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[thatkid]

Amid a flurry of cherry blossoms, a famed bushi and a wandering ronin assess each other's skills, each waiting for their time to strike.

Far below their feet, inside a subway car two courtiers discuss the going-ons in the Shogunate. One is unaware of the poison the other has slipped into his drink.

On the derelict tracks beside which their train runs, the disgraced samurai of a dying clan, on a quest to retrieve an ancestral heirloom, fends off the attacks of far less honorable opponents.

Welcome to Nihon Nights, a game set in an alternate and anachronistic reality resembling both the beginning of Japan's Edo period as well as the present day. In this game you may take on the role of a wandering samurai, a plotting courtier, a taoist monk, or any other role which you can imagine.

Your lovely GMs for this adventure are as follows:
-Thatkid (Head GM)
-Filiusenox (Co-GM)
-??? (Would you like to volunteer? Contact thatkid!)
As there are two GMs (with a maybe eventual third) we GMs will be playing alongside you (constructing plotlines and making rolls for each other). This was a rather difficult decision for me, as while I'm confident in my abilities to remain an impartial referee the fact still remains that others may not be. However, I only came up with this concept because I wanted to play it, so if you enjoy the game please thank Filius for agreeing to Co-GM: It wouldn't exist without him.

You can find the OOC thread here.


The beginning of the game takes place on an island roughly the size of real-world Japan's Hokkaido, itself part of a larger island chain roughly the size of real world japan. The technology level varies wildly: Cars and guns do not exist. Electricity runs through many buildings, though it is just as common to find a tavern or inn lit only by torch and lamp. Samurai clash beneath the neon lights of gambling dens and whilst dodging trains in the subway just as often as they duel beside bubbling streams and upon forlorn mountain paths.

Every character will begin in the village of Sumeru. At a cross-roads of sorts, though nevertheless still somewhat out of the way, Sumeru is a prime example of the anachronistic technology found in the world. Train tracks run through the center of the town, past fields of rice and an ancient temple. Sumeru is presently under the jurisdiction of a Daimyo of the Ryoshun Clan. Travelers come here from all over, and why you, specifically, have found your way to this place, whether as part of a journey or as the destination, is up to you.

Please Note: Starting May 25, 2012 6PM EST, new characters may start in any village/town/city/etc. which has recently been visited by another character in game. Please see the OP of the OOC thread for a list.

Much of the world has been left undefined, and so I will not be making any real attempt to fill you in on the flavor: As a player, you will be working alongside the GMs to do that.

Know this much: A civil war is beginning to wind down in the island nation of Nihon, the clear winner (at this point) being the Ryoshun Shogunate which has reunified many of the clans which populate the chain, often by force, much as they did about 200 years prior. As the civil war enters its 35th year, most of the fighting now takes place on some of the smaller islands and near the more remote coasts. The clans of the chain, both involved in the war and not, are innumerable, and within each could be any number of noble families, and associated schools and temples from which your character might have learned their skills.
Save for the few clans, families, temples, places, etc. that the GMs devise, the lore of this world will primarily be constructed by the players (though GMs maintain final say). This world will be what you make of it.

[thatkid]

On Character Creation:

Spoiler: Character Application Sheet (click to show/hide)

Player Name: Your username, please.
Character Name: Your character's name.
Profession: Please choose the closest approximation to your character's profession- Bushi/Samurai/Ronin, Courtier/Scholar, Monk, Spy/Ninja.
Clan: Please name your clan here. Just the name. You should further describe the clan with another app, if it's new.
Family: If you are part of a noble family within that clan, please name it here. You should further describe the family with another app, if it's new.
School: What school or temple were you taught at? Please name it here. If you weren't simply put down “N/A”. You should further describe the school/temple with another app, if it's new.
Physical Description: A paragraph or so describing your character physically. How old do they appear? How old are they really? Are there any distinguishing markings or features such as scars, birth marks, or something more mundane like hair styling? Are they muscular or weak? Fat, skinny, or health? Ill?
Personality: A paragraph or so describing how you expect to roleplay the character. Are they hot-headed, or cool and collected? Callous or caring? Naive or world-weary? Likes and dislikes? Honorable? Are they a criminal? This need not be definitive, if in the course of play you find that you have completely contradicted yourself here that's perfectly fine.
Skills: A paragraph or so describing what your characters skills and talents are. Have they been trained for quick-draw duels? Horse riding and commanding troops? Are they a skilled orator, or a brutish thug who favors intimidation tactics? If they frequently fight, what sort of fighting style do they use? How did they gain these skills? Were they instructed, are the skills innate, or are they self-taught?
Biography: Two or more paragraphs describing your character's life prior to the game's beginning. What sort of immediate family do they have? Where did they grow up? What sort of friends did they have? What do they want in life? Why have they arrived in Sumeru?
Goals: What does your character want in life? What are their goals? This may be as simple as “To test their skills against the best swordsmen they can find.” Or it may be several paragraphs describing complex motivations and aspirations political or otherwise.

Spoiler: Family and Clan Creation Sheet (click to show/hide)

Name: The name of the family or clan.
Clan: This is only necessary for family applications: What clan are they part of?
Description: A one to three paragraph description of the family/clan and it's politics. This will be provided later in the thread so new players may get a quick idea of the family. If you want to go further in depth, simply add the information elsewhere.

Spoiler: School Creation Sheet (click to show/hide)

Name: The name of the school or temple.
Specialty: What is the school or temple known for teaching? A certain style of combat? Courtiers? A religion? Ideally, they teach whatever your character is.
Description: A short, one paragraph description of the school, its ideals/philosophy, politics, and members. If you wish to go into further detail, simply append the extra detail after the app- this portion will be used to provide new players a quick glimpse of the school.

We will be using flavor-stripped Legends of the Five Rings rules. If you are familiar with the system, you may also construct your own character sheet. Homerules/bans are listed below. Otherwise, I will create your sheet for you based on the information in your application. If you make your own mechanical character sheet, please send them via PM to thatkid.
Similarly, if you are familiar with the system you may choose to tie your school or family (but not your clan) to L5R schools and families (which I'll be doing anyways when I make your sheet). Short descriptions of player-made families and schools (and related mechanics) will be listed in a later post. More in depth information can be found on the wikia, here.

You need not ask another player for permission to start as part of their family, clan or school. You do need to request permission to be directly related to them in some way (parent, sibling, best friend, mentor, student, etc.).

UPDATE 5/29/12- You may no longer make families for inclusion in the Ryoshun Clan. Sorry, folks.

Spoiler: Home Rules/Bans (click to show/hide)

-Health is based on Earth x3, as opposed to the default x2.
-Starting exp and status (but not glory, honor, etc.) will be based on character applications. The max starting rank is 5, the minimum is -3. Max starting experience is 120, minimum is 40.
-Users of the Multischool Advantage may freely switch between any schools they have when they rank up.
-The Togashi Tattooed Order and ALL Shugenja have been banned. Other schools and things may be banned as we go, but I'll try to work with you.
-With proper plot reasoning, you may learn from a school that is not within your family/clan. Generally this requires an instructor who is willing to risk incurring the wrath of their Clan, and any other story-risks such an affront might incur.
-The Togashi Tattooed Order and ALL Shugenja schools have been banned. You may still take advantages/disadvantages that effect spell casting, you simply won't gain anything from doing so.
-For expediency's sake, when rolling for you the GMs will always assume you keep your best rolls. If for some reason you want to keep lower rolls, please PM the GM before they roll for you.

FAQ

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Q) Why the anachronistic setting?
A) Because of the Rule of Cool, mostly. Also because it means I don't need to worry about historical accuracy, and if I get lazy and decide to stop trying to come up with culturally correct names for NPCs I can just toss out a western name.

Q) Where can I get a copy of the L5R rules?
A) http://bit.ly/J1nhGb

Q) Thatkid: What happened to other game(s) you're supposed to be running?
A) With finals and all that, I wasn't exactly able to spend the time needed updating The Hub. Now that finals are over, I should have enough free time to handle both games. That being said, I'll only be updating The Hub weekly so as to give the players as much time to respond as possible before continuing on without them.
ThatkidQuest(tm) is a suggestion game, so I could care less about it. I imagine eventually I'll try to resurrect it, but then again maybe not.

Q) Will there be large scale warfare?
A) L5R allows for it, so yes. It could be a while before anyone goes beyond small skirmishes, though, depending on how people choose to play and the types of characters app'd.

Q) Is character death permanent?
A) Yes, of course. If you go around challenging everyone you meet to a duel to the death, or blindly charging into battle against multiple opponents with no thought towards tactics you could very well end up dead. Even a courtier might run the risk of being assassinated, and just because you're a monk doesn't mean you might not end up on the wrong side of someone's weapon. PvP should be expected, as well. In essence: Be prepared to die, but don't expect it.

Any other questions that you feel should be added/answered here? Just let me know.

Spoiler: Explanation of Rules and Rolls (click to show/hide)

In the interest of not being sued, I am going to be purposefully vague in some aspects. For this, I apologize.

Rolling

Essentially, the L5R system (which we will be using) makes use of the Roll-and-Keep system as well as two sets of stats: Rings, which each contain 2 attributes, and Skills which are exactly as they sound.
Rolls are annotated as xKy, where the first number is the total dicepool and the second is the number of dice kept from that pool, and then added together to form your result.

All skills are tied to a particular attribute. The first number, x, in a skill roll is decided by the skill rank + the associated attribute. The second number, which is the number of dice kept y, is equal to the trait.

For trait rolls, both x and y are equal to the trait in question.

Contested Rolls are self-explanatory: All characters involved roll, the character with the highest score wins.

You may choose to Raise the difficulty of a particular roll in order to accomplish more difficult goals, such as disarming or tripping an opponent or targeting a specific body part. This raises the difficulty +5 per raise.

All 10s "explode", adding another die to the pool. Except on unskilled skill checks.
There are two types of cooperative rolls: In one, everyone adds their skill bonus to the primary actor's roll total. In the second, the person with the highest skill's skill is added to the total of everyone else's roll.
Cumulative rolls are self-explanatory, and exist.

Combat

In combat, a character may take a certain number of wounds. As they gain more wounds, they begin to progress through a series of states, each with negative modifiers to rolls in order to represent the injuries in question. The levels of each character's wounds are decided by their Earth Ring multiplied by 3. (A character with 2 Earth would be considered "Nicked" at wounds 6, and "Grazed" at wounds 12, for instance)

In a character's turn, they may take one complex action (attack, mount a horse, string a bow) and one free action (draw a small weapon, say =<5 words, etc.)
OR
One free action, and two simple actions (draw a medium/large weapon, move, dismount, guard someone, say =>5 words)

In combat, a character may shift between several stances:
Attack, the standard stance.
Full Attack, which sacrifices defense for better damage in melee.
Defense, which adds the Air Ring to a character's defense but may not attack.
Full Defense, which prevents a character from moving or attacking, but allows them to add the results of a Defense/Reflexes roll to their defensive stat.
And Center, primarily used in iaijutsu which prevents a character from taking any action but provides a bonus, modified by his Void Ring, to one roll on the next round. That same second round, they also gain a one time initiative modifier.

When attacking, a character rolls their weapon skill against a difficulty level decided by the opposing character's Reflexes Trait and Armor. If their skill check beats the difficulty, they hit.
Each weapon has a stat called DR, which essentially reads as 2k3 (a katana). They add their Strength trait to the pool for this stat. The dice kept decide the number of wounds dealt.

For every full night's rest, a character heals twice his stamina plus twice his insight rank. Skills may aid a character in healing faster.

There are specialized rules of Iaijutsu, but I will not go into detail about them here. Know that there are three rounds: Assessment, focus, and strike. One gives you information on your opponent, the other decides who attacks first, and the last is the actual attack.

Currency
1 Koku = 5 Bu
1 Bu = 10 Zeni

For more information on maneuvers, iaijutsu & grappling, skills+ rings + traits, glory/infamy + honor + status, advantages/disadvantages, equipment, and literally anything and anything else, please acquire the rulebook.

Inspirations:
This roleplay's very existence was inspired largely by my watching Samurai Champloo.
Other shows and movies which may have some influence include Samurai Jack, Afro Samurai, and Samurai X/Rurouni Kenshin.
Movies include Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and The Seven Samurai and its many derivatives.

If you want a game with a more Western feel, which pays at least some attention to historical accuracy, you should totally check out You Are King.

[thatkid]

Clans and Families
Ryoshun Shogunate

Spoiler: Ryoshun Clan (click to show/hide)

Many years ago the Daimyo of the Ryoshun Family led his clan, the Sishi, to battle, unifying the many disparate clans of Nihon through physical prowess and social charms. He was subsequently named Shogun by the then-Emperor and in the years to follow his clan would take on his name.

That was quite some time ago, however. The Ryoshun Shogunate is still as well-known for its military might and the stiff and formal manner in which its Samurai conduct themselves. Lesser known is the many dishonorable tactics they are willing to stoop to, in pursuit of maintaining their goals and position.

Families
Ryoshun
Mechanical Effect: +1 Willpower
Comparatively speaking, the Ryoshun are a small family, if famed among even rival clans for their leadership abilities. Stoic and no-nonsense, members of the Ryoshun Clan often take up arms as Bushi, or else act as courtiers, insinuating themselves into the confidence of others and then betraying or aiding those who trust them, a choice as often made by individual members themselves as it is by the Shogun Ryoshun Hiroshi.

Morikano
Mechanical Effect: +1 Intelligence
The Morikano Family is an oddity of sorts in the Ryoshun Shogunate. Relatively influential, they have embraced modernization and technology, and would spread these wonderful inventions - railroad, electricity, steam power - to all of Nihon. Their members are known for their dishonourful tactics and use of strange tools and weapons, to varying effect.

Kitsune
Mechanical Effect: +1 Awareness
Description: The Kitsune family is known as a family of merchants, holding great influence in the newer transportation technologies. However, they also supply many retainers to the Shogunate, which they were recently connected to through marriage, in secret, being a ninja clan that spread into transportation and trade for the opportunities it provided, both monetary and tactical. They supply most of the ninja and other secretive retainers for the shogunate and do good business through trade, especially via the new transportation methods.

Moretsu
Mechanical Effect: +1 Strength
Description: The Morestu family is highly respected, though lacking in influence, due to the fact that it rears many fine samurai and no courtiers. As soon as they are able to grip a sword, Morestu of both genders are sent off to train to become warriors for the shogun. They are virtually unmatched in their bravery, and a group of Morestu are often said to cut through enemy ranks in a manner evocative of a tsunami. The honor of the Morestu family or his lord is traditionally far more important to a Moretsu than his personal honor, so if need be, he will sacrifice himself for the reputation of his family or his daimyo, though the Morestu family usually stand up for their own. The Morestu family motto is "strength through unity", and their battle cry is "We are the ocean's wrath!"

Spoiler: Genki Clan (click to show/hide)

Before the time of the Ryoshun Shogunate there was the Genki Family and they were ruled by a man called 'Minamoto Genki.' The families surrounding his numbered 7 and with a quick wit along with cunning tactics he united the 7 clans under one banner, however Minamoto didn't live very long to see how his clan would turn out. After uniting the 7 clans he was assassinated by several rebels that came from one of the families he had conquered. Luckily there was only one family he had to conquer by force and because of that the rebels were put down, Minamoto was put to rest and his son 'Yamato Genki' soon took over as the leader. However young Yamato lacked his father's persuasion, and when he tried to have 2 other families join his clan they took it as a threat. War broke out and in the end the Genki Clan came out on top. With 10 families united under one banner they settled down in the southern end of the islands.

Even though the old members settled down the newer ones tend not to stay in one place for very long. Many members of the Genki Clan can be found in foreign areas. Foreign names have been introduced to the Clan because of this, such ones include Ted, Eduardo, Rico, Johnny and Sam. Although the Clan is not widely known for fighting prowess many know them because of the Code Of Honor they uphold. Those who are part of the clan and fail to uphold the Code tend to have more honorable members try to hunt them down, however there are scatterings who disgraced the Genki Clan that are unknown to those who hunt people like them down.

Families
Genki
Mechanical Effect: +1 Reflexes
Claiming descent from the legendary samurai Minamoto Genki, the Genki family is best known for its lore masters and roguish merchants. It is a common rite of passage for their young to travel abroad with their sensei before their genpuku ceremony, and of all the Genki Clan, members of the Genki Family are simultaneously the most and least likely to be found away from home.

Akahoshi
Mechanical Effect: +1 Strength
The Akahoshi family is known for being normal, which is to say they aren't known at all. The family is relatively small, many members tend to split up and follow their own path. However the members believe quite highly in honor and brothers have dueled to the death at least three times in the history of the family because one dishonored them. The most notable incident is that of 'Iko Jiroka' who dishonored the family by betraying two of his brothers for wealth. In the end he had fought against his younger brother, elder brother and finally his father where he was finally defeated.

Spoiler: Tōkaku Clan (click to show/hide)

A dangerous name for a dangerous clan- while not quite large or affluent enough to be called a great clan, it is home to shrewd courtiers and powerful samurai, maintains an iron grip over trade routes in it's coastal domain, and, due to the war, now holds another minor clan in vassalage.

Families
Tōkaku
Mechanical Effect: +1 Awareness
The philosophy of the Tōkaku family itself has always been that to best serve Daimyō and Emporer, one must excel in all things- and while they can (usually) keep their greed and ambition in check (or at least to socially acceptable levels), this philosophy has grown to border on perfectionism- any task one man can do, a servant or retainer of the Tōkaku clan is expected to do better, and a member doubly so. As a consequence of this pressure to succeed, whether they choose to generalize or exemplify one particular skill, Tōkaku tend to be proud, skilled, envious, and wary, and failures are quickly ostracized.

Unlike in many clans, the Tōkaku family does not contribute the military bulk of it's clan, despite being at it's head- many under it's patronage become silver-tongued courtiers or merchants, steadily expanding the Clan's influence, and not a few of those who become samurai balance their skill at war with the finer arts.

Contrary to what one might think, however, the Tōkaku are not actually dishonest- while they do not tend to follow the law or uphold the tenets of Bushidō for their own sake, those are the rules and standards by which success are measured, and to cheat would be to undermine Tōkaku's rightful superiority: to succeed dishonorably is no better than to fail.

Yuki
Mechanical Effect: +1 Perception
Situated in the northern Yezo Mountain Ranges and spread throughout some of the smaller northern islands, the Yuki family is known for its genteel and unassuming courtiers and its fierce yet detached warriors, who's style of battle mimics the snow storms with which they so often have to contend. It is of a long standing tradition that the Yuki Daimyo asks as the karo of the Tokaku Daimyo, his cool head working to balance the Tokaku Daimyo's rash actions. It is not uncommon for the children of the Yuki Daimyo to be sent to the same school or temple as the Tokaku Daimyo's, in order to maintain close ties between the families.

Spoiler: Taiyō Clan (click to show/hide)

The Taiyō clan are the family from which the current Imperial line originally descended. While they are biological relatives of the empress, they are legally a separate and distinct family with no more claim to the throne nor divine descent than any other.

Families
Taiyō
Mechanical Effect: +1 Awareness
While they are the original family from which the current Empress' line stems, the Taiyō are not themselves recognized as descendants of the Goddess, Amaterasu. Nevertheless, they choose to honor their ancestors and their origins in both philosophy and in deed.

The sun is the source of light which illuminates the darkness and reveals all things. To lie, or conceal truth is to enshroud it in darkness, thus denying it the divine light of the Goddess. Consequently, the Taiyō believe that truth is the highest virtue, and that to willfully deceive is the reject the divine. Honesty is not considered merely a facet of bushido, but is rather perceived as the most fundamental requirement for enlightenment. For how can one become enlightened if one willfully conceals the light of the Goddess? Just as kami have their place in the heavens, and man have their place on earth, so too do all things in creation have their place. Yet, man is not separate from this world any more than individual grains of sand are separate from the beach. All are one. To conceal truth from another is to conceal the divine light from one's self.

Kage
Mechanical Effect: +1 Agility
Once upon a time, the Kage family were the leaders of the Taiyo clan. That was quite a long time ago, however, and a mix of politics, poor choices in marriage, and disgraceful acts have long since relegated them to a minor position. Having lived in the shadows for years, the Kage family longs to regain their lost honor and retake control of the clan.

Foreigners

Spoiler: Albion (click to show/hide)

A country situated far to the west of Nihon, across an ocean and a perilous continent. As of late, Albion has been setting up embassies and colonies throughout other nearby nations, and has opened trade and contact with the courts of Nihon. Those few Albionese found outside of Nihon's port cities are probably diplomats and their bodyguards.

Families
Baxter
Mechanical Effect: +1 Reflexes
One of the Baron families of the Albion social hierarchy.

Schools and Temples
Samurai Schools

Spoiler: Morikano Bushi (click to show/hide)

Name: The Morikano Bushi School
Specialty: This school teaches members of the Morikano Family, and occasionally simply general members of the Ryoshun Shogunate, the ways of the Samurai.
Related Family/Clan: Morikano/Ryoshun
Description: The Morikano Samurai strives to keep his opponent on his toes, employing a series of cunning, or perhaps simply under-handed, techniques to that end. Those further trained are able to attack with great speed and effect, efficiently crippling their opponents. Combat is not the sole focus of the Morikano School, however, and students are taught a number of skills so as to be effective in their endeavors at court.
Mechanics: Techniques as Buyushi Bushi. +1 Agility, 2.5 Honor.
Skills: Courtier (Manipulation), Defense, Etiquette, Iaijutsu, Kenjutsu, Sincerity, 1Player-Choice.

Spoiler: Moretsu Family Dojo (click to show/hide)

Name: Moretsu Family Dojo
Specialty: The Moretsu Family trains Moretsu to be a fierce fighting force. It's Specialty is the Moretsu Hurricane Charge.
Related Family/Clan: Morestsu/Ryoshun
Description:  On the battlefield, the Morestu Hurricane Charge is a terrifying sight to behold; their slashing blades are swung in perfect synchronization to create a virtual wall of lacerating death rushing towards the enemy. Even a solitary practitioner of this technique is frightening to face, though it loses most of it's defensive qualities, as there are gaps in the "wall" that would normally be covered by the blades of his or her fellows. As such, it won't protect the user, but it can be used to defend allies.

In battle, if a Morestu fighter is attacked and cannot parry the blow, he will move back or out of the way. If he cannot quickly return to his place and this puts the formation in danger of being breached, his fellow Morestu will recede like a wave to present an even front. It is more important to stay together than it is to gain ground apart. Any ground lost in such away can usually be regained anyway once the Morestu can muster their signature charge.

Normally, the Morestu family dojo does not accept non-Morestu, but, if someone proves themselves to be as brave as a Morestu, they can be allowed to train as long as they are made an honorary Morestu. However, this is not a decision to be made lightly, as a Morestu is honor bound to defend his brothers and sisters in reputation and body, and must join the Morestu in battle if his family or daimyo requests it.

The Morestu family dojo has existed for a long time: it is believed to predate the Moretsu family name. It's early practitioners wielded the bō, and for that reason it's use is still part of the training to honor tradition, though nowadays most of the emphasis is put on learning to use the katana, the katana/wakizashi pairing, and the naginata, all of which they actually use on the modern battlefield.
Mechanics: UNDECIDED

Spoiler: The Temple of the Dancing Rabbit (click to show/hide)

Name: The Temple Of The Dancing Rabbit
Specialty: They teach the 'Elegant Hare' fighting style and horseback riding. They teach members of the Genki Clan, however a few members of other clans are known to have studied there.
Related Family/Clan: Akahoshi/Genki
Description: The Temple Of The Dancing Rabbit isn't a widely known school, however the fighting style that originated here is used in many places. Only honorable students who dedicate their life to learn what they teach are allowed. Even those who lack skill are allowed to learn at the Temple Of The Dancing Rabbit, however one must be skilled enough to best their teacher in a sparring session if they want to graduate. They also must defeat 3 other students in several competitions. Horseback race, horseback fighting and a regular duel using the 'Elegant Hare' fighting style. Should a challenger be defeated they are required to wait a year before challenging another student to any of the competitions.
Mechanics: Techniques as Usagi Bushi. +1 Perception, 4.0 Honor.
Skills: Athletics, Defense, Horsemanship, Kenjutsu, Lore: Bushido, Perform (Dance), 1 High-or-Bugei-Skill.

Ronin Schools

Spoiler: Rotasu no jiin: "Lotus Blade Style" (click to show/hide)

Name:  Rōtasu no jiin
Specialty: Bushi. Lotus Blade Style - The Lotus Blade Style is a sword style based on speed, strength is not a necessary part of the Lotus Blade style as it is mean to put your enemies on the defensive, and wound them ever so slowly while leaving its user as protected as possible amidst the flurry strikes this style entails.
Related Family/Clan: None
Description:
A temple, and refuge to those in need Rōtasu no jiin, it is here that ronin are trained in the use of the Lotus Blade Style, and it is here that they face the Trials of the Blade needed to become a true samurai of the Lotus Blade Style. The temple is a large building made up of several dojos, dozens of chapels for prayers, and the numerous visiting Pilgrims that travel the lands. This temple also teaches the Code of Honor, a code where honor, and protection of the weak is foremost, and the destruction of the corrupt, and evil in the world is necessary to protect all.
Mechanical: Techniques as Hiruma Bushi. +1 Willpower, 4.5 Honor.
Skills: Athletics, Hunting, Kenjutsu (Katana), Iuijutsu, Lore: Bushido, Stealth, 1Player-Choice.

Spoiler: A Nameless Temple (click to show/hide)

Name: None, it's located in a small village somewhere.
Specialty: The school focused primarily on teaching both the old ways of the bow and the new ways of the sword.
Related Family/Clan: None
Description: A school local to Hori's hometown. It offered few courses, was rather strict in teaching tradition, and rejected the new ways of the gun. The school had no name, and thus received little or no support from nobility, so sparring was the primary form of teaching. The school taught self defense as its main course, but those willing enough could receive training in how to duel or kill. The school was never seen engaged in politics, content with staying where it was.
Mechanical: Techniques as Akodo Bushi. +1 Perception, 3.5 Honor.
Skills: Athletics, Defense, Hunting, Kenjutsu (Katana), Kyujutsu, Stealth, 1Player-Choice.

Ninja Schools

Spoiler: Kitsune Assassin (click to show/hide)

Name: The Kitsune Assassin School
Specialty: This dojo trains assassins on behalf of the Kitsune family.
Related Family/Clan: Kitsune/Ryoshun
Description: The majority of Kitsune Assassins are taken from the ranks of the peasantry and further trained, for when one becomes a ninja they also become an eta, a non-person. Some of the nobility, however, is trained in the art of deceit and dishonorable actions. Those who have been trained often masquerade as some other role among their more honorable brethren, and are as likely to physically kill an opponent as they are to socially kill them.
Mechanics: Techniques as Shosuro Infiltrator. +1 Agility, 1.5 Honor.
Skills: Acting, Ninjutsu, Sincerity, Stealth (Sneaking), 2Player-Choice.

Spoiler: Kontonora Yami (click to show/hide)

Name: Kontonora Yami
Specialty: Ninja
Related Family/Clan: Kage/Taiyo
Description: Exclusively of the Kage Family, students of the Kontonora Yami are taught the techniques which first disgraced their clan long ago. Able to sneak in the shadows, like through their teeth, and fight with a variety of weapons, students of this school are a force to be reckoned with.
Mechanics: Techniques as Shosuro Infiltrator. +1 Reflexes, 1.5 Honor.
Skills: Acting, Athletics, Ninjutsu, Sincerity, Stealth (Sneaking), Kenjutsu, 1Bugei-Player-Choice.

Courtier Schools

Spoiler: Ikebana School of Etiquette (click to show/hide)

Name: Ikebana School of Etiquette
Specialty: Courtiers
Related Family/Clan: None.
Description: The Ikebana school teaches it's students to disarm enemies with kindness (figuratively) and, in fact, not to refer to anyone as an enemy to their face. Direct confrontation is anathema to the Ikebana way; if a student of Ikebana school wishes to harm someone, they will do so through someone else or in such a way that no one can pin blame on them for the act. Of course, in the public eye, Ikebana school is a well-respected school known for teaching it's students etiquette, along with gentlemanly and ladylike pursuits such as flower arranging and acting.
Mechanics: Techniques as Doji Courtier. +1 Awareness, 6.5 Honor.
Skills: Artisan (Gardening), Calligraphy, Courtier, Etiquette, Sincerity, Tea Ceremony, 1Player-Choice.

Spoiler: Taiyō Courtier School (click to show/hide)

Name: Taiyō Courtier School
Specialty: Courtiers
Related Family/Clan: Taiyō/Taiyō
Description: The sun is the source of light which illuminates the darkness and reveals all things. To lie, or conceal truth is to enshroud it in darkness, thus denying it the divine light of the Goddess. Consequently, the Taiyō believe that truth is the highest virtue, and that to willfully deceive is the reject the divine. Honesty is not considered merely a facet of bushido, but is rather perceived as the most fundamental requirement for enlightenment.
Mechanics: Techniques as Altered/Homebrewed Kitsuki Investigator. +1 Perception, 6.5 Honor.
Skills: Courtier, Etiquette (Courtesy), Sincerity, Lore (Heraldry), Calligraphy, Horsemanship, 1Player-Choice.

Spoiler: Gakkō no yukion'na yūbi (click to show/hide)

Name: Gakkō no yukion'na yūbi
Specialty: Courtiers, particularly dancers.
Associated Family/Clan: Yuki/Tokaku
Description: Claiming to having descended from the legends of the Yuki-onna snow maiden, students of this school are almost exclusively female and of the Yuki family. Taught an intricate and graceful style of dance reminiscent of falling snow, wintery winds, and a warm hearth's fire, as well as a graceful fighting style utilizing war fan's (and reminiscent of the dance), students of the school often find that they have learned to conduct themselves with cunning and grace even without proper instruction in things such as etiquette. Of the many students of this school who do not become courtiers or emissaries in the courts, most act as shrine maidens in one of the three Fuyu-san temples.
Mechanics: Techniques as Doji Courtier. +1 Awarness, 6.5 Honor.
Skills: War Fan, Courtier, Etiquette, Perform: Dance 2, Sincerity, Tea Ceremony

Foreign

Spoiler: The Queen's Academy (click to show/hide)

Name: The Queen's Academy
Specialty: General Academics (Courtiers)
Related Family/Clan: Albion
Description: A college built 50 years ago by the last Queen, Queen Lucinda III.  The college was built as a place of higher learning for nobles and "common" (wealthy) alike, and has no true general focus.
Mechanics: Techniques as Altered/Homebrewed Ide Emissary. +1 Awareness, 5.5 Honor.
Skills: Calligraphy, Commerce, Courtier, Etiquette (Conversation), Engineering, Any-2-Lore-Skills.

[thatkid]

Aaand we're set.

[adwarf]

Spoiler: Character Sheet (click to show/hide)

Player Name: adwarf
Character Name: Shizume Ninokara
Profession: Ronin
Clan: None
Family: None
School: Rōtasu no jiin (Temple of the Lotus)
Physical Description:
Shizume Ninokara is a rather tall man, his body is thin, and wiry possessing great speed, and dexterity while remaining with a decent strength to push the force of a blade upon an enemy. He usually wears a purely black robe bearing no clan symbol, or house mark to be seen on the bare clothes made for movement, and fighting not elegance. A scar runs down one eyes where a sword of a fellow warrior had dug a trench through the skin barely missing his eye. His light green eyes give the impression of a light hearted young man, and tousled brown hair of a carefree life traveling the world, those who see him put his age around eighteen, and they'd be right with such a quess.

Personality:
Shizume is a light-hearted Ronin who has seen several years of scattered battles, and skirmishes since he became a Ronin of the Temple of the Lotus, he has a usually joking, and friendly demeanor. He is determined to accomplish his life's ambition, and will do anything he can to achieve it so long as it falls within the Code of Honor. Those friends he manages to gain in his travels are dear to him, and if he can give his life to save theirs then even his life goal is something he can cast aside to aid them. He sticks to his word, and follows only the honorable path through life, if his name is forever written in the annuals of history so be it, but if his life is taken so be it as well, as long as he does everything he says to the best of his skills then he can die without regrets.

Skills:
Shizume is a Ronin of the Temple of the Lotus school, home of the Lotus Blade sword-style, and wandering Ronin looking for a person he has never met in his lifetime so far. He has a natural affinity with the sword, and is skilled user of the Lotus Blade style which focuses on speed over strength to out-maneuver, and defeat their opponent. Aside from his skill with the blade he has learned at least the basics of leadership in his travels, as he helped groups of peasants fend of bandits, or organized town militias in smaller villages. Shizume hates things that are against the Code of Honor, and has done nothing that breaks that code since he was a child.

Biography:
Shizume was born into the Riruki Family, a family who had over the years given birth to dozens of great samurai, and leaders of noble factions fighting for the people of the land they inhabited. He spent his younger days learning of the basics of writing, speech, and his family's history, but at the age of seven he began to learn the way of the sword, the Lotus Blade style, a sword style that his family had helped found, and make legendary throughout the land. As he learned the way of the sword, and grew older, and older the Ryoshun Shogunate grew more powerful by the day. When Shizume turned the age of twelve his Family who had for eight years fought the Ryoshun was suddenly betrayed by their allies, and as the sky was lit with flames and filled with smoke his entire family was massacred by the Shogunate who so viciously desired power.

His land gone, his family dead, and his people slain by the Shogunate Shizume fled to the one place he could take refuge, the Temple of the Lotus, the birth place of the Lotus Blade style, and a refuge to all people in need. For the next five years he learned more of the Lotus Blade style, and honed his skill with the blade so that he could one day go forth to achieve his one goal in life. At the end of those five years he left, and began to wander the land helping the people where he could, and remaining ever vigilant for the one he would serve. Rumors of gathering Shogunate forces in Sumeru have drawn Shizume to this place in hopes to help the people of the land, and deal a deep blow to the Ryoshun.

Goals:
Shizume's has dedicated his life to learning the Lotus Blade, and honing his sword skills so that he could one day serve a noble, and honorable person who Shizume saw would unite the lands under one peaceful, and fair rule. He has set his life for the people, and his entire life will be dedicated to helping them, and furthering his Lord, or Lady's decisions no matter the cost he must pay.

Spoiler: School Sheet (click to show/hide)

Name:  Rōtasu no jiin
Specialty: Lotus Blade Style - The Lotus Blade Style is a sword style based on speed, strength is not a necessary part of the Lotus Blade style as it is mean to put your enemies on the defensive, and wound them ever so slowly while leaving its user as protected as possible amidst the flurry strikes this style entails.
Description:
A temple, and refuge to those in need Rōtasu no jiin, it is here that ronin are trained in the use of the Lotus Blade Style, and it is here that they face the Trials of the Blade needed to become a true samurai of the Lotus Blade Style. The temple is a large building made up of several dojos, dozens of chapels for prayers, and the numerous visiting Pilgrims that travel the lands. This temple also teaches the Code of Honor, a code where honor, and protection of the weak is foremost, and the destruction of the corrupt, and evil in the world is necessary to protect all.

[LordBucket]

Reading through the rules now. Will retroactively edit with character sheet. I don't want to spend the next two hours reading about the game and come back to post and find all character slots filled.


EDIT: Character sheet submitted via PM

[thatkid]

Reading through the rules now. Will retroactively edit with character sheet. I don't want to spend the next two hours reading about the game and come back to post and find all character slots filled.

You don't need to worry about that. There are no slots, you just join (pending acceptance).

[thatkid]

Adwarf: Accepted. I'll send you a pm with your character sheet in a little while.

[Lillipad]

Spoiler: Character Application Sheet (click to show/hide)

Player Name: Lillipad
Character Name: Hori
Profession: Ronin
Clan: none
Family: none
School: Nameless

Physical Description:
Personality: Hori is rather carefree, not noticing whether or not he's in the way, or speaking at inappropriate times. He tries to stay out of the business of others if he feels it to be the correct thing to do, but will easily jump into horrible situations if someone seems in need. He's not particularly bright, but has good enough intuition to keep him alive.

Skills: Hori is skilled primarily in the ways of the sword. He is mostly self taught in this respect, so compared to the more traditional styles, his sword strokes are rough and barbaric, but he tries to improve his cutting technique as much as possible. His temple taught him how to use a bow effectively in unison with a sword, but he is far less skilled in this aspect. When in prolongued fights, Hori can easily worm his way into a shooting position if necessary, but finds it much easier to simply go forward, sword swinging. An interest in wielding two swords at once has been sparked, though these interests have not been properly pursued.

Biography: Hori was born into poverty. Both parents frequently abandoning him to the care of others in order to take care of themselves. He never particularly felt particularly close to his family until he found his first sword. He received it from the body of a ronin, killed right in front of his eyes by a passing samurai. When he started practicing at home, his father eventually decided to teach him a basic form, which was still rather unrefined.
He practiced the sword and basic move he was taught every day until the sword broke. For the first time, money was spent on him, in order to buy a new sword. He was also placed under the permanent care of a local shrine, before he could be caught up in their rampantly growing debts. He never thought of what happened to them, and never cared. He viewed it as their business, and he would repay them for the sword by becoming better at it.
He spent most of his life living in the temple, but rarely ever using its services. Preferring instead to train in the forests and rivers, taking whatever cuts and bruises came with the territory. By the time he turned 16, he felt ready to, and very hastily joined a local army. He fought in a losing battle, surviving only barely thanks to being hidden under the corpses of his fellow soldiers. He decided to abandon his position as a soldier after the battle, and returned to the temple in high spirits, despite most calling him a failure. He again picked up the sword and bow of his school, returning to the forests to train for another year.
He would leave the forest and temple in silence to leave for a large city, in order to experience actual combat again. There, he defeated two fairly small dojos, taking injuries across his body. He would leave both dojos covered in blood, with an unhappy expression in his forced killing of any opponents. He traveled across the islands, fighting random samurai and ronin he thought to be good warriors. Only occasionally winning, and always cheating death, he reached the age of 21 with his stomach and left arm covered in scars, but a pleased look about his face. Unsatisfied with only occasional victory at such an age, he left for Sumeru to start a new journey, this time seeking strength.

Goals: Hori wanders to see how far he can get, and how strong he can become. Testing his limits at every opportunity, and abandoning constant reliance on society, choosing to camp when feasible. No matter where he goes, or what he does, as long as he can find new ways to challenge himself, he'll be satisfied.

Spoiler: School Creation Sheet (click to show/hide)

Specialty: The school focused primarily on teaching both the old ways of the bow and the new ways of the sword.
Description: A school local to Hori's hometown. It offered few courses, was rather strict in teaching tradition, and rejected the new ways of the gun. The school had no name, and thus received little or no support from nobility, so sparring was the primary form of teaching. The school taught self defense as its main course, but those willing enough could receive training in how to duel or kill. The school was never seen engaged in politics, content with staying where it was.

[Digital Hellhound]

I'm on an ipad right now, but this seems very intriguing. Reserved, watch this spot.

EDIT: And here we go.

Spoiler: The Character (click to show/hide)

Player Name: Digital Hellhound
Character Name: Morikano Hayato
Profession: Samurai
Clan: The Ryoshun Shogunate
Family: The Morikano Family
School: None
Physical Description: Hayato is lean and muscled, often described as a predatory animal, ready to pounce at any given minute, and walks with the ease of a big cat. His highly-refined, gaunt features are instantly recognizable as Morikano. His hair is a dark brown, as are his eyes. His youth, only a few years past twenty, is obvious.
Personality: Despite his youth, Hayato possesses a resigned bitterness to his character. He's fiercely traditionalist, a black sheep in his family, and quick to vent his anger at the world. Obsessed with the tenets of family and clan, Hayato struggles with the apparent fact that his own family has forsaken the past of Nihon and the realization the Shogunate he serves may not be as honourable as it has seemed.
Skills: Traditionally trained as a Samurai of high blood should be, Hayato is skilled with the blade, but specifically with a naginata, a competent rider, a hopeful, if basic, poet and a speaker and orator. He has been introduced to a variety of new technology by his family, but Hayato has forsaken these, thinking they have no place in his Nihon.
Biography: Born to and brought up by the brother of the current head of the Morikanos, Hayato was always obsessed with honor and what it means to be a samurai, high above and protecting the peasantry of the land. While his father indulged his studies and led him deeper into Nihon's past, he would at the same time attempt to show Hayato the wonders of progress and modern technology, but in vain. Hayato grew to look on these things with disdain, blaming them for Nihon's civil war and troubles and the upsetting of the old order. As an adult, Hayato became a samurai in service of the new Shogunate, and purposefully avoided contact with his family, especially after the death of his father. He has arrived in Sumeru to train a peasant militia under order of the Daimyo.
Goals: Hayato knows the tenous peace will not last with the old giving way to the dangerous new. He is a traditionalist to the bone, and seeks to return Nihon to it's roots, though he remains unsure how.

Spoiler: The Family (click to show/hide)

Name: The Morikano Family
Clan: The Ryoshun Shogunate, by half-coercion
Description: The Morikano Family is an oddity of sorts in the Ryoshun Shogunate. Relatively influential, they have embraced modernization and technology, and would spread these wonderful inventions - railroad, electricity, steam power - to all of Nihon. Their members are known for their dishonourful tactics and use of strange tools and weapons, to varying effect.

Anything I should fix?

[adwarf]

Shizume slowly walked across the rough dirt road before him, the feeling of nature all around him occasionally broken by the sounds of trains in the far distance, the trees around him are alive with the sounds of chirping birds, and a stream somewhere in the distance. As he walks the forest begins to open up before him, and he soon finds himself standing at the top of a small hill looking out at the sprawling town Sumeru, train tracks scar the center of the town, and dozens of houses are gathered around a collection of stores, markets, and official looking buildings centered around the train station in the center of town. Just before him, sprawled across the plains around the town various rice paddies stretch through the lands, marked by several houses, and warehouses that mark the life blood of Sumeru's agricultural area.

On the rough dirt roads running through the rice paddies peasants scrabble about trying to scratch out a life beneath the foot of the Ryoshun, in the far distance a collection of soldiers marches down the main road towards the center of Sumeru. At the sight Shizume sets off down the path towards the town, his robe flitting along the top of the ground, and the twin handles of his blades are ever present around his waist as he shuffles along the deep rutted road, where ages of carts have dug furrows into the ground. Peasants pass by him all around, some veering away at the sight of his blades, and others giving him short smiles before continuing on about their work, the entire time the town in all its misguided glory grows closer, and closer in the view before him. Rice Paddies give way to scattered farmer's houses, and warehouses which soon give way to the short flat grasslands beyond, and finally the town itself is upon him.

Houses are gathered all around the street as he begins to weave his way through the small groups of people scattered about, Shizume's aim is a small tavern not far in front of him, The Sun Blossom. The tavern itself had a sort of old-time charm that radiated from the look of it, but the building had began to fall into disrepair as the shutters hang loosely from the windows, and weeds began warily climb up the darker corner of the building. The tattered sign shook weakly in the morning breeze, and Shizume made his way into the building. What would happen this day was just the start he thought ...

[filiusenox]

Adwarf
The Sun Blossom, also known as the Sunny Bosom, if you were here for that incident,  is a moderately respected Tavern, down a back alley and through a hall. The place reeks of tobacco, sake, pine-scented deodorizer, and sweaty men and women, with a few motes of cherry blossoms, which litter the floor liberally
The main room is half-empty, a few shady men, wandering Ronin, Tricksters, Jugglers and unemployed drunks- sometimes all the same people- sit around in various states of inebriation, staring into their glasses and not making eye contact.

The barman is wiping out a glass with a clean rag, though he throws it down as you approach. His eyes watch you closely, one hand resting on something under the finished false wood bar, and he gives you a wide, false smile. "How could I help you, Ronin-san?"

[thatkid]

Lillipad and Digital: Accepted. I'll have your character sheets sent over in a bit, after I've made 'em.

[adwarf]

Shizume took a wary glance to either side of him, and replied to the barkeep, "I'm looking for a place to stay for awhile, I have business in town, and this was the first place I saw. Whats the cost for to rent a room for two days?" Towards the end Shizume reflexively rubbed the palm of his hand across the handle of the sword before pulling out the small bag of coins in his pocket, and waiting for a reply.

[Doomblade187]

Here we go!

Spoiler: The Character (click to show/hide)

Player Name: Doomblade187
Character Name: Metasan Kitsune (His real name)
Profession: Ninja
Clan: The Ryoshun Shogunate
Family: The Kitsune Family
School: none
Physical Description: Metasan is a thin man, though he is lean and muscled due to his training. He wears his hair short, and is dressed as a merchant, that being his secondary job. He has several scars on his back and arms, due to his jobs, and has brown eyes.
Personality: He is always tense and on his guard, a long-ingrained habit, and only truly relaxes while at home or while swimming. He is extremely focused, often overlooking personal business in lieu of a job, of either sort. Failure of any sort annoys him, and he is very detached from politics and family life, preferring to be a loner. He is deathly afraid of spiders due to an incident as a young child when he fell into a cave full of spider, nonpoisonous as they were.
Skills: Born into the ninja tradition, he was trained in the way of the Sword and the Bo by his family, with the traditional training in stealth and infiltration also being passed on to him. In addition, he excels in social situations due to his background as a merchant. He focuses on the use of the Bo more than that of the sword, but can use either, or farming tools (Kama, Sai, etc.) if needed.
Biography: Born by into the Ketusune family, Metasan began his training at a young age. He began apprenticing as a merchant with his older brother, Tetsuri, at the age of 17, and shortly after that, at age 18, began to provide for himself as a merchant and ninja for the Ryoshun. He was deeply involved in espionage during the civil war, and grew to be very patriotic to the shogunate. He's very detached from his family, but stops by about once a year to keep up with them. He was called to the village to look into rumors of a group of rebels, and also has some light trading to conduct.
Goals: Metasan tries to stay on his feet in the world, staying focused on business of all sorts to keep up and improve himself in the changing world.

Spoiler: The Family (click to show/hide)

Name: The Kitsune Family
Clan: The Ryoshun Shogunate, by marriage.
Description: The Kitsune family is known as a family of merchants, holding great influence in the newer transportation technologies. However, they also supply many retainers to the Shogunate, being a ninja clan that spread into transportation and trade for the opportunities it provided, both monetary and tactical. They supply most of the ninja and other secretive retainers for the shogunate and do good business through trade, especially via the new transportation methods.