Hida Benimaru

Hida Benimaru is a towering, broad-shouldered figure with the muscular build typical of the Hida family. His face is weathered and scarred from countless battles against the forces of the Shadowlands. He has a stern, almost grim expression that rarely softens, reflecting the seriousness with which he approaches his duties.

Attire: He wears the dark blue and gray colours of the Crab Clan, with a well-maintained suit of armour that he rarely removes. His armour is adorned with the Crab mon, and he carries a sturdy tetsubo, a spiked club, which he wields with deadly efficiency.

Personality:

Dedicated: Benimaru is utterly committed to his duty of protecting the jade shipments, understanding the vital role jade plays in defending Rokugan from the taint of the Shadowlands. His focus on defense over commerce sometimes puts him at odds with the Yasuki advisors who prefer to prioritize trade and profit.
Grim and Stoic: He is known for his no-nonsense attitude and serious demeanour. Benimaru speaks bluntly and values honesty and directness, which can make him seem unapproachable to those not familiar with the ways of the Crab.
Protective: Benimaru is deeply protective of those under his care. He has a particular soft spot for the Heimin  and merchants involved in the jade trade, seeing their safety as his personal responsibility.

Goals:

Primary Objective: His main goal is to ensure the safe transport of jade from the nearby mountains back to the Crab Clan  strongholds in the south. This involves organizing and leading heavily-armed convoys, constantly being on the lookout for threats both mundane and supernatural.
Secondary Objective: While he understands the importance of the Yasuki Family commercial interests, he prioritizes defence and security. He often has to balance these interests, ensuring that trade routes remain safe and that the Crab Clan’s wealth is protected.

Rumor

Mysterious Past: There are whispers that Benimaru once faced a powerful oni single-handedly and barely survived, an encounter that left him with his most prominent scar. Some say he still has nightmares about it, but none would dare mention this to his face.

Overly Cautious: Benimaru focus on defence can sometimes make him overly cautious, reluctant to take risks even when they might yield significant benefits. This has led to some tension with the more enterprising Yasuki advisors who wish to see more aggressive trade expansion.

Connections in Sora no Machi:

Yasuki Emi: A Yasuki merchant who serves as his chief advisor. They often clash over priorities, but she respects his dedication and has learned to present her commercial strategies in a way that highlights their benefits to the clan’s security.

Shiba Kiyoshi: As the Phoenix officer responsible for the security of the province, Kiyoshi and Benimaru have a professional relationship based on mutual respect. They often collaborate to ensure that the jade shipments pass through the province without incident.

Asami : The Jade Leaf Tea House  owner who occasionally provides discreet meeting places for Benimaru dealings with local merchants. Benimaru appreciates her discretion and the neutrality of her establishment, finding it a useful place to conduct business without attracting undue attention.