Swords Crossed: Chapter 1: The Journey of a Thousand Miles ( closed, and started)

[The Funslinger]

It is 1620, in the summer time. Once the Emperor's foremost Shogun General, Pao Ryzaki has become old, and to the minds of some, weak. Unofficially, governors across Japan maintain uneasy truces with the various Yakuza in order to help regulate crime. However, ever the traditionalist, Pao rebuffed Tjin Zao, leader of arguably the largest and most successful Yakuza clan in the country. After several months, Zao amassed an army of allied Yakuza clans, and laid siege on Namako city, as well as bribing various other military officials to turn a blind eye and meet 'delays' coming to assist the Shogun.

Regardless, the city's standing army is formidable, and in order to assure success, Zao is recruiting mercenaries from across the country. Sensing he may be outnumbered, Ryzaki coerces an old contact into amassing some mercenaries of his own to turn the tide of battle. It is these warriors that form the core of the group we focus on. With the Yakuza all across the country stirring, as well as an increase in independent bandit activity, travelling the roads is a notable risk. And so others take advantage of the protection of skilled fighters, by tagging onto the group for the two week journey from Lizou to Namako.

We join our cast as the Shogun's contact, a European named Emmett Smythe gathers the initial group of warriors. The stir they cause attracts others who wish to travel, but lack the means to defend themselves.

Accepted sheets:

Binnsyboy:

Spoiler: Mujo

Name: Mujo (has no last name)

Age: 26

Gender: Male

Ethnicity: Asian (Japanese)

Appearance: Standing fairly tall at 6'2", Mujo has thick black hair tied roughly back into short ponytail. However, loose, shaggy bangs frame his face. Despite being a samurai, he forgoes the traditional robe and elects to wear leggings, and a dark grey tunic with leather vambraces and knee high boots of European cut as opposed to the commonly chosen sandals in Japan.

Profession: Ronin (former assassin)

Equipment: Two Shirasaya with black lacquer on the sheaths and handles. Shirasaya are swords with no guard, meaning the sheathed weapon blends together seamlessly. As well as this, he keeps a small Tanto strapped to a boot.

Backstory/personality: The son of a whore in an Imperially owned brothel, Mujo was taken wordlessly from his mother at age four by the Emperor's own right hand man, and taken far away. With no name given for him, he was named Mujo. Soulless, as he would be trained to be. From the age of five, he was gradually trained to become the Emperor's personal assassin. The idea was to rear a man whose only purpose was to kill as efficiently as possible. From this young age, he was tutored in theory about the fine art of taking lives. As soon as he was seven, he was made to hone his body to peak fitness and was drilled mercilessly in combat.

By the time he was seventeen, he was a brutally effective warrior, able to overwhelm the Emperor's finest blade masters and hand to hand fighters. Though his training and brainwashing were not to be dubbed complete until he was nineteen, the Emperor had desperate use for him. Mujo was used to slay several prominent Yakuza leaders with no trace, to cement the idea that the Emperor was all powerful. However, allowed out into the wider world before the final touches could be put on stripping away his emotion, after carrying out his task, Mujo turned his blade on the three sworn swordsmen assigned as his handlers for the mission. With them dead, he fled. Years later, he is a wandering Ronin, though he often performs any odd jobs to get food. Mujo is, put simply, a machine. He utilizes great speed and agility, as the pinnacle of brutal efficiency, being groomed for it his entire life. Contrary to his training, he is not emotionless, and being out in the world has had a profound effect on him. However, always on the move, with no ties to anyone, he has trouble connecting with people, and has trouble expressing his feelings. People often mistake him for cold and blank, though nobody has gotten close enough to discover otherwise.

Spoiler: Emmett Smythe

Name: Emmett Smythe

Age: 56

Gender: Male

Ethnicity (and nationality): European (English, however he grew up travelling Europe)

Appearance: A straight backed old man, with a mane of white hair, and thick moustaches, with dark blue eyes. Emmett wears a cloak of European cut, in a mix of garish colours. However, somehow, it does not look particularly laughable on him.

Profession: Bard (formerly an entertainer among the Emperor's family, the families of various Shoguns, and Japan's higher echelons of nobility in general)

Equipment: A flute, a harp, a lute. Countless knives of European make are hidden about his person. Due to his limp, he uses a stout wooden cane, but is capable of standing and walking without it when needed.

Backstory/personality: For years, Emmett made his fortune entertaining the nobility. He grew close to various high ranking officials, including the Emperor himself. However, his closest friendship was with the high rising Shogun, Pao Ryzaki. The two were like brothers, and Emmett became skilled in the subtleties of court to an espionage level. He was always on the look out to protect the interests of his friend and was responsible for the sudden downfalls of more than a few scheming nobles. However, during an incident that resulted in the execution of his wife and daughter, Emmett broke his bond to Pao, because he felt the man could easily have prevented it. Both men enraged, things were said that could not be taken back, and Emmett was thrown bodily from the Shogun's castle. Emmett returned to the vagabond lifestyle of his youth, travelling the country for many years, using his skills as an entertainer of numerous arts to fill his belly, but though he had a love of wealth, he purposefully avoided rising back into the ranks of nobility. Once was enough to leave a sour taste.

Four months ago, he found himself renting a room in an inn in a backwoods town. He was there for a total of two weeks, entertaining patrons in the inn. One recurring face was a grimy man who reeked of rice wine, usually dragging a miserable seven year old daughter by the scruff. Ever the man to ferret out information, Emmett heard all manner of unsettling rumours. Eventually, he was walking outside the inn when the man (kicked out for lack of money) bellowing at the girl and shoving her over some mishap. Unable to stop himself, Emmett intervened. The resulting scuffle resulted in an injury to Emmett's leg, which has since healed, but has left him with a limp and he is no longer able to perform acrobatics. He was successful in driving the father off though, and in a moment of generosity, took young Reiko under his wing. Most recently, however, Emmett has been enlisted by the Shogun he fell out with to rally strong swords to his cause. While he would not spit on the man were he burning, Emmett has been blackmailed into the task, and now means to see it through to the best of his ability, journeying many miles to assure those he recruits are not under the influence of the united Yakuza clans.

As a bard, Emmett is a man for showmanship, but maintains a respectable air about him. His time among nobility means he holds himself with dignity, and he is quite familiar with the finer points of culture. With his age, he has accrued an admirable level of experience and knowledge.

Daystar:

Reiko Ito
Amaya Kaneko

roushutsu:

Shiori Higa
Emilio De Luca

Ruedyn:

Jules
Akio

NinjaDeathSlap:

Akira Nakajima
Bashir Al'Habib
Nathan Winters

Wenseph:

Kei Ayamine
Takeru Shirogane

2HF:

Ukiyo Hanshiro

Green Shoes:

Tao Song

 

[Daystar Clarion]

Spoiler: Reiko Ito

Name: Reiko Ito

Age: 7

Gender: Female

Ethnicity (and nationality): Asian (Japanese)

Appearance: A petite thing with big brown eyes. Reiko is small for her age. Her hair is black and reaches her hips in length, it is typically tied into 2 long braids, with foxtail like tufts at the tips. She wears the typical kimono of a young girl, primarily white in colour, with red floral embroidery and a red obi (the sash that is tied around the waste), and typical sandals. Reiko also owns an amulet, a small silver wolf, painted white, it is coiled as if it were sleeping.

Profession: Being generally adorable.

Equipment: A small stiletto dagger that she keeps hidden in her obi.

Backstory/personality: For the first 5 years of her life, Reiko was the only child of two loving parents, until her father lost his job. Over the next several months, he became an alcoholic and accrued several substantial gambling debts. Eventually, the local Yakuza took Reiko's mother as part payment for the debt and forced her into prostitution at the local Geisha house. Still too young to really understand the situation her family was in, she became more introverted and shy. One day, while in town, her father got angry over something she had no idea about, as was usually the case at that point in her life. He shoved her, at which point, a European gentlemen intervened and began arguing with Reiko's father. A man with a cloak like a rainbow. A scuffle ensued, which ended with her father rushing away into a back alley, and her good Samaritan with an injured leg. He smiled as he offered her his hand, and suddenly she didn't feel afraid any more.

Reiko in an energetic girl, always on the move, always climbing something, or dancing, or singing. She is prone to bouts of mischievousness if she feels that she has been slighted, but all in all, a sweet and charming young girl.

Spoiler: Amaya Kaneko

Name: Amaya Kaneko (however, as of the start of this RP, nobody will know her first name)

Age: 39

Gender: Female

Ethnicity (and nationality): Asian (Japanese)

Appearance: Lithe and above average height, Amaya looks good for her age, with high cheekbones and a narrow mouth. Well, if you ignore the fact she's missing her left arm at the shoulder. She is also blind in her left eye, the scar of which running slightly diagonally from her forehead, down over her mouth and to the chin. Amaya's remaining eye is dark, and fox like. Her hair is black, with several streaks of bright grey and falls to around her mid back. The vast majority of the time, it is tied into a top knot, the excess hair falling back in a ponytail. She wears bandages across her torso and covering her left shoulder. Amaya wears the typical clothing of a samurai, although a bit ragged around the edges. Both the kimono and the hakama are a shade of azure blue, with yellow embroidery, a design resembling something serpentine running the length of the outfit on the right side, and a yellow obi. The kimono itself is long sleeved, baggy and loose enough in a way that, to the unobservant, hides her missing arm, she wears a fingerless leather gauntlet on her right hand arm, numerous teeth marks are visible on the straps.

Profession: Ronin (former samurai)

Equipment: She carries only her katana and a tanto, both tied securely in the obi on her right side. The katana is masterfully crafted, but simple in style, with a golden guard, a hilt wrapped in black cloth and a black lacquered scabbard with small, golden floral details etched throughout. The tanto is matching in both quality and appearance.

Backstory/personality: Amaya was the 7th child born to a minor lord. The youngest, of 6 sisters and a brother. From a young age, Amaya had always wanted to be a warrior, to serve in her father's samurai. Being an eccentric man, and someone who wanted his children to be happy above all else, her father indulged her wishes, thinking it a phase.

Amaya grew up to become one of the strongest samurai under his command. She served gladly for 20 years, caring not for the gazes she received, the whispered comments about her position, how it was against social convention. She cared not, she was a warrior.

War eventually broke out between the region, her parents and siblings all killed in an attack on the estate. While under her protection no less. In the battle, Amaya lost her left arm and received a huge gash across her face, losing the sight in her left eye.

The enemy lord had heard about this female samurai and indulged his curiosity, and instead of killing her, she was captured and given the option to end her own life honourably.

Amaya was led by three other samurai into a small garden, within her own home, with the lord also accompanying them. She fell to her knees and was given the tanto with which she would use to kill herself. Instead, she used it to kill the three samurai and the enemy lord, escaping into the night. From that point, she travelled the land as a ronin, forever dishonoured by her actions that night.


Amaya is a stoic individual, very difficult to read. She has an air of hardened serenity and grace about her. Her voice is surprisingly sultry, given the way she carries herself. She is quiet, but not shy, she simply finds most conversations trite, and only really weighs in if she has a point to make. She is a battle hardened individual, and as such, she relishes physical conflict, but does not seek it out. Her combat prowess is still very notable, despite the loss of her arm and sight in one eye. She has adapted her swordsmanship for use with one arm, but she suffers from stamina issues in drawn out conflicts.

 

[roushutsu]

Spoiler: Shiori Higa

Name: Shiori Higa

Age: 24

Gender: Female

Ethnicity (and nationality): Asian (Japanese)

Appearance: She stands at 5 feet tall, has dark brown eyes, and her long hair is pinned up in a bun, held together with flower pins. She wears a black kimono with blue waves and white and gold lotus flowers as the pattern. Around her waist is a gold-colored sash that repeats the wave pattern.

Profession: Wife

Equipment: She carries a small Tessen (iron fan) and dagger for protection. The dagger is small and simple, but the fan is more decorative. It is dark blue in color with a gold border, the Higa family crest printed in the middle of it. She keeps the dagger in her kimono sleeves, while the fan rests in her obi.

Backstory/personality: Shiori grew up in a small village whose main source of income was the tea that the people grew there. She spent her life working in the fields, allowing her to work with a variety of blades. She was raised to be a hard worker and the ideal wife, and at age 23 she was sent to a match-maker. A low ranking samurai named Daichi Higa was selected for her, and a year later they were married.

As the wife of a samurai, she was responsible for maintaining the house while her husband was away fighting. When Daichi was home, he trained her how to defend the house, allowing her to put her experience in the tea fields into good use. She's a strong, loving wife, and she understands that Daichi's code puts his honor to his lord above his family.

Daichi was called away for another mission, but this time was different. It has been too long since he left and Shiori has received no word of his whereabouts. Worried about what has happened to her husband and possibly his lord, Shiori sets out to the city in hopes of finding out what happened.

Shiori is hard working, loyal to her family, and polite to all she meets. She prefers to avoid unnecessary fighting at all costs, but if she is pushed into a corner she will not hesitate to fight back.

Spoiler: Emilio De Luca

Name: Emilio De Luca

Age: 32

Gender: Male

Ethnicity (and nationality): European (Italian)

Appearance: Standing at 6'0", he has tall and lanky figure. His skin is lightly tanned and he has black hair that goes down to his chin and is wavy. He also has a thin mustache. He wears a loose blue and black robe with black pants and shoes. He carries a large black satchel over his should that carries his various art tools.

Profession: Painter

Equipment: Paint brushes, palette knives, small jars full of various brush cleaners and oils, a sketchbook, and several pieces of charcoal for composing sketches.

Backstory/personality: Emilio was born and raised in Venice, Italy under Spanish rule. He grew up listening to stories of Turkish invasions, a deadly plague that swept through the land before he was born, and slowly but surely the Spanish rule was waning. The future was very uncertain.

When he was a teenager, he took up painting and found that he was quite talented. He went to school and sought apprenticeships with other artists in the country for several years. Once he was finished, he returned back home to Venice and set up his own studio. Several of the local nobles took notice of his work, and soon he was one of the artists that were regularly painting commissions for them. And yet despite this success, constant word of battles that were spreading throughout Europe disheartened him and he often found himself wondering if his art would ultimately mean anything should the Spanish line of the House of Habsburg fall.

As other artists continued to paint for the nobles, Emilio decided to take a different approach. He had heard of a land far off in the east that had opened its borders and ports to westerners--a thriving culture. Seeing this as his opportunity to further his work and his life, he sets off to Japan.

Seeing as how he is in a new country, anything and everything will spark Emilio's curiosity. He tries to look at things in a variety of angles and will stop to take in the surroundings if he feels inspired for a new work of art. Because of his excitement of being in Japan, he can come off as a tad naive.

 

[Ruedyn]

Spoiler: Jules

Name: Jules Newman, "The Bastard"
Age: 37
Gender: Male
Ethnicity: European, French

Appearance: 5'10, he's somewhat tall, fair skinned, and has the build and mannerisms of a soldier and a knight. He has a fairly bland face, covered partially by a large mustache, that curls upwards at the tips. The mustache, like his hair, is blonde and reminiscent of gold. His hair is usually pushed to the left.
He wears robes like a samurai, though his right arm is covered in plate armor (vambrace, guantlet, rerebrace, couter, and pauldron), and he has a cuirass under his haori.

Profession: Mercenary, Ex-Gendarme
Equipment: His main weapon is a battleaxe, double sided and not very ornate, but fairly effective whether on horseback or foot, worn strapped to his back. He has a tanto, but prefers the ax. He also carries a flask that seems to never not have booze in it. He has a horse, named Arrow, an Akhal-Teke with a near silver platinum sheen.

Backstory/personality: Jules is the bastard child of an English maid and a nobleman. The nobleman in question didn't have any male children, so he adopted Jules into the family, much to the anger of his wife.

He wasn't exactly spoiled in his upbringing. Most of his sisters outright hated him, just like his step mom. He was pretty much thrown into the military the second he reached of age, the first real time he felt he was noticed at home.

His military career wasn't anything special, he served on the side of the Catholic's in the War of Three Henry's, though he did not follow the religion himself all that strictly nor did he have strong feelings about Cardinal de Bourbon. He was decent with a spear, though he favored his ax, and managed to survive the engagements he'd seen without physical scars.

Eventually, he felt he'd seen too many friends perish for something he didn't believe in to actually care much about anything. He abandoned his post, leaving on a ship to gods knew where. He ended up in Japan a couple years later, and established himself as a mercenary when it became clear he had no other practical skills.

His skills managed to keep him alive fighting petty bandits, he never thought he was doing anything special but people took notice eventually. Perhaps it was the relative cheapness of his services. Whatever it was, he was brought on by another 'White Devil' named Emmett. It pays better than any peasant, and it kinda helps. So why not?

His bitter apathy and sardonic humor don't earn him many friends, but he doesn't care. Some mistake him for a stoic, and while he see's parts of himself in the philosophy, he doesn't want to tie himself to them any of them. If pride in a belief causes war, it's best to feel apathy.

Spoiler: Akio

Name: Akio Fukui is the true name, though he holds several aliases
Age: 26
Gender: Male
Ethnicity: Asian (Japanese)

Appearance: Akio has a gruff, but plain look to him. His height is average, and his build makes him look like a soldier, while his tan supports the theory of a farmer. His black hair is worn short, in a non-distinct way (messy and unkempt at game start), and he has a stubbly beard.
He doesn't really have a standard set of clothes, though the ones he does wear are usually kept baggy to hide his essential gear. Whether he carries additional stuff depends on whether the outfit permits it. In the beginning of the game, he's wearing a standard male kimono, with a brown satchel.

Profession: Shinobi
Equipment: Always shifting, but he will always have two kunai, for climbing purposes mostly, though he can find other uses. He likes sharpshooting, his main weapon is a yumi longbow, and he has a quiver inside his bag of tricks containing 15 arrows. He carries explosives, always using the rule of three. He has 3 fragmentation grenades, using pottery as shrapnel, 3 poisonous gas bombs, and 3 loud fireworks. He has a flint and tinder, for basic fire needs.

Backstory/personality: Born to unknown parents, he was trained and raised by a family of ninja, working for a Daimyo. He was born in a bad time, however, only slightly after the heyday of the ninja, a part of a dying breed. He was trained to have a little bit of knowledge in most professions, to perfect his 'masks' or disguises, and can come off as a bit arrogant because of this.

His life is largely uninteresting, he barely got work due to people either not knowing what he was, or because people were afraid of him. He was an odd sort of boogie man, though he finally got some work and practice when the yakuza got bold. Sometimes he worked for the peasants, sometimes the yakuza, never using a true name, only his many masks.

He never gained a reputation, and that angered him more than anything. His constantly varying skills and weapons made it difficult to connect the jobs, though they were all done well at least. His speed is somewhat impressive, though he's never been known to be a straight combatant. He uses his stealth and cunning to great effect, though he knows he could never take a trained man head on.

 

[EnigmaticSevens]

Definitely interested. I'll put up a couple character sheets in the non-stupid hours of the morning.

 

[Green Shoes]

Very interested; love Edo history. Will put a sheet up soon.

 

[NinjaDeathSlap]

Spoiler: Akira Nakajima

Age: 28

Gender: Male

Ethnicity (and nationality): Asian (Japanese)

Appearance: Standing at 5ft 9in, Akira would be of average height for a European, though by Japanese standards he is quite tall. His build is slight, but he has a lithe and sinewy strength to him. Akira's most distinctive feature is how noticeably pale he is for a Japanese man, with eyes that are more Hazel than Chestnut, and almost cream coloured skin. His high cheekbones, long, straight nose and pointed chin give his face a stern look. However, you'll find him smiling far more often than scowling. Akira looks older than he is, due to the the furrows at the corners of and under his eyes, and the wisps of grey just starting to appear in his eyebrows. The same would be true of the hair on his head as well, only Akira keeps his head shaven, the better to ensure that no stray hairs get in his eyes during a fight. He has a small mustache and an even smaller beared clinging to his lower lip.

Casually, Akira wears a faded, sky-blue male kimono. However, you will rarely fins him casually dressed, and over his regular clothes his armour is moderate. His main piece is a short-sleeved vest and skirt of steel scale-mail, which provides a good balance of protection and flexibility. Over that, Akira wears pauldrons, vambraces and knee guards made of hardened leather, reinforced with iron studs. Finally, in full battle he dons a steel helm, crested with metal horns that add an extra foot and a half to his height. He has taken the full-face visor off the helm though, sacrificing the extra protection for a better field of vision.

Profession: Samurai

Equipment: While Akira carries Katana and Tanto, both sheathed at his left hip, like most Samurai, his favorite weapon by far is the Naginata, which gives him a reach advantage over sword-wielding opponents, and that he can still wield with blistering speed and precision. With it, Akira's fighting style has a ferocity to it that hides an underlying focus if there's a gap in your armour, Akira will find it. He is also passable with a Yumi, though he rarely keeps one on his person, and brings it into play only when necessary.

Backstory/personality: The Nakajima's have been in service, in one form or another, to the Sato line of Shoguns for generations. Akira's father was a steward to the current holder of that title, Kazuki Sato, and the two were close as brothers. When it became apparent that the young Akira showed more skill at arms than at counting pennies, Kazuki (who was still a fine warrior at the time) took the boy under his wing, and trained him in the skills and code of the Samurai. Duty would dictate that Akira lay down his life for his lord regardless, but as far as Akira is concerned he owes everything to Kazuki, and loves him just as much, if not more, than his own father.

While Kazuki Sato still calls himself a Shogun (and Akira will cut down any man who dares challenge that), in truth both of them have been reduced to little more than beggars. Eight years passed, a feud between Kazuki and a rival Shogun escalated into open war. Kazuki's household was larger, coming from an old and respected line. However, their wealth had declines dramatically in recent generations, and this rival Shogun had coin enough to enlist the help of the Yakuza, foreign mercenaries, and others besides. Akira proved his worth as a warrior, and then some, when he foiled no fewer than six attempts on Kazuki's life during this conflict, the last costing him two fingertips on his left hand, after catching a thrown Shiruken. It was Akira who rallied the last of Kazuki Sato's loyal forces, when the enemy launched his final attack on their household. They were outnumbered ten to one, and half of the men that came to kill them, had been men who they had served beside their whole lives, up until those last few days. When the smoke cleared, Akira had fewer than twenty men left, all wounded. He himself could barely stand... but they had one. No man had passed them, Kazuki was safe, and the opposing array of gangsters, sellswords and weak-willed traitors, who dared call themselves an army, had grown tired of throwing themselves against better men, and retreated.

To Akira, a hollow victory was still a victory, but even as they allowed themselves some small measure of celebration, the hard truth was plain to see. Fewer than twenty fighting men remained to defend Kazuki's household, none of whom were in any fit shape to stand up to such an onslaught a second time. They had lost, and Kazuki had the wisdom to acknowledge it. Before the Shogun abandoned the lands his family had held for centuries, he swore to Akira and the rest of the men, that before they died they would see the glory of the Sato name restored, and know that their sacrifices, both past and those to come, would not be in vain. Those same men, and Sato himself, have come now to declare for the Emperor. They have spent years as nomads, moving from place to place and keeping one step ahead of their enemy, who knows that his new lands will never be secure while the Sato name survives. They are small in number, but all battle hardened, and devoted to their lord. Kazuki is 65 now, and his fighting days are long done. However, he still knows much, and the years in exile from his lands have humbled him somewhat. The Shogun is not afraid of pulling his weight. They are no friends to the Yakuza, and when the sworn enemy declared for the forces opposing the Emperor, their path was clear. Twenty men may be a meager contribution from a Shogun to an Emperor's army, but if they can help secure victory in any way, it is their hope that they may be given back their home by a grateful sovereign.

Akira is fiercely devoted to Kazuki, and takes his code as a Samurai very seriously indeed. As the age of gunpowder marches ever faster than before, Akira's breed is dying. You won't find him made sullen by this though. In fact, once it is establish that you mean him and his lord no harm, Akira is courteous and easy-going. He has no love for material comforts, or for the thought of being remembered as a hero. As far as Akira is concerned, his glory is all his own. No-one need remember his name, so long as when he dies, he dies with honour, blade in hand and slain foes all around him.

Spoiler: Bashir Al'Habib

Age: 36

Gender: Male

Ethnicity (and nationality): Middle Eastern (Lebanese)

Appearance: Bashir's visage is not fair to look upon, to say the least. He has small, greedy black eyes, set close together in his head below a thick mono-brow, a hooked nose, and shoulder length black hair that rarely sees a wash. When he smiles he shows a set of crooked, yellow teeth (with the exception of two that have been replaced with gold), partially concealed by his tangled and patchy beard, which to be honest doesn't improve the situation. This is before you even get started on the scars. There's one that starts where his left ear used to be, and runs down to all the way to his chin, like a rippling mauve worm across his olive skin. Another runs horizontal across the bridge of his nose, while a third parts his lips at the center. Bashir stands at 6ft 1in, and has a thickset build reminiscent of a bull.

His armour is made of mismatched oddments, leather, mail and plate. Most of it has been taken of the corpses of those he has slain, and they still bare old, brown blood stains. Overall, it's as ugly as the rest of him, but Bashir doesn't care one bit, so long as it will stop a blade. When not dressed for battle, Bashir will often be seen in a faded, red silk shirt, and breeches of old brown leather. Worn and faded, but made more supple for their age.

Profession: Mercenary

Equipment: Bashir has fought in campaigns all around the world, and the weapons he carries reflect this. He learned horseback archery in Mongolia, and uses his compact recurve bow to great effect. For more medium range engagements, Bashir wears a belt loaded full of throwing axes with double crescent heads, picked up in France. For hand to hand, his pride and joy is a Turkish Kilij, a mean-looking saber that Bashir keeps sharp enough to shave with and prefers even over the Katana, as the Kilij will cut just as well, and is faster on the swing to boot, even if it does sacrifice reach. He's named the sword 'Lady Elinor' after a courtesan he once knew in Florence, as she also loved to dance, and wore red whenever she came out. For special occasions, he's also taken to strapping a double-barreled flintlock pistol to his boot.

Backstory/personality: Bashir is well traveled, to put it mildly. He grew up an orphan surrounded by sectarian conflict, and thrived. He loved violence, but lacked the discipline to be a soldier. He loved gold, but hated honest work; and he loved women, but never only one. So, it was the life of a mercenary for him. Since then, Bashir has gravitated to where ever their is strife, and made a hell of a lot more of it, taking lives, coin and pleasure where he will. He is a man beholden to no-one, and laughs in the face of notions such as honour and chivalry. In fact, he makes no secret of the fact that, had he not had a potentially lethal falling out with the local Yakuza, he'd most likely be fighting for the other side right now, as they have a larger chance of victory, and more to pay him with in the bargain.

Black of speech and black of deed, Bashir is long past caring what others think of him, and even savours the disapproval of haughty lords and their lackeys. If your like him, you'll find him good company, generous with drinks and jests. However, the weak, the stuffy, and the easily provoked are all easy prey for him.

Spoiler: Nathan Winters

Age: 25

Gender: Male

Ethnicity (and nationality): European (English)

Appearance: Nathan stands at 5ft 11in with a slight, almost gangling build. He is fair skinned, with a few light brown freckles dotted across his nose and under his eyes. He has a rather round face and weak chin, which he has hidden behind a rather impressive full-face beard for someone of his age, that blend seamlessly through his sideburns into the hair on his head, which is wavy, and styled with a central parting. His hair, both on head and face, is a rusty auburn colour. His eyes are a dull green, flecked with the same auburn of his hair and hidden behind a pair of circular, wire-framed spectacles.

Nathan dresses in a pin-striped suit, with a whit shirt, dark red tie and black shoes. His garb is clearly expensive, yet it has begun to look worn and shabby. His most prized possession is his brown leather travel case, with gold inlay and shining brass clasps. All his other prized possessions are inside it. He carries half a libraries worth of books around with him. Some of them fiction, and others factual accounts of the cultures of the East. Complimenting these are several maps, language dictionaries, as well as pens and paper for his own writing. When he's not reading, he's usually jotting down his own little notes and ideas, and even drawing his own illustrations.

Profession: Explorer/Writer

Equipment: Very little other than the aforementioned books, pens, and paper. Nathan carries a pocket knife inside his jacket, but it's used primarily as a utility tool, for opening cans and such. He's never before had to use it as a weapon. In his other side jacket pocket he also carries a small flintlock pistol, but he dreads the thought of ever actually using it. He's never done anything more than shooting at some empty bottles before, as he was never interested in going Pheasant shooting when he was a lad. He won't even point it at anyone for anything less than a last resort, let alone fire. The tiny pistol likely scares him more than anyone he would use it on.

Backstory/personality: Nathan grew up in Hampshire, in one of the most beautiful and sought after counties in the south of England. Born to a rich and landed family, with a proud heritage, Nathan had a very privileged upbringing, and wanted for nothing. In truth, however, that's just an expression. Nathan wanted for a great deal. He wanted to see the world. He wanted to sail to the farthest reaches of human civilisation, and beyond, and feast his eyes on wonders no other man alive had seen. He wanted to discover new creatures, lost cities, and he wanted to bring his treasures home, so that all might marvel in and learn from them. He wanted to live like all those intrepid and heroic explorers he was always reading about, both factual and otherwise.

It was apparent from a very early age that Nathan was a bright child. Inquisitive, and possessed of a colourful imagination, as well as a natural affinity for reading and writing. However, his parents despaired at his lack of focus. Nathan was never exactly introverted, always eager for new experiences, but unless said experience captured his imagination straight away, he would soon get bored and go back to his books. He just didn't seem able to apply himself to much else. His father was particularly disparaging, accusing Nathan of being lazy and simple. His father wanted a son who would take over the management of the estate when he died, but it often seemed like home was the last place Nathan wanted to be. It came to ahead when Nathan was eleven, when his father, in a fit of rage, had burned all of Nathan's story books in a big bonfire, and made him watch. As Nathan wailed, his father had yelled at him that it was time for him to grow up and stop being so soft. The tactic hadn't worked, and had only widened the rift between Nathan and his father. At school, Nathan's excelled in English, Geography, History, and Foreign Languages, but in everything else he was either average or hopeless. Still, it was enough to earn him a place at Oxford University.

At Oxford, now out from under the heel of his father, Nathan thrived, and his passion for literature and discovery only intensified. At age 21, he graduated with distinction, and after wasted no time taking himself, and what savings he had, over the channel to France. From there, Nathan has journeyed far and wide, chasing the wonders and inspiration he craves. He's still yet to make his fortune though some great discovery, or an inspired literary piece; and the longer he has traveled, the more of his savings have bled away and the rougher his situation gets. However, what exhaustion he feels is masked by his seemingly unshakable optimism, and endless enthusiasm for each new experience. In Japan, a land as far removed from is home as is possible to be, he thinks he may have found what he has been searching for. It is a last distant, wondrous, and exotic, and yet ships from all over the world come here. If he could just reach the any of the big trade centers, and make a name for himself there, his works might be carried across the sea to all corners of the globe, and he will finally have emulated his heroes. The problem is, in order to get ther he has to cross a land ravaged by war, and attaching himself to this band of loyalists is his only hope of reaching his destination.

Nathan is well-spoken, courteous, and will quite readily talk the ears off anyone who shows an interest in him and what he's doing. However, he's naive to the point of hapless, and, if he's honest with himself, a bit of a coward. That doesn't mean, however, that he's useless. His Geographic knowledge can often mean he is able to know the lie of the land just as well, if not better, than people who have lived on said land all their lives. He speaks and reads 8 different languages fluently, and has a passing knowledge of about 15 more. He''l be the first to try and raise moral with, often heavily embellished, tales of his travels, and he's not so pampered and foppish that he's afraid of getting his hands dirty when called upon to help out.

 

[The Funslinger]

Some quite interesting sheets. Lots of good stuff to work with.

I will just remind everyone I'd like a few non-combatant PCs in there as well!

 

[booksv2]

Spoiler: jason

Name: Jason Smithson

Age: 42

Gender: male

Ethnicity (and nationality): European, English

Appearance: At 5?4 he is a short man, whose arms are much larger than would be usual for his size. A barrel chest on top of thick short legs he makes people think a troll put on human clothes and is walking among them. Usually wearing canvas pants and a leather jerkin he also has a wide brimmed hat that sits on his head if the sun is out. Around his waist is a wide leather belt with some tool loops on it, the left side holding a smithy hammer. On his back is a large pack holding other small and useful things for his trade.

Profession: Blacksmith, Leather worker.

Equipment: thick leather apron, 5 pound blacksmith hammer at him, tong, chisels, rolled leather(2? x 5?), leather strips, awls, punch?s, small hammer, large pack.

Backstory/personality: Growing up in England he was the son of a blacksmith. Starting at a young age he was taught how to be a blacksmith. His father was a hard man who was more than able to hit his son if he forgot or ignored something important.
As he grew bigger and more experienced he was taken as an apprentice, shown more in depth how metal was worked and shaped. Over the years he became a journeyman then finally at the age of 25 he moved and built his own smithy in a small town outside London. Spending the next long years working his craft he became a master craftsman with apprentices of his own. One day he decided he wanted to learn more. So he packed some basics and told his pupils to keep the forge going, heading out and taking a ship to Japan having heard about their amazing ways of working metal.
When he got there he went to the first smithy he saw and tried asking them to teach him. Unfortunately he knew no Japanese and they knew no English. Finally with the help of some people on the street who knew both they agreed to take him in and teach him both their way of working metal and their language, he was 34 when this happened.
Over the next 3 years he learned how they worked metal and how to speak their language. Showing them how he in turn how he worked and shaped metal they both found new and sometimes better ways of doing things. After the 3 years he thanked them for allowing him to work their and after saying goodbye and that he will come back he started making his way inland. Stopping off at smithy?s along the way and working there for some months to keep himself in practice and make some coin so he could keep making his way inland and across the nation.
He is quiet and thoughtful, watching and weighing everything before making a choice. His temper is almost non existent because of the years learning to control himself. Those that meet him usually like him because he is pleasant and don?t assume about others. Taking them at face value and expecting them to do whatever they set out to do to the best of their abilities.

Any input would be nice.
I understand the whole players are mortal thing, so if he dies he dies. I don't feel like playing 2 people in one role play. hope you like the sheet.

 

[The Funslinger]

Spoiler: jason

Name: Jason Smithson

Age: 42

Gender: male

Ethnicity (and nationality): European, English

Appearance: At 5?4 he is a short man, whose arms are much larger than would be usual for his size. A barrel chest on top of thick short legs he makes people think a troll put on human clothes and is walking among them. Usually wearing canvas pants and a leather jerkin he also has a wide brimmed hat that sits on his head if the sun is out. Around his waist is a wide leather belt with some tool loops on it, the left side holding a smithy hammer. On his back is a large pack holding other small and useful things for his trade.

Profession: Blacksmith, Leather worker.

Equipment: thick leather apron, 5 pound blacksmith hammer at him, tong, chisels, rolled leather(2? x 5?), leather strips, awls, punch?s, small hammer, large pack.

Backstory/personality: Growing up in England he was the son of a blacksmith. Starting at a young age he was taught how to be a blacksmith. His father was a hard man who was more than able to hit his son if he forgot or ignored something important.
As he grew bigger and more experienced he was taken as an apprentice, shown more in depth how metal was worked and shaped. Over the years he became a journeyman then finally at the age of 25 he moved and built his own smithy in a small town outside London. Spending the next long years working his craft he became a master craftsman with apprentices of his own. One day he decided he wanted to learn more. So he packed some basics and told his pupils to keep the forge going, heading out and taking a ship to Japan having heard about their amazing ways of working metal.
When he got there he went to the first smithy he saw and tried asking them to teach him. Unfortunately he knew no Japanese and they knew no English. Finally with the help of some people on the street who knew both they agreed to take him in and teach him both their way of working metal and their language, he was 34 when this happened.
Over the next 3 years he learned how they worked metal and how to speak their language. Showing them how he in turn how he worked and shaped metal they both found new and sometimes better ways of doing things. After the 3 years he thanked them for allowing him to work their and after saying goodbye and that he will come back he started making his way inland. Stopping off at smithy?s along the way and working there for some months to keep himself in practice and make some coin so he could keep making his way inland and across the nation.
He is quiet and thoughtful, watching and weighing everything before making a choice. His temper is almost non existent because of the years learning to control himself. Those that meet him usually like him because he is pleasant and don?t assume about others. Taking them at face value and expecting them to do whatever they set out to do to the best of their abilities.

Any input would be nice.
I understand the whole players are mortal thing, so if he dies he dies. I don't feel like playing 2 people in one role play. hope you like the sheet.

Very interesting sheet, and could potentially be very useful to the other characters. And don't worry, he probably wouldn't die!

 

[booksv2]

Seeing as he wont be on the front line i agree. But i have to say that a 5 pound smithy hammer hurts like FUCK when it hits.
And i made him thinking he would be useful in other ways than combat.

 

[Sehnsucht Engel]

<spoiler=Kei Ayamine>Name: Kei Ayamine

Age: 19

Gender: Female

Ethnicity (and nationality): Asian. (Japanese)

Appearance: Ayamine is a rare beauty. One that turns heads wherever she goes. She has long brown hair that she keeps up in a bun on the back of her head. She is of medium height, rather slim and may appear frail even. Her eyes are as brown as the forest. She is not curvy, but has got a nice chest and behind either way. Her skin is pale, and her lips are maroon.

She wears typical dresses that are in fashin of silk and a number of different colours. Her favourite is a green one, with golden and seablue details that reaches down to her feet, touching the ground as she walks sometimes. It hides her body and skin well, but also gives room for her natural beauty.

Profession: Merchant.

Equipment: Several sets of exquisite clothing. One large wagon, with room for her various goods and also for herself. Two horses. A fairly large amount of gold (currency) to purchase new items to sell, food, and rooms for her and her bodyguard.

Backstory: Ayamine was born into a rich family. Her father was a merchant that had made his fortune traveling and selling weapons. Her mother was a pretty housewife that took care of their home when her father was out on his travels. They had a couple of servants too. Ayamine was the youngest of two children, with an older brother that was destined to take over after his father, while Ayamine would be married away to the one who could provide the best gift and increase to their lineage. Her father was pleased with what a beauty she grew into over the years, and would often touch her face, compliment her and say how she'd procure their family's future, while her brother took care of the present.

The years went by, without any major obstacles for the family. Although, all such stories comes to an end. It was no different for the Kei family. One day a man which Ayamine had never met before showed up in the middle of a rainy and stormy night. He claimed to know her father, and her mother did recognize him.

He was to be the bearer of grim news. Her father and brother had been attacked, by bandits, by soldiers, by someone. He didn't know the details. He just knew that her father and his entourage was found dead, and that her brother was nowhere to be found, but assumed dead too.

Ayamine's mother burst into tears, and would some months later succumb to grief and die. Ayamine was left alone in the world. She could get married, but without her father they'd try to ruin her and her family name. She wouldn't be as likely to get any large gift. There was no money coming in to pay the servants either. One by one they left. Ayamine still had the mansion, but it was filled with bitter memories now, and could have beens.

Half a year later, the man returned to check up on how his old friend's daughter and wife was doing, to find the mansion dirty, empty and in disrepair. Ayamine had sold off furniture to pay for food for herself. He found her a wreck, but a wreck with a strong will. She hadn't commited suicide like other he had heard of in her situation.

He couldn't leave her with a clean conscience, so instead he asked her what she wanted to do now that she had soon would have nothing. Ayamine confessed that she had already sold the house, and had thoughts about picking up the trade of her father, but a young girl traveling alone was bound to end up dead, or most likely worse.

The man didn't have much himself left in the world either, and said that he would go with her, for food and a place to stay, until she could afford to pay him more.

Personality: Ayamine is feminine, shy, and quiet most of the time. She is the exemplary of a japanese woman of the times. However, she also possesses a stronger will than most she's met. She can be passionate and loud when she needs to bargain for her goods, when she's buying or selling.

She harbours resentment for the lowlives of the world, criminals, bandits and such ilk. She is a bit of a hypocrite though, as whenever there's gold to be made or she can get a much higher price than she payed for something, she will do almost anything in her power to do so. She still claims she is above them, even though some would say her prices can be likened to robbery.

She hasn't made many friends other than the man, Shirogane, who saved her from a certain death. Ayamine is a reserved person, but once you get to know her you find she has a sense of humour and can be a loyal friend to have.

<spoiler=Takeru Shirogane>Name: Takeru Shirogane

Age: 55

Gender: Male

Ethnicity (and nationality): Asian. (Chinese.)

Appearance: Shirogane is a stout man, with some scars, both old and new ones. He has brown eyes, and usually walks with a limp. He doesn't have a problem walking, it has just become a force of habit, to root out those who would attack the weak and easily defeated. His hair is brown, with grey streaks.

He usually wears a long cape, to hide his armour and make it look like he's an average old man. He wears a lot of brown and grey clothing, even if Ayamine has offered to buy him something better looking, but he turned her down.

Profession: Handyman.

Equipment: He carries a number of throwing knives, a few bottles of poison, and a kusarigama. He also likes to bring a bottle of sake with him wherever he goes. Shirogane has a lot of clothes, but most of them he wears, which makes him look bigger and less threatening than he actually is. Some tools and medical herbs as well.

Backstory: Shirogane Takeru grew up an orphan, until he was taken in by a polite japanese family at the age of seven. He had no memory of his parents or his home village. He remembered a long journey across the sea though, and a woman that kept crying as she held him. It may have been his mother.

He joined the army of a lord when he was a teenager, and fought in many a war after that. He was sociable and friendly with the workmen and healers of the army, which led to him learning quite a few things other than wielding a blade. An older man that was part of the lord's court, wanted an apprentice, and picked Shirogane to be the one to carry on what the man knew.

His master knew a great deal about various topics, how to fix a wagon, heal a sickness or wield a kusarigama. He also taught Shirogane how to throw knives, and almost always hit your target, even if it was moving. The old man didn't know a lot about any one topic though. He was a jack of all trades, but a master at none. He was useful nonetheless, as he knew how to count, read and get servants to do a work well for a low pay. The lord cherished him, and hoped Shirogane would take his place when the man passed on.

Shirogane did remain by the lord's side for a number of years after the man passed on, but got injured in a kitchen accident and ended up having a difficult time to walk. He was dismissed of his service, as a cripple was no good for a lord to keep around.

He didn't mention how he believed his legs would get better with time. If he wasn't appreciated after that many years, he may as leave. He traveled Japan and even crossed the sea to visit what he thought what his home country, but it meant nothing to him. Japan was his home. China was barely a distant memory, but a nice place to visit.

When he returned to Japan he met Ayamine's father, which was years before Ayamine had been born. They became great friends, fought and traveled together. There was one battle, a couple of years later, which Ayamine's father didn't think he'd live through after sustaining an awful injury. Shirogane promised he would be fine, but was still forced to swear that he would take care of his friend's family if anything happened to him.

He saved his friend's life that day, and eventually they split up. Years would pass before he heard from him again, but the last letter he got was a letter that was to be sent in case of his death. He must now deliver the news to a family he had never met, and take care of them, even though he had a love of his own he wanted to pursue. He traveled to the Kei family mansion, where he met Ayamine and her mother for the first time. He didn't stay for long that time, and went back to chase after his last chance at love and a family of his own. It fell through though, and he decide to keep his promise to his deceased friend instead.

He regards Ayamine as the daughter he never had, and would both kill and die for her, without a moment's hesitation. He's lived a long and nice life, but she hasn't. Not yet.

Personality: He is steadfast in his protection of his "adoptive" daughter. Shirogane likes to drink, sing and dance with fair maidens, but he is an old man now. There are few girls who can or wants to do it with him. He has a faint dying hope of finding love, but doesn't expect much.

He takes pride in knowing a little about everything, even if he wishes he had mastered any skill by now. He is great with his throwing knives at least. He is a fair man, that would rather go where he is celebrated, than where he is merely accepted.

<spoiler=NPC>
Name: Mitsurugi Meiya

Age: 17

Gender: Female

Ethnicity (and nationality): Asian. (Japanese.)

Appearance: She wears simple clothing of a servant girl. She has black short hair, brown eyes, and usually goes by without much notice.

Profession: Maid.

Equipment: She doesn't own much, but uses the belongings of her mistress.

Backstory/personality: Meiya is the servant girl of Ayamine, and has certainly lived a life of her own, but most of the time she prefers to be left alone, if she's not helping her mistress dress, or with other small tasks.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

 

[The Funslinger]

<spoiler=Kei Ayamine>Name: Kei Ayamine

Age: 19

Gender: Female

Ethnicity (and nationality): Asian. (Japanese)

Appearance: Ayamine is a rare beauty. One that turns heads wherever she goes. She has long brown hair that she keeps up in a bun on the back of her head. She is of medium height, rather slim and may appear frail even. Her eyes are as green as the forest. She is not curvy, but has got a nice chest and behind either way. Her skin is pale, and her lips are maroon.

She wears typical dresses that are in fashin of silk and a number of different colours. Her favourite is a green one, with golden and seablue details that reaches down to her feet, touching the ground as she walks sometimes. It hides her body and skin well, but also gives room for her natural beauty.

Profession: Merchant.

Equipment: Several sets of exquisite clothing. One large wagon, with room for her various goods and also for herself. Two horses. A fairly large amount of gold (currency) to purchase new items to sell, food, and rooms for her and her bodyguard.

Backstory: Ayamine was born into a rich family. Her father was a merchant that had made his fortune traveling and selling weapons. Her mother was a pretty housewife that took care of their home when her father was out on his travels. They had a couple of servants too. Ayamine was the youngest of two children, with an older brother that was destined to take over after his father, while Ayamine would be married away to the one who could provide the best gift and increase to their lineage. Her father was pleased with what a beauty she grew into over the years, and would often touch her face, compliment her and say how she'd procure their family's future, while her brother took care of the present.

The years went by, without any major obstacles for the family. Although, all such stories comes to an end. It was no different for the Kei family. One day a man which Ayamine had never met before showed up in the middle of a rainy and stormy night. He claimed to know her father, and her mother did recognize him.

He was to be the bearer of grim news. Her father and brother had been attacked, by bandits, by soldiers, by someone. He didn't know the details. He just knew that her father and his entourage was found dead, and that her brother was nowhere to be found, but assumed dead too.

Ayamine's mother burst into tears, and would some months later succumb to grief and die. Ayamine was left alone in the world. She could get married, but without her father they'd try to ruin her and her family name. She wouldn't be as likely to get any large gift. There was no money coming in to pay the servants either. One by one they left. Ayamine still had the mansion, but it was filled with bitter memories now, and could have beens.

Half a year later, the man returned to check up on how his old friend's daughter and wife was doing, to find the mansion dirty, empty and in disrepair. Ayamine had sold off furniture to pay for food for herself. He found her a wreck, but a wreck with a strong will. She hadn't commited suicide like other he had heard of in her situation.

He couldn't leave her with a clean conscience, so instead he asked her what she wanted to do now that she had soon would have nothing. Ayamine confessed that she had already sold the house, and had thoughts about picking up the trade of her father, but a young girl traveling alone was bound to end up dead, or most likely worse.

The man didn't have much himself left in the world either, and said that he would go with her, for food and a place to stay, until she could afford to pay him more.

Personality: Ayamine is feminine, shy, and quiet most of the time. She is the exemplary of a japanese woman of the times. However, she also possesses a stronger will than most she's met. She can be passionate and loud when she needs to bargain for her goods, when she's buying or selling.

She harbours resentment for the lowlives of the world, criminals, bandits and such ilk. She is a bit of a hypocrite though, as whenever there's gold to be made or she can get a much higher price than she payed for something, she will do almost anything in her power to do so. She still claims she is above them, even though some would say her prices can be likened to robbery.

She hasn't made many friends other than the man, Shirogane, who saved her from a certain death. Ayamine is a reserved person, but once you get to know her you find she has a sense of humour and can be a loyal friend to have.

<spoiler=Takeru Shirogane>Name: Takeru Shirogane

Age: 55

Gender: Male

Ethnicity (and nationality): Asian. (Chinese.)

Appearance: Shirogane is a stout man, with some scars, both old and new ones. He has blue eyes, and usually walks with a limp. He doesn't have a problem walking, it has just become a force of habit, to root out those who would attack the weak and easily defeated. His hair is brown, with grey streaks.

He usually wears a long cape, to hide his armour and make it look like he's an average old man. He wears a lot of brown and grey clothing, even if Ayamine has offered to buy him something better looking, but he turned her down.

Profession: Handyman.

Equipment: He carries a number of throwing knives, a few bottles of poison, and a kusarigama. He also likes to bring a bottle of sake with him wherever he goes. Shirogane has a lot of clothes, but most of them he wears, which makes him look bigger and less threatening than he actually is. Some tools and medical herbs as well.

Backstory: Shirogane Takeru grew up an orphan, until he was taken in by a polite japanese family at the age of seven. He had no memory of his parents or his home village. He remembered a long journey across the sea though, and a woman that kept crying as she held him. It may have been his mother.

He joined the army of a lord when he was a teenager, and fought in many a war after that. He was sociable and friendly with the workmen and healers of the army, which led to him learning quite a few things other than wielding a blade. An older man that was part of the lord's court, wanted an apprentice, and picked Shirogane to be the one to carry on what the man knew.

His master knew a great deal about various topics, how to fix a wagon, heal a sickness or wield a kusarigama. He also taught Shirogane how to throw knives, and almost always hit your target, even if it was moving. The old man didn't know a lot about any one topic though. He was a jack of all trades, but a master at none. He was useful nonetheless, as he knew how to count, read and get servants to do a work well for a low pay. The lord cherished him, and hoped Shirogane would take his place when the man passed on.

Shirogane did remain by the lord's side for a number of years after the man passed on, but got injured in a kitchen accident and ended up having a difficult time to walk. He was dismissed of his service, as a cripple was no good for a lord to keep around.

He didn't mention how he believed his legs would get better with time. If he wasn't appreciated after that many years, he may as leave. He traveled Japan and even crossed the sea to visit what he thought what his home country, but it meant nothing to him. Japan was his home. China was barely a distant memory, but a nice place to visit.

When he returned to Japan he met Ayamine's father, which was years before Ayamine had been born. They became great friends, fought and traveled together. There was one battle, a couple of years later, which Ayamine's father didn't think he'd live through after sustaining an awful injury. Shirogane promised he would be fine, but was still forced to swear that he would take care of his friend's family if anything happened to him.

He saved his friend's life that day, and eventually they split up. Years would pass before he heard from him again, but the last letter he got was a letter that was to be sent in case of his death. He must now deliver the news to a family he had never met, and take care of them, even though he had a love of his own he wanted to pursue. He traveled to the Kei family mansion, where he met Ayamine and her mother for the first time. He didn't stay for long that time, and went back to chase after his last chance at love and a family of his own. It fell through though, and he decide to keep his promise to his deceased friend instead.

He regards Ayamine as the daughter he never had, and would both kill and die for her, without a moment's hesitation. He's lived a long and nice life, but she hasn't. Not yet.

Personality: He is steadfast in his protection of his "adoptive" daughter. Shirogane likes to drink, sing and dance with fair maidens, but he is an old man now. There are few girls who can or wants to do it with him. He has a faint dying hope of finding love, but doesn't expect much.

He takes pride in knowing a little about everything, even if he wishes he had mastered any skill by now. He is great with his throwing knives at least. He is a fair man, that would rather go where he is celebrated, than where he is merely accepted.

<spoiler=NPC>
Name: Mitsurugi Meiya

Age: 17

Gender: Female

Ethnicity (and nationality): Asian. (Japanese.)

Appearance: She wears simple clothing of a servant girl. She has black short hair, brown eyes, and usually goes by without much notice.

Profession: Maid.

Equipment: She doesn't own much, but uses the belongings of her mistress.

Backstory/personality: Meiya is the servant girl of Ayamine, and has certainly lived a life of her own, but most of the time she prefers to be left alone, if she's not helping her mistress dress, or with other small tasks.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Pretty interesting. Although, one nitpick: Genetically speaking, Japanese and Chinese people only ever have brown eyes. The brown hair on the first sheet works so long as it's dark. If you want one of them to have their more exotic eye colour, best specify they have at least some Euro blood in them.

 

[Sehnsucht Engel]

<spoiler=Kei Ayamine>Name: Kei Ayamine

Age: 19

Gender: Female

Ethnicity (and nationality): Asian. (Japanese)

Appearance: Ayamine is a rare beauty. One that turns heads wherever she goes. She has long brown hair that she keeps up in a bun on the back of her head. She is of medium height, rather slim and may appear frail even. Her eyes are as green as the forest. She is not curvy, but has got a nice chest and behind either way. Her skin is pale, and her lips are maroon.

She wears typical dresses that are in fashin of silk and a number of different colours. Her favourite is a green one, with golden and seablue details that reaches down to her feet, touching the ground as she walks sometimes. It hides her body and skin well, but also gives room for her natural beauty.

Profession: Merchant.

Equipment: Several sets of exquisite clothing. One large wagon, with room for her various goods and also for herself. Two horses. A fairly large amount of gold (currency) to purchase new items to sell, food, and rooms for her and her bodyguard.

Backstory: Ayamine was born into a rich family. Her father was a merchant that had made his fortune traveling and selling weapons. Her mother was a pretty housewife that took care of their home when her father was out on his travels. They had a couple of servants too. Ayamine was the youngest of two children, with an older brother that was destined to take over after his father, while Ayamine would be married away to the one who could provide the best gift and increase to their lineage. Her father was pleased with what a beauty she grew into over the years, and would often touch her face, compliment her and say how she'd procure their family's future, while her brother took care of the present.

The years went by, without any major obstacles for the family. Although, all such stories comes to an end. It was no different for the Kei family. One day a man which Ayamine had never met before showed up in the middle of a rainy and stormy night. He claimed to know her father, and her mother did recognize him.

He was to be the bearer of grim news. Her father and brother had been attacked, by bandits, by soldiers, by someone. He didn't know the details. He just knew that her father and his entourage was found dead, and that her brother was nowhere to be found, but assumed dead too.

Ayamine's mother burst into tears, and would some months later succumb to grief and die. Ayamine was left alone in the world. She could get married, but without her father they'd try to ruin her and her family name. She wouldn't be as likely to get any large gift. There was no money coming in to pay the servants either. One by one they left. Ayamine still had the mansion, but it was filled with bitter memories now, and could have beens.

Half a year later, the man returned to check up on how his old friend's daughter and wife was doing, to find the mansion dirty, empty and in disrepair. Ayamine had sold off furniture to pay for food for herself. He found her a wreck, but a wreck with a strong will. She hadn't commited suicide like other he had heard of in her situation.

He couldn't leave her with a clean conscience, so instead he asked her what she wanted to do now that she had soon would have nothing. Ayamine confessed that she had already sold the house, and had thoughts about picking up the trade of her father, but a young girl traveling alone was bound to end up dead, or most likely worse.

The man didn't have much himself left in the world either, and said that he would go with her, for food and a place to stay, until she could afford to pay him more.

Personality: Ayamine is feminine, shy, and quiet most of the time. She is the exemplary of a japanese woman of the times. However, she also possesses a stronger will than most she's met. She can be passionate and loud when she needs to bargain for her goods, when she's buying or selling.

She harbours resentment for the lowlives of the world, criminals, bandits and such ilk. She is a bit of a hypocrite though, as whenever there's gold to be made or she can get a much higher price than she payed for something, she will do almost anything in her power to do so. She still claims she is above them, even though some would say her prices can be likened to robbery.

She hasn't made many friends other than the man, Shirogane, who saved her from a certain death. Ayamine is a reserved person, but once you get to know her you find she has a sense of humour and can be a loyal friend to have.

<spoiler=Takeru Shirogane>Name: Takeru Shirogane

Age: 55

Gender: Male

Ethnicity (and nationality): Asian. (Chinese.)

Appearance: Shirogane is a stout man, with some scars, both old and new ones. He has blue eyes, and usually walks with a limp. He doesn't have a problem walking, it has just become a force of habit, to root out those who would attack the weak and easily defeated. His hair is brown, with grey streaks.

He usually wears a long cape, to hide his armour and make it look like he's an average old man. He wears a lot of brown and grey clothing, even if Ayamine has offered to buy him something better looking, but he turned her down.

Profession: Handyman.

Equipment: He carries a number of throwing knives, a few bottles of poison, and a kusarigama. He also likes to bring a bottle of sake with him wherever he goes. Shirogane has a lot of clothes, but most of them he wears, which makes him look bigger and less threatening than he actually is. Some tools and medical herbs as well.

Backstory: Shirogane Takeru grew up an orphan, until he was taken in by a polite japanese family at the age of seven. He had no memory of his parents or his home village. He remembered a long journey across the sea though, and a woman that kept crying as she held him. It may have been his mother.

He joined the army of a lord when he was a teenager, and fought in many a war after that. He was sociable and friendly with the workmen and healers of the army, which led to him learning quite a few things other than wielding a blade. An older man that was part of the lord's court, wanted an apprentice, and picked Shirogane to be the one to carry on what the man knew.

His master knew a great deal about various topics, how to fix a wagon, heal a sickness or wield a kusarigama. He also taught Shirogane how to throw knives, and almost always hit your target, even if it was moving. The old man didn't know a lot about any one topic though. He was a jack of all trades, but a master at none. He was useful nonetheless, as he knew how to count, read and get servants to do a work well for a low pay. The lord cherished him, and hoped Shirogane would take his place when the man passed on.

Shirogane did remain by the lord's side for a number of years after the man passed on, but got injured in a kitchen accident and ended up having a difficult time to walk. He was dismissed of his service, as a cripple was no good for a lord to keep around.

He didn't mention how he believed his legs would get better with time. If he wasn't appreciated after that many years, he may as leave. He traveled Japan and even crossed the sea to visit what he thought what his home country, but it meant nothing to him. Japan was his home. China was barely a distant memory, but a nice place to visit.

When he returned to Japan he met Ayamine's father, which was years before Ayamine had been born. They became great friends, fought and traveled together. There was one battle, a couple of years later, which Ayamine's father didn't think he'd live through after sustaining an awful injury. Shirogane promised he would be fine, but was still forced to swear that he would take care of his friend's family if anything happened to him.

He saved his friend's life that day, and eventually they split up. Years would pass before he heard from him again, but the last letter he got was a letter that was to be sent in case of his death. He must now deliver the news to a family he had never met, and take care of them, even though he had a love of his own he wanted to pursue. He traveled to the Kei family mansion, where he met Ayamine and her mother for the first time. He didn't stay for long that time, and went back to chase after his last chance at love and a family of his own. It fell through though, and he decide to keep his promise to his deceased friend instead.

He regards Ayamine as the daughter he never had, and would both kill and die for her, without a moment's hesitation. He's lived a long and nice life, but she hasn't. Not yet.

Personality: He is steadfast in his protection of his "adoptive" daughter. Shirogane likes to drink, sing and dance with fair maidens, but he is an old man now. There are few girls who can or wants to do it with him. He has a faint dying hope of finding love, but doesn't expect much.

He takes pride in knowing a little about everything, even if he wishes he had mastered any skill by now. He is great with his throwing knives at least. He is a fair man, that would rather go where he is celebrated, than where he is merely accepted.

<spoiler=NPC>
Name: Mitsurugi Meiya

Age: 17

Gender: Female

Ethnicity (and nationality): Asian. (Japanese.)

Appearance: She wears simple clothing of a servant girl. She has black short hair, brown eyes, and usually goes by without much notice.

Profession: Maid.

Equipment: She doesn't own much, but uses the belongings of her mistress.

Backstory/personality: Meiya is the servant girl of Ayamine, and has certainly lived a life of her own, but most of the time she prefers to be left alone, if she's not helping her mistress dress, or with other small tasks.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Pretty interesting. Although, one nitpick: Genetically speaking, Japanese and Chinese people only ever have brown eyes. The brown hair on the first sheet works so long as it's dark. If you want one of them to have their more exotic eye colour, best specify they have at least some Euro blood in them.

I changed it to brown.

 

[The Funslinger]

<spoiler=Kei Ayamine>Name: Kei Ayamine

Age: 19

Gender: Female

Ethnicity (and nationality): Asian. (Japanese)

Appearance: Ayamine is a rare beauty. One that turns heads wherever she goes. She has long brown hair that she keeps up in a bun on the back of her head. She is of medium height, rather slim and may appear frail even. Her eyes are as green as the forest. She is not curvy, but has got a nice chest and behind either way. Her skin is pale, and her lips are maroon.

She wears typical dresses that are in fashin of silk and a number of different colours. Her favourite is a green one, with golden and seablue details that reaches down to her feet, touching the ground as she walks sometimes. It hides her body and skin well, but also gives room for her natural beauty.

Profession: Merchant.

Equipment: Several sets of exquisite clothing. One large wagon, with room for her various goods and also for herself. Two horses. A fairly large amount of gold (currency) to purchase new items to sell, food, and rooms for her and her bodyguard.

Backstory: Ayamine was born into a rich family. Her father was a merchant that had made his fortune traveling and selling weapons. Her mother was a pretty housewife that took care of their home when her father was out on his travels. They had a couple of servants too. Ayamine was the youngest of two children, with an older brother that was destined to take over after his father, while Ayamine would be married away to the one who could provide the best gift and increase to their lineage. Her father was pleased with what a beauty she grew into over the years, and would often touch her face, compliment her and say how she'd procure their family's future, while her brother took care of the present.

The years went by, without any major obstacles for the family. Although, all such stories comes to an end. It was no different for the Kei family. One day a man which Ayamine had never met before showed up in the middle of a rainy and stormy night. He claimed to know her father, and her mother did recognize him.

He was to be the bearer of grim news. Her father and brother had been attacked, by bandits, by soldiers, by someone. He didn't know the details. He just knew that her father and his entourage was found dead, and that her brother was nowhere to be found, but assumed dead too.

Ayamine's mother burst into tears, and would some months later succumb to grief and die. Ayamine was left alone in the world. She could get married, but without her father they'd try to ruin her and her family name. She wouldn't be as likely to get any large gift. There was no money coming in to pay the servants either. One by one they left. Ayamine still had the mansion, but it was filled with bitter memories now, and could have beens.

Half a year later, the man returned to check up on how his old friend's daughter and wife was doing, to find the mansion dirty, empty and in disrepair. Ayamine had sold off furniture to pay for food for herself. He found her a wreck, but a wreck with a strong will. She hadn't commited suicide like other he had heard of in her situation.

He couldn't leave her with a clean conscience, so instead he asked her what she wanted to do now that she had soon would have nothing. Ayamine confessed that she had already sold the house, and had thoughts about picking up the trade of her father, but a young girl traveling alone was bound to end up dead, or most likely worse.

The man didn't have much himself left in the world either, and said that he would go with her, for food and a place to stay, until she could afford to pay him more.

Personality: Ayamine is feminine, shy, and quiet most of the time. She is the exemplary of a japanese woman of the times. However, she also possesses a stronger will than most she's met. She can be passionate and loud when she needs to bargain for her goods, when she's buying or selling.

She harbours resentment for the lowlives of the world, criminals, bandits and such ilk. She is a bit of a hypocrite though, as whenever there's gold to be made or she can get a much higher price than she payed for something, she will do almost anything in her power to do so. She still claims she is above them, even though some would say her prices can be likened to robbery.

She hasn't made many friends other than the man, Shirogane, who saved her from a certain death. Ayamine is a reserved person, but once you get to know her you find she has a sense of humour and can be a loyal friend to have.

<spoiler=Takeru Shirogane>Name: Takeru Shirogane

Age: 55

Gender: Male

Ethnicity (and nationality): Asian. (Chinese.)

Appearance: Shirogane is a stout man, with some scars, both old and new ones. He has blue eyes, and usually walks with a limp. He doesn't have a problem walking, it has just become a force of habit, to root out those who would attack the weak and easily defeated. His hair is brown, with grey streaks.

He usually wears a long cape, to hide his armour and make it look like he's an average old man. He wears a lot of brown and grey clothing, even if Ayamine has offered to buy him something better looking, but he turned her down.

Profession: Handyman.

Equipment: He carries a number of throwing knives, a few bottles of poison, and a kusarigama. He also likes to bring a bottle of sake with him wherever he goes. Shirogane has a lot of clothes, but most of them he wears, which makes him look bigger and less threatening than he actually is. Some tools and medical herbs as well.

Backstory: Shirogane Takeru grew up an orphan, until he was taken in by a polite japanese family at the age of seven. He had no memory of his parents or his home village. He remembered a long journey across the sea though, and a woman that kept crying as she held him. It may have been his mother.

He joined the army of a lord when he was a teenager, and fought in many a war after that. He was sociable and friendly with the workmen and healers of the army, which led to him learning quite a few things other than wielding a blade. An older man that was part of the lord's court, wanted an apprentice, and picked Shirogane to be the one to carry on what the man knew.

His master knew a great deal about various topics, how to fix a wagon, heal a sickness or wield a kusarigama. He also taught Shirogane how to throw knives, and almost always hit your target, even if it was moving. The old man didn't know a lot about any one topic though. He was a jack of all trades, but a master at none. He was useful nonetheless, as he knew how to count, read and get servants to do a work well for a low pay. The lord cherished him, and hoped Shirogane would take his place when the man passed on.

Shirogane did remain by the lord's side for a number of years after the man passed on, but got injured in a kitchen accident and ended up having a difficult time to walk. He was dismissed of his service, as a cripple was no good for a lord to keep around.

He didn't mention how he believed his legs would get better with time. If he wasn't appreciated after that many years, he may as leave. He traveled Japan and even crossed the sea to visit what he thought what his home country, but it meant nothing to him. Japan was his home. China was barely a distant memory, but a nice place to visit.

When he returned to Japan he met Ayamine's father, which was years before Ayamine had been born. They became great friends, fought and traveled together. There was one battle, a couple of years later, which Ayamine's father didn't think he'd live through after sustaining an awful injury. Shirogane promised he would be fine, but was still forced to swear that he would take care of his friend's family if anything happened to him.

He saved his friend's life that day, and eventually they split up. Years would pass before he heard from him again, but the last letter he got was a letter that was to be sent in case of his death. He must now deliver the news to a family he had never met, and take care of them, even though he had a love of his own he wanted to pursue. He traveled to the Kei family mansion, where he met Ayamine and her mother for the first time. He didn't stay for long that time, and went back to chase after his last chance at love and a family of his own. It fell through though, and he decide to keep his promise to his deceased friend instead.

He regards Ayamine as the daughter he never had, and would both kill and die for her, without a moment's hesitation. He's lived a long and nice life, but she hasn't. Not yet.

Personality: He is steadfast in his protection of his "adoptive" daughter. Shirogane likes to drink, sing and dance with fair maidens, but he is an old man now. There are few girls who can or wants to do it with him. He has a faint dying hope of finding love, but doesn't expect much.

He takes pride in knowing a little about everything, even if he wishes he had mastered any skill by now. He is great with his throwing knives at least. He is a fair man, that would rather go where he is celebrated, than where he is merely accepted.

<spoiler=NPC>
Name: Mitsurugi Meiya

Age: 17

Gender: Female

Ethnicity (and nationality): Asian. (Japanese.)

Appearance: She wears simple clothing of a servant girl. She has black short hair, brown eyes, and usually goes by without much notice.

Profession: Maid.

Equipment: She doesn't own much, but uses the belongings of her mistress.

Backstory/personality: Meiya is the servant girl of Ayamine, and has certainly lived a life of her own, but most of the time she prefers to be left alone, if she's not helping her mistress dress, or with other small tasks.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Pretty interesting. Although, one nitpick: Genetically speaking, Japanese and Chinese people only ever have brown eyes. The brown hair on the first sheet works so long as it's dark. If you want one of them to have their more exotic eye colour, best specify they have at least some Euro blood in them.

I changed it to brown.

Thanks. I'm particularly interested as you've managed to do some fairly interesting characters that aren't necessarily fighters. That gets you some points when the time comes for consideration!

 

[2HF]

<spoiler=Ukiyo Hanshiro>Name: Ukiyo Hanshiro

Age: 13

Gender: Male

Ethnicity (and nationality): Asian / Japanese

Appearance: 4'9", black hair and brown eyes. Shaggy hair, thin build, assorted scars on various parts of his body. He wears very plain pants and shirts, all brown and faded. He carries one flashy article of clothing, a bright red scarf for when he is performing. He walks everywhere barefoot.

Profession: Pickpocket/Magician

Equipment: Quick fingers and quicker feet. Assorted trinkets used for close up magic, employed to put stangers at ease before robbing them blind. Three small cups and assorted balls, used for the age old cups and balls trick as well as the shell game. A deck of Hanafuda cards. One small dagger used almost exclusively to cut fruit and purse strings but occaisionally for self defense in the tightest of spots.

Backstory/personality: Ukiyo is running away from his family and has joined this group for the journey to Namako. His father and older brother were physically abusive. They felt his natural talent for and inclination towards close up magic was a waste He has no goal in mind, he wants only to be free. Ukiyo is a chameleon. A natural showman, very loud and vibrant when the situation calls for it, and a wallflower, quiet and unnoticable when needed. He is deeply mistrusting of adult males but feels perfectly at ease around females. He attempts to hide his various scars but the one on his right ear, from a particularly viscious backhand, shows often when his hair fails to cover it.

 

[roushutsu]

I will just remind everyone I'd like a few non-combatant PCs in there as well!

Gotcha covered! Here's my 2nd sheet!

Spoiler: Emilio De Luca

Name: Emilio De Luca

Age: 32

Gender: Male

Ethnicity (and nationality): European (Italian)

Appearance: Standing at 6'0", he has tall and lanky figure. His skin is lightly tanned and he has black hair that goes down to his chin and is wavy. He also has a thin mustache. He wears a loose blue and black robe with black pants and shoes. He carries a large black satchel over his should that carries his various art tools.

Profession: Painter

Equipment: Paint brushes, palette knives, small jars full of various brush cleaners and oils, a sketchbook, and several pieces of charcoal for composing sketches.

Backstory/personality: Emilio was born and raised in Venice, Italy under Spanish rule. He grew up listening to stories of Turkish invasions, a deadly plague that swept through the land before he was born, and slowly but surely the Spanish rule was waning. The future was very uncertain.

When he was a teenager, he took up painting and found that he was quite talented. He went to school and sought apprenticeships with other artists in the country for several years. Once he was finished, he returned back home to Venice and set up his own studio. Several of the local nobles took notice of his work, and soon he was one of the artists that were regularly painting commissions for them. And yet despite this success, constant word of battles that were spreading throughout Europe disheartened him and he often found himself wondering if his art would ultimately mean anything should the Spanish line of the House of Habsburg fall.

As other artists continued to paint for the nobles, Emilio decided to take a different approach. He had heard of a land far off in the east that had opened its borders and ports to westerners--a thriving culture. Seeing this as his opportunity to further his work and his life, he sets off to Japan.

Seeing as how he is in a new country, anything and everything will spark Emilio's curiosity. He tries to look at things in a variety of angles and will stop to take in the surroundings if he feels inspired for a new work of art. Because of his excitement of being in Japan, he can come off as a tad naive.

 

[The Funslinger]

I will just remind everyone I'd like a few non-combatant PCs in there as well!

Gotcha covered! Here's my 2nd sheet!

Spoiler: Emilio De Luca

Name: Emilio De Luca

Age: 32

Gender: Male

Ethnicity (and nationality): European (Italian)

Appearance: Standing at 6'0", he has tall and lanky figure. His skin is lightly tanned and he has black hair that goes down to his chin and is wavy. He also has a thin mustache. He wears a loose blue and black robe with black pants and shoes. He carries a large black satchel over his should that carries his various art tools.

Profession: Painter

Equipment: Paint brushes, palette knives, small jars full of various brush cleaners and oils, a sketchbook, and several pieces of charcoal for composing sketches.

Backstory/personality: Emilio was born and raised in Venice, Italy under Spanish rule. He grew up listening to stories of Turkish invasions, a deadly plague that swept through the land before he was born, and slowly but surely the Spanish rule was waning. The future was very uncertain.

When he was a teenager, he took up painting and found that he was quite talented. He went to school and sought apprenticeships with other artists in the country for several years. Once he was finished, he returned back home to Venice and set up his own studio. Several of the local nobles took notice of his work, and soon he was one of the artists that were regularly painting commissions for them. And yet despite this success, constant word of battles that were spreading throughout Europe disheartened him and he often found himself wondering if his art would ultimately mean anything should the Spanish line of the House of Habsburg fall.

As other artists continued to paint for the nobles, Emilio decided to take a different approach. He had heard of a land far off in the east that had opened its borders and ports to westerners--a thriving culture. Seeing this as his opportunity to further his work and his life, he sets off to Japan.

Seeing as how he is in a new country, anything and everything will spark Emilio's curiosity. He tries to look at things in a variety of angles and will stop to take in the surroundings if he feels inspired for a new work of art. Because of his excitement of being in Japan, he can come off as a tad naive.

Excellent. Could you edit that into your first post? It'll make my player selection process easier.

 

[Green Shoes]

Spoiler: Tao Song

Name: Tao Song

Age: 31

Gender: Male

Ethnicity (and nationality): Chinese-Japanese

Appearance: Tao stands at 5'5, and has a rather small build by most standards. His face is flat and wide, and his head completely shaven. His eyes are quite large and pan-shaped, with fierce brown iris'. He wears a plain brown, Chinese monk robe; wide at the sleeves, and fastened by a rope at his waist. On his feet are plain, leather sandals. Though young, the skin on his face is deeply furrowed and wrinkled; both smile and frown lines evident at all times.

Profession: Buddhist Monk

Equipment: Tao carries very little. He walks with a long, plain staff with an orange ribbon tied in the middle. A small satchel is thrown over his left shoulder, in which he carries incense, food and a water-skin.

Backstory: Tao was brought up in an unnamed Buddhist village, established in Japan not three generations ago, by his great-grandfather Tung Song. In an effort to amalgamate Buddhism and Shinto in the rural population, Tung Song had been sent as a missionary from China. Tao is, subsequently, of both Chinese and Japanese origins; related to Tung Song on his father's side.

Brought up in the village under both Buddhist and Shinto principles, he was charged with funerary rites from the age of 16; sating the kami as well as maintaining a pure and celibate lifestyle. This has given Tao a rather healthy disposition; while not incredibly fit, he maintains a pure diet, and engages in neither drinking nor women.

Having taught his successor in the village the proper rites, he set off in pilgrimage, inspired by the story of his grandfather. Passing through numerous villages and few cities, he promoted healthy lifestyle and stout faith. After being confronted by numerous Yakuza patrols, he fled from the last city, in no particular direction. Having traveled alone for some time, his wanderings now bring him to Emmett.

Personality: Tao is quiet, well-mannered and empathetic. Always happy to laugh, he carries a friendly and welcoming disposition. However, he also fashions himself a teacher; quick to offer advice rooted in both Shinto and Buddhist principles.

Let me know what you think!

 

[Doc Gnosis]

Here's one character. Will be working on the next.
EDIT: And Here's the other character.

<spoiler=Jyunichi>Name: Kuro Jyunichi (Mongol Name: Jochi)

Age: 20

Gender: Male

Ethnicity(nationality):Japanese-Mongol(???)

Appearance: A stocky man standing at a height of 5'9. Dark hazel eyes, short black hair, long face. Little gives away his Mongol heritage save for the muscular frame and the slight reddish hue to his skin. Wears a leather tunic under a simple robe tied with a large leather belt, leggings, and geta.

Profession: Hunter

Equipment: Carries a yumi and a larger daikyu with a quiver full of arrows. Also has a few knives on him for hunting purposes.

Backstory: In the frigid lands of Ezochi - Hokkaido as it was called long ago - there lives some burakumin who were descendants from the Mongol invaders four centuries ago. Their ancestors were not lucky enough to return to China, yet lucky enough to evade capture by the samurai. They went from Kyushu to Ezochi where they wouldn't find them. Their lot here is a difficult one; they couldn't interact with the more civilized towns and more often than not their village was starving. They resorted to smuggling and raiding to keep themselves fed; taking supplies from coastal towns in northern China and Russia. Sometimes they would raid the towns belonging to the Japanese lords with dangerous results.

Jochi's mother was part of one of the raids and was unfortunately captured. By fortune of being pretty enough to one of the lesser lords, she was spared and kept as a 'prize.' For two years she was held as a consort to amuse people in more ways than one until she escaped, unknowingly with child. The 'hospitality' had changed her, making her more paranoid of the Japanese.

It was in the poor village that Jochi was born. He would play with the Mongol children and be taught how to use a bow and to fight, but people were suspicious over who the father was. As he grew in body and skill, he began to resemble the Japanese more and more to them. They had him as their punching bag for the woes they felt in their smuggling and raids. Eventually he couldn't take living in their village in Ezochi and left. He would send aid to the village if he could, but the friends in childhood were replaced by skeptics and paranoids.

He travelled to the main island to hunt and gather, bartering what he had for food and supplies. Jochi changed his name and his clothes to better blend in with the civilized part of the world.

Jochi is sensitive about his heritage and goes at lengths to keep it secret; his mother had told him of how severe the Japanese were to outsiders and her captivity under the lords in Ezochi. He's proud, blunt, and simple-minded, but keeps his feelings under a veneer of stoicism.

<spoiler=Xin Fan>Name: Xin Fan

Gender: Male

Age: 40

Ethnicity(Nationality): Asian(Chinese)

Appearance: By Chinese cultural definition, Xin carries certain features of an auspicious individual: a full rounded face, large ears with large earlobes, and a rotund physique. He stands at a height of 5'7" and looks his age with creased wrinkles around his body. Wears green silk robes and white silken sash, brown shoes and black cap gold embroidery.

Profession: Eunuch/Ambassador

Equipment: bag of silver coins, leather truncheon.

Backstory/Personality:

Born and raised in China as a sixth son of some minor lord. The clan didn't give much to him as a kid; he was more or less viewed as an extra mouth to feed. Growing up, he resorted to theft and banditry, stealing goods and money from his family as his way of retribution. His shenanigans against his clan contributed to its downfall as time ticked on. Before the Xin clan fell, Fan's parents caught on to his theft and turned him him. As punishment he was castrated and forced into a life of servitude to the Ming Emperor. The act was excrutiatingly painful to Fan and it would be burned into his memory for as long as he lived.

His life as a eunuch was a quiet one; tending to the Emperor's many wives, doing errands for the Son of Heaven, the household and his many ministers, and acting as one of His eyes and ears. When news of peace in Wa - the Chinese name for Japan - broke out, it was decided to establish an embassy for this new kingdom. The group was of a token number, and Fan was among those ambassadors.

Xin Fan is a petty, entitled, and scheming curmudgeon; if he believes that he is slighted or denied what is rightfully his, he will do what he can to fix that. He doesn't like being in Wa considering it full of strangers trying to look like they do.

Any questions, comments and concerns will be welcome.