The night was dark and the road deserted, as the lone traveller moved towards the lights of the village lower on the mountainside. He was Tokasi Benkai, samurai and warrior. Gold glinted on the fittings of his katana.
The woods hid their shadows. They were bandits, and hungry. They were also five to his one. They attacked.
The first went down before the samurai's Iai draw. The second fell under a pear-splitting stroke of the katana. The third and fourth were more cautious, but were also sent onward by the warrior's flashing sword. Tokasi flicked the blood from his blade and turned to face the last.
The final bandit was also a swordsman, as could be seen by his stance. Tokasi knew that this man would not be an easy victory, but if it was his karma to die this night, Takasi would meet death true to his code of bushido...
Welcome to Nippon...
Nippon is not precisely Japan, rather it is the Japan of Legend. Oni, malicious spirits, monsters and magical creatures are all a part of the land, as are human heroes and villains.
Nippon does not have a strong ruler. The old Emperor died last winter, and the current ruler of Nippon, his grandson, is just seven years old, and being manipulated by his advisors and ministers.
Many of the
daimyo see this as an opportunity to improve their own fortunes, calling upon old debts of gratitude to gain favour at the Imperial court, while the most powerful of them see the chance to take the ultimate prize - the title of
Shogun. The Shogun would become the effective ruler of Nippon, with that rule legitimised by the Emperor's word.
Border skirmishes are becoming more common.
Taking advantage of this chaos, bandits and goblins now prey on travellers on many of the roads in the country. They launch raids against villages, while the
daimyo have their attention diverted elsewhere. Nobody is safe, as the raiders strike with ever-increasing boldness.
Monasteries of both Bhuddist and Shinto sects are dotted all across Nippon, and the monks from many of these monasteries have recently started to become increasingly warlike in nature, seeing this as the best way to protect themselves, and the local communities, in the troubled times ahead. Violent outbreaks involving the various sects Yamabushi (warrior monks) are not uncommon, but due the wealth and power that each sect holds, the current government is unwilling, or perhaps unable, to interfere with their disruptive activities.
Hida Province lies in contested territory.
The northern part of the province is ruled by clans loyal to Yamaouchi, while the southern part is controlled by those who support the Uesugi faction. Areas just beyond the province borders are dominated by Mori and Tokugawa supporters.
For the moment, though, the province is relatively peaceful. But most people agree that it is only a matter of time now.
It is the year of the Ox. Spring has arrived.
Armies have gathered across the land. During the winter, they have remained in place, building strength. Now, with the improving weather, they will start to stir.
The rapidly approaching Year of the Tiger promises to be extremely turbulent. War is coming to Nippon, and to Hida.
And with that war, will come many opportunities for clever men and women, both on and off the battlefields.
If they can survive in a Nippon fallen into chaos.
This game will not be an accurate historical simulation. It is, instead, a fantasy with some similarities to real history. Characters will be bushi (warriors), budoka (martial artists), shugenja (wizards), gakusho (priests, both Buddhist and Shinto), and yakuza (gamblers and criminals).
The system used will be FGU's
Bushido, published in 1981.
I've been working on it for the best part of a year, on and off, so I figured it was about time I got it going...
link to another game
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:07, Sun 01 Feb 2009.
