Blood and Steel (L5R 4e Quest)

You are a member of the Unicorn Clan, a Child of the Wind, descended from the followers of Shinjo-no-Kami who traveled across the the world, learning of the wonders and dangers of foreign lands. Your ancestors interacted with many gaijin, assimilating foreign knowledge and culture to survive, but they never forgot the Empire. Upon your Clan's return, they faced significant challenges adapting due to the differences in culture and traditions. For the most part, the Unicorn earned their place in the Empire, despite their strange and foreign ways.

Now, here you are, a young samurai nearing the age of adulthood. With the Topaz Championship, the most prestigious gempukku ceremony in the Empire, fast approaching, considerations for who receive the invitations were discussed within the clan. Your sensei gave their nominations, recommending you as one of the clan's participants, having noticed your proficiency with the lessons and techniques of your school. To the surprise of many, the recommendation of your sensei were accepted, and an invitation to participate was offered to you. This decision is one that you should not make lightly.

What is your gender?
[ ] [GENDER] Male
[ ] [GENDER] Female

Who are your family?
[ ] [FAMILY] Horiuchi: The tiny Horiuchi family has never claimed more than a few dozen members at most. Created a few decades before the Clan War, the Horiuchi are a branch of the Iuchi family that specializes in defensive and protective magic. Horiuchi samurai are compassionate individuals who tend to intervene in the affairs of others during times of crisis.

[ ] [FAMILY] Ide: The public face of the Unicorn, the Ide have worked tirelessly to combat the perception many have of the Clan as barbarians and near-gaijin. They flawlessly merge the traditions of their people with the customs of the Empire, and in doing so seek to earn the gradual respect and acceptance of other clans. Samurai of the Ide family are almost universally even-tempered and eager to forge alliances with others, whether personal or larger in scale.

[ ] [FAMILY] Iuchi: With the exception of the Tamori of the Dragon, the Iuchi family is probably the most militant shugenja family in the Empire. They serve in the armies of the Unicorn Clan in considerable numbers, and while they enjoy friendship and scholarly debate as much as any priests, they do not shy away from conflict when pressed.

[ ] [FAMILY] Moto: The Moto exemplify virtually every negative stereotype that the Unicorn Clan as a whole has struggled with since their return to the Empire centuries ago. More than any other family, their gaijin blood is obvious from the look of them, short, and squat as they are. They are alternately boisterous and brusque, depending upon the circumstances, and rarely fit in well with samurai of other Clans. They are respected, however, for their warrior traditions.

[ ] [FAMILY] Shinjo: The Shinjo family ruled the Unicorn Clan for most of their history, although in the latter portion of the Empire's development they were removed from power by their founder, the Kami Shinjo, due to corruption within their ranks. The Shinjo are an affable, industrious family whose members adapt easily to almost any task set before them, and who work well with others in virtually any situation.

[ ] [FAMILY] Utaku: The matriarchal Utaku family are rigidly honorable and pious individuals with carefully defined duties depending upon their gender. Women are generally trained to serve with the most elite cavalry units in the world, the Utaku Battle Maidens, while the men manage the households and serve among the legions of infantry in the Unicorn army.

What is your school?
[ ] [SCHOOL] Ide Emissary: The courtiers of the Unicorn are trained to avoid and defuse conflict whenever possible, stemming from their time as nomads where making enemies unnecessarily was dangerous, if not suicidal. The Ide Emissaries put those lessons and experiences to good use, using a combination of straightforward honesty and courteousness, making them effective diplomats, traders, and mediators.

[ ] [SCHOOL] Iuchi Shugenja: The Iuchi are one of the more unconventional and least conservative family in Rokugan, in part of their willingness to carry weapons and march to war. Indeed, the Iuchi are an important part of the Unicorn army, where they call upon the kami to bless the formidable cavalry with unparalleled speed and mobility, both on a tactical and strategic scale.

[ ] [SCHOOL] Meishodo Shugenja: Born from the union of gaijin and Rokugani magic, the Meishodo Shugenja use carved talismans as a focus of their abilities, allowing them to call upon the powers of the kami with but a brief incantation instead of a lengthy dialogue. While such method sacrifices power for speed, the Unicorn see nothing wrong with the trade, indeed seeing it preferable due to their way of life.

[ ] [SCHOOL] Moto Bushi: Descended from the nomadic barbarian tribes of the desert and steppes, the Moto are a veritable force which draws forth both awe and enmity from their deviation with the traditions and customs of the the Empire. Using a fighting style originating from the gaijin lands of their ancestors, the Moto Bushi are wild and unfettered warriors with focus on gaijin weaponry, heavy attacks, and continued aggression.

[ ] [SCHOOL] Moto Death Priest: In fulfillment of the pact sworn by Khan Moto Chagatai to the Shi-Tien Yen-Wang, the Death Priest School was recently established by Moto Shugenja. The Death Priests are individuals of singular focus and severe demeanor. Acting as both priests and warriors, adherents of the Ten Judges can call upon their patron to bring the blessings of death upon their enemies.

[ ] [SCHOOL] Moto Vindicator: Formed from the tragedy of Moto Tsume, the Vindicator Order is sworn to hunt and kill those tainted by the Shadowlands. Honing their fury and zeal into single-minded obsession, the Vindicators will fight their enemy until one or the order is dead.

[ ] [SCHOOL] Shinjo Bushi: The Shinjo Bushi school combines the rapidity of mounted techniques with assimilated gaijin techniques, creating a unique fighting style that focuses on defensive fighting. Its focus on defensive techniques however, does not mean weak, as masters of the school techniques can strike at openings left by attacking enemies.

[ ] [SCHOOL] Utaku Battle Maiden: The Utaku Battle Maidens are the finest and most respected cavalry force in all the Empire. Wielding their honor, the Shiotome and their thoroughbred warhorses act in unity, trampling those who would stand against them.

[ ] [SCHOOL] Utaku Mounted Infantry: While the Unicorn are famed for their mastery of cavalry, there are situations where mounted forces are inapplicable. To address these shortcomings, the Unicorn created a force which would ride into battle in order to maneuver with the army, then dismount to engage enemies. These mounted infantry are a versatile force, capable to establishing footholds, conducting hit-and-run strikes, and acting as the anvil to their mounted brethren's hammer.

What did you decide?
[ ] [GEMPUKKU] Accept: Your sensei believes that you have what it takes to represent the clan in the Topaz Champhionship. Whether or not it is true, you are honored by your sensei's faith in you. You accept the invitation.

[ ] [GEMPUKKU] Decline: Honored you are in your sensei's belief, you nonetheless believe that you do not have the capability to represent your clan in the Topaz Championship. You decline the invitation, letting someone more worthy take your place.