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Killing with Silence (L5R/Exalted)

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God Maugan, you have such a way with words. Just reading those character backgrounds is engrossing in and of themselves. Ronin, Geisha, Speaker and Monk seem the most interesting to me, from a textual basis.

[x] The Ronin. You are a samurai without a lord, a contradiction that many see as a violation of the natural order. The nobles of the Clans see you as little better than dirt, the farmers fear you have come to take what they have made, the merchants hand you filthy coin and revel in their power, but you... you are free, as no one else can be, and you will never give it up. (Full Moon)

[x] The Geisha. By law and custom, you do not exist, a non-person who simply happens to talk and think. Because you are not real, it is no disgrace for a samurai to display emotion in your presence, to take delight in your music and admire your beauty... to confide in your their fears. It is a fragile kind of power, but it is yours, and it is all that you have. (Changing Moon)

[x] The Speaker. The dead are no strangers to you, for you see them whenever you close your eyes. They tell you their secrets, teach you their magic, protect you from your foes. In exchange, you pass on their wishes to the living and tend to the places where they died. It is blasphemy for any not of the samurai caste to do as you do, but what of it? You will not let the law stand in the way of what is right. (No Moon)

[x] The Monk. Born a peasant, you were given to the monastery at a young age, and though you walk the land and tend to the spiritual needs of the people you find yourself increasingly doubting the wisdom of what you teach. Can it truly be holy, to bow before the sword? Can there be anything sacred in upholding an order that cares more for birth than virtue? And if not... what are you going to do about it? (No Moon)
 
[x] The Ronin. You are a samurai without a lord, a contradiction that many see as a violation of the natural order. The nobles of the Clans see you as little better than dirt, the farmers fear you have come to take what they have made, the merchants hand you filthy coin and revel in their power, but you... you are free, as no one else can be, and you will never give it up. (Full Moon)

[x] The Geisha. By law and custom, you do not exist, a non-person who simply happens to talk and think. Because you are not real, it is no disgrace for a samurai to display emotion in your presence, to take delight in your music and admire your beauty... to confide in your their fears. It is a fragile kind of power, but it is yours, and it is all that you have. (Changing Moon)

[x] The Speaker. The dead are no strangers to you, for you see them whenever you close your eyes. They tell you their secrets, teach you their magic, protect you from your foes. In exchange, you pass on their wishes to the living and tend to the places where they died. It is blasphemy for any not of the samurai caste to do as you do, but what of it? You will not let the law stand in the way of what is right. (No Moon)

[x] The Monk. Born a peasant, you were given to the monastery at a young age, and though you walk the land and tend to the spiritual needs of the people you find yourself increasingly doubting the wisdom of what you teach. Can it truly be holy, to bow before the sword? Can there be anything sacred in upholding an order that cares more for birth than virtue? And if not... what are you going to do about it? (No Moon)
 
Maugan Ra said:
you don't need to put XP in a Style to know how to brew a good cup of tea
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But the tea ceremony rules were such an important part of the setting. /s
EarthScorpion said:
But of course we want to play the man (or woman) with Noh face.
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With Noh face, with that dudes face, with a cat's face... so many options
Monotov said:
Because making the Scorpion sad and paranoid is fun.
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Ah, but what's more fun? Terrorizing the Scorpion by killing their assets, or shifting into a horse to kill and utterly baffling the dragon investigators?

[X] The Shinobi. For a peasant to strike down a samurai means death for that peasant's entire family. But when a shinobi does it, what evidence is left? When a ghost slips into town and cuts the throat of a corrupt magistrate, or burns the home of a cruel lord, or reclaims the tax shipment that a village needs to survive, who do you blame? Ninja, after all, do not exist. (Full Moon)

My argument for this one is pretty simple. We get to be the sneaky guy who appears right behind you, leaves threatening notes in your house, and appears like a nightmare if you sin against the peasantry. Alternatively, have you ever seen a goddamn bear jump out of nowhere to eat a man's face when he claims the blessing of a god? I want that scene so bad.

[X] The Broker. No one notices the servant cleaning halls, the gardener pruning flowers, the farmer planting rice. The common folk see much and hear more, and in the quiet hours they pass what they know to you, in exchange for coin and what protection you have it within your power to give. You will keep them safe, all of them, for as long as you can... even if you have to bleed every samurai in Rokugan to see it done. (Changing Moon)

Holy shit, there has never been enough blackmail in quests. Sign me the fuck up for this. I want to see an arrogant samurai attend one meeting to figure out who's manipulating them, and slowly realize they've dug themselves deeper and deeper into the control of an unstoppable divine predator. Look that fucker in the eyes the moment they realize there's no escape from their sins.

[X] The Merchant. Money is filthy in the eyes of samurai, commerce a wretched necessity best left to peasants. They do not see what you see, as you travel across the land. They do not know what you know, gleaned from friends and debtors in a hundred minor towns. They do not hear the people weep, safe in their perfumed castles as they are, but you do... and you intend to do something about it. (No Moon)

Dolla dolla bills, yo. Samurai don't engage in commerce, as a general rule, which means they won't be prepared if we decide to utterly wreck the economy supporting them. Perhaps they'll consult with us peasants then, hmm?[/QUOTE]

Maugan Ra said:
He is the god of madness, iconoclasm and the outcast... and he has chosen you.
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Holy shit, YES. I've seen L5R/Exalted crossovers before, but most of those were solar quests. A lunar quest has such a good friction with the rest of the setting, Maugan, you're a genius.
 
[X] The Speaker. The dead are no strangers to you, for you see them whenever you close your eyes. They tell you their secrets, teach you their magic, protect you from your foes. In exchange, you pass on their wishes to the living and tend to the places where they died. It is blasphemy for any not of the samurai caste to do as you do, but what of it? You will not let the law stand in the way of what is right. (No Moon)
 
[X ] The Bandit Chief - They made you who you are. When the great armies of the Clans marched to war, when they spilled each other's blood for honour and glory, it was your people who paid the price. Your children conscripted, your harvest stolen, your village sacked and burned. You turned to banditry to survive, but it is the thought of revenge that keeps you warm at night. Now you have the chance to seize it. (Full Moon)

[X ] The Shinobi. For a peasant to strike down a samurai means death for that peasant's entire family. But when a shinobi does it, what evidence is left? When a ghost slips into town and cuts the throat of a corrupt magistrate, or burns the home of a cruel lord, or reclaims the tax shipment that a village needs to survive, who do you blame? Ninja, after all, do not exist. (Full Moon)

[X ] The Ronin. You are a samurai without a lord, a contradiction that many see as a violation of the natural order. The nobles of the Clans see you as little better than dirt, the farmers fear you have come to take what they have made, the merchants hand you filthy coin and revel in their power, but you... you are free, as no one else can be, and you will never give it up. (Full Moon)


I am a simple creature with simple wants
 
[X] The Geisha. By law and custom, you do not exist, a non-person who simply happens to talk and think. Because you are not real, it is no disgrace for a samurai to display emotion in your presence, to take delight in your music and admire your beauty... to confide in your their fears. It is a fragile kind of power, but it is yours, and it is all that you have. (Changing Moon)

[X] The Speaker. The dead are no strangers to you, for you see them whenever you close your eyes. They tell you their secrets, teach you their magic, protect you from your foes. In exchange, you pass on their wishes to the living and tend to the places where they died. It is blasphemy for any not of the samurai caste to do as you do, but what of it? You will not let the law stand in the way of what is right. (No Moon)
 
[x] The Speaker. The dead are no strangers to you, for you see them whenever you close your eyes. They tell you their secrets, teach you their magic, protect you from your foes. In exchange, you pass on their wishes to the living and tend to the places where they died. It is blasphemy for any not of the samurai caste to do as you do, but what of it? You will not let the law stand in the way of what is right. (No Moon)
 
[x] The Ronin. You are a samurai without a lord, a contradiction that many see as a violation of the natural order. The nobles of the Clans see you as little better than dirt, the farmers fear you have come to take what they have made, the merchants hand you filthy coin and revel in their power, but you... you are free, as no one else can be, and you will never give it up. (Full Moon)

[X ] The Shinobi. For a peasant to strike down a samurai means death for that peasant's entire family. But when a shinobi does it, what evidence is left? When a ghost slips into town and cuts the throat of a corrupt magistrate, or burns the home of a cruel lord, or reclaims the tax shipment that a village needs to survive, who do you blame? Ninja, after all, do not exist. (Full Moon)

[x] The Monk. Born a peasant, you were given to the monastery at a young age, and though you walk the land and tend to the spiritual needs of the people you find yourself increasingly doubting the wisdom of what you teach. Can it truly be holy, to bow before the sword? Can there be anything sacred in upholding an order that cares more for birth than virtue? And if not... what are you going to do about it? (No Moon)
 
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Character Creation Pt.2 - Elimination Vote
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    • Ok, first Vote is Called. The winners that get to go ahead to the run-off are... Ronin, Geisha and Speaker. Alright, time for some additional lore on those, and then a final elimination vote!

    The Ronin

    The word samurai literally means 'one who serves', and many in Rokugan find the idea of a samurai without a master to be inherently contradictory. And yet, Ronin unquestionably exist - some are born Ronin, to parents likewise bereft of masters, while others are left adrift when their lord dies without an heir and still others willingly abandon the strictures of a Clan for the freedom of the open road. Legally speaking they are still samurai, entitled to all the same rights and respect as any other, but without a lord to avenge their mistreatment these privileges are a poor shield indeed, especially against those samurai who believe ronin to be inherently sinful and worthy of death.

    The stereotype of a ronin is that of a landless criminal, shaking down peasants and stealing from merchants to survive, and this has some basis in truth - a freshly made ronin has generally never had to work for their food before, and has few skills outside of applied violence to secure it. Often lords who hear of ronin in town assume them to be bandits or criminals, and order their immediate arrest... or, if they are of a more pragmatic mind, have them pressed into service as mercenaries and sacrificial pawns. Yet the wave-men also count wandering heroes, noble souls and warrior-pilgrims in search of martial perfection among their ranks, and many have earned their status as romantic protagonists of any number of Rokugani stage-plays.

    In this quest, the Ronin is the "Full Moon" path - they gain inherent benefits to strength and speed, are difficult to scare, and gain an xp discount on all styles most prominently associated with raw physical prowess (which includes most combat abilities).

    The Geisha

    Daughters of the 'Floating World', Geisha are part of Rokugan's society yet also held apart from it. They are legally hinin, non-people, the same as corpse-handlers and those who work with filth, but by their unique occupation gain access to skills, possessions and prestige many nobles will struggle to ever obtain. Often sold to a geisha house in their youth, a geisha is effectively an indentured servant, entertaining clients to bring in the coin necessary to pay off the debt incurred by her years of training and lodging. They learn to sing, dance, make great works of art and most critically of all to listen - as non-people, there is no shame in allowing a Geisha to see one's tears or smile or genuine anger. A samurai goes to a Geisha house to relax, to be human for a small window that the stressful demands of their life do not usually allow, to unburden their souls... and then they leave, going back to their lives, and the Geisha is left behind.

    Geisha are not prostitutes - sexual service is not something that they offer, and while many see their contracts bought by noble lords or prosperous merchants in search of a concubine with courtly skills, any who touches one without their consent will frequently find themselves thrown headfirst out of the house's front door. That said, Geisha are still human, and ones in a trade that encourages and demands that they get to know their clients on a close emotional level. Illicit romances and affairs are far from uncommon, and most madams are willing to look the other way so long as the Geisha and her lover remain discreet. In Rokugan, the perception of truth is the truth, both morally and legally, and it is considered the height of bad manners to acknowledge anything you might hear occurring on the other side of a paper-thin wall. More than one Geisha has risen to the position of spymistress in all but name because of this, a frightful power they must use sparingly to avoid consequence.

    In this quest, the Geisha is the "Changing Moon" path - their words hold a hypnotic allure, they have a gift for going unnoticed, and personal grudges or bias are temporarily suppressed when in their presence. They gain an xp discount on all styles that rely on social acumen, including most artistic and manipulative techniques.

    The Speaker

    Rokugan is a land in love with death. Every house contains a shrine to a family's ancestral spirits, the bulk of new stories and plays are concerned with heroes of the past, and samurai on the losing side of a battle will fight duels for the right to stay and die valiantly in a rearguard holding action. This is no mere cultural tradition, for the ghosts of the departed do remain, and they do guide their descendants with sage counsel and prophetic omens at the appropriate moments... at least, they do when appropriately honoured, and when the manner of their death was not enough to twist them into vengeful revenants. Propitiating such spirits is generally left to the Shugenja, scholar-priests trained in the rites necessary to honour the departed and invoke the elemental spirits of the land in displays of grand magical power, but Shugenja are rare and it can be weeks before one comes to investigate reports of a haunting or spectral disturbance.

    When a peasant is born with a gift for speaking to the spirits, they are generally claimed by the nearest samurai family as a matter of course, under the principle that they are clearly samurai in spirit and simply born in the wrong place by some cosmic fluke. Those who slip the net, or worse yet refuse to accept the place ordained for them in the Perfected Hierarchy, are branded heretics and users of evil magic, best hunted down and slain before they can do something foolish and irreversible. Such renegades live life on the very edge, lying about their patronage and collecting what scraps of lore and wisdom they can, but often find a receptive ear in the spirits of the land... both human and not.

    In this quest, the Speaker is the "No Moon" path - their identities are cloaked in anonymity, they can track and teleport to places of spiritual significance in the nearby area, and they have an inherent gift for magic and sorcery. They gain an xp discount on all styles that rely on mental acuity, including virtually all scholarly and esoteric pursuits.

    Article:
    This is the second round of the character creation vote. Choose One of the above options:

    [ ] The Ronin

    [ ] The Geisha

    [ ] The Speaker

    Explanations for why you have chosen a particular option or what you hope the story to include will be of great use to me as a QM, writing my notes for the upcoming plot arcs.
     
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    • [X] The Ronin

    I know little of L5R, but a great warrior with Lunar Charms and a decent Warform can make it anywhere, so why not?
     
    [X] The Ronin

    I honestly have no deep reason. I just tend to like quests that are on the action side of things.
     
    [X] The Ronin

    I CHOSE RONIN BECAUSE I LIKE FITE AND FULL MOON'S RIDICULOUS PHYSICAL CAPABILITIES ARE AWESOME.
     
    [X] The Speaker

    Quite obviously, the Speaker is the best. Why, you might ask? Why thank you, hypothetical voter, I'm glad you did ask.

    One simple thing - J-Horror.

    The Speaker offers plenty of chance to interact with ghosts and weird spirits. And Japanese-style ghosts - the Grudge, the Ring, all these kinds of stringy-haired yurei ghosts - are cool. The Speaker offers the chance to be an illegal exorcist, and the opposite of an exorcist - someone who goes to tormented, suffering ghosts cut down by cruel uncaring samurai and go "Hey mate, wanna go make the walls bleed while crawling out of a painting and then leave the wicked samurai to be found by others, his eyeballs bulging and his skin drawn tight over dry bones".

    But more than that, the Speaker offers a form of striking back at Rokugani society that works quite well as a questing format; an almost episodic baseline of ghost stories and tales of horror where we can play both roles. We can be the one who saves the village of peasants from a cruel spectre, or the one who helps the ghost get revenge. Plus, it means we're a weird mystic who's passing below the radar, who probably makes full use of shapeshifting (which is something I am 100% behind, because who doesn't want to be a crow sitting on the shrine croaking a warning to the corrupt priests), and who has plenty of reason to get involved in plots because not only do the ruling elite persecute us, but we hear from the dead and downtrodden of the cruelty of their masters.

    Go yurei! Go yokai! Go weirdness, unleashed by our creepy mystic Speaker!
     
    [x] The Geisha

    Social/intrigue character could be a very interesting change of pace

    Edit: to expand a little bit, I feel like there's not a lot of interesting soft power quests. It's mostly fighty things or people in charge. Would be fascinating to go a more intrigue social based route
     
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    [X] The Speaker

    I admit, my knowledge of L5R is shallow but the idea a wandering thing who walks the border between the living and the dead, which maintains the balance between them is fascinating to me.

    Also ghost stories are cool, especially when we can be on either side of it.
     
    [x] The Ronin

    This is entirely because ronin are cool, swords are cool, and the space ronin occupy can give a lot of distinct places to work with.

    And I don't think Speaker is going to work out for J horror. In Rokugan J-Horror comes from a very different place than ghosts being cranky. It comes mostly from Jigokou (Hell) being a complete asshole and I just don't really care for Jigokou or plots related to it.
     
    [X] The Geisha

    Because being a schemer that solves their problems mostly through diplomacy and intrigue feels a lot more interesting to me than just overpowering our enemies with physical prowess.
     
    [X] The Geisha

    I just really want a quest where action is largely a non factor. There are a few really good fight scenes in written fiction... but basically none of them are interesting because of the fight itself. Action tends to get me to skim it unless the emotional content is really good.

    Also a quest where killing the opposition isn't a great option will make for a nice change of pace. And character interactions are the best part of written fiction.
     
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