Matsui Toru
Matsui Toru, Sensei
Physical Description
General Physical Condition
Toru is physically powerful, owing to years studying various forms of kendo, karate, aikido, and jujutsu. His movements are fluid and delivered with speed, force, and precision. His style is hard and relentless. He favours sudden, intense strikes and drives hard against his target.
Specialized Equipment
Mental characteristics
Personal history
The son of a samurai lord of good standing, Toru’s life was unremarkable and on a completely predictable path until an earthquake and tsunami killed his family and wiped their small coastal fief from the face of the land. Toru sought service with his father’s daimyo, but being the sole survivor of a disaster was not viewed as a stroke of luck or divine favour. Toru was seen as a harbinger of tragedy, at best an ill omen, at worst a walking curse. While the daimyo could have ordered Toru to commit seppuku, he decided to let the young man find his fortune somewhere his past would not overshadow him. He denied him permission to end his life, and ordered him exiled from Kozakura instead.
Toru spent a short time in Shou Lung, but found too much that reminded him of his home. Any of his countrymen travelling abroad treated his exile as dishonour on top of his curse. Toru considered ending his own life regardless, but grew determined to triumph over his circumstances and become a warrior to be reckoned with. Finding a caravan from a far away land called Cormyr, trading with the Shou for silk, Toru joined their employ as a simple guard and made the long journey into the west. Arriving first in Cormyr, he started on his way towards the Sword Coast to see the great cities rumoured to be found there.
Education
Toru studied with several different martial instructors, learning the basic forms of several arts in his youth. For a period, he had the privilege to study under the swordmaster Goto Ieyasu, but his exile prevented him from completing his tutelage.
Morality & Philosophy
Matsui's philosophical training favoured immediacy and existing in the moment over deliberate thought, honing his perception and spatial awareness more than his analytical mind, though he does possess a keen mind as well.
Matsui has authored the philosophy of Matsudo-Ryu, the guiding tenets of his school of swordsmanship.
Personality Characteristics
Motivation
I lament the loss of my homeland, but the natural beauty of this place brings me solace.
I owe it to the memory of my father to exemplify the honour of my clan, even if they no longer acknowledge me.
Virtues & Personality perks
I have a strong code of honour that others don’t comprehend.
Vices & Personality flaws
I am not so secretly convinced of the superiority of my own culture over that of this foreign land.
I have little patience for excessive deliberation, which for me means anything more than a minute or two.
Personality Quirks
I have a quirky and dry sense of humour that catches people off guard.
Social
Religious Views
Toru retains the practices of the Eight Million Gods in this strange land, but also respects the evolving code of Tempus's Honor and the teachings of Torm.
Social Aptitude
Coming from a culture where respect was expected based on his station, Toru is less adept at flattery and persuasion than those of similar noble standing in Faerun. Circumstance has forced him to swallow much of his samurai pride since his exile, replacing it with a more refined self awareness. That being said, while he can tolerate minor insults from ignorant gaijin, someone determined to arouse his ire will find Toru more than willing to respond in kind.
Relationships
A skilled ronin, exiled from his family but determined to find honor in his new home.
View Character ProfileMatsudo-Ryu Honor Sword
The Exile of Matsui Toru
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