I am not the warrior like my father before me.
Two years ago the Eternal Empire of Lung Wa fell. My father died in the conflict. Some say he died fighting, some say his fellow warriors elected to take their own lives rather than be captured. He was originally from Minkai, where it was rumored that his family line had started as the union of a mortal woman and a warrior angel that served the Empress of Heaven directly. But as Lung Wa expanded, allegiances changed and Haruto's forefeathers pledged themselves to the Eternal Emperor.
I am not the philosopher my mother wished me to be. She was a simple peasant girl from Willowshore. Their relationship was scandalous and would have been prohibited if my father had still lived in Minkai as she was not of noble lineage. She loved her husband but didn't wish to see her children become warriors, but in every case the desires of the father won out, except for the youngest child, Haruto.
Haruto began to train in the way of the samurai according to his father's wishes, but, perhaps a result of him being born a few weeks prematurely, was often ill as a child. Realizing his son lacked the constitution to withstand the rigors of war, Haruto's father relented and allowed his wife to hire itinerant philosophers and priests to train his son as a scholar while remaining with his mother in Willowshore.
In truth, however, Haruto's heart was never into his books. He spent more time doodling in his scrolls rather than writing in them. Eventually his artistic talent gained him the notice of a seller of omamori, trinkets believed to provide protection and luck. Haruto became her apprentice and has spent the last few years learning his art.
To honor his father, Haruto spends time training in various weapons with an elderly warrior-priest who lives at a humble shrine to Shizuru that is situated next door to the omamori shop. He might never be a samurai, but he still keeps himself strong and his blade sharp.
To honor his mother, Haruto spends time reading. He has picked up little bits of knowledge about a wide variety of topics, but lacks a deep understanding of any of them.
However, to earn his way in the world, Haruto is an artisan and a merchant, something neither parent had imagined for their son.
Sometimes destiny takes strange turns...
Senses
Perception (**) +6; low-light vision
Languages ➤ Celestial, Elven, Kitsune, Sylvan, Tengu, Tien
Defense
AC 18 (chain mail); HP 16
Fortitude (**) +5, Reflex (*) +4, Will (**) +6
Offense
Thaumaturge Class DC (*) 16
Unarmed/Simple/Martial Weapons (*); Unarmored/Light/Medium Armor (*)
Speed 25 feet, Bulk 3.3 / 8
Weapons:
An old katana. It hasn't seen much use in battle. The horimono, depicting azaleas, shows significant wear and the mei is no longer legible. The ito is frayed in spots and should be replaced soon, but the blade remains sharp.
+6/1d6+3 slashing. Deadly d8, Two-hand d10, Versatile P
A collection of eight shuriken, sold as a set intended more for display than use. Each one is painted with a single character representing the 8 virtues of the samurai -- Jin(仁, humanity), Gi(義, justice), Rei(礼, courtesy), Chi(智, wisdom), Chu(忠, loyalty), Shin(信, faith), Kou(孝, filial piety), and Tei(悌,respect for one’s elders).
Lores
Academia (*) +4
Art (*) +4
Heaven (*) +4
Mercantile (*) +4
Shangpotshi (*) +4
Willowshore (*) +4
Esoteric (*) +6
Deity Profile:
Shizuru (The Empress of Heaven) (LG)
The Empress of Heaven is worshipped across all of Tian Xia by people of all walks of life, from commoner to lord, farmer to samurai, human to dragon. She is revered as the ruler of the Tian pantheon, respected as the finest samurai in Heaven or Golarion, and honored as the patron of nature and emperors alike. Perhaps the most famous tale about her is that of Shizuru and her lover Tsukiyo, the moon god. After Tsukiyo was slain by his brother Fumeiyoshi in a fit of jealousy, Shizuru brought the moon god back to life with the aid of Qi Zhong, the god of medicine. Sadly, Tsukiyo was deeply affected by his experience with death, and though he and Shizuru still love each other, the event created a rift between them. Even so, on the days of an eclipse, they embrace as one.
Category Tian Gods
Edicts practice with a weapon every day, honor your ancestors, protect nature and society from corruption and destruction
Anathema abandon a companion in need, dishonor yourself, parlay with truce breakers, separate lovers
Areas of Concern ancestors, honor, the sun, and swordplay
Follower Alignments LG, NG, LN
