Riyame Wiki

# Riyame Hoshino, the Shrine Maiden

Riyame Hoshino is a shrine maiden raised in a rural village in Northern Hanafubuki and a member of Team Nightshade.

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## Description

### Appearance

Riyame is a 5 feet, 2 inches tall (160cm) tall Eladrin. She has pale skin, rosy cheeks, onyx colored eyes, and long black hair tied at her middle back. Slim and dexterous, she wears traditional Miko garb (a white kosode and red hakama) with a teal-green, oversized haori worn over top. The back of her haori bears the name 星野 (Hoshino).

A large lightning scar wraps around the right side of her waist, always kept covered by clothing.

### Personality

Riyame is a quiet and timid person, preferring to observe people as opposed to interacting with them. She hides behind a distant mask to keep others at arms' length and avoid uncomfortable questions about the past she left behind.

When she was younger, she was often described as shy and skittish—though not unfriendly—with an affectation toward story books. She would often be seen hiding behind her eldest brother or her mother's skirts.

Now, she often comes off as depressed or "dead-eyed", but she is very open about expressing her basic wants and needs. (Even if that expression is said with a neutral or hollow tone.) She doesn't claim to be emotionless, but she doesn't feel emotions as deeply as the average person.

She was raised to be humble and work for her keep at Fujioka Shrine. Noble children taken in by the shrine were expected to do the same. She considers herself a practical person. As such, all of her worldly possessions are kept on her person, and she carries only what she needs. Riyame's Inventory!

Despite this, Riyame is very free in spending her money on others. Giving gifts is one of few things that brings her a semblance of happiness, especially in regards to those that are close to her. (Many likened her to a cat or a crow when she was a child.)

## Biography

### The Handa Clan's Downfall

Nestled on the edge of a wisteria forest to the north mountains is Mitane Village. Its population consists primarily of human and Eladrin people. For three generations, this village has been protected by the Fujimori clan. Older folk know that there was once another clan watching over them known as the Handa clan, and under their rule, the village had once been large and prosperous.

The Handa clan was known for their generosity and desire to let the people of Mitane Village live their lives unfettered by their ruling Lord’s desires. The village was bustling and lively. The people were protected from the beasts that lurked within the forest. Bandits knew better than to challenge the village who bore Handa banners.

Two noble families lived amongst the humble people of Mitane village. The Ito and the Kato clans. Both clans were vassal families. Ito clan diplomats aided their lord in domestic governance, with at least many representatives taking part in guild relations. Kato clan soldiers wore Handa colors and protected the people, yet they had little representation in other governing affairs.

The Kato clan patriarch, Haruto Kato, thought this unfair and petitioned for change. His petition was denied, and Lord Souma—the Handa patriarch at the time—thought the Kato clan’s talents were best served protecting his people, as it was well known that even Haruto, himself, was no diplomat.

### The Fujimori Clan's Rise

Haruto was an ambitious man, not content with guard duty, so he began to scheme against his Lord. With the help of Souma’s  youngest daughter, he staged a coup, usurped the Handa clan’s power, and stripped the Ito clan of their titles. The Kato clan then took on a new name. *Fujimori*.

Almost immediately, Mitane village’s new lord took steps to erase what he had done. False documents of an exchange of power were forged. The villagers were forced to accept their new Lord.

Haruto immediately used his power to tighten control. A wall was built around the innermost part of the village, cutting the village’s size effectively in half. This allowed him to deploy fewer guards.

The people were displeased, but dissenters were silenced. The poorest and those outside of the wall who refused to relocate, were left to the mercy of bandits and wild beasts. The population of the village eventually began to dwindle into what it is today.

### The Youngest Daughter

Riyame is the fourth born child of Eishirou and Misaki Fujimori. Both of her parents are from pure Eladrin lineages—her mother’s clan, the Aoki, having risen to nobility only a generation ago.

Riyame has had a connection to spirits since she was a young child. This was officially discovered when she was five. Old Man Saburo, the head priest of the Fujioka Shrine, sensed it within her on a visit to the Fujimori estate. He implored her father and mother to send her to cultivate her abilities, and her father immediately agreed—to his wife and eldest son’s chagrin.

She has been there since, only visiting her family once a year during the summer. Her relationship with her father and second brother Saito was tumultuous at best, and she had little to no relationship with her older sister. Her only lifelines at home were her mother and eldest brother, both of whom she was very close to. This kept her largely unaware of the power struggles waging within the estate.

Despite her quiet nature, she quickly grew close to Ryoichi—her sensei, Tsuna—the lady who acted as caretaker to the children brought to Fujioka Shrine, and Hakaru—a boy just a year older and determined to be her friend.

When she reached her 11th winter, she received a letter from Saito. He wrote: *Mother is ill and will not last until summer. Come home, she wishes to see you.* Moved that her brother would tell her such a thing, she got permission and rushed home.  However, she missed her eldest brother’s letter, which read: *Don’t come home.*

She arrived to find her family’s estate burning, parents dead. She searched and searched, but her siblings were nowhere to be found. From the side, she was struck by a bolt of lightning. She didn’t see who it was, only a blurred figure that reminded her of one of her brothers. Upon waking, she learned that her family was seemingly betrayed. Only Ayane and Saito remained, and her older sister took over as regent. Her mentor claimed he found her bleeding in the snow at the base of the mountain and saved her life.

### The Aftermath

She spent the next two years in seclusion at the shrine to continue her training, hoping to forget what became of her family and the scars it left behind.

When she was thirteen, her sensei took her away from the shrine so that she could get some hands-on experience. While venturing, she eventually met Hiyashi and Amara. Shortly before Riyame turned 18, her sensei was called upon for an excursion into the Spirit Realm. He never returned. With nothing but his longbow and journal, Riyame vowed to herself that she would bring him back by any means necessary.

### Team Nightshade

Before the team ever had an official name, it began with Riyame, Hiyashi-sensei, and Amara. Over the five years they were together, they would come to meet Kuro and Yama, a pair of misfits who had fled Yami together. Before long, the two of them joined the fold. The sixth, and final member, came in the form of a Tanuki named Hana. He demanded to join the group, and Kuro jokingly adopted him as a pet.

Upon choosing to form a group, they settled on the name Nightshade, suggested by Amara—and considered fitting enough to take. Upon signing up to become adventurers in Tenkoku, they eventually chose Sophie von Goldlace as their coordinator. (Though Riyame voted for a mysterious man with connections in Yami named Saber, due to her disdain toward nobles and concern over a child joining them.)

## Relationships

### Team Nightshade

#### Amara Petrova

Riyame and Amara were raised together from the time they were thirteen. Riyame considers her a close friend, but there is a small part of her that is jealous of her beauty and magical prowess. Her jealousy is minor compared to the admiration she has for her. She is fiercely protective of her and tries to hide her astraphobia around her.

#### Hiyashi Hitomi

Hiyashi was introduced to her by her sensei Ryoichi. Over the past five years, he has become a surrogate for her sensei. She quietly fears that he will disappear too, so she tries to keep him at a distance. He is also the only one who knows about her astraphobia (*fear of lightning*) and familial origins.

#### Kuro Suzume

Riyame recognizes Kuro's good heart, as well as Ryoichi's fondness for him. Their relationship is friendly, and Riyame willingly watches his back. After recent events, Riyame feels deeply indebted to him, and his safety and happiness is a high priority on her list.

#### Yama Shinokage

Riyame keeps her at a companionable distance. She isn't entirely sure of what to make of her. She has started, after recent events, to feel a tinge of sympathy for her and her past in Yami.

#### Hanagi Inugami

Riyame claims that she feels nothing but disdain for him. In reality, she's not bothered by his teasing or obnoxious personality. She hates that he wears other peoples' faces when causing mischief and finds it cowardly. After recent events, Riyame feels deeply indebted to him, a feeling that has her deeply conflicted.

#### Sophie von Goldlace

Riyame doesn't care for nobles. The way she sees it, the only difference between the dagger delivered by someone else is that hers will be gilded. There is a part of her that sees Sophie and is reminded of the best parts of her older sister. No matter how she feels about her, she is now a part of Team Nightshade, and Riyame would defend her with her life.

### The Fujimori Clan

#### Eishirou Fujimori

She describes her father as the epitome of winter. There was a cold and disinterested façade on his part that Riyame could never push past. She often felt as though he cared little for her presence, only giving attention to her older siblings. Riyame was almost glad that she was sent away to the shrine, now viewing it as the best thing he ever did for her.

#### Misaki Fujimori

She describes her mother as the epitome of spring. Her mother was a warm beacon in the cold home her father made. She was one of her only lifelines that kept her coming home during the summer and winter. Riyame often finds herself missing her mother during the spring time.

#### Itsuki Fujimori

He was her greatest source of comfort and one of the few she thought truly understood her. He often acted as a mediator between her and Saito, comforted her when she felt like an outsider, and made sure she was taught noble etiquette. He often tried to counteract Saito's bullying, but often to no avail. She doesn't know whether he is dead like her parents, but she often misses him the most.

#### Ayane Fujimori

Her sister often ignored her unless otherwise deemed necessary. Her only pleasant memory of her sister was brushing her hair in the evenings. Otherwise, their relationship was non-existent. After she took over as regent, many of the people at the Fujioka shrine are open about their disdain of her, though Riyame is unsure of why.

#### Saito Fujimori

He and Riyame were never close, even as young children. He often bullied her for being smaller, weaker, or magic-less. This didn't change even when she was chosen to train at the shrine. He often rubbed his prowess and attention from their father in her face, as well as her inability to change between seasons. Riyame had a habit of taking his words to heart.

### Fujioka Shrine

#### Ryoichi Hoshino

She often calls him things like disgusting, lecher, or philanderer, but despite her harsh words, she sees him as the father she never had. He helped raise her from a young age, and his disappearance has left her with a slight fear of abandonment. She is particularly attached to his journal and bow.

#### Old Man Saburo

She, like many of the locals, sees him as a loony old man. However, she also knows him to be an deeply wise and insightful old man who has taught her many of the life lessons she still holds dear.

#### Tsuna Haneda

Riyame likes her no-nonsense attitude, and she sees her like an older sister. Like many others, there is still a small emotional barrier between them. She hasn't seen her for nearly a year now.

#### Hakaru Ito

The moment he met her, he was determined to be her friend. At some point, their inevitable friendship became a seemingly one-sided crush on his part. However, Riyame doesn't reject his affections because she doesn't return them. She does so because traditionally shrine maidens cannot get married until they are full-fledged priestesses.

## Fujioka Shrine

Amidst the northern wisteria forest, a tree that towers above them all is located near the top of the mountain.

Legend has it that a powerful spirit named Kyushaku once looked upon the mountain and the people living beneath it favorably. So she planted a sacred tree that would protect them from harm. It grew into a magnificent wisteria tree, whose branches towered far above the seedlings spreading down the mountain and carving their way through the sakura trees below.

The people who revered Kyushaku built what would become the Fujioka Shrine around the largest tree near the top of the mountain. Some believe the tree to be a manifestation of Kyushaku’s influence on the material plane. Others believe the tree to be Kyushaku, herself, slumbering as she provides blessings to the people she loved so dearly.

Today, Fujioka priests and priestesses are trained to enter and interact with the spirit realm. Those picked to do so are known to have undeniable connections to spirits. Older priests contribute this to Kyushaku’s influence, however the younger generations only humor them. Many do not believe in the legend of Kyushaku at all.

## Trivia

* She has a YouTube Playlist!
* Riyame's favorite color is spring green.
* Riyame's favorite food are skewered dumplings served during festivals in her hometown.
* She prefers savory foods, in general.
* Her sensei called her Riri as a child and does so now to tease her.
* Fujimori (藤森) literally translates into *wisteria forest*.
* Hoshino (星野) literally translates into *star field*.
* Riyame (理や芽) translates into *budding reason,* a name given to her by her father with the hopes that she would be more reasonable than her older sister.
* Riyame has astraphobia—the fear of thunder and lightning. (Only lightning seems to affect her, but she also dislikes thunderstorms for this reason.)
* Riyame's astrological sign is Leo, and her Chinese zodiac is Year of the Dog.
* She was born on a *very* unlucky year.
* Her voice claim is Xanthe Huynh.