If you were from Rokugan, how would you react to this character?

[Storyteller01]

One of the players in our group, while very effective, doesn't get a whole lot of time in the limelight. I'm planning an adventure to reverse that, at least for a little while.

The short version: The players will be visiting a world very much like Rokugan. All the other players are non-human, and either chaotic or evil. However, the builder is LG and fey. While the other players will be (if they're lucky) getting the cold shoulder, he'll register as a very honorable nature spirit.

Anyone have suggestions as how to best handle this?

Edit: All the players are non-human. Sorry.

 

[moritheil]

I think the Kuni witch hunters should attempt to eradicate the others in the group, while treating him with respect. That seems to be the general sort of answer you seek.

 

[Crothian]

Outsiders expecially ones not from the setting would be treated with rude politeness. The characters would have to earn respect and could easily step on someone's honor and get themselves in trouble. The fey character might be seen as something special depending on who he encounters and what he appears as.

 

[Storyteller01]

Appearance-wise, think a Tiny or Small (he can change size at will) anthropomorphic hedgehog. He has a muzzle and soft quills that take the place of his hair and run down his back. The quills have a slightly metallic texture.


No, his name is not Sonic...

 

[Crothian]

Appearance-wise, think a Tiny or Small (he can change size at will) anthropomorphic hedgehog. He has a muzzle and soft quills that take the place of his hair and run down his back. The quills have a slightly metallic texture.

Commoners could be scared of him by sight depending on if that shapes happens to resemble something they know of. I can see something with metalic quills being mistaken for something that they need to get rid of.

 

[Storyteller01]

Odds are they'll run into nobility first, but you'r right; the whole group might get linched if they're not careful.

Some other facts, in case they may be needed (magic is funny that way):

1) The fey specializes in natural crafting. Either his creations are made with natural components (via a 3rd party feat) or they possess an organic motif.

EDIT: natural as in still living or growing, requiring dedicated maintainence. Living wooden chairs, crystal neckalces, etc.

2) The fey belongs to a group that focuses on altruism. It's similar to fairy tale of the shoemaker and the brownie that helped him. It's so ingrained that the character actually risks level loss if he demands or accepts any payment beyond some food and scraps left over from the work. He doesn't have to accept a job, but he can't work simply for payment.

EDIT: Or for selfish personal gain. He cannot make items just to gain a reputation.

3) Materials he uses while crafting become the best possible quality. Shoe heels become finely cured leather, slag becomes high end steel, etc. Accepting scraps usually isn't a problem.

 

[ValhallaGH]

The hedgehog will be seen as an oddity until he makes a sword of masterful quality as a gift to someone, then he will be one of the most honored craftscreatures in the land. (Remember the Rokugani abhorence of dead flesh, including leather goods.)

The ones that smash societal codes will likely be challenged to duels and killed, or murdered by ninja, unless hedgehog can get the party protected fairly quickly.

Rokugani-esq societies are tough to deal with because they are so different from the western societies that most of us are used to. It's important for everyone, not just the DM, to have at least an OOC grasp of how things work. It's very useful if all the characters have a similar grasp.
Good Luck.

 

[moritheil]

Odds are they'll run into nobility first, but you'r right; the whole group might get linched if they're not careful.

Nobility are actually least likely to want to kill them straight off. Remember the Egg of P'an Ku debacle, wherein intrigue resulted in a dangerous artifact being loosed by one faction in an enemy faction's base? The party should worry about being used as much as about being slain.

 

[Storyteller01]

The hedgehog will be seen as an oddity until he makes a sword of masterful quality as a gift to someone, then he will be one of the most honored craftscreatures in the land. (Remember the Rokugani abhorence of dead flesh, including leather goods.)

Forgot about the leather! Thanks! Half the group will be ostericized for their trench coats alone!

 

[SteelDraco]

There's a lot of different people in Rokugan, so what kind of reception you'd get would depend on who you met. Running into a Crab patrol first would result in a much different reception than a Crane courtier, or a Mantis trader (who have probably met gaijin before).

Are you going to have them stay around long enough to get involved in the politics of the place, or are they just going to stay enough to see that it's a very dfiferent culture, and go home?