The New Winds

Crab Clan
-Yasuki Ginkarasu
-Kaiu Aiichiro
-Kuni Yotsuo
-Yasuki Rini DROPPED OUT

Crane Clan
-Doji Sakura
-Doji Chizue DROPPED OUT
-Kakita Kenji
-Kakita Kozuko
-Asahina Mari

Dragon Clan
-Kitsuki Kiori DROPPED OUT
-Togashi Minashingo DROPPED OUT
-Togashi Dao
-Mirumoto Kokoro DROPPED OUT
-Kitsuki Shara DROPPED OUT
-Mirumoto Masuyo DROPPED OUT

Lion Clan
-Ikoma Shizuru DROPPED OUT
-Ikoma Mikazuki DROPPED OUT
-Kitsu Akio DROPPED OUT
-Akodo Yui DROPPED OUT
-Matsu Qiang

Phoenix Clan
-Asako Sanzo
-Isawa Tanshin
-Kaito Haruki
-Kaito Kai
-Asako Saburo

Scorpion Clan
-Bayushi Jiro
-Bayushi Kaidan
-Soshi Shiso
-Yogo Otoko

Unicorn Clan
-Utaku Nesrin
-Moto Ichiro
-Iuchi Prashant
-Utaku Ichiro

Minor Clans
-Kitsune Setsuna (1 of 2 Kitsune allowed)
-Kokyou (Mantis)
-Mai (Mantis)
-Zashi (2 of 2 Kitsune allowed)
-Toritaka Sasaiko (Falcon)

Imperial Families
-Seppun Suzuran DROPPED OUT
-Miya Wyn
-Otomo Nobuko

Name: Yasuki Ginkarasu (Silver Raven)
Age: 14
Hair: Black
Eyes: Deep brown
Height: 5'3"
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 Ruby Dojo! 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.

Name: Bayushi Jiro
Age: 15
Hair: Black
Eyes: Brown
Height: 5'6
Build: Slender

Right now, Bayushi Jiro is the second son of someone important. Later in life, he'll be the younger twin of someone important. But where Ichiro is all flashy swordplay, athleticism, and unbridled ambition, Jiro is contemplative, patient, and eager to be of service. Clearly, the household of Lord Bayushi's karo is well-balanced in the coming generation. As a high-born twin, even a relatively useless spare brother is highly prized, so no expense has been spared on Jiro's education. He means to deploy it, and his many talents, to the best effect for the Scorpion clan and for Ichiro. That's what his father would want, after all.

Name: Togashi Minashigo
Age: 14
Hair: Black
Eyes: Grey
Height: 5'2"
Build: Lean, Athletic

Raised by the monks of the Togashi family, Minashigo is a young man with little to hide and even less inclination to try. Lean of build and androgynous Mina, as the few people he is closed to call him, tends not to stand out too much and doesn't bear any visible tattoos that are so common amongst many of his family. He gives off the impression of an honest young man who wants nothing more than to live up to name and take his place amongst the sword masters of the Dragon to better defend not just the physical lands and people of his home, but also their spirits.

VITALS

• NAME
  Kitsune no Byako Setsuna | 刹那 - Setsuna - "Moment"
  
• CLAN
  Fox
  
• SCHOOL
  Shugenja
  
• AGE
  Fifteen
  
• HAIR
  Argent Silver
  
• EYES
  incarnadine Red
  
• HEIGHT
  One Hundred Sixty Two Centimetres
  
• BUILD
  Slim
  

  BIOGRAPHY

  
  Hailing from the deepest darkest parts of the Kitsune Mori is Kitsune Setsuna, a member of the tiny Byako vassal family of the Kitsune. Who he is, what he's made of is unsure but he is almost definitely the most stereotypical Fox that one has ever set their eyes on, being attuned with nature, very spiritual, playful and curious. His father was a former Crane jizamurai who was sent as an Emissary to the Fox during the Battle of Kyuden Kitsune. He proved to be a very valiant defender and eventually married into the clan to quiet woman who he often spent much time with, walking through the forest and discussing everything under the moon and stars. They were married some years after the conflict and settled in a small village where the woman had grown up. A couple months before Setsuna and Satsuki, his twin sister, were born, bandits stumbled upon the village. While their father fought them off as valiantly as he could, at some point before the fighting ended he vanished into thin air. His quiet wife searched for many days until she could not walk, but he was never seen again.
  
  As for the children, they grew up strong and happy, always venturing into the forest to play. It was discovered that the two could speak to the kami at the same time, as they were engaging the earth and air kami in conversation about the ground and sky. Their mother was gifted, and taught them as her dutiful disciples until they became nearly of age. When they were on the cusp of their gempukku, they received a letter from the Ruby Champion. But the Byako never leave their forest, and thus declined; another member of the Kitsune family would be sent instead.
  
  But Setsuna was interested. He took the letter and in the night began to make the long, long trek from his home to Otosan Uchi, and from there the village where they'd become trained. That is where we are today, on the road... As for his eyes and hair? Supposedly just a curse, or a touch of the void, but most likely just inherited from his father.
  

  Non-Essentials

  
  THEME SONG - Island Song - Adventure Time

Name: Doji Sakura
Gender: Female
Clan: Crane
Age: 13
Height: 4’7
Build: Lithe
Hair colour: White
Eye colour: Blue

Doji Sakura is the only child of an odd union between a Doji (Doji Miyuki) and a Hiruma (Hiruma Zao). The two had met during a Crab winter court, and got along well, the clans deciding that the marriage might help improve relations. Sakura has taken on traits from both; however, many would say she got the best of her mother and the worst of her father. She loves the arts, her natural singing skills as well as her talent at the forge showing that her parents were right to have her sent to study with the Kakita artisans.

From her father though, there are hints of a rebellious nature. She is a risk taker and loves the challenge of trying to sneak around or climb things that shouldn’t be climbed. She also sometimes uses some of the Crab lingo that her father has taught her.

Sakura is an average sized Crane girl for her age, with medium length white hair and lovely blue eyes. She has a soft voice, and an eager interest in the arts. She often won’t say no to a challenge either, especially if there’s a risk involved. This mix made her a perfect candidate for the experiment.

Name: Ikoma Shizuru
Age: 14
Hair: Black
Eyes: Brown
Height: 5'3"
Build: Svelte

Shizuru is the only child of two proud Lion, Ikoma Hidetsugu and Kitsu Sayuri. The two were veteran soldiers and fought in various campaigns against the Crane over the city of Toshi Ranbo. When they were granted leave to retire by their lord, the two married and settled in Kyūden Ikoma. Shizuru was born in the spring of 1108. She displayed courtly talents at a young age and was sent to study under the well-respected diplomat Ikoma Kensuke. Where most Lion are warriors, she is a gentle soul, eschewing violence in favor of diplomacy.

Though Shizuru is tall for her age, her stature is unimposing. Her facial features are sharp and androgynous. Long, black hair frames her face and falls to her lower back. She always wears a golden ribbon in it, tying braided strands away from her face. Her voice is husky-yet-feminine and she speaks with an aristocratic refinement, typical of a courtier in training.

Name: Kaiu Aiichiro (loved first son)
Age: 14
Hair: Black
Eyes: Black
Height: 5'4"
Build: Somewhat athletic.

The Kaiu are the little exceptions of the Crab, and it is reflected too in Aiichiro's behavior and appearance. Surprisingly unrough for the clan standard even for children, the boy keeps his long black hair reunited under a band instead of letting it wild and loose like the Hida are famous for.
Aiichiro favors long-time planning and practice like many Kaiu, and this quiet way to deal with plannings reflects a quiet way to deal with people . He is better-versed in the way of the words than most would imagine, listening to everyone's input on a discussion - not that it means that he considers every input - before speaking forth his own conclusion.

Anime version (if you are into it, since a lot of people here are using anime pics): https://imgur.com/a/l7olOgW

Name: Kitsuki Kimoi (キモい meaning Disgusting)
Age: 14
Hair: Light brown
Eyes: Green
Height: 5'0
Build: Bit underweight

Fluffy Stuff
Kitsuki Kimoi is a young teenager that is very much an outlier in a clan of outliers. Unlike most people, she doesn't seem to be capable of understanding social protocol in an instinctive sense like most others. Sure, she can understand the technical parts of etiquette like went to bow, what honorifics to use, what's not supposed to be spoken about, but she can't 'feel' a room, understand jokes, or things of that nature. This isn't to say she's a bad courtier. She is a rather good one for her age, but she runs on logic and evidence which is something that's not usually cared for. However, her attentiveness and piercing perception has led her to be a rising star when it comes to finding that evidence that so many don't care about.

Another thing that causes her to be an outcast in many groups is that she doesn't seem to often show emotion. The investigator only ever speaks in a boring monotone voice and is like a wall when it comes to conversation. Whatever light fills the eyes of others is absent in hers. The last thing that sets her apart is her attitude when it comes to honor. Often times, she's worse than a Lion when it comes to being honorable and thus irritates those who have a more relaxed view on the code.

Over all, Kimoi is the hall monitor from jigoku.

Appearance
The first thing many notice about Kimoi is the fact she's highly androgynous. What sleek and feminine features that some already have are absent in her face, which isn't as angular as some. Her clothes are generally what men wear, consisting of a haori, kosode, hakama, and obi tied in kai-no-kuchi musubi. Oddly, she also constantly wears gloves. The light brown hair she has is always cut short, right to the bottom of her ears and pushed back behind them. Her voice is also rather indistinctive, making it difficult to tell. Often times she's called boy, but doesn't seem to care one way or the other.

The second thing many notice, if not the first, is the fact that the left side of her neck is covered in a vicious burn scar that travels underneath her collar. If she takes off her gloves, her left hand is completely covered in these scars and it's obviously difficult for her to use it at times, like when the mass of scar tissue is stiff, which it usually always is.

Name: Seppun Suzuran (lily-of-the-valley)
Age: 15
Hair: brown
Eyes: golden
Height:5'6" / 1.65m
Build: stolid but graceful
Distinguishing Features: Scar on the inside of her left elbow, always wears hair in front tails on either side of her face, golden eyes from some past ancestry, sharp nosed

Description/Background:
Tall for her age, with sharp regal features, Seppun Suzuran is every inch the Imperial that she attempts to project. Confident, opinionated, and outspoken, she holds strong views of honor and proper adherence to Bushido that she does not let up on, even for herself.

Truthfully, her father tried to raise her as more of a princess than she ended up. Born to a Seppun Miharu and a former Ikoma, her mother was most often busy, being the a guardian of the Imperial Palace in the capital allowing her precious little time. That meant her father had more of a hand in her raising. The former Lion attempted to lavish her with stories and possessions and attention, since he had married into privilege and wealth... but it became apparent to him that she seemed to take after her distant mother more than him, idolizing her and her family, where as he'd gotten a more pragmatic view of things in his time training with the Lion's Shadow.

Now a teenager, Suzuran has only grown more stubborn in her rejection of being a princess; A tomboy who shuns material possessions and who values the Tao and Leadership over pillowbooks (unlike many of her teenage peers), she strives harder than ever to fill her mother's honorable shadow.

Name: Ikoma Mikazuki
Age: 15
Hair: Black
Eyes: Brown
Height: 5'0"
Build: Average

Ikoma Mikazuki was born in Kyuden Ikoma to a bard and bushi, Ikoma Saburo and Misumi respectively. Her mother was an Akodo commander that aided in the ongoing dispute over Toshi Ranbo, and her father a chronicler of the great tales that would be told of such exploits. Taking after her mother, Mikazuki was sent to the Akodo bushi school as soon as she was of age, a fiery and martial child.

While not necessarily built for war, the little bushi makes up for it in confidence (albeit, sometimes misplaced confidence) and ferocity. Though she is quiet at times, she can be outspoken when required of her, and the young warrior is known to never withstand an insult to her honor, family, or clan, even to a fault. She speaks in a tomboyish voice, not overly deep yet moreso than average for a girl. She most often wears black with yellow-gold linings, and favors a basic kimono with no advanced designs or patterns.

Name: Kitsu Akio
Age: 13
Hair: Blonde
Eyes: Gold
Height: 5'2"
Build: Thin

Akio is the oldest of three children, born of a loveless marriage between one Akodo Aoi and Kitsu Ichirou arranged to quickly settle an insignificant intra-clan dispute. As his latent potential to commune with kami through the elements manifested, his father - a Kitsu shugenja - swiftly made arrangements to have Akio study at the same dojo he had - located at the ancestral resting place of the Kitsu's greatest heroes. The boy was permitted to study there, and left for the Kaeru province as soon as he came of age - being ordered to depart the very morning of the Festival of New Year's Day.

At first glance, the most striking feature of Akio's is his eyes - a bold, lustrous gold that would make any Kitsu proud. He does his best to maintain a small, wispy smile for approachability's sake, and though his knowledge in matters of Rokugani etiquette is somewhat lacking, he makes a sincere effort to keep a polite and courteous tone. Still, despite his shortcomings, he's as much a Lion as any of his clansmen - manifesting not in martial prowess nor ferocity, but in unfaltering faith and zealous veneration of his Clan's ancestors.

Age: 14
Hair: Long, Black
Eyes: Brown
Height: 5’1”
Build: Average
Sanzo is the thirdborn son of four children. His two older brothers show promise in the courts of the Phoenix as Loremasters, whereas his younger sister is training as a shugenja. His father showed great relief when Sanzo showed an aptitude for the blade; he did not want to live in a household of courtiers and shugenja as the sole bushi! Still, sanzo never really possessed a fiery nature, instead showing a great interest more courtly matters, such as art or conversation.

His training so far has instilled within him a strong sense of honor and righteousness. This is contrasted by his generally serene and jovial nature. When he isn’t practicing, he can often be found painting, enjoying a walk, meditating, or praying.

Name: Togashi Dao
Age: 13
Hair: Black curls
Eyes: Brown
Height:5'2"
Build: Slightly overweight
Distinguishing Features: Numerous poorly healed puncture scars across his back and shoulders

Description/Background:
Dao does not look like a typical samurai child. He is smaller than most, in height at least, as if he grew up without enough nutrients to reach his full development, though his girth shows that he has been making up for lost time in this area.

There's a roughness to his character that he will freely admit comes from being born a heimin, until he was called to the High House of Light a few years ago. The specifics of such a calling, he insists are between himself and his new Order however, and refuses to expound upon them.

Dao is always up for mischief and games, especially if there's a hint of danger. Or Go. He likes go, but his set only has 3 stones.

He doesn't know why he was chosen for this honor, truth be told he had shown little aptitude in his studies so far aside from the physical. Rough around the edges, Dao wonders if he will live up to the expectations of this dojo, but is interested to see how it all plays out.

Name: Kakita Kenji
Age: 15
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Brown
Height: 164 / 5'4"
Build: Average

Description/Background:

Kakita Kenji is the second and only son in his family. His brother died in a duel when Kenji was 5 years old. Since then his parents have made it a habit to remind him how much better his older brother was in everything. Kenji has a heavy burden to carry and the lack of support from his parents does not make things easier, but he is blessed with two older sisters who are very protective of him. No matter how much his parents pull him down, he can count on them to help and pull him up.

Kenji is rather a quiet boy who likes to read in his spare time and meet his sisters when they are not on duty. At these meetings they often play Go or sing together, or they teach him correct (and contemporary) etiquette.

He hopes to finally achieve something in Hirusaka that makes his parents proud.

Name: Mirumoto Masuyo
Age: 15
Hair: Dark Brown
Eyes: Brown
Height: 5'0"
Build: Lithe

Born to the Mirumoto family, Masuyo heard the calling of the monastery at age 8. Not long after she snuck out one night and managed the journey on her own as all dragon monks do.

Mischievous and athletic, Masuyo struggles with some of the more focused lessons of the monastery. However, she does her best and all skills are respected by the Togashi as paths towards enlightenment.


Hooks:
Are you a Dragon? Her father was Kitsuki and her mother Mirumoto.
Are you a Togashi monk? You know of her antics in the monastery, especially that time she broke the limb of sensei's favorite peach tree, or how she climbed the dojo roof to escape sweeping the floor, etc.
Like Tattoos? She has one of a Carp on her back with a water pattern going up her spine. It appears unfinished and unbalanced but quite beautiful.

Name: Kitsuki Shara
Age: 14
Hair: Dark Brown
Eyes: Dark Brown
Height: 5'0
Build: Skinny, Gangly.

Shara is everyone's third best friend. She's not your best friend, obviously, not enough passion and she'd never cover for you over something serious. And she's not your second best friend, Shara's no good at outdoorsy stuff and she's always sniffling. But as a third best friend? As a reliable and nigh unflappable presence? That she can do.

Born into a family of lower ranking Kitsuki magistrate Shara astounded (and then worried the hell out of) her mother by refusing to cry over pretty much anything. Hungry? Patient baby eyes. Sleepy? More patient baby eyes. It was more than a little unnerving and it took an examination by Fortunist monks to declare the baby was actually blessed....sort of, the baby was fine, just be glad you can sleep at night.

Maybe the young Shara should have cried more as a child because she grew up to be a sickly young Dragon, one wholly unsuited to serve as a bushi. The Togashi family in their wisdom (and perhaps acting on the earlier monk's findings) agreed, the young Kitsuki would not be trained as a bushi....or indeed as a magistrate, no, she would join them the High House of Light. Naturally this involved a near fatal pilgrimage with a starving and freezing Shara collapsing at the castle's gates. When asked, Shara describes that journey as "not bad, but I'll be more careful around bears in the future", it's unclear if she's joking.

Since then she has proven a capable if not exceptional student. She's not sure she was selected for a journey to the south and 'experimental' schooling, but it doesn't bother her. Nothing really seems to bother her for long, it's weird.

Hooks

• Do you have secrets? Don't tell Shara, the girl is painfully honest.
• Are you a bit of a nerd? Shara is a bit of a nerd...not a good nerd, but an enthusiastic one.
• Do you think swords are cool? Shara thinks they're cool. If only the prospect of being in an actual fight wouldn't result in her dying immediately.

Name: Isawa Tanshin
Age: 15
Hair: Black
Eyes: Brown
Height: 5'1"
Build: Slight, but strong.

Tanshin has a rather strong build with large, rough hands. It seems a bit odd for a person who comes from the Isawa, let alone one who entreats with kami. He speaks sparingly and occasionally mis-pronounces words and slips between high-language and low-language.

When given free time, he seems to seek out the company of bonge, where he tends to their minor physical ills, and aids them in some of their physical tasks.

Name: Kaito Haruki
Age: 13
Hair: White
Eyes: Dark blue
Height: 5'4"
Build: Buff and lean

Haruki ,despite being clearly in shape, does not have callouses. He walks with his shoulders held high, but he always seems to be contemplating something. If you need anything from him, just ask and he'll do what he can, after all that's what a samurai is supposed to do. His angular eyes indicate that is always focused, it almost makes you forget that he's sizing up the competition with every glance he takes.

Edit: Here's part 1 image inspiration: https://www.animecharactersdatabase.com ... ?id=100747

Name: Akodo Yui
Age: 14
Hair: Blonde
Eyes: Golden
Height: 4'9"
Build: Tomboyish

Yui is a member of a prominent branch of the Akodo with many siblings and cousins gracing the family dojo. Her uncle works directly under the Clan Champion, and wields substantial influence. Most people don't know how manipulative and selfish her family really is, most members thinking nothing of getting ahead in life by climbing over their own sons, daughters, and siblings. Growing up in that environment has made Yui more attuned to such behavior than someone of her age should be; and she rejects it thoroughly. While she may be known by other Lion as independently minded beyond what's considered appropriate, she also believes that service to the Clan's ideals is far superior than following in her immediate family's footsteps.