The Empress's Own (historical, culture clash, could use a few more males)

[IrishWolf]

It is the year of 1655 of the Fourth Era, in the world of Feria. Or at least, that is how the civilized nations of the Osor continent see it. For several centuries, they had been the center of scientific, industrial and cultural advancement, their armies welding the most modern of arms, although tactics might be outdated at this point. For years now, their explorers had mapped in the dark interior of the southern continent of Erslya and they have colonised several points along the coast, to bring enlightenment to the dark skinned natives there. Or so they’ve claimed, conditions in the colonies are not, as the intellectual thinkers hoped they would be, although the bankers and colonial governors grow wealthy.

However, their view of the world has changed. For years untold, they thought the world was just Osor and Erslya, with the rest empty ocean. They knew the world was round, thanks to math and the calculations of learned men but since time began, they could not explore the rest, for there was a great natural barrier preventing this. The Doldrum a massive belt stretching vertically around the world, where the wind doesn't blow and waters are choked with thick beds of floating seaweeds, where terribly destructive shipworms breed. No wooden hulled sailing ship could penetrate, to see what lay beyond.

Now though, there is a new kind of ship upon the seas. Launched just four years ago, in the middle of a terrible war with the Kingdom of Tauacia, the Sesal Republic possesses a squadron of ironclad steamships, the first to be armored and the first to be driven by engines, rather than sail. With the end of their war with Wesal, the Naval Department find that they had a great number of bold and daring captains, eager for danger and glory, some of whom, are urging to see what lays beyond The Doldrum, using the new ships.

Three years ago, a fleet of exploration sailed west, bound for The Doldrum. The Ironclads, their keels armored to protect them from enemy torpedoes, should keep the vessels safe from the hordes of shipworms, towed barges of coal behind them. The bottoms of the barges sheathed in copper, in what would hopefully be a cheaper method, of keeping the wood worm-free. Three quarters of a year later, they returned, the first ships from Osor to ever do so and they carried shocking news. Not only were their lands beyond the The Doldrum but they were inhabited, mostly by barbarians but there was at least one great civilization.

The ship’s officers and crews told of tales of vast landmass beyond the windless sea, peaked with cloud covered mountains and forested by strange trees. Odd, warlike people lived there. Some have darker skins and others had fair skin, much like those of the Osorens and many have slanted eyes. Almost everywhere the ships tried to land, groups of men appeared, waving swords, spears and weapons unfamiliar to the sailors or firing arrows at the longboats, forcing the men back to the protection of the armored hulls of their ships. It was as if the whole of this continent was inhabited by savages, until the three ironclads followed a large number of tiny fishing vessels into a large bay, between a pair of mountains.

Behind the shield of the tall mountains and beyound the clear, shallow waters of the bay, was the grand city of Kōzu, the base of power for the Araki Empire. As the Ironclads approached, a boom of iron chain, wrapped with bindles of a strange wood, was raised, as the last of the fishing vessels slipped past. Two of the three Ironclads slowed to a stop but the third, under the command of a young captain named Elie Gohier, steamed ahead, smashing through the boom with her armored hull and into the bay. Sailing across the clear waters, until her keel was rammed into the white sand of the bottom, Captain Gohier climbed to the foredeck and watched, as hundreds of armored clad warriors assembled on the docks and beaches before the city. After an hour, without the natives launching arrows or spears towards his ship, he ordered a small boat lowered and called for enough volunteers to man the oars, to row him ashore.

This tiny party of bold seaman was met in the surf by wary eyed warriors, as the other two Ironclads sailed into the bay. Although words could not be understood, after a time, gifts were given by both sides, leading to a month long stay for the small fleet of exploration. During this time, some translations were made and some dialogue established before the fleet had to head for home, their coal running low and supplies of rum short. Their hulls were stuffed with strange spices, artwork and a wonderful new kind of cloth, called silk.

When the fleet returned to the Sesalian port city of Guirec and word spread of their adventures and what they had found, silk became the most sought after trade good, the nation had ever seen. Sailors from the fleet, who had been given little more then enough to make a single shirt, sudden found themselves rich beyond their dreams. Scores of merchant ships were outfitted with steam engines and sheathed in copper, for the long voyage across the Doldrum, sailing forth from ports all over Sesal, for the nation jealously guarded the route across the sea, eager to acquire whole shiploads of silk and other Arakian goods.

Over the past two years, as trade between Sesal and Araki grows, diplomacy stagnates between the nations. Much of the Imperial Court is opposed to having any interaction with outsiders, other than war. Araka merchants, while happy to make money selling to Sesalians, are rude and distant with them. Any attempt by a Sesalian to see the country beyond the city of Kōzu, is blocked. It would seem, that the whole country wants nothing more to do with those from across the sea, then to quickly swap good and sent them away at once. However, there is one person within the Empire, who is enthralled by them, the Empress Satsuki.

The Ironclad fleet arrived on her eighteenth birthday, on the day she was suppose to ascend the throne, which was put off until the strangers left. As much as the court has attempted to keep her separated from the Sesalians, she has become obsessed with them, sending out her servants to secretly bring Osoren clothing and books back into the palace for her. However her most recent desire, were fueled by one of the rare times she got to meet with the Sesalian ambassador and was given a demonstration of of Sesalian weaponry by a company of marines. She now wants a regiment, equipped and trained in Sesalian style.

The Ambassador, seeing an opportunity but not overly hopeful, sent to the request back to Sesal. To his surprise, the Secretary of the Army responded at once, agreeing to the venture and began organizing a military mission. You see, he had hundreds of thousands of rifled-muskets, uniforms, haversacks, cartridge boxes, belts, tents and all the other equipment of war to spare, along with hundreds of officers and sergeants in need of posts. After the war, the volunteer regiments had disbanded, leaving their equipment in government armories and the regular army officers and NCOs that had trained and then led them on the field of battle, without commands or postings, suited to their ranks, even after they reverted back from breveted promotions.

While the Empress was overjoyed to hear the news, brought by merchant ship, her Court was not so pleased. Not only would this mean more of the outsiders dealing with their folk and polluting their country but it was a direct attack on the power of the nobility. Since time unknown, the great lords of the Arakian people, called Daimyo, had been granted their strength through their ability to wage war. They lived upon the borders, forcing those lesser lords from the safe, protected interior of the country to send them huges taxes of rice and gold, to support their war making. It was their warriors, their armies and their victories, which maintained the nation. If the Empress was adopt the Sesalian model, it would not longer be their warriors but her soldiers, not their armies but her army and their honors and glories, would belong to her.

So they can only hope this experiment in outsider methods, fails. Of course, should they get an opportunity to help it fail, they’ll take it. Already, even before the Empress’s heralds ride from Kōzu, announcing to the whole country, that she is looking for warriors to assemble at the capitol, they have sent out their own messengers, back to their domains. None of their true warriors from the borderlands will come and those lesser lords sworn to them, will not send what few warriors they have to serve. At best, Empress Satsuki may get the dregs from the least powerful of families, whose swords have not been drawn in generations.




Alright, well that was a long read and I’m glad to see your still with me. Hopefully, you're wondering about characters and what plot I’m going to take this background setup from, about what kind of adult aspects the story will have, how I was inspired to come up with this and that you want to join.

Inspiration

Now in the title, I said said this was a historically inspired story and it is, mostly by the French Military Mission to Japan of 1867-68 and by the Onna-bugeisha.

So, after Commodore Perry opened Japan, the Tokugawa shogunate sent out an emissary to Europe, who requested military missions from the United Kingdom and France, to train modern troops. The United Kingdom refused but Napoléon III agreed, sending over a dozen officers and NCOs to Japan. These men were from the infantry, cavalry, artillery and engineers. When the Boshin War broke out and the Shogunate was defeated, the military mission was ordered by the restored Imperial government, to return back to France. However several men in the mission, lead by Jules Brunet, a lieutenant in the Horse Artillery Regiment of the Guard, promptly resigned from the French Army and joined with several thousand sailors, soldiers and samurai from the defeated Shogunate, who formed the Republic of Ezo, continuing to teach them Western Tactics and leading soldiers into battle. While noted for holding the first election in Japan, the Republic of Ezo was defeated in about six months.

The Onna-bugeisha, are warrior women, from Japanese history. Before even the samurai class was formed and right up to the Edo period, the women of the warrior and rules classes were taught how to weld weapons. This training allowed the women to protect towns, castles and other settlements, whose men were either away waging war or which lacked fighting men. However, with the Edo period and the end of war in Japan, for over two hundred and fifty years, saw the Onna-bugeisha nearly fade away, as even the Samurai changed from warrior to bureaucrat. There was a slight resurgence during the Boshin War, at least in the Aizu Domain. During the Battle of Aizu, Nakano Takeko led a small band of women armed with naginatas. During the same battle, Yamamoto Yaeko defended Aizuwakamatsu Castle with a Spencer Repeating Rifle.

Plot

Now for the loose plot. Now nothing is set in stone and it can be changed as the story evolves but my plan at this point is to start the story with the Military Mission arriving in Kōzu, early in the night. When they disembark, they are met by the Sesalian Ambassador, to brings them to his house for the night, while the crates with uniforms, rifles, ect are unloaded into a warehouse. While this is going on, Less than two dozen young nobles answering the call of the Empress arrive in a camp near the city, with retainers and levies from their homes.

In the morning, a few of the Empress’s chosen officials arrive at the Ambassador’s home and led the Mission about to the camp, followed by laborers carrying the crates, while another official arrives at the camp, telling the nobles and their followers to get ready to hear why the Empress as called for them. The Mission arrives and the officials announce that the Empress wants this strangers to teach them how to fight with new weapons and in the stranger’s tactics. Confusion breaks out.

The Sesalians are disappointed to find a little less than six hundred are there to be trained, to them, a newly mustered regiment is at least a thousand strong and they were told to expect more than that. They are then shocked to find out that something like have of the recruits are women.

On the flip side, the Arakians are shocked as well. Being from in the middle of the country, they hadn’t heard of the arrival of the Sesalians and knew nothing about them. The fact that they are to be armed and trained by barbarians (for all outsiders are barbarians) confuses, insults and shames them. Many assume that because their families haven’t been defending the country on the borders, that the Empress no longer has any faith in their skill with sword, spear and bow and feels that they must be taught new ways of war.

Over the next month, maybe a month and a half, the Sesalians are going to have to force these feudal warriors into becoming modern soldiers. The sergeants drilling the levies and retainers in marching, forming formation, shooting and bayonet, while the officers oversee the sergeants and try to teach the nobles in how to led a modern force. Until word reaches the city about a series of raids along the border, many of them coming out a mountainous region, where there is suppose to be a medium sized barbarian fort.

Seeing an opportunity, the noble members of the Imperial Court pressure the Empress to send her barely trained regiment to deal with the fort, promising to send levies of their own to support her new troops. At first it seems like they will keep their word, as the regiment marches out but when they reach the foothills of the mountains, their support melts away in the night, just in time for raiders to find the regiment.  A surprise attack in the early morning sends the regiment into panic. The Mission, which came along with the regiment as advisors, rather than to continue training them, knowing that the inexperienced officers will never be able to reorganize the green troops, wade into the fray, to take command and hopefully save the regiment.

Even if they do, there is still the mission to take the fort or they could return in shame and defeat to the Empress.

Characters

I will be accepting characters from the Military Mission, the Regiment or as Court officials.

Now, if you want to be part of the Military Mission, your character will be male and an Osoren in the Sesalian Army. There should be between three and four officers, either Captains or Lieutenants (first or second). The Mission will be commanded by my character, a Major. These men would have moved from Regular Army units during the war and given breveted (temporary) higher ranks to command volunteer regiments and after the war reverted back to their permanent rank in the Regular Army, only to find that there isn’t a place for them in any of their old units.

There should also be between four and six NCOs. These men would have already been sergeants when the war broke out and were moved to volunteer regiments like the officers, to help train them and then to have veteran, senior NCOs in such regiments. Unlike the officers however, their promotions to ranks like Sergeant Major, Colour Sergeant, Ordnance Sergeant and the like, were not breveted but permanent promotions.

The Sesalians would appear the same as western europeans with French sounding names. Mustaches, beards, sideburns and muttonchops are highly encouraged. The Sesalian Army is based off the French Army (1850-1870), so they should be wearing uniforms like them and I will provided examples below and I will make a little list here to help out making up a uniform. Different regiments could have very different uniforms.

Headgear: either a kepi or a shako

Jacket: either a knee length frock coat or a hip length shell coat, both should be single breasted (one row of brass buttons) and have epaulettes. Some shade of blue.

Trousers: Baggy or straight legged, shades of blue, red or black, with a differently colored stripe along the outer seam.

Footwear: Black leather ankle high boots (officers may have thigh high boots), hobnailed and wore with white spats (canvas covers wore over the boot and around the ankle) or gaiters (canvas covers wore over the boot and up to the calf ).

Under the uniform, men would wear shirts (any color or pattern), vests (any color or pattern), drawers (lightweight cloth pants, reaching down to knees or ankles, with a drawstring) and socks.

Examples of French and French inspired uniforms

If you want to play a character that is part of the Regiment, I would ask that you play as either a noble or a retainer. Characters can be of either gender and must be Arakians. Nobles should be young, late teens or early twenties and will become the Regiment’s officers, ten captains, one Major and a Colonel. The retainers on the other hand, can be of any age. Their the few professional warriors serving the lords of the interior of the country and will become the junior officers (lieutenants) and sergeants of the regiments. The levies are farmers called up to fight and will become the enlisted men of the regiment. If you do want to play as such, I would prefer it if your character would be someone who proves themselves during the Regiment’s first action and get promoted.

As to those who might want to play as Court Officials, they can be either gender and any age, as long as their Arakians. They lived in the capital city all their lives and serve the Empress, not a Daimyo. After introducing the Sesalians, they will stick around as translaters and to try and keep the peace between the two groups.

Arakians should looked East Asian. Names and clothing should be heavily influenced by Japanese culture, with an undercurrent of Hans Chinese. I will be honest, I’m not overly familiar with clothing for them but I will try to help with that, with what I have been able to find out. If anyone knows this subject better, feel free to speak up. Now, after the beginning, those in the Regiment, will be issued with Sesalian uniforms but feel free to mix and match those uniform with traditional clothing, like the image at the top.

Kimono: should be the simpler men’s style. Juban, a thin undershirt like garment, inner robe called a nagajuban, outer robe, attachable sleeves and a narrow sash called an obi. They also can be worn with a hakama, a pleted, divided skirt.

Samue: work clothes, waist length robe with loose trousers that tie around the ankle.

Kosode: basic robe, can be worn as undergarment or overgarment. Loose fit, worn with an obi and often with a hakama

Clothing examples

Kimono






Juban


Samue

Weapons

Pattern 1640 Bosc Rifle

Invented fifteen years ago, the Bosc is a muzzle loading rifled musket, using percussion caps. Firing a .58 caliber Bosc ball (this world’s version of the Minié ball), at a rate of 3-4 shots a minute, by a well trained rifleman, this rifle is four feet and ten inches from butt to muzzle. Weighing nine pounds, it has an effective range of one hundred to four hundred yards with a maximum range of a thousand, although hitting anything over five hundred is up to luck. COme equipped with a socket bayonet, with a triangular blade, eighteen inches long. Issued to all Sesalian enlisted and sent with the Military Mission to arm the Empress’s regiment with.



Le Hir Revolver
Invented nine years ago, the Le Hir is a five shot, cap and ball revolver. Coming in .44 caliber, they are double action, meaning that it take a single squeeze of the trigger to cock the hammer and fire the weapon. The chamber can be popped out and replaced, allowing those that carry it to quickly reload. Effective at thirty-five yards, the revolver has a maximum range of one hundred yards. They are general issue to all Sesalian officers and flag bearers, although the officers are allowed to purchase their own weapons, so long as they were .44 caliber and a number of these side arms are being shipped with the Military Mission for the officers of the Regiment.



Pattern 1630 Infantry Officer’s Saber
Standard issue to all Sesalian officers, although regulations allow for officers to purchases other style of swords. Thirty-two inch, slightly curved blade, with brass guard and wire wrapped leather grip, they come with steel and brass scabbards. These swords are not being sent with the Military Mission, as the native Arakians have their own styles of swords.



Pattern 1620 Noncommissioned Officer’s Sword
Issued to sergeants, flag bearers and musicians in the Sesalian Army. Twenty-six inch, straight blade, with cast brass grip, which resembles the more expensive wire wrapped grips of officer’s swords. They come with leather scabbards. These swords are with the Military Mission, as the military minds back in Sesal were unsure if the common people in the Araki Empire are allowed swords.



The men of the Military Mission may also be carrying personally bought weapons, such as knives of various styles and lengths or non-standard revolvers or single shot pistols. Arakian officers are carrying native swords of different types and native polearms, if they choose to, such weapons include but are not limited to katanas, ōdachi, nagamaki, naginata and yari.

Adult Aspects

This has been asked of me before in stories before, where the plot isn’t something akin to that of a porn (not that such stories are bad, I love them). This story will contain violence in battle, training or scuffles between characters. There is room for romance and rape in the story, with sex that can be played out in the IC thread but might work better in a separate thread between those players and linked so the rest can know what happened

Characters

Code (Character Sheet) Select Expand


[b]Player[/b]:
[b]Group[/b]: (Military Mission, Regiment, Court Official)
[b]Name[/b]:
[b]Age[/b]:
[b]Gender[/b]:
[b]Rank[/b]: (Military Mission or Regiment)
[b]Highest Rank Held[/b]: (Military Mission only)
[b]Social Standing[/b]: (regiment only)
[b]Sexual Preference[/b]:
[b]Appearance[/b]: (pics are acceptable but there must be a written description)
[b]Weapons[/b]:
[b]Extra Gear[/b]:
[b]History[/b]:




Mine

Player: IrishWolf
Group: Military Mission
Name: Gerard Meresse
Age: 30
Gender: Male
Rank: Major
Highest Rank Held: Brevet Brigadier General
Social Standing: NA
Sexual Preference: heterosexual, dominant   
Appearance:
Gerard Is a man of decent height, standing at five feet and ten inches tall, with a lean, athletic build, from years of fencing and from serving in a four year war. He is fair skinned and lightly tanned, which is slightly darker on his face. His hair is a soft brown color, cut to a few inches long and combed back. His facial hair matches that on his head and is neatly trimmed into a pair of thick muttonchops, bridged by a mustache. His green brown command his face, staring over a once straight nose, which has been broken at least once. He carries a scar on his left leg, from where a bullet went right through the muscle and nearly killed him. There is also a scar on his right ribs, from a shallow cut from a bayonet. As he has yet be reassigned, he still wears the uniform of the 5th Carlipa Regiment of Volunteer Infantry, loose but straight legged red trousers, with black stripes on the seams, a deep blue, single breasted shell jacket with gold epaulettes and a red kepi with gold trim. There are several campaign metals or metals for bravery on his right breast, when he is wearing his uniform in parade fashion.
Weapons: Le Hir Revolver and a personally engraved Pattern 1630 Infantry Officer’s Saber
Extra Gear: bruyère wood smoking pipe, pipe tobacco, silver pocket watch, comb and brush, straight razor, extra cylinders for his revolver, a black and tan Shorthaired Shepherd dog called Chasseur
History: Born in 1625, Gerard is the son of a successful factory owner and growing up, received a good education. As a young man, he worked for his father, who hoped he would take over but when he came to manhood, he applied and was accepted into the military academy, in the old fortress of Malix. After graduating, roughly in the middle of his class, he was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the 12th Infantry, at the age of twenty-two. Barely a year later, war broke with the Kingdom of Tauacia, after the Tauacian Army opened fire on the border forts. At the battle of Blomard Farm, he took a ball in his left calf, as his regiment advanced through a field of ankle high wheat. Nearly bleeding to death, he was carried off the field, to the regimental surgeons. Luckily, it was a flesh wound and his leg bone wasn’t broken. Recovering, he rejoined the regiment several weeks later, he would survive the Battle of Cornillac, where his regiment suffered heavy casualties and was promoted to captain, to fill the spot of his dead company commander.

A month later, he received a letter, giving him a breveted rank of Major and ordering him to report to the muster of the 5th Carlipa Regiment of Volunteer Infantry. Unknown to him, an uncle of his was serving on the board of staff officers, choosing field officers to train volunteers. Two months later, the 5th marched out, with Gerard as it’s second in command. During the defense of Cauna Hill, he took command of the regiment, when Colonel Antonin Thorel was shot off his horse. Promoted to Major in the Regular Army and breveted to Colonel of Volunteers, he commanded the 5th until the battle of The Old Forest. The Sesalians were trying to drive the Tauacians from an very old forest and the brigade the 5th was in, was assigned to the left flank. The 5th was placed on the end of the line and as the army advanced, easily punched through a light screen of Tauacian skirmishers.

Despite this easy victory, Gerard was uneasy, as he could plainly hear heavy fighting off to his right. Instead of driving the Tauacians before him, he ordered his regiment to wheel right, forcing their way through heavy undergrowth, until they found the battle proper. The rest of the brigade was being slaughtered, as they assaulted a Tauacian position, set in the remains of an abandoned farmhouse, which had collapsed slightly and the tumbling over stone walls around it. Finding that he had flanked the enemy, he ordered his men to pour fire into the rear of the Tauacians, until they routed from their farmhouse. At this point, more Tauacian regiments began to fall back and their flank started to roll up. However the battle would last a further three days, as the thick woods turned maneuvers into quagmires and often prevented orders from arriving in timely manners.

After the battle, it was found out that the brigade command had been killed and Gerard was breveted to Brigadier General. Until the War’s end, a year and half later, he would led the brigade into battle, gaining a reputation for being able to flank through the roughest of terrain, his men nearly always using light infantry formations and tactics, which seemed to work, even with their colorful uniforms, most likely because enemy commanded didn’t believe men could march through the rocky hills or forests on their flanks. His brigade would earn the nickname, The Devil’s Chasseurs.

After the War, he reverted back to his rank of Major, only to find that his regiment (and the rest of the Regular Army regiments) had no need of a Major. He was put on half pay, like many of his fellow officers and assigned to a border fort. When his former regiment, the 5th Carlipa Regiment of Volunteer Infantry, disbanded. The men took a vote and gave the regimental mascot, a one hundred pound shepherd dog, to him as a parting gift. For the past three years, he has slowly going crazy from boredom in the fort, throwing himself into saber fencing to hold off the boredom and playing with Chasseur. He was thrilled, when he was offered the chance to lead the Military Mission to the Araki Empire, which was once again, thanks to his uncle.

[Birchleaf]

This looks pretty promising. I would like to keep an eye on it. If a few more people express interest I will submit a character sheet. I would probably play as a young Sesalian captain who probably got his position because he is the illegitimate son of a wealthy nobleman rather than his expertise or talent. That does not mean he is incompetent though: just not ready for his position.

[Question Mark]

Also tagging for interest.  I'd like to hear more about the cultures and how they've gotten along over the past month, since that will probably have a great influence on how we design our characters and how the game begins.

[TheHangedOne]

I have a question. Since it's generally cast offs and dregs that are showing up for the training, would I be able to play as either a mercenary, or possibly a bandit looking to get into a more honest line of work? He would be Arakian.

[IrishWolf]

Alright, finally got some response! You guys made my night.

Birchleaf, I would accept such a character. Sesal however is a republic, so no nobles but his promotion to captain could have been purchased by a Robber Baron type father.

TheHangedMan, I like that bandit idea. Maybe such a character showed up and offered his services to a noble family with very few retainers, as they started to march out for the capital? Maybe they equipped him with some finer clothes, hoping to pass him off as real family retainer, rather then a scruffy peasant?

Question Mark, an interesting question and something I was already planning for. Not that the soldiers from Sesal or the warriors coming in from the country would know this but when our story starts, with the arrival of the Military Mission, things will be getting tense in the capital. Up until the arrival of the news that Sesal would be sending weapons and instructors, the Arakian nobles were ignoring the Sesalian merchants mostly. In the month before the arrival of the Mission however, they have taken notice, doing their best to stop trade (by threatening Arakian merchants who do business with the Sesalians) and sending out men to assault stray Sesalians at night.

[TheHangedOne]

Irish, you have given me a brilliant idea. Tinkering on a sheet commences!

[TheHangedOne]

Player: TheHangedMan
Group: Regiment
Name: Suo Saika*
Age: 37
Gender: Male
Rank: Regiment
Highest Rank Held: N/A
Social Standing: Retainer*
Sexual Preference: Heterosexual
Appearance: Suo prefers to wear red colored clothing, a callback to his time in the Ten Demons Gang. Typically, he wears a kimono, and hakama pants. His kimono is emblazoned with the crest of the Saika family. He also carries a mask from that time in his life, as well, designed to look like a demon. 

Suo is a tall man, standing at an even six feet tall, and weighing in at around 200 lbs. He is broad shouldered, barrel chested, and generally large in overall size and shape. His body is pockmarked with scars, mostly slashing wounds. There is a deep, gouge-like scar on his right shoulder, from a time when he was shot with an arrow.

His hair is black, and his eyes are dark brown. He usually has a grim, some times pensive, expression.
Weapons: Suo's learned to use a wide variety of weapons, but he has found the Bo to be the most palatable to him. He is also an accomplished spear fighter, since the two weapons use a lot of the same moves in martial arts. He brings with him a well worn, but well taken care of staff that is six and a half feet long, with metal caps at both ends.
Extra Gear: Demon mask, a small pouch with a few coins in it.
History: The man now known as Suo Saika was originally known as Jinpichiro, with no known family name. He was a war orphan in the Saika family domain, who was cared for at an orphanage run by monks.

When he grew older, he used to tend to a vegetable garden that was the primary food source for the orphans, while also working other odd jobs; mostly unskilled physical labor. He was eventually conscripted, and trained, where he found himself a natural born warrior. He had the resiliency for it, and fast reflexes besides that. He studied and learned relatively quickly.

Days before an important battle, the Saika family suffered a blow, as the head of the house succumbed to an illness that had been running rampant in their domain. There was also general discontent due to a drought period that had significantly impacted the harvesting of crops. The illness, the food shortage, the death in the family, and the resulting feud between twins as to who would inherit rule, caused a significant amount of disillusionment amongst the people.

Their failure to make good on their previously arranged aid to another family lost the family a great deal of honor, and they quickly became shunned,  which further intensified the maladies of the domain.

At that time, Jinpichiro decided to leave the army, along with nine other men, and they turned bandit as a way to make ends meet. They came, in time, to be known as the Ten Demon Gang, for the fact they wore red clothing, and donned terrifying masks to conceal their identities.  They mostly raided merchant caravans, though lone travelers some times fell victim as well.

It was during one such raid on a caravan, that something changed. Jin saw a girl run screaming out of the carriage, and to her father's corpse. She begged and pleaded for him to get up, that it was no time to sleep, that she didn't know why he was so quiet. And then, one of the other Demons stabbed her in the chest, on account of the fact that he couldn't bear to hear her whining.

At that moment, Jinpichiro had a moment of epiphany and deep insight into just what it was he was doing. They weren't just taking lives, they were ruining lives. He began to question himself, his motives... he brooded for some time.

Then, one night, he left the hideout when he was on watch. He went to the Saika family, and turned himself in. He also informed them of the location of their base, hidden in a cave.  He wanted no more to do with preying on innocents, and was ready to surrender his life.

Rather than being executed, he was merely placed in jail. Even after the other nine were rounded up and killed, he was left to languish and rot in the jail cell. He accepted this suffering as some way that he might atone for his wrongdoing.

Fate, it seems, however, had other designs for Jinpichiro. Koroku Saika, the twin who eventually inherited rulership, received the summons, like many other domains. Being that the Saika family was basically the equivalent of dirt at this point in time, they figured they didn't have much to lose. So, Koroku approached Jinpichiro with an offer.

He would take on a new name. He would become a retainer of the house. He would take the family name, to show his loyalty, and he would be dispatched along with a few others, to answer the call for soldiers.

Though hesitant to go back to war, Suo seems content to just go wherever the wind blows him. His relative excellence on the field of battle is dampened by this listlessness.


Okay, I think that about does it... let me know if I messed up anything. The Saika are definitely on the list of "least powerful families".

[SGTDan]

Thinking of being a lowly Corporal, light infantry.

[IrishWolf]

Dan, good to see you!

TheHangedMan, Suo Saika looks good, I like the backstory.

[Juggtacular]

Been looking this over. Would someone with shinobi type skills be allowed?

[IrishWolf]

Hmmm, I'm going to go with a no, unless your going to play the character as a simple spy, sent by a powerful lord to make trouble, rather than a badass star-chuckin, wall-climbin, disappearing-in-a cloud-of-smoke ninja.

[Juggtacular]

Okay. Just wanted to make sure. I'm still interested so I'll probably be working on a character sheet.

[Question Mark]

I've got an idea.  I'll shoot you a PM ASAP Irish.

[IrishWolf]

Excellent, good to see you Blinkin. I'm sure our eager recruits will love Sergeant Major Nelson.

[IrishWolf]

Hmmm, I thought we could have gotten at least one katana welding female character by now.

[Juggtacular]

I was planning on making a katana wielding male if that's any consolation, lol.

[IrishWolf]

I'll have to send out a few PMs, see if I can't recruit a few.

[Juggtacular]

Player: Juggtacular
Group: Regiment
Name: Takahashi Fujiwara
Age: 21
Gender: Male
Rank: Regiment
Highest Rank Held: N/A
Social Standing: Noble
Sexual Preference: Heterosexual
Appearance:
Takahashi is surprisingly tall for his race, standing at 6'1 when full upright. Despite being a noble, as the firstborn son he is constantly training. Swordfighting, staff fighting, hand to hand, bow and arrow, etc... As such his body as been honed to seeming perfection, with strong yet toned muscles. He has a handsome face that looks slightly older than it is due to stress and pressure. His eyes however are young and sharp, a hazel color that seems to draw ones attention. He keeps a bit of stubble, at times shaping it into a goatee before letting it grow too "wild" as his father calls it. His hair is pitch black with a slight sheen, and he tends to keep it barely shoulder length; he usually keeps it in a ponytail. He has a light scar over his right eye he received during a duel, starting slightly above his eyebrow and ending just below his cheek bone. It doesn't impair his vision however. When expected to be presentable or receiving guests, Takahashi can be seen in the ornate and traditional garb of his people. Usually a finely tailored kimono. However, when nothing is expected of him, or when he's about to partake in a battle he can be seen dressed in a Shōzoku(sans the mask), as it provides much greater range of movement and comfort. If given enough time, he may don armor for combat. He is always seen with his blades, his Katana on his left hip, and it's Wakizashi pair on the small of his back.
Weapons: Like most warriors, Takahashi's main weapon is a Katana, one that has been in his family for generations and carefully maintained. It is paired with a Wakizashi. While the blades are his favorite, he is skilled in the use of the Naginata and the Yumi Bow as well.
Extra Gear: A sake bottle  he keeps on his person and full, a whetstone, a concealed Tantō
History: Takahashi Fujiwara is the 1st son and heir to Lord Tenro Fujiwara and his wife, Lady Aiko Fujiwara. He was born 21 years ago in 1634, and the entire region under the Fujiwara banner rejoiced as Tenro and Aiko had been trying for some time to have a child. What was funny was that after Takahashi, three more children were born. A boy and two girls. As the eldest though, the attention was mainly on Takahashi; not because he was the favorite as Tenro and Aiko loved all their children equally.

However as the firstborn, responsibilities and expectations fell on Takahashi, so he was pushed. Physical Training, Swordplay, Studying, Archery, Diplomacy, everything under the sun a noble would be expected to know was drilled into his head day in and day out. This continued well into his teenage years, until one day he rode into battle at his father's side. The Fujiwara had long been seen as the Right Hand the Royal Family, and as such she called on them when a show of might was needed, or an important battle won. They were supposed to eradicate a large group of bandits hiding in the mountains, and were promised aid from the Saika family, a family which had been friends with the Fujiwara for generations.

The help did not come that day, and Fujiwara lost many men, a great deal more than was necessary. They won the day however, and Takahashi earned his father's gratitude when he felled a warrior who'd broken their lines and tried to assassinate the Fujiwara general(Tenro). It was in that fight that he received his scar, due to slipping on a wet rock while trying to block a sword strike. After decimating the bandits, his father was forced to report what had happened at the battle.

As a result, the Saika family name was dragged through the mud and worse by the time the news had spread around the kingdom. Life after that seemed to go back to normal, until the Queen sent missives about needing warriors for her cause. Many of the other Daimyo and Feudal Lords would refuse, especially those with higher echelons of power. However, Fujiwara had always been loyal to the Royal Family, and they would not change that. Tenro with a heavy heart sent Takahashi along with all of the warriors he could spare to answer the Empresses' call. He hopes to make his father proud.

-I know most, if not all the families actually sending soldiers are bottom of the barrel, but I thought it would be interesting to have a powerful family to actually respond favorably and support the Empress in this decision. I can edit if needed though.-

[IrishWolf]

Interesting and I like the tie in with TheHangedMan's character. How about (mostly because I'm evil), Takahashi arrives with only a few retainers, his father can't spare any levies or more trained warriors for the Empress's Folly. Because of this lack of local troops, Takahashi is given command of a mingled company of levies and retainers from families that couldn't send sons (or daughters), including Suo Saika.

[Juggtacular]

That works just fine for me.

[IrishWolf]

Alright, I'm working with a couple of people through PMs about character, so hopefully we'll see our roster of players expand soon.

[Juggtacular]

Sweeeeet. Hope to see them soon.

[Question Mark]

I'll make mine tomorrow.

[Juggtacular]

When people start apping if we're still hurting for women, I can make one if needed.

[Caela]

This looks interesting, I'll see about making up a character and see if she fits. :)

[IrishWolf]

Excellent, I'd love to have you Caela

[Caela]

Player: Caela
Group: Regiment
Name: Eri Takeda
Age: 19
Gender: Female
Rank: Regiment
Highest Rank Held: N/A
Social Standing: Noble
Sexual Preference: Heterosexual

Appearance: When not training with her Father, Eri is, most commonly, dressed in silk kimonos in various shades of blue, black or red and usually decorated with cherry blossoms or cranes. The more formal dress is to appease her Mother. Left to her own devices she would simply remain in the comfort of her Shozoku, or the same simple garb her Father wore when not training. Her Mother would have none of this however. She might have a daughter that was also a Warrior, but when not training she expected Eri to look like a daughter. The thick mane of her raven black hair is, almost without fail, kept drawn back into a tight bun or twist and where her sisters are often artfully done up with powers and shadows, her own face is, always, clear of artifice. Built lithe, she doesn't have the muscle of a male warrior but she makes up for it by having the grace of a willow reed and the speed of mountain cat in her strikes and while she may not appear as strong as a male, her lithe frame is surprisingly strong from constant training as a child. At 5'8 she is tall for a woman and this is just one more reason her family sees it as appropriate for her to be the family protector, her Mother fears of her never making a "respectable" marriage and feels she should have skills she can live on as a fall back.

Weapons: Like her Father she always has a katana at her side and she never leaves her home without her naginata, which is her weapon of choice. Few people ever see them, but she also has forearm sheathes to give easy access to the double edged tanto blades she carries there and she is never without a keiken in the obi wrapped around her kimono as well.

Extra Gear: Along with the blade she always carries, she never leaves her home, for long, without the black mare her Father purchased for her and a bag that carries an extra Shozoku and kimono, two water skins, and a small jade statue of a dragon that her Mother purchased for her to stand in for their family Guardians when she is far from home. She doesn't have it yet, but her Father has promised her an appropriately fitted suit of armor on her 20th birthday as well.

History: The youngest of five daughters, it was with her birth that her Father despaired of ever having a son and so he named Eri, the protector, and raised her as he would have raised a boy. While her sisters were learning to dance, make up their faces, and how to properly run a house, she was out in the yard learning how to ride a horse, shoot a bow and handle a variety of blades from her favorite naginata to the small keiken she kept in her obi. Her Mother wouldn't have it that one of her daughters didn't learn some of the womanly arts however and so she learned how to properly drape a kimono, how to dance, and how to cook as well.

It made for a unique childhood and while she savored the skills her Father taught her, she did regret the very real rift it placed between her and her sisters as well. From a small, but Noble family she would travel with her Father when he would go to the Capital for various functions while her sisters remained, jealously, at home and while her sisters were being married off to "respectable" husbands she was at home continuing her training with little hope of such a match for herself.

Fully grown now she has but one sister left at home who is due to be sent away in marriage the next summer and she works hard to earn the suit of armor her Father has promised her for her 20th birthday. When the call from the Empress reached their home for fighters to build her new Regiment with, to learn new ways of fighting, her Father was loathe to send her, but Eri couldn't think of anything better. With her last sister to be married they no longer needed a protector to guard their virtue and this would give her more skills to use to establish herself in her own future. If all went well it might even bring her to the notice of the Empress herself, perhaps even earn her a position in the Empress personal Guard. Unable to argue with his favored daughter, Eri was given the supplies she would need and he escorted her himself to the Capital and the new life she would lead there.

[Juggtacular]

Takahashi definitely approves.  :D

[Caela]

lol...Does he approve because he actually approves...or because she's the only female on the board so far?!  ;D

She can be bristly, and keep in mind she's covered in blades...even when you can't see them! Am thinking even things like decorative hair sticks are likely to be weapons on her.

[Juggtacular]

Both. Lol.

She's pretty, a good fighter, etc... Nothing better than a woman who knows her way around a battlefield. And if she's as good as she seems in her bio, then once he sees her in action he'll definitely be impressed.

[IrishWolf]

Excellent, I heartily approve of Eri Takeda.

I will be starting on the IC but hopefully, we'll get a couple more characters before I open the game.

[Caela]

Hehehe...oh she's good! :D Though his being impressed with probably confuse her lol. Keep in mind I've written her as from a small province and as the protector of her sisters, she more used to the men she comes into contact with fawning over the "proper" females and looking at her as some sort of freak. If he actually expresses admiration for her skills, she's likely to think he's mocking her at first.

[Caela]

lol...With all those blade he might tumble all right! Just not in the way he's expecting!  >:)

[Question Mark]

'T'was more than a day, but here it is.



Player: Question Mark

Group: Military Mission

Name: Henry Jean Vesalier

Age: 42

Gender: Male

Rank: Captain

Highest Rank Held: Major

Social Standing: N/A

Sexual Preference: Heterosexual

Appearance: Tall, nearly 190 cm, with a willowy build and long legs that make him a naturally good runner.  Maintains a bushy brown mustache on a handsome, albeit worn, face.  While in uniform, wears a red and blue kepi, a blue single-breasted shell coat with golden buttons and epaulettes, white gloves, and dark blue straight-legged trousers with a golden stripe running down the outside leg.

Weapons: At all times, Henry possesses a standard Le Hir Revolver, loaded.  When in uniform, he will also carry a Pattern 1633 Cuirass, which he bears with great pride.  Finally, he maintains a standard 1630 Bosc rifle, which he keeps in his quarters.

Extra Gear: The usual toiletries.  In addition, Henry possesses an older style pocket watch, the outer casing of which bears a map of the (then) known world, itself ringed by an artistic representation of the Doldrum.  He also carries a handkerchief for his persistent cough and a finely carved wood pipe inlaid with brass, although he does not smoke it.

History: Henry was born into poverty in the year 1613 to his father, Jean, and his mother, Amelie.  A clotheswasher, Amelie died during childbirth.  Jean, a factory worker deep in debt, frequently took out his anger and grief on his young son, indirectly blaming him for his wife's death.  Henry grew up covered in bruises and reeking of the gin his father bought with money he didn't have to spare.  He loved his father despite the harsh treatment, and being an intelligent and surprisingly emphatic child, often worried after his health and fortunes.

By the age of 6, Henry was working 12 hour shifts as a chimney sweep.  Several years later, Jean was jailed in a debtors prison.  As a result, Henry began boarding with his father's sister.  Despite her close relation, she maintained that it was Henry's responsibility to pay down his father's debt, and so he continued working.  Her husband, a Lieutenant in the army named Picard, returned later that year on a brief leave.  A kind man, he persuaded her to release Henry to the army, and to use part of her considerable savings to make Jean's debt solvent, allowing Henry to stop working and attend a private school as a ward of the army.

Despite his late start, Henry proved to be a voracious student, excelling in reading, arithmetic, and oration.  On Picard's advice, and inspired by his grand tales of soldiering abroad, Henry applied and was quickly accepted into the Malix Military Academy.  He again excelled academically, but received poor marks in the areas of leadership and military strategy.  Upon graduation at the age of 21, Henry was assigned as a 2nd Lieutenant to the 12th Logistics Corp and stationed in a city garrison as a supply officer.  Proving adept at maintaining the supply chain, he quickly rose to the rank of Major over the next decade.  Henry set aside a percentage of his wages to paying off his father's debt, but was unable to keep up with the accruing interest.  Growing desperate, Henry entered into the contraband black market.  By changing numbers in supply ledgers, he could reroute weapons, food, and clothing to illicit buyers without arousing suspicion.  With this robust income, he quickly paid down the interest, released Jean, and even bought him a small apartment in the city.  However, he was forced to discontinue sending money after an investigation nearly uncovered his role in the contraband racket.

Two years later, war broke out with Tauacia.  Henry was commissioned as a chief logistics officer for one of the many fronts, and was moved out to a supply camp near the fighting.  A month into the war, a misled Tauacian force assaulted the depot, having incorrectly believed it to be a staging area.  Although the force was quickly rebuffed due to the timely arrival of an Osoren regiment, Henry took a ball to the chest in the chaos and nearly died of pneumonia the following week.

While recovering from his injury, a messenger arrived bearing a formal accusation of Henry for contraband smuggling.  He would later learn that a captured fence working for the contraband ring had given up his name under duress.

Despite the ongoing war, Henry was forced to return and stand trial.  As it turned out, the evidence against him was not especially strong, and Henry was able to narrowly evade a conviction by nullifying the incriminating testimony and citing his distinguished service.  Fearing an incorrect verdict, the military tribunal nonetheless busted him down to a Lieutenant, docked his pay, and assigned him as a "morale officer" to a 9th Infantry fort on the fringe of the fighting, far away from any major supply lines.  The position was intended as an indirect punishment, and Henry spent the remainder of the war pacing the walls of the fort and cleaning equipment, growing resentful and bitter.  His wound, although fully healed, had left him with a persistent cough, and the cool climate only exacerbated the problem.

After the war, Henry repeatedly petitioned for reassignment, and was repeatedly turned down.  Even when he received a rain-soaked letter telling him of Jean's death, the Osoren army refused to grant him leave to return home and bury his father.  The fourth year of his assignment crawled by, and Henry began contemplating desertion.  Before he could steal away across the border, a letter arrived bearing his name.  His sixteenth reassignment request had been granted: he was ordered to immediately report to the nearest port and rendezvous with a mission to the distant Araki Empire.  Included was a parcel bearing the epaulettes of an Osoren Captain and a signed order confirming his promotion.

Initially, Henry used the command as a cover-up for his desertion.  Three nights after leaving the fort, Henry encountered an Osoren military convoy led by a man who recognized him from his highly publicized trial four years earlier.  After a brief inquiry, Henry was forced to reveal that he was destined for the nearest port.  Surprised, the leader of the convoy insisted that he travel with them since, through sheer luck, that was where they were headed.  Unable to decline without revealing his desertion, Henry found himself unwillingly escorted to the port.

[IrishWolf]

More than a day but worth it, glad to see Captain Vesalier

[Question Mark]

More than a day but worth it, glad to see Captain Vesalier

Forgot to mention it in the post, but the reassignment to the Araki mission also included a promotion to Captain.  I've edited the profile to include this detail.

[Question Mark]

Just remember that sargents are the ones who really know what they're doing. ;)

Always.

[Juggtacular]

Hehehe...oh she's good! :D Though his being impressed with probably confuse her lol. Keep in mind I've written her as from a small province and as the protector of her sisters, she more used to the men she comes into contact with fawning over the "proper" females and looking at her as some sort of freak. If he actually expresses admiration for her skills, she's likely to think he's mocking her at first.

I understand that. But unlike the guys who came to fawn over the proper ladies, he's a samurai warrior at heart, and a noble/politician second. So to see a woman so dedicated to the fight would be a welcome change from primp and proper he's seen all his life. And heh, if she thinks he's teasing, I think that would add a bit of fun off the bat.

[Lithium]

Player: Lithium

Group: Regiment

Name: Izumi Satō

Age: 26

Gender: Female

Rank: TBD

Social Standing: Noble

Sexual Preference: Bisexual

Appearance: Standing at 5'6", Izumi is of slightly above average height for an Araki woman. She has jet black hair, dark brown eyes and a slender, athletic body. She has one large tattoo depicting a mythical water serpent embellished with koi fish, waves and cherry blossoms that begins on the upper left of her chest before wrapping around to span across her entire back and finally trailing off at the back of her right thigh. Since she enjoys being different and feeds off of attention, Izumi often chooses to dress quite outrageously and provocatively. Very short kimonos with open necklines, sheer clothing, exotic skins or furs, flamboyant makeup, four inch tall platform sandals - there's not much that she'll shy away from. She likes to wear her own distinctive kabuki face paint into battle, making herself even more recognizable.

Weapons: The weapons that Izumi typically carries are a katana, a pair of wakizashi, a tanto, a pair of tessen (bladed fans) and a pair of kanzashi (sharpened hair pins) tucked into her hair. She also owns a yari spear and a yumi bow that see less frequent use, as she'll usually leave them at home or strapped to her horse.

Extra Gear: Dō-maru (leather scale armor), a grey horse, a variety of clothes, makeup and other beauty products.

History: As the ninth out of eleven children, Izumi was of noble birth but hardly received the same level of attention as some of her older siblings. It was a blessing and a curse, in a way, since that meant that she also didn't have any major responsibilities imposed upon her or decisions shoved down her throat like her eldest sister who'd been forced into an arranged marriage at only fourteen.

Becoming enthralled with kabuki theater at a young age, Izumi spent the majority of her time working on her dancing and acting skills when she wasn't studying. It wasn't until a few years later that she suddenly had a sort of epiphany while watching two of her brothers spar with wooden bokken swords, recognizing the same beauty and fluidity in sword fighting that she appreciated so much from kabuki.

Since she was left to her own devices for the most part as long as she did well in school, Izumi branched off down the path of the warrior as well, though she didn't abandon her passion for performing. Eventually, she was able to fuse elements from each of her arts together, developing her own unique and unpredictable movements.

When she was old enough, Izumi left her home to explore the empire and continue to expand her skills. Joining a traveling theater company, she toured all around Araki, learning new fighting techniques from different masters in every town and city as she passed through them. Once she became confident enough, she started competing in duels and public tournaments, instantly becoming addicted to the thrill and glory of battle as well as the high profile that came with victory.

Enjoying her fame ever since, she never really looked back until recently when she returned to visit her home and learned that her father was worryingly ill. Though they'd never been extremely close, Izumi still considered him a good father and a great man, and she felt like she owed him for the blessed life that he'd provided her with. This was just days after the Empress' call for soldiers to join the ranks of her new experimental regiment, so Izumi decided to seize the opportunity with the hope of giving her father something to be proud of before he left this world.

[Juggtacular]

Very nice. We have some pretty bad ass ladies it seems.

[Salvation]

Being Japanese, this catches my interest, and I like bad ass Asian women, so will look at this, and see If I can make a character that fits. I rather like the details and characters that I have seen so far with perusing the thread.

[IrishWolf]

Lithium, a lovely character and I'm glad to see you joined us.

Salvation, I would be honored to have a character from you.

[Salvation]

Lithium, a lovely character and I'm glad to see you joined us.

Salvation, I would be honored to have a character from you.

Great, I got it started and will post it in the next day or two. 

[Question Mark]

Lithium, you used some amazing pictures in that profile.  I especially like the armor one.  Do you happen to recall where you got them from?

[Lithium]

Lithium, you used some amazing pictures in that profile.  I especially like the armor one.  Do you happen to recall where you got them from?

I'm glad you liked them. ^^

The portrait is by Luis Royo from a book called Dead Moon.

The armor picture I got from a gallery on Deviantart, but the artist seems to have erased everything from his account, so unfortunately I can't really help you with that one.

[IrishWolf]

Alright folks, I have news!

Recruitment is still open but we now have The Empress's Own IC and The Empress's Own OOC

[SweetSerenade]

I am actually highly interested in this story. Like you would not believe, I do not usually do non-series, but this is one that catches my fancy. I have a few character ideas, for a woman. Need to think of exactly what I would like to do with her, I know she will be Arakian.. XD

[Juggtacular]

Sweet. Three Araki women, Two Araki men(so far) and a slew of soldiers.

[IrishWolf]

We would love to have you SweetSerenade

[SweetSerenade]

hmmm I noticed htat. Well... I would be more interested in playing a more caucasian female - to be honest. But how would I do so, while still staying within the confines of the plot?

[Question Mark]

I am actually highly interested in this story. Like you would not believe, I do not usually do non-series, but this is one that catches my fancy. I have a few character ideas, for a woman. Need to think of exactly what I would like to do with her, I know she will be Arakian.. XD

This is completely random -- I apologize -- but all I can think of when I see your avatar is the Red Ajah.  Was that intentional?

[SweetSerenade]

This is completely random -- I apologize -- but all I can think of when I see your avatar is the Red Ajah.  Was that intentional?

Actually, Question Mark, that is me about a year before I had my daughter. I had a red gown made for a Dragon Riders of Pern IRL hatching at a convention, and just loved the dress so much I used it at one of my photoshoots. :D

[IrishWolf]

hmmm I noticed htat. Well... I would be more interested in playing a more caucasian female - to be honest. But how would I do so, while still staying within the confines of the plot?

Hmmmm, there are two ways to think of, that might work. Your character could either be the wife (or mistress) of an one of the Sesalians, either an NPC or a PC, whose player agrees to it. Or she could be, the daughter of the Sesalian Ambassador, who gets sent to the camp to help with the business of translating between Sesalians and Arakians.

[SweetSerenade]

Hmmmm, there are two ways to think of, that might work. Your character could either be the wife (or mistress) of an one of the Sesalians, either an NPC or a PC, whose player agrees to it. Or she could be, the daughter of the Sesalian Ambassador, who gets sent to the camp to help with the business of translating between Sesalians and Arakians.

I actually wanted her to be a translator of sorts! A noble/or similar daughter who had an interest in scholary pursuits. Even came up with why she would be allowed to, and it is because as a young teen she was thrown from her horse. She ended up getting thrown on to a log, cracking a few ribs, and damaging her female organs so badly the doctors believe she will be incapable of producing children. So where is a female child to go when she cannot produce little heirs for a husband? Well the nunnery or scholary pursuits. :D


Does that work for you guys?

[Question Mark]

I actually wanted her to be a translator of sorts! A noble/or similar daughter who had an interest in scholary pursuits. Even came up with why she would be allowed to, and it is because as a young teen she was thrown from her horse. She ended up getting thrown on to a log, cracking a few ribs, and damaging her female organs so badly the doctors believe she will be incapable of producing children. So where is a female child to go when she cannot produce little heirs for a husband? Well the nunnery or scholary pursuits. :D


Does that work for you guys?

I like it, but of course it's ultimately Wolf's call.

Actually, Question Mark, that is me about a year before I had my daughter. I had a red gown made for a Dragon Riders of Pern IRL hatching at a convention, and just loved the dress so much I used it at one of my photoshoots. :D

That is a really incredible photo.

[Juggtacular]

Oh lordy that must have hurt when she hit.

[SweetSerenade]

Why thank you! I am quite pleased you enjoy my photo.

Juggtacular - Oh indeedy it did! She was bed ridden for several weeks, and it took a long while for the bruising to go away. Not to mention the bleeding... XP

[IrishWolf]

I actually wanted her to be a translator of sorts! A noble/or similar daughter who had an interest in scholary pursuits. Even came up with why she would be allowed to, and it is because as a young teen she was thrown from her horse. She ended up getting thrown on to a log, cracking a few ribs, and damaging her female organs so badly the doctors believe she will be incapable of producing children. So where is a female child to go when she cannot produce little heirs for a husband? Well the nunnery or scholary pursuits. :D


Does that work for you guys?

An interesting idea and ouch, that must have hurt like a bitch.

Alright, I like it. I'd still like her to be the ambassador's daughter, who would be a rich man, with political ambitions but I can see him as dotting on his daughter and allowing her to come along with him to a far and erotic land .

[SweetSerenade]

An interesting idea and ouch, that must have hurt like a bitch.

Alright, I like it. I'd still like her to be the ambassador's daughter, who would be a rich man, with political ambitions but I can see him as dotting on his daughter and allowing her to come along with him to a far and erotic land .

I was thinking about making my character 18, does that fit within the Ambassador's age? LOL. I am more than happy to have her come along with her father. I actually have two things to do tomorrow morning now. So exciting! I also should dig up some images for her. Hmmmm... maybe a Red head? Like flaming red head? Hair of fire... probably not something they are used to in the Arakian court?

[Question Mark]

An interesting idea and ouch, that must have hurt like a bitch.

Alright, I like it. I'd still like her to be the ambassador's daughter, who would be a rich man, with political ambitions but I can see him as dotting on his daughter and allowing her to come along with him to a far and erotic land .

...huh.

[Juggtacular]

I think he meant exotic, but erotic works as well, hahahah.

[Lithium]

...huh.

Don't act like you don't know.  8-)

(Also what Jugg said, lol.)

[IrishWolf]

I was thinking about making my character 18, does that fit within the Ambassador's age? LOL. I am more than happy to have her come along with her father. I actually have two things to do tomorrow morning now. So exciting! I also should dig up some images for her. Hmmmm... maybe a Red head? Like flaming red head? Hair of fire... probably not something they are used to in the Arakian court?

I was thinking a gentleman starting to gray, with a younger wife for the good Ambassador, so no, her age is good. As for red hair, that would be something not seen in the lands of the Araki or anywhere that side of the Doldrum.

...huh.

Damn you spell check, I am betrayed! I meant exotic, although from what I've read, pre-christian contact Japan could be called erotic.

[SweetSerenade]

How does everyone like this Red-Head for my character? I kinda really like her. Of course she would be wearing clothes styled for the time period. Though I think she would look mouth watering in a Kimono at some point. :D

I was thinking a gentleman starting to gray, with a younger wife for the good Ambassador, so no, her age is good. As for red hair, that would be something not seen in the lands of the Araki or anywhere that side of the Doldrum.

Damn you spell check, I am betrayed! I meant exotic, although from what I've read, pre-christian contact Japan could be called erotic.

That works perfectly! I am thinking she was the only child, or her older brother possibly died when they were young - so her father is rather attached to her and wants to keep her nearby? :D

[Juggtacular]

She looks great. I was ready to suggest Ygritte or Sansa from GoT, or Bill's sire from True Blood but she works awesome.

[IrishWolf]

She's lovely and would awesome in a Kimono

[Question Mark]

She's lovely and would erotic awesome in a Kimono

...huh.

Damnit, no, doesn't quite work :/

[SweetSerenade]

Well it is settled then, I am going to be working on two things tomorrow morning. This will be my only running group Rp. XP I am quite excited...

Cannot wait to see all those Arakian male reactions to her... Especially considering her genteel and innocent nature. XD


But she would probably look better with that Kimono hanging just off of her shoulders, the only thing holding it up is her perky firm breasts...

*totally knows how to make mental eye candy XP*

[Lithium]

Cannot wait to see all those Arakian male reactions to her... Especially considering her genteel and innocent nature. XD

All one of them X_x

[Juggtacular]

Hahahaha. There's 2. One noble and one commoner, so we get to see how both sides react, lol.  XD

[IrishWolf]

Maybe we'll get some more  ;)

[Lithium]

Hahahaha. There's 2. One noble and one commoner, so we get to see how both sides react, lol.  XD

The person playing the other one said that he was leaving the site, so until further notice he's inactive. :S

Maybe we'll get some more  ;)

Hope so!

[Juggtacular]

Awwww really? That's a crap shoot.  :-\

[SweetSerenade]

OMG..I do believe I found the finalist for what Aurora will look like :D

Finalist

I am sticking on this one, just OMG.... want to use her so bad XD

[SweetSerenade]

The excitement got to me way too much. I am working on her profile right now. I cannot remember, b ut is there a last name set up for the Ambassador?

[IrishWolf]

I have not yet set a name for the Ambassador, feel free to make one up and whatever other little details about him and the family you like.

[SweetSerenade]

I have not yet set a name for the Ambassador, feel free to make one up and whatever other little details about him and the family you like.

Thank you! I am super super excited! I should have the profile done relatively soon, I have to feed my baby first - and then I will work on it. :D

[SweetSerenade]

Player: SweetSerenade
Group: Military Mission
Name: Aurora Dupont
Age: 19
Gender: Female
Rank: Civilian - Translator in Training - Ambassador Dupont's daughter.
Highest Rank Held: N/A
Social Standing: N/A
Sexual Preference: Heterosexual
Appearance:

Aurora Dupont

(I know the outfit does not fit the time period, at least I do not think so. But I think it is gorgeous. )

Definitely the daughter of wealth, Aurora takes care of herself quite well. Though her maids think her absolutely insane, she bathes nearly every day and clears her body of all body hair every four nights. She has smooth clear skin, lovingly cared for many years. She believed she would become the wife of a wealthy man, be the mother of his children, but her accident changed all that.

Her lean frame is definitely the frame of a lady to be. Her inset waist, high perky breasts, and flaring hips. She would have made a perfect mother, but the doctors say there will be no chance of that. She stands at 5'2'', and her weight is something she never discusses. She wears a variety of clothing, but she prefers clothing that do not inhibit movement too much. She is known to wear trousers, when needed, as the clothing of a male is much easier to pursue scholary pursuits in.
Weapons: N/A - she does not possess weapons as of this moment.
Extra Gear: Research tools, leather bound books - compendiums of language translation. Anything she needs for her new station.
History: Aurora Dupont was the youngest of two children that Ambassador Dupont and his wife were gifted with. Auror a her a brother named Philip, but he died when she was merely a toddler. Her parents became very protective of her, because of it. Later she discovered that her brother had drowned, while out on a little boat with the servants. It was after that point that Aurora realized that as the only Dupont child... there was a major weight on her shoulders.

She took up the lessons a lady would need, and also began to show an interest in languages. Her father approved of this, and dotted upon his only remaining child. When Aurora was twelve her mother died in childbirth, her mother died. The boy that was born died within a week of living. Aurora realized that her father would remarry, but she tried to continue to be who she was meant to be. She was preparing to be the wife of a man of status. That was what her father expected of her.

Then the accident happened. She was out horseback riding on a hunt with some other young women. She was thirteen at the time, and the hunt was to celebrate her friend Minerva's marriage. Aurora's horse threw her. She landed across a log, and passed out. She woke up in her bed, and doctors hovering over her. She could hear her father cursing up a storm in the background. When he rushed in the Doctors gave them the terrible news. The damage was so extensive that the chances were she would never conceive a child.

With her one major marriageable trait gone... She turned to other things. She began to study to be a lady of state, much like her father was an Ambassador. When the recent developments came about she begged her father to take him with her. There was no way she was going to stay, when she could learn so much more. Which was exactly what she was going to do.

She spent a lot of the sea voyage learning what she could of the language. The translators found her to be quite a quick study, but even so she speaks with a slight accent. She is not completely fluent, but she knows enough to get by. She hopes for finish her knowledge of the language while at the Court of the Empress. Now only time will tell what this woman may find in such a strange new land.

[Question Mark]

Aurora's quite the smart cookie.

[SweetSerenade]

Aurora's quite the smart cookie.

She had basic schooling when she was younger, but after she lost her one major marriageable trait.. .she decided to hit the books. Her dad indulged her, because he could not marry her off - because everyone pretty much knows  about her accident. So she has become a rather learned woman.

[IrishWolf]

Very very nice, consider Aurora approved

[SweetSerenade]

Very very nice, consider Aurora approved

I really want to use the outfit in the picture, but I do not think it would be proper. Even though it is gloriously pretty.

[Caela]

SS, she's gorgeous!!! The first redhead was pretty but the one you went with is just perfection.

[SweetSerenade]

SS, she's gorgeous!!! The first redhead was pretty but the one you went with is just perfection.

I know I saw her and said... OMG GIMMEE! I cannot wait to see the chaos a red head can cause there... it is going to be HILARIOUS

[Caela]

I know I saw her and said... OMG GIMMEE! I cannot wait to see the chaos a red head can cause there... it is going to be HILARIOUS

Yes it will!!! :D

[Salvation]

Player: Salvation
Group: Regiment
Name: Takenaka Chiyo (Family name, first name)
Age: 23
Gender: Female
Rank: (TBA)
Social Standing: Noble
Sexual Preference: Heterosexual




Appearance: Standing at 5'4 in height, she is a study in fitness from the slim and muscled frame hidden beneath the folds of rather plain garments, while still being unmistakeably female from breasts to hips as nature's shaping of the curves will reveal upon a closer examination.  She dresses in the attire best suited to fighting in the traditional --   Her hair is the only vanity that Chiyo keeps in some length, though the natural 'blue' black strands are usually worn in a tight braid close to the scalp or in some tidy up do to keep the strands out the way.   With eyes of an unusual shade of grey, she shows much of the 'water' in her soul, or so Chiyo's grandmother once said.

A lesson gone wrong contributed to a scar over and under Chiyo's left eye, and though it was just a long thin line by the time she grew up, the mark remained as a strike against her beauty, if such was to be said of her, and a reminder about what could happen should she ever falter.

Weapons:  Naginata (Japanese pole-arm, A pair of Kaiken (daggers), Bow and arrows, Tanto (Knife).  Though she does possess a possess and is trained in its use, it will be used mainly in applicable situations, Sayuri prefers to use the naginata, due to the blade's length and advantages to her frame and stature. The shorter blades of the dagger and knife also allow for concealment.  Sharpened hairpins (This seems to be a favorite among the women here, and rightfully so!)
Extra Gear: Shamisen (at times), bed roll and such camping supplies, usually on her horse, a rolled up parchment with a certain picture on it, kimono as needed,  Dō-maru armor,  black horse.

History:  Any story starts with its beginning, and in the minds of those that live, they are constantly writing their own tale.


The second daughter of a second son, Chiyo did not have expectations of having to marry right away as did some of her other family. Still, she was expected to know the duties to skills of her social class as required to see to home and family as the future could allow for.

Her father, while he was not the eldest son, committed to succeeding in what he did know, which had turned out to be fighting.  So, he trained others to fight.    Her father, a warrior, taught others his craft and skill, and in this, Chiyo aided him.  She was instructed in horseback riding, hunting, and fishing, and ate with men rather than with her mother, sister, and other women of the household.  While her mother did insist that Chiyo learn what must be done by women from taking care of the family, she often skipped out where it could be managed to train with her weapons. 

With the loss of his eldest son to battle, Chiyo's father became even more obsessed with preparing his remaining children for combat and the future.  In this, his second daughter committed herself to his cause, vowing to make him proud. When the opportunity arose to join this new endeavor of the Empress', despite some qualms from her family, she was sent by her father to join up.

Hobby - She has learned to play the shamisen from one of her older sisters, and shows some musical affinity.  She finds this past time to be relaxing.

---

I'm rusty with group rp, but I hope to get out of that by doing something like this.  Let me know if this character works, and if not, I can make alterations as needed.  Hopefully, this is not many Arakian women or something.  If we need another type of character more for variety and origin, let me know too.

[IrishWolf]

A lovely character Salvation, glad to see the final profile. Feel free to join us over in the OOC and the IC

[Salvation]

A love character Salvation, glad to see the final profile. Feel free to join us over in the OOC and the IC

Thanks, I shall look at doing that and catching up with things.

[WhiteHeart]

Sweet asked me to play her maid, so I made up a sheet for y'all.

Player: WhiteHeart
Group: Military Mission
Name: Melissa
Age:20
Gender: Female
Rank: Maid
Highest Rank Held: Maid
Social Standing: Maid
Sexual Preference: Hetero
Appearance:
With shoulder, strawberry blonde hair, she stands at around 5’7”, her pale skin almost matching that of her superiors. She has green eyes and a delicate frame. She does her best to keep herself clean, though working in the kitchen can be dirty work. Her clothes are simple, but clean and tidy; a light black apron usually goes over the dress she is wearing for the day. Her straight, white teeth are always on call for a smile to the next person who walks in the room.
Weapons: Cutting Shears, Frying Pan
Extra Gear: Supplies found around a house
History: Melissa was born out of wedlock, which was why Lydia, her mother, pulled strings to get work as a maid for the Duponts. Her father was out of the scene before Melissa was even born and she's never met him. Lydia died shortly after Aurora's mother from Scarlet Fever, and Melissa, at age 14, took on the role of maid to Aurora. She hasn't known any other life and doesn't share her true feelings with anyone - not even Aurora. In her heart, she yearns for her own freedom, but the debt that her mother owed to the Duponts is too high for her to ever leave for another ten years.
Being the daughter of a maid and then practically forced into the lifestyle, Melissa was just hurt and numb. When the mom and the baby boy died, she didn't feel as much remorse as she should have, almost wishing that someone else could feel some sort of loneliness and pain that she went through every day, especially when her mother died only weeks later.

She never spoke a word of her feelings to anyone, nor about how she was ripped out of whatever normal life she had to go overseas with Aurora. What she had for friends and the cook, who had taken her under her wing, and who wasn't coming on the voyage, was taken away from her. Though she would never admit it, but she wished that Aurora would realize how she had ruined her life.

Now, that's not to say that she is a mean girl. She behaves like an obedient maid; a smile (albeit forced most of the time) is almost always present on her face. She doesn't complain and doesn't say her true feelings to her superior. Even though she wishes someone could feel her grief, and sometimes wishes it would be Aurora that would, the fact that she spends 24/7 with the girl has brought a strange sort of attachment. She would stand up for the girl if anyone ever threatened her, even though she despised herself for it sometimes.

[Question Mark]

Weapons: Cutting Shears, Frying Pan

*two thumbs up*

[SweetSerenade]

Those cutting sheers can be scary nasty, huh?

[IrishWolf]

Beware the woman with a frying pan!

Welcome aboard WhiteHeart

[Lithium]

You should change the thread title, now we're low on guys. :P

[Question Mark]

You should change the thread title, now we're low on guys. :P

I'm actually surprised by our demographics.  When I first tossed my hat in the ring, I suspected most of the players would be playing Sesalian males.  I'll admit, I'm rather glad they're not.

[IrishWolf]

And done, maybe we catch a few more Arakian men

[SweetSerenade]

Yeahh... some more cuties would be nice XP

[WhiteHeart]

Beware the woman with a frying pan!

Welcome aboard WhiteHeart

Thanks ^.^

[Caela]

Welcome WhiteHeart! Your character looks like she'll be interesting to play against. I wonder if the Arakians, since they spend so much time not showing a high level of emotion themselves, would be more apt at noticing her unhappiness, despite her smile, than the Sessalians.

[Salvation]

Welcome, WhiteHeart, really love the concept of the maid and her frying pan (of doommmm!).