Courtier

Courtier:

Courtiers are the warriors of the court, the 3rd member of the Samurai caste. They are not suited for direct combat, but are much deadlier than a single samurai, for the lives of hundreds hang in the palms of their hand. With a single whisper, an entire family can be wiped out, lives destroyed, status' changed and laws passed.

Gossip: Courtiers get the immensely useful ability to obtain knowledge of key information by simply mingling in the courts for a certain amount of time. In plots and missions, it is up to the DM to determine what knowledge you get and how. In some cases, the knowledge will be false or even lies...however behind every lie is a grain of truth.

Style and Elegance: Courtiers have more skills than any other class. They have extremely minor combat skills, as well as some skill riding horses and in archery. They also are allowed 1 major, 2 medium and 4 minor skills with which they are proficient. As they level, these skills get better and better.

A major skill starts at a level of "3". A medium skill starts at a level of "2". A minor skill starts at a level of "1". Practicing these skills (mods will read your posts) will allow you to increase them. Your major skills tend to increase faster.

Any skill can be minor, medium or major. Simply pick from the list.

Performance Arts:
-Singing (Note: This also includes non-haiku poems which are basically songs. This "singing" is best suited for non-play performances)
-Dancing (No'h)
-Dancing (Kabuki)
-Singing (No'h)
-Singing (Kabuki)
-Acrobatics (Generic)
-Acrobatics (No'h)
-Swordplay (Non-combative; plays and performances)
-Archery (non-combative)
-Acting (No'h)
-Acting (Kabuki)
-Speech and Poetry Recital
-Tea Ceremony

Creation Arts:
-Haiku (considered a creation art and includes death haiku)
-Origami
-Tea Brewing and Mixing
-Cooking (Sushi)
-Cooking (Everything Else)
-Sake Serving, Brewing and Mixing
-Traditional Painting
-Architecture
-Calligraphy
-Painting
-Pottery (Dishes, Pots, etc...)
-Sculpture
-Lacquer Design

Note: Kabuki and No'h and interchangeable to some degree, however a noh (more traditional play type) and Kabuki (a more hip yet less honorable play type) have various differences. Performing as a noh actor gives you less money, but more honor. Noh actors can more easily use their singing and dancing skills in kabuki theater, plus have the extra acrobatic skills. Kabuki actors get more money, but less prestige. They can use their more dramatic acting to an advantage in Kabuki theater. Note that even though a noh can use his singing and dancing skills in kabuki and a kabuki his acting skills in noh, neither will be better accepted than a courtier with the same amount of points in the proper play style.

Gifts and Favors:

Courtiers in Saiken work in a delicate political environment that revolves around a web of favors. Doing a favor for a person or clan gives you favors from that person or clan that can be exchanged for gifts, services or even to help get larger favors.

See the politics/gifts and favor's thread for more information.

Hand of Peace: Courtiers of at least 5th level have the powerful "Hand of Peace" ability. Any creature in the Saiken society who recognizes the courtier will think twice before attacking him. In short, the odds of getting attacked are very low. Any who attack this courtier are usually found immediately to be on the wrong side of whatever guard or law enforcement is present in the area, even if unaware of the courtier's status. It usually results in honor loss as well. This ability is negated if the courtier is the one who attacks first.

Wealth: Courtiers also start with 100 additional koku and can write home if they run out of funds to attain 750 koku (clan head permission required). They get 50 koku each month as a bonus.

Yojimbo: Yojimbo are samurai (usually) protectors/bodyguards of Courtiers. At the request of his clan, a courtier of any level recieves a Yojimbo NPC. They will sacrifice themselves to save the life of the Courtier, but until a stronger bond is developed over time, they will rarely charge into battle for unrelated causes. You must discuss this with the staff and your clan head.

They are level 1 Samurai with names, backgrounds, weapons and who act upon the will of the courtier. The courtier orders him, and usually controls him. In official missions, the DM will control his precise actions, however the courtier can assume for the most part that simple actions will be understood and undertook. Sometimes, a Yojimbo may be a PC if they wish to RP a Yojimbo as one of their characters. NPC Yojimbos gain levels at half the speed of the courtier and gain no special styles other than defensive styles, except in rare exceptions. They are essentially samurai or bushi without any of the special samurai abilities...

Grace: Courtiers are overall more graceful than any other class. They are better at debates and can keep their heads cooler under pressure. They are frequently excellent tacticians and must be able to assess situations from an outside perspective at all times.

Clans:

Ki-Rin Clan:

Bear Clan:

Wolf Clan:

Rabbit Clan:

Fox Clan:

Crane Clan:

Dragonfly Clan:

Sparrow Clan: