Akodo Hideyoshi's page

About Akodo Hideyoshi

NAME: Akodo Hideyoshi
CLAN: Lion
SCHOOL: Matsu Berserker
RANK: 1

Description:

• FIRE 2 (Agility 3/Intelligence 2)
• AIR 2 (Reflexes 2/Awareness 2)
• EARTH 2 (Willpower 2/Stamina 3)
• WATER 2 (Perception 2/Strength 3)
• VOID 2

• GLORY: 2.0
• HONOR: 7.5
• TAINT: 0
• INSIGHT: 123
• XP:6 unspent/14 total

INITIATIVE:
TN to be HIT: 30

• Healthy (+0):
• Nicked (+0):
• Grazed (+2):
• Hurt (+7):
• Injured(+12):
• Crippled (+17):
• Down (+37):
• Out:

TECHNIQUES
The Lion's Roar: Add your honor rank to all damage rolls. When in Full Attack stance, you may move an additional 5' per turn in addition to the bonus you get from the stance.

ADVANTAGES

• Sacred Blade (6) Akodo Blade: 4k2 katana;
• Strength of the Earth (2) TN penalties from Wounds reduced by 3

  DISADVANTAGES
  Idealistic (3); Hostage (3)

  SKILLS
  [list]Battle 1 (3k2)

• Jiujutsu 2 (5k3)
• Kenjutsu (Katana) 3 (6k3)
• Kyujutsu 3 (5k2)
• Lore: History 1 (3k2)
• Lore: Bushido 2 (4k2)
• Polearms 3 (6k3)
• Athletics 3 (6k3)
• Iaijutsu (Focus) 3 (5k2)
• Etiquette 2 (4k2)
• Investigation 1 (3k2)
• Sincerity 2 (4k2)

GEAR
Katana hirano no kaze 'Wind of the Plains'; wakizashi
Naginata, Yumi, 10 willow leaf arrows, Hvy Armor
chopsticks, coin purse, daisho stand, lantern, lucky cricket, sake cup, rope, small folding stool, spare kimono & sandals, tatami mat
Jade Sun: 3/day brings light for 30 mins.

BACKGROUND
'If you seek to bring light into dark places, little lion, you must not carry your lantern at mid-day.' A thousand times his honorable grandfather would say that to a young Hideyoshi. And a thousand times the young Akodo would nod his head, never understanding what his honorable grandfather meant. Bushido was a way of life for Hideyoshi. He took to its tenets with a zeal unmatched - in his eyes - by any of his peers, and lived by its codes better than - in his mind - anyone else he knew. Save his grandfather.

'who carries a lantern during the day? I don't. what does that even mean?

Learning at his grandfather' knee as a youth, he listened to every word the elder of his clan spoke with rapt attention. The man was a shining beacon in his eyes - Hideyoshi's father was ever with the army. He hardly knew his father. Visitors would come to the house to pay their respects to 'General Ieyasu'. It wasn't until he was much older that Hideyoshi learned that his grandfather and General Ieyasu were the same man.

'i don't even go into dark places. Besides, that's the best place for a lantern.'

The Matsu school was where Hideyoshi learned of his grandfather's history. It started with the jealous glances from his classmates. There were murmurs and offers of friendship when the lessons of the history of the Lion Clan began. Hideyoshi sat, heart swelling with pride as the sensei told the stories of Akodo Ieyasu and his battlefield victories. The boy knew then that his duty would be to live up to the legend of his ancestor.

'i'm not trying to bring light to anyone. They have lanterns. Why do I need to bring light?'

In Hideyoshi's opinion, his classmates missed the point of Bushido. Courage is nothing without Compassion. Duty means nothing without Courtesy. Fighting for fighting's sake did not bring Glory if you trod upon those you were supposed to be protecting. Many did not agree with - nor appreciate - Hideyoshi's lecturing them on the finer points of Bushido. There were discussions, arguments. It was at the end of his tenure at the Matsu school when the duel occurred. Matsu Totomi had had enough of his Honor being questioned, despite the fact that Hideyoshi had never said so. He challenged Hideyoshi, and lost. For among other things Hideyoshi excelled at Iaijutsu. His family made an enemy that day. His father was summoned from the front. Politics, it seemed, outweighed Honor, even Bushido.

'i don't even own a lantern...'

The only answer to the predicament was to send Hideyoshi somewhere that would place him out of the center of attention. Somewhere that would keep him out of the face of the Matsu family. When the opportunity came for an exchange to solidfy the peace between the Scorpion and the Lion, Hideyoshi's father offered up his only son, despite the wishes of his grandfather.

Late was the evening before he was to leave for the city. Ryoko Owari Toshi. The City of Lies. Hideyoshi grimaced at the thought. What glory could be gained in such a place? What battles could be fought? What soldiers led to victory? He sat in the family garden, kneeling before the yukimi that were lit. A flock of cranes flew above him, heading into the setting sun. He sighed. A soft noise behind him made him turn. It was his grandfather. Hideyoshi kneeled, his brow near the ground. "Honorable grandfather. I leave for Ryoko Owari tomorrow." His grandfather knelt beside him. "I know, Hideyoshi-san. I have come to bring you these." His grandfather waved his hand, and the servants came from where they waited, each bearing a gift. "I give these to you, for you will be the lone Lion in a sea of snakes." He smiled. "No. Scorpions." The old general summoned the first servant. "This is the first armor I ever wore to battle as a young bushi. My armor of rank I gave to your father when he became a general, but this set was always my favorite. Wear it with pride." He waved again, and the second servant came forward. Hideyoshi's eyes grew wide when he saw what the man bore. A black-lacquered koshirae, inlaid with turquoise depictions of a lion on the hunt. When his grandfather drew the sword within, Hideyoshi's breath was taken away. The blade gleamed in the light of the lanterns. The wave-pattern, designed to look as a if a strong wind were blowing along the length of blade, glowed with a red fire. "This is Hirano no kaze. The Wind of the Plains. It has been passed down from father to son for generations. Your father wished it to be given to you." He reached across with the blade in both hands, offering it to the young man. Hideyoshi took it with great reverence, bowing deeply again. Speechless, he met his grandfather's eyes. The old general placed both hands on Hideyoshi's shoulders, saying nothing, giving him a gentle squeeze before he rose and turned away. Hideyoshi's eyes fell upon the blade in his hands. A soft voice behind him spoke: "If you seek to bring light into dark places, little lion, you must go to dark places."

"today I ride for Ryoko Owari Toshi. The City of Lies. I do my Duty to my father, to my family, and my Clan. And I carry my lantern."