Matsu Ume's page

Ume had, bold as she was, seated herself and her newly-acquired acquaintance near the other Matsu, who was talking to the Moto competitor.

She fully intended to continue some easy discussions with the young Bayushi she had just met. He seemed the pleasant enough sort.

Once the two Ronin entered the room, she greeted them with a passing nod of the head. To do any less would have been rude, no doubt. To do much more... well. It would have felt out of place.

Ume's smile grew only marginally, but the compliments were not entirely lost on her. It was rare enough that she got any, and despite knowing it might be some kind of ploy. "And well... I don't want to assume too much, but if we look at history, anyone discarding honor also discarded victory in the long run."

She smiled, and looked around the tavern. "So, what in particular are you going to do tonight? Any last minute learning? I am certain i would manage to crush my confidence if i tried."

"I would choose the word 'rivals' myself." the young Matsu replied. She gave him another short glance from top to bottom. His looks were quite fetching, certainly.

But not really enough to make her consider something extremely rash and stupid, she decided. Not at this point, anyway. "I think civility alone requires we be able to sit down and enjoy a cup of tea."

"They surely do. The Topaz Championship would never have even gained the prestige it carries, let alone kept it, if it was not throughout, and well-founded." She smiled. At least he knew enough to not assume.

She couldn't give in to insecurity, or start questioning all the things she knew had not been covered in detail in her education. It would work out, somehow. Her relatives wouldn't have put anything on the line by sending her unprepared.

"So, Bayushi-san, have you been here for long? I only arrived half an hour ago." She asked, more to keep the conversation flowing than because she really thought it would matter all that much.

Ume bowed to the Scorpion, and nodded. "Bayushi-san, i would gladly have your company. I was actually intending to go there now." Without her knowing, the seeds sown so many years ago were already well at work, the name Bayushi was enough to put her more at ease than, for example, Yasuki or Daidoji might have.

"I am nothing if not surprised at how highly placed this years competition is going to be." She said, without betraying too much of what she thought. While not a courtier, and probably outmatched by a witty scorpion, she wasn't going to just lay down her cards, no matter how much sympathy she had.

Ume did her introduction by rote. She really couldn't score any points in it, so any risk was just a chance to run into an open knife. After her brief appearance was done, she kept in the background... but noticed the ronin, and started to wonder. They had to have a powerful sponsor, certainly, but... just how powerful?

She returned to the other Matsu - even though there was a small bit of dread about meeting Nimoro. This boy was for one thing quite young. For another, he had to be very very good to be placed in the competition.

She decided to take a relaxing evening. Not any huge amount of drink, not any attempt at studying, or training overmuch. Get to know the other contestants a bit, but retire early to be in peak condition in the morning, when the first competitions were to start.

Hopefully, it would work out that way.

Raw Perception: 9, Int + Lore / Heraldry + 1 FR: 24, Per + Lore / Heraldry: 10

Ume had hardly raised her head enough to see more than the dirt in front of her, when the questions started. She had known of the possibility for someone high-placed to notice her, but this. The son of heavens. Her Clan Champion... and... him?

Her own quibbles with the crabs suddenly vanished entirely. How childish and unbecoming. She was here to prove herself the best young samurai the Empire had to offer this year. That was her goal, and nothing else.

She looked at the procession and despite the additional weight on her shoulders felt nothing but being lifted, elevated just by having been here.

Ume looked at the huge Crab, and her initial disdain grew. Greatest conquest? He was talking as if he was an experienced general. What gave him the right? He was as much a contestant as her, if appearances were to be believed, and should know he was shaming all those who could claim a few bandits at the very best.

Before her temper could flare all too badly, she focused on a more promising situation. "So, you have something in mind for this particular campaign?" She asked, and followed his gaze to the mantis and scorpion-occupied table. There could naturally only be one champion, but the path to that honor was probably easier walked in company.

Ume nodded empathically, but the giant crabs loud entertainment cut her off. She took a look at him, trying to make up her mind if that was freakish or impressive, but settled for "astonishing" in short order.

"The Crab will do very well in the Juijutsu tournament, agreed." Somewhat more subdued, in a much more private voice she added. "I just wonder if they'll do so well in the other challenges."

She watched the huge Crab for a while longer, listened to the boasting story. "I think the art of battle is in part to shield yourself from bad fortune, and exploit good fortune fully. Why should it be different in this tournament?" Ume even felt Akodo might have written something along these lines.

Ume eyed the Phoenix warily. The man seemed unhealthy, and she had heard stories that some particular sicknesses of the body heralded the Taint. If he was here, that wasn't too likely, admitted, but still he wasn't going to win much sympathy.

"Quite the field to compete against. On the trip here, I was preoccupied with the Crane above all, but it would be quite foolish to neglect the others" She added. In truth, she had been preoccupied with the tournament altogether, yet the crane seemed as good a foil as any.

Ume could not bite her lips in time to stop the grin now rapidly spreading across them. He would probably take this the wrong way, she knew, but he just seemed so much a fish out of water. Some might easily question why he was there. But in truth, he was a very dangerous potential rival, one who had years of training and experience above her. Not someone to antagonize needlessly.

"I am sorry for my presumption. You seem so experienced and well-versed, I naturally assumed you to be an observer." Maybe not the smoothest of escapes, but good enough, she decided. "So, I am sure a competition as venerable as this will produce the best champion regardless of numbers - yet still it is good to know the Matsu name is represented by two of us." She added, and cast a long gaze back into the room. "It is getting fuller. I think a few, if not all of these new arrivals are also competitors."

With no small bit of relief (and secretly, a bit of pride as well), the younger Matsu nodded, and stepped besides the full Samurai. "I'll gladly join you for the moment. May i assume your words indicate you have met the other competitors already?"

Small talk, certainly. But relevant nevertheless. Just by knowing who send whom, she might gauge her chances somewhat. Besides, it was just a good thing to have someone to talk to, who was even from the same family, not just the same clan.

The young Matsu finally decided to waste no more time... she could wait until she was an old and gray crone, she wouldn't magically be granted to proper name and rank of the other Lion in the room.

So she approached him, and bowed very deeply. "Greetings, Lion-sama. I very glad to meet another of our kin." Not the best words of introduction, but not the worst either.

Rolled a 20 on the roll, with two free raises that gives a total of 30... should not waste these rolls so freely ;)

Ume was a slightly relieved only one of her kinsmen had arrived before her. They'd probably be her harshest judges, after all. She slowly moved over to the fellow Lion Clan member, and tried hard to at least get a rough impression who he might be. Some courtier to observe? Anyone she really should know?

Each step in well measured time. Moving slowly, after all, had the added benefit of giving you enough time to rake your brain.

Matsu Ume entered the inn with her insides still in turmoil. The travel here had been thankfully uneventful, allowing the swords she carried to rest easy. They were burning up her sides as they were. They were worth twice the respect of an unproven child, and the honor of wearing them was almost a bit too much for comfort.

She was as ready as she would ever get, but was it enough? She half wished for the inevitable duels and harsh examinations to just take her mind off things. Or any excuse to change out of her traveling garments, really. While her traveling provisions contained her better clothes, she had decided not to risk soiling them on the road. So for now, it was light armor, simple fabrics.

While a courtier would have picked up on these signs without a trace of doubt, she tried to remain calm, remain focussed, and channel the emotion to better ends. So her thin lips showed a smile, her hair was cut short but not scandalously so.

Ok, I've cut the Dojo and disadvantage, and did some minor surgery on the character history. Is this in ok shape now?

I was one of the players of the first, very ill-fated Topaz Championship PbP, and would like to take another stab at this. My profile is still up, but i have not had the chance to check it against your CG guidelines.

Since the character is pretty much "unplayed", I'd like to just make the necessary adjustments, and go with it. Unless you have objections, of course.

GM:

GM:

GM:

It's 8:50 AM here

GM :

GM:

Radavel:

Matsu Ume put away her chopsticks after her hurried (yet full) breakfast, and rose, moved back towards the Dragon. The slip in address earlier had been noted, but she was not going to be starting any feuds right then.

She knew full well that she was not up to a courtiers task of seizing up others, and ultimately believed it would not matter all that much, if her own skills were up to the task. "Miromoto-san, i would rather like to see what the city has to offer. Yet I need to find my kinsmen, and see what they have planned. So for now, i will have to decline, simply because i do not know if i could hold fast to an agreement."

How would he take the rejection, polite as it was? That was the true question. If he started some kind of argument, that would bode well for the actual competition.

Plans: Meet up with her Clan's other representative and get to know him. I would assume a few high-placed clan members attend the championship, so find out who is there. It'll probably drive her nuts to know, but not knowing is worse. After that, it probably is lunchtime. After that, it is probably getting to know the location and surroundings - and competitors. From the PCs, she is most interested in the Scorpion, Crane and Mantis... in other words, the traditional Bushi-looking ones. The Crab is just a little too "raw" for her taste. ;)

When the young Matsu realized that she probably missed her kinsmen during breakfast, to her credit, she did not panic or otherwise embarrass herself further. She merely quickly excused herself from the conversation she had tried to strike up moments ago, and headed to one of the tables.

From the servant, she took only only a small portion of the healthy soup, a bowl of rice and a half-serving of fish. She wouldn't get any more than that in the field either, likely less even. So that was ample, and quickly finished. She did not pay much mind to the Crab acting as crab were known to act. 13 on Perception/Investigation Instead, she took to her food with controlled haste. Soiling herself was a sure ticket to embarrassment, but being tardy did not look good either, so she better be the first of the latecomers.

As she slurped the last bits of the soup, she realized the Unicorn delegation was still missing. No doubt they intended to make a grand entrance later... No reason to worry.

Ume was just entering the common room when the Dragon introduced himself, and stepped forward half a step. "The pleasure is mine, Miromoto-san. My name is Matsu Ume, here to compete in the Topaz Championship on behalf of the Lion Clan." She bowed appropriately, not more and not less.

After the introduction, she seized the man up for a moment. Not too obviously, naturally. But his appearance meshed just too well with some of the common perceptions of the clan. Unconcerned with the physical world. Likely to forget the matter at hand over the principle. A small smile appeared on her face. "So, Miromoto-san, if i might hazard a guess, i would assume you are here to compete for the Topaz Championship."

Matsu Ume rose early from hear sweat-drenched beddings. She had contorted badly enough in her vivid dreams to find herself half out of the bed, half still inside. The night had been anything but restful, and she sincerely hoped noone had taken notice at what she had probably muttered in her sleep.

The maiden quickly washed the sweat off herself, and rubbed herself dry. Time was wasting, and taking a leisurely approach now of all days was not a good start. The tournament was calling. Still, the beautiful womans kimono she had kept safe until this moment was a sight to behold. Deep golden yellow fabric, and dark brown, almost black accents. The Lion Clan sigil embroidered in actual golden thread on one of the dark accents close to her heart. It was such an honor to be allowed to wear it before even formally swearing fealty as a Samurai. An honor and a joy. She had to bite her cheeks hard to dispel grin once she looked down on herself.

Before she could join the others on their breakfast (she fully expected to meet several of her rivals during that occasion), she had another duty to fulfill, but the rumbling of her stomach pushed her to make it quick. It wasn't very becoming to pray while your bowels started to sing songs. So she knelt down, and said a few prayers of thanks to her ancestors. Before the tournament would begin proper, tomorrow, she would commune with them for longer.

She stepped out of her room, and approached the common hall in careful, measured steps. Confident but not haughty or shameless, efficient but not mechanical. It was laughable to care about the length of the stride, but she wanted to do this right, from the very first moment on.

Noted down. Wow, i was seriously expecting to be struck with some terrible history with no redeeming feature. Always happens when i roll on these tables myself.

While checking my sheet to note down the Dojo advantage, i noticed i spend 3 CP on Death Trance, but it is discounted for Lion characters to 2 CP. I'll spend the extra CP on another skillpoint, if that is ok.

Ah, ok. I thought these were going to get raised to 1 only after the Gempukku ceremony.

After much agonizing that whichever way i turn, i still feel there are gaping holes in a "Samurai's Education", I nevertheless declare these stats final :)

Which means i am ready.

You do know that we have agreed to play third edition? ;)

Having looked over the Akodo War College, i love the concept, but the abilities seem a little, how to say... "poopy" in a small PC group. So it is probably easiest not to open that can of worms, and instead go with Akodo Bushi. She probably would have tried to get in, but was probably not accepted.

I'll try and get my hands on the complete class, then. This might actually be a worthwhile alternative...

Any comments regarding background material up to this point? It has been a while since i actually built a character for L5R

Ok, answered some of the 20 questions in my profile. Since this was done in my lunch break, do not expect high literature, but it should give you some pointers.

Ok, the numbers are aligned, assuming i am not mistaken that we are using standard creation rules. 20q soon to follow