Name: Yukito Riozu Career: Yukito courtier Height: Average Age: Late 20's Yojimbo: Mirumoto Hanzo |  |
Description: Youthful, confident and generally in high spirits, Yukito Riozu is an example of a cover telling something about the book. The perceptive can learn a lot about Yukito Riozu from simply observing his appearance. Weather worn, Riozu's skin betrays a love of the Northern Wall Mountains and spending time amongst them. It also, quite literally, tells the story of his life. The tattoos cover roughly a third of his body all bear a tale or some sentimental attachment. Though most lie concealed beneath Riozu's dark kimono and Dragon-green haori, at least one is almost always visible: the head of a poppy on the right side of his neck, in the process of being devoured by the head of a dragon rising upwards from his shoulder. In addition, from his sleeves waves can be seen lapping at his finger tips. His voice is a satisfying baritone that always seems to find the appropriate cadence for the situation. Aside from a traveling pack Riozu typically wears only a wakizashi. However, at the moment he also wears Funbetsushin (Prudence - Dragon), Yashin (Ambition - Lion), Handan (Judgement - Crane), Jonetsu (Passion - Phoenix); the swords are worn wrapped in silk and all three are bound together with ribbon. Close Family: Riozu doesn't have a simple family. He's hesitant to discuss his family. If a character has a past history with Riozu - Hanzo/Michi/others? - they're likely aware of the details below. Otherwise, probably not (yet). Yukito Kosho (Father/Shugenja): Kind hearted, but with a flaw: alcoholism. Yukito Kosho is a drunk. Kosho loves his family, but spends far more time communing with the kami of sake than his family. He started celebrating Riozu's gempukku early as a proud papa, but ended up passed out and missed the ceremony. His only saving grace is that he hasn't (publicly) done anything dishonorable. He hides his compulsion by living life predominantly as a hermit. Well spoken and capable in rare, lucid moments. Absenteeism and unreliability are probably his worst flaws... he would never be violent with his family. Agasha Mariko (Mother/Courtier): A skilled and promising early entrant in the Yukito Courtier School, Mariko was destined for great things. The Fortunes seemed to smile on her, with a promising arranged marriage to a charming and well spoken shugenja. In time though, she spent more time hiding and covering for the shugenja's compulsions than serving her family. Due to her husband's absenteeism, Mariko raised her children almost entirely as a single mother. The keenest of observers (OOC: I really wanted her to be Kitsuki ^_^) it was nearly impossible for Riozu to get anything past as a child - a protective and caring mother. Yukito Narumi (Sister/Shugenja): Nothing decided at the moment. Oldest child. Yukito Shiko (Sister/Shugenja): Riozu's younger sister by five years, Shiko grew up somewhat protected from her father's drinking. She found herself raised as much by her older siblings as her mother. It afforded her distance, and she was the only of the siblings who grew up without contempt for her father. Rather, she saw him as a project, something to save. As a shugenja, she was known amongst the Dragon as a great talent, a person with a close bond to the element of Air. It was still something of a surprise when she was summoned to Otosan Uchi to partake in an imperial census of the empire. It was even more of a surprise when Riozu showed up in her stead, bearing news of her sudden illness. Soshi Abun (Grandfather/Bushi): Father of Yukito Kosho Soshi Kiriko (Grandmother/Courtier): Mother of Yukito Kosho Cousins and uncles available upon request. ^_^ Supporters and Allies: Yukito Tomoe (Aunt/Sensai): Riozu's aunt. She cared for Riozu a significant part of his youth. When Riozu's mother needed someone to watch him - a common occurrence as she cared/covered for her husband, or later when she'd slip off to meet her lover - she sent him to stay with Yukito Tomoe. Tomoe saw Riozu's potential, and later took him as a student. Riozu has never been able to pin down his aunt's age. Given the ages of Riozu's cousins, Tomoe must be approaching or past fifty. Except for the silver streaks in her hair, however, an observer might guess something a decade or more younger. It is rumored amongst her students - only half in jest - that she must hold some sort of blackmail on Jurojin. The courtier quite literally stands out in a crowd. Taller than many of the men in court, she learned early in her career how to use her height to her advantage. She's never forgotten about in the room, and with a look can draw anyone to approach her; a useful tool in negotiating the power struggle of the Rokugani courts. No one misses Yukito Tomoe when she enters a room. Depending on the outfit, rare glimpses may been seen of a snake tattoo on her back and shoulder. Togashi Daigo (Mentor): While Tomoe is Riozu's sensai, Daigo could be called his mentor. Unable to straighten the path of the troubled adolescent, Riozu's sent him away to the care of the one person she both fully trusted, Togashi Daigo. Daigo is a brilliant monk - intelligent, kind hearted, wise, and perhaps a bit more fiery than balanced. The man had all the gifts of a paragon samurai. In another life, Daigo could have excelled in any of the paths - bushi, courtier or shugenja. Daigo, however, possesses a severe disability that would keep him from ever being a darling of the Rokugon courts - a severe stutter. What Daigo possesses, more than anything, is a gift for artistry. Daigo is responsible not only for the majority of Riozu's tattoos, but also for teaching the courtier how to tattoo others. |