Lean Meat
  1. Characters

Lean Meat

Criminal Gambler
Lean Meats House

SHIGEKO'S DOSSIER: Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if I had just killed Lean Meat the gambler when I had the chance. He is a scoundrel, and largely without honor, but he has a peculiar and undeniable charm. He runs a floating dice game in the Fisherman Quarter - never to be found in the same location twice, it meets once a week and the stakes are high. Though occasional violence is unavoidable at such meetings, Lean Meat has a knack for making the game more important than the money. I have heard several times that he will not accept bets if losing would leave the bettor destitute. When asked about this, he says that it is foolish to kill a cow for leather when it is still giving milk - but I suspect his motives are as merciful as mercenary. 

In short - he is a criminal, but one who knows his place. He runs a game that is largely harmless, and if he were removed, it is unlikely that so forgiving a gambler would take his place.

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STATS

Lean Meat, Gambler and Game Organizer

  • Name: Lean Meat (real name unknown, nickname due to his slender build and lifestyle)
  • School: None (Self-taught gambler and game master)
  • Role: Gambler / Organizer / Street Operator
  • Clan: Ronin (unaffiliated)
  • Age: 28
  • Appearance: Lean Meat is a slender man with a relaxed, almost languid posture. His clothes are simple but clean, showing that while he doesn’t flaunt wealth, he makes enough to stay comfortable. He has a constant smile and an easygoing attitude, with a twinkle in his eye that hints at his love of risk and games of chance. His fingers are calloused from shuffling cards and rolling dice for countless hours.

Backstory:

Lean Meat grew up the eldest of eight children, responsible for his four younger brothers and three sisters after their parents passed. He scraped by on his good luck and love of gambling, playing high-stakes games and taking reckless risks to support his family. He lost everything more than once, but always managed to win enough to stay afloat. His skill and sheer luck made him a familiar face in gambling circles.

One night, after a particularly intense game, Lean Meat caught the attention of a local kajinin (fireman) who had organized the game. The kajinin recognized his natural talent for drawing people into games — win or lose, players enjoyed gambling more when Lean Meat was involved. The fireman offered him a quiet cut of the profits if he stuck to his games and didn’t play elsewhere.

Lean Meat agreed, enjoying the steady money and using it to provide for his family. Over time, he took over from his patron, organizing his own games and earning the respect of the local gambling community. Lean Meat enjoys his life now, balancing the thrill of the game with the security of running the operation. His only concern is the constant attention from city magistrates, but he always manages to evade trouble — for now.

Rings:

  • Air 3 (Subtle, Quick-Witted)
  • Earth 2 (Resilient)
  • Fire 2 (Creative, Risk-Taker)
  • Water 2 (Adaptable)
  • Void 1 (Detached from traditional honor)

Social Attributes:

  • Status: 0 (Commoner, no formal position)
  • Glory: 0 (Unknown outside gambling circles)
  • Honor: 1 (Flexible morals, driven by loyalty to family)

Skills:

  • Games (Dice, Cards) 3
  • Skulduggery (Deception) 2
  • Commerce (Gambling) 2
  • Courtesy (Negotiation) 2
  • Sentiment (Reading People) 2
  • Meditation (Calm Under Pressure) 1
  • Martial Arts [Unarmed] 1 (For the occasional brawl at his games)

Advantages:

  • Lucky Streak: Lean Meat has an uncanny ability to win games, even when the odds are against him. While he doesn’t always come out on top, his luck helps him avoid disaster, making him a gambling legend in the local scene.

  • Smooth Operator: Lean Meat’s easygoing attitude and charm make him hard to dislike, even when people suspect him of cheating or organizing illicit activities. His ability to smile and shrug off accusations keeps him out of trouble — most of the time.

  • Respected Among Gamblers: His reputation as a fair game organizer has earned him respect among the local gambling community. Even those who lose in his games rarely feel cheated, which helps him maintain a loyal following.

Disadvantages:

  • Under Scrutiny: The local magistrates suspect Lean Meat of running illegal games, but they’ve never been able to catch him in the act. His games attract attention, and he’s always one step away from getting caught.

  • Addicted to Risk: While he now organizes games more than he plays, Lean Meat still loves the thrill of a high-stakes gamble. Sometimes he can’t resist getting involved, risking more than he should.

Armor:

  • None (Relies on charm and avoiding conflict)

Weapons:

  • Fists (Unarmed, Damage: 1)
    Lean Meat rarely resorts to violence, but he can throw a punch if necessary to defend himself.

Wounds and Fatigue:

  • Endurance: 6
  • Composure: 8
  • Fatigue: 5
  • Wounds Threshold: 6

Techniques:

  • Games Mastery: Lean Meat knows how to run a game to keep players invested. He’s skilled at subtly influencing the flow of play to ensure everyone has fun, which also helps him maintain control over the crowd.

  • Bluff and Charm: Lean Meat excels at reading people and deflecting suspicion. When confronted, he can use his Air Ring to charm or mislead others, often avoiding accusations by smiling and shrugging off concerns.

October 6th, 2024