Eyebrows
  1. Characters

Eyebrows

Herbalist and Surgeon

SHIGEKO'S DOSSIER: I wish I could take credit for employing this endlessly useful eta, but -I'm afraid that honor goes to my predecessor, Isawa Choyo. Eyebrows is an herbalist and surgeon for the Leatherworkers, and also has some status within their fire-fighting league (which also serves as a defacto police force). When she wrote her dossier for me, Choyo stressed Eyebrows' proficiency at a skill he calls "dead reading:' This is nothing less than the ability to gain information from observing a dead body.

While this may sound like black magic, I assure you it is completely mundane. It is simply a matter of keen eyes and knowledge of certain signs - much as a skilled hunter knows how find tracks where game has passed. It seems that among the eta, the morticians are also the community healers. (It's appalling to think of one individual serving the dead and living alike - but that's why they're eta, after all.) While preparing the dead for burial, these healers have learned to see signs that indicate the cause of death. Eyebrows is so skilled that he can look at a man killed by a sword blow and say if he died quickly (from shock) or slowly (by bleeding to death). Dead reading has proven invaluable on many occasions. In fact, Eyebrows is not limited to reading the dead; by looking at an njury, he can tell what sort of weapon inflicted it, how long ago, and from which direction the attack originated. Although working with an eta may seem unpleasant, I assure you that Eyebrows knows his place and is respectful at all times.

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STATS

Eyebrows, Eta Herbalist and Surgeon

  • Name: Eyebrows
  • Role: Herbalist, Surgeon, "Dead Reader"
  • Class: Eta
  • Occupation: Leatherworkers’ Healer and Mortician
  • Affiliations: Leatherworkers Quarter, Firefighting League (de facto police force)

Backstory:

Eyebrows is an invaluable asset within Ryoko Owari’s Leatherworkers Quarter, having earned his name due to his distinctive, bushy eyebrows. Originally brought into service by Isawa Choyo, Eyebrows is known for his herbalist skills and his proficiency as a surgeon. He holds a unique and somewhat controversial status within the firefighting league, which also serves as the quarter's informal police force.

What sets Eyebrows apart is his uncanny ability for "dead reading" — a skill he developed by working with the dead. Though some may see it as unsettling, Eyebrows simply observes minute details in corpses and injuries, such as the type of weapon used, how long ago the death occurred, and whether the individual died instantly or slowly. His sharp eyes and keen intellect have proven invaluable on numerous occasions, often helping magistrates solve crimes that otherwise might have gone cold.

Despite his low social status as eta, Eyebrows is respectful and humble, understanding the importance of knowing his place in the rigid Rokugani social hierarchy. However, his unique abilities have earned him the respect, if not the trust, of those in higher positions.

Rings:

  • Air 3 (Perceptive, Subtle)
  • Earth 2 (Diligent, Resilient)
  • Fire 2 (Inquisitive, Innovative)
  • Water 3 (Adaptable, Observant)
  • Void 1 (Elusive, Otherworldly)

Social Attributes:

  • Status: 10 (Eta, specialized position)
  • Glory: 5 (His skills are known to those who need him)
  • Honor: 20 (Loyal to his role and respectful of the social order)

Skills:

  • Medicine (Surgery, Herbalism) 4
  • Labor (Mortician) 3
  • Skulduggery (Observation) 2
  • Theology (Rites of the Dead) 1
  • Sentiment (Reading Intent) 2
  • Survival (Tracking) 2
  • Government (Bureaucracy) 1

Advantages:

  • Dead Reader: Eyebrows has the unique ability to read the cause and specifics of death from the wounds of a corpse. He can tell how long ago a person died, what kind of weapon was used, and even how the victim died (instantly or slowly). This skill has made him invaluable to magistrates and investigators.

  • Keen Eyes: Eyebrows has an extraordinary talent for noticing details that others might miss. Whether reading an injury or identifying subtle clues in an environment, his sharp vision has saved the day on many occasions.

  • Respectful Demeanor: Despite his status as eta, Eyebrows knows his place in society and is unfailingly polite and deferential to those of higher status. His humility and quiet competence endear him to those who rely on his services.

Disadvantages:

  • Social Stigma: As an eta, Eyebrows is subjected to the prejudices of Rokugani society. Many samurai and higher-status individuals are reluctant to be seen working with him, and his abilities may go underutilized in situations where his skills are desperately needed.

  • Morbid Expertise: Some find Eyebrows’ expertise with corpses unsettling. His ability to "read" the dead often makes others uncomfortable, even if they acknowledge its utility.

Armor:

  • None (Eyebrows is a non-combatant)

Weapons:

  • Knife (Cutting Tool, Damage: 3)
    Eyebrows carries a small knife primarily used for his work as a surgeon, but it can be used for self-defense if needed.

Wounds and Fatigue:

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

Techniques:

  • Autopsy Mastery (Water): Eyebrows can determine key information from a dead body, including the cause of death, the time of death, and the weapon used. When observing a corpse, he gains bonus successes on Medicine (Earth or Water) checks to deduce these details.

  • Subtle Clue (Air): Eyebrows can notice small, seemingly inconsequential details that others overlook. He gains a bonus success on Sentiment (Air) or Skulduggery (Air) checks to discover hidden clues or concealed actions.

October 6th, 2024