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Sylentmana · **09-03-2015, 06:07 PM**

Ok, so on the drive home, I had an idea that I really like that will play more on the supernatural aspects of her character. The idea is that her shrine was built to house a powerful oni (voidsent) that local legends say ravaged the area 1000 or so years ago. The creature had been sealed away in a box (or maybe an urn) by Ryoko's ancient ancestors then placed in a closed off area of the shrine which is dedicated to the local Kami. It was the job of the priests and priestess who came after to look after the seal and renew the wards.

When the Doman rebels attempted to drive out the Empire, a stray blast from a magitek armor or perhaps a rebel mage found its way into the shrine, breaking the seal on the voidsent thereby releasing it. In revenge for its imprisonment, it intended to wipe out all the descendants of those who sealed it away.

It managed to devour Ryoko's parents before they could respond. Ryoko's and her sister, Shizuka, fought the beast, but were no match. Using the last of her power, Shizuka managed to drive off the voidsent, who had not yet recovered from its imprisonment. Unfortunately, she was mortally wounded in the process and died in her sister's arms. Ryoko then swore to avenge her family and fulfill her duty by finding and either destroying or resealing the beast.

Shortly after, the Empire began its razing of Doma so Ryoko left with the other refugees for Eorzea. Since the voidsent was still in a weakened state, she believed it would posses a mortal host and travel there as well since Eorzea was said to be overflowing with spiritual power (aka aether).

I feel like this backstory would play to the strength of Ryoko's "mystical archer Miko" archetype and relieve some of the overdone Garlean hate. Of course, she still holds a great dislike for them, but not to the same level as before. So, what do you guys think?

Caspar · **09-03-2015, 06:24 PM**

I like it. I'm all about themes of duty and responsibility to a cause, and it has the classic feel of a miko's supernatural element in Japanese fiction. Her knowledge of voidsent and hatred of garlemald gives you flexibility to pursue new stories once this plot line concludes.

Sylentmana · **09-03-2015, 06:31 PM**

(09-03-2015, 06:24 PM)Caspar Wrote: I like it. I'm all about themes of duty and responsibility to a cause, and it has the classic feel of a miko's supernatural element in Japanese fiction. Her knowledge of voidsent and hatred of garlemald gives you flexibility to pursue new stories once this plot line concludes.

I thought so as well. It helps prevent me from writing myself into a corner and seems a little less mundane. I'm glad you like it. Big Grin

Desitjant · **09-04-2015, 12:46 PM**

(09-03-2015, 04:18 PM)Sylentmana Wrote: As for the Lancer skills, that one is still a little iffy. I thought I could do something with the naginata as it was considered to be a feminine weapon in medieval Japan. I might just have to drop it from her background though and have her learn the skills later in Gridania. This is what I'm going to have her do for the Pugilist class, so in regards to her background, she actually hasn't learned any hand-to-hand combat techniques yet and I shouldn't have put that in there.

For my two gil, I would say either make the the lancer skills another part of her backstory (distinct in some way from her role as a shrine maiden) or incorporate them into her current narrative trajectory. It is true that the naginata was used by certain women in Japan in defensive and even military capacities, but the women who used them were somewhat different from the character you're describing:

1) Most of the female naginata-wielders were not warriors, but they would have been members of the warrior class/caste. Naginata may not have the same cultural significance as the set of samurai swords, but not just anyone would have them. They required a higher level of craftsmanship than other polearms (the construction process of the blade is no different from a katana), making them objects of value - part of a bride's dowry, even.

2) An onna bugeisha, the iconic naginata-wielding woman appearing in art or literature, was kinda on a different level from those who were simply trained in its use. This description of one Tomoe Gozen may have exaggerated some of her exploits (as so many legends do), but the perception of her as an emblematic "warrior woman" is not innaccurate:

...She was also a remarkably strong archer, and as a swords-woman she was a warrior worth a thousand, ready to confront a demon or a god, mounted or on foot. She handled unbroken horses with superb skill; she rode unscathed down perilous descents. Whenever a battle was imminent, Yoshinaka sent her out as his first captain, equipped with strong armor, an oversized sword, and a mighty bow; and she performed more deeds of valor than any of his other warriors.Â

TLDRÂ

I think that with her current history/origin story, Ryoko would not be quite that martially inclined, but the bow, and even some hand-to-hand combat, would be very appropriate. However, that certainly doesn't preclude her from learning its use now, and spearing Garleans with it like meat on a miq'abob.

Also, apologies if that was more about the naginata than you ever wished to know. It has so many interesting distinctions from other polearms; I always feel that if you're gonna use it, swing for the fences XD

Sylentmana · **09-04-2015, 01:05 PM**

(09-04-2015, 12:46 PM)Desitjant Wrote:
(09-03-2015, 04:18 PM)Sylentmana Wrote: As for the Lancer skills, that one is still a little iffy. I thought I could do something with the naginata as it was considered to be a feminine weapon in medieval Japan. I might just have to drop it from her background though and have her learn the skills later in Gridania. This is what I'm going to have her do for the Pugilist class, so in regards to her background, she actually hasn't learned any hand-to-hand combat techniques yet and I shouldn't have put that in there.

For my two gil, I would say either make the the lancer skills another part of her backstory (distinct in some way from her role as a shrine maiden) or incorporate them into her current narrative trajectory. It is true that the naginata was used by certain women in Japan in defensive and even military capacities, but the women who used them were somewhat different from the character you're describing:

1) Most of the female naginata-wielders were not warriors, but they would have been members of the warrior class/caste. Naginata may not have the same cultural significance as the set of samurai swords, but not just anyone would have them. They required a higher level of craftsmanship than other polearms (the construction process of the blade is no different from a katana), making them objects of value - part of a bride's dowry, even.

2) An onna bugeisha, the iconic naginata-wielding woman appearing in art or literature, was kinda on a different level from those who were simply trained in its use. This description of one Tomoe Gozen may have exaggerated some of her exploits (as so many legends do), but the perception of her as an emblematic "warrior woman" is not innaccurate:

...She was also a remarkably strong archer, and as a swords-woman she was a warrior worth a thousand, ready to confront a demon or a god, mounted or on foot. She handled unbroken horses with superb skill; she rode unscathed down perilous descents. Whenever a battle was imminent, Yoshinaka sent her out as his first captain, equipped with strong armor, an oversized sword, and a mighty bow; and she performed more deeds of valor than any of his other warriors.Â

TLDRÂ

I think that with her current history/origin story, Ryoko would not be quite that martially inclined, but the bow, and even some hand-to-hand combat, would be very appropriate. However, that certainly doesn't preclude her from learning its use now, and spearing Garleans with it like meat on a miq'abob.

Also, apologies if that was more about the naginata than you ever wished to know. It has so many interesting distinctions from other polearms; I always feel that if you're gonna use it, swing for the fences XD

That was very useful information, actually. I know the story of Tomoe Gozen from my Japanese Literature classes when I was in college and I was considering having Ryoko grow from a simple shrine maiden into a kind of divine onna bugeisha, so to speak. That largely depends on whether or not SE releases a Samurai class, though. Tongue

I do think I'll just have learn polearm skills later.

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