Horiuchi Rikako
From L5r: Legend of the Five Rings
| Horiuchi Rikako | |
|---|---|
| |
| Born: | c.1141 |
| Died: | - |
| Titles: | Advisor to the Shogun |
| People | |
Rikako, also known as "the Shugenja", is one of the Shogun's Advisors. After the death of her parents during the War of Spirits, Rikako was taken in by Horiuchi Shoan and trained in the arts of the shugenja from a very young age after showing much aptitude for it. At her gempukku, however, Rikako decided to decline an oath of fealty to the Horiuchi family and instead decided to wander the Empire. Her magic skills were honed after years of near-constant use, and many of her techniques are unique among the shugenja of the Empire. Her uniqueness is due mostly to as bargain called a 'geas' that she struck with a spirit in the Burning Sands. As a side effect of the geas, the fingernails on each of her hands has become long and black.[1]
Contents |
[edit] Kaneka
Rikako first met Kaneka in 1150. Not even ten years old, she helped nurse Kaneka back to health after he visited Horiuchi Shoan in a very poor state.[2]
[edit] Gift of the Shogun
When Kaneka decided he would offer his advisors as gifts to the Great Clans he sent a letter to Rikako asking her to make the arrangements. Rikako gathered the advisors, informed them of the task set before them and then met with the Shogun's lieutenant Shiba Danjuro. She showed Danjuro the letter, which asked him to make the announcement to the Empire.[3]
[edit] Joining the Unicorn
In 1167, Rikako rejoined the Unicorn Clan and after a meeting with Horiuchi Shem-Zhe, became Horiuchi Rikako. The Khan Moto Chagatai assigned her to work alongside Moto Tsusung until her loyalty could be proven.[4]
[edit] Studies
In 1168 Rikako was studying artifacts with Moto Tsusung when Moto Chen returned from the Shadowlands after the Battle at the Tomb. Chen presented a small jade model to Chagatai which Rikako believed was a fragment of the vessel that the Fortune of the Sea, Suitengu, used to travel between Ningen-do and Tengoku. Rikako and Tsusung were tasked by Chagatai to study the artifact and determine if it had any use to him.[5]
Rikako discovered that the boat had the ability to sail between the realms, and brought this news to Tsusung. Rikako's original idea was to sail to Meido and bring back Unicorn whom had died, but Tsusung refused the notion, knowing that the Shi-Tien Yen-Wang would take offense at souls being stolen from their realm. She then suggested seeking aid from the realm of Yomi, which the Lords of Death held no sway over, and Tsusung agreed.[6]
As a means of further solidifying ties between the Unicorn and the Mantis Clan, Rikako enlisted the aid of Moshi family daimyo Moshi Amika to share use of the kobune. Initially skeptical, Amika eventually relented and said she would aid the shugenja. They then traveled to Yomi, where they sought out Yoritomo to be their guide in the Realm of Blessed Ancestors. Yoritomo was able to lead them to the person they sought, Otaku Kamoko. The four then traveled to Tengoku, where Kamoko decided to take her place as Shinjo's yojimbo and defend her Lady's place while Shinjo was away. Yoritomo, too, decided to stay at Kamoko's reasoning that it was finally time for the Mantis to have a place in the Celestial Court.[6]
[edit] External Links
- Horiuchi Rikako (The Truest Test)
[edit] References
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