Tsume Sasayaku's page

About Tsume Sasayaku

background:
Deep in the south of Riku'Ki was the ancient stronghold of the Tsume. There is no castle, but a small compound houses a modest school that focuses on a style of swordsmanship developed by the catfolk that live in the dense, hot jungles. Sasayaku grew up studying the jian under the strict instruction of Tsume Suiryoku. When her training reached a point where she was deemed worthy to represent the Tsume style, she was sent to spend a year living as a ronin. She wore a robe of green and grey as she travelled the countryside, learning the different customs of the towns she came to, coming to understand the different peoples of the land. She defended herself when she had to, and fought alongside those whose cause seemed righteous to her.
When her year was finished, she returned to the jungles of her home, to find the compound abandoned. Instead of swearing fealty to Tsume Suiryoku, she was alone in the world, not just as a part of her training, but in truth. She searched for clues for a long time, living wild when she had no coin, but unable to discover the truth. All she found was a beautifully forged jian with her name stamped on the blade, wrapped in silk and leather. It was hidden high in a tree that she had loved to climb.

For a time, she fell in with a group of bandits who harried caravans that passed through the jungle on the way from Riku'Kaze to the coast. They told her they only robbed from the merchants whose greed had gone beyond the bounds of fairness, but when she saw them stealing from peasants and small traders alike, she demanded they stop. They refused, and she put her teaching to the test, managing to kill several before the rest fled.

When she recovered from her injuries, she determined that she needed to find honorable work. She put aside the puzzle of the disappearance of her school and teacher, and set off for where ever the adventure begins.

appearance:
Sasayaku is a black catfolk, lean and athletic, with glittering green eyes. She bears several white scars from fights, and is generally smiling. She wears her kusari manchira and loose pants that allow maximum flexibility. She wears a sash around her waist, with her sword tucked through it. Even sheathed, it is apparent that this is not the standard katana, and she is a bit sensitive about it.

personality:
She's very friendly, relaxed and easy to get along with, but only to a point. She is proud, and she is, by the standards of this land, a bit reckless. She values virtue over duty, and sometimes even chooses what is right over what is honorable. Despite these flaws, she is a charming lady and has proved herself a skilled swordswoman. For these reasons, some Lords have found themselves able tolerate her eccentricity. She avoids alcohol, for she finds it makes her remember too many things she would rather forget.