- Name: Amami Yoshitatsu
- Age: 19
- Race: Human
- Appearance: A bit tall for his age.
- Personality: Yoshitatsu is the type of person who would rather avoid conflict if at all possible. As a young lord of the Amami clan, he does still have a sense of righteousness in his actions—that the people of the region under his purview are still his responsibility—but his own desire to cast that off and let someone else handle it if possible makes him seem a bit hypocritical at times. This does not mean that he will run away from conflict should it arise, though; in his eyes, cowardice is far more of a sin, and to let others die while he turns a blind eye is something that would not sit right with him regardless of the circumstances.
To those that are less familiar with the young lord, Yoshitatsu seems to be unreliable and lackadaisical, but his true nature is that of someone who works toward what he desires with the least amount of effort and, more often than not, for a sake not always his own. Being in line for succession of the Amami clan has also led more than a few people to attempt to curry favor with him, but the passing of his eldest brother has taught him to keep those sorts of people at arm's length. - History: The third son of Amami Ikehara, the head of the Amami clan, Yoshitatsu was often left off to the side while his brothers competed for the limelight. Content as he was spending his days relaxing in the castle, though, the ever-present threat of war meant that his father's retainers often chastised him for never putting any effort in. He, of course, saw no meaning in such a thing; his siblings were skilled in strategy and combat, and with them it seemed that the clan's future was secure.
But alas, complacency and misfortune came hand-in-hand. His eldest brother, Amami Sakazuki, was fatally wounded on a hunting excursion when Yoshitatsu was 11—an assassination, or so the retainers with him had stated. The next in line, Amami Shinsuke, rose to the position of heir in his absence, which, while understandable, led to rumors surrounding the eldest's passing and whether or not it was an internal power struggle all along.
While the brothers had until then been on somewhat stable (if not occasionally suspect) terms until then, Sakazuki's passing placed a new burden upon Yoshitatsu's shoulders—one that everyone else had, admittedly, already been projecting onto him until then, but one that the young lord had chosen to ignore.
After all, if he was the one left in command, what would become of them?
Rather than continue to be berated and battered by his elders for his apparent lack of effort, Yoshitatsu chose to leave the confines of the Amami estate at 18. 'Touring the province to understand it and gain experience firsthand' was a somewhat flimsy excuse, all things considered, but to his brother Shinsuke such a choice was something he would gladly support.
For what reasons, though, only the heir could say. - Abilities/Skills: As a son of the Amami clan, Yoshitatsu was made to learn the art of warfare from a young age. His apparent disinterest in fighting or strategy comes more from a desire to live a simple life, and though his tutors claimed him a young prodigy with both the bow and sword, his aptitude for them was never made to grow—or, at least, not while he was content living with his family. Life on the road has taught him how to fight for the sake of survival, and though matters of grand strategy are still somewhat foreign to him, some scant lessons before his departure from the castle which he once called home remain lodged somewhere within his mind.
Of course, traveling the province has also made him learn more basic survival skills; learning how to cook, maintaining his armaments, and even some basic animal care have all been instilled within his mind. He is still a 'young lord' at heart, which means that he will attempt to dodge that responsibility if he can help it, but at the very least he is able to derive some enjoyment from doing things on his own terms. - Other: N/A
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- Name: Chise
- Age: 18
- Race: Human
- Appearance: A petite and frail-looking girl. Perhaps deceptively so. Exceptionally short in height, allowing her to disguise as a child quite easily if required.
- Personality: It is said that the Shiga Clan's's shinobi are prized for the virtue of loyalty. Once they have pledged their services, they are unwavering in their willingness to carry out assignments for their master. Even the threat of torture cannot dissuade a member of the Shiga. Chise, perhaps, exemplifies this trait. Her loyalty to her master is absolute. Her duties are paramount. A deeply serious girl, she places her assignments before herself, and will do everything she can to accomplish them. It is likely that this behavior is ultimately fueled by gratitude. Gratitude to her clan for raising her, and towards her master for choosing her. However, it is inaccurate to say that she is consumed by duty at all times. Chise has a sarcastic streak, and is more then willing to make dry comments at that which she perceives as foolish or idiotic. While she rarely raises her voice, her displeasure can easily be perceived by the amount of dry insults she uses. She is somewhat awkward in social situations, tending to remain somewhat quiet when she's not being sarcastic, and topics she finds embarrassing will be quick to reduce her to a stuttering, blushing mess. In spite of this, she does all that she can to remain composed. Additionally, Chise is highly proud of her skills. While she is unlikely to openly brag, she is quite swift to use the origins of her training for intimidation purposes when necessary. She is deeply fond of her adoptive father.
- History: An orphaned girl who was adopted by the leader of the Shiga Clan. Before this point, her memories are rather foggy, aside from recalling death and pain around her. As Chise grew, she was educated in the art of ninjutsu, to become a shinobi who would silently hunt her master's foes and strike from the shadows. Whether this was out of a desire for an adopted child to inherit his techniques, a cynical and manipulative move aimed at producing a skilled shinobi, or some combination of both, is known only to the clan's leader. Regardless, her training was fruitful in producing a shadow willing to take lives, and one who places her loyalty at the forefront of her mind. Chise was eventually selected to serve her current master at a relatively early age due to her promise, and she has continued to serve them ever since. The only thing likely to shake her from her duty is the plight of young children. She will not harm children.
- Abilities/Skills: A highly capable shinobi, especially given her age. Chise is adept in the art of ninjutsu, exploiting her small statue for the sake of stealth and infiltration. Her small size also deceptively conceals her willingness to kill. Not only capable in stealth, she is also proficient in direct combat. In spite of her small size, her physical capabilities can be considered exceptional, especially her agility. Chise is skilled in swordplay and the use of the tools of a shinobi, possessing a katana as well as a supply of smoke bombs, small hand explosives, kunai, and shuriken. She is also capable of utilizing some shinobi techniques that permit the creation of illusory doppelgangers, vanishing completely into the shadows, and even the use of water-based elemental traps.
- Other: N/A
- Name: Akimitsu Chihiro
- Age: 22
- Race: Human
- Appearance: Somewhat tall for a woman of Tenkai.
- Personality: Chihiro may initially come off as somewhat reserved, as well as rather serious-minded and somewhat stoic, but those who get to know her find out she's a rather polite, friendly and compassionate young woman. She tries her best to play the part of the ideal samurai, which in her mind is a noble and honourable defender of justice and smiter of evil, someone who tries their hardest to protect the smiles of others no matter what. She has a very strong sense of honour and justice, and will faithfully serve her lord unless she deems them to be corrupt and wicked. Any impressions of Chihiro's supposed stoicism are shattered when she is in battle, where her true nature shines through and she begins making proclamations about her being the sword the smites evil and other such hotblooded nonsense. This side of her even shows when faced with any kind of competition, and try as she might to hide it she's actually got a rather competitive streak to her. In modern parlance you could say she's kind of a dork, really, albeit a well-meaning one. Whilst she has many admirers (both male and female), Chihiro is actually somewhat oblivious to matters of romance and sexuality.
- History: When Akimitsu Toshiaki was struck down in battle, his family faced a crisis. Whilst the eldest son would usually inherit his father's title and land, Akimitsu Kazuyuki had always been sickly and frail since birth, and many doubted his ability to properly fufil the duties of a samurai. His younger sister Chihiro had recieved training in matters both courtly and martial as a stopgap, but the fact remained that whilst Kazuyuki's condition had stabilized he showed no signs of getting any better. Thus, whilst there was still some opposition from the more strictly traditionalist members of the family, the only solution they could come to was for Chihiro to take on her father's duties until either she or Kazuyuki were able to produce a more fitting heir. Despite how much more grueling her training became because of this decision, Chihiro soldiered on and strived to become the epitome of what a samurai should be, for to do otherwise would not only put her brother at risk of being forced to take up the duties despite his weak state but it would also bring dishonour to her father's memory. In the ten years since her Toshiaki's passing, Chihiro has become a famed samurai in her own right, her prowess on the battlefield and dedication to the cause of justice and honour winning her many admirers and even convincing some (but not all) of her initial doubters that the decision to make her a samurai was indeed the correct one.
- Abilities/Skills: Chihiro is an exceptionally skilled swordswoman, and wields the ancestral katana Zanmataisei. Not only is the blade masterfully crafted (and rumoured to have been forged by the kami themselves), but it is unbreakable as long as the wielder upholds the cause of justice and harbours a special enmity towards evil; when used against evil spirits and youkai, and some especially wicked humans, it inflicts wounds that take much longer to heal than they usually would. As part of her training in the martial arts, Chihiro is able to manipulate her ki and usually channels it through Zanmataisei; amongst the techniques she is capable of are coating the blade in ki to increase its cutting power and firing off a blast of energy with a slash.
- Other:
- Name:
Kyokokumaru | "Kyo"
[虛哭丸] | One whose Cry is Hollow - Age:
32 - Young by Oni standards - Race:
Oni - Appearance:
- Personality:
Kyo strikes a fearsome figure, and there is no doubt he has all the typical qualities of the ogre-demon species he hails from. But beneath the veneer of brutality, the relish with which he crushes his enemies, and the thrill of battle, there's something else--a desire not just to prove oneself, but to be accepted. A quiet, introspective face turned towards the moon, or the monstrous reflection in the still pond. A search for...purpose? Stability? Safety? He's not even sure he knows what he wants...only that the life he leads is empty. - History:
Among the various tribes of Oni across the land, two are named among legends known far and wide: The White Horn Tribe, or Shirokaku [白角] of Yamakawa Province, and the Black Fang Tribe, or Kurokiba [黒牙] of Hakkou Province. But these two tribes have been bitter enemies for as long as their own legends have been passed down--perhaps longer. Though all Oni possess superhuman size, toughness, and strength, some subtypes of the ogre race have adapted differently due to environment or preferences in practice. The Black Fang Oni garnered a reputation as weapon masters--not just primitive brutes swinging clubs, but true warriors wielding iron staves, great spears, and all other tools of war. The White Horn Oni, on the other hand, became known for their magical potential. No one knows the exact reasons these two clans initially came to their blood feud, but their nature as opposites certainly lent itself to the equation.
And yet, where has there ever been a tale of two factions sworn to destroy one another without a tale of star-crossed lovers woven within it? Two young, impressionable, hard-headed demons pursued a bond despite all the wisdom and foreboding of their families, and thus was an Oni of mixed blood conceived. Yet this tale is not a happy one--for all such star crossed loves seem to end in tragedy. From this tragedy comes the name, "Kyokokumaru,"--for no one, not even his own mother, would listen to his cries.
Born with blackened horns and ivory fangs, Kyo was cast out from both tribes. Other Youkai communities, and even some humans, within the territory of each clan and even some of the surrounding provinces, dared not grant him safe haven lest the Black Fangs or White Horns come looking for him with drawn swords and hexing curses. Left to survive on his own, he has stolen livestock to eat; in defending himself from bandits or self-righteous "demon slayers," he has committed murder or caused undue harm. Not one to shy away from drink either, Kyo has rumpled many feathers along his way, and thus finds himself alone. So he wanders...and wonders...in search of a place to be... - Abilities/Skills:
- Kekkai no Buren [血継の武練] - Bloodline Weapon Arts. Though his Kurokiba-Oni heritage is diluted, reducing this ability's effectiveness by half, Kyo is instinctually able to use most types of close-combat weaponry upon seizing them in his hands. Almost a form of psychometry, he grasps the underlying principles of the weapon and the fundamentals of its use. He can't mimic personalized techniques or learn the subtleties of specific styles without training, and thus a weapon that's been "modified" to a certain degree to fit those specialties doesn't quite fit right in his hands until he's had time to acclimate to it.
- Shirokaku Youjutsu [白角の妖術] - White Horn Demon Arts. Though his Shirokaku-Oni heritage is diluted, reducing this ability's effectiveness by half, Kyo knows a small number of spells learned by many Madoushi of the White Horn Tribe. Given proper materials, preparation time, and a provision of his own energy, he can perform some basic spellcraft. Think in terms of starting a campfire with a cantrip. Two of the most used are: Shapeshift into a Human form (though several tells give away his true nature), and creating a simple Barrier within a geometric area to defend against hostile attacks or spells (though its territory is small and its structure weak, overall). Given that he has a higher than usual amount of energy for most Oni, it's possible that with time he could become a more accomplished magician with dedicated training.
- Zasshoku Kaifuku [雑食の回復] - Omnivorous Recovery. Through eating incredibly large quantities of food, even compared to what a being Kyo's size would normally have to eat to maintain their muscle mass, Kyo can speed up his healing factor. The supernaturally tough body of an Oni can withstand much more punishment than a human in the first place, but it's thanks to this ability Kyo survived the first decade or so after his exile. However, what exactly an Oni considers "food" isn't always palatable to honest, upright society...In any case, the speed and degree of healing depends entirely on the amount and the nutrition of the food. Eating a horse--literally--could probably bring him back even from near-death, but who knows if he could finish the whole thing before he bled out.
- Other:
- Kyo carries a Kanabo in classical Oni style, which is roughly six feet long and at least a solid eighty pounds.
- While not supernaturally skilled as he is with weapons, Kyo enjoys hand-to-hand martial arts as well, and is particularly fond of Sumo Wrestling.
- He becomes melancholy around mountains, and calmer around flower fields.
Conscripts An Atom Trying to Understand Itself
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- Name: Yuuki Kiyomasa
- Age: 20
- Race: Human
- Appearance: The surprising lead of the cavalry tidal wave
- Personality:
Despite the reputation as part of the Tsuchimaru clan's fearsome lancer cavalry, what one will meet outside the battlefield would be a small and unassuming man called Yuuki. He is quite a friendly and approachable person, especially in his private time wandering around the common folks in villages, owing to his peasantry upbringing, normally inoffensive and a little pigeon-hearted even, easily spooked by small things. However, Yuuki is actually quite mature and skilled with his words. His inoffensive attitude was honed through an ability to navigate through social situations, and he is quite sharp when it comes to the unspoken details. He is also quite fond of animals, especially horses whom he would live and die with on the battlefield.
Once in combat, however, Yuuki is a fierce and daring presence. More often than not, he'd be at the very front of the formation, at full gallop with his trusty steed to meet the blades and pikes of his enemies first. His attack could sometimes border on recklessness, like charging into tight formations head-on, a far cry from the timid impression one might get from him. Some would say the short little man enjoyed the fighting as much as any warrior, something to which Yuuki would strongly deny. - History:
Born to a peasant family in Nohara, Yuuki's family worked as horse handlers and transporters, carrying supplies from farms to merchant cities and ports using horses. The young boy got into the workforce as soon as he was able to, first accompanying his father and then doing supply runs on his own. But soon, he was able to get his own job as a messenger for clan Mamuro. In his earlier days, it would simply be just traveling across the province to deliver messages, but as conflicts escalate between samurai clans, Yuuki would soon find himself delivering messages to and from the frontline. Despite being easily spooked by danger at the time, the boy soldiered on to perform his duties.
His big break comes when the Mamuro castle he and his lord came under siege. He was tasked to sneak out of the castle at night and deliver a message to the head of clan Tsuchimaru for help. He did just that, sneaking from the castle at night with his horse, however not completely. The enemy detected his movement at the last moment and gave chase. Being pursued by mounted archers, and knowing he could not get away, Yuuki wheeled his steed around and charged the archers alone, stole a katana then cut down some of his pursuers before escaping. The message got to the Tsuchimaru lord safely, and help was dispatched soon after. For Yuuki's part, his feat, bravery, and way with words impressed the Tsuchimaru lord, who would then allow him in samurai training with their young relatives. In time, he would become a samurai in all but names, taking part in the Tsuchimatsu's famed lancer cavalry unit. - Abilities/Skills:
Yuuki is a skilled horse handler, being knowledgeable in almost anything horse-related, from how to control, ride and take care of them to even breeding them. And of course, earned from his later samurai training, how to fight effectively on them too. He knows how to use the katana and some other samurai weapons and can handle himself decently in a fight, but his preferred and most skilled weapon of choice is the older more curved variant of the katana, the Tachi, and the Yari, either a Kagi version with a hook, or the normal straight Su Yari, all of whom were more suited for mounted combat. - Other:
His horse that was given to him during his samurai training and later his battle companion is named Nobu
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- Name: Kitagaki Terumori
- Age: 22
- Race: Human
- Appearance: Average height and build | Armored
- Personality: Terumori has been shaped by the province he grew up in. By the standards of where he comes from, he is a model samurai- honest, dedicated, and loyal to the Takasaki clan. He does not boast of his deeds, nor does he seek out validation and fame. By the standards of the rest of Tenkai, he's a backwoods samurai with a tenuous grasp of honor and etiquette. This is largely due to the nature of the province- because of the difficult terrain and comparatively small population of the region, Terumori believes that it is necessary to employ tactics that others might consider unscrupulous or dishonorable. At the same time, however, the challenges that his province faces has made him very appreciative of the humble peasants and traders that keep the region running, and won't abide anyone- be they bandits, youkai, or unscrupulous samurai- taking advantage of them.
- History: Terumori was the second son of the head of the Kitagaki clan, a samurai clan loyal to the Takasaki clan. Both brothers were trained to become highly capable samurai, but they proved quite different. While the older brother took much of the spotlight, becoming a personal retainer to the daimyo, Terumori preferred to keep a low profile. He took up the responsibility of enforcing order in the Gekkou region, a difficult and dangerous task due to the number of troublemakers that resided in the forests and mountains. Despite the challenges, he proved fairly successful in this task. He and his small task force proved more than a match for the bandits they encountered, killing or arresting many of them. On rarer occasions, he dealt with troublesome youkai, successfully defeating those whom he could not placate. Despite his victories, he tried to avoid letting word of his deeds get out, preferring to remain unsung and unheard.
His insistence on keeping his deeds under wraps would eventually backfire on him, in a way. While traveling alone one day, he came across the scene of a samurai whom he had never seen before, killing a local farmer. Whether it was a robbery, a blow in revenge for being slighted, or simply the samurai testing out a weapon, Terumori didn't care- he attempted to arrest the samurai for the murder. If he had been more well-known, perhaps his foe would have gone quietly, but the samurai refused to believe that Terumori had any such authority, and a fight ensued. Terumori won, cutting the samurai down and confiscating his katana. He only later learned that the man he killed was from a wealthy, well-connected samurai clan, and that his death, if traced to Terumori, could cause a lot of trouble. While he had taken steps to ensure the body would not be found, his father nonetheless insisted that he leave the province and lay low for a while until it blows over. - Abilities/Skills: The forests and mountainous terrain of Gekkou are ill-suited for cavalry or archery, and its samurai are trained accordingly to take full advantage of the terrain. As a result, while he is no shinobi, Terumori is a stealthy, nimble warrior who can maneuver with ease through the uneven terrain of his home province quickly and silently. His penchant for stealth and ambushes does not imply martial weakness, though- when pressed into open combat, he is a formidable and highly agile swordsman, as quick on his feet as he is with his katana. He is also an adept bowman at close to medium ranges, able to draw, nock, and fire a bow with considerable speed, although he never mastered hitting targets at long range.
- Other: He uses the katana that was confiscated from the samurai he killed. It bears the signature of an expert swordsmith and is consequently a superb sword, but if someone recognized it, they'd know that Terumori was involved in the samurai's disappearance. He's changed the tsuba and saya to avoid drawing attention, but someone already familiar with the weapon could still potentially recognize the blade.
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