Imagine yourself wandering down a road in the countryside of Japan. It's past midnight, and the moon has by now reached its peak in the clear night sky. Under the moonlight, you can make out fields of grain blowing back and forth in the chill, night air. Suddenly, you see a faint blue light in the distance, looming ominously beyond the cloak of night. As you approach, you begin to perceive the form of a young woman garbed in a scanty kimono, seated at the foot of a shrine. In her hands she holds a paper lantern, its ghostly blue flame flickering within. You draw nearer and note that the woman is stunningly beautiful, with silk-white hair, shining eyes, and an attractive figure.
Her amber-colored eyes meet yours, and she holds you in a captivating gaze. She smiles.
“Greetings, traveler. You must be weary from your journey,” she says, placing the lantern on the ground and rising.
“Please, make yourself comfortable.” She moves toward you and lays a hand on your shoulder. She leans in close to your face, her elegant perfume filling your nostrils. “My name is Mae, and I will tell you a story; a story about a young man...”
Her lips brush against your ear as she whispers, “...and the kami.”
A long, long time ago, before the Sun and Moon were brought into being, there were only two spirits. They were the first divinities, the first kami, Izanagi and Izanami. Izanagi stirred the empty seas with his heavenly spear, Ame-no-Nuboko, and formed land. His wife, Izanami, called the land “Ashihara-no-Nakatsukuni.”
And so, the middle ground between the heavens, Takamagahara, and the underworld, Yomi, was created. Not long after, however, Izanami died in childbirth. Izanagi sought after her, searching into the very bowels of the underworld itself. He found her there, but was appalled by what she had become. His bride now ruled Yomi as the Goddess of the Dead. When he saw her, he fled, and she pursued him furiously. Izanagi sealed the gate to the underworld shut, and hid it for all eternity.
As he washed the impurities of Yomi from his divine form, Izanagi created three new kami: Amaterasu of the Sun, Tsukuyomi of the Moon, and Susanoo of the Storm. Hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of kami have come into being since that day. But Izanagi disappeared, and Izanami has remained trapped within the underworld ever since.
A thousand years have passed, and the land of Ashihara has come a long way. Humans and yokai (mystical spirits and creatures) inhabit the land. Sacred shrines and temples honoring the kami can be found in every village and even in the wilderness. The people of Ashihara are kami-fearing and worship the great spirits like gods. For, in a way, that is what they are.
The country is fragmented, with regional powers dominating pieces of the land. Some areas are ruled by men, some by communities of yokai, and some directly by a kami. Despite the disunity, Ashihara has remained a peaceful land for many years. But all of that is about to change.
An unknown evil has escaped the confines of the underworld; an evil with the power to level mountains, raze forests, drain rivers, and devastate the land. And this evil’s very presence threatens to awaken an evil greater still. This evil seeks the key to throwing open the gates of Yomi and unleashing the darkness that slumbers within. If this were to happen, Ashihara would crumble and Takamagahara would fall.
This evil's mere presence has been enough to significantly weaken the very kami themselves. Many have mysteriously vanished, leaving no trace. Others have gone into hiding, refusing to answer the people's call for fear they might also disappear entirely. But, recognizing the danger of the situation at hand, the greater of the kami are rallying together. Should this evil be allowed to roam the spiritual planes freely, the link between the spiritual and physical realms could be broken entirely, and the underworld could be unleashed to ravage Ashihara. Even now the seal is weakening. Something wants to get out.
The hope of Ashihara now rests on the strategic minds of the kami. The pieces are in place. They've chosen the pawns they will use to vanquish the evil...to save both heaven and earth from utter devastation.
This is the tale.
Where you come in:
You will be roleplaying as either a human or a yokai (or both, should you choose to have two characters) who has been unknowingly chosen for a mission. You’ll start off in Suzuka, an unfortunate village right smack in the middle of Ashihara. You might be an inhabitant of this village, or perhaps just a traveler passing by. Maybe you’re visiting relatives. Maybe you live there, maybe you don’t. Either way, this is where your adventure will begin when things take a turn for the worse.
RULES: (Read them or the oni will eat your soul.)
1. Follow all SPPF and RPG forum rules.
2. This is a PG-13 rated RPG, for (epic) violence, use of alcohol, and suggestive themes.
3. There will be no flaming, spamming, or trolling. Oniing, maybe. Trolling, no.
4. Use proper grammar, punctuation, and capitalization.
5. Please, please, please...only sign up if you are going to post. And try to stick with the RPG if you are accepted.
6. I am accepting reservations. You have ONE WEEK to sign up after you reserve. After that, your reservation will be canceled (but you can still sign up).
7. You may sign up with up to two characters. Once the RPG starts, many opportunities to create NPCs will arise, so sit tight with two until then.
8. Oh, and if you choose to have two characters, at least one of those characters needs to be HUMAN.
9. Lastly, HAVE FUN!
IMPORTANT PLACES:
Ashihara-no-Nakatsukuni – the “Middle Country of Reed Beds.” Essentially, the earthly realm which lies between Takamagahara and Yomi. The realm where mortals and yokai dwell.
Yomi – the Underworld; ruled by Izanami. The entrance (the gate called Yomotsuhirasaka) lies deep within the great temple in Izumo and has been sealed for a thousand years.
Takamagahara – the “High Plain of Heaven.” Connected to Ashihara-no-Nakatsukuni by way of a bridge called Ama-no-Uki-Hashi (the "Floating Bridge of Heaven").
Izumo – small country town in the west that is surrounded by mountains on every side. Every October, the Kami gather here in a great temple to discuss the fate of humanity and the love affairs of individuals (Musubi usually brings this up). This is known as the Assembly of the Gods.
Suzuka – very small village where our little adventure begins.
Kyoto – bustling market-city of Ashihara-no-Nakatsukuni.
Hot Springs (Onsen) – there are many hot springs located all across Ashihara. They are usually run by kitsune, shojo, or the kami themselves. (This is where the fun happens...)
IMPORTANT SHRINES/TEMPLES:
Izumo Temple – the temple in Izumo where the kami gather once a year for the Assembly of the Gods.
Ise Shrine – the sacred shrine of Amaterasu, the Kami of the Sun. The entrance to this shrine is the Honden Shrine.
Kumano Shrine – a shrine dedicated to Susanoo, the Kami of the Storm and Seas.
Kasama Shrine – one of many shrines that house Inari, the Kami of Rice and Kitsune.
SIGN UP FORM:
Name: (Simple, right? Eh...no. Names must be Japanese, and shouldn’t be something utterly random. Nicknames, however, may be in another language, so long as it’s believable.)
Age: (Make it realistic. Yokai typically live longer than humans do.)
Gender: (Yes, you have to choose one.)
Race: (Use one of the races listed above, unless you can come up with a good reason why you want to use an unmentioned race.)
Class: (Only applicable for human sign ups. Samurai, Ronin, Ninja, etc.)
Appearance: (Standard RPG-length. I don’t care about the number of sentences, as long as it’s good. Detailed is great, but try not to bore me with really long descriptions about one simple thing.)
Personality: (Again, standard RPG-length. Just make it good. Personality is the most important part...so let’s have some good personalities, okay? Try to make the character fairly believable, and give him/her/it a decent goal in life.)
History: (I want some meat here. Give me something to chew on, and give the character an interesting background. Again, detail is good, but too much might drive me up the wall.)
Weapons: (Any weapons? Remember, these shouldn’t be modern-day weapons like guns or hand-grenades.)
Magic: (Any magic? Check that list I provided for you earlier and see if any of those are applicable to your character.)
Summons/Yokai: (If your character can use summoning magic, what kinds of yokai can he/she summon? Note: If your character has a yokai that acts as his or her guardian, that yokai must either be a PC or a NPC.)
Other: (Anything else I should know?)
Accepted Characters List:
- Tamamo-no-Mae (Kitsune) - Hotshot
- Tsuki (Kitsune) - Killer_Squirtle
- Mamoru (Inugami) - Monty
- Āron Fokkusu (Human) - Tyoyo3131
-
NOTE: I will be controlling a number of characters (including the kami) rather inconsistently in order to keep the plot moving. With each of these characters, I will give a description of personality and appearance so you guys can picture them. These will most commonly be your guides on this adventure. (Tamamo-no-Mae will be the first of your guides.)
Her amber-colored eyes meet yours, and she holds you in a captivating gaze. She smiles.
“Greetings, traveler. You must be weary from your journey,” she says, placing the lantern on the ground and rising.
“Please, make yourself comfortable.” She moves toward you and lays a hand on your shoulder. She leans in close to your face, her elegant perfume filling your nostrils. “My name is Mae, and I will tell you a story; a story about a young man...”
Her lips brush against your ear as she whispers, “...and the kami.”
=========================
(Just to be safe - Rated PG-13 for epic violence, use of alcohol, possible suggestive themes)
(Just to be safe - Rated PG-13 for epic violence, use of alcohol, possible suggestive themes)
A long, long time ago, before the Sun and Moon were brought into being, there were only two spirits. They were the first divinities, the first kami, Izanagi and Izanami. Izanagi stirred the empty seas with his heavenly spear, Ame-no-Nuboko, and formed land. His wife, Izanami, called the land “Ashihara-no-Nakatsukuni.”
And so, the middle ground between the heavens, Takamagahara, and the underworld, Yomi, was created. Not long after, however, Izanami died in childbirth. Izanagi sought after her, searching into the very bowels of the underworld itself. He found her there, but was appalled by what she had become. His bride now ruled Yomi as the Goddess of the Dead. When he saw her, he fled, and she pursued him furiously. Izanagi sealed the gate to the underworld shut, and hid it for all eternity.
As he washed the impurities of Yomi from his divine form, Izanagi created three new kami: Amaterasu of the Sun, Tsukuyomi of the Moon, and Susanoo of the Storm. Hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of kami have come into being since that day. But Izanagi disappeared, and Izanami has remained trapped within the underworld ever since.
A thousand years have passed, and the land of Ashihara has come a long way. Humans and yokai (mystical spirits and creatures) inhabit the land. Sacred shrines and temples honoring the kami can be found in every village and even in the wilderness. The people of Ashihara are kami-fearing and worship the great spirits like gods. For, in a way, that is what they are.
The country is fragmented, with regional powers dominating pieces of the land. Some areas are ruled by men, some by communities of yokai, and some directly by a kami. Despite the disunity, Ashihara has remained a peaceful land for many years. But all of that is about to change.
An unknown evil has escaped the confines of the underworld; an evil with the power to level mountains, raze forests, drain rivers, and devastate the land. And this evil’s very presence threatens to awaken an evil greater still. This evil seeks the key to throwing open the gates of Yomi and unleashing the darkness that slumbers within. If this were to happen, Ashihara would crumble and Takamagahara would fall.
This evil's mere presence has been enough to significantly weaken the very kami themselves. Many have mysteriously vanished, leaving no trace. Others have gone into hiding, refusing to answer the people's call for fear they might also disappear entirely. But, recognizing the danger of the situation at hand, the greater of the kami are rallying together. Should this evil be allowed to roam the spiritual planes freely, the link between the spiritual and physical realms could be broken entirely, and the underworld could be unleashed to ravage Ashihara. Even now the seal is weakening. Something wants to get out.
The hope of Ashihara now rests on the strategic minds of the kami. The pieces are in place. They've chosen the pawns they will use to vanquish the evil...to save both heaven and earth from utter devastation.
This is the tale.
=========================
Where you come in:
You will be roleplaying as either a human or a yokai (or both, should you choose to have two characters) who has been unknowingly chosen for a mission. You’ll start off in Suzuka, an unfortunate village right smack in the middle of Ashihara. You might be an inhabitant of this village, or perhaps just a traveler passing by. Maybe you’re visiting relatives. Maybe you live there, maybe you don’t. Either way, this is where your adventure will begin when things take a turn for the worse.
RULES: (Read them or the oni will eat your soul.)
1. Follow all SPPF and RPG forum rules.
2. This is a PG-13 rated RPG, for (epic) violence, use of alcohol, and suggestive themes.
3. There will be no flaming, spamming, or trolling. Oniing, maybe. Trolling, no.
4. Use proper grammar, punctuation, and capitalization.
5. Please, please, please...only sign up if you are going to post. And try to stick with the RPG if you are accepted.
6. I am accepting reservations. You have ONE WEEK to sign up after you reserve. After that, your reservation will be canceled (but you can still sign up).
7. You may sign up with up to two characters. Once the RPG starts, many opportunities to create NPCs will arise, so sit tight with two until then.
8. Oh, and if you choose to have two characters, at least one of those characters needs to be HUMAN.
9. Lastly, HAVE FUN!
RACES – What will you be?
Keep in mind that the relations between humans and most yokai (monsters; basically anything that is not human) are not very good. Most yokai aren’t very welcome in human villages, and especially not in human cities, and vice-versa. There are a few exceptions to this rule, as in the case of Inugami, which are commonly seen. Other yokai often take on the forms of humans so that they may live in peace within the human villages.
Human
Description: Humans are the dominant race in Ashihara. They are the most naturally kami-like in appearance and personality, and, as such, are often considered (by their own kind, mostly) to be the most important of the races. Humans have formed cities and villages, and are ruled by an emperor. They have a passion for creating, much like the kami. Unlike the other races, average humans have no magical abilities of their own power. Rather, magic powers are drawn from other sources, such as kami-worship or special items (swords, jewelry, etc.). They are the most balanced of the races, being moderately strong, fast, and intelligent, though they have very limited magical power. There are a few exceptions to this rule of magic, however.
Human classes:
- Samurai – Samurai are perhaps the most highly esteemed. They are warriors, through and through, and always fight for honor. They are often much slower on their feet than ninja or monks, but possess greater physical strength. Many are considered great strategists. There is very, very little magical prowess found among samurai.
- Onna-bugeisha - The female counterpart to the samurai class, the onna-bugeisha share the same mindsets, but are not as physically strong. They are usually more agile and possess much the same magical capacity as their male counterparts.
- Ronin – Ronin are the dishonored counterpart to the samurai. They are either rogues who have left the respectful principles of a samurai behind and prefer to shed blood for themselves, rather than for others OR they are swordsmen who have lost their masters and now have nowhere to go. They’re essentially the same as samurai in terms of skill and ability, but possess very different principles.
- Ninja/Kunoichi – Ninja are both despised for their deceitful, cunning ways and upheld for those same methods. They excel at stealth and assassination, and, as such, wield weapons that complement this style. Magic is uncommon among ninja, though there are some who dabble in the dark and demonic arts. Kunoichi is the female version of a ninja.
- Yamabushi – Hermit-warriors who are well-versed in the magic arts. They wear robes and tunics, and are highly trained in martial artistry and the many different kinds of magic. Most yamabushi do not use weapons, preferring instead to engage enemies using their bodies as weapons.
- Miko - Shrine maidens charged with the care of small shrines dispersed throughout Ashihara. They are extremely well-versed in the magic arts. Miko wear traditional attire: a white haori and red hakama (though they may change into travel-clothes or more suitable garb for battle).
- Sohei - Sohei are monks who are capable of wielding both magic and weapons rather effectively. They are not solitary warriors like the yamabushi, and instead fight mostly commonly in organized groups. They are most commonly found in great temples.
Kappa
Description: Kappa are fun-loving water monsters who resemble monstrous turtles. Their heads are open at the top, and filled with water. This is where they obtain their strength. If the water spills, they are sapped of their energy, and crumple on the ground until they die of dehydration or their heads are filled again. They have a very odd love of cucumbers, and will do almost anything to obtain one. Kappa are a more strength-oriented race, and very fast in the water. Out of water, however, they’re (pardon the pun) all washed up. Intelligence and magic is something most of them lack.
Kitsune (CLOSED)
Description: Kitsune are magical foxes and servants of Inari. Because of their ability to change shape (usually into buxom beauties), they are often considered to be tricksters or seductresses. While this may be true for some, not all kitsune are like this. Some are actually quite fond of humans and wish to live among them, although their mischievous or seductive natures do tend to show up every now and then. Kitsune are judged in power and wisdom by the number of tails they possess. The most tails a kitsune can have is nine, and there is only one nine-tailed kitsune in known-existence. Kitsune in general are fast and intelligent, but lack much physical strength. Their magical power is very great. Kitsune are strictly female yokai. Inari likes them better that way.
Note: Inari’s kitsune-messengers are silk-white. As such, this color will be off-limits for any PC kitsune. Your kitsune character may be red, orange, silver, or even gold...but not white.
Bakeneko/Nekomata (a bakeneko has one tail, while a nekomata has two)
Description: Bakeneko are cat spirits. Because of their ability to change shape, they are usually considered to be mischief-makers, and for good reason. They enjoy playing tricks on humans, and even other yokai. When a bakeneko reaches full-power and maturity, its tail splits in two, and it becomes a nekomata. Bakeneko and nekomata can transform into nearly anything, but prefer the forms of beautiful women or young girls. Like the kitsune, they are fast, intelligent, and magical, but without much physical strength.
Tanuki
Description: Tanuki are shape-shifters that most often look like plump raccoons. They are renowned for having large *ahem*, and many choose to flaunt them shamelessly. These creatures have powerful transformation magic and can take the form of just about anything (they will most commonly choose to masquerade as chubby old men). They possess great magical prowess and immense wisdom, but are typically very slow and not very strong.
Tengu/Daitengu (a daitengu is a more powerful tengu)
Description: Tengu are a type of yokai that resemble humans with avian characteristics. While human-like in appearance, they usually sport large bird wings and long noses, because their transformation magic is imperfect. Every tengu carries a bird mask to use when it wishes to become its more monstrous, bird-of-prey form. Tengu are the self-proclaimed guardians of forests and mountain passes, and can be found in those locations in abundance. They are fast and strong, but not very intelligent. Daitengu, however, are very smart, and have powerful magical abilities.
Note: The tengu aren’t exactly very friendly toward outsiders...and will be some of our first enemies...so if you choose to sign up as a tengu/daitengu, then your character needs to be either an outcast or from a faraway tengu clan.
Inugami
Description: Inugami are dog spirits, and are extremely powerful and capable of shape-shifting. Despite being perfectly capable of existing independently, most usually prefer to live with their masters as watchful and bold companions. Inugami can be found almost anywhere, and are often summoned to fight for their masters. They are the most commonly seen of the yokai. People have grown accustomed to seeing them here and there. Inugami lack physical strength, but they are fast and highly intelligent. They have an immense amount of magical prowess.
Yuki-Onna
Description: Yuki-onna are female spirits of winter and snow. They most commonly take the form of beautiful young women or girls and are extremely pale in complexion. They are ghosts of women who died in the snowy wilderness, forced to wander the land. These spirits can tend to be seductive and malicious, and have been known to, at times, sleep with men just to leave them dead (from frostbite) the next morning. They have an immense amount of magical prowess.
Kamaitachi
Description: Kamaitachi are sickle-wielding weasels. Their motto is “strike before stricken,” and they follow it excellently. They are masters of speed and quick attacks, and are capable of flooring even enemies four times their size. They are quick-witted, and extremely skilled at surprising opponents with their speed. They exist in areas with tall grass. Kamaitachi rely primarily on their speed and intelligence, and let their momentum do the rest. They can use wind magic, but little else of the magic-kind.
Kijimuna
Description: Kijimuna are friendly, but impish, forest spirits who resemble small, tanned children and have fiery red hair. They are adept fishermen, but have an irrational fear of the octopus...even very small ones. Most of the time, these small creatures go about wearing nothing but grass skirts, but will on occasion garb themselves in other forms of clothing. They tend to have bad memory. Kijimuna are quick and very magical, but lack much physical strength and intelligence. They spend most of their time in forests fishing in rivers.
Harionago
Description: Harionago look every bit an average woman with long hair. But looks can be deceiving, because make these women mad, and you’re in for it. Their hair is barbed and can be used as a formidable weapon. A harionago has full control over her hair, and can use it as whips or to entangle enemies. These yokai are usually quite vain, and nearly always have a mirror handy with which to view themselves. There’s usually a comb or a brush that can be found on their person as well. They are prone to anger and can be quite brutal. They possess much of the same ability as an average human, but with barbed hair.
Note: You may have noticed that the option for roleplaying oni (demons – powerful inhabitants of the underworld), shojo (red-haired, usually-drunk monkey-men), and many other yokai is not present. This is because the oni are currently confined to Yomi and many of the other yokai (shojo included) will play a large role in the storyline. Fear not, the option for creating NPCs (and eventually PCs) of these and many other beloved creatures (yes, even the kami themselves) will arise as the RPG progresses.
Keep in mind that the relations between humans and most yokai (monsters; basically anything that is not human) are not very good. Most yokai aren’t very welcome in human villages, and especially not in human cities, and vice-versa. There are a few exceptions to this rule, as in the case of Inugami, which are commonly seen. Other yokai often take on the forms of humans so that they may live in peace within the human villages.
Human
Description: Humans are the dominant race in Ashihara. They are the most naturally kami-like in appearance and personality, and, as such, are often considered (by their own kind, mostly) to be the most important of the races. Humans have formed cities and villages, and are ruled by an emperor. They have a passion for creating, much like the kami. Unlike the other races, average humans have no magical abilities of their own power. Rather, magic powers are drawn from other sources, such as kami-worship or special items (swords, jewelry, etc.). They are the most balanced of the races, being moderately strong, fast, and intelligent, though they have very limited magical power. There are a few exceptions to this rule of magic, however.
Human classes:
- Samurai – Samurai are perhaps the most highly esteemed. They are warriors, through and through, and always fight for honor. They are often much slower on their feet than ninja or monks, but possess greater physical strength. Many are considered great strategists. There is very, very little magical prowess found among samurai.
- Onna-bugeisha - The female counterpart to the samurai class, the onna-bugeisha share the same mindsets, but are not as physically strong. They are usually more agile and possess much the same magical capacity as their male counterparts.
- Ronin – Ronin are the dishonored counterpart to the samurai. They are either rogues who have left the respectful principles of a samurai behind and prefer to shed blood for themselves, rather than for others OR they are swordsmen who have lost their masters and now have nowhere to go. They’re essentially the same as samurai in terms of skill and ability, but possess very different principles.
- Ninja/Kunoichi – Ninja are both despised for their deceitful, cunning ways and upheld for those same methods. They excel at stealth and assassination, and, as such, wield weapons that complement this style. Magic is uncommon among ninja, though there are some who dabble in the dark and demonic arts. Kunoichi is the female version of a ninja.
- Yamabushi – Hermit-warriors who are well-versed in the magic arts. They wear robes and tunics, and are highly trained in martial artistry and the many different kinds of magic. Most yamabushi do not use weapons, preferring instead to engage enemies using their bodies as weapons.
- Miko - Shrine maidens charged with the care of small shrines dispersed throughout Ashihara. They are extremely well-versed in the magic arts. Miko wear traditional attire: a white haori and red hakama (though they may change into travel-clothes or more suitable garb for battle).
- Sohei - Sohei are monks who are capable of wielding both magic and weapons rather effectively. They are not solitary warriors like the yamabushi, and instead fight mostly commonly in organized groups. They are most commonly found in great temples.
Kappa
Description: Kappa are fun-loving water monsters who resemble monstrous turtles. Their heads are open at the top, and filled with water. This is where they obtain their strength. If the water spills, they are sapped of their energy, and crumple on the ground until they die of dehydration or their heads are filled again. They have a very odd love of cucumbers, and will do almost anything to obtain one. Kappa are a more strength-oriented race, and very fast in the water. Out of water, however, they’re (pardon the pun) all washed up. Intelligence and magic is something most of them lack.
Kitsune (CLOSED)
Description: Kitsune are magical foxes and servants of Inari. Because of their ability to change shape (usually into buxom beauties), they are often considered to be tricksters or seductresses. While this may be true for some, not all kitsune are like this. Some are actually quite fond of humans and wish to live among them, although their mischievous or seductive natures do tend to show up every now and then. Kitsune are judged in power and wisdom by the number of tails they possess. The most tails a kitsune can have is nine, and there is only one nine-tailed kitsune in known-existence. Kitsune in general are fast and intelligent, but lack much physical strength. Their magical power is very great. Kitsune are strictly female yokai. Inari likes them better that way.
Note: Inari’s kitsune-messengers are silk-white. As such, this color will be off-limits for any PC kitsune. Your kitsune character may be red, orange, silver, or even gold...but not white.
Bakeneko/Nekomata (a bakeneko has one tail, while a nekomata has two)
Description: Bakeneko are cat spirits. Because of their ability to change shape, they are usually considered to be mischief-makers, and for good reason. They enjoy playing tricks on humans, and even other yokai. When a bakeneko reaches full-power and maturity, its tail splits in two, and it becomes a nekomata. Bakeneko and nekomata can transform into nearly anything, but prefer the forms of beautiful women or young girls. Like the kitsune, they are fast, intelligent, and magical, but without much physical strength.
Tanuki
Description: Tanuki are shape-shifters that most often look like plump raccoons. They are renowned for having large *ahem*, and many choose to flaunt them shamelessly. These creatures have powerful transformation magic and can take the form of just about anything (they will most commonly choose to masquerade as chubby old men). They possess great magical prowess and immense wisdom, but are typically very slow and not very strong.
Tengu/Daitengu (a daitengu is a more powerful tengu)
Description: Tengu are a type of yokai that resemble humans with avian characteristics. While human-like in appearance, they usually sport large bird wings and long noses, because their transformation magic is imperfect. Every tengu carries a bird mask to use when it wishes to become its more monstrous, bird-of-prey form. Tengu are the self-proclaimed guardians of forests and mountain passes, and can be found in those locations in abundance. They are fast and strong, but not very intelligent. Daitengu, however, are very smart, and have powerful magical abilities.
Note: The tengu aren’t exactly very friendly toward outsiders...and will be some of our first enemies...so if you choose to sign up as a tengu/daitengu, then your character needs to be either an outcast or from a faraway tengu clan.
Inugami
Description: Inugami are dog spirits, and are extremely powerful and capable of shape-shifting. Despite being perfectly capable of existing independently, most usually prefer to live with their masters as watchful and bold companions. Inugami can be found almost anywhere, and are often summoned to fight for their masters. They are the most commonly seen of the yokai. People have grown accustomed to seeing them here and there. Inugami lack physical strength, but they are fast and highly intelligent. They have an immense amount of magical prowess.
Yuki-Onna
Description: Yuki-onna are female spirits of winter and snow. They most commonly take the form of beautiful young women or girls and are extremely pale in complexion. They are ghosts of women who died in the snowy wilderness, forced to wander the land. These spirits can tend to be seductive and malicious, and have been known to, at times, sleep with men just to leave them dead (from frostbite) the next morning. They have an immense amount of magical prowess.
Kamaitachi
Description: Kamaitachi are sickle-wielding weasels. Their motto is “strike before stricken,” and they follow it excellently. They are masters of speed and quick attacks, and are capable of flooring even enemies four times their size. They are quick-witted, and extremely skilled at surprising opponents with their speed. They exist in areas with tall grass. Kamaitachi rely primarily on their speed and intelligence, and let their momentum do the rest. They can use wind magic, but little else of the magic-kind.
Kijimuna
Description: Kijimuna are friendly, but impish, forest spirits who resemble small, tanned children and have fiery red hair. They are adept fishermen, but have an irrational fear of the octopus...even very small ones. Most of the time, these small creatures go about wearing nothing but grass skirts, but will on occasion garb themselves in other forms of clothing. They tend to have bad memory. Kijimuna are quick and very magical, but lack much physical strength and intelligence. They spend most of their time in forests fishing in rivers.
Harionago
Description: Harionago look every bit an average woman with long hair. But looks can be deceiving, because make these women mad, and you’re in for it. Their hair is barbed and can be used as a formidable weapon. A harionago has full control over her hair, and can use it as whips or to entangle enemies. These yokai are usually quite vain, and nearly always have a mirror handy with which to view themselves. There’s usually a comb or a brush that can be found on their person as well. They are prone to anger and can be quite brutal. They possess much of the same ability as an average human, but with barbed hair.
Note: You may have noticed that the option for roleplaying oni (demons – powerful inhabitants of the underworld), shojo (red-haired, usually-drunk monkey-men), and many other yokai is not present. This is because the oni are currently confined to Yomi and many of the other yokai (shojo included) will play a large role in the storyline. Fear not, the option for creating NPCs (and eventually PCs) of these and many other beloved creatures (yes, even the kami themselves) will arise as the RPG progresses.
MEET THE KAMI:
- Amaterasu (goddess of the sun; highest deity)
- Benten (goddess of luck and beauty; associated with white serpents)
- Daikoku (god and patron of farmers)
- Dosojin (god of roads)
- Ebisu (god of fishermen)
- Fujin (god of the wind)
- Fukurokuju (god of wisdom)
- Hotei (chubby god of happiness, laughter, and contentment)
- Idaten (god and protector of monks)
- Inari (god of foxes and rice)
- Izanagi (primordial god of the sky and everything good)
- Izanami (primordial goddess of the earth and darkness)
- Jurojin (god of longevity in old age)
- Konohana (goddess of spring)
- Mawaya (god of the toilet)
- Musubi (god of love)
- Raijin (god of the lightning and thunder)
- Ryujin (dragon god)
- Sarutahiko (god of crossroads and paths)
- Susanoo (god of the storm and sea)
- Tsukuyomi (god of the moon)
- Uzume (goddess of joy, fertility, and happiness)
- Amaterasu (goddess of the sun; highest deity)
- Benten (goddess of luck and beauty; associated with white serpents)
- Daikoku (god and patron of farmers)
- Dosojin (god of roads)
- Ebisu (god of fishermen)
- Fujin (god of the wind)
- Fukurokuju (god of wisdom)
- Hotei (chubby god of happiness, laughter, and contentment)
- Idaten (god and protector of monks)
- Inari (god of foxes and rice)
- Izanagi (primordial god of the sky and everything good)
- Izanami (primordial goddess of the earth and darkness)
- Jurojin (god of longevity in old age)
- Konohana (goddess of spring)
- Mawaya (god of the toilet)
- Musubi (god of love)
- Raijin (god of the lightning and thunder)
- Ryujin (dragon god)
- Sarutahiko (god of crossroads and paths)
- Susanoo (god of the storm and sea)
- Tsukuyomi (god of the moon)
- Uzume (goddess of joy, fertility, and happiness)
THE TALES OF KAMI GUIDE TO MAGIC:
Ashihara is home to many different forms of magic, which have been passed down from generation to generation. These forms of magic include, but are not limited to:
- Transformation Magic (one of the most common forms of magic; altering the appearance of oneself; used most by kitsune, bakeneko/nekomata, tanuki, tengu, and inugami)
- Summoning Magic (a form of magic that involves calling upon the help of a spirit or monster to aid you; typically used by monks to summon yokai to their aid)
- Elemental Magic (the magic of fire, wind, water, lightning, earth, and darkness; mostly used for offensive purposes, such as attacking an enemy)
- Healing Magic (a form of magic that involves the healing of another using supernatural means)
- Dispelling Magic (a form of magic that involves the dispelling of evil spirits; used most commonly by monks to ward off demons and ghosts)
- Sealing Magic (one of the most strenuous forms of magic; can be utilized by only the most skilled of magic-users; involves the sealing of a soul or demon by forcing it into an inanimate object)
- Forbidden Magic (the most powerful magic known to Ashihara; only those capable of wielding the powers of the primordial kami, Izanagi and Izanami, can learn this magic)
Ashihara is home to many different forms of magic, which have been passed down from generation to generation. These forms of magic include, but are not limited to:
- Transformation Magic (one of the most common forms of magic; altering the appearance of oneself; used most by kitsune, bakeneko/nekomata, tanuki, tengu, and inugami)
- Summoning Magic (a form of magic that involves calling upon the help of a spirit or monster to aid you; typically used by monks to summon yokai to their aid)
- Elemental Magic (the magic of fire, wind, water, lightning, earth, and darkness; mostly used for offensive purposes, such as attacking an enemy)
- Healing Magic (a form of magic that involves the healing of another using supernatural means)
- Dispelling Magic (a form of magic that involves the dispelling of evil spirits; used most commonly by monks to ward off demons and ghosts)
- Sealing Magic (one of the most strenuous forms of magic; can be utilized by only the most skilled of magic-users; involves the sealing of a soul or demon by forcing it into an inanimate object)
- Forbidden Magic (the most powerful magic known to Ashihara; only those capable of wielding the powers of the primordial kami, Izanagi and Izanami, can learn this magic)
IMPORTANT PLACES:
Ashihara-no-Nakatsukuni – the “Middle Country of Reed Beds.” Essentially, the earthly realm which lies between Takamagahara and Yomi. The realm where mortals and yokai dwell.
Yomi – the Underworld; ruled by Izanami. The entrance (the gate called Yomotsuhirasaka) lies deep within the great temple in Izumo and has been sealed for a thousand years.
Takamagahara – the “High Plain of Heaven.” Connected to Ashihara-no-Nakatsukuni by way of a bridge called Ama-no-Uki-Hashi (the "Floating Bridge of Heaven").
Izumo – small country town in the west that is surrounded by mountains on every side. Every October, the Kami gather here in a great temple to discuss the fate of humanity and the love affairs of individuals (Musubi usually brings this up). This is known as the Assembly of the Gods.
Suzuka – very small village where our little adventure begins.
Kyoto – bustling market-city of Ashihara-no-Nakatsukuni.
Hot Springs (Onsen) – there are many hot springs located all across Ashihara. They are usually run by kitsune, shojo, or the kami themselves. (This is where the fun happens...)
IMPORTANT SHRINES/TEMPLES:
Izumo Temple – the temple in Izumo where the kami gather once a year for the Assembly of the Gods.
Ise Shrine – the sacred shrine of Amaterasu, the Kami of the Sun. The entrance to this shrine is the Honden Shrine.
Kumano Shrine – a shrine dedicated to Susanoo, the Kami of the Storm and Seas.
Kasama Shrine – one of many shrines that house Inari, the Kami of Rice and Kitsune.
SIGN UP FORM:
Name: (Simple, right? Eh...no. Names must be Japanese, and shouldn’t be something utterly random. Nicknames, however, may be in another language, so long as it’s believable.)
Age: (Make it realistic. Yokai typically live longer than humans do.)
Gender: (Yes, you have to choose one.)
Race: (Use one of the races listed above, unless you can come up with a good reason why you want to use an unmentioned race.)
Class: (Only applicable for human sign ups. Samurai, Ronin, Ninja, etc.)
Appearance: (Standard RPG-length. I don’t care about the number of sentences, as long as it’s good. Detailed is great, but try not to bore me with really long descriptions about one simple thing.)
Personality: (Again, standard RPG-length. Just make it good. Personality is the most important part...so let’s have some good personalities, okay? Try to make the character fairly believable, and give him/her/it a decent goal in life.)
History: (I want some meat here. Give me something to chew on, and give the character an interesting background. Again, detail is good, but too much might drive me up the wall.)
Weapons: (Any weapons? Remember, these shouldn’t be modern-day weapons like guns or hand-grenades.)
Magic: (Any magic? Check that list I provided for you earlier and see if any of those are applicable to your character.)
Summons/Yokai: (If your character can use summoning magic, what kinds of yokai can he/she summon? Note: If your character has a yokai that acts as his or her guardian, that yokai must either be a PC or a NPC.)
Other: (Anything else I should know?)
Name: Tamamo-no-Mae (or just "Mae")
Age: Unknown (looks to be in her early twenties)
Gender: Female
Race: Kitsune (Five-tailed)
Class: None
Appearance: In her human-form, Mae has a curvaceous, succulent frame – smooth legs, wide hips, a slim middle, full, rounded breasts, and a drop-dead gorgeous face. Her skin is milky white, and her eyes are a shining amber-color, but flash red whenever she is angered. Her hair is long and silk-white, cascading down her back and around her shoulders. A pair of pointed, furry ears emerge from the top of her head. Her teeth are sharp and sometimes protrude from beneath her rosy lips.
Being a major flirt, Mae garbs herself in skimpier attire than many other kitsune. She wears a light blue (the shade of night), tight-fitting, short kimono cut low so as to expose cleavage from her sizable breasts. Her form-fitting kimono-skirt really only covers as much as it needs to, leaving nearly all of her legs exposed. It has a split down the right side for full mobility. The loose sleeves of her scanty attire are long and cover her arms. Within each of these sleeves she conceals a sharp knife for assassination. Around her waist, Mae wears a white sash with a small loop to attach a lantern to her thigh. Her feet are bare.
Mae's kitsune form is the size of a large fox and bears silk-white fur. She has five tails that wave back and forth slowly and rhythmically, as if they possess minds of their own.
Personality: Mae is a seductive kitsune who lives for two things: one, to serve her Master faithfully (whoever that might be at the time), and two, to become one of the legendary Nine-tails. Her ways are often what one might call “cunning,” and she can be very ambitious at times (sometimes too ambitious for her own good). At one point in time, she had a nasty temper, but has trained herself to keep it in check. Lest she set fire to some unfortunate person's fanny.
Mae doesn't usually come across as proud; instead she's usually viewed as servant-hearted. But sly. Very, very sly. Her first resort is to utilize manipulative behavior to obtain what she desires. She is careful to move only in ways that are advantageous to her, and always manages to, one way or another, get what she wants. Her decisions in and out of battle are carefully and deliberately planned out. Each movement has a purpose. Mae tends to also be extremely flirtatious at times, and she's good at it. She knows it too. Not surprisingly, she possesses a mind for strategy, and utilizes this to her advantage in both day-to-day life and in battle.
Mae is typically very level-headed. But on the rare occasion that she be infuriated, a sadistic side to her will spring forth. Her eyes turn crimson-red and she begins to crave blood. It is during this time that she throws all caution to the wind and will spare no one who stands in her way. Her persona becomes like that of a demon. If this happens, onlookers and adversaries are advised to flee for their lives.
History: Mae's history will be revealed as the plot progresses.
Weapons:
- None.
Magic:
- Transformation
- Summoning
- Elemental (Fire, Wind, Water, Earth)
- Healing
- Dispelling
- Sealing
Summons/Yokai:
- Kitsune
Other: None
I've got one other sign up coming. I'll try to get him up in the next couple days!
Age: Unknown (looks to be in her early twenties)
Gender: Female
Race: Kitsune (Five-tailed)
Class: None
Appearance: In her human-form, Mae has a curvaceous, succulent frame – smooth legs, wide hips, a slim middle, full, rounded breasts, and a drop-dead gorgeous face. Her skin is milky white, and her eyes are a shining amber-color, but flash red whenever she is angered. Her hair is long and silk-white, cascading down her back and around her shoulders. A pair of pointed, furry ears emerge from the top of her head. Her teeth are sharp and sometimes protrude from beneath her rosy lips.
Being a major flirt, Mae garbs herself in skimpier attire than many other kitsune. She wears a light blue (the shade of night), tight-fitting, short kimono cut low so as to expose cleavage from her sizable breasts. Her form-fitting kimono-skirt really only covers as much as it needs to, leaving nearly all of her legs exposed. It has a split down the right side for full mobility. The loose sleeves of her scanty attire are long and cover her arms. Within each of these sleeves she conceals a sharp knife for assassination. Around her waist, Mae wears a white sash with a small loop to attach a lantern to her thigh. Her feet are bare.
Mae's kitsune form is the size of a large fox and bears silk-white fur. She has five tails that wave back and forth slowly and rhythmically, as if they possess minds of their own.
Personality: Mae is a seductive kitsune who lives for two things: one, to serve her Master faithfully (whoever that might be at the time), and two, to become one of the legendary Nine-tails. Her ways are often what one might call “cunning,” and she can be very ambitious at times (sometimes too ambitious for her own good). At one point in time, she had a nasty temper, but has trained herself to keep it in check. Lest she set fire to some unfortunate person's fanny.
Mae doesn't usually come across as proud; instead she's usually viewed as servant-hearted. But sly. Very, very sly. Her first resort is to utilize manipulative behavior to obtain what she desires. She is careful to move only in ways that are advantageous to her, and always manages to, one way or another, get what she wants. Her decisions in and out of battle are carefully and deliberately planned out. Each movement has a purpose. Mae tends to also be extremely flirtatious at times, and she's good at it. She knows it too. Not surprisingly, she possesses a mind for strategy, and utilizes this to her advantage in both day-to-day life and in battle.
Mae is typically very level-headed. But on the rare occasion that she be infuriated, a sadistic side to her will spring forth. Her eyes turn crimson-red and she begins to crave blood. It is during this time that she throws all caution to the wind and will spare no one who stands in her way. Her persona becomes like that of a demon. If this happens, onlookers and adversaries are advised to flee for their lives.
History: Mae's history will be revealed as the plot progresses.
Weapons:
- None.
Magic:
- Transformation
- Summoning
- Elemental (Fire, Wind, Water, Earth)
- Healing
- Dispelling
- Sealing
Summons/Yokai:
- Kitsune
Other: None
I've got one other sign up coming. I'll try to get him up in the next couple days!
Accepted Characters List:
- Tamamo-no-Mae (Kitsune) - Hotshot
- Tsuki (Kitsune) - Killer_Squirtle
- Mamoru (Inugami) - Monty
- Āron Fokkusu (Human) - Tyoyo3131
-
NOTE: I will be controlling a number of characters (including the kami) rather inconsistently in order to keep the plot moving. With each of these characters, I will give a description of personality and appearance so you guys can picture them. These will most commonly be your guides on this adventure. (Tamamo-no-Mae will be the first of your guides.)
Last edited: