Hino Kazumi (D. Hill) - Onna Bugeisha of Clan Kozakana, from Shimosa. Her foolish daimyo was defeated by a rival clan through intrigue and warfare, and Kozakana lands were absorbed by the Eastern Court and its allied clans. Her prestigious cavalry unit was dissolved, and the women were forced back to their traditional roles as samurai wives and mothers rather than warriors. She refused and took her sword on the road as a ronin, using her social skills to blend in and disappear.
Miyamoto Tatsuzo (C. Hill) - Swordmaster and samurai of Clan Kozakana, from Shimosa. His foolish daimyo was defeated by a rival clan through intrigue and warfare, and Kozakana lands were absorbed by the Eastern Court and its allied clans. Rather than enter service with the Imperial Court in Edo or with the rival clan, he decided to take to the road as a ronin, selling his services to those willing to pay. Tatsuzo is notably grim-looking and extremely strong, much more so than his build would imply.
Santō no Kai (B. Cooklish) - Yamabushi, a former samurai from a minor clan in Dewa. He left service to study Shugendo in the mountains far from settled lands. After learning the essentials of spiritual practice, he encountered a strange master who trained him in far more esoteric combat arts. He still does not know why the mountain master shared these deadly skills, but he seeks his purpose on the road. Santo no Kai was lost in the spirit world beyond the Island Gate and has not been seen again.
Yamayoshi no Kingoro Ujimori-san, aka "Sannensai" (J. Spivey) - Young master of archery from the farthest corners of Mutsu Province. A man of rough manners and low reputation despite his prowess, Kingoro left his lands in hopes of avenging his brothers and father, all of whom fell afoul of a nobleman in the capital city of Kyoto.
Nitsuki no Kōkatsu, aka "Unlucky Kō" (B. Dean) - Disowned samurai from Izumi, found himself unemployed and disaffiliated through misfortune while in Edo. Due to his affiliations with international trade in the great port city of Sakai, Nitsuki no Kōkatsu is unusually well-traveled. He carries a strangely decorated katana and a dagger of non-Japanese manufacture.
Muramoto Yukichi (S. Stang) - Former low-ranked samurai and semi-successful Sumo wrestler from Mikawa Province in the east, came to Kyoto looking to start over and fell in with Goto's Company. Yukichi is taller and heavier than most men and looks deceptively soft in his face and body. This is also helped by his friendly demeanor and quiet stubbornness. In reality, he is ferociously strong and faster than his enemies expect him to be. Yukichi is best known for fighting with a tetsubo, as he once managed to kill a horse and rider with a single blow in a battle. He has a weakness for good food, expensive clothes, and the ability to yell more loudly than anyone else when needed.
Kuri Sumimoto (C. Smith) - Kuri Sumimoto is a veteran pirate from Shiwaba, in Iyo Province. He and his comrades have plundered and pillaged around the Seto Inland Sea for years, but things have slowed as the Mongols have increased their activities. When the famous and dreaded "Spears of Kamigoryo" arrived in the region and laid claim to the Noto Peninsula, Kuri saw which way the wind was blowing and threw in his lot with the new samurai lords of the region. Kuri is greedy, vengeful (especially towards the Mongols), and a fearsome fighter.
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