A wind upon the waves. Mariko Akechi

[TaskForce58]

((ooc info: This thread is intended to provide some backstory on the Samurai/Scout Mariko Akechi, Apologies in advance if I bork anything related to Japanese culture as Im just a semi-educated American who spent some time in Japan long ago.I will be updating it as my fancy strikes me from time to time.))

A secluded island cove, near the village of Y'edo , Unaffiliated Prefectures, Northeastern Kozakura
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The waves lapped at her feet gently, caressing them with the coolness of the Sea of Hope. Each wave was unique, varying in both shape and size, yet imparted a piece of the overall rhythm of the sea, the motion of which caused her feet to rock in a soothing , discernible pattern.

Mariko Akechi pondered on this, and how each wave was not unlike the individual snowflakes which would blanket the many islands of these lands this winter season. Mariko reflected on the thought of these lands, lands chosen by the Gods, for her people, at the creation of all things.

A single glistening drop of water on her left ankle caught her eye, standing out above the swells. The droplet of water caught the sunlight, mirroring a prism of color and imagery of the nearby shore in minutae. Mariko allowed herself to be drawn into focusing on the droplet, welcoming the calmness suddenly washing over her. Measuring her breath, she recognized the onset of a deeper meditative state. She focused on the ebb and flow of the waves, gently urged forth by the wind spirits, and the rocking of her feet within the waves, accepting how her feet were becoming almost a part of them. She wondered if each wave recognized that, although it had its own peaks and lows, it was not alone, but a single note in a greater song,
not realized unless one could view the entire sea all at once in its ordered beauty.

Mariko then brought forth the mental image of snowflakes, falling on her father's Karesansui (dry, or rock) garden. She noted how each flake was unique, yet each fell as part of a larger scene, slowly gathering on the landscape, first in smaller patches on some of the larger stones, then covering individual stones, and finally obscuring the entire garden victoriously in an all-covering field of white.

Mariko set the notion of the stones, valiantly standing against the falling snow, aside for a later meditation, returning to the central idea of each flake as a combined force. She wondered if the snowflakes pondered the fate that lay for them after playing their part, or if each accepted its duty, embracing what karma may hold in store for it, relishing its place within the greater plan, which may be hidden from it.

Mariko nodded to herself, realizing the inevitability of where her meditation was leading her. She was akin to the snowflake, unique, yet part of her Daimyo's greater plan that she could not fathom in her limited awareness. She was also in many ways, akin to a wave, she would ebb and flow, rise and fall, and strive to fulfillment of her duty as she always had done, but she would need to remember always that she was part of a greater force that served a greater master than her self.

Approaching light footsteps drew mariko from her thought, as the youngest of her sisters approached, she could tell who it was by the very slight hesitation in foot placement, a trait her youngest, and kindest sister Chimmiko bore, ever since having her feet bound a season too early, trying to achieve the delicately small feet that so many found attractive. Chimmiko stopped nearby, paused briefly, then kneeled gently to her right. After a moment of polite patience, she spoke:
"So sorry, Mariko-chan, but it is time. The Daimyo has sent for you."

Mariko opened her eyes, nodding, as she withdrew her feet from the water's edge. "Thank you, Chimmi-chan. You are most kind to fetch me."

Her sister nodded, rose, and waited patiently. Mariko noticed a single white floret, a dandelion seed suspended in air beneath it, waft quietly down mere inches from her face. She raised her hand toward it, upturning her palm, and allowed the seed to alight there. It reminded her of a snowflake. Mariko smiled and said aloud. "A snowflake."

[TaskForce58]

First Name: Mariko
Last Name: Akechi

Appearance: Slender, yet athletic build, walks with a graceful stride more akin to an elf, yet obviously human

Race: Human, Kara-Tur, Kozakura

Age: Early twenties

Height: 5'

Weight: Slender, perhaps no more than 110 lbs

Eyes: Black

Hair: Black

Hair Style: Mid length, functionally twisted to a bun, and held with two ivory pins

Personality Profile: Strong willed, but unwavering in her loyalty to he Liege, Mariko has the customary kozakuran politeness, very well mannered to any that have not revealed themselves to be a foe or without honor, she shows proper deference to those of higher rank, standing, and ability. This deference is displayed in a number of ways not readily apparent to those who do not have knowledge of her customs, some examples are : Travelling with her position to the side and slightly behind those she views with higher authority or station; How deep or shallow she will bow when meeting or conversing with someone is a direct correlation to how she views herself to that person, a deep bow signifies deeper respect, etc; and also wether or not she will even respond the the inquiries or interactions of an "outside" character when she is in the company of someone she views as a leader, glancing to the leader for approval to respond, etc.

General Health: Excellent

Deity: Most closely associated to Akadi, the wind lord. More specifically worshipped as one of the wind spirits of the Shou-Lung way, simply adopted as "The Way" by the people of Kozukura

Initial Alignment: Lawful Neutral

Profession: Scout/Samurai

Base Class & Proposed Development: Dual wield ranger (non stealthy) developing to fit the Sengoku-Jidai popular image of a Samurai warrior, skilled in blade and bow, as well as the arts of meditation, calligraphy, numerous ceremony, and even gardening, to maintain her inner peace.

Habits/Hobbies: Falconry, Poetry, Perfection of various ceremonies for meditation or honoring important characters in her life.

Languages: Shou, Kozakura, Adequately speaks common but often grossly misunderstanding basically accepted terms and ideas (hellooooo unwashed "barbarian" culture, we are far more civilized and well mannered!), and one other which I will not divulge unless through RP

Weapon of Choice: Primary Dual wielded Wakazashi (short sword pair), Secondary No-Dachi field sword (greatsword), and tertiary Longbow

Background: Read this ongoing journal and backstory http://www.bgtscc.net/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=44052

Goals: ooc tasked with learning as much as she can about the barbarian lands outside Kozakai, mapping, and learning of the cultures and possible trading opportunities afford to her Daimyo

Possible Plot-Hook Ideas and Misc Facts: Initially associated with TRUST due to sharing nearly all of the same general ideas of duty and honor, in no small part to the RP of Mercury, Sani, Et all., Mariko has now become part of Phoenix comapny and share their values and friendships

Enroute to the sword coast she encountered numerous hardships along the silk road, losing much of her gear, including one of her prized family blades during a particularly hazardous river crossing. There may/ may not be other agents of rival kozakai/ shou clans that have some knowledge of her family name and its reputation as being previously isolationist, some odd-occurances fighting for a Daimyo's failed attempt at becoming shogun,unifying the lands. Now suddenly her clan is desiring increasing contact and trade with outsiders.

[TaskForce58]

"Nanda!" The booming voice of her father could be heard clearly through the sliding shoji screen separating Mariko from her father's audience chamber.

Her father, Mariko considered for a moment, had always been very patient with her, even while admonishing her siblings quite harshly at times, showing great reserve in dealing with the follies of her childhood. Mariko never questioned this, indeed, she would never dare to question the wisdom of the man who had successfully taken this small island fief, on the edge of the eastern frontier, from a meager existence little more than subsistence, to a stable, thriving, and well ordered force which had become well known as an honorable and competent ally.

Mariko had little taste for the intrigue of court, thankful that her father and liege-lord had shielded her from much of the doings that consumed the daily lives of her siblings. Her oldest sister had been married off to a neighboring fief at the tender age of eleven, solidifying an alliance which secured more of the much needed iron and wood needed to forge a proper force of Samurai. Mariko had been almost certain this would become her fate as well, there were no shortage of potential pairing which could enhance her father's position. This , however, did not come to pass, even as she flowered into a well mannered, and educated young woman. Instead, and it was with some relief, her father sent her to the tutelage of his weapon master and Hatamoto, the venerable Tsuji Ishowara.

Tsuji was a veteran of many battles, a master tactician, and a swordsman unequalled for many miles. Never considered a large man, standing shorter even than some of the adolescents he took to training, Tsuji nevertheless exuded a confidence and stern demeanor that had many who first encountered him cowed , even before he uttered a word. Tsuji taught Mariko how to ignore her obvious shortcomings in strength, and instead focus on the art of fluid motion, using her cat-like agility to drive home well placed attacks. Mariko's ability to wield not just one blade, but two, as an artistic extension of her self grew rapidly, becoming the topic of conversation for many of the male Samurai, not as a topic of derision, as was the case so often when a woman was allowed the use of the blade, even in this forward thinking fief, but instead admiration and respect.

As she stood here, awaiting what directives her father would have for her, Mariko was confident in her ability to defend both herself, and fight with honor should her father require it of her. What she was not as sure of was the mission that her father was going to send her on, if any. She knew that there were several recent developments far away on the main island, the assassination of several powerful Daimyos, a late night assault by ninja and honor-less mercenaries on a fief thought unimportant on the larger stage, and mysterious plagues breaking out in places where such things could almost be counted on to never happen. These events, and others, signaled that there was possibly a paradigm shift in the balance of power underway, and this would surely lead to open war and great trials ahead for all of Kozakura, reaching perhaps all the way to this small, but growing fief that her father had worked so tirelessly to cultivate.

The shoji-screen slid open, Mariko was surprised to see it was her mentor, Tsuji-san, nodding and beckoning her in, not that of the usual servants. Mariko bowed respectfully low, and then stepped into the audience chamber quickly, hurrying to place herself before her father, who sat cross-legged on the tatami floor, stroking his chin thoughtfully, and poring over a map of the known world.

[TaskForce58]

*bumping background on mariko for the new characters she has met**

[TaskForce58]

Mariko entered the room, taking a place in front of her father, kneeling, and bowing her head and body to the tatami mat, in a sign of great respect. She would hold this pose forever if that was her Daimyo's will, which of course it was not.

Her father rose from his crossleg position and addressed her. "Mariko-chan, my daughter, It is time to put your years of training to use. Tsuji-san says he has taught you all that he can, and you have outgrown his ability in sword technique." Her father reached for a reed wrapped flask nearby. "At the risk of inflating your pride, this is no small thing, coming from my weapons master." Tsuji nodded his head sharply in deference to his Liege, as he continued. "I have been grooming you, these last years for a task which I think you will be able to carry out. A task which will put you many ri from home, and a journey which will carry you far across the great silk road, even beyond the borders of the shou lands. A task, should you complete it, that will bring great honor upon you, and of course our family."

Mariko listened attentively, her eyes studying the tatami mat before her, but the furrow of her brow gave away her confusion at her Daimyo's words. She was to be sent west, away from everyone she knew, alone into the wilderness? To what end? Mariko reminded herself of her duty and only nodded her head as her father explained further.

"Yedo, despite all that I have accomplished with guided hand, is but a small player in play among the great clans. Any one of them could but reach out and extinguish our flame. if they so desired." Her father filled two small porcelain cups and placed them on the table before him. "Though are Samurai are skilled in blade and bow, and possess an appreciation of the meditative arts to be envied by others, we are limited by our numbers."

"What I need is information. Knowledge of the barbarian lands, which most of the more powerful Daimyos have dismissed." Mariko shifted her position ever so slightly, moving her center of balance, and easing the pressure on her knees. Her father noticed this shift, then bade her to stand and approach the table.

"I believe you will find us valuable trade opportunities, which will help us become valuable enough as an ally, that we may hope to secure the protection of one or more of the great clans." Mariko looked at the map laid out before her as her father went on.

"Understand this, Ona, there is an unmistakable tension rising behind the great clans. I can sense it almost as if it were a Taifun bearing down upon us. There is war coming, upheaval at the least, ruin of all of us at the worst." Her father downed his cup of sake quickly, then poured another. "It may not happen for a year, it may not happen for five, but it WILL happen. And when it does, we will be swept upon its waves to who knows not what outcome."

Mariko nodded, now beginning to form a picture of her role. She studied her father's face for a moment. She could see tiny beads of sweat upon his brow, catching upon the folds of his forehead, likely from the potent sake he was surely drinking now, and before her entrance.

"Look here." He motioned to the map "You will depart by one of our fast Bune, for the Shou coast here." Her father pointed at a section of desolate coast between two Shou villages. "From there you will make your way west along the Silk road. You will travel as one of the many merchants, keeping your blades hidden, and speaking little to anyone you meet." "Understand that your duty here is one that required you to travel light, fast, and with purpose. You are most valuable to me unknown to the other great clans, especially the Shou."

Mariko beheld the map, following her father's hand as he pointed to areas further west on the map, until he reached a large blank area, without form. "Once you leave the Shou lands, you will continue westward into the barbarian lands." "You will seek out trading partners for us, and also map what lands you pass through. Both of these tasks are important to me, failure to complete them will place us in a dangerous situation, we will be swallowed up."

Tsuji bowed deeply to her father, turned, and left the room, his pace quickening as he went. Mariko watched him go, then returned her gaze to her father, who now was looking at her softly, perhaps it was the sake catching up to him.

"Tsuji has gone to prepare the Bune for your arrival. Go and get your things, and meet him at the docks, but first, you will drink with your father." Her Daimyo motioned to her cup with an upturned hand, as he raised his own and downed it.

Mariko had never drank sake before, even that time her sisters pilfered a half empty bottle from one of the men's barracks. The liquid hit her throat like lit candle, the burning increasing until it reached her stomach, a warm fire rising within her as the sake mixed with what she had eaten earlier. She did well to hold it down, but her eyes began to moisten a little.

Her father slammed his cup down, watched Mariko finish hers, then sighed. "I am your Daimyo, but I am still your father, If i though another capable of this task, I would send them first. I know you will attend to your duty, but do not get yourself killed, Your mother would never speak to me again." The old Daimyo reached once more for the mostly empty flask, and drank from it, not bothering to put it in a cup. He stared long at his daughter, who he was now sending into the unkown, and then waved her away.

Mariko bowed low, her eyes moist from the sake, and her feelings, then rose and walked from the room.

[TaskForce58]

The Bune made the trip to the Shou coast with a fresh east wind, arriving two days out of Yedo port, under a waning moon. The Senchou, or captain, of the Bune eyed the dark coast with a practiced eye and, not detecting any signs of habitation, signaled for the crew to ready a skiff. When the skiff was lowered into the water, Mariko, who had been busy securing her blades and travel pack, descended a rope ladder, and stepped lightly into the craft. The two sailors tasked with rowing her to shore looked at Mariko and nodded, taking up their oars.

A short time later Mariko was ashore, watching as the skiff pulled back out to its waiting ship. "And so my journey truly begins" Mariko nodded to herself and took up her pack and, after negotiating a few sand dunes, entered the nearby wood, where she would await the coming of the dawn.

Mariko awoke to the sound of a twig snapping, somewhere off to her right. Silently cursing herself for dozing off, her hands went instinctively to her blades. The sun had already risen in the east, its light filtering through the wood, as Mariko peered intently toward the source of the noise. It took her a moment to realize it was simply a wild boar, or, more accurately, several of them, rooting through the underbrush between her and the beach. One of them, a Large Boar, paused and fixed its eyes on her. It raised its snout, sniffing out this unexpected visitor, raising its tail in alert.

Mariko could see this creature was perhaps 300 pounds, its tusks maybe 6 inches long, and capable of doing considerable damage to her, if she had to face the creature. As if reading her thoughts, the boar let out a loud snort, challenging her, and moved a few steps in her direction. She quickly reasoned it would be easier to back away slowly and avoid needlessly risking a fight. She took care to remain low to the ground as she slowly moved away from the Boar, keeping her gaze upon it. The Boar, satisfied that it was not being threatened, gave another loud snort, and shepherded its charges back the way it had came, disappearing into the underbrush.

Mariko stood tall, shouldered her pack, smiled, and set quickly off westward, intending to make up for her lost time.

[TaskForce58]

Mariko made her way west, along the northern coast of the Wak'an peninsula, which jutted out like an extended thumb into the celestial sea. Her path would lead her to Lo'shan, a sizeable coastal town at the mouth of the Chin'g Teng river. She would follow this river westward, skirting many of the inhabited Shou areas. Her liege and father wished her to maintain her secrecy as much as possible, and given the state of affairs between the Shou dynasty and the Kozakura clans, she would likely be labelled a spy and put to death. The thought crossed her mind that she was, indeed, a spy of sorts, and that brought a smirk to her face. She had no motive towards the Shou, if only to be past their borders as quickly as possible.

It was well after dark, on the 4th day of her landing, that Mariko came to Lo'shan. She had skirted to the beach side of a few farms, but now she made for a road leading to the southern edge of the town. There was no gate, it was not a walled town, and this meant she could pick her path between several houses unnoticed. Somewhere off to her right a dog began barking, followed shortly by a shout and a string of expletives. Mariko's Shou was adequete, and she smiled at the creativity of the owner of the voice, insulting the heritage of whoever owned the dog, and then adding a few choice descriptors of what said owner could DO with his or her dog. The barking got louder for a moment, but was cut off with a yelp and whining as the dog was punished by its owners.

Mariko continued along the southern edge of town until she came to the river's edge. There was a dock here, with several drying racks of fish illuminated by the half full moon. She helped herself to two of them and rolled them into her pack. There were three skiffs tied alongside the dock, as well as a raft with a bamboo pole laying across it. She briefly considered taking one of them, but thought better of it, realizing that the daytime would bring river traffic, and questions she would not be able to answer in a stolen boat. Instead she would follow the river on foot, along a footpath leading a parallel course, out of town. The half-moon provided enough light for her to move with confidence and Mariko set off quickly, determined to make some distance before the sun rose at her back.

[TaskForce58]

Mid-morning found Mariko passing through a Bamboo forest, the sunlight scattered among the light green canopy. There was a slight breeze, enough to keep any hungry insects at bay and Mariko began to look for a place she could rest until nightfall. She had not yet encountered anyone since she left Lo-shan, but wanted to avoid travel during the day if she could. The light Selune provided would be enough to travel by for another week perhaps.

Mariko found what she was looking for near a bend in the path, and stepped lightly until she found an area she could remain mostly out of view, but pick up the motion of anyone who might happen by. She gathered up some leaves to provide some comfort under her, removed her Jingasa hat, and leaned against her pack. Her stomach growled, which reminded her of the fish she had...liberated that morning. Unwrapping one of them, she could not tell exactly what it was. It was not overly salted, and tasted good enough when washed down with a drink from her bottle of Sake, presented to her by the Captain of the Bune before being put ashore. It was safe enough to sleep here, so she put the remainder of the fish away and replaced the Jingasa on her head, pulling it low to block out the sun. The hat was freshly lacquered, waterproofing it, and she was sure she would be thankful for its protection in the coming weeks, but for now it was not quite cured and the pungent smell of the coating permeated her nostrils. Her thought soon drifted to home, as weariness overtook her and she fell asleep.

[TaskForce58]

The sun was high overhead when the barking of a dog woke her. She lifted the Jingasa from her eyes and peered through the bamboo towards the path. There were people moving along it ...and a dog was out ahead of them, barking, nosing around in the underbrush, and generally making noise, as dogs are want to do. Mariko was pretty sure she was hidden from sight and they would pass her by unknowing, but she tried to remain motionless all the same. It was then that the dog lifted its head and looked directly toward her. She realized with dawning horror that the wind was at her back and the dog had probably smelled her.

The dog closed the distance quickly, happily barking as it bounded toward her. She did not want to kill it, for it would give her away completely. Mariko suddenly remembered the fish she had, the damnable fish was what it smelled! She threw a large piece as far as she could, and moved off in the opposite direction quickly, crashing through the brush. Off toward the path she heard laughter, and someone was calling to the dog, but it had veered off to the fish Mariko threw, and was happily gulping it down. Mariko tried to make good her escape, but It is amazing how quickly a dog can wolf down a piece of fish when you are trying to buy time. With the fish dispatched, it began to chase her down once more, barking all the while. Cursing her stupidity,as she crashed through the bamboo, Mariko fumbled for the cloth the fish had been wrapped in, dropping it to the ground, hoping to be rid of the dog once and for all. Looking back the dog stopped once more and was sniffing and licking the cloth. Mariko crossed a small stream and did not slow down for a good fifteen minutes, leaving the people, and the devilish dog behind. She hoped the people thought their dog had just flushed a deer...and continued on their way.