Character Creation and Edge Cases

I will attempt to keep as simple as possible:

45 Character Points

• Disadvantages: No more than 10 points can be achieved via Disadvantages. (As per the base rules). Taking more disadvantages does not give extra points. These are not offset by Advantages, you may only get 10 points total (not 10 points + advantage buy off).
• Heritage: Everyone must take 1 heritage table roll. This will be done by me at the first session. You may purchase the other 2 rolls normally, please let me know if you intend to do so- they will also be rolled first session. A negative result should result in some good role-play. 
• Ronin: If you chose to be Ronin, please describe the circumstances around your Ronin Status. Ronin may not take improved status advantages. 
• Status: Any increase of status will imply coming from a respected family or having important contacts. You will not be starting out with any authority positions, and having a higher status number does not mean you are necessarily "in charge". It might mean, for example, your cousin is a magistrate, so people tend to respect you a bit more in case you tell on them. 
• Monks: I will allow Monks. A school monk (such as Dragon Tattooed man) are normal. Full monks may not multiclass into other classes and may not be a multi-class from other classes. Monks may not take improved glory or status advantages. 
• Levelling Up: You automatically gain your insight rank when relevant, but do not automatically gain access to your next school technique. If you are reasonably somewhere where you can take some time to study with a mentor, great. Otherwise you might need to wait to gain the next technique. Also, if you end up getting disowned or have certain disadvantages, you might not be able to reasonably get trained and may end up being better with Ronin Schools. 
• Courtiers: Bushi and Shugjenga will have big roles to play, but based on other campaings, this might feel more geared towards Courtiers- but that's because courtiers tended to have nothing to do in most campaigns. They are meant to be viable. 
• Common Sense: In case it needs to be said... you are human. You are samurai. You are not secretly peasants or shapechanged naga or something. You are not a tainted blood magic user. You can choose to play any kind of glory, honor type, though the world and characters will react appropriately. You should probably not have a hatred for clans the other PCs belong to. 

I really intend to try to focus on the world and role-play. Having the most powerful character doesn't necessarily translate into being the best or most effective character. Also, some social disadvanages might have hidden perks that get revealed during the game. 

Gender Preference: Some advantages or disadvantages are relevant to "people who are attracted to you." Each PC should have a gender and a gender preference. Being Bisexual/Asexual is a disadvantage or advantage.

Disadvantage: Bisexual (1 point): You are attracted to both genders and thus anyone with the relevant abilities can take advantage of a lustful disadvantage or a bonus based on their own advantages.
Advantage: Asexual (1 point): You are completely uninterested in sexuality. If you must have sex to produce an heir, the process is not pleasurable, and if a male, it might be impossible. No one gains any special advantages for being considered attractive, and you cannot get any lustful disadvantages.

Advantage: Androgenous (2 points): You are generally attractive to both genders despite their sexual preference. Perhaps you are a man with a very feminine look, or a woman with powerful features. In any case, both genders tend to find you attractive, allowing you to take advantage of such advantages more frequently.
Disadvantage: Unattractive (1 point): You are unattractive. You get -1k0 to social skill rolls (an extra -1dk1 on any seduction rolls), and may not take advantage of any ability that requires people to "be attracted to you."

Just because you are of the correct gender generally doesn't mean people are attracted to you, and just because you didn't take dangerous beauty doesn't mean they aren't. (Though dangerous beauty is a good way to ensure that most people who could be, are). People can become attracted to you based on your reputation (glory, honor, status) or your use of high skills (poetry, artisan, acting, deceit[seduction]). Different people might have different things they are attracted to and using these skills can be ways of gaining use of the relevant advantages.

Reputation: Your reputation (glory, honor, status) may fluctuate. The campaign will probably not gear well to someone seeking to maximize them. Being embarrassed in public might lower your glory, and you may be put in situations where the honorable thing may not be the "morally right" thing to do. Status might be gained or lost during the campaign. Please do not take it personally or make a character who cannot function when there are losses to these things.

Backstory:

The characters backstories should be simple, and every advantage and disadvantage should fit into your backstory. It's okay to have enemies and allies, favors, etc- but don't expect that every other mission will fit directly into resolution of something from your backstory. Also, how much could you really have accomplished as a 13 year old who hasn't completed your Gempukku? 

The PCs have recently completed their Gempukku. As such they are all 14 years old. Keep this in mind when developing your backstory, as it may be difficult to justify some crazy concepts. Any status increases you take as advantages will not translate to positions of actual authority, but might be based on you being close to someone in a position of power.

With a bit of hand-waiving, the 14 year old characters will be treated in all ways like modern 18 year old adults. They are of marrying age, and will be assumed to be fully physically developed.

Progression:

Progression will likely be slow, as this will be my first time running, but I will be making attempts to involve matters of court, war, and magic in fairly equal measure. I will try to make sure there is always something the Bushi, Courtier, and Shugenja can be doing. (Monks might be able to fill either role based on their build).


(PLEASE SEE SETTING FOR SOME ADDITIONAL NOTES)