House of the Jade Lantern

A thoughtful, somewhat flamboyant representative from the Mongoose Clan. Tomoyori-san has been sent to Mirumoto Shuzento’s small “court” as assistance from the Minor Clans. The Mongoose Shugenja keeps his scrolls on elaborate fans, snapping them open as part of his School’s teaching of spellcasting and ritual dance. Read the rest of this entry »

Daidoji Yosai possesses the natural charisma and quality of voice so common among the Crane. As with most of his Daidoji brethren, he has tended to favor martial over High skills and has a few skills normally frowned upon by other Bushi. While he has shown a below average ability with the Dai-kyu, he knows this is more from a lack of interest on his part. Yosai laughs at those who scoff at the Daidojis’ enterprises in commerce. The clan sees it as merely another field of battle and the daimyo’s son, Uji, ensures all his samurai are conversant in the “secret war” of trade sabotage, smuggling, and infiltration of the enemy’s economy. Read the rest of this entry »

An adventurous Crane Bushi, Toshiro-san was conducting something of a survey for his Daimyo; an extended assignment to determine the political and personal opinions of … recent events … among various Rokugani. Just arrived at the Kyuden Mantis, Toshiro-san fell in with the Heroes, finding the right blend of adventure and … opinions … for his taste.

A slight man kneels in front of the dias, dressed in light blue and green silks, giving away his affiliation. The mon of a bird with its unfolded wing around an unsheathed katana adorns his right shoulder. A finely wrapped saya holding his katana sits to his right. He is in deep conversation with the man on the dias, his words and gestures soothing to the man. He finally gestures, and they both rise. The man below the dias bows low, touching his forehead to the floor, and rises smoothly. He waits as the lord passes by, on his way past the screens, and picks up his katana. Turning to the room, you realize something different about this Crane – he has the normal jet black hair of a Rokugani, and pale skin. His smile betrays his charm as he notices the others in the room, bowing to them.

Kakita Toshiro and his Words by and Copyright 1998 Sean Matheis

The adventurous Crab Shugenja displays knowledge not only of spells, but of the katana.  No mere “spell slinger”, she demands and receives her place in the melee.  Her enemies wish it otherwise, no doubt. Kuni Itsu has been missing since the poetry contest in the Moshi lands. Read the rest of this entry »

The obnoxious, inflappable waveman Kunto.  Admitted to the party in deference to Kunto’s knowledge of the northern Bakemono and their handling, this ronin proves a staunch swordarm in combat. He also tends to be somewhat overly vocal socially.  No matter – Imperial Magistrate Mirumoto Shuzento vouches and insists on Kunto’s receipt of a name.  The Mirumoto name is granted, but when the Mirumoto Daimyo, Hitomi-sama, learns of Kunto’s Crab roots, all hell breaks loose… Read the rest of this entry »

The Dragon Shugenja, unlike his blood cousin Isawa Ikahashi, has much to say on nearly everything. His scrolls and magic have already given him a welcome home among the heroes. Indeed, his brave heart overcame his fear of heights on a two day climb straight up Cold Man Mountain as the group journeyed to the Winter Temple.

Jito, formerly a student of the Phoenix Isawa School, was cast out from his Clan when he dared express a view not in line with the Isawa Masters. After five years of unswerving devotion to his friend, Mirumoto Shuzento, Jito-san was adopted by Shuzento, becoming a member of the Dragon Clan. Read the rest of this entry »

Sodan is a Phoenix Shugenja, one wracked with the pain of all-too frequent and disturbing visions. Isawa Sodan was apprencticed to Lao Jen Sha (“Old Man Shark”) for the five years of the Assassin’s War. He learned to fish. Following that, he was sent to deliver Lao Jen Sha to Isawa Ikahashi, and to render his own assistance to that Bushi as well.

“Isawa Sodan, young student at the Isawa School, of course. He attracted some notice, as he seemed to have deep, disturbing prophetic dreams. These were never very pleasant, but the they did attract the attention of the various important Isawa Shugenja. Young Sodan seemed to have some greater purpose, or would reveal vital knowledge one day.”

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The honorable Dragon Bushi comes from humble beginnings, but finds his luck and fortune rise and fall like the those of heroes. As an Imperial Magistrate, Shuzento discovered that his quick tongue earned him the outright scorn of his family, the Mirumoto dynasty.  Only quicker thinking by the Dragon Court – and the life of the first to speak against Mirumoto Hitomi, Daimyo, when she initially calls for Shuzento’s seppuku – saves Shuzento from death and his Clan from the dishonor of such a loss of an Imperial Magistrate. 

Shuzento emerged from the situation as a Mirumoto no more, his name haven been given to the ronin he spoke so highly of (Kunto, now Mirumoto Kunto, Emerald Magistrate).  Bearing the name of the Kitsuke family, where several Dragons hoped he would learn wisely of their skills and courtly ways, Shuzento found himself in possession of some small lands, a gift from the Phoenix.  That they produce fine apricot, peach, and plum brandy is surely a gift of the Fortunes, no?

Shuzento-san emerged from the Assassin’s War with his Mirumoto name and honor restored (although that noble family name is in need of much polishing after the shameful accounts of the Dragon Betrayal) and his wartorn lands tripled in size (although still tiny by comparison). With the restoration of peace in Rokugan, Mirumoto Shuzento is rewarded with the continued responsibility of overseeing his lands in the name of his Kitsuke Daimyo. While hardly a Daimyo, Shuzento-san finds that his word carries more weight than that of a simple landed samurai, and with two small villages under his protection, his worries have increased as well. He has accordingly (and reluctantly) given up the “adventuring” lifestyle to tend to his lands and the House of the Plum Gardens.

The Words of Mirumoto Shuzento

“You ask who I am, I will tell you. I am the the youngest brother of the Dragon family who watched his older brothers slain in a war over an insult to a Scorpion who was vain. Who am I? A dragon that helped an old man struggling by the river – not for money or personal gain but because he needed help! Who am I? The master of the megumi katana, and a former servant to the Emerald champion. Who am I? I am the arrow that found the heart of the dread Dead Spirit King, Opawang. Who am I? I was the failure in Ryoko Owari, the City of Lies. Still you ask who am I? I am the finder of truth in the lands of the Lion and in matters of love and duty. I am the husband to Kitsuke Kinmaru, my departed wife who left me two beautiful children: Kuntoki and Mariko. I am friend to the Hare and Centipede, and Mantis. Still you do not know who I am ? I am brother to the Emerald Magistrate Mirumoto kunto – may he serve the Emperor forever. I am the Diamiyo of the Plum Gardens . Still you ask who I am … I will tell you then – I am Mirumoto Shuzento of Clan Dragon and I AM Samurai and I serve the Emperor!”

Mirumoto Shuzento and his Words by and Copyright 2000, 1999 – 1997 by John Polack