With that said, Compassion is a core tenet of Bushido. Taking Paragon doesn't actually compel us to intervene on heimin's behalf. If honor or practicality would prevent us from intervening, we can.
Bushido as we know it doesn't exist yet. Akodo has yet to pen his famous work, Compassion is not something which has been sanctified by the Kami. Currently the only checks that are put on Samurai's behavior are those which their superiors care to put on them.
No that'd be if he has Lord Moon's Curse, Dai just goes a little nuts if he tries to Meditate. Which is an obvious obstacle to him actually advancing as a Taoist Swordsman but not actively dangerous to everyone around him.
Dai isn't a hero, to be honest Dai for all his disadvantages reads as a very bland and uninteresting character who doesn't really seem to have a self motivation. You say it's because of fanatical devotion to Togashi the kami...okay, why is he fanatically devoted to Togashi? I mean yes the Togashi Order took him but that doesn't intrinsically mean he should associate it with Togashi himself.
Thank you for the criticism. I'd put the lack of self motivation to the fact that this Dai is a translation from an earlier Dai that me and Hello made up as a thought experiment a month or two ago, things have probably been lost in his transition from the 11th century to the birth of the Empire. That being said I'd say that fanaticism and loyalty aren't uncommon in this time, the kami themselves have decended to Ningen-do and to not accept them and be awe struck would be odd.
Finally Togashi almost never actually directly tells people to do anything because he can't forsee the future of anything he's involved with and is terrified of messing up the PLAN tm
In order.
If this was Shinjo, Hantei, Doji or even Akodo I could see it, all of those kami were extremely gifted at people in their own ways. Togashi...isn't. He never wanted to have followers leaving the Empire to avoid it. He gained two followers Mirumoto and Agasha anyways, who in turn followed because well we never really get Mirumoto's reason but it seems to be that Mirumoto felt he was needed there. Agasha because she saw the most of Shinsei in Togashi. In time those who followed Togashi's love of wisdom came to take his name for the same reason, while others who wanted to learn the art of the sword came to Mirumoto, and those who followed Agasha's path came for her teachings.
Togashi inspires respect, wisdom, loyalty yes, but passionate devotion that creates fanatics? No that just isn't how I read him at all.
Second: I don't like Dark Fate or Great Destiny for pc's so no that wouldn't happen.
If this was Shinjo, Hantei, Doji or even Akodo I could see it, all of those kami were extremely gifted at people in their own ways. Togashi...isn't. He never wanted to have followers leaving the Empire to avoid it. He gained two followers Mirumoto and Agasha anyways, who in turn followed because well we never really get Mirumoto's reason but it seems to be that Mirumoto felt he was needed there. Agasha because she saw the most of Shinsei in Togashi. In time those who followed Togashi's love of wisdom came to take his name for the same reason, while others who wanted to learn the art of the sword came to Mirumoto, and those who followed Agasha's path came for her teachings.
Togashi inspires respect, wisdom, loyalty yes, but passionate devotion that creates fanatics? No that just isn't how I read him at all.
The way I see it Dai has been brought up on tales of Enlightenment with the expectation that as a Taoist Swordsman he would search for it when he came of age, in an age where it's still unclear what exactly that is. Hell the nature of Enlightenment is a hotly debated topic even in modern Rokugan. As a result of this he has somewhat conflated the wisdom of Togashi with Enlightenment itself and between that and his desire to make himself useful after things went south for him he views following Togashi's orders almost as an end into itself. I'm sorry if that wasn't really conveyed properly in the original draft, in my defense though proper backstories seem to be thin on the ground at the moment and as this is a quest it's probably best that the finer details of our PC be hashed out in-story.
With that said, Compassion is a core tenet of Bushido. Taking Paragon doesn't actually compel us to intervene on heimin's behalf. If honor or practicality would prevent us from intervening, we can.
Paragon of Compassion means you exemplify that trait of Bushido, possibly to the detriment of the traits. However, honor could play a part in staying your hand when you see mistreatment of those lower than you, except you have 5.5 starting honor which isn't all that much compared to the 7 point advantage Paragon of Compassion. So yeah, I don't know lets see.
The way I see it Dai has been brought up on tales of Enlightenment with the expectation that as a Taoist Swordsman he would search for it when he came of age, in an age where it's still unclear what exactly that is. Hell the nature of Enlightenment is a hotly debated topic even in modern Rokugan. As a result of this he has somewhat conflated the wisdom of Togashi with Enlightenment itself and between that and his desire to make himself useful after things went south for him he views following Togashi's orders almost as an end into itself. I'm sorry if that wasn't really conveyed properly in the original draft, in my defense though proper backstories seem to be thin on the ground at the moment and as this is a quest it's probably best that the finer details of our PC be hashed out in-story.
Were I to drop Willpower 4 for Stamina 3 and Kenjutsu 4 would you be willing to change your vote then?
The nature of Enlightenment is debated because there is no one 'path' paradoxically it seems trying to seek it just pushes it farther away, but too most the act of seeking brings good kharma and will hopefully make it easier in the next life.
Could one find enlightenment through an almost unreal level of self denial in service to the kami Togashi? Perhaps, but it isn't a path I see Togashi himself approving of oddly enough.
You are correct in saying back stories are rather thin at this point, but on the whole Dai's is uninteresting to me. The fanatical devotion to a lord conflicting with the want to do what is right more suits a Lion than a Dragon.
Finally no, it wouldn't because your build makes having willpower 4 the best choice optimally, but that doesn't make it a fun build to me.
The nature of Enlightenment is debated because there is no one 'path' paradoxically it seems trying to seek it just pushes it farther away, but too most the act of seeking brings good kharma and will hopefully make it easier in the next life.
I wanted the "beast of Iajutsu" for this guy as soon as I saw the "swordsman with 4 starting void", and Hideo fills that one out well enough. I like the protector of the people thing. I think it's a cool schtick.
Mind you, I'd probably have gone for the hated by gaki-do thing. From his perspective, in most cases where he might be in the same place as the hungry dead, he'd want them targeting him rather than, say, the peasants around him. From a narrativist standpoint, though, a 4-point disad is the sort of thing that shows up pretty regularly - which means that the hungry dead would be showing up pretty regularly, and I prefer the story of Togashi Hideo, Hero of the People to Togashi Hideo, Zombie Hunter. So... it calls to me, but probably better not.
Togashi Hideo is almost a man. In fact, he is almost many things, almost the newest samurai of the Dragon Clan, almost a member of the Taoist Brotherhood, almost the next swordsman to bring his arm against injustice. But none of those things matter just yet, nothing matters but the trial ahead.
Hideo awoke during the hour of the Tiger having nervously laid himself to an early rest the night before and found himself unable to return to sleep. His living quarters were spartan, a tatami laid out with a rough pillow and coarse cotton blanket made up a full quarter of his living space. A single bamboo cabinet took up a corner with a shrine precariously spilling out over the top while in the other corner were a neatly stacked pile of harsh weather garments. As the sun had not begun to peek out over the tips of the mountain peaks surrounding the monastery to send its first golden rays through the small rectangular window that occupied the far wall of his room it was not time to set out for the summit. There was nothing to distract him from the yawning chasm of time between now and the trials that would make up his gempukku.
Upon making his morning ablutions using the bucket of water positioned outside the door, Hideo made himself comfortable on a well-worn spot before the shrine positioned on top of his only piece of furniture. The stone of the floor gave way to the light brown color of the cabinet in a smooth motion as if carved out from the stone by a master mason. The grain of the wood was familiar as was the smell. Earthy and slightly spicy, the incense had been formed from a gift of juniper leaves and dried maple wood given to him by a villager at the base of the mountain thankful for assistance with a band of wild dogs. The ashes from prayers the night before had been hurriedly swept away requiring some cleaning of the flat wooden base of the shrine. Hideo opened the bottom drawer of the cabinet and pulled out two incense sticks and a flat piece of charcoal. His hands moved with almost inhuman speed as the charcoal struck the stone floor igniting a corner of the black stick.
Lighting the first of the incense sticks took little time and so he began his morning meditations in almost complete darkness. His parents had not bothered to leave him with a name when he was placed outside a Dragon stronghold, but he still figured that praying for his ancestor's guidance at the beginning of this auspicious day couldn't hurt. He stumbled his way through the unfamiliar prayer asking for protection and insight in exchange for praise and veneration before bowing deeply. Deep breaths provided a calming tone to his body, slowing his circulation and quieting his nervous energy as his head lay flat upon a smoothed section of the floor.
He rose and was suddenly struck by the tableau of figures arranged carefully on the uneven surface of the chantry. Placed carefully was: (Pick 3, order matters)
[] A small carved wooden figurine of a dragon reaching to the heavens
[] A lovingly polished knife
[] A deep red silk ribbon
[] A stone bowl imbedded with tiny flecks of obsidian
[] A bundle of brightly colored bird feathers
[] A small packet of pitch black sand
The incense ran out in a small plume of white smoke. Hideo took the stick from the holder and bowed again shortly before lighting the second stick. This time supplication came more easily from his lips. He asked for guidance from the Fortunes, wisdom from his teachers, and willpower from himself to pass the trials of today. It was still dark except for the smoldering embers of the burning paper when he raised his head again.
He figured he had at least another hour to go before sunrise so he slipped his legs out of seiza to sit crosslegged. The breathing techniques came as second nature now, many years of practice exemplified in a few easy movements. In and out, in and out, in, out…in…out. His energy circulated in a slow easy motion as he came to find the Void. His teachers had talked in riddles and metaphors when discussing the Void and it was easy to understand why. Complicated and simple, filled with nothing and yet containing everything; the Void seemed impossible to discuss but once felt always remembered. So he let himself drop into a space of Void to sharpen his mind and pass the time as he waited for sunrise.
Time passed while Hideo remained sitting. To truly empty his mind and become one with the Void was beyond him most days and today was no exception as occasional thoughts flittered past his consciousness. Like little starlings images would pass before his closed eyes, dipping in and leaving before he was fully aware of their presence. Memories of his time in the dojo were the most common, probably reflective of his previous preoccupation with the ceremony today, but other memories passed by too. A starlit night where he was introduced to the difficulties of tracking lost mountain tuna, the clear laughter of a heavily tattooed ise zumi when his sensei had told a particularly bawdy joke. But he quickly regulated his breathing anytime his mind strayed to one of these thoughts and attempted to clear it from his head. It would not do to forget lessons he would need on the road of his destiny. An eternity, and yet far too soon, the sun finally reached beyond the edge of the world to shine into his room. It was time to go.
Putting the thick robes on over his pants took only a few practiced motions and his shoes were slipped on with little fuss. He expended one last look over his room lingering on the objects laid on the shrine before closing the door and beginning his trek down the hallway. The few rooms with inhabitants on this corner of the compound all opened as he walked and he was met with a number of solemn faces. Those much younger than him bowed deeply and muttered well-wishes while the two individuals closest to his age stepped out and hugged him each in turn. Rouki had always been much taller than him despite probably being a year younger and had to awkwardly stoop to hug properly. Rouki's long black hair and tanned skin brushed against the side of Hideo's head as he craned his neck to complete the embrace. Hideo could feel Rouki's anxiety in the tenseness of his arms and murmured into his ear.
"It'll be ok, I'll return and we will drink to my success."
"You shouldn't be the one offering encouragement," Rouki said as he pulled away. "I guess it's ok though, I feel nervous enough for the both of us."
Hideo lightly chuckled along to Rouki's laughter at his quip and felt a little of the knot forming in his stomach dissolve. Patting him on the back Hideo turned to the girl who had stepped out of the doorway to her room.
Hitomi was a lean figure with a sharp face and even sharper eyes. Her hair was cut short in a pitch black pixie cut which reminded him in a vague sense of the scrub grass that grew on the southern side of the mountain. Her mouth was never out of motion, always twisting in some way to give away what her normally impassive On would try to hide. There was no need for either of them to lean down for the hug.
As he felt her chest press up against hers Hideo thought about saying something, anything, to break the intensity of the moment but found his tongue had failed him. Hitomi stepped back and they disentangled a few loud heartbeats later as he tried to find something to say. However before he could find the words to express anything of the noise that made up his thoughts she bowed and turned back into her room, her lips turned up sharply at the corners. Gathering himself for a moment he turned to Rouki and shared a nod before passing down the hallway.
There was a large wooden door which complimented the dark grey stonework that made up its frame and stood out due to the large mon of the Dragon Clan embossed on its surface. Hideo lifted the heavy brass fittings that secured the door on the top and bottom in order to enter the main section of the monastery. The Taoist compound was made up of three buildings shaped something like a koi with the living quarters making up the left fin of the fish. Everyone from the Grandmaster to the youngest initiate lived in the curved squat mossy covered building. Hideo had just stepped into the long and broad corridor that made up the center of the living quarters and separated the samurai's cells from the trainee's.
In comparison to the dull grey that the dorms had been made out in the main hall was practically vibrating in color. Dark greens and light browns made up the majority of the few decorations put up along the hall. A statue of the Kami Togashi and the Little Teacher sharing a plum dominated the immediate entrance to the building, carved in loving detail from a deep red oak it almost seemed like one could sit down beside them and listen to their wisdom. The tapestries on the wall were mostly made out in green and recorded the fall of the Kami from Tengoku and the meeting between Hantei and Shinsei in beautiful detail. However what drew Hideo's attention were the two men standing at the doorway to the outside with their eyes locked on him.
Togashi Toro was a massive hulking figure in his emerald green robes that had brown and purple dragons circling the hems. He was well known among the young ones for having killed more than a dozen of the creatures from Jigoku with his bare hands and countless more with the edge of his nodachi. However the more dangerous of the two in Hideo's opinion was Hikaru the blind monk who needed no eyes to look into your soul. Hikaru was probably the least seen of the sensei's at the monastery, often disappearing for months at a time at the behest of the Clan leader. Hikaru always wore a dark brown robe no matter the weather conditions and was said to have never gotten a single drop of blood onto it despite being an unparalleled master of the sword.
Hideo quickly made his way to stand before them and jerkily made his bows as his heart rate began to climb. Receiving a short nod from Toro he opened his mouth to greet them and inquire as to whether they were going to be his instructors for the trial before Hikaru's high pitched yet sonorous voice rang out.
"Yes, we are," came the answer to the question he had not asked yet.
Hideo was momentarily caught off guard before-
"No, I am not"
"Wha-"
"Reading minds is impossible without the aid of magic, your face betrayed your thoughts."
Feeling incredibly perplexed at the idea that a blind man was reading his face Hideo almost did not notice Toro shaking before the large man burst out into a booming roar of laughter. While Hideo's face turned red Toro slowly got himself under control and turned to the much shorter man next to him.
"How 'bout ya let me do the talking, no need to make anyone cry today" Toro appealed before speaking to Hideo as if Hikaru had already agreed. "Sometimes ya just gotta ignore him, he doesn't like the mornings too much"
Seeing Hikaru was staying silent but also noting that his face had tightened a little while Toro was talking Hideo felt it was safest to pretend as if nothing had occurred and bowed to Toro and Hikaru again.
"Ah, there's no need for any of that, ya got what you need? Let's head out," Toro said as he pushed open the door to the monastery and led their party outside without waiting for Hideo to reply. "We'll need ta head out real quick-like if we are to make it there to greet the Kami"
It was the work of an hour to pass from the wall surrounding the compound to the summit of the mountain, the winding stone steps made treacherous by the ice and winds of a winter that seemed to have little interest in leaving. But soon enough the three men made their way to the top.
The steps gave way to an incomplete stone arch that gave off a sense of oppressive weight. Beyond the arch was an unfinished temple tower with a massive Dragon mon suspended above its doors. The tower was missing portions of its shingling and its masonry appeared a light breeze away from toppling over yet it still filled Hideo with a deep sense of belonging. This was the mountain retreat of the Kami Togashi, founder of his clan, and possibly the most mysterious of the gods who walked Nigen-do. The jade dragons sitting precariously on the ledges of the tower seemed too real to Hideo and passing through the arch he felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand to attention.
His companions just passed on through as if nothing was different but standing a few steps into the courtyard Hideo was struck by how incredibly quiet everything was. There was perfect stillness in the courtyard as if the world had frozen in a single moment of time, no wind to move-
That was it, Hideo realized. The wind was not moving even though the entire way up the mountain it had been howling and biting its way through his thick winter clothing. This realization stopped him in his tracks as his mind took a break to avoid thinking about it too hard. Toro moved on a few paces before looking over his shoulder and huffing out a misty breath.
"We don't have all day." He said before turning around to catch up to his companion.
"Yes, Toro-sama," came the immediate reply from Hideo as his body quickly hurried to rejoin the two of them. Hideo recovered enough to think about asking his guides for an explanation but was unsure how to broach the subject.
[] Ask Mirumoto Hikaru. (He does not seem to like you, but asking questions is part of the Tao)
-Write in what to say.
[] Ask Togashi Toro. (He does not seem like the type care much about such things, but at least he does not give you the chills)
-Write in what to say.
[] Stay silent. (Not much purpose in bothering them)
They continued the rest of the way into the temple in silence.
The doors were wide open and Hideo could see that aside from a silk screen that walled off the furthest portion of the room the entirety of the first floor of the temple was open space. There was a few scuff marks on the wooden floor where the doors had settled but otherwise the room was immaculate. A number of weapon racks made up a collection near the door and Hideo wondered if they were going to be used by him. However observing the room in detail would have to wait until the trio stopped moving so quickly. The pair in front of him moved to seiza and bowed before the screen in the back and Hideo hastily moved into kowtow along with them.
There was a long moment before he heard the screen move back but he did not look up and possibly offer offence to his liege.
"You may begin," came a deep voice before the sounds of the screen being moved again echoed in the temple. He waited a dozen heartbeats before Hikaru and Toro stood up and turned to him motioning him to rise.
"Let's get this going" Toro said pointing towards the swords in an obvious command to see him perform his katas.
(Pick a sword, you guys didn't actually put down Kenjutsu: Katana or Nodachi so I decided to put this here instead of glossing over the swordy part)
[] Katana (think normal samurai sword)
[] No-dachi (giant samurai sword)
[] Parangu (shorter straighter samurai sword)
The next hour became a blur of steel as Hideo pushed himself to his limit showing off his speed and flexibility with a sword. He was first tasked with going through the normal school katas before being asked to go outside and do them again but this time avoid the huge rocks that Toro had way too much fun throwing at him. After a particularly close dodge Hideo felt his hold on his sword slipping and almost aborted the sword movement entirely before coming to himself. Thankfully soon enough he finished the exercise and was told to come back inside. Having a lot more respect and fear for Toro he choose to sit directly behind Hikaru as they assembled back before the screen to bow.
From behind the silk he could feel the weight of the Kami's gaze upon him and he wondered if he had failed and would be cast out never to see his friends again and how shameful it would be and-his lord's voice interrupted.
"When I sat here" came the deep voice again. "I fasted for many days. It was not until the Little Teacher sat down next to me that I spoke to another soul. I was so consumed with understanding the Tao that I had decided not to eat until I understood. The Teacher smiled at me and simply said 'Neither will I'. Tell me my child, what does 'Neither will I' mean to you?"
[] Write in
(This is where you try to impress a Kami. Good luck with that.)
I am tired. Sleepy times for now. Will stop being mysterious GM and answer questions once I wake up. Also, @storybookknight did not spend 2XP, so get back to me about what you are going to do with that.
He rose and was suddenly struck by the tableau of figures arranged carefully on the uneven surface of the chantry. Placed carefully was: (Pick 3, order matters)
[X] A small packet of pitch black sand
[X] A lovingly polished knife
[X] A small carved wooden figurine of a dragon reaching to the heavens Obsidian? Praise the Moon!
Edit made after we received
[X] Ask Mirumoto Hikaru. (He does not seem to like you, but asking questions is part of the Tao)
-[X] "Hikaru-sama, why does the wind not blow through the courtyard?"
Straightforward acknowledgement of ignorance and a request for answers and understanding.
[X] Katana
No-dachi seems a bit much for a wandering swordsman, and Parangu is a Peasant weapon. Not sure why this is even a vote since we start with a daisho and an Emphasis for Kenjutsu (Katana) from our School:
Benefit: +1 Void
Skills: Athletics, Defense, Iaijutsu, Kenjutsu (Katana), Lore: Theology, Meditation, any 1 Bugei or High Skill
Honor: 5.5
Outfit: Sturdy Clothing, Katana, Wakizashi, Tanto, Traveling Pack, 1 Koku
Special: All members of this school are considered to be Ascetic, but do not gain Experience Points for it. It does not count against their 10-point limit of Disadvantages.
"When I sat here" came the deep voice again. "I fasted for many days. It was not until the Little Teacher sat down next to me that I spoke to another soul. I was so consumed with understanding the Tao that I had decided not to eat until I understood. The Teacher smiled at me and simply said 'Neither will I'. Tell me my child, what does 'Neither will I' mean to you?"
[X] "It means that through Void, we are connected to the world. Our actions and inaction affect not only ourselves, but ripples out and touches all around us. Removing oneself from worldly distractions to meditate is a step on the road to enlightenment, but it is only one step, and meditation is not the only road. A man cannot understand the Tao just by removing himself from the world, because the world is a part of him, and he a part of the world."
This seems like a good answer for someone who intends to leave the Dragon mountains and wander the young Empire.
You possess a sharp mind and keen powers of perception, making it very difficult for others to deceive you. Whenever you make a Contested Roll against someone who is attempting to confuse or manipulate you in any way, you gain a bonus of +1k0 to the total of your roll. Dragon characters may purchase this Advantage for 2 points.
I considered the following instead, but I have an idea for writing up an omake about this guy and how he became our Sworn Enemy, so Clear Thinker is my vote suggestion.
[X] Drop "Sworn Enemy (Matsu Hiro)" and "Lore: Heraldry 1: 1 (EDIT3: Had a free point of exp due to advantage cap.)".
I considered the following instead, but I have an idea for writing up an omake about this guy and how he became our Sworn Enemy, so Clear Thinker is my vote.
This was not a vote, I was literally asking @storybookknight what he wanted to do with the XP he didn't allocate. Talk to him about your suggestions but it is up to him.
This was not a vote, I was literally asking @storybookknight what he wanted to do with the XP he didn't allocate. Talk to him about your suggestions but it is up to him.
I like the moon, but I have no interesting in going crazy for it sooooo different plan
[x] A small carved wooden figurine of a dragon reaching to the heavens
[x] A deep red silk ribbon
[x] A bundle of brightly coloured bird feathers
[x] Stay Silent
Focus young Hideo
[x] Katana
Listen closely I like katana
[x] Ponder the wisdom of trying to Out Dragon Togashi, realize it is foolishness
"It means to me that Shinsei was saying he would not eat until you did my lord. It means that we all have things to learn and that retreating from the world too long is just as bad as delving too deeply into it. Balance in all things, this is what I believe that the Tao shows us."
[X] A small carved wooden figurine of a dragon reaching to the heavens
[X] A lovingly polished knife
[x] A deep red silk ribbon
I don't really care about this vote except for the first part, since I like the symbolism.
[X] Stay silent
Nothing really to say.
[X] No-dachi (giant samurai sword)
Katana are cool, but the bigger the cooler. Also helps with damage nuking.
[X] "My understanding of Shinsei's words are that one should never let oneself be consumed in pursuit of a goal to the exclusion of all else, even in pursuit of a worthy goal such as enlightenment. The Tao is the Way of the world, and to remove oneself completely from it only hinders one's journey on the Way."
