The Players

[Vutall]

The follow is a list of the Player Characters for New Winds Pt 2

((Please do not post in this thread until you have emailed me your Part 2 Character Sheet))

Crab
-Yasuki Ginkasaru -Experienced 1
-Kaiu Aiichiro -Experienced 1
-Kuni Yatsuo -Experienced 1 (Top Competitor from Part 1)

Crane
-Doji Kotomi
-Kakita Kenji -Experienced 1
-Kakita Kazuko -Experienced 1
-Doji Hiroyuki

Dragon
-Togashi Dao -Experienced 1
-Kitsuki Asahi

Lion
-Matsu Qiang -Experienced 1
-Ikoma Eichiro
-Ikoma Nijiro
-Akodo Kichiro

Phoenix
-Kaito Haruki -Experienced 1 (Top Competitor from Part 1)
-Asako Saburo -Experienced 1 (Top Competitor from Part 1)
-Isawa Tanshin -Experienced 1
-Kaito Kai -Experienced 1

Scorpion
-Bayushi Jiro -Experienced 1
-Bayushi Kaidan -Experienced 1

Unicorn
-Utaku Ichiro -Experienced 1
-Moto Ichiro -Experienced 1
-Utaku Nesrin -Experienced 1
-Iuchi Prashant -Experienced 1 (Top Competitor from Part 1)
-Ide Hazrat

Minor Clans
-Kokyou (Mantis) -Experienced 1
-Mai (Mantis) -Experienced 1 (Top Competitor from Part 1)
-Toritaka Sasaiko (Falcon) -Experienced 1
-Kitsune Zashi (Fox) Experienced 1

Imperial Families
-Miya Wyn -Experienced 1 (Top Competitor from Part 1)
-Otomo Nobuko -Experienced 1

Ronin/Gaijin
-Mirai

[Utaku Ichiro]

Name: Utaku Ichiro
Age: 14
Hair: Black
Eyes: Green flecked with brown
Height: 5'8
Build: Lithely athletic
Marital Status: Betrothed

A year has added a few inches to Ichiro's height and a bit of bulk to his build but has done little to diminish his more effeminate features. He still wears his hair long and often loose and facial hair is but a dream if it ever will become a reality. His garb is simple, sturdy, and utilitarian - designed for comfort and durability as well as ease of movement as opposed to style. It is mostly white with purple highlights though a new scarf of gold adorns his neck - a gift from the clan he will marry into.

What has changed most about the young man is his personality. The changes that were becoming noticeable towards the end of his time at the Ruby Champion's dojo have continued and deepened. Though not all of his brashness has faded he is much calmer - centered and focused. His friendly nature and good humor remain untarnished by time and he is still quick to extend an open hand, if no longer a closed fist, to those he meets.

For such a short span of time he faces the future with a new resolve - as if he has found some higher calling.

Hooks:

Think you're cut out to be a hero? Not until you've bested me, at the very least - show me your stance!

Dragon? I should probably get to know the new kin.

Competitive? I'm always happy to test your skills.

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

Name: Toritaka Sasaiko
Age: 15
Height: 5'2" / approx. 157cm
Hair: Black
Eyes: Dark
Build: Solid

Sasaiko is the daughter of a pair of samurai, Toritaka (nee Soshi) Oroji and Toritaka Sumeiko, who oversee a small village in the northeastern reaches of the Toritaka lands, ensuring that the taxes are paid and the village is kept in good order. She was somewhat indulged in her earlier tutelage, bouncing from subject to subject to subject until she found something of a passion for law. Maybe it was that focus, or maybe it was simply random chance, that led her to be selected for the Ruby Champion's project.

She did not mind. She knows she will be a Magistrate someday, and attracting the notice of the Ruby Champion is certain to be of help with that. Attracting the notice of the revealed-as-ishiken Asako Saburo was also helpful, if in a different way; success and glory at the Topaz Championship will allow her family to fare better with the nakodo, as well as helping her to earn a place in the Magistracy.

For whatever else is true, she retains that goal--most strongly.

[Doji Kotomi]

Backstory
Name: Doji Kotomi
Gender: Female
Clan: Crane
Age: 14
Height: 5’7
Build Lithe
Occupation: Duelist
Hair colour: White and purple (dyed)
Eye colour: Blue

Kotomi is considered one of the best up and coming duelists of the Kakita academies since Toshimoko himself. Her natural skill with a blade is unmatched among the other students, and she has even defeated a few senseis as well. Her undefeated streak in duels has given the girl an exceptionally large chip on her shoulder, and many of the other students consider her a bit of a bully because of it.

Being selected to gempukku at the prestigious Topaz Championship was considered a minimum requirement for Kotomi, although her rudeness almost cost her the invitation. While not to the level of Crab, she is often very blunt and doesn't seem to be concerned when someones feelings are hurt.

[Kakita Kazuko]

Name: Kakita Kazuko
Height: 5'6"
Hair: Dark Brown
Eyes: Brown
Build: Lithe

Kazuko is not any closer in figuring out the fate of her mother but she has trained hard in preparation for the tournament and is ready to show off her prowess in the typical Crane fashion. More importantly, she's eager to reunite with Kenji and enjoy each other's company as well as to try and fulfill some personal goals of hers. Sadly, an insolent younger child with an ego bigger than Toshimoku's by the name of Kotomi is going to be at the Topaz Championship too and is relentless in taunting her but Kazuko will put her in her place soon enough. Jealous toddler or no, she plans to make the most of her time here.

[Bayushi Jiro]

Name: Bayushi Jiro
Gender: Male
Clan: Scorpion
Age: 16
Height: 5’9
Build: Slender
Occupation: Courtier
Hair colour: Black
Eye colour: Brown

The second of the twin sons of the Karo of Kyuden Bayushi, Bayushi Jiro has been groomed from a young age to take over his father's position. A direct descendant of Bayushi-kami in the male line, Jiro has inherited the classic Scorpion form of dark beauty to which he adds a rich baritone voice and a reputation for quick thinking.

Since his attendance at the Ruby Champion's experimental dojo, Bayushi Jiro has received special attention from Bayushi Shoju. The reason why has not been made clear to observers outside the clan, but that has not prevented rumors from spreading in Otosan Uchi. After all, only a budding evil mastermind could be rising so quickly in the esteem of a man like Shoju at such a young age. He has been sent to the Topaz Championship, but rumor has it that there is a spot waiting for him in Shoju's personal entourage once this phase of his extended gempukku has ended.

[Kaito Haruki]

Name: Kaito Haruki
Age: 14
Hair: White
Eyes: Dark blue
Height: 5'8"
Build: Buff and lean

Haruki has been awfully busy this past year! He did his sensei well; not only did he make top grades in his class, he also got a Doji courtier to lend his clan assistance, and he even caught the eye of a Seppun matchmaker. All of these lead to an early of promotion, and with it new responsibilities. He led a small band of eager samurai through a mountain patrol route for the summer months while practicing the true lessons of his sensei: Study hard when you are in times of peace and you won't need to think in times of war.

Haruki took a long look at the requirements of Emerald Magistrates and practiced as many of the skills required, practiced them while he could, but then realized the Kakita are the organizers of the Topaz Championship. So he took a detour on his way to meetings to his beloved fiancee, these detours to the Emerald Magistrate offices led him to learn a technique that could very well make the difference between him winning the whole thing and having to bow out on the last day.

Here's to yet another hurdle to jump over!

[Kokyou]

Name: Kokyou
Age: 15
Hair: Short, Black
Eyes: Blue
Height: 5'10”/ 1,78 cm
Build: Athletic, Buff

Not long ago, the young Kokyou was sent train at the guidance of the Ruby Champion in the town of Hirosaka. Yoritomo chose not his strongest, but the most charismatic kid, willing to please the Crane and the Imperials alike with the boy’s good charms and witty attitude. He took much of his own so-called father’s self-esteem and beliefs that nothing in the whole world can stop them if they put their best effort into whatever endeavor they strive for.

Besides all the wagers many Mantis made thinking the boy would fail, Kokyou managed to complete his training with an outstanding impression. Words of his bravery, ability in combat, exoticness and charisma have reached the ports and sake houses of the hub villages nearby Otosan Uchi. They comment on how a sailor-in-training led the young students in Hirosaka to protect the dojo against terrors coming from deep within the earth.

After an intensive real-world training back into the Mantis fleet, Kokyou has grown into a handsome and strong teenage specimen, as expected from his lineage's blessed physique. The benefit of salt water and loading/unloading heavy crates along the Rokugani shore, though, did not help to lessen his rather eccentric view of himself. In fact, it worsened a fair bit. Some say he covers whatever paramours he had left back at the dojo with his flirtatious adventures with several daughters of the many City Governors from Crab, Crane, Imperial and Phoenix alike.

He reaches Tsuma low profile and without much fanfarre, considering it improper to steal the thunder from the event itself.

[Miya Wyn]

Name: Miya Wyn
Age: 14
Hair: Dark Brown
Eyes: Brown
Height: 4'10"
Build: Lean and Athletic

It's been almost a year since the events in Hirosaka, Wyn has become more confident in the last year, if no less Naïve. He is looking forward to seeing old friends again, and in competing in the upcoming tournament.

[Mirai]

Name: Mirai
Ronin
Age: 16
Hair: Brown, Short
Eyes: Brown
Height: 5'5"
Build: Average

No one really knows who Mirai is or where she came from. She was sponsored to the Topaz by a Crane, but beyond that little is known. She gives very little extra information, other than that she is a ronin and she is here.

Her looks would show her to be a ronin even if nothing else did. Her hair is short and a bit messy most of the time. She has a decent kimono she can wear to ceremonies (if not dreadfully plain), but most of the time she wears dirty, patched up robes that look like they're from a temple. She also has procured student clothing for the tournament, though it's a bit too misshaped for her. That raggedness is about her only recognizable quality. Otherwise, she wears no makeup, has no real jewelry or accessoies, and is of average height and build. While not bland, she is forgettable, which is something she seeks to change.

[Yasuki Ginkarasu]

Name: Yasuki Ginkarasu (Silver Raven)
Age: 15
Hair: Black
Eyes: Deep brown
Height: 5'5"
Build: Wiry

Yasuki Ginkarasu is a wiry young teenager whose bad fortune in life was to be marked with white splotches across the left side of his face. This disfigurement gives him an aura of disfavor and ill luck that he strives to overcome. Built more like a courtier who has been punched a lot then a bushi, he still walks as tall as his height will let him.

The best thing he's ever done was impress some sensei enough to send him here to the Topaz Championship! Maybe he won't be doomed to guarding the worst merchants in the backwaters of the Empire! Maybe he'll get to guard Yasuki merchants in nice places!

He does like to collect shiny rocks.

He does not have a bunch of mochi.

[Kakita Kenji]

Name: Kakita Kenji
Age: 16
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Black
Height: 5'9”/ 1,75 cm
Build: Athletic


A year has passed since the events in Hirosaka, many things have changed and some things have remained the same. Kenji spent a lot of his time last year improving his art with the katana, after all he had sworn something to Saburo. He is very much looking forward to meeting him in the Tournament.

One could say that since his time in Hirosaka the young crane has become even more idealistic than before. In contrast to his time in before the Dojo, Kenji has visibly blossomed. His friendly and courageous attitude has brought him joy and friends in Hirosaka and he has since worked to keep in touch with as many of his former classmates as possible. Kenji quickly realized how an administrator must have felt with so many letters as he wrote. Despite all his efforts he unfortunately could not keep in touch with all his old classmates, so he had to pick a select few.

At least twice a month he sent letters to Kyuden Kaiu and Kyuden Yasuki to keep in touch with his crab friends.
Letters were also sent to Otomo Nobuko, and Kenji had been in contact with her since the fateful evening in Hirosaka.
A few letters also reached the Phoenix, Scorpion and Unicorn Lands, addressed to Kaito Haruki, Asako Saburo, Bayushi Kaidan and Iuchi Prashant.
He kept constant contact with the little blacksmith, and one or two letters even reached Zashi
Also, surprisingly, he had written letters to Kokyou, even though the logistics behind it were difficult, but Kenji had never forgotten the promise of the mantis, a journey through the lands of silk and spice.

Kenji had also spent a lot of time with Kazuko and you could say that the bond between the two has only grown stronger. Unfortunately Kenji's attempt to introduce Kazuko to his childhood friend Kotomi failed miserably. Despite all the efforts Kenji put in, the two seem to have an absolute aversion to each other. His attempts to get the two to get along are as successful as the attempt to catch the wind, he just hopes that the quarrel between the two will be solved one day and that this will be done without bloodshed.

He is still plagued by seizures from time to time, but these have decreased considerably compared to the past. Still trying to make his parents somehow proud and to do justice to the memory of his "dead" brother, he tries to look forward to a good future.

All in all, Kenji is looking forward to the tournament with good spirits, will he win the title? Who knows? He set himself a goal to reach it and he has the will to achieve it.

[Otomo Nobuko]

Name: Otomo Nobuko
Age: 17
Height: 5'3" / approx. 160cm
Hair: Black
Eyes: Golden Brown
Build: Thin, but Athletic

Appearance:
Nobuko is on the short side of average height but not to the point of being 'short'. She is pale skinned due to a life maintained primarily indoors and under the constant protection of an umbrella meant to keep her fair skin from an unsightly burning. Her hands are clean and nails neatly trimmed as appropriate for a young lady who has learned to play a stringed instrument. There are no callouses, however, as the Koto does not require her fingers to touch the strings directly and she keeps her hands protected by gloves when riding. She keeps her hair pulled back in a loose maiden's tail and dresses appropriately for her station, make up slightly more prominent than usual for a woman not yet in the thick of court.

Demeanor:
She is quiet and courteous, with a reserved quality to all of her public interactions, and generally can always be found with a kind and happy smile on her face. She maintains a serenity and understanding about her that comes as naturally as breathing, as if very content with life and her place in the universe. And there is something else as well, an air about her, that most cannot quite put a name to, but most often is described as her having a 'beautiful soul' when others try to describe it at all.

Schooling:
Nobuko also trained with the Kakita at the Swordsmith school and has a higher likelihood of being known by members of that clan than anyone else outside of her immediate family within the Otomo.

Between Then and Now 1122-1123:
She successfully completed her schooling at the Kakita Academy and underwent a private Gempukku before being allowed time to travel between then and the Topaz Championship. She first returned home to Otasan Uchi, where she spent time in the Imperial Court catching up with old friends and family, comporting herself with utter elegance. She then set out to visit the Mantis Lands, accepting Kokyou's invitation to sail to the islands, and the edge of the Unicorn Lands at Gathering Winds Castle to meet with her future clan and better understand the expectations they had of her both for the wedding and her life among them. After several months away, she returned to Otasan Uchi to ready herself for the Topaz Championship and her public Gempukku.

During this, she kept up with some of her fellow students from the Ruby Champion's dojo. Kakita Kenji, Bayushi Jiro, and (of course!) Moto Ichiro were the ones she ended up writing the most, though she did attempt to maintain correspondence with several others she thought well of. Utaku Nesrin, Myia Wyn, and a very lucky Silver Raven, among them. Kenji - and Kakita Kazuko, though she had never quite connected with the girl as she had Kenji - were the easiest since she attended the Academy with them, albeit on the Artisan side of compound.

She has no eyes on winning the Topaz Championship, but does wish to honor her teachers and family by putting in a good showing. She also looks forward to finally being able to reveal her adult name.

[Bayushi Kaidan]

Name: Bayushi Kaidan
Age: 15
Hair: ??
Eyes: Bluish grey
Height: 5'7"
Built: Androgynous

Kaidan in the down time trained in various thing following his school. Only those close to him can understand him. He is a quiet boy who may surprise those around him. The young bushi had grown a bit callous and will only go out for those he cares about.

For odd reasons people might see a random samurai appear out of nowhere that probably is Kaidan lost looking for his cousin.

hooks: Shruggs
He trained in Shinden Asahina with his grandparents.
Like arts specially origami.
Dress up you might never know who he is.

[Moto Ichiro]

Name: Moto Ichiro
Age: 15
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Brown
Height: 6'1"
Built: Highly muscular and athletic

Many remember Ichiro from Hirosoka to be a large gruff Unicorn who was slow to make friends and rather quiet. That much has not changed however puberty seemed to hit the Unicorn boy like a truck in the time before the Topaz. He grew another three inches, making him a mountain of a man, his skin darkened from many hours outside training and riding and he now sports a full beard and has grown his hair out into long braids. He still may even have a little growing to do yet.

In his time since the training camp Ichiro has continued to study the art of wrestling and getting stronger, faster, and more capable. He has no question he will pass the gempukku challenge of the Topaz Championship and emerge as a full samurai ready to serve his clan.

[Kuni Yotsuo]

Name: Kuni Yotsuo
Age: 15
Hair: Black
Eyes: Amber with flecks of Jade
Height: 5'2"
Build: Wiry

Yotsuo has developed physically quite significantly from a year earlier. His voice is a bit lower but cracks from time to time, he stands a good 4 inches taller, maybe more, and he no longer has that thin androgynous body type typical of a child, looking far more like his sex would imply. While it's clear that he's never going to be a huge mountain of a Crab, he seems to be hitting a late, but severe growth spurt. His muscles have firmed up and along with the blessing of the Oracle of earth, they have become more tough than strong. His recent training has left him with a warrior's definition, but his eyes, mind and manner clearly mark him as not devoted to the sword. He now carries himself with a quiet and reserved intensity that suggests he is always prepared for danger, his curious nature now hidden beneath a much stronger On.

The three earrings he wears, he says, represent the three spirit realms he enjoys walking the most: Yume-do, Chikushudo, and Sakkaku. Not surprising for one of his age as they have the most fantastic sights that play into the imagination of youth. He wears a distinctive face paint pattern and a more pleasant expression than most of his kin. But some things are just not able to be avoided. He has an incessant need to participate in spiritual purification and if he goes more than one or two days without it he becomes just as cranky as any other Kuni might be considered. He also now wears a much finer set of clothing, well tailored comfortable, and sturdy. They are robes that indicate his position as a Kuni Warden, but also have a stately diplomatic appearance.

[Kaiu Aiichiro]

Name: Kaiu Aiichiro
Age: 15
Hair: Black
Eyes: Black
Height: 5'7"
Build: Athletic.

Aiichiro did not change dramactically, but overall looks improved. The thing with wasting two months away when you are six months to your engineering gempukku is that he had to rush education material of six months in three. Kaiu education material. Not even being allowed to carry any material pertaining to the Kaiu outside the Crab lands due to family secrecy, and not given that much resources by his lord, not even a book for passing time, Aiichiro is understandably stressed and only replied letters sent to him with half the length of the message he received.

At least his gempukku project was considered barely acceptable, so regardless of the result on the championship he will fare well. Still, he knows he missed training and is trying to recover. He tries to somehow study on his own offscreen on all not-played free timeslots — mostly drafts, sometimes treadmills or sparring — only sometimes remembering to pray as he did before. He gave more attention to physical and combat training as well. His on improved, although is by no means impassible, as he tries to show himself being some sort of stoic — basically, at least this time he is trying although failing.

The boy also grew athletic as part of the increased bushi training and taller although not bulky as the stereotype Crab bushi. Aiichiro too got more orderly as part of the soldier-on-the-wall discipline training. But it also means somewhat more paranoid, always carrying some sort of weapon and a jade finger around. After a tainted Zokujin invasion, no one is convincing him anywhere is safe. Basically, he is trying to look like someone people would look up to.

As part of the nikutaing, he also got a personal mon. And this is the zoomed in picture. The hair isn't that good-looking but not bad-looking either now. He still talks a lot about the Shadowlands.

[Asako Saburo]

Name: Asako Saburo
Age: 16 (Turns 17 Month of Horse)
Gender: Male
Height: 5'6”
Build: Thin but Athletic
Hair: Black
Eyes: Golden Amber
Complexion: Lightly Tanned
Appearance:
Saburo is a thin young man, who does not look to be in the best of health. Heavy physical exertion takes its tole on him, and he still appears to be in slightly less than outstanding health. However, those who have known him will notice that his body has filled out and he has finally had something of a growth spurt. His eyes remain yellow in color but there is no longer a jaundiced air to them. He is, however, still a walking ball of smoldering energy. Almost fastidiously, obsessively clean, he can be seen taking small efforts at nearly every occasion to keep himself clean and his surroundings neat at all times, and has a way of freaking out when things become filthy. His intense stares have not gone away and seem to almost bore with golden intensity not into one's eyes but through them.

He can hardly be called a pleasant person by most, given that he is always so damned 'intense' about many things, while at the same time never seeming to be actually competitive about it. However, he has collected his thoughts since his days in the Ruby Champion's dojo and carries himself with a sort of calm poise. His voice is smoother than it used to be in his youth and carries a kind of distant air to it. He always seems to have trouble focusing on things that he does not consider especially important to his current concerns, and people have been known to call him aloof.

Hooks:
- Rumors abounded when Saburo departed the Ruby Champion's lessons prematurely, missing graduation. Having been taken as a personal prodige in the last year by Asako Himeya, it is widely rumored that he is an Ishiken, a void shugenja.
- A few rumors have surfaced that he is now engaged, or in the early stages of betrothal. If one looks into it, apparently nakodo are working to finalize a match between he and the Falcon Clan. It's caused a few whispered comments, given that there was a falcon at the Ruby Champion's Dojo last year.
- Rumors continue to follow Saburo over his ill health. While long out of the woods and certain of his graduation and service, it is a known fact that he is not a healthy man compared to many, and people have begun to whisper that something supernatural may be at work.
- To offset certain, more unsavory rumors, Saburo wears jade openly, a small netsuke fashioned for him in his homeland. An assurance that, if indeed he suffers a spiritual malady, it is not associated with the taint.
- ... he still does that dojo cleaning thing with the cloth runner every fucking morning. It's weird.

[Ikoma Eichiro]

Name: Ikoma Eichiro
Age: 15
Gender: Male
Height: 5'5”
Build: Muscular, but not overly large.
Hair: Black
Eyes: Dark Brown with a tinge of copper in the left eye.

Appearance:
Eichiro is a boisterous young man in the Ikoma family manner. First to speak, first to drink, first to laugh and first to fight. His clothes seem to be a bit big on him, being baggy in a few places. He does not have the full samurai topknot yet, but does wear his hair in a manner that would suggest that he is ready to assume it when the time comes. He keeps his face cleanshaven, perhaps hiding the fact that his facial hair hasn't quite grown in yet. He has a ready smile that reaches his eyes and he occasionally scratches his eyebrow while making conversation.

His build is hidden underneath his clothing for the most part, but his hands aren't delicate like most courtiers throughout the empire. He holds himself with confidence, and seems to have already decided that he will do well at the Topaz Championship.

Hooks:
-- He will often put some sort of hot spice in his food, and the smell can be somewhat intense.
-- He is often seen with his brother, Ikoma Nijiro and often looks lost without his younger twin.
-- Rumor says that his family is somewhat wealthy, making him a Scion of a village governorship.

[Zashi]

Name: Kitsune Zashi
Age: 15
Hair: Red
Eyes: Grey
Height: 4'10
Build: Petite

Appearance
Zashi stands out with bright red hair and grey eyes that have been attributed to being part of the secretive Fox Clan that inhabits Kitsune Mori. For those who met him a year ago at the dojo in Hirosaka, the intervening year has made Zashi leaner, and a little taller (though still tiny by any objective standard), giving him a slightly more predatory nature, coupled with an intensity that was lacking last time.

Background
Zashi comes from the secretive village in Kitsune Mori, gifted with the ability to speak to kami as a shugenja. Starting the schooling near the top of the pack, he pushed more on other interests, exploring the village nearby, an incursion of bakeneko and most importantly, discovering Doji Sakura. Sakura was an extremely talented artisan, whose accomplishments unfortunately were not recognized by the dojo's system. Zashi was an ardent fan of her work, and found himself comforting the girl. Before he knew it, the two were fast friends, and then something more. The two began a romantic relationship, and Zashi professed a desire to win over her parents and win her hand in marriage.

This bliss came at a cost: Zashi slipped out of the top of the rankings. Frustrated, but happy at what he found, he joined Sakura in returning home to Crane lands, making repeated official visits to her parents to court her (and many more unofficial ones that they didn't know about). He was persistent, winning them over, especially with his commitment to preparing for the Topaz Championship, hoping to win fame for placing well, or even winning.

Zashi has been rather tightlipped about precisely how he trained, but it appears that he has picked up a number of lessons from the Kakita Academy...which is funny, because no one has any recollection of him attending. Nonetheless, he is eager to show off and go all the way.

Hooks
-Sorry ladies (and gents), he's engaged to a Doji
-Eager to win
-Always eager for an adventure, especially if there is some fame in it for him
-Knack with animals