The Khan of the Unicorn Clan stood in the saddle with ease as his great steed pounded away at the earth beneath him. He rode with his scouts, seeking to get an understanding of the bandits who “ruled” these lands. He saw nothing but huts and small stockades, men clutching makeshift weapons, and not a single good horse to be found. This used to be prime grazing land for the Unicorn herds. It would be so again.
The ronin Ronso blinked sleepily as he sat up in bed. The peasant girl groaned and he casually backhanded her. By the Pit of Fu Leng, his head was pounding! He didn’t remember drinking that much the previous night. As his feet hit the ground he realized it was shaking to the noise that reverberated in his skull. An earthquake? Here? He grabbed a shirt as he staggered outside. Dozens of other bandits were doing the same, and thus were treated to the majesty of thousands of Unicorn horsemen in full change as they descended upon the camp.
As Tetsuko trampled yet another pathetic worm, he looked around and saw nothing but petty bandits and thugs, screaming like women as they died. There was no challenge here.
It was over in minutes. The Unicorn steeds did most of the work. The bandit camp was a shambles. Only a few survivors were found. Ronzo himself, with two crushed legs, blubbered for release. He said that Shodokai ruled from a crumbling kyuden in Shisame province. Tetsuko leveled his steely gaze to the north.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Friday, January 9, 2009
August Personages of the Empire at Large
Emperor Toturi IV
Toturi IV shares many characteristics with his forbearers. He is a powerful, charismatic figure. A graduate of the Akodo Tactical school, he stood on the Carpenter’s Wall during the last great assault by the Shadowlands fifteen years ago. He assisted Mirumoto Yakuzi, the former Dragon Champion, and Hida Yasura, the former Crab Champion, in driving off the dreaded Kyoso no Oni. This is the conflict that cost him his eye. Since then he has taken a more administrative role, helping to negotiate the last problems between the Clans. When the plague struck, he sought to calm the peasants before mass panic set in and all order broke down. The Forbidden City at the center of Otosan Uchi closed its doors the winter of the plague’s second year. They are just now opening. It is known that the previous Emerald Champion succumbed to the plague. No word has been heard about Shinjo Tamaoko, the Emperor’s wife, or Toturi Dorai, the Emperor’s son.
Seppun Kuron
Kuron is the Imperial Herald. A young man just out of his teens, he has found himself, thanks to the Gaijin Plague, as the Senior Herald. Still, his family has served the Emperor's for generations, so there is no refusal. This position is considered by many to be almost as powerful as the Voice of the Emperor. To Kuron, however, it often means long travel through dangerous terrain. While it is true that he sees many things and has spoken to heroes and champions that most only see from a great distance, he would rather not face marauding bandits, possible infection with the Black Collar, and the scrutiny of the Scorpion that comes upon all who know as much as he.
Otomo Wampei
Wampei is the Voice of the Emperor. As such, he is at the highest levels of the court. His Honor is second only to that of the Emperor himself. His word is the Emperor’s word when the Emperor is unavailable, unable, or unwilling to speak it. Wampei is old, and not much loved by the representatives of the Clans that come to court. He is sly, but arrogant, and is well aware that he has the greatest protector in Rokugan. He is still a powerful figure in his own right, as the Emperor values his opinion. Those seeking to gain the Imperial Favor had best get on his good side, and quickly. He runs the Courts with a methodical mindset, seeking to ensure any one Clan does not have more power than the others. Or him. For this, he is particularly unloved by the Crane and the Scorpion. Many mutter that, thought the Collar claimed so many, it knew better than to try for Wampei.
Seppun Ryoske
Ryoske is a magistrate in service to the Empire, Hatamoto to the Emerald Champion. A powerfully built man of middle years, he carries himself well despite his leg injury. Born to the call of the shugenja and trained in the ways of the Kitsuki Investigators, few details escape his notice or prey from his pursuit. Generally a jovial man, he throws off his opponents with his ever present smiling eyes and grinning face. He travels with another magistrate, the beautiful young woman Twilight Moon, who serves as his trusted bodyguard and companion. He took her under his wing when she was still a child and has come to regard her as a daughter.
Warlord Omanu
Not much was known about Omanu before he claimed the second greatest city in the Empire as his own. Still, Ryoko Owari has, in its own way, thrived under his rule. He responds to any outbreak of the Black Collar by quarantining the section it occurs in and burning it, people and all, to the ground. This draconian measure has made certain elements feel safe enough to return to the city. Omanu is a brutal, cunning man. The City of Lies has become a hive of scum and villainy since he arrived. However, he pays no attention to social rank, only talent and willingness to work, advancing the lowest caste eta while spitting on the noblest samurai. Too mercenary by half, he insists that all those within Ryoko Owari have at least one fair shot to make their on Koku.
Masuko
Masuko appear at Omanu’s side two seasons ago. She does not speak aloud, but occasionally will whisper to Omanu. There are rumors that they are romantically involved, but often those spreading those rumors are found beheaded, with their limbs cut from their body. Masuko is a skilled duelist, and has been known to make use of Crane techniques.
Toturi IV shares many characteristics with his forbearers. He is a powerful, charismatic figure. A graduate of the Akodo Tactical school, he stood on the Carpenter’s Wall during the last great assault by the Shadowlands fifteen years ago. He assisted Mirumoto Yakuzi, the former Dragon Champion, and Hida Yasura, the former Crab Champion, in driving off the dreaded Kyoso no Oni. This is the conflict that cost him his eye. Since then he has taken a more administrative role, helping to negotiate the last problems between the Clans. When the plague struck, he sought to calm the peasants before mass panic set in and all order broke down. The Forbidden City at the center of Otosan Uchi closed its doors the winter of the plague’s second year. They are just now opening. It is known that the previous Emerald Champion succumbed to the plague. No word has been heard about Shinjo Tamaoko, the Emperor’s wife, or Toturi Dorai, the Emperor’s son.Seppun Kuron
Kuron is the Imperial Herald. A young man just out of his teens, he has found himself, thanks to the Gaijin Plague, as the Senior Herald. Still, his family has served the Emperor's for generations, so there is no refusal. This position is considered by many to be almost as powerful as the Voice of the Emperor. To Kuron, however, it often means long travel through dangerous terrain. While it is true that he sees many things and has spoken to heroes and champions that most only see from a great distance, he would rather not face marauding bandits, possible infection with the Black Collar, and the scrutiny of the Scorpion that comes upon all who know as much as he.Otomo Wampei
Wampei is the Voice of the Emperor. As such, he is at the highest levels of the court. His Honor is second only to that of the Emperor himself. His word is the Emperor’s word when the Emperor is unavailable, unable, or unwilling to speak it. Wampei is old, and not much loved by the representatives of the Clans that come to court. He is sly, but arrogant, and is well aware that he has the greatest protector in Rokugan. He is still a powerful figure in his own right, as the Emperor values his opinion. Those seeking to gain the Imperial Favor had best get on his good side, and quickly. He runs the Courts with a methodical mindset, seeking to ensure any one Clan does not have more power than the others. Or him. For this, he is particularly unloved by the Crane and the Scorpion. Many mutter that, thought the Collar claimed so many, it knew better than to try for Wampei.Seppun Ryoske
Ryoske is a magistrate in service to the Empire, Hatamoto to the Emerald Champion. A powerfully built man of middle years, he carries himself well despite his leg injury. Born to the call of the shugenja and trained in the ways of the Kitsuki Investigators, few details escape his notice or prey from his pursuit. Generally a jovial man, he throws off his opponents with his ever present smiling eyes and grinning face. He travels with another magistrate, the beautiful young woman Twilight Moon, who serves as his trusted bodyguard and companion. He took her under his wing when she was still a child and has come to regard her as a daughter.Warlord Omanu
Not much was known about Omanu before he claimed the second greatest city in the Empire as his own. Still, Ryoko Owari has, in its own way, thrived under his rule. He responds to any outbreak of the Black Collar by quarantining the section it occurs in and burning it, people and all, to the ground. This draconian measure has made certain elements feel safe enough to return to the city. Omanu is a brutal, cunning man. The City of Lies has become a hive of scum and villainy since he arrived. However, he pays no attention to social rank, only talent and willingness to work, advancing the lowest caste eta while spitting on the noblest samurai. Too mercenary by half, he insists that all those within Ryoko Owari have at least one fair shot to make their on Koku.Masuko
Masuko appear at Omanu’s side two seasons ago. She does not speak aloud, but occasionally will whisper to Omanu. There are rumors that they are romantically involved, but often those spreading those rumors are found beheaded, with their limbs cut from their body. Masuko is a skilled duelist, and has been known to make use of Crane techniques.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Unaligned Provinces
The Rokugan of the first month of Spring, the beginning of the third year after the outbreak of the Gaijin Plague, as seen by the spies and scouts of the Great Clans.
Agasha: This province is in the throws of a peasant uprising. There is no leadership, just chaos and angry peasants who have forgotten their place.
Togashi: A strange sect of the tattooed men calling themselves kikage zume rule from a monastery here. They are devoted only to darkness and shadow. Their leader is called Hitomi Hatashi, and his dark, asymmetrical tattoos give him many abilities.
Shisame and Ayo: A bandit warlord by the name of Shodokai has made himself a small empire here, crushing the peasants of these provinces under an iron fist.
Otaku: Strange Gaijin Nomads from the east have crossed the mountains and taken up residence here. They seem leaderless, but their cavalry is quite dangerous.
Toturi: A ronin named Toturi Osen has proclaimed himself Daimyo of this province, claiming to be a direct decent of the great Toturi.
Goimo: The dark stories that come from Goimo speak of a Maho-tsuki, a Bloodspeaker, who has taken up residence here and practices his maho, or dark magics, on the peasants.
Mori: This province has become a pirates den as a group of Pirates lead by Ronzo the Foul is using the province to launch costal assaults.
Nodai: In this province a peasant uprising is being lead by a group of Ronin.
Hantei: No reports come from this province, ancestral lands of the previous line of Emperors.
Kitsu: A Maho-tsuki is terrifying the peasants who live in the province, raiding the Kitsu tombs for corpses to build an army.
Ide: The peasants rebelling here have managed to raid some of the Unicorn stables, adding some cavalry to their ranks.
Yogo: A descendent of the Yogo family named Yogo Bishamaro has been consorting with dark powers and taken over the magic school that rules this province.
Shinomen and Shastakar: The Naga rule these forested provinces, hostile to any outsiders since the beginning of the plague. The Qamar, their leader, has refused all offers of communication so far.
Ryoko Owari: The City of Lies has expanded to become its own city-state. The Warlord Omaru rules here, with the assassin Masuko. Omaru has said he will welcome any seeking to purchase the services he provides, but will crush all who seek to overthrow him.
Ukyo: The peasant uprising here is vigorous, but leaderless.
Tsuruchi: The Wasp Clan, a minor clan, now seeks greatness as the Empire weakens from the plague. Their Daimyo is Tsuruchi Rekai.
Suzame: A ronin named Kakita Kishiri has turned his back on the Crane Clan and claimed this province as his own domain.
Kuni: A pocket of Shadowlands creatures has breached the wall and rampages here, lead by many formidable Orge Bushi.
Daidoji: A peasant uprising here is lead by a group of dissatisfied Ronin.
Nezumi: This former Shadowlands province has been cleared of the Taint. However, the Nezumi have claimed this province as their own. The ratlings are lead by Chieftan Mar’rik’a’mar-Snap!
Hiruma: Although also reclaimed from the taint, the dark Moto have taken Hiruma Castle. The twin undead sisters Moto Ayane and Moto Tenko lead this forward staging point for the Horde.
Ghizu: Also cleared from the taint, Ghizu has been infested with Goblins.
Former isles of the Mantis: Pirates sail from these isles, raiding the peasants that still live there and the coastlines of Rokugan.
Agasha: This province is in the throws of a peasant uprising. There is no leadership, just chaos and angry peasants who have forgotten their place.
Togashi: A strange sect of the tattooed men calling themselves kikage zume rule from a monastery here. They are devoted only to darkness and shadow. Their leader is called Hitomi Hatashi, and his dark, asymmetrical tattoos give him many abilities.
Shisame and Ayo: A bandit warlord by the name of Shodokai has made himself a small empire here, crushing the peasants of these provinces under an iron fist.
Otaku: Strange Gaijin Nomads from the east have crossed the mountains and taken up residence here. They seem leaderless, but their cavalry is quite dangerous.
Toturi: A ronin named Toturi Osen has proclaimed himself Daimyo of this province, claiming to be a direct decent of the great Toturi.
Goimo: The dark stories that come from Goimo speak of a Maho-tsuki, a Bloodspeaker, who has taken up residence here and practices his maho, or dark magics, on the peasants.
Mori: This province has become a pirates den as a group of Pirates lead by Ronzo the Foul is using the province to launch costal assaults.
Nodai: In this province a peasant uprising is being lead by a group of Ronin.
Hantei: No reports come from this province, ancestral lands of the previous line of Emperors.
Kitsu: A Maho-tsuki is terrifying the peasants who live in the province, raiding the Kitsu tombs for corpses to build an army.
Ide: The peasants rebelling here have managed to raid some of the Unicorn stables, adding some cavalry to their ranks.
Yogo: A descendent of the Yogo family named Yogo Bishamaro has been consorting with dark powers and taken over the magic school that rules this province.
Shinomen and Shastakar: The Naga rule these forested provinces, hostile to any outsiders since the beginning of the plague. The Qamar, their leader, has refused all offers of communication so far.
Ryoko Owari: The City of Lies has expanded to become its own city-state. The Warlord Omaru rules here, with the assassin Masuko. Omaru has said he will welcome any seeking to purchase the services he provides, but will crush all who seek to overthrow him.
Ukyo: The peasant uprising here is vigorous, but leaderless.
Tsuruchi: The Wasp Clan, a minor clan, now seeks greatness as the Empire weakens from the plague. Their Daimyo is Tsuruchi Rekai.
Suzame: A ronin named Kakita Kishiri has turned his back on the Crane Clan and claimed this province as his own domain.
Kuni: A pocket of Shadowlands creatures has breached the wall and rampages here, lead by many formidable Orge Bushi.
Daidoji: A peasant uprising here is lead by a group of dissatisfied Ronin.
Nezumi: This former Shadowlands province has been cleared of the Taint. However, the Nezumi have claimed this province as their own. The ratlings are lead by Chieftan Mar’rik’a’mar-Snap!
Hiruma: Although also reclaimed from the taint, the dark Moto have taken Hiruma Castle. The twin undead sisters Moto Ayane and Moto Tenko lead this forward staging point for the Horde.
Ghizu: Also cleared from the taint, Ghizu has been infested with Goblins.
Former isles of the Mantis: Pirates sail from these isles, raiding the peasants that still live there and the coastlines of Rokugan.
The Battle for Mori Province
Yasukaza rode at the head of the shugenja cavalry. The banners and pinions of the Phoenix fluttered in the breeze as they crested the hill. Below, along the harbor, was the pirate town. A collection of shacks, shanties, and tents. Several boats floated in the harbor.
He saw the gathering force of ruffians outside the gates. “Ah, it seems we are expected,” he muttered.
Ronzo the Foul was an immensely fat man, dressed in black leathers and brown fur. He gripped a long, curved, Gaijin blade and glared at Yasukaza from a distance as the Phoenix approached. Then he disappeared back into the mass of pirates, thugs, and frightened peasants.
Yasukaza halted the troops, and began to order the cavalry to the flanks to strengthen their position. A roar from behind caused him to spin around. The pirate mass surged forward, not waiting for strategy or tactics. “Very well,” he thought grimly, griping his hammer, as he called upon the spirits of Earth for strength.
The pirates were vicious and aggressive. They slammed into the central mass of the Phoenix troops, and bushi holding the line were bowled over. Men were pinned to the ground screaming as a half dozen brigands stabbed downward repeatedly with their knives. A force of pirates sought to change the Shugenja before they could ready their magics, but the Shiba did the job they have done for centuries. Ronzo and his retainers broke through the Yojimbo briefly, but the shugenja summoned spirits of water to turn the ground before him to mud, stopping his attack as he floundered and roared in anger.
Aggressive, but undisciplined, poorly armored, and like children before the trained Phoenix forces. Yasukaza channeled the power of a dozen shugenja to cause the Earth itself to break open and swallow hundreds of pirates. The peasants assisting the brigands were cut down like wheat by the blades of the samurai and Yojimbo.
In the end the rabble broke and ran, and Ronzo lead them, moving surprisingly fast for his bulk. They fled to the ships on the harbor, which set sail for the sunset, leaving the province squarely in Phoenix hands.
He saw the gathering force of ruffians outside the gates. “Ah, it seems we are expected,” he muttered.
Ronzo the Foul was an immensely fat man, dressed in black leathers and brown fur. He gripped a long, curved, Gaijin blade and glared at Yasukaza from a distance as the Phoenix approached. Then he disappeared back into the mass of pirates, thugs, and frightened peasants.
Yasukaza halted the troops, and began to order the cavalry to the flanks to strengthen their position. A roar from behind caused him to spin around. The pirate mass surged forward, not waiting for strategy or tactics. “Very well,” he thought grimly, griping his hammer, as he called upon the spirits of Earth for strength.
The pirates were vicious and aggressive. They slammed into the central mass of the Phoenix troops, and bushi holding the line were bowled over. Men were pinned to the ground screaming as a half dozen brigands stabbed downward repeatedly with their knives. A force of pirates sought to change the Shugenja before they could ready their magics, but the Shiba did the job they have done for centuries. Ronzo and his retainers broke through the Yojimbo briefly, but the shugenja summoned spirits of water to turn the ground before him to mud, stopping his attack as he floundered and roared in anger.
Aggressive, but undisciplined, poorly armored, and like children before the trained Phoenix forces. Yasukaza channeled the power of a dozen shugenja to cause the Earth itself to break open and swallow hundreds of pirates. The peasants assisting the brigands were cut down like wheat by the blades of the samurai and Yojimbo.
In the end the rabble broke and ran, and Ronzo lead them, moving surprisingly fast for his bulk. They fled to the ships on the harbor, which set sail for the sunset, leaving the province squarely in Phoenix hands.
Bounty: 10 Questions
Hey all. I will occationally place bounties up on the blogsite. These are worth 2 XP provided they are completed before the next gaming session. Here, I'd like to have you answer 10 questions about your character:
- What are your character's parent's like? Do they approve of him? Do they get along?
- Does your character have any siblings? What were they like? Where are they now?
- Who was a childhood friend of your character? What made them a friend? Where are they now, generally?
- Who was the relative your character was closest with? What are they like?
- Who was a rival your character had in his training years? What made you rivals? What is the relationship like now?
- Which sensei (teacher) was your character closest with? What did they teach him/her?
- Is your character married? Engaged? Is it for love or politics?
- What did you character do when the Black Collar ravaged the land for two years? How did he/she respond to the crisis?
- How did you character establish the relationship he/she has with the Clan Bigwig you selected?
- Honor or Glory?
You can either answer these in the comments, or, if you wish, email them to me privately.
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