Player character profiles

[Kitsu Moshumaru]

Name: Kitsu Moshu (legally Moshumaru)
Gender: Male
Marital Status: Single
Occupation: Writer for the Fallen at the Ikoma Libraries, and Beyond
Age: 20
Physicality: Slender, Toned.

Noticeable features:
-He appears... very calm.
-A Lion wearing black? That has a special meaning, right?
-Is he missing some fingers on his left hand? Why?

A writer for the fallen. Those who are tasked with venerating the recently passed by means of a fitting, honourable and honest obituary and storing them in the Ikoma libraries.
Due to his lord's temperament and mindset however, he has written across the Empire - sometimes for troubled individuals, sometimes for individuals whose relatives struggled to articulate their virtues, sometimes to help honour a recently departed ally as a favour.
The man himself, one of a team of twenty by the name of Kitsu Moshu (legally Moshumaru), is a bright, gifted wordsmith with a strong spiritual side to him. Death is a candle to this Moth of memorial, but despite that the clan has other ideas for him.
One of which, apparently is marriage. The man is an accomplished writer - the Libraries will vouch for him, as will a number of families across the empire - but for such a seemingly sedentary lifestyle, the boy appears very... at least interested in the martial way.

What the Lion also know:
-The writers of the Fallen are a well known part of the Ikoma libraries as a whole, even if they don't function out of there. They keep written records such as poems, factual documents and obituaries of those who have fallen, where they can be accessed by the other families as required. Some may be denied a right to be remembered, but it is a very harsh punishment. They are often identifiable by wearing blacks with the standard clan colours.
-His Lord, Ikoma Hide, has been working in the libraries for 25 years. During the last 5, he has been trading obituary and otherwise bardly services to other clans for favours and as part of diplomatic efforts - which so far, the clan has tentatively agreed with.
-The family of Moshumaru is relatively standard, as far as strong Kitsu blood families go.

Deer also know:
Someone who matches Kitsu Moshumaru's description, a few months ago, was a guest in the clan's grounds for a short period of time. He seemed to leave on amiable enough terms.

Hooks:
-If you have lost someone recently, I am willing to offer a shoulder.
-Ancestry talk is always interesting, if you will spare some time.
-I am but a learner, but if you wish we can practice trading blows.
-When the silence of death follows your work like mine does, honour seems to take a different form.
-I may have helped one of your clan, but aren't too well informed. Could you tell me more about your clan?

[Shiba Tomoe]

Name: Shiba Tomoe
Clan: Phoenix
Gender: Female
Age: 20
Occupation: Bushi
Height: 5’5”
Build: Athletic
Hair: Black, tied in a bun
Eyes: Brown

The eldest child of several siblings, Tomoe caught the brunt of the differences in their parents' teachings. While her mother wanted to lead her influence towards the court, she was always more interested in roughing in the sparring yard under her father's lessons with her younger brothers, and then taking on the traditional - and easy - duty of guarding a shrine in the Phoenix lands as her ancestors had done. Having her parents become ill formed by sickness and battle, and needing to provide primarily for her family caused Tomoe to work more seriously, becoming somewhat of a respectable bushi.

The invitation to a miai as it falls into her mother's hands gives the perfect opportunity to get her daughter an honorable suitor, providing she doesn't mess it up, while all Tomoe wants is to find a nice gal or guy that can help take some of the difficulty away from feeding her siblings.

Hooks:

• Need a sparring partner? Tomoe is more than happy to get some training in.
• Have an annoying kid to take care of? Children love Tomoe!
• Got interesting tales? Tomoe always enjoys hearing more.
• Want to relax with a friendly game? It's been a while, but Tomoe will play.

[Moshi Shizuka]

Name: Moshi Shizuka
Clan: Centipede
Gender: Female
Age: 20
Occupation: Priestess
Height: 5’5” (165 cm)
Build: Voluptuous
Hair: Black, worn long and loose
Eyes: Rust brown

Eldest of five daughters and the currently-designated inheritor of a small yet popular and respected shrine in Moshi lands, one would imagine a priestess in Shizuka's position to be every bit the idol of propriety and pious responsibility that her fated position in life would demand of her.

To her credit and as surely as the sun rises, Shizuka tries every day to live up to the shining image people expect of her. But rumors of failure, scandal, and past delinquency trail the young Centipede about and linger like clouds of old, acrid tobacco smoke to diffuse the light she would cast. Perhaps her luck will be improved by participating in this hopefully auspicious miai.

Shizuka speaks, and sings, in a low mezzo-soprano voice which she can project quite capably, the ability to do as such lending itself to her "anchoring" the daily performance of the morning song to Amaterasu among her choral groups back in the Valley of the Centipede.

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Hooks:

• Do you sing? Do you play an instrument to accompany song? Maybe...drop by and come see me~...
• Have you heard of the Lady Sun? Would you like to~?
• Temples, shrines, and rituals. Not all of life is song and half-lidded glances. But I enjoy them all the same. Do you~?

Stone stares at the sky / How strange: a sight of the world / to see and be seen / The river waters flow past / and bear this image along.

• My tanka could use improvement, I think. Perhaps we could... improve together, neh~?

[Bayushi Mitsu]

Name: Bayushi Mitsu
Gender: Male
Clan: Scorpion
Profession: Retainer to Lady Bayushi Nioko of Otosan Uchi
Age: 21
Hair: Long black-brown that flares fiery auburn in the sun
Eyes: Dark

Bayushi Mitsu hails from a branch of the family that was known long ago for its iron fist, but in more recent generations has served dutifully as part of the bureaucracy in Otosan Uchi.

As retainer to his mother Lady Bayushi Nioko, the young samurai has visited many of the courts in and around the capital. Among his acquaintances Bayushi is known for his carefree manner, and his insights that helped resolve delicate situations. Perhaps on occasion he has meddled in affairs that he shouldn’t have.

Bayushi typically appears in fine clothing and a full burgundy mask, chased in gold. His katana has dark burgundy wrappings on the grip, and intricate textured detailing on the dark steel guard.

[Asahina Bo]

Name: Asahina Bo
Gender: Male
Marital Status: Single, of course
Occupation: Guard
Age: 18
Height: 6'9
Complexion: A fair base but with the first touch of weather wearing
Build: The mountain walks like a man
Hair: Black with slight streaks of brown
Eyes: Brown

Bo is small... for an ogre, imposing to a Crab, and downright unheard of among the Asahina. With 'resting guard face' he can be imposing, perhaps even frightening, from afar. That illusion shatters, within moments, of engaging the young man in conversation. Garrulous and affable the young man makes friends, or at least acquaintances he thinks are friends, swiftly and easily.

That same, short, conversation also reveals why the young man is not a courtier. Subtlety and nuance are lost on him nor should one likely rely on him to spell them. His mind is spoken as it is thought, without deception nor varnish of eloquence, and the finer points of court and art seem to escape him... and often escape that they did escape him for that matter.

It would not take one of great political acumen to suspect that he is here to be unloaded from the Crane. One less, very large, mouth to feed that brings little to the clan in the eyes of traditionalists. Still, his family is of some minor note, and as such he is not unsuited as a suitor.

Hooks:
• Why do Crab keep wanting to wrestle?
• Those of a priestly bent might notice his peony pendant is carefully inscribed with prayers to Benten... desperate, plaintive prayers.
• Like cooking? Bo loves eating! He also knows his way around a kitchen though more serviceable than artistic.
• Have you traveled far and wide? Bo will listen for hours... more if you brought back recipes from afar.

[Susaki Tanabe]

Name: Susaki Tanabe
Gender: Male
Marital Status: Single
Occupation: Yojimbo, sumai, ferryman
Age: 19
Height: 6'4
Build: bulky athletic, strong, thicc
Hair: Black
Eyes: Brown

Legend tells of a young Otter who one day impressed the Badger so much that they had to train him. They saw in this young child the potiential to move mountains, to shake the world of sumai to its core. The very earth trembles before him and his steps cause even the trees to quake in terror.

He's big, he's mean, he's a pain delivery machine he's gone by many names, The Big Wave, Otter no Oni, The River's Fury but no matter what name you use the results are the same! You step into the ring with Tanabe be prepared for a swift and None too gentle exit!

But what is a certified, bona-fide, grade A sumai machine doing here at a Miai? Well to find his one true match of course! He may be an Oni in the ring but he's got a heart of gold and like any upstanding samurai looks to make an honorable match to bring glory to his and his future spouse's clan. Oh and someone had to watch over the heiress for the Usogawa.

Hooks:
- You wanna wrestle? It's your funeral friend!
- would you like to play a game? Tanabe isn't good at them but loves playing!
- He's a surprisingly good musician for such a big brute, pull up a stool and listen, or grab your own instrument and join in.
- interested in sailing? Tanabe was quite literally born on the water.

[Kitsuki Edogawa]

Name: Kitsuki Edogawa
Gender: Male
Marital Status: Single
Occupation: Diplomat
Age: 19
Height: 5' 6"
Build: Wiry
Hair: Light Brown
Eyes: Green

Edogawa seems like a friendly, playful sort. His tone is generally pleasant and good-natured, and often mirthful. He is often found writing, playing a game or idly tossing the wooden toy he carries.

But, he is a harbinger of death. The last living member of his family, he's lost his mentor and his betrothed as well. How many other bodies are there? Who will he curse next?

[Kasuga Yoshi]

Name: Kasuga Ypshi
Clan: Tortoise
Age: 24 years old.
Gender: Male
Height: 6'0
Body type: Lean, with deft fingers
Striking Feature: Short but well groomed hear, neat and polished clothing and demeanor

Enjoys: Bargain Hunting, Gift Giving, Doing Favors, Grilled Mackerel
Dislikes: Mantis Clan, Being shown up
Occupation: Diplomat, representative of Slow Tide Harbor
Tools carried: abacus, kiseru, wazizashi, gaijin coins, tetsubo (so uncivilized, wouldn't you rather deal with this politely before I break your face in?)

Known Family

Father: Kasuga Rayaki, Tortoise Sailor
Mother: Kasuga Saba, Bookkeeper

Sister:Kasuga Himawari, 14, undergoing training


Backstory

Kasuga Yoshi was born into a mostly ordinary family of a minor Clan, the Tortoise. His father had been ronin, with a perpetual whisper that he had simply been born a heimin and faked his way into ronin status by his own skills. In spite of his dubious provenance, his service earned him acceptance into the Tortoise Clan through a marriage to a daughter well out of any lines of inheritance. His mother, Saba, had come from a family that had once been a trusted advisor and architect of the Kizoku's network, but the family had since fallen out of favor. Looking to rekindle that success, their first child was named after that ancestor, Kasuga Yoshimitsu.

Their child was apprenticed out to a courtier and diplomat to Otosan Uchi, a samurai by the name of Kasuga Yamori. Yamori was a wizened man at this point, who delighted in playing games at Court that were supposed to be out of his league. The Tortoise's strange positioning as voice of the Minor Clans, but considered beneath notice of most Major Clans left them a surprising amount of room to operate and spread their shadow network throughout the Empire. Presenting themselves as respectable, but inferior representatives at Court, and to bring news from the nearby thriving port town of Slow Tide Harbor gave the Tortoise levers that most Major Clans would not consider: shameless purveyors of commerce that could make or break having enough food for winter, a willingness to do tasks with plausible deniability for a patron and a back channel to and between the Minor Clans. The boy was used as a lookout, runner, occasionally pickpocket and in general was there to observe Yamori wheedle, cajole, bargain and con his targets to get what he wanted. However, they would run into competition with the Mantis, and Yamori would play for keeps, resulting in a great deal of ire from the other Minor Clan.

Reaching his gempukku, Yoshimitsu chose to shorten his name to "Yoshi", meaning "the best". His parents and mentor appreciated his ambition, but found that while he had learned his lessons well, Yoshi had aquired a dangerous wish: to be considered valuable for his services. Much of the Tortoise's power lay in shadow, and the boy wanted dearly to step into the light, gaining a reputation for presenting a venture to Major Clans and finding investors...a venture that was cover for a Tortoise smuggling operation. When the ships returned flush, Yoshi earned a reputation as a financial savant and whispers of his wealth have spread. He himself has fueled these rumors with acts of generosity, which in turn have bought favors and further fueled his ambitions.

With ambitions so great, he could not constrain himself to marrying back into a same pool of Tortoise prospects. The miai at Kyuden Shika is to him an opportunity that cannot be ignored.

Candidate Advertisement

Yoshi is looking for someone identifying as female, and wants someone to build a dynasty with. This is something he thinks could come in many forms: a match with a Major Clan would be an incredible springboard, but he is aware of the difficulties involved. His thoughts on "dynasty" as pretty loose, and he would prize matching ambition, daring, and brilliance as much as the connections available.

Plot Hooks
☆ Do you hang around Otosan Uchi? Yoshi would love to establish that he is a frequent visitor.
☆ Have you been to Slow Tide Harbor or would like to? Yoshi would be happy to hook you up.
☆ Do you have a bit of business that you wish to be handled *cough* "discreetly"? He's the man to talk to.
☆ Are you from a Minor Clan? Solidarity! If you have a problem, it would be a privilege to help with that.

[Nekoma Jae]

Name: Nekoma Jae
Gender: Female
Marital Status: Single
Occupation: ...Courtier?
Age: 17
Height: 5'6"
Build: Lean and slender.
Hair: Black, presumably very long but almost always kept in two long, neat braids.
Eyes: Brown

Jae is of relatively average height, with a build that's lean and slender though with the way she layers her clothing it's not always very easy to discern. Characteristic of the Cat clan, she has a tendency of wearing a blend of more traditional Rokugani styles, though perhaps with slightly heavier fabrics, mixed with light fur overcoats or, in her case, a rather striking white hat. While this isn't uncommon of the Nekoma, given their origin stemming from the Unicorn and the rather cold climate of the isolated Northern island the minor clan calls their home, those that haven't had an opportunity to interact with the family largely separated from the greater part of Rokugan might be unfamiliar with the odd style.

Her build is a little more indicative of a lightweight bushi than a courtier, maybe it's due to the reputation of the cat as a clan of performer. Strong but agile, it could be the figure of a dancer.

Jae's hair is likely fairly long, but it's kept in a pair of two neat, long black braids coming down over her shoulders from beneath the fuzzy white hat that she wears atop her head. She does keep a variety of outfits though, like more traditional kimono and yukata, useful for changes in temperature and to better fit in with those not as familiar with Nekoma customs.

Jae seems earnest and well intentioned when meeting new people but a little unaccustomed speaking casually to those her own age.

Hooks:
• She's from a far away, relatively isolated island full of performers with odd customs
• She has a love of both telling and hearing stories
• She has a talent for various types of performance, with a knack for both dance and playing the flute.
• For a performer, Jae is often a bit quiet and contemplative, with a liking for meditation and shrines.

[Utaku Kheree]

Name: Utaku Kheree
Gender: Female
Marital Status: Single
Occupation: Animal whispering Bushi
Age: 20
Height: 5'8"
Build: Tall and Willow
Hair: Black and open so that it can fly freely in the wind
Eyes: Dark Brown

This young woman is quite hard to overlook, taller then most men outside of the Crab, and yet quite slender she calls to home a willow or reed bending in the wind. Despite her long hair that she usually let freely flow in the wind she has a touch of androgynous to her, not quite helped by her chest.
She is at home outdoors, and inside, even if she wears boots that are not quite appropriate inside most cultural contexts, while she has a hint of strangeness in her style, but it is more of an accent then a full outfit.

One thing that sticks out is the great raven that accompanies her even in court, often sitting on her shoulder, or wrist, a small silk band at his legs to make it clear that she isn't a wild animal. Furthermore she is wearing a scimitar with a red stone in the hilt quite visible and gauche compared to a Katana.

She also has a bit of a tendency to get distracted from other things by good looking girls, life is short enough that one should enjoy it after all
Hooks:
• Strangeness and mystical creatures are afoot? She is interested in hearing more even if she might not be the best of all aids
• So many beauties, so few hours in the day.
• If you feel at home in the wild she quite willing to contemplate some time in it
• She is loud and queer and edging against the rules, but sometimes that is exactly what people need as a distraction.