Zhang Wei, the Fighter

This one is for everyone to discuss, but naturally I will give Squad's input more weight.

Nobles in Qing'lai are 100% slug-men. None of them are warriors - all are scholars of some sort. Are you perhaps from somewhere else, like Yatpun, where it's rumored (if you'll believe those who claim to have been to that mysterious and barbaric land) that warlords rule the land under a warrior noble overlord called a Shōgun? Or perhaps the Opal City grants feudal fiefdoms to petty warlords in the frontier lands, to guard against orc incursions from the Barrior Mountains, or marauders on the fringes of the Haunted Desert? Perhaps you have other ideas? Let's hear them!

After we have established the nature of your nobility I'd like you to tell us: What caused your family's downfall? What do you believe it would take to restore your family's honor?

My character's family had loyally served the Opal City for several generstions. My character's ancester was awarded the fiefdom for showing loyalty and bravery during a particular savage incursion by the various Orc tribes of the Barrier Mountains.

As time went on it was shown that the family were just and honorable leaders. They were even shrewd businessmen who handled the local imports and exports in a manner that allowed the family's coffers to overflow with wealth.

It was during the time of my character's grandfather that a charge of treason was laid against the noble family. As they fought to prove their innocence, it turns out that those they thought of as allies were in fact plotting to gain the wealth of the family.

Even with those allies they did have, they were no match for the power of their enemies. So it was decreed that the family were found guilty and stripped of title, lands, wealth, and honor.

As my character was growing up he was told stories of how great his family had been. Yet, he thought they were just that..stories. It was on the death bed of his father that he was told the truth.

So now with armed with the truth and a sword that's been in his family for generations, he sets out to regain what was lost.

Great stuff! What saved your grandfather from a sentence of death for his supposed treason? How do you feel about those who wronged your family? How do you plan to restore your family's honor?

Zhang's grandfather took a forced exile of his entire family and left the area. The alternative was death for pretty much the entire male line.

Zhang is definitely looking for vengeance and wants to prove his family's innocence. While he knows he will find some with the tip of a sword, he's smart enough to know patience and investigating will bring him the rest.

Was grandfather given self-exile as a choice or did they basically flee for their lives? The latter would make Zhang Wei a fugitive.

I like a challenge, so if you don't think it'd be impossible to play, let's go with the fugitive angle.

How would you recommend the background for Zhang Wei? He pretty much found out the truth by a death bed confession. How recognizable would his family name be if he say...dropped it at an inn or other place?

I'll leave the Zhang clan's level of notoriety up to you. Can you name the rival clan that betrayed yours?

Let's go with Li Jie. He's the current head of the clan that betrayed Zhang Wei. He presented falsified evidence and either bullied or paid off witnesses and the other people needed to make it believable. They did it in order to gain the lands and the wealth that came with it.

As far as Zhang Wei's notoriety level...I say keep it realistic. It's been a good number of years since his grandfather fled. So I say in most places his name may not mean much. Yet the more of a reputation he builds and the more people hear about him...sooner or later the right/wrong person will get wind of it. That's when things get interesting.

Xian owes me their life, wether they admit it or not.

I have sworn to protect Rong Huao

I worry about the ability of Wu Meng to survive.

Iko is soft, but I will make them hard like me.

Life debt sounds sweet, got any details regarding it atm or does it relate to my bond?

I have no solid ideas, but I do like the idea of it relating to your bond. Perhaps it could deal with how we met?

I see two potential ways: Wei had the opportunity to kill Feng and instead spared her. There was a disagreement over what sacrifice truly meant -Wei lost his position and Feng lost her normal life- which resorted to blows.

The nicer option is the two have fought together and Wei saved her life. I wouldn't be surprised if there are people who wish Feng's death for multiple reasons linked to her current occupation.

@somebox- how about a rough combination of both
They could have fought like in the first option, but while they may not see each others point of view (yet), they do respect each other.