NPC Descriptions

[Shika Renji]

Name: Shika Renji
Gender: Male
Clan: Deer
Profession: Daimyo
Marital Status: Married
At a glance: Tall and Lithe
Miai Status: Man in Charge

Description:

A samurai clearly bearing the blood of the Doji, Shika Renji is the picture of elegenence. So much so, he has come to be known as 'The White Deer.' A man extremely skilled in the art of matchmaking, it is said that even from a young age, he knew with complete certainty who he was destined to marry. A skilled diplomat who believes in bringing the right people together for the good of the Empire.

Goal: Increase marriages between the Crane and the Unicorn

[Shika Katsuteru]

Name: Shika Katsuteru
Gender: Male
Clan: Deer
Profession: Castillian
Marital Status: Married
At a glance: Scarred and Muscular
Miai Status: Castle Security and Administration

The iron fist within Renji's silk glove, Katsuteru is many things his lord is not. He contrasts his lord's beauty with scars from a myriad of conflicts. While his lord is the life of the party swimming in a sea of conversation and fashion, Katsuteru is watching from the shore for predators. His lord delights in elegant solutions of air and beauty, Katsuteru looks towards the pragmatic. But while Renji may bemoan Katsuteru's lack of interest in the latest plays and fashions, he recognizes Katsuteru's strengths, just as Katsuteru recognizes his. Working together, the pair make both Kyuden Shika and the Deer clan very strong indeed.

Goal: Keep the Deer clan from committing military assistance to the Crane clan

[Shika Pei Pei]

Name: Shika Pei-Pei
Gender: Female
Clan: Deer
Profession: Matchmaker
Marital Status: Married
At a glance: Matronly and Prim
Miai Status: Social Event Judge

Description: Shika Pei-Pei is an old hand at matchmaking. Dozens of samurai have placed their hopes, dreams, and literal futures in her hands. Those who impress her find themselves with prestigious pairings, countless doors opened for them and their lives seem truly blessed from the moment she gave them a tiny smile.

Those who fail to impress her, however, note their downfall began with her stern countenance and disapproving glare. This is not to say she arranges BAD matches for them, that would dishonor her profession. But the Ichiro, Kuni, Suzume, and Yogo families need matches too, and often meet even less than stellar candidates with terms that are good for the families, if not the unhappy couple.

Goal: Secure study invitations to the Kakita Artisan Academy for the Deer clan

[Shika Zang]

Name: Shika Zang
Gender: Male
Clan: Deer
Profession: Sensei
Marital Status: Married
At a glance: Large and bearded
Miai Status: Martial Event Judge

Description: Shika Zang is a man who fights like he drinks, and drinks like he fights: Hard, and in the morning there are going to be a lot of samurai laid low about him. In his younger years, Zang saw quite a number of military engagements, and it was his mastery of the spear that earned him his fame. More than a few times he's bought armies ample time to reposition and maneuver by single-handedly holding a narrow space such as a bridge, or a gate.

These days he devotes his as the head sensei of the Shika speardancers, training the next generation of masters of the spear. His duty is to train the next Shika Zang, and he truly hopes to someday be bested by one of his students.

Goal: Zang seeks to secure invitations to the Topaz Championship for the Deer clan.

[Doji Oharu]

Name:Doji Oharu
Gender: Male
Clan: Crane
Profession: Emerald Magistrate
Marital Status: Married
At a glance: A noble bearing leaning upon an exquisite cane
Miai Status: Imperial Law Enforcement

Description: The tapping of an elegant rosewood cane precedes the arrival of this enforcer of the Imperial law. Crippled from birth, Oharu nevertheless pulled himself up through the ranks, going from clan magistrate to emerald magistrate. He has a sharp mind, a charming demeanor, and enough sense to employ some very talented yoriki to chase down and apprehend suspects for him

Goal: Garner Deer clan military support for the Crane clan

[Shiba Taemon]

Name: Shiba Taemon
Gender: Male
Clan: Phoenix
Profession: Bushi
Marital Status: Single
At a glance: Tall and Grave
Miai Status: Candidate

Description: Shiba Taemon reminds one of a temple guardian statue. A very serious man, as denoted by his seemingly perpetual frown, he conducts himself with great solemnity. While he is confident in his skills, he does not seek to drawn attention to himself. At best he is destined to be a historical footnote as a yojimbo of someone more important than himself.

Goal: To marry a spouse of impeccable honor and decorum

[Mirumoto Haruhi]

Name: Mirumoto Haruhi
Gender: Female
Clan: Dragon
Profession: Duelist
Marital Status: Single
At a glance: Broad in face and shoulder
Miai Status: Candidate

Description: Mirumoto Haurhi has broad features hinting at peasant ancestry, but it seems to trouble her little enough. A talented duelist, Haruhi is enthusiastic about learning about the different dueling traditions of the Empire, and pitting them against the Mirumoto style. Still, her easy smile hints that it's a pure appreciation of all forms of The Art, rather than a desire to prove her school's superiority.

Goal: Marry a non-Dragon talented duelist

[Kakita Reina]

Name: Kakita Reina
Gender: Female
Clan: Crane
Profession: Topaz Champion
Marital Status: Single
At a glance: Lithe with braided hair half-black, half white
Miai Status: Candidate

Description: A talented duelist, Kakita Reina is this year's Topaz Champion. Her dream had been to use the position to bring greater accessibility to the courts of the Empire to those clans not normally very politically adept. However, a Scorpion plot (or at least the actions of a vengeful member of the Scorpion clan going rogue according to his clan), has put a blemish on the shining name of the Topaz Champion right out of the gate. Still, despite the whispers of the court, she continues to push forward.

Goal: Marriage to a non-Crane/non-Scorpion courtier

[Hiroto]

Name: Hiroto of the Golden Mirror
Gender: Male
Clan: Mantis
Profession: Third Mate
Marital Status: Single
At a glance: Lean and angry
Miai Status: Candidate

Description: Time may heal all wounds, and while Hiroto has physically recovered from his near-fatal stabbing at the Topaz Championship, it has done little to improve Hiroto's opinion of the Crane clan. Even the revelation that a Scorpion was behind the incident has done little to change his mind. After all, responsibility for his safety was ultimately the Crane clan's responsibility, and swift punishment for the perpetrator of the act falls far short, in his mind, of balancing the scales.

Goal: Marry a non-Crane/non-Scorpion

[Kitsu Tsugumasa]

Name: Kitsu Tsugumasa
Gender: Male
Clan: Lion
Profession: Shugenja
Marital Status: Single
At a glance: Nervous scholar
Miai Status: Candidate

Description: Kitsu Tsugumasa comes from a long and prestigious line of Lion clan shugenja, and he bears all the weight of the expectations of such. His ancestors eyes are upon him, and if he brings shame upon their names, his ultra-traditional family will give him but one recourse. He prays for the strength to shoulder such burdens, and thus far, his prayers have been granted.

Goal: Marry a female shugenja of high honor