DruSM157

•HAGAKURE•

Oh yeah I'm still alive too

•HAGAKURE•

Norio

The “older man” wasn’t an old man, even if he seemed as frail as an elder at this point in their journey. The main seemed frail and sickly; which was odd seeing how he’d been locked away alone in the darkness before Hisao and Hyōryū were thrown into a cell with them. He’d been oddly quiet at times; which was a stark contrast to their “introductions” earlier. When the two were first thrown into the cell, it seemed as if they were alone; until the shadowy figure crumpled in the corner of the room started to cry.

”There’s been a mistake! Please, why am I in here!?’ The pleas of mercy and the assertions that he was a simple farmer were grating enough. And it was a surprise that he’d kept pace with the others after their night run, even with his walking stick keeping him balanced on the trail. There were two moments where adrenaline had taken over and the crying and whining from the man had stopped: the first was their escape and initial flee from their holding; there was no time to waste the air in one’s lungs if they were a hair’s breadth away from being cut down. The second time was now, as they approached Nezumi. He’d kept his pace in the back of the group, and he quietly studied the yakuzai symbols as they approached the gates.

”S-surely there must be a better place to stay than this—this town of miscreants and criminals! We are as likely to be robbed of our robes and sandals as we are gutted like a boar here!” He whined and stammered, his voice cracking from a mixture of exhaustion and fear. ”This is no place for a farmer or for these young maidens! If anything, you two-“Nakano Norio pointed at both Hisao and Hyōryū and then at the gates, ”You two should gather supplies while we find a more suitable campsite. At least the forest won’t have secret entrances and panels for gangsters to creep in on us while we sleep.”

Saito Norio had never traveled to Nezumi. It was too far from Otonomasaki, and as the retainer to Lord Oshiro, he had to make sure his master never came close to such vile cities. Still, gangs were dangerous; bandits were no friend of the samurai; and even a fallen ronin like Saito Norio could be a lovely prize for a bounty-or for the honor of beheading the last surviving member of the Saito Clan. His father had made a name for himself protecting a small village from bandits forty-odd years ago. That act of bushido had elevated the minor noble to a respected bushi—and eventually became the retainer for the Oshiro clan.

Smart bandits knew how to change. With new eras, bandits bought up property, began taking territory in towns. No longer simply raiding them, they became the political power in small rural areas where the magistrate’s reach wasn’t long enough. That’s how the age of the yakuza began. No longer needing to kill their victims, they instead could slowly bleed their profit from the people with intimidation and the promise of protection. They were scum.

Nakano Norio’s hand seemed to grip the stick tighter as the group looked at him for the first time in a while. He knew the dangers of the forest; outside the walls, a group of headhunters could find them easy enough, tracking the light of a fire of the vision of smoke through the trees. Inside the walls there was protection from the imperial dogs, but they traded the danger of the Empire for the danger of the criminal element. The walking stick felt frail and weak, but he’d chosen it due to its curvature and thickness first. It wasn’t pine or fir; that wood was too soft and tactile. It was a thick limb of pine; something that if it came down to it; he could fashion into a simplistic club. If he had more time, maybe even a boken. But that would be too obvious; too dangerous to reveal who he was. These people were all criminals alongside him; that was true. But he did not trust their loyalty or honor yet.

•HAGAKURE•

Sorry folks, I took over my friends English class this week. Been busy grading and teaching students. I'll have a post out tonight and I'll try and bully Gowi into one as well

•HAGAKURE•

Norio — The Fallen Soldier

Appearance


Name
Nakano Norio (Farmer)
Saito Norio (Real Self)

Age
32

Totem
Fox

Appearance
Sullen, slouched and unassuming, Norio dresses plain; he looks like a typical rice farmer. Simple clothes, sedge shades, old ragged sandals; Norio's chosen colors are dull tans and dark browns. In fact, if you placed him among other farmers, he would disappear within the crowd. His face is thin and pale; as if he appears completely sickly. His body is a mixture of tan and white; his arms have become brown from his time working in the field. His eyes are consistently wide with terror or awe at the situation around him; and his hair remains messy regardless of his attempts at primping and preening. He's a loser.

Unless of course he draws his sword. The moment his personality changes, so does his appearance. Standing tall, strong and with a piercing gaze, it's amazing to see such a transformation in a man.

Personality
Meek, timid, terrified and ridiculous, Nanako Norio is constantly in a state of refusal. He should not have been arrested. He should not have been slated for execution. He should just be back on his farm living a simple, quiet life. He is irritable and fearful, and seems to distrust any and all around him.

Saito Norio is a man who has seen too much. The death of his lord. The death of his soldiers. The death of his wife and children. When he's finally trusted those enough to reveal his actual self; he's contemplative and not afraid to joke around with his compatriots.

History
Nakano Norio was a simple farmer claiming that he was a victim of mistaken identity. Arrested under the name Saito Norio, he swears that he was not the famous revolutionary soldier. It doesn't help that he has a similar face and is the same age as the man; as well as having the same name. Nakano Norio bought a farm three years ago, and has worked every day since; keeping his nose clean and his head down. Honestly, he's always been a model citizen, though he's always been aloof with his neighbors. Unmarried and keeping to himself, his fellow villagers did not try and fight or argue when he was taken away.

The truth is always deeper and bloodier than a simple case of mistaken identity. Born to the Saito Clan, Norio was born to be the chief retainer for his lord, Oshiro Akira. A large, imposing but big hearted man, Lord Oshiro was one of the few lesser lords that showed compassion to their people; and wanted to fight against the injustices of the Empire. Lord Oshiro led a failed military revolt against the empire, known as the Winter Rebellion. The rebellion failed; and during an attack on Oshiro's castle, Norio was thrown off a rampart and into the river below.

Norio lost everything. Anyone involved in the revolution was slaughtered without care. In his loss, Norio fell to despair and created a new life under a new name. Thus, Nakano Norio was born. Appearing in a small village, buying a farm and living the idyllic pastoral life, Norio thought he could escape his past and disappear into a false existence. With the sudden fears of demons, The Grant Imperial Military found a foothold in his village.

Within a week he was arrested and charged with capital offenses against the Empire, and slated to be executed the following morning.

Strengths
Expert Swordsman
A master of the Saito family sword style: Divine Soaring Sparrow Norio is capable of fast, graceful attacks. Most of his style involved drawing the blade and engaging in graceful slashes and spins, mixing footwork and using the terrain of combat to the user's advantage. It works best against groups of opponents, though it falls short in single combat against a well trained soldier focusing on a more brutish style.

Archery
Norio has been trained with multiple weapons, but has always excelled with a bow. Norio is by no means an expert marksman, but he is capable of aiming with a modicum of accuracy. Norio was raised on strict religious principles disallowing the hunting of red meat (with the exception of dire circumstances) and is more trained in aiming for weak spots in armor or for a slow moving human target than a fast moving animal.

Spear Combat
Skill with a sword was not the only weapon art Norio was expected to train in. Norio is capable of spear combat as well, but is by no means an expert at that. Norio is simply capable of the basic forms. He does enjoy using a wooden spear for fishing in water sources, however.

Lordly Tactician
Norio was the retainer for a lord, after all. He's a capable leader and is used to leading men into war. The fact that Norio is well read, has years of experience under his belt and is just plain smart helps everyone.

Weaknesses
Weak
The past three years have not been kind to Norio. Living as a peasant is never a promising life; and with a lack of motivation to actually live, Norio's body has degraded from the man he once was. While he still has his memories and knowledge, he is incapable of fighting for long stretches of time, is easily winded, and cannot do too much. How he persisted as a rice farmer for so long is almost humorous, if it wasn't so pathetic.

Refusal of Self
Norio doesn't want to admit who is is. As Nakano Norio he lives a simple life without having to admit the pain of loss. He doesn't have to open his eyes and look at the world he left behind, and see how horrible things have become. It's easier for him to be a rice farmer, and he would prefer to stay like that as long as he can.

Rusty
Norio hasn't engaged in combat in years. While one never truly forgets something they practiced nearly all their lives, Norio understands that he will not be able to keep up with trained soldiers right now; and is fearful of engaging in a duel. He knows his chances of winning are incredibly low.

Likes
Poetry
Oolong Tea
Sweets
Fish

Dislikes
The Grand Empire
Corruption
Rice

Theme
"Gone Are The Days"-Nujabes

•HAGAKURE•

Good luck everyone, it's been a wild ride and I've been honored to create character sheets among all of you; I wish you all the best of luck since I didn't make the cut--

Gowi whispers to Drew

Oh. I made the cut? Good luck to everyone still!

•HAGAKURE•

SUPER SUPER SUPER work in progress right now. But I wanted to post what I had just to have it while I'm at work typing on an iPad. At least this gives an idea of where I'm going with it.

Norio

Appearance


Name
Nakano Norio (Farmer)
Saito Norio (Real Self)

Age
32

Totem
Fox

Appearance
Sullen, slouched and unassuming, Norio dresses plain; he looks like a typical rice farmer. Simple clothes, sedge shades, old ragged sandals; Norio's chosen colors are dull tans and dark browns. In fact, if you placed him among other farmers, he would disappear within the crowd. His face is thin and pale; as if he appears completely sickly. His body is a mixture of tan and white; his arms have become brown from his time working in the field. His eyes are consistently wide with terror or awe at the situation around him; and his hair remains messy regardless of his attempts at primping and preening. He's a loser.

Unless of course he draws his sword. The moment his personality changes, so does his appearance. Standing tall, strong and with a piercing gaze, it's amazing to see such a transformation in a man.

Personality: Meek, timid, terrified and ridiculous, Nanako Norio is constantly in a state of refusal. He should not have been arrested. He should not have been slated for execution. He should just be back on his farm living a simple, quiet life. He is irritable and fearful, and seems to distrust any and all around him.

Saito Norio is a man who has seen too much. The death of his lord. The death of his soldiers. The death of his wife and children. When he's finally trusted those enough to reveal his actual self; he's contemplative and not afraid to joke around with his compatriots.

History
Nakano Norio was a simple farmer claiming that he was a victim of mistaken identity. Arrested under the name Saito Norio, he swears that he was not the famous revolutionary soldier. It doesn't help that he has a similar face and is the same age as the man; as well as having the same name. Nakano Norio bought a farm three years ago, and has worked every day since; keeping his nose clean and his head down. Honestly, he's always been a model citizen, though he's always been aloof with his neighbors. Unmarried and keeping to himself, his fellow villagers did not try and fight or argue when he was taken away.

The truth is always deeper and bloodier than a simple case of mistaken identity. Born to the Saito Clan, Norio was born to be the chief retainer for his lord, Oshiro Akira. A large, imposing but big hearted man, Lord Oshiro was one of the few lesser lords that showed compassion to their people; and wanted to fight against the injustices of the Empire. Lord Oshiro led a failed military revolt against the empire, known as the Winter Rebellion. The rebellion failed; and during an attack on Oshiro's castle, Norio was thrown off a rampart and into the river below.

Norio lost everything. Anyone involved in the revolution was slaughtered without care. In his loss, Norio fell to despair and created a new life under a new name. Thus, Nakano Norio was born. Appearing in a small village, buying a farm and living the idyllic pastoral life, Norio thought he could escape his past and disappear into a false existence. With the sudden fears of demons, The Grant Imperial Military found a foothold in his village.

Within a week he was arrested and charged with capital offenses against the Empire, and slated to be executed the following morning.

Strengths
Expert Swordsman
A master of the Saito family sword style: Divine Soaring Sparrow Norio is capable of fast, graceful attacks. Most of his style involved drawing the blade and engaging in graceful slashes and spins, mixing footwork and using the terrain of combat to the user's advantage. It works best against groups of opponents, though it falls short in single combat against a well trained soldier focusing on a more brutish style.

Archery
Norio has been trained with multiple weapons, but has always excelled with a bow. Norio is by no means an expert marksman, but he is capable of aiming with a modicum of accuracy. Norio was raised on strict religious principles disallowing the hunting of red meat (with the exception of dire circumstances) and is more trained in aiming for weak spots in armor or for a slow moving human target than a fast moving animal.

Spear Combat
Skill with a sword was not the only weapon art Norio was expected to train in. Norio is capable of spear combat as well, but is by no means an expert at that. Norio is simply capable of the basic forms. He does enjoy using a wooden spear for fishing in water sources, however.

Lordly Tactician
Norio was the retainer for a lord, after all. He's a capable leader and is used to leading men into war. The fact that Norio is well read, has years of experience under his belt and is just plain smart helps everyone.

Weaknesses
Weak
The past three years have not been kind to Norio. Living as a peasant is never a promising life; and with a lack of motivation to actually live, Norio's body has degraded from the man he once was. While he still has his memories and knowledge, he is incapable of fighting for long stretches of time, is easily winded, and cannot do too much. How he persisted as a rice farmer for so long is almost humorous, if it wasn't so pathetic.

Refusal of Self
Norio doesn't want to admit who is is. As Nakano Norio he lives a simple life without having to admit the pain of loss. He doesn't have to open his eyes and look at the world he left behind, and see how horrible things have become. It's easier for him to be a rice farmer, and he would prefer to stay like that as long as he can.

Rusty
Norio hasn't engaged in combat in years. While one never truly forgets something they practiced nearly all their lives, Norio understands that he will not be able to keep up with trained soldiers right now; and is fearful of engaging in a duel. He knows his chances of winning are incredibly low.

Likes
Poetry
Oolong Tea
Sweets
Fish

Dislikes
The Grand Empire
Corruption
Rice

Theme
"Gone Are The Days"-Nujabes

IT'S BASICALLY JUST SAMURAI CHAMPLOO IDK

<Snipped quote by DruSM157>

My favorite of the three is the second, it makes me think he's come out of retirement, with retirement being rice farming. Sort of like Iroh's tea house.

Anyway, definitely digging this character idea, he sounds like he'd fall closer to Mr. Miyagi than Yoda on a "Tricky old master" scale, and that's definitely not a character I'd wanna pass up. I take it he'd be a swordsman/samurai/ronin?

@DeadBeatWalking

I love being accepted just throwing out character concepts! I should do this more often.

I can definately do the middle aged 30-50 ronin archetype; possibly lost his land/honor/etc after the death of his lord after an attempted coup of the empire; thought to be dead and just retired as a simple village farmer until being arrested.

Combat style will probably be more stylized since we're goin' ninja scroll/champloo in terms of tone. Probably some iado drawing and some flippy/spinny junk. Everyone loves spinny swordplay.

IT'S BASICALLY JUST SAMURAI CHAMPLOO IDK

@Snagglepuss89@DruSM157 I'm all ears!

@DeadBeatWalking

Cowardly rice farmer who may or may not be a revolutionary leader and skilled warrior (which is why he was imprisoned before the escape).

There's a few ways I could play it; either he's a straight up lie master, or his farmer persona is just a second personality created after a near-death experience, or maybe he really is just a rice farmer.

IT'S BASICALLY JUST SAMURAI CHAMPLOO IDK

I got an idea or somethin' from reading all the setting stuff. I dunno if it's good or not. Gowi laughed at me when I told 'em.

NCQ — Polaris

Yup. We're still early on with stuff. Always easy ways to write people into the plot.