[img=http://fengshui-paintings.com/832-cherry-blossom-painting-1.jpg]

"Daichi-Aniue and my sister in law, Mizuho-sama... I write to you once again, praying that my words may reach you in the place of honor upon which you reside, looking over all in the Mitsumine household"

"Twelve winters have come and gone since the day of our parting, a date that to this day is a matter of great grief. Your departure from this world was the most tragic event of my entire life... and surely, if not for the gift you left behind, my heart would have been torn, my soul lost its path and my life forfeit"

"Your child is well, I'm pleased to write. To dedicate these years to caring and raising them has been as much an honor as it was a joy. In their actions and figure I see the reflection of both of his parents and such a sight I am brought reassurance and peace in a time of turmoil and worry. I have no regrets... I have done my best to protect them, to raise them and to see to their happiness. It shall never make for what they have lost... and seeing the person they have become under such a clumsy tutor as myself, I cannot but wonder the heights your child would have reached had you two been here to do a better job I'll ever be able to do"

"This winter was cold... but short. During its long nights, your child has turned eighteen years old... and no longer can I delay what is already true. It was never my place to rule the Mitsumine Clan and now that they have clearly passed into adulthood, it is their right and responsability to lead our people to their future. I tried to postpone it... despite their brightness, I still remember their tiny hand, barely able to wrap around my pinky as you held them Mizuho-sama. I remember their first steps, their first tears, their first words. To think that they must now stand front and center into the very world that took you two away shakes me to the core with a fear that I can hardly fight. This land was dangerous when you left it, beloved brother, esteemed sister... and I'm afraid that it has only grown darker and filled with more peril. Nobles wage their battles, on the field and their palaces, with swords and intrigue. Dark things move in the cover of shadows and evil things seem to move about our mortal world. I wish for nothing more than to forever keep this precious gift secure and under my vigil..."

"However, I gave my word... and with the passes opening up as the snow melts, as the trees fill with flowers and a new year is born... as spring comes, the last of my delays has been met. I promised them... this spring, when they are an adult for everyone to see, they shall come into their inheritance and become ruler of the Mitsumine. I doubt them not for a moment... I'm sure they shall make you as proud as I am. Of course, I shall remain at their side as long as they will have me... and at their shadow, should the time come when they can't stand the presence of this old man"

"For this I swear to you both, brother, sister, upon the graves and names of all our ancestors, on the love I have for you and your child. For as long as I draw breath, for as long as my blade doesn't rust, for as long as these bones and muscle hold me together, as I draw breath and my heart beats... I shall protect the precious life that was entrusted to my care. No matter what man, what army, what dark horror or God tries to bring harm to them, this blade and this body shall not stand idle. None shall pass through me for as long as I live to hurt this child that I love"

"This I, Mitsumine Takeshi, swear to you, brother, sister"

-----

Welcome to the Mitsumine Clan RP and thank you very much for your interest in reading so far. This RP will be set on an original setting of culture and customs similar to Ancient Japan. 

If you notice, the letter by Takeshi reads more than a bit awkwardly, specially since details are sparse about the child of Daichi and Mizuho. The reason for this is quite deliberate as I, the GM, won't be playing them. This is a somewhat asymmetrical RP on which I will take applications for the heir of the entire Mitsumine Clan. 

This character will be the one around which the RP will revolve, as their choices as head of the clan will strongly affect the story and what happens with their land and people. So far, only a few things are set in stone about the child. They are 18 years old and have been raised by their uncle Takeshi. They are about to assume leadership of their clan. Aside from that, due to their genes, they have the potential for exceptional physical conditions, spiritual power and a rare ability to naturally see the supernatural world. Potential is the key word here, as their player will be the one to ultimately decide which of these gifts manifest on their character. Their appearance, temperament, skills, backstory to a certain extend, studies, name and gender are all for them to decide. 

It stands without saying, that this position comes with a lot of responsibilities both for the character and the player. Please, do not apply for heir if you don't have the commitment or time to be certain to participate as the loss of the heir is near synonymous with the end of the RP. 

Aside from the heir, the rest of the players will also have the chance to play a variety of important characters. Loyal servants, retainers, minor lords under the Mitsumine, childhood friends, samurai of the Mitsumine, ninja killers of the clan, priests and priestesses of the Gods, youkai spirits from the unseen supernatural world and more are some of possibilities for characters in this game. While the heir marks the pace of the RP, the player characters in kind guide, protect and move the heir to their different ideals. Siblings of the heir are a possibility. 

As GM I shall be playing primarily Mitsumine Takeshi, the heir's uncle and guardian but I shall also play a variety of NPCs and move events based on the decisions made. Expect plenty of time skips as decisions are made and then we move forward to their consequence. 

This thread stands to gather interest, answer questions, obtain feedback on this idea and to apply for the position of heir. There is no character sheet for them, as this is a try out process and all I wish for applicants is to sell me their pitch for the heir. Describe who they are, what they act and look like, what are their talents, what do they think about inheriting the clan and such. The pitch I like the most, shall then get the position and then they shall make their sheet with everyone else in the OCC. Feel free to PM me your application or you may post it here. 

Once again, thank you very much for you attention.