The Story So Far

The Baji Isles are in turmoil, the large scale peace that many hoped Naji would bring turned out to be little more than a foolish dream. Nakaki encroaches on one of the borders, their skirmishes resulting in massacred villages and hundreds of uninvolved parties left homeless in the aftermath. It won't be long until it leads to large scale warfare, the fear of it already causing smaller clans to flee the area or pledge loyalty to Nakaki. On the other end of the islands Hojo has been popping up all around, villages and towns suddenly putting up his banner. While he brings prosperity, his leadership style means that the fancy streets of his towns are filled with gangs and mercenaries fighting over control and for his favor and often attacking any non Hojo villages around them. Many small clans have experienced issues of their own, with strange occurrences going on and many Lords suddenly vanishing or behaving out of character. Fear of the growing Ka-Tu runs throughout all of the islands, and rumors feel the air of foreign witches causing calamity where ever they go. Baji has always been a violent chaotic place, but signs point to something big happening soon.

The Shima Clan had done their best to stay out of the problems, even with their current military strength. It has close ties with the Naji clan but tensions have been mounted in the past few years due to Shima being unwilling to join their fight against Nakaki, with many local towns wondering if Shima is planning to join the young clan. The worst event in Shima history occurred only a few days ago when a strange group of outsides took advantage of their hospitalities and stole the Clans's sacred relics before using strange magic to distract the warriors and make their escape. As their mystics work on holding up their ancient protections, Lord Shima came up with a plan. The group couldn't have gotten too far and it would be hard for them to leave Hisiano this time of year, someone would have to go after them. The bulk of the military and their greatest warriors were too busy holding off demons and preparing for Ina attacks to go, and thus a rag tag group was chosen.

A recent immigrant to the clan hoping to repay its gratitude, Jiang Baji. A young half-Oni enforcer and fledgling Youkai expert, Yuudai Wakahisa. The friendly Lord OJa helping by sending his trusted vassal, Kenji Takeda. The ever loyal Gin, a half-oni blacksmith always looking to help out. Hibiki Shamizo, a blind monk hoping to ensure the group doesn't lose their way during the pursuit. A neko samurai, standing in for his father to help the clan, Tarou Sasaki. Nana Fujimoto, a half-oni thief hoping the journey will give her a greater purpose. And an elder Tengu to help keep them in line with her wisdom, Metou Toribaba. The unusual group was made the official representatives of the Shima Clan and sent out on their journey for the Relics and to gain allies for a bigger plot they fear the thieves were a part of.

<Snipped quote by Lekkuen>

This was added on the first page. He did a nice job at introducing the characters.