'Interview with a Roleplayer: Laule Kimori' by Aell von Glitz

Written in Agatean:

This month's interview had to be brief, as my organising of the
Assassins' House Games left me with very little spare time to
write. I sat in my study sorting papers, wondering who I should
ask to interview, when a leaflet dropped out from inside a stack
of forms. "TAXI -- The Original Portal Club" decorated the front,
with a picture of a smiling priest on the front. The priest, I
knew, was Laule Kimori -- President of the Taxi Club. After some
inquiring, I found that Laule was on an extended break to his
grandmother's house in Bois. So, summoning my own taxi, I headed
on to meet him.

He answered the door with his usual welcoming smile. "I'm very
much looking forward to talking to you," he stated, gesturing for
me to come in. "If you're happy to come into my little room
upstairs, it's quiet and safe, and we won't be disturbed."
Thanking him, I followed him up the stairs and took the empty
seat he gestured to. As he perched on the edge of his bed, I
immediately got right down to business, questioning Laule about
his early life.

"Well I grew up in the forests near here," he started, gazing out
the windows to the woodlands of Bois. "It was such a wonderful
place to be a child; kind woodsmen, talking mice... quite ideal,
I think!" I noticed his gaze was dreamy and reminiscent so I left
him with his thoughts for a few moments before encouraging him to
tell me more.

"I didn't know at the time that my family originated from far
across the sea. I always wondered about my father's accent, but
being a child I was quite oblivious to the world outside Bois!"
He chuckled to himself, his rounded belly shaking with the
movement. "When I grew older and desired to venture from Bois, I
travelled to Genua. I found, to my surprise, an older brother and
sister that I had not known about. Suddenly the world seemed very
big."

I noticed a certain innocence about Laule that was not
immediately apparent when meeting him. I speculate now, whilst
writing this, that growing up in a secluded fairytale village
like Bois leaves you with a certain childish naivety, especially
when venturing out into the rest of the Disc.

"Suddenly I had family where I only had solitude before,"
continued Laule, warmth reaching his reminiscent eyes. "There
were so many people I had not met, so I travelled to Ankh-Morpork
where the rest of my family had made a home. It took me qite a
while to get there," he added, "but I had some skills, and I had
seen an advertisement in the paper for people who could transport
others around... so by the powers that Pishe granted me I was
able to use this as a chance to earn a living whilst exploring my
heritage!"

I'd noticed that Laule had mentioned he was a follower of Pishe.
My curiosity taking the better of me, I inquired what had drawn
him to this walk of life. "If I said that I was lost in the
forest and found Pishe, it would not be far from the truth! I
wandered at night into a wooded place, with a pool," he stated,
his gestures now somewhat animated. "There was a priest there and
his words rang clear in my mind. I had only ever a desire for
good."

The whole scenario struck me as being the closest thing to
'fate', but I did have to wonder what Laule would have done had
he not found that secluded pool. "Well, I don't think it's a
secret the admiration, should I say, that I have developed for
witches." He chuckled to himself. "I would talk about them so
frequently with the fellow members of taxi, they jokingly made me
their head witch."

And it was with this that our interview ended. The sun was
setting over the peaceful village of Bois, and Laule escorted me
to the door where my taxi was patiently waiting. I asked if he
had any closing remarks before I left. "Do you know what it's
like to stand on the ice fields at the Hub and look over all of
the Disc?" And with a wink, he shut the door, leaving me to
ponder this on my short journey back home.

The letters of Valdulech

To my dearest,

These are the records of my dishonourable misfortunes and why I do not regret.

Darkness in my soul
Like dark trees in Uberwald
Yet I love you both.

Once I was a young man in service of the Lord Kimori. His humble personal aid and man servant I was. My daily life revolved around setting clothes, calligraph papers and plan my masters personal engagements. Those days were lived on the Counterweight Continent. Where gold is plenty and honour more valuable than the air we breathe.

The Lord of the Kimori was a good master for his servants and his treatment of me was no exception. Due to my position however I was well aware how important it was for the Kimori to do well in the game of politics and houses. And so I gave all my life to serve the Kimori.

Unfortunately our enemies plotted in the dark and together they ensured the downfall of the Kimori, not by crippling it, but by treacherous plotting and betrayal.

Our honour became stained and we were cast out from the Empire as the Emperor himself declared: all Kimori must be hunt down and slain. Our enemies listened very well that day and bloodshed followed.


Many sad events followed, yet also many great deeds happened to ensure the Kimori Clan would survive. I have killed for my Lord in the past and I certainly am willing to do so again. If I knew it would help him protect the Clan. My clan. I am Kimori, as were my father and grandfather before me.

It is difficult to explain for those outside the family, but it was home.

The Kimori that survived the onslaught fled across the sea to Ankh Morpork. In the years that followed my Lord Kimori tried to rebuild the family. In those days I was his trusted right hand, having protected him in many occasion. We prepared for the day that we would be strong enough, so we could return home and reclaim our position. Either by proving the treason or by overthrowing the Emperor.

Our enemies had heard from our sanctuary in Ankh Morpork and one dark night a successful assassination resulted in the death of the Lord and his Lady. Chaos erupted as the clan fell apart. Kimori that had survived, suddenly disappeared into the streets. I had failed to protect my Lord! There are days I wish I had died that night alongside them.

Some time before I had met a gypsy on the gypsies fair. She was the sweetest creature and when I first laid my eyes on her, she seemed like a rose of beauty. Her name was Lola Dulech and she was the daughter of the gypsy leader. After the collapse of the clan, it was with her I fled. I joined the gypsies and we returned to the dark forests of Uberwald.

From our love you were born, my daughter. I have been able to protect you and live my life happily until the end of my days. Yet I feel sorrow and loss, because I lost my identity as a Kimori. The spilled blood is colouring my dreams and nightmares alike.

If you read this, I must have passed away. Alas! I never regretted you and Lola. But I regret I have not been able to restore our last name, the one we rightfully deserve.

There’s one thing I want to ask you, my sweet child, go to Ankh Morpork and once there inform at the Weapon Masters’ Court, seek the Taiki – if he is still alive today – and join his cause as rightful Kimori. Revenge our memory through service, like your ancestors before you.

Your old father,

Shimobe Kimori

Once more, with footnotes

Uhr Kimori has refound his way to the family. He could have certainly found us quicker, if he would have been able to read the address. That aside, give him a warm welcome. Update of family tree will follow. But for now a log from the family channel, explaining a few things here and there:



(Kimori Clan) Laule Kimori: uhr who are you related to? im trying to work it all out:)

Uhr Kimori gets a scrawny tabby cat from a club control room.
The ice blue moon dragon looks disgusted at the scrawny tabby cat.

(Kimori Clan) Taiki Kimori: The ice blue moon dragon looks disgusted at the scrawny tabby cat.
(Kimori Clan) Taiki Kimori is Uhr's uncle.
(Kimori Clan) Taiki Kimori: Going to be Eliza's son.
(Kimori Clan) Corvid Kimori: so he's my bad?
(Kimori Clan) Corvid Kimori: dad! :)
(Kimori Clan) Corvid Kimori grins
(Kimori Clan) Taiki Kimori: nah, wrong side of the tree
(Kimori Clan) Corvid Kimori: he's my MUM???
(Kimori Clan) Taiki Kimori: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXSFhcvDRxinFIPAnzvF2bNOoArPZWssr7nbvm_VquMA8zTY47Ajzhy5_sDmlwaeXTrr469siWdUwRU3WmFc2-Lg51biauN5o9Az_b9Y6pAOnrbNo0hhYHoAyuzcs_D29OpzY_X2Y5GgFo/s1600-h/kimori+family+tree+v3.PNG
(Kimori Clan) Corvid Kimori cackles
(Kimori Clan) Taiki Kimori: Yes, Corvid.
(Kimori Clan) Laule Kimori: very confused:)
(Kimori Clan) Uhr Kimori: hush
(Kimori Clan) Dolk Womblesworth: rofl
(Kimori Clan) Kari Kimori: amazing how these relatives turn up. All those years spent thinking you were the result of an immaculate conception, and then all of a sudden a dad pops up from nowhere. :p
(Kimori Clan) Corvid Kimori laughs so hard he's actually splits his side
(Kimori Clan) Uhr Kimori: thats barbarians for you
(Kimori Clan) Taiki Kimori: Uhr is Aremen's brother, Eliza's son, Kari's brother-in-law, nephew of Taiki, Myr and Azile. Cousin to Carasel and Hidan
(Kimori Clan) Taiki Kimori: Might want to write that down Uhr ;)
(Kimori Clan) Uhr Kimori cant write
(Kimori Clan) Taiki Kimori pastes a sticker on uhr's forehead
(Kimori Clan) Uhr Kimori grin
(Kimori Clan) Taiki Kimori: Our family has five branches
(Kimori Clan) Corvid Kimori: so wait up a sec, Kari and Carasel are my? niece and newphew type folks?
(Kimori Clan) Taiki Kimori: No. I'll explain
(Kimori Clan) Taiki Kimori: Our ancestors had 4 children
(Kimori Clan) Corvid Kimori apologies profusely
(Kimori Clan) Dolk Womblesworth: Isn't there a rather good picture somewhere?
(Kimori Clan) Uhr Kimori: its always the same, as soon as family gets involved, things get needlesly complicated
(Kimori Clan) Corvid Kimori: kimori_clan so wait up a sec, Kari is my?
(Kimori Clan) Corvid Kimori: sorry again!
(Kimori Clan) Taiki Kimori: Corvid: master
(Kimori Clan) Laule Kimori: i looked at it couldent see uhr:)
(Kimori Clan) Kari Kimori rofls
(Kimori Clan) Taiki Kimori: Taiki's father, Laule's father and and a twin (Ikke and Keiichi)
(Kimori Clan) Taiki Kimori: Taiki's father had several children. Some born in Agatea and some born in Morpork (they moved)
(Kimori Clan) Taiki Kimori: Azile (Agatea), Myr, Taiki and Eliza (Morpork) are four known names. A fifth elder sister is dead but had a child (hidan)
(Kimori Clan) Taiki Kimori: Taiki has a child (Carasel) and Eliza is married (to Aferon) and had two children: Aremen (married to Kari) and Uhr
(Kimori Clan) Laule Kimori: dont forget the gennuan side:)
(Kimori Clan) Taiki Kimori: Laule's father went to Genua and had three children: Oli, Yossarianna and Laule
(Kimori Clan) Laule Kimori: yay you read my mind:)
(Kimori Clan) Corvid Kimori pokes Laule and continues to listen
(Kimori Clan) Uhr Kimori: sorry, got disconnected
(Kimori Clan) Laule Kimori: have to start again:)
(Kimori Clan) Taiki Kimori: Ikke and Keiichi got separated at birth. Keiichi was adopted by the Djelians and forms our Djelian branch. Ikke - his twin brother- ended up in Morpork as well and had four children. Yva, a twin (Kyoshi and Ekki) and Corvid.
(Kimori Clan) Taiki Kimori: He can read the history
(Kimori Clan) Azile Kimori emigrated to Pumpkin Town when he retired btw. He is doing fine painting model birdcages and enjoying light rainfall.
(Kimori Clan) Uhr Kimori: issnt there a way to catchup the last messages?
(Kimori Clan) Kari Kimori: 'kimori_clan history'
(Kimori Clan) Taiki Kimori: So, any questions?
(Kimori Clan) Uhr Kimori: nope
(Kimori Clan) Taiki Kimori: Good
(Kimori Clan) Laule Kimori: can we set up relationships with thouse who arnt cousens, i have carasel as student, but how can i make relationship with uhr?
(Kimori Clan) Kari Kimori needs to set up relationships with, well, pretty much everyone.
(Kimori Clan) Laule Kimori: ok that sounds like a plan:)
(Kimori Clan) Taiki Kimori: :)

My roots are in the depths of the woods.

Originally born from Agatean descendants that came to Ankh-Morpork as tourists, (At least that's how the gossip goes.) Kimori has settled on Ankh-Morporkian soil as their new home. Although they don't shun to travel around the disc, they definitely have no intention to leave any time soon. Distinguishable by the dark blue tribal markings on their body, they are perhaps a bit odd and have their own quirk sayings like:

"My roots are in the depths of the woods."

Whatever that's supposed to mean.

Is this the truth about Kimori? Or is there more to it?

Historical analysis of the past few hundred years reveals a line of new noblemen rising up from among the rubble that served the Agatean Emperor. A single man named Naoki was granted his title for his service to the Empire. This man, originating from the forests near the Mountains of the Sun adopted the name Kimori in honour of the large trees that grew there. The line prospered until a rough three decades ago when the snake nest known as politics resulted in the fall of the once mighty Kimori clan. Those who survived the bloodshed and annihalation, fled the Counter Weight Continent to seek refuge and rebuild their lives.

The Lord of the Kimori at the time survived and fled to the city of Ankh-Morpork with his wife. Most of their children were born on morporkian soil. The remaining Kimori sought contact with each other and tattooed their bodies with specific tribal markings in tribute to those who were slain in injustice.

More than ten years ago the Lord of the Kimori disappeared for good along with his wife and several other important Kimori. This was the deathstab to the once so great family. It is assumed they were assassinated, eventhough the bodies were never found. Those once loyal scattered for good. Any claim for nobility has been withdrawn by the Emperor, or as the officials state it:

Being born on soil outside the Empire no longer warrants continuation of a nobility line.

It was not until the coming of age of one of the younger sons of Lord Kimori, Taiki Kiyoshi Naoki Kimori, that the activity of Kimori returned. Although the Morporkian-born Agatean does not posses any political ambition, he has gone great lengths to find any remaining or former Kimori left and re-unite them in his clan. Even using the tattoos as a symbolic bind between the individual members.

Only time can tell what will happen to Kimori, but one thing is sure: Wherever a Kimori comes from, a Kimori is always a Kimori. Fierce loyalty to the family is all that matters and united they shall stand.