RP roundup : Samurai arrive in Namarusen

[Kurrel]

A week late, the round up of messages beginning the roleplay that I'm running inside the weregeek forums :

A festival is held in the Crane city of Namarusen every 3 years, where mock battles are held and much honour bestowed. The white-walled city, with it's black-tiled rooves, is famous for it's beauty and the many estates built for the purpose of being pleasing to guests of other clans. The Crane artisans outdo themselves in their efforts to make all welcome, even if it the Lion who have won the greater share of these competitions down the many long years. The festival itself only officially begins once the first petals fall from flowers that grow on the many trees that adorn the gardens throughout this great city.

This year, there are many samurai attending. Bushi are in great numbers, obviously, but so many courtiers are also present that it seems obvious to all that some greater conference is taking place under the other festivities. Even clans that have not normally participated have sent contingents and so this year promises many things, not least of which is the most hotly contested competition to be seen in living memory.

To this tumultous occasion come two very different samurai, arriving as the festival has unofficially begun for the peasants, with drinking and revelry. The petals have not yet fallen nor the horns blown, and the samurai wait in a most charged anticipation of events to come, as courtiers hurry from estate to estate about their other business and those attendant prepare themselves.

[Kurrel]

The two players may introduce themselves and others can have conversations with them as 'bit' characters, people around whom the story doesn't revolve as yet. If they wish to remain secret so far, I leave it to them.

[Tom the Fanboy]

Isawa Benkai rides into town on an unassuming horse. He has close cropped hair and wears the traveling robes of a typical Phoenix Shugenja. His robe is a brilliant orange with yellow trim and sash. His manner is always rather forceful and precise, the fire of youthful ambition burns brightly but it reflects in his sense of self importance and not just his eagerness to further his clan's goals. He makes his way through the city in silence, pausing only to allow more honorable samurai to pass or yell at those who get in his way. Save for an exchange with a Unicorn Samurai, he goes straight to the manor of the Phoenix diplomats. After clan business has been taken care of he takes up residence at the Autumn Orchard estate.

[Pookajoe]

Two young men enter the city on horseback. It is obvious by just looking at their faces that they have arrived on business. The First, Yoritomo Miko wears light armor In the Colors of the Mantis Clan and bearing the Mon For both the Clan and the Yoritomo Family. His black hair is long and straight and his blue green eyes survey the area from their place on his well tanned face. Like most Yoritomo he is well muscled and firmly built. His Wakizashi is at his side and a Pair of Kama sit easily at his hips. On his back he has a long bundle wrapped in green silk strapped carefully down next to his Katana.

The second rider slightly taller than the first Has pale skin and thin features. His name is Tsuruchi Bou and he also wears the mantis colors but currently no armor. A Black and yellow striped armband is prominently placed on his arm and should one look close enough they would see that the Long Bow he carries still has the Wasp Mon. In contrast to his companion Bou's skin is pale, his eyes a deep brown. and his features are thin and almost delicate. His long Oily hair his kept in a Warriors Topknot. He wears a Wakizashi at his waist but also on closer inspection it Seems the bow is treated more carefully, although this is not uncommon for the Tsuruchi.

Not long after they enter the city Yoritomo Miko stops to ask Directions to the Mantis Compound. He seems almost taken aback when the peasant almost literally drops everything and offers to lead the way. Soon a Crane Samurai enters the picture and after a polite exchange the Crane Samurai leads Miko and Bou to the Mantis compound.

A few hours later both Miko and Bou exit the compound in order to see some of the city before the combination of nightfall and the desire for sleep push them back to their newly acquired room. Both are armed, but withou armor and Each wears a Kimono of acceptable quality though Bou still wears the black and yellow striped arm band.