Famous People in the Empire Part 3

Hida Kisada - Champion of the Crab Clan, daimyo of  the Hida Family.  Known as the "Great Bear" due to his attitude and his great personal size, Hida Kisada is the quintessential Crab samurai.  He is dour, taciturn, dismissive of other Clans and possessed of a furious temper.  Has two children, son Hida Yakamo and daughter Hida O-Ushi.  Yakamo is the elder and will be the next daimyo of the Crab and is also a bully who is spoiled and arrogant but also very skilled and extremely dangerous.

Doji Satsume - Champion of the Crane Clan, daimyo of the Doji Family.  Doji Satsume is one of the most respected swordsmen in the Empire.  He is not as pretty as a normal Crane - he is weathered, with a scar on the left side of his face that runs vertically from the corner of his eye to his mouth.  Satsume is greatly respected throughout the Empire for both his martial abilities as well as his wisdom and is one of the most popular Crane daimyo in recent history.  Has two sons: Doji Hoturi, who is not as well-respected as his father due to his frivolous ways and Doji Kuwanan who is currently studying with the Crab after spending several years in Lion lands attempting to secure peace.  Satsume has a confrontational relationship with Hoturi over his behavior - Hoturi is the elder son and will become daimyo of the Crane when his father retires.

Kakita Toshimoko - The current headmaster, or soke, of the Kakita School.  Considered by many to be the greatest swordsman currently alive and has won enough duels to prove it.  While he is seen as an honorable man, gossip states him to be a lecherous old man who drinks and chases geisha, often in the company of Doji Hoturi, his prize student.  However, no one has ever caught him in a state where he was unable to handle his sword - everyone who has ever tried is dead.  The feud between the Lion and Crane is currently seen as personified between Toshimoko and Akodo Kage, the current soke of the Akodo school.  The subject of who would win in a duel is often debated. 

Daidoji Uji - Daimyo of the Daidoji family.  One of the most talked-about members of the Crane aristocracy.  Uji is darker-skinned than a normal Rokugani and no one is sure exactly why, but several rumors circulate.  He is skilled with several gaijin weapons, a fact he does not keep hidden.  Despite an older Imperial mandate preventing the use of gunpowder, he is rumored to be very knowledgeable in its manufacture and application.  Uji also wears a cloth mask, not a mempo, when he dons his armor - a affectation he has copied from the Scorpion after defeating them in several open skirmishes and who knows how many hidden ones.

Togashi Yokuni - Champion of the Dragon Clan, daimyo of the Togashi.  One of the least-seen Clan leaders.  Very rarely attends any court functions, often sending delegates.  Those who have seen him have never seen him outside of his traditional armor, including a full mempo, or face mask.  Is also notable for his size, like Hida Kisada - while not as tall, Yokuni seems to be excessively muscular.  The major thing Yokuni is notable for is how little people know about him.  No one knows where he came from or who he was.  Considering the Togashi "family" is a collection of samurai from everywhere around the Empire who came to the mountain to be monks, no one is sure if there's actually a "family" to inherit the position from.  He could be from any clan or no clan or even a heimin - who knows what strangeness the Dragon allow?  Yokuni apparently achieved the position after his predecessor passed away due to old age, but no dignitaries attended his funeral and no one seems to know anything about the previous Togashi daimyo, either.  Togashi Yokuni is not believed to have any children or to even be married.

Mirumoto Hitomi - Daimyo of the Mirumoto family.  Her brother was killed by Hida Yakamo in duel in what some consider to be a dishonorable fashion.  Hitomi believes Yakamo killed her brother unjustly and without honor and seeks vengeance.  She has shaved her head in mourning and refuses to let her hair grow.  Her desire for revenge has led her to hone her martial skills to a remarkable level.  Without doubt, she is the greatest swordsman who uses the Niten-do style alive today.  Hitomi is frustrated by the non-aggressive stance of her Clan.  If she had her way, she would drag the Dragon armies south and burn her way through Crab lands until she was able to find and kill Hida Yakamo, consequences be damned.  Hitomi has a cousin, Mirumoto Daini, who handles most of the day-to-day running of the family including all court appearances.  Daini is considered to be a lightweight flash-in-the-pan of a samurai - he is a braggart and brash and boastful of his skill as a swordsman which is so far unproven and untested.

Akodo Arasou - Champion of the Lion clan, Daimyo of the Akodo family.  Arasou has led his Clan and family to victory on the battlefield over and over and over again.  He has secured military victory against the Crane, Scorpion and Unicorn leading many to label him as the greatest tactician and military leader alive.  Under him, the Lion have become a dominant force in the Empire, slowed only in the courts.  Arasou is also rumored to be in love with Matsu Tsuko, the daimyo of the Matsu family, and gossip about their love and relationship fills pillowbooks and sordid conversation across the Empire.  The Lion who serve under Arasou seem to be especially devoted - they view him as the closest a Lion general has come to embodying the spirit of the original Akodo in several generations.

Akodo Kage - Soke of the Akodo ryu-ha.  One of the most celebrated sensei in the Empire.   His teaching methods are legendary and he has produced some of the finest Lion samurai of the current generation.  Under his guidance, the main dojo of the Akodo ryu have become the standard by which all other schools are judged.  Akodo Kage even had the honor of teaching the young Prince Hantei Jian-mei before he became Emperor, a honor that as reflected well on the Lion as a whole.  Kage's personal abilities are also well known - he is a masterful warrior, capable and deadly with several weapons and the purity of his motions are breathtaking to behold. 

Matsu Tsuko - Daimyo of the Matsu family.  The Matsu are a matriarchal family, an anomaly in the Empire.  Despite this oddity, the Matsu are highly traditional and very fierce, born warriors who are renowned and feared for their skills - they're a little like the Spartans of Rokugan.  Tsuko is a product of this atmosphere and does her best to embody it.  Her personal unit, the Lion's Pride, have won great glory for the Lion and samurai-ko line up in order to fill any empty spots that occur.  Tsuko first became notable when she killed a Phoenix samurai who ambushed her parents during a battle when she was very young, around 10 years of age.  She is rumored to be in love with Akodo Arasou and the two are often seen together - though no one has ever seen them acting in an inappropriate manner.   

Isawa Tsuke - Elemental Master of Fire, Respected Shugenja.  Isawa Tsuke is one of the most respected and most feared shugenja in the Empire.  He is often tasked to work with the office of the Emerald Champion, provided advice on spiritual and supernatural issues and events.  Tsuke achieved the rank of Elemental Master at a young age and has held the post for more than a decade.  It is often said that shugenja who focus on one element often begin to act like that element and many believe that to be true of Tsuke.  He is brash, quick to act with a powerful if often subtle temper.  In our Rokugan, Isawa Tsuke (along with the other four Elemental Masters) is seen as something of a tactical weapon by the Phoenix - he is highly skilled in the most destructive Element a shugenja can master and can do great damage to an enemy, but allowing him to unleash his full potential against a foe would result in harsh consequences for the Phoenix as a whole - consequences that could isolate them or destroy them in court.

Shiba Ujimitsu - Champion of the Phoenix Clan, daimyo of the Shiba family.  Shiba Ujimitsu is often considered to be the wisest samurai alive (other than the Emperor, of course).  Although he is very young, in his 30's, Ujimitsu seems to have a boundless well of knowledge and wisdom on both mundane and esoteric subjects.  This is a trait which has marked previous Shiba daimyo and several are happy to see it continuing with the current generation.  Ujimitsu is on very friendly terms with the current Emperor, Hantei Jian-mei.  Both spent several summers together as boys and Ujimitsu's family is very well-connected with the Imperial families.  Phoenix dignitaries are hopeful Ujimitsu will use this closeness to their advantage, but a recent scandal has set back diplomatic efforts by the Clan.  Shiba Ujimitsu's wife passed away after a long, painful illness.  When the Emperor came to pay his respects and condolences, Ujimitsu's younger daughter spoke out against the Emperor - some even say she attempted to curse the Son of Heaven and Ujimitsu was forced to end his own daughter's life.

Bayushi Shoju - Champion of the Scorpion Clan, daimyo of the Bayushi family.  Bayushi Shoju is one of the least trusted men in the Empire.  As daimyo of the Scorpion, he is perceived to be a leader of a clan of liars, thieves and honorless men (though no one would ever be so rude as to put it that way publicly) and that means everyone believes that he must be the most honorless, ruthless liar if he crawled to the top of that pile.  They are very wrong about his lack of honor and very right about his ruthlessness.  Shoju is a masterful diplomat and politician, never seen without a full face mask from which his honeyed voice issues.  He is married to Bayushi Kachiko, formerly a Shosuro and one of if not the most achingly beautiful woman in the Empire.  The two cut a dashing figure in court and the idea of having a dangerous pair of wedded Scorpions scheming under your roof along with their impeccable decorum and politeness has made them a popular fixture on the social scene.

Shinjo Yokatsu - Champion of the Unicorn Clan, Daimyo of the Shinjo family.  Shinjo Yokatsu is an insider's outsider.  He cultivates an air of "backwater bumpkin" that most other samurai associate with the Unicorn that he uses to cover his impressive cunning.  He is a free spirit who loves to run free and ride and is possessed with a fierce love of his people - all of his people.  While most samurai concern themselves with peasants the same way a farmer is concerned over his animals, Yokatsu actually delights in all of the Unicorn he is in command of, from the highest samurai to the lowliest peasant.  Although he is excellent at keeping up appearances at the few static villages that the Clan has, out in the wilds of Unicorn lands, amongst the nomadic parts of his people, Yokatsu allows propriety to slide.  In fact, if you are a peasant, being a Unicorn could be the best thing that could happen to you.  Everyone is treated as almost an equal, with none of the usual harsh treatment and bullying that usually marks the treatment of the "lesser people" by those in power.  This means that almost all of the Unicorn are fiercely loyal to Yokatasu and love him as he loves them.  In fact, Yokatsu is so happy with what the Clan has currently, most of his work in Court is simply preservation of what the Unicorn currently has and keeping other spying hands and eyes from Unicorn lands. 

Moto Chagatai - Daimyo of the Moto Family.  Moto Chagatai is known as the Khan and may be the strongest and most ambitious leader that family has ever produced.  While he adores Shinjo Yokatsu like all other Unicorn, he is strongly disappointed by Yokatsu's complete lack of ambition.  Chagatai believes that it is time for the Unicorn to demand the respect they are due and to increase their holdings and wealth.  The Clan has been carefully marshalling its strength, increasing the size of its armies, preparing for the day when their strength will be tested against the greatest armies in the Empire.  Chagatai believes the Unicorn currently have enough strength to begin to expand and has begun to speak of his desires to his fellow samurai.  He is very charismatic and several samurai from every Unicorn family have begun to heed his words - including Otaku Kamoko, the current head of the Otaku family and their powerful shiotome - the Battle Maidens.  If Chagatai can get her completely on his side, he should be able to pressure Yokatsu into action, or, failing that, convince him to retire or remove him from the Championship.

Famous People in the Empire Part 2

Captain Jan von Hoygens - Captain of the Utrecht fleet.  Jan is a man in his mid-to-late 40's with bright red hair and blue eyes.  He is fit, trim, with a beard trimmed in the style of his homeland - slim on the sides, full in front.  He is the offspring of a naval family and has a family at home - a wife and a young son, named Susana and Robert. 

Captain Hoygens was recommended by the Crown for the captaincy due to his experience in the recent naval actions by his country and also due to his lineage.  One of his ancestors was in Rokugan previously, during the first Gaijin expedition.  His notes on customs, culture, language and military tradtions provided invaluable information to the Crown and was used to determine how this voyage should proceed.

Jan is the military officer of rank, captain and commander of everyone aboard the fleet.  He is responsible for the dispensation and conduct of  the crew and, should the need arise, any military action the fleet would choose to take.  Jan views his position as separate from Father Adolphus' position as cultural liaison and because of this chooses to retain his own form of dress and behavior.  He remains quiet during most conversation, choosing to speak in as few words as possible, giving him a curt, abrupt air. 

Jan views the purpose of the voyage in a military and mercantile light.  He believes the best outcome would be to arrange for well-negotiated trade agreements and treaties of non-aggression at this stage, so that more time can be spent determining if Rokugan should simply be conquered and made a vassal state or if some other, more equivalent, end result be desired.  Though he is a believer in the Faith, he is not a fanatic, nor does he care for the spreading of the Faith in Rokugan and he will negotiate quite easily on this point.

Captain Hoygens has cautious respect for the Rokugani.  They seem to be an honest, hardworking people who live simple lives which they seem to find great joy in.  While the cultural customs become truly bizarre as one moves higher in rank in the society, he is pleased by the unfailing level of civility on display.  He is also moved by their sense of discipline and dignity.  Jan is greatly impressed by the level of martial skill possessed by the samurai caste - if such a system truly is united under the Emperor and could be brought to bear as a single force against a threat, invasion should be considered impossible. 

Jan is a military man, with several years of service under his belt.  He is skilled in Utrecht-style of fencing and is also a renowned marksman and hunter. 

 

 

Father Adolphus von Richtenhopfer - Father Adolphus is an abbot of the Faith and also a Baron in Utrecht who gave up his temporal position in order to be ordained as a priest.  This was not an ethical calculation - the Faith currently holds great political power in Utrecht and a high-ranking man of the cloth can often command greater influence than a nobleman.

Then Richtenhopfer estate is one of the major financial backers of the this fleet and all future fleets.  As such, the estate is in a position to be among the first to reap the benefits of any trade or concessions that can be wrung from Rokugan.  While Father Adolphus cannot directly address monetary issues since he is a clergyman, his family carefully listens to and carries out his wishes on his behalf. 

Between the two Utretch leaders, Father Adolphus wields greater political and fiscal power.  While he is forced into a subservient position to the younger Captain during the voyage, he also can pressure von Hoygens with consequences once the journey is done, if he needs leverage to force a potential issue. 

Adolphus sees the purpose of the voyage as two-fold.  In order for any future ventures to be attempted, there must be profit to be had.  There must be future ventures to bring the appropriate missionaries and priests to the island to allow the Faith to spread.  The Faith must spread in order to give Utrecht a handle with which to move and control the Emerald Empire. 

Profit will be made through trade or war.  The ports of the Empire must be opened to allow the flow of merchandise in peace or weapons at time of war.  During the opening stages of negotiation, compromises and promises must be made in order to open those ports.  Once trade has begun, those can be altered or changed.  Active trade is very hard to stop once it has momentum on its side. 

The Faith must spread to provide a means of commonality and control.  Once trade has begun, missionaries can be brought in on trade ships.  

Famous People in the Empire Part 1

A quick note – these are quick vignettes of characters and NPCs in our game in a “metagame” perspective – they will contain information that is not fully available to the average player character.  Think of them as a dramatis personae listing for the story we’ll be telling together.

Emperor Hantei Jian-mei – Son of Heaven, Emperor of Rokguan

Hantei Jian-mei is the 38th member of the line.  He is a young Emperor, who is fascinated with cultures outside of Rokugan.  During the reign of his father, a delegation of Shen-zou dignitaries visited the Empire and brought with them visitors from other lands including the Burning Sands and the Ivory Kingdom.  Jian-mei was amazed by this display.

Jian-mei decided that in order for Rokugan to prosper, it must gain larger access to goods and trade outside of the borders of the Empire.  While his father opened limited trade with Shen-zou, Jian-mei pushed for lessened sanctions and more relaxed travelling privileges.  He was given a position of authority in trade negotiations and became one of the few Hantei to leave the Empire.  He journeyed to Shen-zou and spent a large amount of time travelling inside the borders of that large country, learning the language and studying the culture of Rokugan's larger, older neighbor.  He would eventually take the name Jian-mei as a reference to his respect for the Middle Kingdom.  This caused concern, but as Emperor, his first name is not expected to be used, preventing embarrassing incidents at court.

Jian-mei became Emperor during his 28th  year, after his father died suddenly of  a stroke in his 65th year.  He could have retired several years ago, but the Emperor stubbornly continued to hold to his position until his death.  Some believe the Emperor was holding out, hoping Jian-mei's fascination with other cultures would eventually wane. 

Jian-mei made revising trade a priority of his first years.  He was able to manipulate the Clans by offering Imperial tax credits if they could help increase the amount of profitable trade the Empire could produce.  While some balked at the idea of trading their goods outside of the Empire's borders, the influx of exotic goods and profit soon began to change minds. 

He also choose to loosen restrictions for foreigners who would choose to visit Rokugan, easing passage into and among Imperial holdings.  While his hands are tied when it comes to dictating policy inside Clan lands, he hopes that the example of peaceful Imperial lands open to visitors and trade will eventually wear down most hostility to his proposals.  Under his rule, islanders from Ryuku and Yobanjin have an easier time integrating into Rokugani culture (but by no means peaceful or completely smooth). 

Jian-mei is a controversial Emperor.  His trade incentives have both benefited and scandalized the Clans.  Several samurai feel that the influx of foreign influence is weakening Rokugani culture and causing a degradation of morals.  Several have also benefited from dealing with a large neighbor country that is hungry for Rokugani goods and raw materials.  Jian-mei is a extremely sharp trader, able to grasp the subtleties of balancing income against an excessive outflow of native material and so far his policies have sufficiently protected Rokugani interest. 

However, his position as Emperor has severely curtailed his ability to be involved directly in negotiations.  Since an Emperor is too high for the mundane activities of the merchants, he can no longer directly supervise many aspects of the policies he put into place.  Jian-mei feels restricted and imprisoned by his position - though it is shameful, he greatly desires the simple life of a trader, to see the world and experience new sights and new sensations.