Ryushi, Pupil of the Tengu
Statistics
Template: Martial Artist
|
 |
- Prodigious Leap (Swallow's Wing!!)
Abundant Leap (Falcon's Wing!!)
Signature Weapon: Hane-no-Ten
Weapons
- Hane-no-Ten (Heaven's feather):
In our terms this is a chinese-style straight sword, sharpened on both edges, about 3 foot long in the blade. It is faintly engraved with a pattern of feathers down the blade. It's hidden within Ryushi's staff such that when you draw it, the staff's rings hang from the pommel. Ryushi often fights with the staff in his left hand to parry with and for balance. Ryushi can wield the staff itself as a highly effective weapon, and is likely to do so against those who have not aroused his ire or his bloodlust.
Wealth Level: poor
Image
Ryushi is a young man, of about 18 years. He is of medium height and of wiry build, with shortish spiky black hair. His clothing is hard wearing but of good quality - though of course not of a class with samurai. He wears a dark red hip-legth kimono, bound at the waist with a long silk sash of the same colour and similar leggings. These are usually covered by a large and flappy black cloak - the hem is cut in a triangular pattern to enhance the feathery effect. The outfit is topped off with a black laquered straw hat, and black sandals. He carries a brass-bound monk's staff, complete with the metal rings at the top, which conceals a secret.Background
As long as he can remember, Ryushi has been apprentice to a Tengu old master, living halfway up a mountain. He has no idea where he's from or how he came to be in his tutelage, but it has been the case for so long that he does not consider it that unusual. The old bird taught him much about the Shintao, the ways of Kami and of the non-humans; those who lived in Rokugan before the coming of Amataseru's people, and of the ways of shadow. He also taught the young boy many secrets of the martial arts.Ryushi often visited a local village, and with some of the villagers (who held his master in great esteem) has visited some small towns. He is quite familiar with Rokugani society, but he has had little contact with samurai. He is respectful of them (as he has seen others do so) but not particularly deferent to them (at least not as much as he should be; after all, the villagers were deferent towards his master as well). He feels no great loyalty to the daimyo of Shisame province, Agasha Ikku, but is bright enough not to make a fuss.
Clear-eyed and by turns serious or lighthearted, Ryushi is an amiable young man, but he has one flaw - the exhilaration of battle can sometimes overcome him, kindling a terrible joy. For this reason he tries to avoid fighting, and does not like frivolous challenges: if he does fight, it is with no quarter asked or given.
Ryushi's life changed a short while ago when returning to his master's cabin. Dozens of strangely garbed warriors lay strewn about the clearing - of Ryushi's master there was no sign, except his sword "Hane-no-Ten" (Heaven's feather) standing point first in the ground. Passing himself off as a monk, and with his masters sword concealed within his staff, Ryushi set out to find his master and these mysterious warriors.
Credits:
Ryushi's picture was drawn by Paul Park (coloured by ru). ru says: "i keep telling him he should do a webcomic, but he claims not to be good enough!"
Return To DoK People Page
Return to DoK Index Page