Post by torne on Jun 7, 2006 16:58:00 GMT -5
Kenjiro Sinshin was born to a prominent samurai clan on the eastern island of Kozakura in Kara-Tur. His family had been loyal retainers to the ruling Mikagawa Shogunate for centuries. With the combined might of his and several other clans, the Shogunate stayed in power through force and guile. The Sinshin Clan was one of the most powerful, and honor alone kept them dedicated to the line of shoguns rather then take power themselves.
As a child, Kenjiro's skill with the blade was unmatched by the rest of the students at his clan's dojo. Not only there, but the rest of the island knew of his growing skill. It was foretold by an ancient wu-jen that he would become the greatest samurai of the time, and aid in defense of not just of Kozakura but of all of Kara-Tur. While not a suspicious man, the shogun knew great talent when he saw it.
When Kenjiro came of age, the shogun had him along with his wife and two sons moved to the palace. Kenjiro was given a great honor-he was more then just another of the shogun's retainers. He had been hand picked to be a member of the Inner Council of the Mikagawa Shogunate. It was a rare honor, one that would be passed down to his sons when they came of age.
Decades passed, and Kenjiro became known as The Kurokai-chen, or Deathblade. He killed over a thousand men in personal duels, and many more while defending Kozakura against both external and internal enemies. The Celestial Bureaucracy had granted him power beyond what a mere mortal could hope to achieve.
In other words, he had fulfilled almost every prophecy the old wu-jen gave. However, not all turned out exactly the way fate had deemed.
The Horde began their invasion, breaching into the grand Shou Lung Empire. Calling on the aid of all his allies, the Grand Emperor's armies fought valiantly. At the request of his lord and master, The Kurokai-chen took with him a company of warriors and aided in the defense of Shou Lung. The samurai fought fiercely and won several battles. This brought not only great honor to themselves and their lord, but the enmity of the invading barbarians. Already many other assassins had been sent to eliminate specific targets, another was added to take care of The Kurokai-chen's family.
When the battles settled and blood dried, Kenjiro returned home triumphant. Or so he thought. Upon his arrival he was greeted by his wife near death's door from a deadly poison. His children had already departed for the Heavens, and several days after his return the love of his life passed away.
Grief stricken, he turned on the shogunate. All his rage and blame were focused against his lord and master. All his honor and prestige went with his anger as well. While attempting to slay his lord he was taken down by his own clan, but not before covering the palace in their blood.
After his death and arrival in the Heavens, he did not wait for sentencing like everyone else. After all, his power was used against his lord. The power that was granted to him had been tainted. As was his soul. After much debate The Immortals decided upon his fate.
The Hells were too lenient of a fate for him, for even then he would not truly be punished. No, instead they chose to strip him of his skill with the blade and divine strength they empowered him with. He was then reborn as a young man again, with only his daisho as a memory of the life and dedication he had turned away from. But this still was not punishment enough. They gave him immortality, no matter how grave his wounds or how many times he would die Kenjiro would know no peace. He would continue to return from the dead. Never would he be allowed entrance to either Heaven or Hell.
Even further, the Immortals chose for him to not even be allowed to be near his beloved Kozakura and Kara-Tur for fear of what he may do. Instead he was sent across the world, to the lands of Cormyr where he awoke in the forests. Confused, in a strange land, and bitter over his losses, Kenjiro turned his back on the Gods as they did him. He turned his back on his honor and drive.
All he lives for now is his blades and perfecting his art to the level it once was.
As a child, Kenjiro's skill with the blade was unmatched by the rest of the students at his clan's dojo. Not only there, but the rest of the island knew of his growing skill. It was foretold by an ancient wu-jen that he would become the greatest samurai of the time, and aid in defense of not just of Kozakura but of all of Kara-Tur. While not a suspicious man, the shogun knew great talent when he saw it.
When Kenjiro came of age, the shogun had him along with his wife and two sons moved to the palace. Kenjiro was given a great honor-he was more then just another of the shogun's retainers. He had been hand picked to be a member of the Inner Council of the Mikagawa Shogunate. It was a rare honor, one that would be passed down to his sons when they came of age.
Decades passed, and Kenjiro became known as The Kurokai-chen, or Deathblade. He killed over a thousand men in personal duels, and many more while defending Kozakura against both external and internal enemies. The Celestial Bureaucracy had granted him power beyond what a mere mortal could hope to achieve.
In other words, he had fulfilled almost every prophecy the old wu-jen gave. However, not all turned out exactly the way fate had deemed.
The Horde began their invasion, breaching into the grand Shou Lung Empire. Calling on the aid of all his allies, the Grand Emperor's armies fought valiantly. At the request of his lord and master, The Kurokai-chen took with him a company of warriors and aided in the defense of Shou Lung. The samurai fought fiercely and won several battles. This brought not only great honor to themselves and their lord, but the enmity of the invading barbarians. Already many other assassins had been sent to eliminate specific targets, another was added to take care of The Kurokai-chen's family.
When the battles settled and blood dried, Kenjiro returned home triumphant. Or so he thought. Upon his arrival he was greeted by his wife near death's door from a deadly poison. His children had already departed for the Heavens, and several days after his return the love of his life passed away.
Grief stricken, he turned on the shogunate. All his rage and blame were focused against his lord and master. All his honor and prestige went with his anger as well. While attempting to slay his lord he was taken down by his own clan, but not before covering the palace in their blood.
After his death and arrival in the Heavens, he did not wait for sentencing like everyone else. After all, his power was used against his lord. The power that was granted to him had been tainted. As was his soul. After much debate The Immortals decided upon his fate.
The Hells were too lenient of a fate for him, for even then he would not truly be punished. No, instead they chose to strip him of his skill with the blade and divine strength they empowered him with. He was then reborn as a young man again, with only his daisho as a memory of the life and dedication he had turned away from. But this still was not punishment enough. They gave him immortality, no matter how grave his wounds or how many times he would die Kenjiro would know no peace. He would continue to return from the dead. Never would he be allowed entrance to either Heaven or Hell.
Even further, the Immortals chose for him to not even be allowed to be near his beloved Kozakura and Kara-Tur for fear of what he may do. Instead he was sent across the world, to the lands of Cormyr where he awoke in the forests. Confused, in a strange land, and bitter over his losses, Kenjiro turned his back on the Gods as they did him. He turned his back on his honor and drive.
All he lives for now is his blades and perfecting his art to the level it once was.