Well, I'd love to have a "partner in crime" but I know that this role is a bit of a stretch even for the Daidoji. Since Sakura has access to some really strange magics, anyone who would go with her "regularly" would have to be very trustworthy in her eyes.

To the more general subject all I can say is, well, I guess I've said most of it. Related, knows through her Duelist brother, or met at an omiai are the only three I can think of. Knowing of Sakura is probably a given for the two Daidoji though. I doubt that very many vassals were adopted into the main line after their family was annihilated.

Hmmm ... on the other hand, since we've just come out of the Clan Wars it's quite possible that some of the other could have known her from there as well. Sakura was inserted into the Crane clan before the Coup.

Okay, thinking aloud (I need to hear the GMs opinions on this) I'd say that she kept her cover the entire time.

Barely.

She would have been working with/for Kachiko, indirectly most likely. I picture her master/controller dying early in the coup, so she had to get direction from the only people she knew. So basically at this point only Kachiko and Aramoro would know anything about her.

Sakura survived the coup because she knew better than to reveal herself without direct orders, completely unaware that her supervisor was dead and so couldn't give her any orders. She didn't find out until it was too late, and with Kachiko's designs on the Crane it was felt she would do better where she was.

During the final assault on Otosan Uchi, she used her strange ("ronin magics" would be how it would be described, though in reality it was Tejina/Deceiver magics) magics to aid the Daidoji during the assault, and probably got a bit of a reputation there. Unlike most of the Asahina, she was "reasonably" prepared for battle; like the Daidoji, however, she did much better when unseen (e.g. she has no ranks of Battle, but her Stealth is pretty darned good). She probably would have been used for things like opening locked doors, harassing enemies (drawing them to the "well prepared" Daidoji Harriers), and so forth.

Hmmmm ... this is "just after" the Day of Thunder, right? Are we talking a couple of months, the next year, or what? I completely forgot about a few details, like how many of her family -- both adopted and real -- is now left. I'll have to think about that.


I think I would like to have her related to at least one of the PCs, and given her background it could be practically anyone. Any volunteers? :D

given the level of scrutiny that a Scorpion agent is trained to withstand and the chaos of the Clan War it's unlikely that Daidoji Sakura would have had the opportunity to blow her cover (a Daidoji shugenja with a talent for misdirection?  her superiors within the Daidoji wouldn't have questioned their good fortune, just used her any way they could--now, given a period of relative peace, your superiors may start to question their serendipitous fortune but they haven't so far ^_^)

it's a couple months after the Clan War, things have begun to settle down from that time, but, of course, new issues are arising ^_^

Well I know Musashi is originally Asahina (though I only really worked out the father... his mother is still "undefined"), however I would be open to any potential familial connections if people were interested.  Perhaps a 1st cousin or in-law (Musashi has a younger brother who is an Asahina shugenja).  Someone who might have known Musashi before he left to become a monk?

Actually if Sakura is being trained by an Asahina shugenja, there could be a link there (either with Musashi's father before his death at the end of the Clan Wars, Musashi's father was a respected sensei at the Asahina Shugenja School)... or perhaps through Musashi's brother who is just completing his shugenja training?

Or both ...

Sakura's uncle attends the Asahina Shugenja school, and has since before the Coup. It's quite likely that Sakura was brought there on several occasions by her uncle for "catch up" studies. Tutoring sessions if you will.

Oddly enough, though, she can't join the Ashahina Shugenja school yet, or just recently became eligible, so while she might have studied there a bit there's no way she could have attended, and at this point in her career I don't think that they'd let her attend. Everyone still thinks that her training is "inborn" or discovered, e.g. that she is attending a Ronin school.

So, the short version of this is, I think that she has been there several times to study. It's quite likely that she knew your father and your brother. In fact, it's possible that she even knew Musashi that way ... it was long enough ago that it could have been before his retirement.

Or, if you have any sisters or aunts it's possible that her uncle could have married into your family.

Well Musashi's only sibling is a younger brother named Asahina Yoshitaka who has recently completed his training as an Asahina Shugenja.  Musashi's late father was named Asahina Takezo & he was a respected Asahina Shugenja as well as a noted sensei at the Asahina Shugenja School (before his death during the final battle of the 2nd Day of Thunder).

As for possible aunts or uncles, that is certainly possible as I haven't worked out that degree of family.  Also I have settled the details regarding Musashi's mother either (ie. she could be from a different Crane Family).

Well, Musashi-San, it sounds to me like the "your father knew my uncle" angle would work best. What do you think?

Others made suggestions earlier, I think, that I lost somewhere ...

That works for me just fine.  ;)

And you will be an attractive fleeting vision to Ukyo who has seen you at the Kakita school visiting your... brother I think it was?... but good to long from a distance as I don't know if his 5.5 honor can withstand a "close" relationship with Sakura, if you catch my drift.  :P
This message was last edited by the player at 00:25, Thu 22 Feb 2007.

Sounds good to me, Ukyo-San!

so have we reached a consensus as to how everyone is related?  or do you need some more time before we start?

Sounds like we have it figured out.  So what I can gather:

Sachi, Ukyo, and Fumimaro attended the the Kakita Deuling School together before Sachi left.  After he left he met up with Musashi during his Musha Shugyo and Ukyo and Fumimaro were still together at the academy.

Sakura has Yoshida (or possible female name) as a body guard.  She has a sibling at the Deuling academy and so has met Ukyo and Fumimaro at least in passing there.  Naruhime, being a courtier has probably spent time around Fumimaro since he has an imperial spouse and he has most likely been in court with her.  That's her connection to the rest of the group.

Musashi, once returning to Crane lands, was somehow beholden to help out Ukyo, who is somewhat sickly, using his knowledge of medicine.

If I recalled anyth8ing incorrectly, let me know.

I believe it was Sachi who introduced Musashi to Ukyo.  I don't know if I would say that Musashi is "beholden" to Ukyo but he may have agreed to accompany & watch out for Ukyo (ie. Musashi hasn't sworn any sort of allegiance to Ukyo).  Musashi does owe a small Obligation to his former Daimyo Lord Asahina Arinaga and his attending Ukyo may be a part of that (on the other hand he has a powerful Ally Lord Kakita Yoshihiro who might have asked as favor of Musashi to care for the sickly Ukyo).

Sakura's uncle knew Musashi's late via the Asahina Shugenja School.

I'm not sure yet if it has been settled that Yoshida will be Sakura's Yojimbo... also I believe Naruhime requires a Yojimbo as well (if not Yoshida, then perhaps one of the Kakita School Duelists?).

There is of course still the question of possible "family ties".  Musashi's mother hasn't been defined, so it is possible there could be a connection there.  In fact maybe Musashi's mother was a Kakita (perhaps an Artisan) and she was the daughter of Lord Kakita Yoshihiro (thus partly explaining the Ally) and this could be why Musashi has been asked to look after Ukyo (maybe via marriage, Ukyo & Musashi are cousins in some fashion)?

It may also be possible that Fumimaro & Naruhime could be related.  Also the 3 Daidoji might be related as well (though in Sakura's case it would be via her "adopted" family).

I shoul dbe more clear.  By beholden I was speaking of your prior thoughts that he had an obligation to someone and perhaps that someone "cashed" in that obligation to have Ukyo looked after.

If we have steered away from that, we can certainly think of something else.  :)

I believe that we also have Naruhime knowing Sakura from one (or more) of Sakura's many Omiai's, but I could be inventing that I suppose.

Also, while we did discuss having Yoshida as Sakura's bodyguard at length, we didn't settle on who Yoshida would be guarding. Naruhime may be the better option, but that depends on ... well, a lot of things.

Well I don't mind the idea of Musashi serving as a spiritual advisor to Ukyo... I just felt that the word "beholden" seemed to imply that Musashi was a "retainer".  I think as a Monk, that Musashi tends to be more "free" than that.

As for Musashi's connection to Ukyo being a part of his Obligation, that sorta depends on what the GM's views are.  The GM might have another idea for Musashi's Obligation.

I was just pointing out that there could be alternative or multiple reasons for connecting Musashi to Ukyo.  ;)

I finally found the (short) story about Sakura's brother. It's possible that this story could create a link between characters, but mostly it's for background. And to make sure that I don't loose it again ... ;p

For context, this story was originally told during a gift-giving exchange.


--------------------------------------------------------------------


Sakura opened her hands to reveal a small stone. The stone itself was unremarkable except, perhaps, for it's smoothness. Obviously it came from a river because the Water Kami had made it nearly perfectly round. Sakura's smile grew wider as she continued.

"My younger brother is a student at the prestigious Kakita Dueling Academy and, as part of my travels, I was asked to visit him. I was met by my brother and two of his friends -- a lovely young Doji girl named Aiko and a Crab from the Hida family. Aiko was something of an outcast at the academy. She was from a wealthy courtier family and they did not approve of their daughter training in the sword. But they weren't given much of a choice by their Lord so they were forced to allow it. She was small and, because she did not come from a Bushi family, the other students did not approve of her either."

"Well, my brother is somewhat overprotective and it turned out that he was concerned about me. One of the students was a Scorpion of the Bayushi family and my brother was worried that the Scorpion would try to dishonor the clan in some way since I was still new to the family, so he arranged with his Sensei to have Aiko act as an honor guard for me. The sensei, for some reason, was more than willing to comply."

"The Crab had with him a bag of stones which he presented to me as a gift. 'The Crab only give practical gifts' he told me, but I must confess that at the time I saw no practical value. He insisted that Aiko and I must keep that bag with us at all times and we reluctantly agreed to the odd request. Well that perception changed at bath time."

"It seems that many of the young men were manipulated into trying to get a peek of Aiko and I in the bath. 'You haven't passed your Gempukku' the Scorpion told them, 'so it won't dishonor anyone.' We heard movement outside the fence and, realizing what was going on, Aiko took a stone out of the bag and tossed it over the fence. Her aim was true and we heard a yelp, followed by footsteps running away. This process was repeated over the evening and it became something of a game for us."

"Well one of those yelps came from the Scorpion who was hit on the face. He didn't know it but this stone had lodged in his mask and did not fall out until later at practice. Aiko-Chan, being the faithful honor guard, immediately challenged him to a duel for my honor which the Sensei gladly permitted. The whispers that went around the room did not favor her. The Scorpion was apparently more skilled in Iai, but she took her stance like she had been doing this as long as Toshimoko-Sensei and her spirit dominated her opponent. Her draw was fast and her aim was true; she proved her skill by breaking the Scorpion's mask with her bokken. After that she was no longer an outcast. No one ever questioned her skill or path again, not even her parents. The Sensei, it turned out, knew her potential all along which is why he agreed to put her with me in the first place."

"So you see" she concluded with a wide smile, "This is the stone that broke the Scorpion's Mask and turned a beautiful young outcast into a local hero. I can think of no better home than with the lovely young Ronin who did the same."
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 20:12, Fri 23 Feb 2007.

So, did we know we were being summoned by the clan champ?  Or would we be surprised upon entering the room?

yes, being addressed by your Clan Champion in a small back room is pretty far outside your expectations ^_^

EDIT:  everyone's character sheets should now be user editable, sorry for not getting that done earlier ^_^
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:55, Thu 01 Mar 2007.

Okay, "silly history question". It's been a long time so ...

Doji Kuwanan was trained by the Daidoji, ne? Wasn't that one of the reasons that he wasn't "well liked"? Or am I misremembering something?

Here's a good website for L5R background info:
http://l5r.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page

Here's Doji Kuwanan's entry from that page (where the above quote comes from):
http://l5r.wikia.com/wiki/Doji_Kuwanan

I'll get you mine early tomorrow, sorry for not getting that done earlier.

Charsheet and description posted, I'll start posting IC as soon as we've determined once and for all which gender my char will have and who he/she will be yojimbo for (if anyone).

gender is entirely up to you, I'm willing to change your name to better fit your character if you want, so don't hesitate on my account

as to who you'll be a yojimbo for, that's also a PC decision ^_^

I think that's what Yoshida means... he can't finalize the gender of his character (and thus name) until either Sakura or Naruhime "claim" him as her Yojimbo and then state a preference.  ;)

What Musashi said. :-) Had I realized it would have been an issue I would probably have gone for a female character in the first place. If neither Sakura nor Naruhime wants Yoshida as yojimbo (for whatever reason, I'm not going to be upset if they prefer not to), I'm sticking with Yoshida (although I'll make a slight background change to explain why he wouldn't currently serve as such). If either does, he'll become Yoshiko instead. I guess that means it's up to them.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:07, Sat 03 Mar 2007.