[ Premise/Foreword ] In a new land, far far from old Rokugan, a familiar tale plays out before us. The villanous Soshi Ran has disgraced the virtous Utaku Shenmei, causing her to cleanse her family of the dishonor. Utaku Ryoko, Shenmei's daimyo has chosen to expunge the black mark on her clan by invading the lands of Soshi Ran and running the villanous Scorpion down herself! Unfortunately, Ryoko's army has been stopped by a rather large, organized bandit force. She has called upon her friends and allies to supply her with individuals suited with taking care of these pests.
[ Setting Information/Background ] This is an L5R 4th Edition campaign. The current campaign year is 1201 and the campaign takes place in the ruins of the Ivory Kingdoms.
[ Character Creation ] All characters must belong to the Unicorn clan until further notice. The standard starting rules apply. Paths and schools from all L5R 4th Edition supplements are valid with GM's permission. The characters will start with the standard 40 experience points. The first four player spots are reserved for certain people. If they choose not to claim their reserved spots, they may be opened for others.
Available Sources: Any L5R 4th Edition book. Banned Resources: None
Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2015 10:25 pm
Here is an online character sheet I had whipped up, in case anyone wishes to utilize it!
ADVANTAGES Paragon of Duty {7} - You may spend a Void Point on any Skill Roll or Spell Casting Roll to negate all TN penalties for that roll, including Wound penalties. Touched by Chikushudo {4} - You gain a bonus of +1k1 on all Animal Handling rolls.
DISADVANTAGES Gaijin Name {2} - Dice may only explode once on each die in a Social Skill Roll. True Love {3} - Whenever you are in a position where you must choose between Love and Duty, you must spend a Void Point before you can choose your duty over Utaku Aneksi.
TECHNIQUES, SPELLS, KATA, KIHO, SHADOWLANDS POWERS Spirit of the Wind - As a Complex Action, you may sacrifice one spell slot of any element to grant one target individual an additional Simple Move Action. This Simple Action is in addition to the target's normal Actions per Round. The additional Action must be used on the target's next Turn or it is lost. You also gain a Free Raise on any spell with the Travel keyword. Spell: Commune (1) {Any} - Allows the caster to speak with one of the local elemental kami, asking it a few questions, which it will answer honestly to the best of its ability. Required for Banishing (5 raises). Raises = More Questions, Clarity. Spell: Sense (1) {Any} - Allows the caster to sense the presence, quantity, and rough location of elemental spirits of that element within range, or actual manifestations of that element. Required for Banishing (3 raises). Raises = Range. Spell: Summon (1) {Any} - Allows the caster to summon a modest quantity of the chosen element. Raises = Range, Quantity, Composition. Spell: Nature's Touch (1) {Air} - You are able to use the spirits of the wind to speak to an animal and ensure that it understands what you are saying. This spell works only on natural animals. It does not guarantee that the animal will regard you positively or that it will fulfill requests made of it, but the creature will understand anything you tell it. Raises = Range. Spell: Armor of Earth (1) {Earth} {Battle} {Defense} - You gain reduction in an amount equal to your Earth Ring + School Rank; your Water is considered 1 Rank lower for purposes of movement. Raises = Duration. Spell: Jurojin's Balm (1) {Earth} - If the target suffers the effects of any poison or toxin within the duration of the spell, or is already under the effects of a poison when the spell targets him, he may re-roll any failed Stamina roll to resist the poison, with a bonus of +2k0 to the second roll. Also, cures drunkenness and other such effects, and it becomes impossible to become intoxicated during the spell's duration. Raises = Duration, Targets. Spell: Sympathetic Energies (1) {Water} - You may transfer any one existing spell effect from you to the willing target of this spell. With three Raises, you may transfer one spell from one willing target to another willing target. Raises = Range, Special. Spell: Path to Inner Peace (1) {Water} - Restore a number of wounds to the target equal to the amount by which the Spell Casting Roll exceeded the spell's TN to cast. Spell: Inari's Blessing (2) {Water} {Craft} - Generates enough food and drink to sustain a number of individuals equal to your School Rank +1 for 1 day. Without Raises, this food is bland but sustaining, such as unflavored rice and water. Raises = +1 person, Quality.
EQUIPMENT/CURRENCY 6 koku 2 bu 5 zeni Wakizashi Spare Yumi bow for Wife ( Scroll Satchel Extravagant Clothing Calligraphy Set Unicorn Riding Horse ("Chiyuuai") Traveling Pack (Small Knife, Wide-brimmed straw hat, Wicker Umbrella, Spare Kimono & Sandals, Basket, Blanket, Cooking Pot, Small Folding Stool, Tatami Mat, Walking Stick) Coin Purse Bucket Paper (10 sheets) Chopsticks Small Tent Parangu
COMBAT Weapons Wakizashi - 2k2 - 5k2 damage - Can be thrown up to 20' w/ Athletics
Jinyu-Zhe is a fair-skinned man, just a hair beneath average height for a man in his 19th year, with long dark hair, hung loose past his shoulders, and a paired thin mustache and slender beard. He is of a slender build, and dons no armor nor carry any weapons of note except his wakizashi, and a few other utilitarian tools. His true weapon is with his scroll case at his hip, though it's less of a weapon and more of a tool kit slash medicine pack.
Unicorn Riding Horse - Chiyuuai Air: 2, Earth: 3, Fire: 1, Water: 2 - , Stamina: 4, Agi: 3, Str: 5 Initiative: 4k2, Attack: Kick 4k3, DR 5k2 (Complex) Armor TN: 15, Reduction: 3, Wounds: 12: +5; 24: +10; 36: +15; 48: Dead Skills: Hunting (Tracking) 4, Intimidation 2 Special Abilities: Swift 3 - Considered to have a Water Ring 3 ranks higher for the purpose of determining how far they move with a Free or Simple action. Huge - Cannot be grappled or targeted with a Knockdown ability.
Chiyuuai is an impressively built horse by Unicorn standards, but of course, is no Utaku Battle Steed. He is a dark mocha color, with a pure coat and has black hair on his mane and tail. In fact, it is the first and only horse that Jinyu-Zhe has truly owned, and came as part of the package deal of marrying Aneski. Despite the inky black stare and imposing stature, however, he was kind of a wuss, and the two did start forming a bond immediately. It is still a new friendship, however, and thus a work in progress.
BACKGROUND
Jinyu-Zhe (born Mitsuzuka) is the solitary child of Risou (formally Kitsu) Kosho and Risou Megumi. The Risou is a vassal family to the Ide, whose primary duty is as equine caretakers, though for the normal unicorn steeds used by the majority of the Unicorn clan. Born the 7th day of the Month of the Monkey in the year 1183, Jinyu-Zhe was brought up with the intention of following the duties of his Family, continuing on in a long line of caretakers. He had one younger brother, Hikaru, born in 1188, but he perished in his second year due to illness.
Though his destiny was thought to be one of little importance, a number of highly unexpected circumstances and opportunities arose. First was a deep personal bond of friendship that was formed between himself and the youngest daughter of the Ide daimyo, and it was said that the two might be arranged one day. Not long after, it was discovered that he could speak with the kami, so there was a considerable chance he could go with the Iuchi instead. Finally, some priests showed up at his household one day, and determined that his star aligned with another, and shared a destiny with a young Utaku girl! All within the same year! Three possible destinies lay before a young boy who aspired to no destiny at all!
Eventually, it was decided that he would be sent off to train with the Iuchi, but upon completion of his gempukku, he would marry into the Utaku, for aligning his star with another would invoke the wrath of Tengoku itself (or so it was said). And, truthfully, he held potential to be a rather skilled Utaku Horse Master with some training, and the Utaku diplomats were eager to capitalize on that.
The young man obliged all that was asked of him, including no longer having anything to do with that Ide girl that he was such good friends with. When asked if that bothered him, he showed no indication that it did, simply responding that he was doing his duty, both to his family, his clan, and the celestial heavens themselves - what else could a samurai ask for? And upon completion of his gempukku, rather than keep a traditional Rokugani name, as the Risou have always done, he instead took a gaijin name, when he found out the Utaku girl he was engaged to had done the same.
And thus, Jinyu-Zhe was wed to Utaku Aneski, the woman whose star was intertwined with his own, and he promised to love and serve her always, as was his duty. But, despite a somewhat indifferent, subservient front, he truly did love her, even more than what mere duty required of him, as if his heart knew this was meant to be.
MASTERY ABILITIES Kyujutsu Rank 3 - Stringing a bow for use is a Simple Action rather than a Complex Action.
ADVANTAGES Kharmic Tie (3) - Her spirit is fundamentally bonded to one man, developed through a marriage that has lasted several lifetimes/incarnations, much to her husband's eternal exasperation. Once per session she gains a bonus of +3k3 to the total of all attack rolls made when fighting for or protecting him.
Language: Senpet (1) - Aneksi's parents imparted her with more than just a Gaijin name, but the studied knowledge of the language it came from as well.
DISADVANTAGES Gaijin Name (2) - Due to her lineage, however ancient, her parents have continued the tradition of Senpet naming. Although there is no honor loss, others regard her questionably as a result. Her individual dice may only explode once on a Social Skill roll.
True Love (3) - True love can be a wonderful experience, and clearly the cosmos deigned for her to possess it across multiple lives, but more often than not it is a disaster. Whenever she is in a position where she must choose between love and duty, she must spend a Void Point before she can choose duty over her lover.
Obtuse (4) - With a life and spirit out in the great wild, and a pure dedication to her equine companion and warrior way, the point of many fine things simply escapes her. Poetry, art, music... it all seems meaningless. The experience point cost for any High Skill except Investigation and Medicine is double.
TECHNIQUES, SPELLS, KATA, KIHO, SHADOWLANDS POWERS School Techniques Riding in Harmony - The Utaku Battle Maidens value honor above all. She gains a bonus equal to her Honor Rank to one attack roll per Round. While mounted, she may instead choose to apply this bonus to one damage roll. She gains a bonus equal to her Honor Rank to the total of all Horsemanship rolls.
COMBAT Weapons Katana - 4k2 - 6k2 - Medium - Can spend up to one void point to increase damage by +1k1 Wakizashi - 4k2 / 3k2 if thrown - 5k2 - Medium - May be thrown up to 20'. Jiujutsu - 3k2 - 3k1 Dai-Kyu - 6k3 - Strength 4 - Large - Range: 500'. Attack rolls on foot suffer +10 TN.
Armor Armor TN Full Attack = 14 (cannot be used while mounted) Attack = 24 (32 while mounted) Defense = 28 (36 while mounted) Full Defense = 24 (32 while mounted) + Half Defense/Reflexes roll Center = 24 (32 while mounted) Reduction = 4 Other Modifiers = Wearing Riding Armor increases the TN of all Agility and Reflexes rolls by +5 unless on horseback.
DESCRIPTION Perhaps a bit more Gaijin than even many of her siblings, Aneksi sports wavy black hair flowing down past her shoulders, a dark tanned complexion both from ancestry and simply how much time she spends in the sun, and almond shaped eyes of an emerald green. She stands slightly above average at 5'6", and sports a curvaciously athletic figure high in Strength and Stamina, with a commanding, independant personality to match. She is a scout at heart, especially through her father's Hiruma insight, bonded to both her steed and the wild outdoors. The only earthly possession she cares for more than her bow and faithful companion, is the man promised to her from a young age.
Utaku Battle Steed - Chishiyo Air: 2, Earth: 4, Fire: 2, Water: 3 Ref: 3, Stamina: 4, Agi: 3, Str: 6 Initiative: 4k3, Attack: Kick 4k3, DR 6k2 (Simple) or Trample 6k4, DR 6k4 (Complex) Armor TN: 20, Reduction: 5, Wounds: 16: +5; 32: +10; 48: +15; 64: Dead Special Abilities: Swift 3 - Considered to have a Water Ring 3 ranks higher for the purpose of determining how far they move with a Free or Simple action. Fear 2 (when charging) - TN 15, causes all rolls to take a -2k0 penalty until end of encounter. Huge - Cannot be grappled or targeted with a Knockdown ability.
While shorter than the average Rokugani riding horse, Chishiyo is a figure of lean, refined muscle and raw power. Her coloring is that of a standard Palomino, with a golden coat and white mane, tail, and "socks". Amber eyes shimmer with an intelligence not seen in other horses across the realm, and her bond with Aneksi is absolute; her loyalty so unquestionable that she would stay with her battle maiden even after death.
BACKGROUND Born - Isei Province, 8th day of the month of the Monkey, 1183 Father - Utaku Seizen, 47 (Formerly a Hiruma Scout) Mother - Utaku Merneith, 40 (Shiotome Gunso) Siblings - Matsu Senichi (Male, 22), Utaku Nenseddjedet (Female, 20), Utaku Hiroshi (Male, 16), Anuket (Female, 14), Kebchet (Female, 7), Masataka (Male, 3)
Born into a large and growing family, Aneksi has always sought out a life alone. Some say she knew how to ride before she knew how to walk, and quickly took after her father through her childhood. Enough that despite her fate as a Shiotome, she was quickly given a Yomanri sensei and taught the ways of the bow and great outdoors alongside her normal Shiotome training. In the end there was a fine, well rounded woman with a love for her equine companion and the wide open plains.
The only social joy she had during her childhood was with her betrothed, a quiet, reserved man who had fully accepted his lot as her future husband and thus became somewhat of a possession of her's rather than what she had come to expect from other social encounters. Despite the odd relationship they shared, it was indeed one of genuine affection, and their marraige went off without a hitch. Unfortunately, the conflict between Utaku and Soshi chose the perfect time to start, and thus her honeymoon came in the form of a mission. The comforts of her new household would have to wait.
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Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2015 2:51 pm
I have been working with Rain and this is what I got so far. Going for sort of a gentle giant sort of character. Speaks softy but carries a big sword. H would prefer not to use it, though when he does, ouch!
Rain was saying their might be an issue with the sword I want to use being too expensive. If that is the case I can shift around some points into wealth to offset that, otherwise I'm going to have to go with a different character concept.
1) The Utaku really want their swordsmen to use the Katana. 2) Despite that, it's given as *any* emphasis 3) the No Dachi is 10 koku more expensive than the most expensive spear or polearm.
So, my solution is that the No Dachi will cost you your "One Spear or Polearm" option and cost 2 koku. It's kind of a dark horse choice to use.
