Ayaname stood at the ready beneath the enormous Elven Tree Fort which loomed above her. She knew that the deceiptful mage would be up in the heights of the Fort, though she had no way to get there. Not knowing what was waiting for her friends she looked for some way, her bow on the ready, to aid her friends. As her friends endeavored to climb to the top where they were sure the theiving mage had gone, Sean cast a Fly spell on Ayaname and said "You are destined to do great things and gain great honor in this battle." With that Ayaname flew to the top to see Fietnah, the Sorceress that stole the Artifact, standing there with Sini perched on the high lip of the battlement facing one-another. Just as Sini was warning Ayaname of the danger, Fietnah outstreched her finger while uttering a horrid verse that would spell Ayaname's doom. As Tage Kai and Sini disarmed and bound Fietnah, Ayaname was falling. When Kai began to lower the bound Mage down the Tree Fort, Ayaname was falling. Even when Fietnah became totally intangible and fell into the tree and out of site, Ayaname was falling. As the group cautiously moved about looking for Fietnah, Ayaname finally settled gently on the ground as a feather would touch a pond. Fietnah would have claimed another life in her demented ferocious attempt to rest control of the artifact that she had grown extermely obsessive over, but Alec stepped out of the shadows in time to replace her wicked chanting with the blade of his rapier. In the End Ayaname had saved Sini's life with her unexpected interruption. Ayaname never saw the dead body of Fietnah's only true friend which had alerted Sini that Fietnah was willing to do anything to keep the artifact. The surreal sight of the massive Centaur floating ever so gently back to earth would haunt many dreams of those who lovered her. Others simply wished they had been the cause of her demise. The guilt Sean faced would eventually change him as well.
Paternal Grandfather: Kogoke Kiyoshi (Born1317)
Kiyoshi was the son of a prominent Samurai who died in the battle with the Shadowlands. He took over his families affairs at the age of 23, and ruled wisely in his time as head of his family. He was a trusted advisor to his lord, and fought bravely through many wars. Kiyoshi was raised to the level of advisor to the Daimyo of the Dragon Clan at the age of 20 and served with valor. When conflict broke out between the Dragon and Crane clans, his Daimyo, lacking a son of his own, arranged for marriage of Kiyoshi's son, Mitsuhide (Then 12) to a niece of the Crane Daimyo, Sakura (Then 11). The conflict ended with both sides satisfied, and the marriage tied the two clans closer together and helped to prevent further troubles. The marriage took place 5 years later, in 1352. In the year 1355, Kiyoshi asked to retire from his lords service in protest aggressions made by his Daimyo. This gave his Daimyo pause, and made him reconsider his actions. He accepted Kiyoshi's retirement to one of the monastaries in the Dragon lands, but stopped his aggressions. They remained friends for many years after that, and Kiyoshi continued to advise even though he had given up his family name and holdings. Kiyoshi was proud to pass on his family to his son Mitsuhide, and his son's wife, Sakura. Kiyoshi's only wife had died years ago, and he spent the rest of his days seeking wisdom and peace.
Father: Kogoke Mitsuhide (Born 1335)
Mitsuhide was raised in court, and trained from a young age in the art of war, swordplay, and ruling. His mother died 2 years after he was born from a wasting sickness that could not be cured. He doesn't really remember her, though he sees the love his father once held this woman. At the age of 12, his marriage was arranged to Kakita Sakura, a relative of the Daimyo of another Samurai family, although not in the line of succession. He did not know her, but understood the importance of the marriage. Happily, the two got along very well after the marriage, and soon were in love. Mitsuhide was home only sporadically at times, his responsibilities keeping him occupied and away from home. Things quieted after a few years, and the two enjoyed a respite from troubles. These were times of court and travel, and the two were well received wherever they went. In the autumn of 1356, Sakura became pregnant. This was an occasion of celebration, and the winter courts that year would be remembered as some of the happiest. Mitsuhide's daughter was born the following spring, and she was named Ayaname. Ayaname was a quick child, and learned warfare from her father, while her mother stressed the importance of ceremony. She often accompanied her father when he went to court, and he made sure her training was some of the best. In the spring of 1361, Sakura once again became heavy with child, although this pregnancy was not as easy as the previous one had been. That summer Mitsuhide was ordered to war. The emperor had ordered it, and there was nothing that could be done to avoid it. Even though his wife seemed gravely ill, he could not shirk his duties, and expecting a short autumn campaign, took his leave. His wife was in no shape to care for their daughter, and desiring to further her education, Mitsuhide took his daughter with him. The campaign was fought against a new oni, oni who came from the west from across the waters. The battles were fought bravely and well, and were soon won. With the enemy washed from their shore, the warriors meant to return. Word reached Mitsuhide that his wife was worsening, and he hoped to return to her as soon as he could. Shortly thereafter, reinforcements and new orders arrived. Mitsuhide was to cross the water and seek out these new creatures, and destroy them in their homes. His father, Kiyoshi, also sent some of his students to aid his son, and in hopes of finishing the battle quickly, they crossed the sea. Unable to spare men to take his daughter back to their home, he took her with him. Months passed, and the only word from home was always further orders making him travel on. Mitsuhide despaired for his wife, and mourned, thinking she must have passed away. None of his letters were answered, and no news from home was his. His daughter was now raised on the field of battle, with his advisors or learned Samurai teaching her as they could. Soon they were out of the land that they had known, and the only word from the Shugenja sent by the emperor was that they were to continue on. Years passed, and battles were won. Soon, they were meeting new peoples and meeting new resistance. Diplomacy was used to avoid problems in populated areas, and the vast majority of the areas were wilderness. The troops were in high moral, and replacements had come in while some had returned to Rokugan. Ayaname had proven herself and learned well, and earned a position over a squad of mounted soldiers, acting as a second to Mitsuhide. Then disaster struck. In 1371, treachery struck. Certain parties had become jealous of Mitsuhide's success, and had made efforts to see him fail. These had not worked as he'd proved a more wily battle commander than his opponents had expected. They decided to rectify this by taking a more active role. In the middle of a key battle, several Samurai who had worked their way into the ranks struck down Mitsuhide, Ayaname, and several other officers. The army lost it's cohesion, and in the confusion the enemy was able to turn the tide and route the soldiers. Mitsuhide died that day, and his forces fell apart and scatterred to the wind.
Maternal Grandfather: Kakita Hanshiro (Born 1302)
Hanshiro lived his life in the shadow of his cousin. As part of the Daimyo's family, he lived his life with honor, and earned the respect of many that served with him. He has fought in many battles, and commanded many troops successfully. An aged Samurai now, he lives on as an advisor to younger Samurai, imparting his knowledge of tactics and warfare. He has had several children, and is proud of each of them in turn. In his twilight years, he waits now for a grand battle in which he may leave after gaining much honor.
Maternal Grandmother: Kakita Kuniko (Born 1313)
Kuniko is a loving mother who has watched over her husbands holdings for many years, and raised his children well. Very matronly, she loves her family and enjoys her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Even with her eyes beginning to fade she still has use of her wits, and has caused many of her grandchildren to quiver in fear after doing something wrong. With her shock of white hair and straight back, she still remains the image of a strong mother. She lends this strength to many who need it, and runs the household as a tight ship. She remembers her days as a young woman with fondness, but is focused on the here and now, with an eye towards the future.
Mother: Kakita Sakura (Born 1336)
The youngest of 3 children, Sakura showed a gift for refinement and learning at a young age. She was a refined young lady, and was sent to the Crane's school of Courtiers. There she learned how to manage a household, and at the age of 11 was promised to Mitsuhide to secure peace between the families. She found herself of use while her husband was away making war, and took pride in her daughter. In the year 1361, she became pregnant with her second child, and this pregnancy was difficult. She became ill, and her husband was forced to leave. Months of bedrest followed, but the child was born healthy, and Sakura recovered from her weakness. By the time she recovered and found out about her husbands plight, it was all she could do to keep herself secure. For ten years she used her skills in court to earn allies, and she kept her husbands lands protected. She raised her second child, a son, and he was schooled, and learned well. At the age of 10, he began take on some of the responsibilities for ruling his families lands, as his father and older sister had not been heard from. Tales of their battles had come back to the lands of Rokugan, but they were still not allowed to return. This young Samurai, starting to bear the burdens of his responsibility, is probably what brought the doom of his family to a head. A conspiracy was in place to remove the Kogoke family and weaken the Dragon Clan, and as long as the family could be kept weak, it was good enough. This young lord though looked to be a strong leader, and so the order was issued. He was assassinated, as well as his mother, and their home was burned to the ground. This coincided with the time that Mitsuhide was killed, and it was thought that the family had been brought to an end.
Kogoke Ayaname (Born 1357)
Ayaname was raised on a battlefield, and learned to fight at a young age. Her image of her mother is very idealised, seen through the eyes of a father missing his wife, and the eyes of a child. Her father was her idol, and taught her honor, and she still is saddened when she thinks of his death. She was in charge of holding one of the flanks in the battle where her father fell, and was caught by surprise when one of her personal guards drew his sword and struck at her face. She caught it with her helm, but the blood flowed freely and she fell to the ground that day. When she awoke, it was raining, and the bodies of the dead littered the field. Many of her guard lay around her dying, and someone was tugging at her clothing. She moved, and the hand lept back. She heard the sound of steel being drawn, and rolled at the last minute. Her armor had already been removed, and her instinct told her to roll. As she moved, the blade flashed through the air, piercing where she had been, and binding her kimono to the ground. Drawing her own blade, she sliced the kimono off and confronted her attacker. He was obviously a scavanger who had been looting the dead. He advanced on her, and she waited. As he drew near enough to strike, she lashed out and removed his head. Her clothing was in such a ruinous state that she looked through his bags and found a set of black leathers. With nothing else, she donned these, and was amazed when she felt silk on her skin, and found that the form of the armor had shifted to a silken kimono. She gathered her blades, and went to find her father. She found him by his blades which here lain above a grave. That's when she knew what had happened, and allowed herself to mourn. The next day, her horse found her, and she knew it was time to move on. She took her fathers blades, and left to gather what remnants of her fathers army she could find, so she could return home and find those responsible.
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