FIRE AND EARTH
This is an alternative idea of how the Jinshin war, inspired by my reading of the Japanese epic - the tale of Heike. Don't worry because it is out of line with current Nifonese canon - at this point it is non-cannon, but should it be a success, I will certainly introduce it. Essentially, I am aiming at this being sort of a classic character RP, where I would play the role akin to game master - controlling the events around you. Players will control for most of the time a single character, though I am already informing you that there will be battles ahead and at that time, you will be - as glorious vassals of Lord Murakami - to command the forces coming from the fiefs you received throughout the story. Essentially this idea came to me when I was reviewing why my story received so poor popularity, and came out with an idea of making a PT with few FanT (though VERY, VERY minor) elements. Aside from few exceptions I am making for close friends, I would prefer it you controlled characters from Nifonese history - the four tiger - generals are especially important to me.
This is so far merely an interest thread to see who is eager to participate in a project like that
Nifon, year 1172. The recent century has been a time of significant troubles within the Empire, as well important social changes within the nation. The power of the Nifonese emperors has been, for over a century, waning. Court aristocracy, ruling for a time period of several centuries, led Nifon on the edge of destruction. Instead of looking after the state, they indulged in fine arts and poetry, letting the entire population rot. The situation favored rise of the military clans, which quickly filled the gap left by the Soga clan. Another important part of social changes were, introduced by Nestorian reformers from Wenchuan, Christianity - which begun taking root across the land, especially among the samurai. Most famed families which embraced the faith was the Murakami clan, a military family descendant from Emperor Murakami. Yet they were not the ones who found themselves in power...
In 1152 a major disturbance shook the scene of Nifonese politics. Shugo Murakami Kenjiro, a powerful noble, rebelled against the Nakatomi clan, which at that time begun establishing themselves in Kiyosu. Their leader, Nakatomi Ishiro, delivered Murakami Kenjiro a bloody defeat in battle of Heiji (1153). The resulting loss put at the edge of a sword majority of Murakami clan, with only two sons of Kenjiro being spared via Imperial intervention: First one, Murakami Kenshin (hero of this story) was imprisoned in a Buddhist temple of Kofuku-ji, while the second, younger son, was exiled to province of Aizu, being under custody of Sanada clan. Meanwhile Nakatomi Ishiro became unquestioned leader of all Nifon; he put the Emperor under a house arrest and forced him to marry his daughter, filled offices across the country with his relatives and embraced on building an enormous city to which he plans to relocate the capital. With backing of esoteric Buddhist sects and deep involvement in practice of shugendo, no one can put himself against him.
At this moment however, the feud between him and the Emperor is growing stronger and provoking more and more opposition, and rumors of a rebellion to restore the Emperor to power are circulating across the country. Kenshin's vassals and loyal servants of his father never forgotten about the young lord imprisoned in Kofuku-ji, and are making plans to free him, reclaim the past glory and avenge the death of late lord Kenjiro. Soon, they shall strike, beginning one of greatest tales in Nifonese history - the tale of Fire and Earth!
Nifonese historical and legendary characters which I need:
- Kusunoki Shigeharu: Long time servant and bodyguard of Murakami Kenshin, and companion of his childhood, now grown into a fine samurai warrior. The very manifestation of traits of Bushido, at the same time having certain dose of arrogance due to his noble status. Currently leaving nearby, searching for a chance to bust his master out.
- Date Sorin: former ronin and robin hood like figure, he was defeated by Murakami via the wooden sword ruse (I will elaborate on that tale later). An excellent swordsman that few can match, uses an odachi so heavy that no one except him can lift it. Possesses enormous physical prowess. Loves to drink and fight, but at the same time has enormous sense of justice.
- Kojima Nizaemon: formerly a victorious general under now deceased lord Wado known also as butcher of men. Man with dark past who committed countless slaughters during his campaigns. Realizing the evil he committed, he closed himself in the Buddhist temple of Kofuku-ji, but Buddha offered him no redemption nor atonement. He will escape with Lord Murakami to find them. Loves using flexible weapons, like chigiriki, kusarigama or three-section staff.
- Soryu Arashi: an old retainer of lord Kenjiro. This character will have a creative license for the one using it.
Don't worry, if you choose to pick up one of the generals, I will help you. If you want to join (unless you, of course, were invited earlier by me) - there is no application. Instead, I want you to write a scene involving your character, which would clearly outline his look and history - and on basis of how well you can write, I shall accept you.
Have fun!
