Alt-Onin - NPC's for the Trip (Updated as needed)

You aren't a scruffy pack of ronin anymore, fellows. Now you are an expedition to Shikoku, dispatched to punish those who would deny rightful taxes due to an Imperial Prince. You are legitimate now, bona fide, and that means you have a baggage train. 

Prince Akihiro's Representative

Brother Hofuku - A young man of 21, trained as a Shingon monk but not really cut out for it. He serves the Takatsukasa family as an accountant, managing the estate's financial affairs after the original accountant died of very old age. He is not a fighter, though Prince Akihiro states that he is brave enough for this sort of trip. Akihiro admonishes you to not allow any harm to befall him. As the business manager for the trip, Brother Hofuku manages the money but does not give any orders.

Ronin of Goto's Company

Ogino Korekiyo, "The Thief" - A former bandit and ji-zamurai from Tusa Province on Shikoku, Korekiyo escaped execution by local authorities on Shikoku and became a warrior in Hosokawa service. Balding with long hair in the back, he is of average build and unremarkable appearance beyond his lean, sharp face and narrow eyes. Korekiyo is well-versed in most things related to theft, robbery, and petty crimes; he is cunning, stealthy, and quiet. As a fighter, he prefers to strike and fade, avoiding a stand-up fight when possible. Korekiyo usually fights with a spear, but he carries a katana as well. He is brave enough to perform risky missions, but values his life above most goals - money being the sole exception; Korekiyo intends to die rich.

Tezuka Kane, "The Ladies' Man" - Once a samurai in service with the Hatakeyama in Noto Province, Kane was infamous for his constant dalliances, including with the wives of other men. Eventually, this lifestyle caused a dereliction of duty, and he was cashiered out in disgrace. Kane headed out on the road as a wandering ronin and has been pretty happy being rootless and aimless other than enjoying life as a bon vivant. Kane sees himself as a sort of knight errant, righting wrongs as he travels about. He rarely has a plan and tends to go where the adventure takes him. Kane has a rugged, handsome appearance, with a muscular build, an impish grin, and a scruffy beard. Oddly, he usually has female companions within hours of arriving somewhere, as well as a network of admirers across Japan.

Tsuda Joben, "The Pirate" - Joben is an infamous pirate from Sakai, known and feared as the leader of a vicious band of corsairs that operated in the eastern portion of the Inland Sea. The pirate band was wiped out a few years ago, and Joben switched careers to a mercenary/ronin. He is highly charismatic and skilled at matters related to piracy, though he still feels guilt about the death of his crew and friends and will shun leadership roles for the rest of his life. He is mainly motivated by a desire for loot and material comforts, as well as a strong thirst for wine. Joben has an eyepatch on his left eye from an arrow wound, but he is so practiced at life without one eye that he suffers no penalties, even against his blindside. Unlike many warriors, Joben is educated in siege weaponry and the use of gunpowder.

The Commoner Laborers from Sakai
 

These are the NPC's who will be charged with carrying their stuff, cooking meals, et cetera. These attendants are generally non-combatants, commoners who serve as attendants because it is better than being stuck on a farm or toting boxes. All have served as military laborers, ashigaru, or both. They are not disposable, but in general, will obey any command given with a minimum of grumbling since they are being paid $300/month. All have Professional Skill (Attendant)-12, Animal Handling-11, Spear-11, and Savoir Faire-11, in addition to the usual commoner skills. Below is a list of the unique skills and traits that each of the attendants has.

• Zaemon (Kazu's Attendant): Zaemon is tall and thin, with a warm smile. He is honest and hardworking, values his good reputation; strives to earn the respect of all. He was once an archer in some minor daimyo’s army, and hopes someday to be an ashigaru again; Bow-12, First Aid-12, Singing-12;

• Genichi (Kingoro's Attendant): An idealistic but poor young man trying to start a new life with aspirations of becoming a samurai, Genichi is honest, hardworking, values his word, and holds honor more important than life; Stealth-12, Scrounging-12, Climbing-12;

• Jotaro (Unlucky Ko's Attendant): Jotaro is large, hairy, and unkempt, obviously quite strong, but not particularly bright looking. He is uncouth and boorish, values his friends (who tolerate him), but is untrusting of others until they prove themselves. Despite his flaws, he is a hard worker; Carousing-12, Brawling-12, Carpentry-12

• Juzo (Tatsuzo's Attendant): Juzo is a wiry old man with a mostly toothless smile and a battered biwa. Despite his age, he is fit and strong and has a way with animals. He is amiable, well-mannered, a quietly pious Buddhist who serves his master loyally above all; Diplomacy-12, Musical Instrument (Biwa)-12, Animal Handling-12;

• Zensuke: Zensuke is an older man, covered with scars and shifty-eyed and watchful. He is greedy and jealous of others. Zensuke worries about being disgraced by others, and works quite hard as long as someone can see him doing it; his only other virtue is that he knows both Unlucky Ko and Tsuda the Pirate by reputation, and will not cross either one. Knife-12, Cooking-12, Riding-12

• Hachiro: Hachiro is of athletic build, with a shaved head and quiet demeanor. He is a devout Nichiren Buddhist, and values enlightenment. To the amusement of the others, he hopes to become a monk someday; Stealth-12, Teamster-12, First Aid-12;

• Shichiro: A middle-aged man with a hard facial expression, Shichiro is industrious and frugal, values his word, and believes people should know their place; Brawling-12, Scrounging-12, Swimming-12;