Hello, fellow L5R fans, I've got a question regarding the RGP, 4th Edition.
I'm GMing/playing a storyline with 3 players (4 including me). Right now, we're slowly going through games with the 4 different adventure settings from the Books of the Elements set (Book of Void, Book of Fire, Book of Water, and so on). Right now, we're in the Nazo Mori, the Forest of Enigmas from Book of Void, but we'll eventually end up at the 100 Stances Dojo from the Book of Fire.
(For those of you who don't know, the 100 Stances Dojo is an awesome Kenjutsu school that all clans have access to; there is constant conception there, especially for the post of Head Sensei, who gets first pick on who gets to learn the 100 Stances style.)
The setting is during the Toturi Dynasty, but aside from Toturi gaining the Throne, much as been changed. The War of the Spirits ultimately lead to the Stag Clan being created to house the line of Hantei, the 9th Great Clan. The Stag are similar to the Owl from Imperial Histories II, but they use different families outside of the Hantei, and are the Empire's Peacekeepers/Helpers to the other clans, in addition to their duty of dealing with Nonhumans relations (I'll post more about them later).
Right now, I'm working on having at least 3 members of each Great clan being at the Dojo (there is no Spider clan), and I'm having trouble creating some NPCs. I have no idea who the Head Sensei should be, or any other posts. I'm willing to use the NPCs from the book, but I would like to expand of them as well.
A player helped me to create a handful of NPCs, so I'll post their concepts to give you an idea of what I'm aiming for.
Stag Clan
Kyona Koji - Kyona Bushi 2
Koji is a very talented Goshi, or rural samurai, selected by the regional Daimyo himself to attend the 100 Stances, over even the Daimyo's own children. However, Koji's simple country upbringing has left him unprepared for the politics of the Dojo. There are people of all ranks, some very high, and all are of higher birth than his own. Koji is so worried about slipping up and embarrassed his family that his studies at the Dojo are falling behind. The stress of it all has made Koji irritable and temperamental; while his understanding of the 100 Stances is weak, he is not, and has gotten into a number of brawls. If things do not shape up for him soon, Koji could be expelled.
Suzume Kiki - Kenku Bushi 1
Trained in the Kenku style, Kiki is not particularly talented in the sword, though not weak either. Instead, she was sent to the Dojo because of her personality. Called the "Little Whirlwind" by her peers, Kiki is joyous, intense, and passionate, always happy and always making friends. Throwing herself into anything she tries, Kiki is the sort of person everyone adores for her pure-hearted glee when trying anything. Of course, Kiki is also a bit of a klutz, leading to some embarrassing situations. Kiki just laughs with everyone else at this, forever undaunted.
Scorpion clan
Bayushi Hisoko - Bayushi Bushi 4/Imperial Legionnaire Path
A veteran of the Imperial Legions, Hisoko's career was cut short after an injury to the leg. Left partly lame in her left leg but eager to serve her clan still, Hisoko was eventually sent to the 100 Stances 5 years ago, her experience in the Legions making her an excellent teacher fro younger Scorpions there. Since that time, Hisoko has made a series of powerful connections through the Dojo. She regularly trains and teaches non-Scorpions. While it is an unwritten taboo that the Scorpion only train fellow Scorpion at the Dojo, Hisoko has gotten around this by pointing out she is not the Head Sensei, and thereby not subject to the rule. In truth, she has used her clan's reputation at the Dojo and her willingness to 'break' that rule to forge a number of alliances with fellow students. Over the years, many of these students have left the dojo and gone on to great careers, always remembering the 'kind' Scorpion that aided them at school.
Yogo Satsume - Bayushi Bushi 2
Born of a very low ranking branch family of the Yogo that was never connected by blood and never bore the curse, Satsume made up for a low birth with great skill. Charming, handsome, talented, and likable, Satsume is also honorable and honest. To many, he is a perfect samurai. And he is cursed. Though he does not fully realize it, the Yogo curse 'jumped' in his family-line, skipping several generations before manifesting in his soul. Satsume senses soemthing 'off' at times, but otherwise, the curse remains hidden. Sadly, Satsume is at the dojo to pursue the love of his life, while also skipping out on a possible promotion to a post higher ranked than any member of his branch family. A ripe opportunity for the curse to appear.
*This character was a favorite concept amongst players, so we're planning on him being important; there are no plans for Yogo Satsume's lady love, who can be any sort of character. A fellow student, a courtier looking for a yojimbo, a Shugenja wanting to study the plains sacred to the Fortune of Thunder, or a swordsmith seeking to study the way of the sword closer.
I'd appreciate any ideas someone might have. Thank you very much.