Dungeon Master: Ernie Hakey
Here is the current player list, and their characters. Characters are human unless specified otherwise. Noble characters have their Clan affiliation shown also, and some other info noted for spellcasters... Players will have decent knowledge about each others characters, although the characters themselves may be secretive.
As mentioned, the players will have more information about each others' characters than the characters themselves might -- here is my current understanding of how the characters generated so far appear to others:
Ginny's character "Isaku" and wolf "Raji" -- I don't believe he has any qualms about revealing what he is, though he may not be obvious or outspoken about it either. He will clearly be seen to be a monk, and also have some shamanistic items about his person -- which of the two clases he perceives himself as primarily won't be so clear, however. And, of course, the fact that a wild-looking wolf seems to follow him about almost like a pet is a clue to his shamanistic powers... Whatever you do, don't pet the puppy!
Pete's character "Zenako" -- she will clearly be seen to be a samurai of the Unicorn clan by appearance, and proudly bears the dai-sho ("long-and-short", i.e. katana and wakizashi) and the daikyu ("great bow", i.e. long composite bow, which actually has a shorter and more curved lower portion and a longer, straighter upper portion, suitable for use from horseback) which are reserved for use by the upper classes. The fact that she has some training as a sohei won't be obvious right away...but the first time she fights in a ki frenzy may be a clue for the more observant characters.
Jon's character "Noku" -- the fact that his background is as an Aristocrat will NOT be obvious to other characters -- as far as they are concerned, the character is just a Wu Jen riding a pony! He does carry a short composite bow -- the most common bow carried by non-noble Drakaran warriors -- but anyone could use a feat to become proficient in a martial weapon, or perhaps the character does have some other background which allows him to use it, most combat-oriented classes would suffice. In any case, the character has spent several years living as a wu jen, in non-elegant conditions, and his background is essentially irrelevant to his current situation...
Orion's character "Ashi" -- she is relatively young for a 2nd level Shugenja, and a bit tall for a woman -- and very self-assured! In stylish disregard for the most common practise, she wears very nicely made leather armor, which clearly shows off her Scorpion Clan affiliation -- along with the traditional mask worn by Scorpions -- as she figures if the many Rogue/Shugenjas that are found primarily amongst the Scorpions can get away with wearing leather armor, why not her too?!? Her armor incorporates designs that reflect her Soshi (Air) school affiliation, and fits her figure very nicely...very well made indeed! (The figure as well as the armor...)
Mike's character "Gorvak" -- he is obviously a short hairy pale-faced dwarf -- i.e. a typical Korobokuru, with blue eyes and light brown hair, wearing ashigaru armor and bearing a shortsword, dagger, and short composite bow. Since all Korobokuru are Barbarians by definition (in Drakara anyways), that's clearly the first thing that comes to mind -- and they tend to be tough little guys, ffierce warriors, so that is probably the second thing that comes to mind. But this guy doesn't seem to be totally barbaric, at least he wears armor that fits in, and his weapons are not outlandish by any means... Looks like a native guide, in fact! At least if you want to go out into The Wilderness.
Spencer's character "Kit" -- she is a very alluring young (?) woman (at least as far as the characters can tell, she is NOT obviously non-human to look at, in fact she is very pleasing to look at, a real foxy lady!), somewhat exotic in appearance (part of her allure). Hard to say from looking at her what her skills are -- but she does carry an odd-looking shortsword and scabbard, that of the Ninja-to, the typical sword carried by Drakaran rogues and assassins...
Eric's character "Hatori" and monkey "Saru" -- he is clearly of high social rank, with his elegant clothes and very self-assured manner, but does not appear to be extremely arrogant -- indeed, he has a pet monkey which goes almost everywhere with him! (Yeah, it won't take long to figure out that the monkey is smarter than your average animal, and indeed is the sorceror's familiar.) He wears a chain shirt and bears a wakizasi and a daikyu, both prerogatives of the upper classes of course, and belongs to the Miya family, probably the most respected of the imperial vassal families amongst the nobles and common folk alike, as they are the most diplomatic of the imperials.
David's character - "Til'k" -- he is a Nezumi (ratling) with a formidable set of teeth. He served as a temple scout at Waterstone Temple, and joined the group at the recommendation of the abbess. His full name is Til'k'chek, but most humans call him Til'k. He appears to have a scimitar at his side and might be wearing some type of armor under his robes.
Laura's character "Mulan" -- she will be seen to be a ranger of the Crab clan by appearance (belonging to the Hiruma family), and proudly bears the yumi (short composite bow) and naginata. This expert tracker can find her favored enemy, the Giants, with little problem, especially in her favorite terrain, mountains and hills.
Chiron's character - "Birkat" -- he is a barbarian weapon master and master of the Tulwar (i.e. Falchion). A native of these forests yet unusual for such a one, he is also a decent rider with a light warhorse. For equipment, he has very nice lamellar armor, a tulwar of course, and a well-made and powerful yumi which is his only other apparent weapon.
Steve's character - "Kabuto" -- he is Samurai, with some training as a Monk as is appropriate for a Dragon Clan samurai, and has begun training in the ancestral school of the Mirumoto Niten Master, the School of Two Swords. He is approximately 5'9" and over 180 lbs, wears a mithril chain shirt with well made dastanas, proudly bears his ancestral daisho as well as a fine mighty daikyu, and rides a sturdy gray mare named Cloud.
David's previous character (RIP) "Zazu" -- he is a somewhat nondescript fellow, even a little unkempt -- a bit atypical for a monk, perhaps, but does have a few weapons about his person, including some commonly associated with monks, as well as a well-made short composite bow. His eyes seem to be always shifting about, not exactly furtively, but...maybe he is just a little nervous. And he certainly moves well enough, as one would expect from a monk.