Ruby Ayori

Ruby Ayori was Daimyo of House Simian and mother of Sweet Capucine, the current Daimyo. She died 3 years ago.

Ruby Ayori, daughter of a High Templar and the Champion of House Simian, became Daimyo of her House by virtue of her skills with words. Though a master diplomat and cunning negociator, she rose to the occasion when challenged, being also a master of the Black Claw style of martial arts.

But before she ever became Daimyo, when she was still innocent, she hoped to be the Voice of her King-Kami. When the time came for an Auspicious Debate to be held, after the passing and mourning of Still Winters, Voice of the Kami for 17 years, she presented herself to the Courts of Unagi.

The Auspicious Debate was held, and there came to be only two contenders; the young Ruby Ayori of House Simian, and the King-Kami's wife, Queen Kachiko. It was said that Kachiko had never lost an argument; that it was how she first became Daimyo of House Otomo and then Wife of the Eternal King-Kami Hantei.

The Debate captivated the Courts and enthralled the assembled nobles. Once over, it was the unknown, the young Ruby Ayori, that was declared winner. The celebrations, however, were cut short. At the feast held at the closing of the event, young Ruby Ayori was insulted, her Honor slighted in front of the Courts of all Gozeiki no Bano Kami Kantaro. The King-Kami, at the feast, announces his choice and unveils who will be his Voice and Speak his Words, traditionaly naming the Auspicious Debate's winner as Voice of the Kami. This time, however, Ruby Ayori was ignored, the King instead naming the Queen, Kachiko, Voice of the Kami.

The shame would have been ennough to break lesser women. But Ruby Ayori, neither young nor innocent anymore, came back to her House. Within a season, she won her place as Daimyo. For years, she led her House and her Clan with confidence and brought it riches and good fortune. At every opportunity however, she opposed the Queen. Unless the cost of her actions too great for her Clan, she stood against the Voice of the Kami, resolute and unmoving. This attitude drove the relations between House Simian and the First House as a whole to an uneasy weariness for much of the past two decades.

Her death at the hands of bandits and the rise of her daughter as new Daimyo might usher in a renewal in Void Monkey diplomacy.