Lekkuen

The War for Baji (open)

Yuudai's reaction only made Lord Shima laugh even more, at her flustered she had gotten before suddenly having to leave. He was relieved to change the subject as she had been right, he was very worried things were going to get pretty bad and he knew it. It's why he gave them authority to act as representatives and forge alliances, because he had a feeling this was going to go way beyond a simple case of theft. He had things he was doing to help with that, but he would deal with them after the group had left, no need to make them worry any more than they had to. He quickly pushed all those thoughts aside once Kenji came to him with his own words, causing the Daimyo to give a small nod in return. The Oja were friends, and even if Shinja was a little rough around the edges he was considered a friend too and that wasn't expected to change.

"If he does do anything crazy don't worry, it isn't anyone's fault but his own. But I'm not afraid him, plenty have tried to take my life before and all have failed so I have no reason to think he'd be the one to succeed. Plus if he did that would mean one of my sons would take control of the clan, and I'm sure no one wants that! Hahaha!" He joked loudly. He loved all of his sons and so did most of the clan but most agreed that none of them were really ready for a leadership position that high. Only one of them was even married, and none them had enough experience with the more difficult decisions. But still they were his sons and all great in their own way, he had faith that they would all fit perfectly into leadership positions when the time was right.

The War for Baji (open)

I'm a little confused on what information the characters have and what might have directly preceded the ceremony, as my post may have indicated. Is there any information about the thieves our characters should already know, or are they just looking for anyone suspicious in the general area? And does the group have general supplies shared between them, like food and camping materials, maybe in a cart of some kind? Do they know that they're waiting on someone else?

@Xartarin

Yeah any one suspicious that gives off an unusual magic vibe. For the other shima villages themselves it would be more specific to ask around, but part of this is to see if any other nearby non shima villages were bothered by anything strange, before heading to the guy that was mentioned to find more specific info.

They don't know about someone else, he'll meet them when they go to head out, and they have group supplies waiting by the path out of town. That will be jumped too after the last few people go out as well, unless they want me to just go ahead and move it now?

The War for Baji (open)

But momma would be proud

The War for Baji (open)

I'm not at home yet. But Yay! More posts. Can't for the actual journey to start and all the half Oni get into a blood rage and start fighting each other.

The War for Baji (open)

Poor Yuudai, she is the one meant to do the teasing not the other way around! XD

@Kitsune

Now she will have to spend the entire journey unsure if she's supposed to be a fancy noble lady.

The War for Baji (open)

Added this to front page. It isn't baji specific but things from this place sometime enter Baji from beneath the ground. And it may tie into some things later <_<

Kougari/Dark Realm

Beneath the surface of the world exists a place known as the Dark Realm, a forever separate yet connected world beneath what most people call Kios. Drawing its name from the sky only alternating between dark gray and dark red, this world within a world is the source of all dark energy and black magic within Kios. Like most realms it has its own ecosystem full of unique plants and animals dotting its jagged landscape. Most importantly however are the intelligent life forms that evolved there. As in known with Kios, energy only can build up for so long before it ends up changing form. In the Dark Realm that energy became Kougari

In the ancient days of Kios, the buildup energy began to draw in thoughts from the realm above, the powerful emotions reacting with it and forming the ancient Kougari lords of old. Hungering Kiku-Tunka, Bahu of Shadow, Lunkr of Filth, Painful Cen Hup, and Rageborn Ri-Sun. These ancient demons were masters of their realm, soon spreading out to the other parts of Kios and making their mark known. They were still new to life, obsessed with bringing their bodies and minds newfound pleasure driven by impulse and little more. They spread untold destruction across all planes of Kios, until one by one they were forced back into the dark Realm with Kiku-Tunka and Cen Hup being sealed between realms in a state between life and death. When they returned those things were different, there were other Kougari now, weaker yet more complex ones, it had became a species. With very rarely ones like them forming from individuals drawing in so much magic over time and becoming a unique entity.

The Kougari are a collection of intelligent life forms formed from the dark energy of the world, while they had roots in random formation they are now creatures in every sense of the word reproducing through sex and needing "food" to survive. They lack any form of true society their species too diverse for its own good as they have thousands of variations with vast differences; most preferring to live in packs of their own kind so they can focus on fulfilling their desires. Every now and then individuals crop up who want to forge more but all attempts fail, or only last for either short term of small groups normally resulting in the more social Kougari to move into Raiki cities and live among them.

The countless variations normally saw their genesis in a reflection of a fear or thought from the surface, creating things such as succubi/incubi, rage beasts, love demons, fear feasters, etc. As such many feed on raw emotion, ideas, and concepts instead of actual physical meals although many are capable of doing so. Their natural connection to the energy that forms their realm allows them easier access to the other realms much like their ancestors before them, making their primary hunting ground against the races that live on the surface. Their hunts shaping the various species as great enemies of the majority of intelligent life living above them, the Kougari themselves having no organized view on other creatures and simply hunting them because it was fun and useful to them, with some actually liking them.

They have a rather unusual biology in the sense that the magic within them allows them to breed either any life form no matter how radically different from them. If it can reproduce sexually they can impregnate it or be impregnated by it, the Kougari normally taking said creature back into the dark realm with them making it not an uncommon sight to see non demons or Raiki amongst Kougari packs or settlements but such are normally slaves or toys, and only rarely are they there out of love. Mixed children with the Kougari are always Kougari but possesses traits from whatever the other parent species is, ones that happen a lot becoming their own sub races over time.

The War for Baji (open)

Lord Shima listened to the concern and it misplaced, and even if it wasn't it would be simply a bad idea in his eyes. Sending someone to represent him for the group could easily just end up with someone looking out for themselves and their personal gain, or Shima's fall in exchange for something dishonorable like money. "Relax Son, I trust you all will figure out how to handle any problem. Trust in yourself and the souls of your allies and simply do what you think is right. If you must have a leader than I'd rather you all decide for yourselves after you have gotten more used to each other. Either way though I know you'll be fine. After all, you are named after these great Islands we all call home, live up to it and trust your countrymen." It was a point he wasn't going to argue, and hoped that Baji would leave it alone.

Turning away from him, he noticed Yuudai approaching him once more to speak. He looked up at her and smiled, his gaze lowering as she moved down to be eye level with him. As always he would dismiss any notion that he was worried or sad, instead just laughing it off. "Hahaha! I'm far from worried Young Lady. I know you all will succeed with ease that will tell all future enemies to think twice before attempting to make any moves against the Shima Clan!" He said loudly before placing a hand on her shoulder. "You will find the relics, gain new friends for us, and return to great celebration that we will hold in your honor once again! Hahaha! And then you can marry one of my sons! Yuudai, The Lady of Shima! How does that sound?" He said loudly enough so that everyone nearby could hear, causing those not in the group to whisper among themselves about what such a thing meant.

The War for Baji (open)

Heheh aye, I'd like that. Gin could use some interaction that doesn't involve his height x)

@Mogtaki

Nope, only short jokes allowed!

The War for Baji (open)

Expect outside of posts some additional lore stuff tonight. On the kinds of animals around as well as some weirdo demons

The War for Baji (open)

Lord Shima was glad to see them getting along so well, it meant they would work well together and actually protect one another. Many had doubts on putting together a group such as this, worrying about egos getting in the way or the low birth members defecting at the first chance. He though saw a group that could easily become a family if given enough time, a group worthy of being the stuff of legends to come. He would give a faint bow in return to those who simply responded to his speech and allow them to continue mingling with the others. Some however spoke directly to him, the first a very simple question about a boat from one of the Half-Oni. There was no guarantee that they would even have to leave the island, but he was pleased that she was already making sure they were able to at a moment's notice. He smiled at her as he gave a friendly reply.

"Of course you will be given a boat. My friends the Sinkara have been sent word and payment for them to craft their finest ship that should take you to any island you need to go. I promise that you won't be forced to swim with the others sitting on your back, you'll need to save your great strength for protecting the clan." Ensuring to compliment her strength as a Half-Oni, to show that it is a strength and not a weakness like some would claim. It had always bothered him that even in his clan some treated those of mixed blood with disrespect, all that mattered to him was a person's heart not their body. With three half-Oni in the group he hoped that it would help change the perception of the others still trying to live their lives within the Shima towns and villages.

The other was the group's sole Neko, a loyal member of a vassal clan and a future Daimyo himself. His question was more serious and was focused directly on the goal of the very important mission. Lord Shima paused for a moment as he stared at young lord before him. "We don't know much beyond what we knew when they claim, and all of that was likely a lie. Some of them seemed to transform before they escaped and some of the guards knocked fragments off of their bodies. We have collected those and other samples left behind from things they damaged or dropped. They seem foreign and as such are beyond what most of us know, but there is a magi in the village of Miyo who studied magic with the Zhu Empire across the sea. We have sent them to him, after you search the villages on the edge of our lands for any additional signs or clues he would be a good man to see. He may have knowledge that will help you if you don't find them nearby." He had never met the man in person but he had developed quite the reputation among the western villages for his knowledge on things from outside of the Isles and his unique theories on magic and spirits. He had no hope but to simply hope the man could be trusted, after all he had shown no signs of hostile yet.