Before I forget:
Fair warning for Sakura and Naru: Yoshida has the Bad Reputation (Failure) disadvantage (see his background in the description for the reason why). That might influence your decision.

Actually, it does -- but probably not the way you were expecting! ;D

I like Yoshida just the way he is -- I think he would make a fine Yojimbo for Sakura. The persistent, "never say die", attitude appeals to me ... and her. :D

How long would you say that they have been together?

I thought it could go either way - especially since Sakura might sense possibilities for corruption. :p

I wouldn't think they have been together very long (that background stuff didn't happen overnight), but probably long enough to get a rapport going. Somewhere between six months and a year (likely closer to a year), possibly?

Hmmm ... well, since this is only three months or so after the Day of Thunder, that would place them both at the events of the Day of Thunder? Sure you want that?

I mean, it's fine with me but from your background I figured you might want to make it the last few months. If Yoshida was with Sakura during that time then there'd definitely be a rapport going ... :D

I'm not sure I understand... The Clan War took roughly two years, so if Sakura went undercover before that there is no reason for Yoshida to be aware of who she really is. I had no idea Sakura was present at the events surrounding the DoT, and I don't know what difference it makes. I suppose I must be thick or something, but what am I missing? Either way, just the last few months (IOW, since shortly after the DoT) works for me too.

*Laughs*

No, nothing like that.

During the Clan War, Shosuro Kasumi stayed undercover as Daidoji Sakura. Kachiko wanted it that way. During the final Day of Thunder, which was after Kachiko found out what happened to the Emperor, Kasumi was ordered to remain undercover as Sakura. She stayed with the Crane to ensure that the Daidoji would more effective.

During that time Kasumi had to use her full repertoire of Tejina Magics -- something which all outside of the Scorpion are forbidden to know about.

So, where I was going with this: if Yoshida was her Yojimbo during that time he would have witnessed her full range of magics. He wouldn't know that she's Scorpion, but he would know a lot about her magics.

Now this isn't necessarily a bad thing, and that's why I have no problem with it. What it would mean is that Yoshida would be under no delusions about Daidoji Sakura and her honor. He would know what she's capable of.

On the other hand he would understand her Loyalty as well. Yoshida would know that Daidoji Sakura will protect her Yojimbo with the same ferocity that he protects her. In other words, she would start with Yoshida pretty high on her Loyalty List.

It would make for a very close relationship.

I hadn't thought of it that way. Yoshida, being a bushi, doesn't know about magic: he'd have to rely on Sakura's reputation to know whether she's powerful or not, and without being told by another shugenja (or Sakura herself, I suppose), he wouldn't know there's anything special about how she works her magic.

Either way, it's probably more interesting (and certainly easier, since it'll require less behind-the-scenes work to establish their common history) to keep it at a few months. Right after the Clan War is an auspicious moment to start a new assignment for Yoshida too, a good opportunity to make a break with the past and start anew.

That leaves only the matter of gender: all things considered, female is probably better from a practical POV and I think it's probably common practice among the Clans to pair up female yojimbo with female shugenja if possible. Not necessarily an absolute rule, but still the norm. Honourable Kaze no Kage-same, would you be so kind to change Yoshida to Yoshiko?

Okay! :D

Oh, by the way -- the reason that I didn't have Sakura lay her Katana aside is because she doesn't have one. I did think of it, but cannot recall any equivalent for a Shugenja.

(Actually, in the original Sakura did carry a Katana but she didn't know how to use it and wasn't required to defend herself. I get the feeling that it would not be appropriate for her to do so in this campaign ...).

Granted, seeing as this is a fantasy setting with female Bushi it's a little different, but typically in feudal Japan, a woman of the samurai caste would, when leaving the house, have the Wakazashi and Tanto on her (they were not allowed to wear katana, which, as I pointed out earlier, doesn't necessarily count in L5R. However, a shugenja wouldn't have much reason to carry one).  Neither of which are required to be removed when entering a person's home or other establishment.

Why Yoshiko... you look so... manly.  ;)

He/she has changed her portrait to something more "ladylike".  The change will no doubt be reflected in Yoshiko's next IC post.  ;)

Wish I could say the same about you, Kakita-san. /deadpan :p

I assumed the database would look up avatars through the user when constructing the page, but apparently there's a direct link between posts and avatars. Doesn't matter, everything's adjusted from now on.

So needless to say, this is my first try at playing a monk (ie. non-samurai) in an L5R game.  I'm not quite sure what his place would be right now in the current situation.  It might be different were it just the PCs but the presence of none less than the Clan Champion seems to indicate that Musashi should be "seen but not heard" for the present.

Is that how others would view the role/place of a monk in this situation?

I don't think there are any straightforward answers here. Honestly, monks shouldn't be in this situation. Joining a monastic order (I'm excluding the tattooed orders for this purpose, even if they are monks) pretty much means severing all ties with your life as a samurai, serving a Clan. Monks can certainly be welcomed and even sought out for their insight and advice, but I don't see them being asked to become involved in Clan affairs - maybe if those involved family members of the monk or there is some other, similarly pressing reason, but those would be extremely rare cases, I feel.

That said, the situation is what it is so there's no point in agonizing over what could/would/should be. The most probable reason why Musashi would be present is to allow for the point of view of one who is less biased and who can offer insights a samurai might not understand. Secondly, a more sly reason, Kuwanan might feel there is an advantage to be gained from adding an unknown element to his task force: monks are treated differently and provoke different reactions than samurai. Either way though, Musashi is present because he was invited to be. To me, that means his input will be appreciated and even expected. I don't think Musashi should necessarily sit there quietly and not involve himself.

I definately agree here.



Not necessarily, there are plenty of monk "advisors" who are the real power of a clan (forced to retire before they were ready, the "monk" only relinquished his/her power in name). And many others wander the empire offering counsel and wisdom. After all, a monk seeks Enlightenment for all and not just himself.

What I would say, Musashi-San, is that if you do decide to speak try to sound "wise" ... more like Confucius than a Fortune Cookie. ;p

I'm going on vacation for a week, be back Monday

Lucky... have fun!

Hi guys,

I'm just waiting on the final word from the GM regarding whether Musashi can arrange for lodging or at least "letters of introduction" for the entire group.

Sure thing, Musashi-san.

sorry for not making it clear, Doji Kuwanan's travelling papers include arrangements for room and board in Toshi Ranbo and along the way.  However, having room and board provided by the Crane Clan Champion also makes you very, very conspicuous.

Well I'm having Musashi make a private request with Lord Kakita Yoshihiro-sama for "room & board arrangements" for the group... so that the arrangements will come from Yoshihiro rather than the Clan Champion (thus hopefully lowering our "profile" at least to a certain degree).

If anyone doesn't want to be included in these arrangements (perhaps someone wants to make their own arrangements for various reasons, perhaps to keep aloof from the main group for various purposes)... please let me know as Musashi will respect that and only make arrangements through Yoshihiro for those who actually want them.

I'm assuming that Ukyo will agree to be included in these Yoshihiro arrangements?

Yup.  No worries here.

I guess that's a good question (and one the GM may need to answer)... have any of the PCs spent any significant amount of time in "Toshi Ranbo"?

I suppose it is possible that Musashi has been there but I hadn't really worked it into his background.  Then again, I haven't really detailed all the places Musashi might have been to (he's traveled quite a bit and "gotten around" as it were).

I'm willing to leave that up to you PC's, if you have spent time in Toshi Ranbo you haven't spent enough time to make any regular contacts, but you would know the lay out of the streets and (possibly) some of the seeder locations ^_^

*thinks hard*

Probably the "seedier locations" and "former contacts".

Sorry for the delay, guys -- I moved this week and it took more time (and energy!) than I thought it would.