Please note, this is the first roleplay I'm doing on here, so if I'm doing something wrong, please let me know!
The setting is that of a somewhat high-technology world that is near-future or roughly modern in style, except that technology is predominantly powered by magic. Magic itself tends to primarily stem from Ayakashi, a broad term for sentient or semi-sentient magical beings. Of these, there are three types, though they tend to bleed into each other somewhat. The most common are Tsukumogami, which are objects in which a spirit has been trapped and is now used to power technology. Yanamun are the powerful spirits which must be trapped, and often manifest as destructive forces of nature or as massive, mutated beasts, or some measure of both. The second most common are Obake, which are animal-like spirits who may take the shapes of humans; if left unchecked, they may become Yanamun.
Mages are people who have bound themselves to an Obake, and thus gained control over their powers, siphoning off their excess magic to use as their own. Obake that have been bound are known as familiars, and if they are not bound to a mage on their 99th year or before they will undoubtedly become a Yanamun. As Ayakashi are effectively immortal, the mages who bound themselves to them in turn gain a form of immortality, in that they will not age from the point at which they bound themselves, and also become far more durable and resistant to diseases, poison, and physical damage than typical humans. Nearly any human may become a mage simply by binding to an Obake, but Obake are rather selective in which humans they will allow to become their master, and not all humans may be compatible with all types of Obake.
This roleplay would be intended to follow students at what amounts to a college/secondary school for mages. This school is incredibly difficult to get into- children dedicate their entire lives to studying and training for the entrance exam alone, and even then often do not pass. Once at the school, mages choose a specialty- engineering and research of Tsukumogami; combat and containment of Yanamun; or care, breeding, and training of Obake.
I also have a little more lore in mind, but I don't want to give it away as it would be for the characters to discover along the way :P
*these points may or may not be used.
Base Concept
The setting is that of a somewhat high-technology world that is near-future or roughly modern in style, except that technology is predominantly powered by magic. Magic itself tends to primarily stem from Ayakashi, a broad term for sentient or semi-sentient magical beings. Of these, there are three types, though they tend to bleed into each other somewhat. The most common are Tsukumogami, which are objects in which a spirit has been trapped and is now used to power technology. Yanamun are the powerful spirits which must be trapped, and often manifest as destructive forces of nature or as massive, mutated beasts, or some measure of both. The second most common are Obake, which are animal-like spirits who may take the shapes of humans; if left unchecked, they may become Yanamun.
Mages are people who have bound themselves to an Obake, and thus gained control over their powers, siphoning off their excess magic to use as their own. Obake that have been bound are known as familiars, and if they are not bound to a mage on their 99th year or before they will undoubtedly become a Yanamun. As Ayakashi are effectively immortal, the mages who bound themselves to them in turn gain a form of immortality, in that they will not age from the point at which they bound themselves, and also become far more durable and resistant to diseases, poison, and physical damage than typical humans. Nearly any human may become a mage simply by binding to an Obake, but Obake are rather selective in which humans they will allow to become their master, and not all humans may be compatible with all types of Obake.
This roleplay would be intended to follow students at what amounts to a college/secondary school for mages. This school is incredibly difficult to get into- children dedicate their entire lives to studying and training for the entrance exam alone, and even then often do not pass. Once at the school, mages choose a specialty- engineering and research of Tsukumogami; combat and containment of Yanamun; or care, breeding, and training of Obake.
I also have a little more lore in mind, but I don't want to give it away as it would be for the characters to discover along the way :P
About Obake
*these points may or may not be used.
- Obake are heavily regulated in order to prevent the possibility of more Yanamun being created. Typically, only those who are bound to mages who work as breeders reproduce, though other Obake may apply to be allowed to become parents. There are many rules about which Obake may be accepted. However, it is possible for Obake to be born "feral," typically being created when an animal comes into contact with a Tsukumogami or Yanamun and is given magical power. These feral Obake may choose to register themselves and become familiars, but many choose to remain undercover and free, ultimately developing into Yanamun themselves. Feral Obake are quite rare, as Tsukumogami are carefully guarded and Yanamun rarely create new Obake.
- Obake who are born of several generations of the same type (for example, a 3rd+ generation kitsune without blood from other Obake types) are considered "pedigree" and are often more sought-after as familiars than feral (wild-born) or diluted (having ancestors of a different Obake type) Obake. In turn, these pedigree Obake are often more selective in who they choose as their masters, and tend to gear towards people who are affluent, have a high degree of magical potential, or (preferably) both. As such, they also tend to take longer to find masters than other Obake.
- main types of Obake: kitsune (fox), bakeneko (cat), tanuki (raccoon dog), mujina (badger), kappa (turtle), tengu (bird of prey), jorogumo (spider), kyuuso (rat), akamata (snake), hainu (winged dog). Not all of these are/will be entirely accurate to the real lore of these creatures, just inspired by them. Each type of Obake has different abilities and magical aptitudes, which in turn relay different abilities and aptitudes to their masters.
Obake Types & Abilities
- Kitsune - animal form is a fox. Dislikes canines, including hainu and tanuki Obake. Gain tails the older they get; gaining their 9th tail at 100 years old causes their fur to turn white or gold, and also causes them to become a Yanamun. Thus, kitsune Obake will never have more than eight tails. Their abilities include the ability to control or manifest fire or lightning, to walk in the dreams of others, and to turn invisible.
- Bakeneko - animal form is that of any feline, but most often a common house cat. Tend to be friends with dogs, and particularly wolf-like dogs. As they near 100 years old, their long tail may begin to split; once it has separated entirely into two tails, the bakeneko will become a nekomata Yanamun. Bakeneko have mild psychic abilities, such as mild empathy, telepathy, or mind-reading.
- Tanuki - animal form is that of a raccoon dog. They are usually quite jovial and tend to enjoy good-natured pranks (though they tend pranking others more than being pranked themselves!). They also love alcohol, and are notorious for getting drunk and causing trouble. They are most adept at transfiguration magic; that is, changing an object into something else. The size and complexity of a shift depends on the skill of the tanuki and its master, and must be sustained or the object will revert to its original form.
- Mujina - animal form is that of a badger. Mujina are typically shy, cautious, and meek in personality, but love music and may be won over by it. Their magic tends to revolve around music, and their songs may entrance and confuse their enemies.
- Kappa - animal form is that of a large land turtle. They are extremely polite and calm; in fact they instinctively value politeness above nearly all else. They are noted to be exceptionally strong, and few can match a kappa in a contest of strength. Their magic tends to gear towards healing, and in particular healing with water. They have an uncanny ability to diagnose pain and create medicines.
- Tengu - animal form is that of a bird of prey, and it shows. Tengu tend to be scatterbrained and love to collect shiny things; they often have a hoard hidden somewhere, and may be mild (or extreme) kleptomaniacs. They tend to have extreme tempers, can be difficult to control, and can become quite violent. Their ability to fly is unparalleled, not due least in part to their ability to control the wind; in fact, very powerful tengu may be able to create, manipulate, and disperse entire, powerful storms.
- Jorogumo - animal form is that of a spider. Jorogumo tend to be fond of the water, and are aloof and even hostile to most others, but extremely helpful, kind, and loyal to the ones they like. They are predominantly female; male jorogumo are extremely rare. Their bite carries a powerful poison, and their webs are extremely strong. They tend to bewitch those that see them, and may create, remove, or alter the memories of their victims.
- Kyuuso - animal form is that of a rat. They really hate cats, and can be vicious (especially to cats or those who associate with them). They have incredible senses and a good nose for danger, even to the degree of having premonitions of the future (though these premonitions are typically bad omens/warnings).
- Akamata - animal form is that of a snake. Their magic is mostly geared towards illusion, making others perceive what they want them to perceived, and thus making them great tricksters and good at disguise.
- Hainu - animal form is that of a winged dog (normal dogs who become hainu will grow wings). Like regular dogs, they are loyal and affectionate to their masters, and may be extremely protective of them, or may be loving of all humans. Hainu are physically durable and ferocious, and- of course- can fly. Their speed is unparalleled, both in the air and on the ground, except by skilled tengu. Hainu who are badly mistreated or else walk a dark path on their own may become inugami, which deal with dark necromancy types of magic and are impossible to control save by the strongest of mages, and may become a Yanamun in this form even if they have been bound as a familiar.
