Ronin Fable [M]

[Heir of Void]

Name: Mamoru Heihachi

Age: 24

Description/picture: The archer looks older than his years, scars marking his forearms and face from the many years he had spent in the mountains. His hands are rough and calloused, from the harsh trials they are put through daily from training with the short but incredibly powerful Riman-Kyu that is either hidden within the folds of his clothing, or casually strung over the shoulder if involved with pleasant company. Heihachi-dono's skin is tanned from the time spent in the high altitudes of Honshu's rugged mountains, even with the constant mist obscuring the sun in the ravines between them. The man's entire 5'11" body is toned, specifically his arms- the climbing, bow-drawing, and melee sparring have granted him that at least, in addition to the experience itself.

The raider holds warm, persuasive brown eyes flecked with shining silver, set into a passive face devoid of all stress. Long, untied nightingale black hair flows freely from the man's scalp when in the company of the mercenary band, tied only when an infiltration assignment is give an impression of one in-touch with modern society. His clothing remains the same wherever he goes though, always wearing a worn bearskin vest and boots with thick, black cloth pants.

Social Class/Prior Profession: Mountain Infantry- Archer

Position among Ronin: Infiltrating Raider/ Mountain Guide

Weapons: A yew-wood Riman-Kyu (1.4m), dual quivers with 25 projectile capacity in each.
A bandolier of three small throwing Kama
Four Tanto knives- Hidden in various sheaths in his clothes for clandestine entry. Two measure= 7'' blade length, the other two are =5'' blade length.

For guide or scout assignments, Heihachi uses a larger bow (1.7m) to hit targets at a longer range, along with a large quiver with a 45 projectile capacity

Personality: Heihachi is an open person, very inviting and warm to even the most hostile of strangers. The archer is always trustworthy, putting the completion of a task before his life- as a good warrior should. Although he is serious about his work, he has fun with what he does, trying to raise morale a bit and lighten the mood with off-handed comments. He tries to be as approachable as possible so that others may come to him with problems or seek him as a confidant or mediator. The infiltrator deeply enjoys solving people's problems so that they may live easier lives, performing better labor without constant interrupting thoughts. He is typically laid back about everything, causing some to believe he was possessed by the yokai of laziness or maybe is just ridiculously indifferent.

On the topic of accuracy and precise combat though, he is obsessive. To reach his goal of glory, the veteran trains every day, his accuracy and power equaling that of a much larger bow, if not more so. Even the throwing Kama he utilizes are always on mark. It deeply unsettles him if someone criticizes his accuracy, catapulting the man into a nearly isolated training period which may last weeks.

Bio: Heihachi-dono was born in a rural village held within a ravine, son to a hunter and his wife who took the pelts and skins to tan them into leather. Both parents passed their trades unto the boy, giving him a way to live without the assistance of others. However, the young man was much to social to live isolated in the mountains for any extended period of time, and he was fascinated by the war stories and rumors told by travelers coming through the ravine. Promising himself that he would become a famous archer, he began training more intensely with a variety of bows- including his father's old military longbow.

Deciding to intensify his training, the young archer went on a three month long sojourn. Spending the time alone in the high peaks and deep ravines of Honshu's mountains, constantly traveling in a spiral that would lead him back to the village at the end of three months. Heihachi used his willpower to keep himself from wanting company. As a substitute, his bow was his friend. It helped him hunt, train, climb, and dream of a future of fame.

Perfecting his skills, Heihachi became an expert survivalist, learning bits and pieces of medicinal herb treatments, the proper uses for certain woods, trap-setting, arrow-making, and a number of other useful techniques.

At age sixteen, the draw for adventure became too strong to resist for the young archer, saying farewell to his parents and village before joining Honshu's militia as a starting point in his career. As mountain infantry, Heihachi-dono was right at home- scaling mountain walls, cliff faces, and trees faster than the other recruits and even most of the veterans. When tracking local bandits, he was unmatched. The young man could take down a moderately large group of armed forest thugs without any assistance.....besides looting the bodies.

After two years in the militia, the archer joined the full-service Honshu prefectural military as an archer, in which he remained for five years in a single campaign that neither gained nor lost land. The constant bloody struggle did lower Heihachi's humanity though, giving him an uncaring attitude him towards death and killing. Over all, he held highest number of fatal marks and direct hits overall within his unit as they defended mountain passes and ravines similar to his own home.

Understanding that this conflict was going nowhere, nor gaining him any fame besides within the unit, the veteran left to seek a group that would earn him glory and recognition as an archer. In his travels searching for the aforesaid group, he discovered a lord attempting to assemble a band of ronin, which he promptly joined after demonstrating his prowess as a marksman. The man, Mamuro Heihachi, hunts for glory.

(Note: Even though the -dono honorific usually implies one of high status or birth, I used it for Heihachi because of his talent with the bow, for this honorific is also used as a sign of great respect.

I may edit this later. Thank you.

[infernai]

Looks good, Welcome to the Band cestro.

[Atrum Daemon]

I'll have mine ready by monday at the latest

[crazydawg444]

i think this will be a fun one

[Miss Fortune]

Name: Akisame Kido (アキサメキド - Autumn Rain; surname: Brightness)

Age: 20

Description/picture:

Spoiler: Appearance 

Social Class/Prior Profession: Middle class; a samurai's daughter; shamisen musician

Position among Ronin: Spy/Informant

Weapons: Wielder of a modified Jutte, and a black Tessen.

Her jutte was crafted with two kagi (hooks) used to break swords.


Akisame's training with a jutte and Tessen became a valuable asset for a samurai's daughter to have under her obi. She was trained by her mother in the way of dance, often using the tessen to strengthen her hands and arms, as well as using the flowing movements to her advantage. Her skills were later tested when she was fifteen by her brother and cousin, who, upon finding her skilled, gave her a double kagi jutte for added protection. Her mother wasn't happy.

Personality: Akisame is generally a quiet girl, often portrayed as shy, reserved and witty. She quickly learned that her shy behavior attracted the attention of people who, using her shyness, would do almost anything she asked. She deals with a great inner conflict; arguing with herself about what she wants to do compared to what is expected of her. Being a woman, she is treated like a fragile flower, one that is not allowed to cry. She's used to being pushed to the side by the men in her family; because of that, Akisame tries her best to be accepted and appreciated by men - not only as a woman, but as her own person.

The death of her father left her mentally and emotionally wounded. Her grieving was quiet and long term. Because she was not allowed to cry, her muffled screams were seldom heard through her blankets during the night. She started to drift away from her family; her mother whom tried to be as strong as she could for her children, was often the target of her frustration when trying to console the mourning girl. Her need for revenge clouded her heart with anger, leaving her mind scarred with horrific scenes of death and destruction she often thought of when daydreaming about killing the man who ordered her father's death. For an eighteen year old, going through such an event was a turning point in her life. She never listened to what her family said; she began to learn the harsh lessons of life on her own, slowly helping her open up more and see the world as it truly is.

Bio: The Kido family moved from Osaka to Nagoya a few years after Akisame was born. With the death of Hideaki Kido's younger sister, her son, Keisuru, was adopted into the family. As if traveling with a young child was hard enough, Hideaki and Natsuko had their own teenage son moving with them. Settling into Nagoya was relatively easy. After the long travel, little Akisame had grown to love living outdoors and being around butterflies. In Nagoya, she began to feel trapped inside her family home, watching from the window as her brother and cousin practiced fighting stances.

There was an obvious rift between Akisame, and her older male family members. Keisuru and Haru instantly formed a bond; as cousin's, they were close as they could be. They never fought and rarely ever argued, which left Akisame feeling alone and disliked. As the daughter of a moderately rich family with a well respected samurai as the father, Natsuko wanted to raise her daughter as a perfect example of traditional values, culture and to be viewed as a respectable woman in society.

Life was hard when her father, Hideaki, went out to battle. She was left alone, trying to keep her family from falling apart. Haru wasn't called out to battle, much to his dismay, and because of that, he didn't make the strained living arrangements easy. Her father returned a few months later, victorious in battle, but injured. His mobility was severely diminished with an injured back, but as the head of the Kido family, he vowed to do whatever he could to protect his family and teach all his children and nephew the value of honor, respect and courage.

Word reached Nagoya that Hideaki Kido died in battle when they were ambushed. He fought valiantly, but his back injury was his ultimate downfall. Her father's katana was given to Haru, and the matching wakazashi was bestowed to Keisuru. Her father's death for his cause was one of the hardest things she had to face in her young life. Her brother and cousin was consumed with revenge and justice; they practiced and sparred till late into the night when they were sore, covered in bruises and often had to be escorted to their rooms.

Through some of her shamisen jobs, Akisame began to hear talk about the ambush that cost her father's life. She pursued the bits of information she received with single minded determination, often going above what was expected of a woman in order to find out the truth about her father's death. The rumors proved to be true; the ambush was planned. The remaining survivors of the militia killed her father and his followers because of his reverence for the Emperor instead of the local daimyo.

When news reached her about a group of rogue ronin banding together, Akisame was more than a little skeptical. If she left her home, she would have never been closer to fulfilling her mission of finding the man who ordered her father's death. It was a very difficult decision for Akisame to make. Her brother went off to fight for a daimyo whose name he refused to mention. Keisuru wasn't happy; he seemed to know more about his older cousin's decision then he cared to tell. No one was happy when Akisame decided to leave home. Her mother desperately pleaded with her to stay and find a wealthy husband that could help take care of the remaining Kido family. Keisuru stayed in Nagoya, taking over the head position for the Kido family and all the duties it held.

She went where ever she could in hopes of finding word about the daimyo who ordered the slaying of her father. It lead her to places she never thought she would go, doing things she never thought she was capable of. She learned how to use her words and actions to persuade men into telling her whatever she asked, though some needed sake to rattle their already weak psyche. She soon realized that if she was to ever find out substantial information regarding the incident two years ago, obtaining a type of job in a daimyo's home would be ideal. Hotsuma Koji was the warlord she found herself drawn to.

(If I need to fix anything, please tell me.)

[Mr. Rope]

HEY, I'm... super good at this game. I'm gonna be the mercenary leader, 'cause I can't think for myself.

Name: Haran Ebisu

Age: 27

Description/picture:

Spoiler: This'll be a slaugher! 

Social Class/Prior Profession: N/A

Position among Ronin: Supah Grandmaster Double King

Weapons: One very large sword that is heavy enough to function as a mace when needed.

Personality:
"Haran's mind is plagued endlessly with pain and strife. I pity him, I pity him more than I pity his opponents. Their suffering, at least, tends to be short lived."

- A village elder, stating his opinion of Haran Ebisu

"MURDER!"

- Haran, stating his opinion on the battles his mercenary group conducts.

In general, Haran Ebisu is a difficult person not to get along with. Boisterous and jovial, he treats everyone as a sibling until they've given him reason to do otherwise. If you happen to be a competent warrior, then he'll get along with you all the better because of it. Insulting him or his kin, however, is a crime Haran finds nigh on unforgivable. Because of his naturally attention-grabbing behavior and likable demeanor, groups often find themselves seeing Haran as a leader, or at least someone capable of speaking for them.

And then he reaches the battlefield.

Haran is fueled by rage. Every man or beast he has ever stricken down, he did so with hate and anger. The field of battle is not a place of joy for Haran, as many would believe it to be from his actions. Rather, it is a place in which insatiable, uncontrollable disgust for his opponents motivates his every move. This causes him to be ruthless and merciless in combat, and any survivors of a brawl Haran's men is almost certainly a fast runner, as he would never simply let them leave.

Bio: Haran grew up isolated from society, living in a small cottage on a mountainside with his four grandparents, his mother, and his father. As it happened, they lived relatively near a road which was often frequented by rich individuals, and so it quickly occurred to Haran's father that simply stealing from them would be much faster and easier than hunting to sustain his family. This went quite well, really, as he exercised enough self control where the rich folk rarely noticed any of their money was missing.

And so it went like this for many years, until one day, while returning home from a small exploration outing shortly after his ninth birthday, Haran found his home destroyed, and the beaten, broken remains of his family strewn about the vicinity. Fire was burning down what was left of his home, and quickly spreading to the grass beneath it. Four cloaked figures calmly slunk away from the disaster, bloody swords and wads of money filling their hands. Haran was, quite understandably, frozen stiff with fear. Thought, movement, and breathing became impossible actions for him. He could do nothing but stand perfectly still and be absolutely terrified. Nearly a minute after the cloaked figures had left, his brain finally had enough of its oxygen starvation and Haran blacked out.

When he awoke, Haran found himself to be the newest addition to the luggage of a traveling Ronin, whom had been left without a master after a drunken brawl had taken him away. The Ronin, eager to find a new purpose in life, made a deal with Haran: the boy would be fed and taken care of, and in exchange, he would learn the way of the samurai.

This proved to be a task Haran was not capable of completing. The katana was far too fragile of a weapon for him, and the virtues of Bushido simply did not appeal. So after two months of fruitless mentoring, Haran found himself left at the entrance to a small village, in which he found his next mentor: a retired mercenary with an affinity for two-handed blades that relied on more brute force than finesse. In a similar pact to the one formed with the Ronin, Haran spent the next several years of his life working and training under this mercenary.

As he grew older and more powerful, the fear Haran once felt was replaced with something new: hate. Hate at the men who killed his family, hate at the world for producing them, and most importantly, hate at anyone who would dare attack the helpless with no provocation. This feeling was powerful, fiery, and pushed him ever onwards in his training. When he turned eighteen, Haran joined a small mercenary group, which he later came to be the leader of. While they were well respected and successful in their ventures, controversy has surrounded Haran for years because of his ruthless nature. Oftentimes, men with several missing limbs would be found on the battlefield after the fight, slowly dying of blood loss or passed out from pain.

[infernai]

Mys terry, you are accepted. And we have our great leader with us at-last. I'll just wait for a few more people that need to get their CS' up and then we can start this show rolling.

[Atrum Daemon]

Let's see if my sleep deprived brain can produce quality.

Name: Yomiji Shimatsu

Age: 32

Description/picture:

Spoiler: Yomiji 

Social Class/Prior Profession: Shogun

Position among Ronin: Raid Leader

Weapons: Tachi and Nodachi

Personality: He possesses a natural ease and calmness that seems to radiate to those around him. He values martial ability and expects those he works with to be in top form in battle while striving to improve his own ability whenever possible. He tries his best to be amiable and holds his comrades in the same respect he hopes he garners from them.

He also has a great tactical ability and a quick analytical mind, showing itself in how he quickly adapts to changes in battle.

Bio: Yomiji was born into a family of military men and high society. From a young age, he was groomed for command and soldiering with the hope that he would succeed his father as Shogun. At the same time, he discovered a liking of strategy and sharp thinking. His grandfather took to teaching him Go in order to foster his mental development.

He grew into a capable swordsman and leader of men. When he came of age, he succeeded his aging father as Shogun and joined the grand struggle for power. His tactical ability and swordsmanship won him many battles. However, he stretched himself too far and was not prepared for a full assault on his whole territory. His army was routed and his lands taken. Yomiji was driven from his home with those of his family who were not slaughtered.

Yomiji’s family settled down in a new home, but he could not. He could not simply ignore the violence all around and felt he had to do something. But what could a former Shogun without an army do? The answer came one day when he happened upon a raid being conducted by a band of ronin. The caravan being raided flew the colors of the army that had taken Yomiji’s home. He jumped into the fray, assisting the ronin. Impressed by his skill and adaptive ability, they brought him back to their camp.

His combat skill and leadership ability quickly earned the former Shogun a spot in the growing force. He was given a party to lead as a raiding group and quickly earned the respect of the men under him. In recent days, those men have taken to calling him by his old title as a sign of great respect.

[Car'mael]

I gotta do much research for mine, so I hope to have him up tomorrow. I know little about the era and customs...

[infernai]

Alright, accepted Daemon. From the looks of it, Car'maels the last one that needs to get their character up then the roleplay shall be ready to roll!