Katsuro

The Ronin's Path Katsuro once served Lord Hakuro, a noble daimyo known for his wisdom and compassion. As the lord's most trusted retainer, Katsuro embodied the seven virtues of Bushido—but it was his unwavering Loyalty (Chugi) that would become his tragedy. When Lord Hakuro was betrayed by a rival clan, Katsuro fought with feral ferocity to defend his master. The battle raged through the castle corridors—Katsuro's blade sang death to twenty men before a dishonorable archer's arrow found his lord's heart. Katsuro slew the assassin, but it was too late. His master fell, and with him, Katsuro's purpose. Now ronin—masterless, wandering, bearing the scar across his eye as a mark of his failure—Katsuro continues to walk the path of Bushido, though no banner flies above him. He cannot abandon the code that defines him, even when the world has abandoned him. The Seven Virtues He Lives By Rectitude (Gi) - He acts with moral righteousness, never striking the innocent, never taking coin for dishonorable work Courage (Yu) - The scar over his eye came from facing an entire squadron alone to buy his lord time to escape Benevolence (Jin) - He protects villages from bandits, asking only for rice and shelter, never gold Respect (Rei) - He bows to peasants and elders with the same reverence he once gave lords Honesty (Makoto) - His word is his bond. If Katsuro speaks it, it is truth Honor (Meiyo) - Better to starve than steal. Better to die than break his word Loyalty (Chugi) - Though Hakuro is gone, Katsuro remains loyal to his memory, visiting his grave each full moon His Current Path-Katsuro wanders the Twilight Provinces, a blade for hire to the righteous, death to the wicked. Some call him a ghost. Others, a guardian spirit. He sleeps under open skies, meditates at dawn, and practices his forms beneath the moon. He seeks redemption—not for himself, but for the failure to save his lord. He waits for a new master worthy of his loyalty or a cause worthy of his final breath.