duty and honor as accompanying it- giving courage direction, without which it is simple impulsiveness (which he may be guilty of at at times). In practice, he perhaps lives up to courage and sincerity the most, and perhaps lacks in courtesy- which he doesn't consider unimportant... he simply doesn't find himself ever focusing on it. 9. WHAT IS YOUR CHARACTER’S OPINION OF HIS CLAN? Of course all samurai are loyal and devoted servants of the Tsuyoshi is often frustrated at the level to which much of the Crane, and Doji especially, focus on too much inaction and not enough action. He absolutely believes the Crane are important as beacons of what Rokugani can and should be, and greatly appreciates the Kakita striving for perfection, often tied to the samurai martial duty, and the Daidoji are surely the most ideal soldiers of the entire empire. He just feels the Crane act and speak a great deal in ways aimed to actually do very little, and deliberate and mask inaction with speech more often than they should. Of course, he would never air a word of this to a different clan, and would probably not care to hear it from them either. 10. IS YOUR CHARACTER MARRIED? Not yet! Tsuyoshi has met Fumiko, and against all expectations the two don't get along at all. They are betrothed to be married, he the best offering from a disgraced line, and she from a very small and not particularly well-off Kakita family, and both take personal slight at it even while their families see it as mutually beneficial, and the best match they can really hope for. Tsuyoshi hopes to change that fact, and if he's lucky have the marriage quietly cancelled- if he can delay it that long. 11. DOES YOUR CHARACTER HAVE ANY PREJUDICES? Tsuyoshi sees a lot of stereotypes, but his being slightly out of place in the Crane makes him slightly more understanding of some of their more traditional opponents. The Crab he recognizes the important duty of, and can only praise their strength- and the best sumai in the land! He can see where that can leave them rough around the edges. The Lion are too harsh, unbending, but they certainly portray honor and courage with action. The Scorpion, however, he's yet to see any excuse for the villainy of, serving their own clan selfishly above all else, without honor, kindness, courage or qualm, using cowardly tactics. He's not particularly easy with the background of the new Spider clan, either, though he hasn't met many yet. 12. TO WHOM DOES YOUR CHARACTER OWE THE MOST LOYALTY? Doji Norio, the Crane clan magistrate at the head of Tsuyoshi's province. Though Tsuyoshi soemtimes wears on his patience, he was the man who saw his promise and invited to have him trained in the Doji Magistrate school when he was unable to enroll to be trained as an Iron Warrior, and the one whom he has most often worked directly under. He's served the man since his graduation, and feels he owes him a personal debt besides finding the man generally an honorable superior very worthy of the position, and his respect. 13. WHAT ARE YOUR CHARACTER’S FAVORITE AND LEAST FAVORITE THINGS? Loves fresh sushi and wasabi, hates millet cereals. Loves sumai, hates shogi. Loves outdoors and exploring, hates long ceremonies. 14. DOES YOUR CHARACTER HAVE ANY RECURRING MANNERISMS? Tsuyoshi seems unable to completely sit still- his eyes move constantly and his face is a little more openly expressive than most believe it should be, and when nervous or having trouble sitting still he tends to tap or drum his fingers lightly on whatever is handy and least noisy or obtrusive. 15. WHAT ABOUT YOUR CHARACTER’S EMOTIONS? Tsuyoshi displays too much too often - he's generally good about controlling most of his emotions from showing through, but he controls how much he shows to keep civil- and venting helps keep him even tempered too. As such it's usually pleasant emotions and flight of fancy that shows on his face, and he's fairly good at biting down on anger and frustration. If there's any one thing he hides, it's when things bother him or make him feel introspective- which he hates anyway. Growing up in his family, he had to get used to not letting it show when he heard what people said about them. 16. HOW WOULD YOUR CHARACTER HANDLE A SUBORDINATE’S IMPROPER BEHAVIOR? He's never had a subordinate, only a few samurai his junior on the job. The idea is a little thrilling, part and parcel with getting famous and important, but a lot nervewracking. Tsuyoshi would likely address issues immediately and directly. Given his sensitivity to his own reputation and honor he might even be strict- but also likely to avoid bringing the shame public unless things felt truly out of hand, as one who had to live with the lingering shame of an ancestor asked to commit seppeku. 17. HOW WOULD YOUR CHARACTER’S PARENTS DESCRIBE HIM? Tsuyoshi is a handful- respectful in all the ways he needs to be, polite, and even warm, but headstrong and willful. He makes waves and takes risks when he needn't, and is too concerned with what his place could be, and forgets what it is. They can tell he cares greatly- but if only that meant he listened. 18. WHAT IS YOUR CHARACTER’S HIGHEST AMBITION? To be a totally badass famous hero, and restore his family's honor and glory! He'd take military leadership but doesn't expect it given his current training is likely more suited to being a yojimbo or magistrate. Still, he's down with that as long as he gets to do something BIG and adventurous- he could totally settle for a position as an Emerald Magistrate, or even Clan Magistrate, if he racked up some good stories and got to prove himself properly doing it. Ideally though, do something big and important, or save someone really big. He'd also LOVE to be a sumai champion, but those guys are just too cool, no way he could be like them but he'd totally love to try. 19. HOW RELIGIOUS IS YOUR CHARACTER? Religion would feature more strongly into Tsuyoshi's life if it didn't seem to involve so much sitting still and doing nothing. He does pay his respects, semi-regularly, and makes sure to briefly honor the fortunes when he passes a temple or when he calls upon them for aid, and thinks well of the Brotherhood and people who pursue the Tao- it's just too much thinking instead of doing for him. 20. HOW WILL YOUR CHARACTER DIE? Tsuyoshi intends to rejoin his ancestor's proudly, if he can do so- he doesn't claim to understand as much as the priests, or perhaps as he should, but he hopes to meet a glorious death head on, and sit with his honored ancestors.
1. Does your character have an ultimate goal, and if so, what is it? To bring his family back from shame and obscurity. 2. What is your character’s secret, and what will happen if it is discovered?Tsuyoshi is no rumormonger, but he's bad at secrets. Now, he has snuck off duty to observe sumai tournaments a few times, and he'd look pretty bad if that was found out, but he totally won't do it again. 3. What does your character think of the political climate in Rokugan? He's no war advocate, but there is way too much tension and tongue in cheek, too many problems festering or unsolved. He's not thrilled with how much power this seems to leave out for unsavory types to try and grab. 4. What does your character do to relax? Tsuyoshi's relaxation tends to be more exhausting than some people's active days. He likes to climb to high places, swim, go looking for new sights and stories in the wild or around town, watch sumai tournaments, talk about sumai, read about sumai, train himself for sumai... 5. If your character were given a koku, how would he spend it? Entry fee for a local sumai tournament- also, a steamed sweet-bean bun. 6. Does your character have a stereotypical view of the lower classes? Tsuyoshi doesn't think little of the peasants, he just thinks of them little. They play an important role, even if they are lower on the celestial wheel, and while they're not to be confused with being people quite the same as samurai, they deserve their own type of respect. It's just so easy to forget they exist though. 7. What are the names of your character’s parents and siblings, and what do they do? Amoro, his father, is a trained courtier who acts mainly as a merchant, and his younger brother Genji follows in his footsteps. The two have done more than anyone to keep his family afloat and as well off as it is, given everything. His mother Iseki is a bushi of no real regard, but she prefers to keep her head low, and wishes he would do the same. 8. What reward would your character most wish to receive? Recognition. 9. What do your character’s katana and saya look like? The katana itself seems mostly clean and neatly utilitarian, with only a small crane inlaid into the silver cap at it's end. The sheath is slightly more colorful, a small mon inlaid near the top, and mostly black with some minor blues worked in to give it an effect like shining ripples of water on a dark surface, though those have faded some with age since it was made. 10. Does your character revere the Tao of Shinsei or the Fortunes more?It is difficult to say; he tend to pay the Fortunes more mind, as they are direct and obvious, but many times he enjoys talking about the parts of the Tao that can be lent to action more, since they are the most personal and active means of engaging in his religion, as he sees it. 11. What is your character’s most sacred possession? His grand father's katana, which is old, from his grandfather, but well kept, from the man who salvaged what honor their family could and kept them from being destroyed by his great grandfather's shame. Also, a painted picture of his favorite retired sumai champion throwing another from the ring. With an autograph! 12. Who is your character’s closest friend? His cousin Hachi. 13. What does your character love, fear, and hate? Sumai. Public dishonor or obscurity. Laziness and underhandedness. 14. How does your character feel about each of the Great Clans? The Crab do an important job, and have the best sumai, but let it shame them too much. The Crane are what Rokugan should strive to be, when they act, which isn't enough. The Dragon are strange, but usually interesting- or super religious. The Lion are too strict, harsh, overfocused and inflexible, but they are surely an example of courage and dutifulness. The Mantis have an excuse to be pirates and lowlifes, and many of them take it. Yuck. The Phoenix are far too scared of themselves. The Scorpion suck,man- a clan gone bad,even with a mandate for it. The Unicorn are strange, and brutishly foreign, but despite this many of them seem like they're trying to be straight-up guys. The Spider... should they really be a part of the empire? Can we trust them? 15. How does your character feel about different professions in the Celestial Order? Bushi are best. Of course, courtiers, and artists, and shugenja have important roles, but no one portrays what the samurai's role is quite like a good Crane bushi. 16. Who is your character’s ideal mate? She would like to laugh, not be too serious, have a lot of patience and curiosity- and love sumai! 17. How does your character react to minor impurities or irreverence in others? No one is perfect. But if someone points it out, you should try to be better, right? He knows he's not perfect and tries not to be too harsh on others, but sometimes he can't help but speak up. 18. Has your character ever been exposed to maho or other major blasphemies? Not yet- and he can't imagine answering the like except with steel. 19. What advice would you give to your character? Dude. Slow down. Seriously. For one minute. 20. Who would be your character’s ultimate enemy? Probably a Scorpion courtier- threat of everything he fears, combined with everything he finds distasteful and low in a samurai.
ADVANTAGES Precise Memory [Mental] (3pts) - She has an incredible ability to recall exactly things she has seen or heard. In any situation where she needs to remember something exactly the way it was, she adds a bonus of +1k1 to her Intelligence Trait Roll.
Sage [Mental] (4pts) - She has a love of learning, and has accumulated a staggering amount of information during the course of her lifetime. Whenever she would be forced to make an Unskilled Roll when using a Lore Skill, she instead is considered to have 1 rank in that Skill.
Social Position [Social] (5pts) - Being a member of an Imperial family has its benefits, including +1 status rank.
Wealthy [Material] (1pt) - Her branch of the family - really the whole Miya family in general - is particularly wealthy, and has granted her 4 additional koku in order to facilitate the fulfillment of her duties.
DISADVANTAGES Compulsion: Perfect Details [Mental] (4pts) - Ayame is a perfectionist. When drawing her maps she must succeed against a Willpower 25 check or make sure to get every little detail right, no matter how long it takes.
Lost Love [Mental] (3pts) - Though it was an arranged marriage from early childhood, Ayame and her fiance developed a genuine bond of deep affection, which blossomed to love when they matured. But then the Destroyer War came, and her lover was called to serve, as was the Lion’s way. He distinguished himself as a great warrior, and died a hero. When she is reminded of her loss, all her TNs are increased by 5 until she spends a Void Point to regain her focus. This disruption of her concentration cannot happen more than twice per day, and at least one hour must pass between instances.
Small [Physical] (3pts) - She is noticeably smaller than average for a denizen of the Emerald Empire. As a result, her Water Ring is considered one rank lower for determining the distance of her Move Actions, and she suffers a penalty of -1k0 on the Damage Rolls of all her melee attacks.
TECHNIQUES, SPELLS, KATA, KIHO, SHADOWLANDS POWERS Voice of the Emperor - The Miya learn the ways of the Empire, so they can spread the word of the Emperor far and wide, and the art of non-aggression, so their words will be heard by all who respect the Emperor. While inside the borders of the Empire, she may spend a Void Point to gain the Way of the Land Advantage for the province she currently occupies - this effect lasts until she next sleeps. Also, any Rokugani who reveres the Emperor and who knowingly and deliberately attacks her will automatically lose a number of points of Honor equal to twice their School Rank.
EQUIPMENT/CURRENCY Sensible Clothing Haori Wakizashi Horse (Rokugani Pony) Travel Pack - Blanket, Candles (6), Courtier’s Fan, Gold Necklace, Makeup Kit, Mortar & Pestle, Personal Chop, Small Tent, Spare Kimono & Sandals, Rations (7) Furoshiki Sack - Calligraphy Set, Blanket, Bottle of Shochu, Sturdy Map Scroll (5), Journal, Chopsticks, Silk Bolt, Flint & Steel, Kiseru, Medicine Kit (10 uses), Small Hand Mirror, Pillow Book (Cherry Love), Sake Cup, Small Knife, Perfume, Furoshiki Sack - Red Bean Buns (4), Tatami Mat (2), Quality Imperial Kimono Small Folding Stool Bottle of Water Umbrella Walking Stick Coin Purse - 4 koku 4 bu 4 zeni
COMBAT Weapons Wakizashi - 2k2 (Untrained) - 3k2 - May be thrown 20’ as a ranged weapon.
Armor Armor TN Full Attack = 10 Attack = 20 Defense = 24 Full Defense = 20 + ½ Defense/Reflexes Center = 20 Other Modifiers = N/A
DESCRIPTION Standing at a rather petite 4’7”, with a build as thin and youthful as her height might suggest, the fiery Miya is hard to see as a woman on first impressions. Even her generous chest can’t stop her from looking like just an early-blooming teenager. And though her energetic, overeager attitude can sometimes support this, that is where the correlations end. Her long, wavy mane of auburn tinged with a very noticeable amount of red, along with rather fierce auburn eyes shows no insignificant amount of Lion heritage. Her skin is pale but perfect on all but her hands, which show the callouses of a thousand scrolls and the ink stains of a hundred maps; the distinct air of a scholar if ever there was one. Likewise, she is a figure of authority and she knows it, holding herself with an aura of dignity and command well befitting a member of the Imperial families.
Miya Riding Pony - Rakurai Air: 2, Earth: 2, Fire: 1, Water: 2 Ref: 2, Stamina: 4, Agi: 2, Str: 4 Initiative: 3k2, Attack: Kick 3k2, DR 4k2 (Complex) Armor TN: 15, Reduction: 3, Wounds: 16: +5; 32: +10; 48: +15; 64: Dead Skills: Hunting (Tracking) 4, Intimidation 2 Special Abilities: Swift 3 - Considered to have a Water Ring 3 ranks higher for the purpose of determining how far they move with a Free or Simple action. Huge - Cannot be grappled or targeted with a Knockdown ability.
Rakurai is a surprisingly calm, patient pony for how active his owner. Though not trained for combat, the Miya pride themselves in their sturdy, far-traveling steeds, and he is nothing if not reliable. His coloring shows mixed splotches of white and brown, with darker brown “socks” and a lean but solid build. His near-blonde, shaggy mane often covers his eyes entirely, but if he notices or cares he doesn’t seem to show it.
BACKGROUND Born - Eiyu Province on the Emperor’s Blessing Caravan, 23rd day of the month of the Dragon, 1154 Biological Father - Ikoma Sanoji, 42 (Ikoma Bard) Official Father - Otomo Jonudou, 40 (Emerald Magistrate) Mother - Miya Sakura, 40 (Miya Herald, 3rd protege to the Voice of the Emperor) Siblings - Otomo Tsutsuji, 18 (Otomo Courtier) Half-Siblings/Fiancés - Ikoma Noboru, 10 (Ikoma Bard in training), Ikoma Tsuro, 23 (Akodo Bushi, Decased)
The Imperial families are not without their scandals, but they are rather well equipped to hide them. Miya Sakura was a young, passionate woman once, prone to moments of weakness that she was thankfully very good at hiding. Her marriage was complicated, wed early to an up and coming Otomo in hopes of strengthening the Imperial lines, and numbers thereof. While her husband was quite taken with her, Sakura herself had her sights set elsewhere. She used her position as a Herald to make as many trips to Ikoma lands as she could justify, and it wasn’t long at all before she was with child. 9 months later, while she was out supporting the Emperor’s Blessing, the baby girl was born.
There was no real way for Jonudou to prove the child wasn’t his, though with the girl’s fiery hair he knew the truth when he saw it. But even unfaithful, he loved his wife, and so for the sake of his relationship and future, he accepted the child as his own and arranged so that the indiscretion could never come to light. In exchange for his silence, the bold Ikoma demanded his line be connected to the Imperial families in the most direct way possible: marrying his new daughter to his eldest son.
To the child, however, all this was but hearsay she never heard. Her childhood was as normal as a Miya’s could be, and she took to her studies eagerly even from an early age. She met her husband-to-be a few times, though Sakura’s trips to Ikoma lands become less and less frequent as she found herself disgusted with her daughter’s fate. But through these rare visits and many letters they quickly became best friends. A relationship so well bonded that maturity only deepened it, and the discoveries they made together when the young Miya, soon to name herself Ayame after her mother and grandmother’s flowery tradition, could start making the yearly Emperor’s Blessing trips made them True Lovers the likes of which Tsuro’s Ikoma kin could write songs and poetry about. With his help she became less and less of the shut-in that was her nature, and began to embrace the social side of her Miya training with a natural charisma befitting a Herald. Everything was perfect. Until the Fire Nation Destroyers attacked.
Ayame’s role in the war was a safe one, traveling well established supply routes as a messenger and emergency supplier/medic. Though her knowledge was purely scholastic, she performed her duties with a natural finesse sparked by a solid will and an intellect so sharp it could cut paper. She returned home tall and proud. But the news that greeted her there... Her True Love had returned to Lion lands a war hero. Brave and valiant, whose sacrifice on the battlefield had turned a crucial conflict and earned him the highest honor a dead samurai could receive. Finally Sanoji’s line was worthy of the honors and luxuries of joining an Imperial family, and so Ayame’s marriage rights would be given to the last surviving heir, her True Love’s younger brother Noboru who had not even reached puberty, much less gempukku.
The heartbroken Herald locked herself away for as long as she could, trying to lose herself in scrolls and maps and pillowbooks. But the halls and quiet chambers of Kyuden Miya were too familiar, held too many memories; times spent writing or reading honey sweet letters that would never come again. She found herself spiralling. So by the time her daimyo decided that an expedition to update the Empire’s maps was in order, Ayame literally jumped at the task. Eager to ply her passion, and even more anxious to get back out into the great wide world where reminders of her lost love might be more scarce, she didn’t even listen to her daimyo’s preparations before she was out the door and riding off into the sunset. She had planned such an expedition a hundred times in her head, after all. She knew every little detail. It wasn’t until she encountered a bandit on the road to Kyuden Doji that she finally realized what she’d forgotten.
A few strong words and a frantic gallop later, and she had made it to the Doji’s home. Not one to let a little setback keep her from her mission, and definitely one to try to downplay her mistake to save face, she immediately marched up to the Doji daimyo like she owned the place, explained her mission, and “requested” bodyguards as only an Imperial can.
Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2017 4:36 pm
Player: Daidoji Hotaru Name: Daidoji Hotaru Clan: Crane School: Daidoji Iron Warrior Rank: 1 Insight: 126 Experience: 50/50 Glory: 1 Honor: 6.5 Status: 1 Taint: 0 Heritage: Illustrious: Your family has ties of marriage or alliance with another clan.
EARTH: 3
Stamina: 3 +1 from Daidoji Family Willpower: 3
WATER: 2
Strength: 3 Perception: 2
FIRE: 2
Agility: 3 +1 from Daidoji Iron Warriors Intelligence: 2
MASTERY ABILITIES Defense 3: Keep previous Defense/Reflexes roll Kenjutsu 3: +1k0 to all damage rolls made with a sword Kenjutsu 5: Readying a sword is a Free Action
ADVANTAGES Strength of the Earth
DISADVANTAGES Doubt: Kyujutsu – Call a FR for no result when using skill Daikoku’s Curse - -1k1 to all Commerce rolls, and starting koku is reduced by 1. Wrath of the Kami – Water spells against Hotaru gain a Free Raise
TECHNIQUES, SPELLS, KATA, KIHO, SHADOWLANDS POWERS Rank 1: The Force of Honor The Iron Warrior serves as the shield of his clan, defending the honor and homes of the Crane. You gain a bonus of your Honor Rank (rounded down) minus 4 to your Wounds at each Wound Rank, to a minimum bonus of one. Additionally, you gain a bonus of +1k0 to the total of all attack rolls while in Attack Stance.
EQUIPMENT/CURRENCY Daisho Light Armor No-Dachi Sturdy Clothing Travelling Pack - Chopsticks, Whetstone, Sake cup, Blanket, Coin purse, Weeks Rations, Bottle of Water, Flint and Tinder, Lantern and Oil. Purchased: Bottle of Sake (1bu), Candle x 2 (2bu), Daisho stand (1 koku), Finger of Jade (1 koku), Writing box (1bu), Paper - 10 sheets (2bu)
6 koku remaining
COMBAT +1k0 to all attacks in Attack Stance (not added) Weapons Katana – 8k3 – 7k2 – Void for +1k1 to damage Wakizashi – 8k3 – 6k2 No-Dachi – 8k3 – 7k3
Armor Armor TN = {5 + Reflexes (3) x 5 + Armor (5) + Other Modifiers} = 25 with Reduction 3 Other Modifiers = {List them here}
Initiative {Reflexes (3) + School Rank (1)} k {Reflexes (3)} = 4k3
DESCRIPTION Hotaru (19) looks like any typical Daidoji, the Crane giving her soft features that have been hardened by dedication and training all her life. With dark hair and even darker eyes, she can be an imposing sight when protecting something, especially with No-Dachi drawn. Unlike her sisters, who have studied many of the more artistic of skills, Hotaru is calloused and carries scars from years of martial training.
BACKGROUND She has no big victories to her name, only diligent service. Glory? She doesn’t seek it through fast ventures but through a lifetime of service to her Clan. She is betrothed to Daidoji Naigu, whom she played with as a child and graduated her gempukku at the same time as. They are a rather cute couple, her serious nature tamed by his jovial sense of humor. He is currently working as a guard in Kyuden Doji, helping to protect a rather important courtier of the clan.
Kenjutsu is her primary focus, guarding the lives of others, protecting the Clans interests. But like any Crane, she is at least trained in the art of Etiquette to a minor degree. Not great though, to her sisters disappointment. Through family connections, Ayame married Hida Raiden before the Destroyer War, a prominent General within the Crab forces, they lived out of Kyuden Hida. She wrote to the family of daily attacks upon the Kaiu Wall in the early days, eventually being evacuated before the fall of the Crab capital and most of the Crab lands. The Crane suffered heavily from Plague during the War, and Hotaru lost both of her parents to it who had been working to assist some of the smaller villages within Crane lands. Hotaru faced Plague zombies personally when defending supply lines, and would eventually ensure her sisters survived. Sayuri however is plagued still, by nightmares that have impacted her studies. She is cared for by Miyako and Ayame; who lost her husband during the fall of Kyuden Hida and cares for their young child as well.
This appointment for Hotaru is an important one, as she witnessed first hand the landscape changes, and know the importance of being aware of one’s surroundings. Incorrect maps would spell danger for travellers, confuse clan boundaries leading to tension and hide secrets yet to be discovered. Likely bad, as far as she knew, considering the cause. Hearing that her name had been put forward by a superior was surprising, though it shouldn't have been. There was nothing wrong with her skills and track record.
TECHNIQUES, SPELLS, KATA, KIHO, SHADOWLANDS POWERS Technique: The Soul's Grace - The Asahina have harnessed the power of the kami for art, not war. You may spend a Void Point to reduce the total of all opponents' damage rolls inflicted within 20' of you by 0k1 for a number of rounds equal to your School Rank.
Flight of Doves [Air] Tempest of Air [Air] Benten's Touch [Air] Path to Inner Peace [Water 1] Reversal of Fortunes [Water 1] Jurojin's Balm [Earth 1]
EQUIPMENT/CURRENCY Equipment Robes Bo (Shakujo) Wakizashi Scroll Satchel Traveling Pack: Blanket, Fan, Books and Scrolls, Ink Brush Kit, Jewelry, Incense brazier, Lantern (metal), Makeup Kit, Spare Kimono and Sandals, Small Tent + Chopsticks (1zeni), Cup (1bu), Tatami Mat (2 zeni), Bowl (1 zeni), Flint and Tinder (1zeni), Umbrella (2bu), Small Statue of Benten (1bu) 8 Koku 1Bu
COMBAT Weapons Wakizashi - Att:2k2 - Dmg:4k2 - Normal - No Special Abilities Bo - Att:2k2 - Dmg:3k2 - Normal - No Special Abilities
Armor TN To Be Hit = 25 {Reflexes x 5 + Armor + Other Modifiers}
DESCRIPTION She is still young but is a promise of beauty and an exemple of good manners. She has white skin, long dark hair and her eyes are a blueish-grey that remind the storms she loves.
BACKGROUND Background Doji Chiharu is the youngest daughter of a proeminent Doji Couple, her parents are rather renowned courtiers. Her family has a tradition of worshiping Benten, and have been keeping the favor of the Fortune for generations. A favor they intend to keep by being truly devoted, and passing it one generation to the next. Benten shares their household shrine with their Doji ancestors.
Unlike her sisters and brothers, Chiharu was born with the potential to speak to the kami, actually she had befriended a Turbulent Air kami at a rather young age, what made her childhood somewhat troublesome for her tutors. It also made impossible for her parents to 'conceal' her 'talent', even if they wanted her to be trained as a courtier she was taken to the Temples of Morning Sun at age 6. There she started her training as a Shugenja.
The prankster air kami would also put her in trouble sometimes, and her liking for Storms and the more violent aspects of Air made her a somewhat impopular child among the peaceful Asahina, the lack of friends "allowed" her plenty of time hiding in the library, reading and sometimes burning incenses. As the kami would prank on her colleges and let her to be blame much of the time she would become less socially apt than her parents would like, with almost no friends and a distant family she would known the world through the pages of many books, poetry and romance, together with the peaceful atmosphere of Shinden Asahina, made her somewhat naive, also gave her some very idealistic views and expectations of the world.
An year or so after her gempukku she was traveling through Asahina lands under a lightning storm, she was fascinated by the thunderbolts when a small monastery was struck, the lightning started a fire and she was totally amazed by the event. While even the peasants were running to help Chiharu watched the place burn to the ground while the sky was crossed by lightnings in a state that most would describe as 'she was enjoying the scene'. Her lack of action seem to have enraged both the Monks and the Fortune Ebisu.
Later she would found some students of the monastery were severely injured by the fire, and many monks would complaing about her lack of action in a crucial moment. Some would imply she had called for Osano-Wo herself. Have she? The Air kami was speaking about it. The situation scaled to a point that someone sugested her family could pay for the monastery to be rebuild, despite having the money her parents (politely) refused, offering only a minor donation. Those monks took great disliking for Chiharu and her family since then.
MASTERY ABILITIES Heavy Weapons: Fools gain a -2 Reduction when they allow themselves to get hit by Hida's heavy weapon attack.
ADVANTAGES 3Large: +1k0 damage of large weapons 3Quick Healing: +2 Stamina ranks when healing 2Strength of the Earth: Wound Point penalty reduced by 3
DISADVANTAGES 4Gullible: Deceit rolls gain +1k1 2Unlucky: Once per session; GM clams a reroll, must keep second roll 1Gaijin Name: Social Skills only explode once
TECHNIQUES, SPELLS, KATA, KIHO, SHADOWLANDS POWERS School Rank 1: Way of the Crab; Ignore Penalties to TN for Heavy Armor, except Stealth, +1k0 damage Heavy Weapons
EQUIPMENT/CURRENCY Heavy Armor Sturdy Clothing Daisho Tetsubo Traveling Pack
-Finger of jade -Week's supply of rations -Straw cloak -Wide-brimmed straw hat -Chopsticks -Bottle of sake -Sake cup -Blanket
DESCRIPTION Where his 6 foot 4 inch frame wouldn't get an much of an eye bat from many of the Crab, same with the scars that adorn his face and body. Hida Gahl does little to hide the fact that he is of the Crab. From his 6 foot 4 inch frame and the scars that adorn his skin like makeup on an actor. The most visible of the scars are three parallel lines that span the length from his left ear to his chin.
BACKGROUND
"If you are asking about my life, maybe it would be best to stand on the wall." The giant spoke, half of his face bandaged from the recent battle. He sat along the wall, in a room that housed the other wounded. A bottle of sake in his hand, "But, given you aren't so brave to face the Shadowland filth, I guess I have to tell you... Where to begin,"
Gahl's father died before, his birth and his mother knew she wasn't long for this world after it. So in order to make sure her son would be strong, she gave him a name that would cause him to be a target of harassment. It was though the hardship that name gave him, the young Gahl became too eager to prove himself in the field of battle. Where one's name, rank, family, etc, means nothing and the only truth is in the battle itself and the result, usually favored the victor. This became apparent to his sensei, who sought to strengthen that eagerness into a edge. To make Gahl like the hurricane, a force of destruction for all who stand before him.
After, his gempakku, Gahl served his lord on the wall as faithfully as any normal named samurai.
"... Any thing else, you wish to know? My lord wanted to see me, when I was strong enough to stand. And talking to you helped that... or maybe it was the sake."
It was a simple request; take a parcel to the the northern border, and pass them directly to the Sparrow's Daimyo and wait for the Sparrow's response. The parcel should otherwise be protected, and no other words would have to be exchanged. But, with his first steps in the Sparrow's lands, Gahl asked for direction to the Daimyo's castle. And a Monk told him...
