The Tournament at Kyuden Bayushi [FFG L5R, Closed]

[TheRaven]

The Tournament at Kyuden Bayushi

A brief pre-game synopsis
The Scorpion Clan is hosting a Go tournament at the seat of their ruling family's power, Kyuden Bayushi. While Kachiko and Shoju will likely be occupied at the Imperial court in Otosan Uchi, that has not stopped a wide variety of contestants from each Great Clan and a not insignificant number from Minor Clans from adding their names to the tournament. The competition is likely to last at least a month considering the number of contestants and the length of a typical game of Go. Participants and their retinues have been arriving from across the empire, filling the palace with guests, but there's more games than just Go afoot; nothing is ever as it appears with the Scorpion and there are shadows moving in Kyuden Bayushi with more in mind than winning fair and square.

Characters that might be there
Tournament contenders and their yoriki, Scorpion courtiers, shinobi

What to expect
3-5 players; courtly intrigues, inter-clan politics, mystery; rating between Light to NC: Human based on player taste.

What to do
If you're interested in playing, drop a character concept in here and spoiler a character sheet with the following template:

Blank Character Sheet

Code Select Expand

[spoiler=Character Name]
[b]Identity[/b]
[i]Clan:[/i]
[i]Family:[/i]
[i]School:[/i]
[i]Roles:[/i]

[b]Ninjo:[/b]
[b]Giri:[/b]

[b]Social[/b]
[i]Honor:[/i]
[i]Glory:[/i]
[i]Status:[/i]

[spoiler=Rings]
[b]Earth:[/b]
[b]Air:[/b]
[b]Fire:[/b]
[b]Water:[/b]
[b]Void:[/b]
[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Skills]
[b]Artisan Skills[/b]
[i]Aesthetics:[/i]
[i]Composition:[/i]
[i]Design:[/i]
[i]Smithing:[/i]

[b]MartialSkills[/b]
[i]Fitness:[/i]
[i]Martial Arts [Melee]:[/i]
[i]Martial Arts [Ranged]:[/i]
[i]Martial Arts [Unarmed]:[/i]
[i]Meditation:[/i]
[i]Tactics:[/i]


[b]Scholar Skills[/b]
[i]Culture:[/i]
[i]Government:[/i]
[i]Medicine:[/i]
[i]Sentiment:[/i]
[i]Theology:[/i]

[b]Social Skills[/b]
[i]Command:[/i]
[i]Courtesy:[/i]
[i]Games:[/i]
[i]Performance:[/i] 

[b]Trade Skills[/b]
[i]Commerce:[/i]
[i]Labor:[/i]
[i]Seafaring:[/i]
[i]Skulduggery:[/i]
[i]Survival:[/i]
[/spoiler]


[b]Distinctions:[/b]
[b]Adversities:[/b]
[b]Passions:[/b]
[b]Anxieties:[/b]

[b]Personality, Habits, and Quirks:[/b] I don't expect a novel here but give me a few good sentences.

[b]Techniques[/b]
[list]
[li]1[/li]
[li]2[/li]
[/list]
[/spoiler]

If you run into trouble during the 20 Questions process feel free to send me a private message and we'll see what we can work out.

[AndyZ]

Interested.  I don't know the system overly well but I have the book, got to try a bit of a game (not enough to get to any system mechanics) and would love to try again.

[Pumpkin Seeds]

I'm very interested.  Been wanting to play and learn this system for a long time.  :: points at unused books on her shelf::

[Cessali]

I'm interested!  I got to try this with most (but not all) of the Topaz Championship adventure, and would love to give this a shot again.  I'd probably rerun something like the straight-laced yet mercilessly practical Akodo Bushi I did for that game and group.

[snowdrop]

Oh my gosh! Go? Seriously? Say no more, I'm SO interested!

I don't know much about the system, but I'm happy to learn!

[Pumpkin Seeds]

I will probably aim for a courtier if possible.  Scorpion or Crane tend to be my preferences.

[TheRaven]

We've reached the threshold where I think I'm going to start angling for character sheets. I'm going to work out that blank template and start looking those over.

[Love And Submission]

I'm interested in this if it's still open. I've never played Five Rings before but I've played a couple of campaigns of the FFG Star Wars game and they seem fairly similar.

[TheRaven]

Yep. Drop a character sheet in here and I'll take a look.

[Cessali]

I have a sheet!

Akodo Yusuke

Identity
Clan: Lion
Family: Akodo
School: Akodo Commander
Roles: Bushi

Ninjo: To humble Shiba Wanari and win him for myself or see him crushed entirely.
Giri: Observe the competitors in the Go tournament to identify the strongest and weakest investment by the other Clans present.

Social
Honor: 60
Glory: 46
Status: 35

Rings

Earth: 3
Air: 3
Fire: 1
Water: 3
Void: 1

Skills

Artisan Skills
Aesthetics:
Composition:
Design:
Smithing:

Martial Skills
Fitness: 1
Martial Arts [Melee]: 1
Martial Arts [Ranged]: 1
Martial Arts [Unarmed]:
Meditation: 1
Tactics: 2

Scholar Skills
Culture:
Government: 2
Medicine:
Sentiment:
Theology:

Social Skills
Command: 2
Courtesy: 1
Games: 1
Performance:

Trade Skills
Commerce:
Labor:
Seafaring:
Skulduggery:
Survival:

Distinctions: Indomitable Will (Earth)
Adversities: Sworn (fr)Enemy (Earth)
Passions: History (Earth), Sake (Water)
Anxieties: Anxiety: Superstition (Void)

Personality, Habits, and Quirks: Yusuke is a creature of tradition, and those who would accuse her of being a lesser creature for it find all-too prepared to answer them with a simple truth: she believes the past foretells the present, that everything calling itself novel is in fact an echo from years yet unremembered.  She has the legendary Akodo stoicism to her, though it's tempered by a genuine interest in other people and their situations; most who meet her are startled by her comparative gregariousness and general proclivity to more social behavior.  Yusuke typically uses her tone of voice to indicate her emotional state, letting only minute, fleeting expressions cross her features; when she's actually smiling or frowning is when things are at their most heated.

Techniques

• 1: Way of the Lion: Succeed at Attack or Support action, may remove up to School Rank in Strife to add that many bonus success and Fatigue.
• 2: Kata: Striking as Earth
• 3Shuji: Lord Akodo's Roar

20 Questions and shorthand answers

Lion Clan (+1 Water)
Akodo Family (+1 Air (or +1 Earth))
Akodo School (+1 Earth, +1 Water)
Standout: Grace/Eloquence/Empathy (+1 Air)
Firm Believer (+5 Glory)
Stalwart Bushido (+10 Honor)
Distinction Advantage (p 101), connected to Greatest Accomplishment
-- As a youth, was kidnapped by bandits pretending to have an ogre with them and fought her way out
-- Indomitable Will (Earth)
Specific Adversity, connected to greatest holding-her-back
-- The Shiba Boy won't leave her alone
-- Sworn Frenemy (Earth)
Specific Passion, connected to what helps her relax and center
-- What will happen has already happened, or the Kharmic Wheel would not be round
-- History (Earth)
Specific Anxiety, connected to what makes her afraid, anxious, or angry
-- She has renounced the Fortunes and enlightenment and does not even like to think about them
-- Anxiety: Superstition (Void)
Specific Mentor
-- elder brother Akodo Yusho, who was just the coolest and took her out on the town once in a while
-- Passion: Sake

First Noticed
--Personal air of affability, mingled with dignitas beyond her years
--Distinctive Aesthetic: Red hair ribbon, woven into a braid over her shoulder (belonged to her aunt Matsu Shuzeka)

Stressful Situations:
-- Lips go taut, eyes go down or close, usually has a fan to conceal this
-- When you can see her smile or frown, shit is about to go down

Notable Relationships
-- Granddad Tosatsu came from the Matsu, the families often try their children against one another
-- Long family conflict with the Daidoji, but it's not personal, it never is
-- Cannot fucking stand Shiba pacifism, yet the Shiba boy sent her an umbrella to remember their first fight in the rain

The Parents
-- They like her as a prospect, she's got the right blend of calm and burning fervor, but she's just one of many kids
-- (Gain +1 Courtesy, they see it as respectable)
-- Elder brother Akodo Yusho is just amazing, he was her inspiration in school and still is

Named To Honor
-- Yunari, the venerated patriarch of this branch of the family, who secured his lord's territory against the cleverness of Doji traders
-- Everyone in the family has a Yu- name
-- [+1 Games, -3 Glory]

Personal Name
-- Yusuke, the Mediator

How To Die
-- It won't be pretty.  She's due another reincarnation unless she can get over herself and her need to have won over Wanari.

[Love And Submission]

Mirumoto Daichi

Identity
Clan: Dragon
Family: Mirumoto
School: Mirumoto
Roles: Bushi (Yojimbo)

Ninjo: To Hamper The Matsu  Family And Lessen Their Status Within The Lion Clan As A Whole
Giri: Protect Lord Agasha Naoyuki  During The Kyuden Bayushi Go Tournament

Social
Honor:  50
Glory: 54
Status: 30

Rings

Earth: 3
Air: 1
Fire: 3
Water: 1
Void: 2

Skills

Artisan Skills
Aesthetics:
Composition:
Design:
Smithing: 1

MartialSkills
Fitness: 1
Martial Arts [Melee]: 1
Martial Arts [Ranged]:
Martial Arts [Unarmed]:
Meditation: 2
Tactics:


Scholar Skills
Culture:
Government:
Medicine:
Sentiment:
Theology: 1

Social Skills
Command:  1
Courtesy:
Games:
Performance:

Trade Skills
Commerce: 1
Labor:
Seafaring:
Skulduggery:
Survival:

Distinctions: Blessed Lineage (Void)
Adversities: Maimed Visage (Air)
Passions: Daredevil (Fire)
Anxieties: Intolerance (Water)

Personality, Habits, and Quirks: Mirumoto Daichi embodies the ferocious rebellious spirit of The Dragon Clan. While he’s not as introspective or contemplative as most of his brethren, he is as feral as would one expect a Dragon Samurai to be. It is, of course, his ill-temper that leaves the greatest impression on those he meets in his travels. He speaks with undeniable confidence and his convictions sometimes lead him astray. Daichi is well aware of his own shortcomings and frequently struggles to control his more wolfish tendencies.

Techniques

• Way of the Dragon (School Ability)
• Shūji: Dazzling Performance
• Kata: Striking as Earth

20 Questions and shorthand answers

Dragon Clan (+1 Fire)
Mirumoto Family (+1 Earth  (or +1 Water))
Mirumoto School (+1 Earth, +1 Fire)
Standout: Self-awareness/Insight/Mysticism (+1 Void Ring)
Firm Believer (+5 Glory)
Questions Bushido: (+1 Skullduggery)
Distinction Advantage (p 101), connected to Greatest Accomplishment
-- My grandfather, Mirumoto Daimachi was a great warrior and commander. His death on the battlefield was glorious and many say his legacy follows my family to this day even from beyond the veil.
-- Blessed Lineage (Void)
Specific Adversity, connected to greatest holding him back
-- Daichi wields a five-inch scar on his right cheek from a duel with a Matsu Family Warrior that almost killed him
-- Maimed Visage (Air)
Specific Passion, connected to what helps  him relax and center
-- Death surrounds us at all times, we should not fear it for it is better to face it than to hide.
-- Daredevil (Fire)
Specific Anxiety, connected to what makes him afraid, anxious, or angry
--  Daichi wishes the Matsu Family great harm and frequently strikes out against them when giving the opportunity even to his own disadvantage.
--  Intolerance (Water)
Specific Mentor
--  Mirumoto Eiji, Daichi's Mirumoto School Instructor

First Noticed
-- Harsh Tone And Aggressive Demeanor
-- Distinctive Aesthetic: Deep crimson gash along the right side of his face

Stressful Situations:
--  Low-Pitched Growl
--  Frequent Use Of Obscenities


Notable Relationships
--  Agasha Kenzou , Agasha Family healer who helped Daichi heal after his near-fatal duel with a Matsu Clan Swordswoman
-- Matsu Sakura, Rival, A Matsu Family Swordswoman who Daichi viciously tortured and left near-death as revenge for his facial scar. He took her wakizashi and left her for dead. It was not the soldier who struck Daichi but he attacked for her alliance with the family nonetheless.
-- Lord Agasha Naoyuki , Daichi's Lord
--
The Parents
--  Daisuke Yukimura, Father, Alive
--  Kameko Yukimura, Mother, Deceased
--  +1 Commerce ( Daichi's Father Daisuke owns a clothing store in his hometown. Daichi worked there as a child before joining The Mirumoto School.)

Named To Honor
--
--
-- Wondrous Work ( Glory +5, +1 Smithing)

Personal Name
-- Daichi The Faceless

How To Die
-- Slain In Battle Against The Matsu Family

[Pumpkin Seeds]

Shosuro Jun'ai

Identity
Clan: Scorpion
Family: Shosuro
School: Shosuro Infiltrator School
Roles: Shinobi, Courtier

Ninjo: Jun'ai wishes to find the romantic love of her pillow books and live to enjoy the ending.
Giri: To sow discord through the Kyuden court so that her Lord might root out his enemies.

Social
Honor: 30
Glory: 42
Status: 35

Rings

Earth: 1
Air: 3
Fire: 3
Water: 2
Void: 1

Skills

Artisan Skills
Aesthetics:
Composition:
Design:
Smithing:

MartialSkills
Fitness:
Martial Arts [Melee]:
Martial Arts [Ranged]:
Martial Arts [Unarmed]: 1
Meditation:
Tactics:


Scholar Skills
Culture:
Government:
Medicine:
Sentiment:
Theology:

Social Skills
Command:
Courtesy: 2
Games: 1
Performance: 2

Trade Skills
Commerce:
Labor:
Seafaring:
Skulduggery: 3
Survival:

Distinctions: Dangerous Allure (Fire), Subtle Observer (Air)
Adversities: Benten's Curse (Air)
Passions: Gossip (Air)
Anxieties: Perfectionism (Water)

Personality, Habits, and Quirks:  Most will notice first the delicate nature of her hands.  Trained at the koto and shamisen she takes great care with her long fingers and then red tipped nails.  Often times she wears soft gloves to cover her hands least the cold damage her instruments.  Other will take pains to notice her emerald eyes that bear flecks of gold.  Those orbs are made all the brighter by the sheer material of black she wears across her nose and lips.  Tendrils of silver and gold mingle at the edges of her mask to hide the details of her features but leave onlookers stunned.  The woman can rapture as well with conversation leaving listeners entertained with wit and remark, though some cannot help but wonder what lies behind her smile.  Often times she can be seen looking past those around her, whimsically smiling and seeming to see a scene that none others share.  Often it is whispered that is is where her inspiration derives.  That she cannot seem to stop her hands from playing at her instrument gives credence to these rumors.

Techniques

• 1

Deadly Sting

• 2

Whispers of Court
[/list]

20 Questions and shorthand answers

Scorpion Clan (+1 Air) (+1 Skulduggery)
Shosuro Family (+1 Water) (+1 Courtesy, +1 Performance)
Shosuro Infiltrator School (+1 Air, +1 Fire)
Standout:  Passionate and inventive(+1 Fire)
Firm Believer (+5 Glory)
Disillusioned with Bushido (+1 Skulduggery)
Distinction Advantage (p 101), connected to Greatest Accomplishment
-- Moved a Lord with her singing to pursue his illicit love affair with another woman and was killed in the subsequent duel
-- Alluring Beauty (Fire)
Specific Adversity, connected to greatest holding-her-back
-- Potential suitors and lovers always take her words to mean something else.  Whether an invite to her chambers, a threat to their lives or otherwise.
-- Benten's Curse (Air)
Specific Passion, connected to what helps her relax and center
-- Sometimes it is relaxing to be in the company of others and exchange stories about each other
-- Gossip (Air)
Specific Anxiety, connected to what makes her afraid, anxious, or angry
-- Nothing less than perfection is allowed by her Lord and nothing less than perfection is given by her hands.
-- Perfectionism (Water)
Specific Mentor
-- Soshi Atsuki taught her to listen to the language of the body and see the meaning of words spoken.
-- Subtle Observer (Air)

First Noticed
-- A creature of fire she is quick to draw the eye and difficult to forget.
--Distinctive Aesthetic: A sheer mask sewn with silver and gold.  The mask was left to her when her koto instructor left for retirement.

Stressful Situations:
-- Sometimes her fingers can be seen moving as if plucking at strings.
-- At various times she can be seen staring off into the distance and giving a smile.  A calculated look to allow her to use her keen powers of observation.

Notable Relationships
-- Mirumoto Amoro, once she was promised to him as a child but political dealings changed so that she is no longer his betrothed.  He has never let this slight go and her rise to fame and reported beauty have made him a challenge to handle.
-- Bayushi Oshiyo, is the true handler of her activities and a woman that her father owes a debt to.  Jun'ai received a tessen from Oshiyo as reward for her activities and talents.
-- Shosuro Kasai once impersonated a Doji woman that was destined to be wed to a Hantei and the marriage was ruined.  From that day forward Benten has laid a curse to the family and a shadowy war has been fought with the Doji of that vassal family.

The Parents
-- Mother passed away giving birth to Jun'ai though her family is proud of her success as a musician.  Shosuro Katai, her father, is content that she allowed him to honor his debt to Oshiyo without sacrificing one of his sons.
-- Martial Arts (Melee) +1. 
-- Jun'ai has four older siblings.  The eldest brother bore the gift to speak with spirits, joining with the Soshi.  Her other brother has become an accomplished duelist among the Deathdealers.  Eldest sister has married well into the Bayushi family while her other sister attends the school for Soshi priests.

Named To Honor
-- A legend from her mother's side of the family speaks of a stranger that emerged bearing a musical instrument that soothed to sleep an ancient beast and allowed her people to survive a dark winter.
-- [Shamisen, -3 Glory]

Personal Name
-- Jun'ai, named for the mysterious musician.

How To Die
-- Tragically much as the figures in her stories, but with at least someone missing her.

[Nameless One]

I'd be interested too, if the story's still accepting characters. Since you have already a couple bushi and a courtier, I could join as a monk (Clan or independent) or a shugenja (maybe an isihiken do if that sounds interesting to the party).

[TheRaven]

We're definitely still recruiting.

[Pumpkin Seeds]

Did you want us to work on connections between characters or are we all meeting there?

[Nameless One]

We're definitely still recruiting.

Good! Which edition are you using? Any advice for character score building?

[Pumpkin Seeds]

The recent one by FFG. So 5th I'd guess.

[Silim]

Putting my interest in here as well, I'll get a concept and sheet up when I'm on my PC again. Any thoughts on potentially making a Kitsune infiltrator?

[TheRaven]

Alright, time to answer some questions and set a deadline: 10 PM EST tomorrow night! I need your sheets by then because that's when I'm locking the thread.

Did you want us to work on connections between characters or are we all meeting there?

If you're from the same clan feel free to have arranged connections in advance; otherwise you are likely to be meeting for the first time at this event. If you can find a reason to have met before, that's something we can talk about.

Good! Which edition are you using? Any advice for character score building?

The recent one by FFG. So 5th I'd guess.

Yep! 5th edition, the one by Fantasy Flight. As for advice, do what feels right for your character and let it ride that way.

Putting my interest in here as well, I'll get a concept and sheet up when I'm on my PC again. Any thoughts on potentially making a Kitsune infiltrator?

I hadn't considered bringing one along yet but if you're keen on the idea you're welcome to submit the sheet.