Haru, the Thief

ADVERSARY | CONFLICT RANK: 2 3

Haru has fallen on desperate times: otherwise, he wouldn’t have stooped to hiding in a hinin hut. However, he is a practical man, one whose fortunes rise and fall erratically, and he comforts himself with the thought that next month he might be sleeping in far grander accommodations. Haru’s ambition and confidence are both his greatest assets and his most terrible flaws. He can skillfully impersonate a high-ranking courtier flawlessly for weeks and be treated like an honored guest by a host who’s too embarrassed to admit they can’t remember their distant cousin. Then, he’ll grow overconfident and make a mistake, such as claiming knowledge or a skill he lacks, prostrating himself before someone of inferior rank, or seducing his host’s spouse. He managed to do all three recently while staying in Hirosaka, and he left on foot with mounted samurai after him. He knew there was a good chance they’d ride through the village and check the forest, but there was little chance they would think to investigate a hinin hut.

Haru keeps his true origins a closely guarded secret. He has fabricated so many differing stories in his time there is a good chance he couldn’t remember the truth accurately anyway. He is of average height and build, with a pleasant but forgettable face, which he uses to his advantage. His deceptive nature and disregard for the Celestial Order may well offend samurai and possibly the villagers as well. Michi would be intrigued to learn of his existence, however, and may have a suggestion for his next endeavor. The monk

might tell Setsuo that Haru should be allowed to go to a monastery but secretly encourage Haru to find and join the Perfect Land Sect, which could put his skills to good use.

05 | 10 22 | 8 05 | 3

+2, –2

DEMEANOR - SHREWD

6

HONOR | ENDURANCE

GLORY | COMPOSURE

STATUS | FOCUS

VIGILANCE

SOCIETAL | PERSONAL

2 3 3 | 1 1

ARTISAN 0 MARTIAL 1 SCHOLAR 1 SOCIAL 2 | TRADE 1

ADVANTAGES | DISADVANTAGES

Persuasive: Social; Interpersonal

Ambitious Fool: Social; Interpersonal, Spiritual

FAVORED WEAPONS

Knife: Range 0, Damage 2, Deadliness 4/6, Concealable, Mundane, Razor-Edged

Gear (equipped): Ragged robes (Physical 1, Damaged)

ABILITIES

EXPERIENCED IMPERSONATOR Once per scene, Haru can change his demeanor to Ambitious (+2, –2), Assertive (+2, –2), Gruff (+2, –2), or Shrewd (+2, –2).