[OOC] The Devil Hunter Agency

[TheWendil]

Yes, their abilities for the most part should be hereditary via their species. Though I'm not sure what you mean by the flesh and blood thing.

[ERode]

Ah, when I usually think of yokai and all, I think of them as ghosts and shit. If they make babies through sexual reproduction though, does that mean that they're entirely physical beings, and that, technically, enough physical firepower would be enough to down them?

[TheWendil]

Ah I see what you mean. When you asked about devil birth I thought you meant a species of devil, not all of them as a whole. But in truth, something like their creation and powers depend on the species as there’s different breeds of “demon”.

For example, since this is in the Japanese branch and most “demons” would be Youkai in this area, they’d indeed be more spiritual. More traditional devils in the more western branches would be more flesh and blood creatures susceptible to physical firepower.

I don’t really have a preference to what people play, be it Youkai or a western devil. As a Youkai you’d be more ghostly as per the region while as another type of devil you’d be more physical.

[OwO]

MOM ALERT

• Name: Yokoi Beniha
• Title: People often call her the Crone behind her back. Someone called her mom to her face. She's fine with either.
• Age: 47
• Division: Japanese Branch
• Class/Species: Devil Feeder
• Abilities: Beniha's contract allows her to wield the power of flame through the creation and manipulation of burning feathers. Despite their heat, she is capable of wielding these feathers without apparent injury to herself. Her contract also allows for a form of telekinetic control over these feathers. This control, however, is fairly short ranged. Because of this, the control she possesses is used to primarily create constructs of fire. She can create simple weaponry out of these feathers. Bows, swords, spears, and other such martial weapons are all viable creations.

While her contract doesn't quite enhance her physical attributes by any considerable margin, it allows her to possess considerable regenerative capability. While she hasn't tested the exact limits of this ability, it's apparent that she can seal flesh wounds, cure burns, and reattach recently lost limbs, though she's unable to regrow missing flesh. This healing can be applied to others through the medium of her burning feathers, but the process is both agonizingly painful to others and not extraordinarily effective.

• Personality: Grim and sardonic, Beniha is a woman who has seen too much in her years. Her words are often coated in venom with insults intermixed with the praise she gives to others. She isn't one to waste time; a general philosophy of swift and inordinate reaction undertones all of her actions. If she's going to do something, she's going to absolutely ensure that it happens. With this and her sense of duty, it's no surprise that she's one of the most experienced hunters in the field. She often reacts poorly to others bringing up her daughter. They aren't on the best of terms.

While rude and harsh to others, she cares deeply about her younger peers. She sincerely wishes that they stay safe. Because of her general experience, she often acts as a mentor to the new recruits within the DHA. Rarely, her motherly nature shines through all of the bitterness. Small moments of assurance and sacrifice are an uncommon experience to those who interact with her, but they still occur enough to make many hunters confused about how they feel about her.

• Background: Nobody is born an experienced veteran. For Beniha, her childhood wasn't good. Shit house, shit parents, and a shit upbringing. She was a good-for-nothing delinquent ever since she could remember. Though, that time didn't last long. Call it a tragedy, call it an escape. A youkai had liberated her parents of their skin. Before the youkai could finish off the entire family, a hunter bust down the door and promptly ended the youkai. Beniha asked the hunter if she could come with him without giving him time to catch his breath.

And so she joined the DHA at a young age. Turns out, the delinquent child was good at something after all. She was a freak when it came to learning to fight. She could pick up practically any weapon and, within a month, be on par with her peers. Unfortunately, at 12, you're gifted. At 15, you're talented. At 20, you're normal.

Despite her talent with so many weapons, she was ended up as a master of none. Still, be it dumb luck, skill, or willpower, she continued to hunt with frightening efficiency. She ended up falling in love with another hunter. Had a child with him, to. He died, unrelated to the cause. She raised that child on her own, but her duties interfered more and more as her child grew up. By the time her child was 14, Beniha was back at the DHA seeing her daughter for an hour every week.

A dumb test of courage broke that cycle. A group of high schoolers decided to venture deep into the woods for a laugh. What a laugh happened when Beniha's daughter didn't return home from school that day.

Beniha instantly left to find her daughter. With blade in hand, she stormed into the woods and fought what was hunting her daughter. It was too much for her. But she wouldn't stop. No matter how many wounds she got, how many bones were broken, and how close to death she got, she would never give up this fight.

As her vision blurred to an ineffable darkness, a single hatchling appeared in front of her. Through its underdeveloped beak, it uttered a silence that only Beniha could understand.

She embraced the bird in her hands, it vanishing just as quickly as it appeared.

A single moment of radiance. Her wounds bled cinders and, covered in sanctified flame, Beniha charged the youkai once again, unwilling to stop until one of them died.

When dawn broke, the mother had reunited with her daughter--the one witness to the fight.

The dust settled on that chapter of Beniha's life. The rest of the kids were fine. They either got out early or hid well enough to not even hear the sounds of the battle. While reprimanded for not following procedure, her newfound contract and position as a demon feeder let her escape the brunt of paperwork. Her daughter ended up following in her footsteps, much to her distress. The blade she had once used was now carried by her daughter.

And so continued Beniha's service as a hunter.

• Inventory: Beniha doesn't carry much aside from day to day essentials. The most notable things she carries are a photo of her daughter, incense sticks, and a coin turned necklace.

The youkai she's contracted to is within the bracelet on her right wrist.

• Other:

[Octo]

Would a Youkai that doesn't particularly want to hurt anyone be acceptable? I was thinking of a ghost that mostly makes a nuisance of herself and enjoys scaring Humans. More of a trickster than a threat.

[KoL]

Would a Youkai that doesn't particularly want to hurt anyone be acceptable? I was thinking of a ghost that mostly makes a nuisance of herself and enjoys scaring Humans. More of a trickster than a threat.

@Octo

Depends on what you mean by acceptable.

If it's as a character in the RP as a neutral party, it's possible since there are Demons that don't want to bring harm to people. If it's as part of the DHA, it's unlikely because they are a human organization, any Demon assisting them, would likely have to be contracted.

[Octo]

<Snipped quote by Octo>

Depends on what you mean by acceptable.

If it's as a character in the RP as a neutral party, it's possible since there are Demons that don't want to bring harm to people. If it's as part of the DHA, it's unlikely because they are a human organization, any Demon assisting them, would likely have to be contracted.

@KoL

Yeah, I'm going for a neutral thing. She has no interest in hurting Humans, and cares about the DHA insofar as they can be fun to mess with. Ostensibly she'd have her own interests outside any of the groups, though I could see her getting involved in plot for her own enjoyment. Once you've been dead for so long, it's really about making your own fun.

[TheWendil]

@Octo

I would prefer Youkai to either be aligned with the DHA or against them for the sake of being involved in the RP. I may make an exception depending on the case you make for her in being relevant to the RP and other people's characters though. That said, this won't be a common thing. No neutral parties unless you can convince me with a good case for her.

[Octo]

@Octo

I would prefer Youkai to either be aligned with the DHA or against them for the sake of being involved in the RP. I may make an exception depending on the case you make for her in being relevant to the RP and other people's characters though. That said, this won't be a common thing. No neutral parties unless you can convince me with a good case for her.

@TheWendil

I figured. I thought it would be nice to have a character that's kind of 'between' Humans and Youkai. For the most part, once a DHA member encounters a Youkai, they're gonna get right to the ass-kicking. Nobody's asking Zorgoth the Babyeater why he eats the babies. It's chainsaw time. With a ghost, though, it's a bit more nuanced. You can't just kill it, and it's probably not gonna hurt you. It's a different kind of conflict.

If you want a clear alignment, she could side with the DHA though. Her main motivation is her own amusement, and that sort of thing might be fun for her. She's no good at direct combat, but it's hard to do any actual damage to her which makes her a great resource for scouting and investigation.

Anyways, here's the sheet in case you're curious. Even if it's a no, I'll probably think something else up, so no big.

Hanako

• Appearance:

• Name: Hanako Yamamoto

• Title: Toire no Hanako

• Age: 15 at death, has existed for ~90 years

• Class/Species: Ghost/Rumor

• Abilities: Hanako has basic ghost abilities, such as intangibility, minor flight, precise kinetic manipulation, and the ability to become invisible. Some creatures, such as Hanako, become so ubiquitous that they gain more power based on the belief of Humans. Because Hanako is so widely known and associated with bathrooms, she has gained the ability to teleport instantly to any bathroom that she knows of. That same belief makes it impossible to exorcise her for good. As long as someone believes in Hanako, she must return.

• Personality: You’d think that Hanako was some sort of evil spirit because she’s bound to the earth through a seething hatred of Humanity, but she’s mellowed out a bit since her death. More than anything, Hanako likes having fun. She enjoys scaring people, though her reasons are more for amusement than anything malicious. When she isn’t spooking some middle school girls in the bathroom, she’s usually at her base playing games or watching videos on her phone. Even ghosts need to get with the times! She also has an interest in observing people, especially DHA members, because she inevitably ends up getting into scuffles with them when her pranks go too far. She’s capable of cruelty, especially if she’s being antagonized, but she generally avoids hurting anyone.

• Background: Those bitches locked me in the bathroom. Can you believe that? Just because I was popular with guys. It’s not like I wanted it anyways… they could take all the guys they wanted and I wouldn’t care. It was dad that pushed that stuff on me. I wonder how he felt when he heard the news? I went to my own funeral and watched them. Dad didn’t cry.

All of it was for nothing, is what I’m getting at. The cooking lessons, the knitting lessons, obsessing over my looks, insisting on a beneficial marriage… all of it useless. My entire life futile. My fate was sealed when a bunch of old farts decided something in a room halfway across the world. It had nothing to do with me, nothing to do with them, and we were the ones that got shafted.

The last thing I really remember is the air raid sirens. After a life of submissive servitude, doing everything you were told because that’s how things had to be, being the perfect little princess… and then to come to an end in a middle school bathroom because some jealous bitches thought it was funny to lock you up? What a riot. Who wouldn’t become a grudge-riddled earthbound spirit after something like that?

I’ve been playing this game for over 70 years. You’ve heard of me, right? Toire no Hanako… what a crappy title. Hah. Pardon the pun. It started out just me being angry and wanting people to suffer, and soon enough, I made a name for myself. The rumors became widespread in like… the ‘50s or something? I must’ve worked fast, because I had only just died in ’45. Yeah, I calmed down after that, and it became more about the art of the scare. It’s art, you know? You have to do it juuust right, and if you’re really good, you can even get them to wet themselves. That’s the standard I hold myself to. Eh? Other Youkai? Who cares about them? Most are assholes. Very few of them have been Human before. They don’t understand people like I do. If they did, they’d find a different freaking snack.

• Inventory: Hanako makes her base in a dilapidated old bathroom in an abandoned old school building. She keeps all sorts of trinkets and odds and ends there.

[ERode]

>can't just kill a ghost

Exorcism says 'hi'.

[TheWendil]

I'll begin looking at characters for judging tomorrow.

[ERode]

_{5’1 | 49 lbs | ??? y.o | Kodama (?)}

Hanafusa Shika

Personality

Shika is an invasive species, a tenacious weed whose hunger draws deeper into the earth than their shallow brethren, a monster made more barbaric so through the learned cruelty of the humans living above. Once just another lurker in the shadows, focused solely on survival and proliferation, the observation of their prey brought forth not just a greater understanding of what one must do to prosper, but also a sense of humor. A twisted sense of humor, of course, one that demotes humans from prey to pet, but one that has served Shika well over the years since. They look for fun things in the world, and while some of her brethren may enjoy the mystique of being a creature of the night, isolated from humanity, Shika throws themselves into the thick of it, hitting up karaoke bars, joining in on mixers, attending school, and offering their services as a genius “chemist” to the yakuza or foreign mafia, ensuring that there’s a healthy circulation of their drugs within any city Shika decides to settle down in.

After all, fire is such a common form of exorcism, and it always paid to have some pets out there, willing to die for them. But until the DHA come knocking at the door of their cozy student dorm, Shika’s fine with just snacking on the occasional cutie and enjoying the springtime of their youth.

Background

It began with a seed. A seed inside a corpse hanging from the branch of a tree in a forest. The seed grew off cooling blood and flesh, sinking their roots deep into the corpse, until one day, the corpse’s eyes opened again.

That was the birth of Hanafusa Shika, a seedling of another youkai that they never knew. Within the forest, they obeyed their instincts, staying in the shadows of trees, waiting for prey to kill themselves of their own accord and then making use of the body they left behind. They were a corpse-eater at first, focused solely on that small part of the woods they called their own, content only with eating and hiding. As the amount they ate grew though, as they became better at finding bodies before they were too rotten to be enjoyable, curiosity sparked, drawing their eyes not to what their food was, but what their food had. Clothing, letters, technology, money. Fragments that pieced together to form a larger world. They couldn’t read yet, but they could learn, could extend their capabilities further.

They made quick work of their first live pet, parasitizing them and forcing him to teach them everything he knew, of language, of culture, of the world. Those were nice, enlightening days; Shika made sure that his corpse was the foundation of a beautiful pineapple tree, just like the ones he described to them. That had been a step too far though, and when the DHA was alerted to that anomaly in vegetation, reported on social media by a Youtuber, Shika found themselves evicted, escaping into a forest of stone towers and plentiful pets while hunters sought their demise with shiny weapons and appropriated powers. It had been terrifying, but as they lost themselves in the crowds and the neon lights, Shika found themselves…appreciating all of this.

It couldn’t be fair, after all, if pets were able to live such a bright, fun life out in the daylight, while their masters were forced to slink in shadow and refuse.

Taking their name from the corpse that they now inhabited, Hanafuse Shika began to gradually set their roots into human society. And as they did, they began to be known by another name.

Dandelion.

Inventory

A wrapped lollipop, cherry flavored. The wrapping is faded with age, and half of the plastic stick looks like it had been melted off. Shika keeps it in their pockets at all times. When they need to switch bodies, they make an effort to relocate this particular object afterwards.

Abilities

Shika possesses abilities tied to plant growth, something that they engage their entire being into. While their physical abilities are on the lower end of yokai, they make up for it with versatility and cowardice.

Common Usages

Seeding
Every strand of hair on Shika’s head is a seed with the capacity to give birth to new plants or new physical vessels for themselves to inhabit. Though it takes some concentration to create a new species of plantlife, growing oversized renditions of pre-existing plants or recreating their own body is of no issue for Shika.

Fertilizing
The ‘blood’ that courses through Shika’s veins is a potent fertilizer, and shedding such blood upon plantlife encourages explosive, virulent growth. Through the shedding of blood, they are able to claim sovereignty over naturally produced, as opposed to personally grown, plants as well.

Parasitizing
When planted into living beings, whether natural or supernatural, Shika’s seeds can form either beneficial or harmful relationships, depending on how generous they’re feeling. These plants are able to consume both the meat of their hosts, as well as more intangible substances such as lifeforce or magical energy, which is either stored or used to promote further growth or produce “fruits”. Sufficiently parasitized subjects can be controlled by Shika directly, while more beneficial plant-parasites will release stored up resources when the hosts are in danger, healing their wounds or restoring their injuries. As for the “fruits”…

Fruiting
Though Shika’s manipulation and production of plant life grants them the ability to produce any amount of illegal substances, the fruits they can make with parasitized living beings serve as supernatural performance-enhancers, granting the consumer a high both in their mood as well as in their abilities. The higher the quality of the parasitized host, the more potent the capabilities of the fruit that blooms from them, and the more addictive too, until the addicts are no longer capable of being sated by human flesh.

[RickyG85]

let's try this on, why don't I?

Maurice Colbert

• Appearance:


• Name: Maurice Colbert

• Title: Some of the younger, more foolish recruits have heard rumors surrounding his assignments. A mix of misplaced awe and intimidation has compelled them to refer to him discreetly as "Van Helsing", or "Devil's Bane"

• Age: 50

• Division: U.S., Deep South Sub-Division

• Class/Species: Devil Bringer

• Abilities: N/A

• Personality: Sociable enough, with other Hunters for the most part, but tends to keep others at arms length, figuratively. Isn't shy about being rude to Feeders. Oddly enough seems to get along best with non hunters in the Agency. Is a surly sort, borders on curmudgeonly at times. is all business during training or practice exercises with weaponry and equipment, those who've worked with him say he can be fearsome in battle, almost like a devil, himself (none have been brave enough to confront him on this).

• Background: Maurice had as normal a life as one could expect for a family that lived just an hour outside of New Orleans. They weren't stereotypical backwoods folk, though they did enjoy their privacy on a sizeable dry patch in the bayou. When he was 25, however, there was an incident- his nephew died as the result of an accident, which is precisely what it was, but that didn't stop his brother, the boys father, Edward, from seeking out an old sorceress who facilitated a contract between him and a devil. He tried to help his brother find a way out of the contract when he found he didn't have the stomach for vengeance; no matter where he was, no matter what time, Ed would see the "accidents" that befell the people responsible for his nephew's death, and occasionally was not himself, like the devil was taking over, consuming him. Eventually, he found the only way to stop/kill the devil and save his brother (and what few of it's targets were left) was for Maurice to kill him. Not long after, he was contacted by the Agency regarding the incident, and has been taking his grief out on Devils, ever since.

• Inventory: A Winchester rifle with the name "Ed" scoured into the stock, and a crucifix from a rosary affixed to it, as well. It's blessed, in order to make it a more effective a weapon. He's since learned the use of multiple bladed weapons, and even some hand to hand training. For that reasons, he also carries a blessed bowie knife. Otherwise, he travels light, updating his inventory as necessary for a given assignment, so long as he's properly briefed on the nature of the target.

• Other: If it isn't obvious, Maurice really hates devils. Not only does he not trust or respect Feeders, openly, but in a fight, when things are getting intense, he goes a little crazy, even releasing strings of curses (both foul obscenities and the "plague a both your houses" variety) in Cajun-French. No one will admit as much, but he considers himself the one they call in when the Agency needs Devils dead, and don't much care how anymore. He stopped talking with his surviving family, and doesn't really let people get close anymore. Speaks with the accent of a "Southern Gentlemen"

[Sunshine day]

Greetings, is this still open for players?

[KoL]

Greetings, is this still open for players?

@Sunshine day

Yes, we are. You are welcome.

[SilverPaw]

Since you mentioned that Devil Bringers use weapons, items, and tools, I'm guessing the 'weaponry' category isn't just for literal weapons. Any limits on how much stuff one can have? Also, what effects do the blessings/enchantments have? Just a variety of ways to harm or defend against demons? Or can it include utility-based power-ups (e.g. stealth cloaks, clothes or items that increase the speed or power of the human wielding them, demon-locator maps, healing items...)? And while we're at it, are there supernaturally inclined humans (whether they're actual hunters or not) who provide these blessings and enhancements? Or are such things aquired from contracted supernatural beings?

Oh, and, how well does being a hunter pay? (Are there insurance and retirement benefits/services? And how is it with minors as members?) How common is it to go to school or do another job alongside the hunting? Are demon hunting items or demons-to-be-contracted something a member has to pay for/get on their own or is it provided to them by the organization?

[TheWendil]

Since you mentioned that Devil Bringers use weapons, items, and tools, I'm guessing the 'weaponry' category isn't just for literal weapons. Any limits on how much stuff one can have?

@SilverPaw

Generally Devil Hunters have a main weapon and some tools or items, maybe a sidearm. I'm not really putting a hard limit so long as people don't go overboard with it.

Also, what effects do the blessings/enchantments have? Just a variety of ways to harm or defend against demons? Or can it include utility-based power-ups (e.g. stealth cloaks, clothes or items that increase the speed or power of the human wielding them, demon-locator maps, healing items...)?

@SilverPaw

Blessings and enchantments on weapons specifically would have that first one, ergo a variety of ways to hard and defend against demons. Other utility stuff like you mentioned would be enchanted items and tools as opposed to weaponry since they're more utility-based anyway.

And while we're at it, are there supernaturally inclined humans (whether they're actual hunters or not) who provide these blessings and enhancements? Or are such things aquired from contracted supernatural beings?

@SilverPaw

The ones who provide these blessings and enhancements are humans in the DHA who learned to do so through ancient texts. It's less so they're supernaturally inclined and more so they're reusing knowledge that's been passed down to ward off demons for ages. The DHA tries to modernize these old methods. That said, there are the few number of people who can better sense or see supernaturally related things but if they want to throw fireballs, they'll have to contract with a supernatural being for the most part. Most Devil Hunters who don't contract are human with some level of sensing the supernatural.

So in other words, buffs like enhancements can be provided by humans but not offensive magic and whatnot.

Oh, and, how well does being a hunter pay? (Are there insurance and retirement benefits/services? And how is it with minors as members?) How common is it to go to school or do another job alongside the hunting?

@SilverPaw

The DHA pays well so long as you complete the operation. Said operations are handed out by the DHA for anyone to claim though some are allowed only for senior hunters. Whether you do it solo or on a team, it's between the hunters how it's split so most just go on their own. That said, the DHA dissuades against minors as members for obvious reasons unless there's some rare exception. In terms of other occupations, it's not uncommon for people to be a Devil Hunter by night and have some day to day job as well for a number of reasons.

Are demon hunting items or demons-to-be-contracted something a member has to pay for/get on their own or is it provided to them by the organization?

@SilverPaw

Items are properly paid for and provided by the DHA so long as you're not wasting them or have terrible reputation. The DHA also has a small set of demons who work alongside them within that are for the purposes of contracting. However, most of the time these attempts don't go well for one reason or another as these demons are often stingy or look for high requirements in a hunter. As a result, most who've contracted often do it by happenstance of a situation.

In terms of providing things, the DHA is fairly reasonable in its compensation. The catch is you're always paying, and most often, gambling with your life.

[TheWendil]

So seeing as I've dropped some relevant Devil Hunter information that might affect your CSes, we've decided to start the judging process on the weekend, probably tomorrow. That'll give anyone with a completed CS some brief time to edit anything in with the new information given if they want.

[SilverPaw]

A few more questions. How are the usual international relations or transfers between DHA branches? I get that various hunters are being sent to Japan because of an emergency (or a developing unusual situation), but are there regular international missions too? If one moves to live elsewhere do they join that country's branch while they reside there?

I forgot to ask this before, but are there enchantments which conceal unusual hunting items (e.g. firearms in Japan would stand out) from mundane people? How widespread is the knowledge about devils among people who have nothing to do with the DHA in any case (does the government know and cooperate)? Do hunters have the cover of being 'special agents' so they can get access to places or have authority over regular people in certain situations, for example if they need to access/evacuate a building?

[KoL]

A few more questions. How are the usual international relations or transfers between DHA branches? I get that various hunters are being sent to Japan because of an emergency (or a developing unusual situation), but are there regular international missions too? If one moves to live elsewhere do they join that country's branch while they reside there?

@SilverPaw

Wherever there's people, there are politics, intrigue, and the usual power games we know and love. Trying to paint a map of how every possible division/branch would feel in relation to one another is kinda hard. But for simplicity's sake, let's say that even if not friendly, they try their best to not be hostile to one another since infighting would be the last thing the want when there's bigger fish to fry.

Also, the fact that Hunters from other countries are coming to Japan, should be indication enough that it's ok to work abroad as long as you follow the rules.

I forgot to ask this before, but are there enchantments which conceal unusual hunting items (e.g. firearms in Japan would stand out) from mundane people? How widespread is the knowledge about devils among people who have nothing to do with the DHA in any case (does the government know and cooperate)? Do hunters have the cover of being 'special agents' so they can get access to places or have authority over regular people in certain situations, for example if they need to access/evacuate a building?

@SilverPaw

Depends. There's a limit to how much you can expect to conceal. Maybe hiding a handgun with enchantments and all would be possible (but probably hard/expensive to do), but concealing a rifle/shotgun around would be really hard.

For the most part, demons are legends and myth for normal people, as explained before. There are exceptions, like people who encountered one by accident, etc., but they are far and few between.

As for government and businesses? It's not common knowledge between Hunters and Demons whether such large organizations would know something about their activities. It's certainly possible, though.

But, no, you don't have any working deal with the government or can pass as agents of any nature.