Mamoru's page

Realizing that he has only a few moments to finish 'getting settled' as one of his old teachers called it, Mamoru turns to the square.

"Yorinaga-San! 20 riders! In formation!" He shouts towards the familiar figure organizing the small resistance below. Hoping that Yorinaga understands what he is trying to impart.

'Never use a waterfall when a cup of water will do,...' Another master's voice drifts from his memory, reminding him that he tends to over-explain. Mamoru turns back to his preparations, and peeks back over the roof, trying to get a better idea of who he is up against.

'Patience is your best weapon' He hears again, 'Who strikes first is not important, it is who strikes LAST, and best, that counts. Make certain of your target, and make certain you select the RIGHT target,...'

With a smirk, Mamoru tries to find the leader in the approaching formation. "Too bad that patience is NOT my virtue." He thinks to himself as he scans the mounted warriors.

EDIT: [ooc]Perception roll of 19 HERE

Mamoru, having managed to attain his lofty goal of the roof, settles himself in (as posted above), after first making sure that his silk rope is attached to a post of the building in case he should need to descend in a hurry.
From his position, laying on the side of the roof away from the riders' approach, he looks to see how many are coming, and how far away they are,...

@The Celestial One-

Mamoru spins from where he stands at the door with his master and the mysterious mage. In the two steps towards his gear pack he has shed his travel robe. He quickly snags a few small items from his pack and secrets them in his shirt, belt and various other places in his clothing. He then grabs his shortbow and quiver, and shoulders his much lightened pack.

"I will be nearby", He says, bowing quickly but respectively.
"If possible, you might try to set up a "defense" in front of the nearest grain storage. I will be waiting for them" He barely smiles, a smirk that only his childhood friend would know indicated the humor of a keen mind.
"This should be easy. They ARE supposedly here for the grain after all."

With another nod Mamoru deftly slips between them and out the door, without ruffling their clothing in the process.

Once in the square, he quickly looks around to verify the direction of the approaching riders, and the nearest grain storage building to where they will enter the town. He quickly ducks around the side of that building, and climbs to the roof.

Once on the roof, Mamoru carefully places himself out of easy sight of anyone looking at the building, and makes himself comfortable with his arrows in easy reach. He knocks an arrow to his bow, and readies himself. He calms his beating heart with a traditional exercise, hearing his old teachers shrill voice the entire time.

'Excitement, Adventure. BAH. A true Ghost Warrior craves not these things. When you are calm, at peace, then you know you are acting with honor, and in tune with the spirits. In time, you will learn to join them for a short while.'

Mamoru's trademark smirk reappeared. He strove to live up to his mentor's teachings, but his honor demanded that he confess that he DID crave adventure & excitement. And if he tried not to go looking for it, he certainly was not rude enough to refuse it if it rode up to him on horseback!

Mamoru has NO bonus to climb, apparently it is a strength skill!
If possible he will take 10 on his climb, this would give him a 22 total.
He rolled a 12 climb & 18 hide

Mamoru wrote:

GObo-san had better get a move on, or he's likely to come back and find that a certain hyper-active Ninja has rearranged his home while he was out!

;P

Rearranging furniture, hiding the remote, hurting the dog, those acts fall under "Evil 101."

Naw. I'd use my 'FungShei Fu' on him. I'd rearrange all of his furniture while he's asleep, then make a loud racket and watch him trip all over the place when he gets up to see whats going on!

Good for Kani! :D

GObo-san had better get a move on, or he's likely to come back and find that a certain hyper-active Ninja has rearranged his home while he was out!

;P

"Gobo-San. I am but a humble servant, but you have honored me by making us all your guests. It would be my honor to carry the message for you." Mamoru bows, then gives another half-grin. "Please, Forgive my enthusiasm. I confess I share my master's weakness for unusual tales."

Gobo thinks for a second and replies, "Well there's Toshiro and his brother and, oh yes those other two.. so that's... all together I think we have eight men who have experience as ashigaru." conscripted spearmen

He looks confused, "If I may be so bold, sir; why do you ask? Surely you do not think we could be in danger enough to warrant that? I do no even know how much use they would be."

"Gobo-San, It is probably not as bad as all that." Mamoru says softly into the conversation. With a bow of apology at the interruption, he turns and closes the door he just opened, making considerably more noise than he did when he opened it.

Bowing again, he continues. "OoChai's bodyguard is a student of warfare and tactics, a genuinely brilliant man. Tho he sometimes forgets his place in his enthusiasm to apply his knowledge." Mamoru finished with a single raised eyebrow at Yorinago.

"What I believe the honorable sir meant was, you have been threatened. It is merely the act of a prudent man to prepare for the possibility that the threat was not merely bluster." He smiled softly. "Surely the man who runs such a successful village could manage such a task without causing panic in those he has managed so well?"

Mamoru coughs lightly. "At least, That is what I believe the honorable sir is trying to say." He finishes with a bow to the warrior. He then dutifully begins picking up the tea dishes and cleaning up.

OK, A little more time to post now,...

Outside, Mamoru breathes deeply of the evening, rain-laden air.
'Looks like I have a few minutes to examine my options before the rains start.'
Mamoru looks around the street. It seems as if he is merely enjoying the evening air. He bows politely to any passer-byes who happen to still be heading home to avoid the rains. He then walks over to the side of the house, puts down his pack, and after bowing to the four winds, begins a series of slow exercises while muttering what sounds like prayers.

Game stuff-
Mamoru is using some martial arts exercises to stretch out after the day on the road. He uses no weapons to give away what they really are. His 'prayers' are actually the instructions for his exercises recited in a mixture of other languages. (Again, to make it difficult for others to tell what he is actually doing.)
While he stretches, he also exercises his brain. Every time he turns, he selects a building. Before his movements turn him again, he tries to count entrances/exits, whether the walls are passable or scalable, and looks for indications of how many people (if any) might be inside.
By the time he is done with his 'prayers', he will have the layout of this part of the street memorized, and have a really good idea which buildings should be defensible, climbable, or avoided.
IF he is not interrupted before he is done,...

Mamoru finishes his devotions with another bow to the four winds. He then wipes the sweat from his brow with a towel from his pack, and takes a sip from his water skin. Taking one last look around, he smiles and bows amiably to any who are lingering in the streets. And then hastens inside before the rains start.

Mamoru accepts the tea from Gobo, (after serving Oochai first, of course!)
He sips and listens patiently as Yorinago bluntly asks the questions that were forming in his own mind.
I'm no master of diplomacy. But I must speak with Yorinago about his,.. forthrightness in discussions.

"Perhaps you have the Jito's response.": Mamoru offers quietly, still looking humbly at his teacup. "Perhaps he has heard of and dismissed this 'Black Temple' as a threat. If so, then I would bow to his wisdom in such matters."
'OR, perhaps he has not recieved Gobo's entreaty for help. The roads are long and dangerous, and 'accidents' are easily arranged.'
Finishing his tea, Mamoru trusts his instincts about Gobo's sincere, if fawning, attempts to please his new guests. Also trusting in Yorinago's and OoChai's ability to defend themselves, he makes a descision. He gets up, bows to his host, and then to Oochai.
"With your permission master, it is time for my evening devotions. I will remain nearby." His back is to Gobo, which hides the fact that his eyes are looking at Yorinago, even though his face remains turned towards Oochai. "Please, call if you need me."

With that, he bows once more to Gobo-San, picks up his pack, and softly exits the dwelling.

Outside, I take another good look around, looking for a good ambush spot of my own should I need it before we get to leave this village.

Listening intently, while appearing NOT to listen, (like any good 'servant' would do,) Mamoru follows his 'master' and the 'bodygaurd' to Gobo's house.
As they pass close enough to the other group to 'notice' them, (according to the rules of polite society,) Mamoru bows politely in thier direction. His gaze lingers no longer than good manners allow, with only the faintest of upturns to the corners of his mouth to indicate his personal thoughts.

With that he turns and follows the others into Gobo-sans' house.

Just taking a closer look at our 'neighbors' for the night. To see who they are if not enemies, and see what to expect if they are,...

Gobo turns to look at the approaching menagerie of adults, children, dog and dwarf, and then quickly turns back with a dismissive wave in their direction, "Oh, just some itinerate clergymen, noble sir, nothing to concern yourself over. And the dwarf will be lodged away from your group, so do not worry yourself if my lord finds his presence objectionable." he says with an eagerness to please.

Mamoru gives the approaching group a closer inspection as Gobo fawns over OoChai & Yorinaga.

"Itinerate', he means peasants. And indicates they are below him somehow. 'Clergymen' my shuriken. They move like warriors. And unarmed warriors are no less dangerous. But thier association with children speaks much of thier character. And what is a Korubuku doing this far from his mountain home? A most curious group indeed. We must know more. If only so we know what to avoid.

"On the contrary most honorable Gobo-San." Mamoru speaks aloud, still softly. "My master OoChai is a man of letters, and learning. He considers nothing greater than the sharing of tales and knowledge. You would do him great honor with a simple introduction, for to hear the tales of a travelling Korubuku would be a most rare honor. And a princely gift." He adds at the last.

If he is wise enough to hear, let him learn. And he will come to understand that others may have more to offer than wealth and prestige. I must speak with Yorinago. We must procure some less ostentatious travelling clothes at first opportunity. Or else we shall all have chapped arses from all the kissing the 'Gobo-Sans' shall bestow upon us long before we reach his uncles' estate!

Listening closely, Mamoru's eyes lighten with the dawn of understanding.
He smiles softly as he moves closer to the Muri. But he does not attempt to lighten the mood or bandy words. His skills lie in other directions. In his keen mind for one.
And in his keener blades.

"You have a most lovely mura Gobo-San," Mamoru addresses the taller man softly, but directly. "Your grain-houses are among the best I have ever seen. Truly you must be proud of your work here. And do honor to your Daimyo."

You'll have to tell me if I'm getting and using these titles/names right. I know nothing about the Japanese language.

I'm trying to get a feel for the character and for writing to evoke an oriental feel. Mamoru is dedicated, and takes his job seriously, but fun-loving. (If he had been born in the West, he would probably be a swashbuckler.)

Mamoru is trying to get a feel for Gobo. He seems friendly enough. But I'm a natural pessimist. What does a Sense Motive tell me?

Hm. A 12. Probably not much.

And that was WITH my +6 bonus! Thppt!

Bowing to ooChai, "Hai, dono."

I then take up a bodyguard position slightly behind of ooChai, my right hand near the hilt of my katana.

As Yori takes up a position proper for his assumed role, Mamoru contiues to play the (slightly) lamed servant. (That's 'Personal Assistant' to you!)

Yorinaga pauses and turns to Mamoru and ooChai: "AND NO BOWING IN MY DIRECTION."

With only a slight turn up of his mouth, Mamoru nods as in acknowledgment to an equal.

Sorry I'm so slow guys. I'm trying to catch up in the house work AND work. BUT I hope to be character complete in the next 24-48 hours. Thanks for your patience.

The tone I'm aiming for is more Kurosawa than Jackie Chan*, but as long as it's not too over the top or silly it should be fine. Humour is ok in moderation (after all, he wouldn't be much good as a ninja if he were a buffoon! haha).

Do you mean Karmic Healing btw?

*Although Kurosawa never had guys shooting energy beams from their eyes, so...

I agree, (At least I would if I knew who Kurosawa was!)

But I'm still considering his personality, I don't wanna go QUITE to 'The Three Musketeers' (latest movies) level of silliness. But that is MY personality, (If you haven't noticed) I LIKE to have 'fun' with a capital 'F'.
(Actually, Hmmm,...I think Jackie Chan might be the compromise of personality I'm looking for! Takes himself seriously, but for some reason no one else ever does. UNTIL he kicks thier @$$!)

And If I have to dodge EYE-BEAMS at 1st lvl, I think that silliness is the LEAST of my worries! (Or yours!)

;P
Edit: Yes, I think Karmic Healing is the one I mean. I SHOULD be able to catch up some tonite.

Thanks,

Everyone's looking pretty sorted so far... are we nearly all done?

Sorry, been busy at work. (Where I do NOT have access to a copy of the OA!)

[AND make plans for the future! ;)]

Other than that, i'm pretty much ready to go.

So, just to be clear, How much "Kung" can I put in my "Kung Fu"?
I don't expect to be able to FLY, but please tell me that I can 'show off' at least a bit with the Hop-n-Chop?
Pleeeease?
;)
(I promise to make Mamoru less annoying than Slidell. )
(OK I promise to TRY to make him less annoying!)

;P

Here are the BASICS of Mamoru, whose name means "Protector".

Have a lot of blanks to fill.
But I will get there.