Emo Champion: the Tender Samurai

The Emo Champion Award goes to the character who most players agree provided the most emotional drama through roleplaying through the entire season. This prestigious award is accompanied not only by the trophy emblem (right), but by 5, count them 5, of the coveted green Never Gems. The honored recipient of the first ever Emo Champion Award is Kiyoshi the girl-magnet Allskin.

Daitokuji Kiyoshi, second son of a Grand Master of Washisan Academy and patriarch of the Silver Phoenix clan, has an indefinable allure. Perhaps it is the sense he gives of being slightly off-limits that makes women so attracted to him. Perhaps it is his unshakable confidence, or his adorable insistence on following "the tradition", or maybe it is his striking good looks and skill with his blade (rumors suggest it is quite long). Whatever the cause, Kiyoshi has certainly garnered attention lately.

Which is why, today I am bringing you the unseen side of the man who combines the attraction of a noble heart and a daring outlaw. Our readers may be surprised to learn that Kiyoshi himself is quite a sensitive soul. Behind the stoic facade he puts on when entering the void, this samurai is a man who feels pain in a way that no one else does - with every nerve in his body.

"It's true," Rei assured me, "that guy knows what it's like to hurt. From the first moment I met him he was all touchy and stuff."

I ask Rei whether its true that when she met him his father had just been killed in an explosion at the Goshi Corp Tower.

"Yeah, that's what I'm talking about. When people die Kiyoshi seems to feel things. It's weird."

Some of Kiyoshi's companions are more sympathetic. Una, for example, is very fond of his tender side.

"It's a good quality in a nest-mate."

Mokuzai nodded at that, "Compassion is a sign of wisdom."

Of course it isn't his "wisdom" that has made him the subject of so much emotional drama in this campaign. From assisted suicides to crying teenage assassins, Kiyoshi has had to star in some intense scenes, and there's no sign of it letting up anytime soon. Right at the end of the first season he leapt in front of a tentacle attack destined to kill Rei's sister.

Choices like that confuse his companions, especially High-Dive who asked, "What does he see in her? She doesn't bring him exotic nuts."

Exotic nuts or no, the emotional turmoil will probably continue to swirl around this enigmatic figure. He's not just a guy with a really deadly sword. That's why we've brought you the softer side of Kiyoshi: the Tender Samurai.