[D&D-5e] Mists of Akuma: Scourge of Robai Shita

[Ballingray]

[Torack]

Application Name: Sugimoto Moe Race: Human Class: Paladin - Samurai Sacred Path Appearance: Sugimoto is 5'4 and lithe. She has pale features and her once soft safe have since become hardened. But if one were to look closer they could see a deep sadness in her eyes, and a firm determination set in her jaws. Her hair is brownish red, a hair colour that is unique to the Moe family. Sugimoto is almost always seen wearing her armour, and only ever takes it off when she needs to sleep or when she's going to places where armour would be inappropriate. And in those cases, she wears her best outfits and tries to look like the noble daughter that she is. Personality: Ever since she was young, Sugimoto has been an energetic and lively person. Despite her sadness due to a tragic past, she has an easy smile and goes out of her way to make others happy. She's the type of person to always try and liven up a place and throw in a couple jokes to make those around her laugh -- even if the jokes don't land. And from the moment she wakes up, she's rearing to go places, as though she's never tired. Her energy always on full blast. With this comes a great deal of self-confidence. She knows her own capabilities and how skilled she is, and she knows her worth. She's quite the charming figure once you get past the morose features and the nigh-unstoppable energy she brings. Sugimoto uses this charm to try and make others smile, to make their days a little better, because she knows what a hard life is like and she wouldn't want that on anyone else. She can, however, be a bit conceited. She knows her worth, but she often overestimates her skills and makes herself out to be the greatest swordsperson to have ever existed. This is in large part because she comes from the Moe family, a family known for great swordsmen and swordswomen, and she simply believes her skills and her talent are her birthright and that she should rightfully be better at swordplay than everyone else. Having grown up as a daughter of Moe, she was naturally pampered and looked after. This has made her incredibly fussy and hard to please when it comes to the finer things. If she wants armour, she wants the best the city has to offer, and if a particular city's best isn't up to her standards she considers the entire city a den of bums and losers. Especially if they don't have finer fabrics and silks that she's accustomed to. Background: Nōburu Sugimoto was the first child and daughter to Nobusama Moe, a renowned swordsman of incredible skill and might. However, her father was a cold man and barely showed any love to her, instead focusing all his attention on her younger brother, Kushimoto. Her early years were instead spent helping her mother tend to the day-to-day responsibilities of an administrative noble trying to keep a city from falling to ruin due to the effects of the mists. She never found the bureaucracy interesting, nor entertaining. Just a bunch of old people talking at each other until something finally happened. She was instead interested in being a warrior like her father and her auntie. But her father refused, saying that she was going to become an administrator like her mother. Sugimoto wasn't satisfied with this, and she instead forced her younger brother to teach her everything their father taught him. This continued for several years. Then her father fell ill. The doctors couldn't explain it, and his state was rapidly deteriorating. It wasn't until a Samurai of the Sacred Path visited her father that an answer was given. Sugimoto was only seventeen when she saw the warrior, a woman only slightly shorter than her mother with the grace of a dancer and the fierceness of a dragon. She explained that an Oni had cursed their father and if they didn't kill the thing, he would die. Sugimoto asked the samurai to kill the Oni, but she explained that only a member of the Moe family could dispel the curse, she then promptly left. The next day, her brother began packing and Sugimoto left with him. They travelled deep into the jungles beyond the palace, avoiding the dangerous plants and beasts. Within a week, they had reached the lair of the Oni. They camped at the foot of the lair for two days before they entered and faced off head-to-head with the creature. Kushimoto told her to stay back, that it was his duty to cure their father. And since he was better trained than her, he was more capable of tackling the Oni. She followed regardless, in case her brother needed help. He faced off against the Oni, but it became apparent rather quickly her brother would die without some help. Thus, unsheathing her sword, Sugimoto jumped in to help her brother -- it was too late however. The creature took his brothers head and laughed at her attempts to hurt it. It didn't kill her however. It told her that it had challenged her father to duel and he refused, and his dishonour had brought the curse. It said that it would wait until she became worthy of her name and only then would it return to her to finish the challenge. When Sugimoto returned to her family palace, her father was dead, his head gone. Her mother made her vow that she would do everything in her power to avenge her brother and her father, thus Sugimoto joined the Sacred Path, learning their ferocious techniques and the magic that came with it, secretly vowing that she would redeem the honour of her father and her brother, or die trying. RP Sample: After weeks of hard travel, Sugimoto and the young trainee stopped their horses on the edge of a cliff that looked down upon a wide basin, and upon a dried up lake bed sat a small town. Sugimoto knew of this town, she'd been there a couple of times before. A place known for their immaculate artisan skills with jewellery and cloth. A small lord ruled over it, a despot too selfish to recognize the riches at his feet and the wealth that could be made from a little investment. At present however, the town was a ruin. She could see several buildings were crushed to nothing, others were on fire, and several black pillars rose into the sky. Yet, the lord's palace remained untouched. Her face darkened, and she pulled the horse away from the cliff's edge and rode back onto the road that led to town. An hour later, they were at the foot of the palace. Sugimoto swung off her horse, barged into the palace, and stormed into the lord's solar. "What is the meaning of this?" The lord said, standing up from his desk. He was a short and fat man, having feasted well off the backs of his artisans. Sugimoto's answer came by kicking him squarely in the chest, making him stumble back and fall hard against the wall with a loud grunt. He was about to say something when Sugimoto unsheathed her blade and placed the tip beneath his quivering jowls. "How dare you!" He said, "Who the --? Do you have any idea the trouble you have brought upon your head, bitch?" "Speak to me like that again, Lord Daizo, and I'll have your tongue. You will show respect to your betters." "This... this is Moe Sugimoto, my lord," her trainee said. The colour from Daizo's face drained, his eyes widening. Realizing his grave error, Sugimoto imagined. She watched as he scrambled and bowed before her. His head now level with tip of her sword. "My lady," he said, "I ask for your mercy! Please forgive me! Had I known who you were I would have never thought to--" "Enough," she said. "I have it on good report you failed to protect your charges against foul creatures of the mist. Instead of using your guards to defend them, you chose to act dishonourably by bringing the guards within your palace to protect only yourself. Many have lost their lives to your selfishness, Lord Daizo." "I did not! My lady has been given a false report! Many of my best guards died defending this town from the incursion! Men I have spent a fortune on gone because of the recent attack. With all do respect, you weren't here! You couldn't have seen how valiantly they fought." Sugimoto remained silent for a while, then she sheathed her blade. "You lie. This palace is now the property of the Sacred Path. You will remain in the dungeons in the event another attack happens, my trainee and your guards will see to your safety. I hope these terms are acceptable."

[DaniLore]

App Name: Rinka Sei Race: Human (Soburi) Class: Ninja Background: Shinobi/Hanzai-Sha Appearance: Rinka is twenty two years old, roughly 5’0 in stature, possessing a lithe frame that at first glance may be perceived as frail and weak. That, of course, couldn’t be further from the truth. Her body is a canvas of scars, received from previous jobs on the streets of Sanbaoshi’s notorious Akaibara District. Her youthful, angelic face is marred by an unsightly leather eyepatch. Beneath it is a scarred orifice and a glass orb…the ugly remnant of a wound that had almost killed her, years ago. Seeing as it frequently rains in the capital, a city rife with soot and smog, Yubi wears simple robes and a straw woven hat. Straight black hair abruptly halts to her neck, with choppy bangs that frame her oval face. The effervescent amber dangling from her ears are for good luck, and Rinka is never without her shamisen—or her kunai blades. Personality: In a world rife with corruption and cruelty, a violent end may come swiftly and unexpectedly. Reminded of this fact every day, Yubi strives to live to the fullest—and to never again tremble in the face of Death. Rinka is a thoughtful, introspective girl with a gentle spirit, though her profession is immeasurably dark. She learned the hard way to separate her feelings from the job, regardless of what it may entail. Hypervigilant of potential dangers, having brushed with the worst dredges of society, her general outlook remains sunny and optimistic, ever hopeful to avoid “unpleasantries” if possible. That said, she is not against obliterating any and all obstacles in her way. When there’s a job to do, she goes above and beyond to finish it, as one’s word is sacred in the Hanzai-Sha. Easily enthralled by novelty, Rinka finds the world infinitely beautiful and fascinating. Somewhat of a hopeless romantic, her thoughts often linger on the fleeting nature of Life and her place in it. Constantly striving against failure, Rinka fears abandonment, always endeavoring to find ways to be an asset…whether it be boosting morale with a song or by tackling threats with deft precision. Apart from playing the shamisen, Rinka loves tinkering with gadgets and parts, often dismantling them to see how they work. Fiercely loyal to her Oyabun, Tetsuo, and what friends and allies she may find along the way, Rinka would gladly give her arm or leg to save one of her fellows in a pinch, preferring to be the one who takes the brunt of the risk. Though society views the Hanzai-Sha as little more than cunning extortionists and ruthless killers, she is proud to be counted among them…as they are family, struggling to survive in an unforgiving world. Ultimately, she hopes to redeem the name of the Sei, so they may once again walk in the light of day with their heads held high. Unfortunately, Rinka holds an unrequited love for Boss Tetsuo. Innocent as that love is, she isn’t blind to the fact that his far-flung ambition will always separate them. Bringing glory to the Family and being the instrument of Tetsuo’s revenge is the only foreseeable way to repay the Oyobun for his great kindness. Background: Sanbaoshi’s elite have long declared the Capital as one of the few bastions of virtue and civility. As the Seat of the Empire, it ever strives to be a beacon of supreme order and divine might. Yet, as brightly as their city shines by day, when darkness falls, all manner of filth crawls from the gutter. Rinka is all too aware of this grand illusion, as she once knew a life under the sun, free of endless bloodshed. As a young child, her starving family sold her to an Okiyo with the hope that she may have a better life. With the arduous path of the Geisha before her, given under strict masters of etiquette and the arts, Rinka dutifully practiced and lived as a Maiko until the age of fourteen, when her path irreversibly twisted. Accompanying her friend and mentor, the gentle Lady Ahn, Rinka was brought to a teahouse to play for the famed General Saito. A veritable folk hero, years prior he had aided the Misato Dynasty during the fall of the Kengen tyrants. It was a great honor for Rinka and their Okiyo, so she focused all her heart and mind on this once in a lifetime performance. However, right as she strummed the final poignant note, an explosion ripped through the paper walls of the teahouse. Brigands rushed inside with swords drawn, their forms an amalgamation of metal and bolts. Rinka had never encountered hatred so fiery and raw as theirs, helpless to do anything but watch from the stage as samurai and assassins fought to the death. Fire spread all about, threatening to bring the roof down on their heads. Despite their disguises, there was no mistaking their identities. After a climactic battle, the Ceramiens slew their target, General Saito, his skill outmatched by their sheer number, all of whom were twisted into something altogether inhuman. After the General and his men fell, their leader turned his attention to the guests trapped inside. Leveling a gun at the stage, the clockwork man honed his red, malevolent glare upon the stoic Lady Ahn, calmly playing the zither despite the hell encompassed about. Even as he approached, Lady Ahn showed no fear of death. Shouting the order to leave no witnesses, nobles and merchants alike were ruthlessly slaughtered like sheep; and, the last thing Rinka remembers is staring down the barrel of a gun, and a flash of white. Death should have embraced Rinka, yet…she drifted for what felt like eternity, haunted by Ahn’s final melody. Encompassed by darkness and the hopelessness therein, Rinka clung to a red string, soaring through the vast unknown like a kite in the infinite sky. A small voice compelled her to hang on…if, for a little longer. Stirred by a somber requiem, when Rinka finally awoke, she was met with unfamiliar surroundings. It was deep in the night, the moon shining through the open door of an elaborately furnished room. Soft candlelight radiated from an open butsudan, the source of lingering fragrance as incense burned before two wooden tablets. Again, from beyond the doorway, she heard a sorrowful flute in the midst of the courtyard. As her eyes adjusted, she made out the form of a stoic young man seated at the porch ledge, draped in a flowing silk kimono, white as snow. Flute raised to his lips, he played for the wandering spirits of Sanbaoshi—rapt with awe, she too had been among the lost; yet, somehow, the power of his woeful flute had drawn her back to the Living. Pleased to find her awake, the master of the flute introduced himself as merely Tetsuo. She figured him to be a Lord, as lavish as their surroundings were, but he could have been a two-headed Oni, for all she cared. Obviously, this one had gone above and beyond for a lowly stranger, but why? Tetsuo was unexpectedly humble and treated her with genuine kindness, a rare luxury she had only experienced with Lady Ahn. Given over to the care of strange subordinates, Izuki the Cat Hengeyokai and Bip the Pyon, Tetsuo periodically checked up on Rinka during her recovery, occasionally treating her to a delicious meal. Due to the nature of her injury, Rinka had lost much of her coordination, as well as her ability to speak. Though grateful to be alive, it was a disheartening fact, realizing that her life as a Maiko was over. Rinka couldn’t understand why the noble Tetsuo wasted his time with her…If not for Izuki, she might have languished away with self-pity. It took a firm talking to, but she was shocked to discover the ordeal hanging over Tetsuo’s head. Her savior, Tetsuo, was the sole heir of the Sei Clan, a prominent family among the Hanzai-Sha. It was hard to believe, as his elegant demeanor was more at home at the imperial court than the rough and tumble Sanbaoshi back streets…but Izuki swore on her opposable thumbs that it was true. Tetsuo had forsaken family ties to study with the Onmyouji, hoping to unlock the dark mystery behind the mists. However, fortunes changed when the teahouse burned to the ground, destroying several blocks of Akaibara with it. It was a miracle that they pulled Rinka from the flames. His elder brother, Shigure, was felled by the assassins during the attack and the court nobles claimed that General Saito’s death had been orchestrated by the city’s Hanzai-Shah, with aims to weaken the military for an impending coup. Talk of the Kengen’s return only prodded the Emperor’s ire against the Hanzai-Shah. This spurred Tetsuo’s father to commit Seppuku, if to remind the monarch of the Sei’s allegiance to the Masuto Dynasty during the War. If not for this sacrifice, the Imperial Guard would have surely upturned the city on a zealous hunt and flooded the streets of Akaibara with innocent blood. Tetsuo returned to Sanbaoshi to attend the funeral, yet, instead of honoring the Sei, the Syndicate repaid his father’s noble sacrifice with vile treachery. Thugs attacked and the funeral devolved into a desperate fight for survival. Tetsuo just barely escaped with his life, but many of their friends weren’t so lucky. The systematic massacre wiped out most of the family, but for a handful of loyal kobun. Driven underground, it was either that or be utterly annihilated. Tetsuo had never intended on taking up the mantle of Oyabun, but his heart and mind changed after that day…the Syndicate they had protected had spat on his Father’s memory and divvied up Akaibara for themselves. Tetsuo is a man consumed with vengeance. Beneath his soft exterior is a dragon biding his time …for, the Sei had a secret tradition privy only to a few. They had risen to honor from humble roots, serving not as soldiers on the front lines, but as spies and assassins versed in the deadly arts of ninjutsu. Their involvement with the Hanzai-Shah had been a cover for years, feeding information to the Dynasty long before the Cerumian conquest. Izuki snapped Rinka out of her stupor, as she had just as much reason to fight as Tetsuo. The bastards that killed her friend and left her for dead were the ones responsible for this mess…if she truly wanted to thank Tetsuo, then she couldn’t give up. As the sole survivor, only she could point them in the right direction. Inspired by the anthropomorphic cat, Rinka worked hard to improve day by day…the echo of that moment, facing down the gun, frozen with fear, had tormented her for long enough. Never again would she be that helpless girl. Eventually, Rinka found her voice again—though she would never quite be the same. Despite the many setbacks she faced, Tetsuo saw a glimmer of potential. Never had she felt more at home than among the Sei. They adopted her into the fold and, for the first time, Rinka felt genuine acceptance as part of a tight-knit family. Thereon, without regret, Rinka entered a new life among the shadows of Sanbaoshi, embracing a far deadlier profession with aims of one day avenging the Sei.

[Ballingray]

Thank you for your responses so far everyone. Although I’m not ready to announce a formal closing date yet, when I do the close date will be a week from whenever I announce it.

In the meantime I have written up most of the mechanics and you can find them in the game’s forum, either follow the link here or in my signature. I will be adding to this with more mechanics and lore drops over the coming days. Feel free to have a look around the forum and use what you will from in there in coming up with a concept for your characters.

As always let me know if there are any questions.

[Anael]

So I'm not really too familiar with the setting. How would an Enjin fit in with the group?

[Ballingray]

The Enjin are essentially bred for war. They are a very militaristic race, yet despite that fact they are not just a savage race. They are very nomadic, tending to occupy and defend the areas they come to settle in (predominantly jungles). That said, they are not a race that is universally hated, and are tolerated in the cities and prefectures of Soburin.

I can see an enjin fitting in with the group in a number of ways:- 1) They encountered other members of the group while they were travelling through the jungle and, impressed by the group's strength joined them. 2) They joined the group out of a belief that the group would be able to help them defend their settlement. 3) The enjin could be a mercenary, they could hire themselves out as a bodyguard or muscle to the group.

They would certainly have no issues with being seen as part of the group. Although the general populace of the cities and prefectures may view the enjin with a certain amount of wariness and suspicion, they would not be considered hostile and they certainly do not have the Hated condition.

The enjin have a predilection to the more martial classes, particularly Fighter and Barbarian so I can certainly see a situation where the enjin would join the group if they thought it would be beneficial for them, or they had been hired to do so.

[Anael]

Hmm ok thanks. Let me see what I can conjure up. I'll do some reading. I was eyeing an Enjin barbarian build.

[KhamLuc]

I Have update MAscarade ... and put a character sheet in PDF ... just have to switch half orc info vs Steametic stat race ... my program don't have it

[Anael]

Application Name ScarredHeart Age 24 Race Enjin Class Barbarian Background Roustabout Appearance: ScarredHeart is a menacing 10 foot 2 inches tall. Long black thick springy hair covers his entire frame. The upper part of his left arm has a large hairless patch where his arm was scorched and the hair never regrew leaving only a nasty scar on grayish flesh. On the top of his head he has twisted strands of his hair and bound them with bone fragments. Each braid represents a sibling he has lost. They are a constant reminder of his failure to protect them. The back of his fist are equally as scarred as his left arm but he hides them behind gloves strung together from pieces of metal and leather. He wears light tattered clothes sewn together from what was left of his brothers. Background: During his early childhood years Scarredheart was sickly. In truth many of those in his territory especially the young were not in optimal health. Then one night under a cloudy sky they were raided. Many of the older warriors including his parents were killed in the ambush but the raiding force underestimated their strength and suffered heavy casualties. They fled into the night taking with them a few newborns including Scarredheart's younger brother. Still being young and frail all he could do was hide in shame. Two years passed and it was discovered that the water supply was being tainted to make that particular settlement weak and a prime target for a raid. Once removed from the poisoned water supply Scarredheart's health returned as did many of the young. For the next few years enflamed by the thoughts of revenge the young who survived trained relentlessly as they waited on word for who was responsible and where they were now. By now Scarredheart had grown large and thick muscled. The only other one who would have surpassed his own bulk in their pack would have been his father. News came via a Tengu spy a rich noble Makoto Rayahsi was the architect of the plan to create a sustainable farm for young Enjin to be easily gathered up. Scarredheart and his two brothers Longstride and Whitefist along with ten other youths picked their moment to attack his Makoto. He would be traveling near their territory allegedly carrying young Enjin and possibly their brothers and sisters with them. That evening under the war cry of their leader Longstride they charged into the encampment only to find they were misled. Only a few scared slaves manned the wagons and occupied the tents. Then the massacre started. Makoto's forces encircled them. Whitefist fell early in the fight. Worst of all Scarredheart could see his younger brother attending to Makoto like a servant pouring his wine while he laughed in the distance. Though few the Enjin began to turn the tide of the battle that is until other Enjin joined the fight on behalf of Makoto. Longstride retreated to the back barking commands at the new attackers. His brother had betrayed them. He charged at Longstride and as they grappled demanded an answer. Longstride was not happy just being the Alpha for the few but had designs on being the ultimate alpha and Makoto was his path towards that. A short term betrayal for their long term gain. The last thing Scarredheart remembers is feeling a hard crash against his skull. They must have thought him dead. He came too seeing his friends and brother whitefist dead. Some human travelers had been passing through and drawn to the area by the smoke they found him and nursed him back to health. He had seen both the best and worst of humans and Enjin in a single day and it tore him apart. For a time he joined up with the travelers. They would become his friends. He would part ways with them when the travelers were taken before his eyes by the mists. Seeing the sheer terror of the mists he had made a vow that day to not let it claim him. He'd grow stronger and die by the hands of a worthy opponent. Perhaps if he met his brother one day again or Makoto he would attack them but the fires of revenge died within him that day replaced by an overwhelming sadness and he chose his name on that spot. Since that day he had devoted himself to training and fighting...and fighting some more. He'd protect travelers from all races when they passed through whatever part of the jungle he may be staying and those who picked on the weak in his presence met his fury and hate. For they all became his brother and Makoto. RP Example:

[ElderOblex]

Ooof, love the lore and flavorful mechanics of this game! I would've loved to apply here as a Tanuki Clockwork Adept had I more time and fewer commitments.

Have fun all of you! Will read along for sure!

[Anael]

Got a question on the rolling for attributes. Is that 4d6 or 3d6? I don't have the luck for straight up 3d6.

[Ballingray]

4d6

[Ballingray]

Closing date will be 9th September

[Ballingray]

Just under a week to go before I close this, there is still time for anyone interested to submit an application for this. I’m conscious there’s a lot of new mechanics and material to take in for this game, but I’d urge anyone interested to not be put off by this, I’d say just focus on the high level concept for now and we can worry about the mechanics of them after I make the final selections for this .

What I’m offering is a unique setting and one I don’t think you’ll see very often, and I certainly hope and want this to be a very unique and memorable game. I have no plans on DM’ing another game on the site, all my efforts and attention will be poured into making this the very best game I can possibly make it, and I hope that that is something that will come through when the game begins.

[Ballingray]

In this case no, because there is a samurai class option that is specific to this setting that you can find details of here.

In this case I'm looking for Backstory, again there are a list of backgrounds you can use in the forum linked above but my interest in this time is more getting the high level concept ironed out first and we can worry about mechanics on final selections.