Shosuro Hyobu
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Shosuro Hyobu

Governor of Ryoko Owari
Shosuro Governor's Palace

Shosuro Hyobu is the current Governor of Ryoko Owari, and has been since the death of her husband Akitada eight years ago. Technically, her son Shosuro Jocho should have taken the throne after his gempukku, but he shows little inclination to do so; he is happier as the leader of the Thunder Guard. For this we should probably be thankful.

Though far from a perfect woman, Hyobu appreciates the importance of social order, and she is adept at maintaining Ryoko Owaris situation. This is both her greatest strength and her greatest weakness. Her reign has provided Ryoko Owari with the blessings of prosperity and a fair degree of peace and safety. However, her intransigence also protects corrupt elements that have arrayed themselves with her. Because she considers things"good enough". she is unwilling to take actions that will have good effects in the long term, but which will result in necessary upheaval in the immediate future. The greatest case in point is the opium trade. Her husband tolerated it, and so does she. It has undoubtedly brought wealth to her city - but only through the most corrupt and debased individuals.

She is unwilling to chase elusive honor; instead, she is content to pursue less lofty game, such as wealth. Unless her hand is forced, she is unwilling to make hard choices. Hyobu would always prefer to talk than to fight. She is a born negotiator, and good at it; if she wants a problem resolved without bloodshed, she will sacrifice much and make good on her promises. She is reluctant to give permission for duels that she feels are "unwarranted" - those based on impulse rather than an insurmountable point of honor. However, her "good nature" is self-serving - she has no compunctions about extracting favors from those she has helped out of tight spots. Furthermore, she can only be pushed so far; if she decides she has been deliberately crossed or disobeyed, she will not hesitate to use force. In otherwords, her "forgiving nature" is a function of strength, not weakness. She prefers to think any offenses against her are unintentional, because she knows only the worst kind of fool would cross her on purpose.

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STATS

Shosuro Hyobu, Governor of Ryoko Owari

  • Name: Shosuro Hyobu
  • School: Shosuro Manipulator School
  • Role: Governor, Diplomat, Power Broker
  • Clan: Scorpion Clan
  • Age: 48
  • Appearance: Hyobu is a dignified and poised woman, her age showing only in the wisdom behind her sharp eyes and a few silver strands in her otherwise black hair. She dresses in elegant but understated garments, preferring subtle displays of wealth. Her calm demeanor hides a shrewd, calculating mind, and her gaze can be both warm and piercing, depending on the situation.

Backstory:

Shosuro Hyobu became Governor of Ryoko Owari after the death of her husband, Shosuro Akitada, eight years ago. While her son, Shosuro Jocho, should have succeeded her after his gempukku, he prefers leading the Thunder Guard to the responsibilities of governance. Hyobu, therefore, continues to rule Ryoko Owari, maintaining a delicate balance between prosperity and the city’s darker undercurrents.

Hyobu’s reign has brought relative peace and wealth to Ryoko Owari, but at the cost of fostering the corrupt elements that thrive under her rule — particularly those tied to the opium trade. Like her late husband, Hyobu tolerates this, believing it to be a necessary evil for the city’s prosperity. She prefers maintaining the status quo, even if it means ignoring long-term consequences, as she fears the chaos that change could bring.

Rings:

  • Air 4 (Perceptive, Subtle)
  • Earth 3 (Resilient, Patient)
  • Fire 2 (Ambitious, Strategic)
  • Water 3 (Adaptable, Diplomatic)
  • Void 2 (Reflective, Disciplined)

Social Attributes:

  • Status: 60 (Governor of Ryoko Owari)
  • Glory: 45 (Respected but controversial)
  • Honor: 35 (Pragmatic, not driven by traditional ideals of honor)

Skills:

  • Courtesy (Negotiation) 4
  • Government (City Management) 3
  • Commerce (Wealth Management) 3
  • Sentiment (Reading People) 3
  • Skulduggery (Intrigue) 2
  • Composition (Letters and Speeches) 2
  • Meditation (Self-Control) 2
  • Command (Leadership) 3

Advantages:

  • Born Negotiator: Hyobu has a natural talent for diplomacy. She can broker deals, resolve disputes, and defuse tense situations with skillful negotiation. This allows her to maintain peace in Ryoko Owari while securing personal gain.

  • Unyielding Patience: Hyobu is never rushed. She takes her time to consider her actions and responses, giving her the advantage in political maneuvering. Her patience allows her to outlast her enemies and avoid impulsive decisions.

  • Forceful Personality: Though she prefers diplomacy, Hyobu’s "forgiving nature" is born of strength. She can be warm and understanding, but she will not tolerate disobedience or betrayal, and when she decides to act, she does so decisively.

Disadvantages:

  • Reluctant Reformer: Hyobu’s greatest weakness is her unwillingness to disrupt the current order. Though she is aware of the corruption surrounding her, particularly in the opium trade, she is unwilling to risk the prosperity and stability of the city by cracking down on these elements.

  • Self-Interested: Hyobu’s diplomacy is often self-serving. While she helps others, she always extracts a favor or some personal gain in return, making her trusted but never beloved.

Armor:

  • None (She relies on negotiation and influence rather than combat)

Weapons:

  • Fan (Improvised Weapon, Damage: 1)
    While she carries no true weapon, Hyobu’s fan can be used as a symbolic tool of power or in defense during an unexpected confrontation.

Wounds and Fatigue:

  • Endurance: 8
  • Composure: 10
  • Fatigue: 7
  • Wounds Threshold: 9

Techniques:

  • Courtier’s Resolve (Air): Hyobu can deflect verbal attacks or insinuations with a clever response, avoiding direct confrontation while maintaining her composure.

  • Veiled Threats (Air): In negotiation, Hyobu can imply consequences without explicitly stating them, making her adversaries hesitate to challenge her. She uses subtlety and nuance to manipulate conversations to her advantage.

  • Subtle Interrogation (Water): Through casual conversation, Hyobu can extract information from others without them realizing they’ve revealed anything important. Her ability to read people allows her to tailor her approach to each individual.

October 6th, 2024