1 hour ago
Applicable Key: Weird Ahh Cat
Character name: Himari Izumi
Request Type: Special Item Lore/Flavor (Relatively Funky Weapon flavor)
Request Details: Inclusion of a sealed/bound Yokai attached to Himari's weapon, Yukinko. Specifically, that of a Yuki-onna, created through a ritual similar to that of Karakuri production, though with no specifics known, nor given to the how or why this was done.
Due to the nature of the weapon being a family blade, of a now (mostly) extinct clan, knowledge pertaining to how this was performed, is lost to her, due to the weapon itself's age, and lack of knowledgeable individuals left alive who could replicate it.
This is mostly simply a flavor addition, and should have no significant impact on gameplay or lore, outside of expanding upon what was already made seemingly possible (albeit very difficult/cruel) with the introduction of Karakuri rituals.
Of course, messing with spirits and Yokai in general typically does not come without consequences, and no one would go through this sort of effort without doing so for a reason, so there will be boons and flaws:
Boons:
Flaws:
Additional lore/The Contract:
Initially Clan Izumi were known for being ice-favoring Mercenaries/assassins from Sougame, residing in the mountains.
Due to their nature as a clan that typically used ice as their weapon, they've typically elected to fight alongside ice-type yokai. As such, their familiarity with them is borderline second nature, after generations of it.
Clan Izumi are known for their particular fighting style, 月光霞流 (Gekkō kasumi-ryū), a style that Himari has tweaked from being designed for swift elimination of threats, to something designed specifically for non-lethal pacification using blunter weapons. A style, she intends on passing on to those worthy.
Due to the bloody nature of Clan Izumi, and Himari's own massacre of her kin to escape the bonds of a life of slaughter, she has turned to pacifism as a whole; partially due to the influence of the weapon, and partially due to her own disgust as being used as a killer by the very family she was born to inherit. As such, she disavows all acts of violence.
The contract's stipulations are as follows:
1) The fellow man comes first. Not country, clan, nor creed. Fight for the underdog, those down and out. Protect the commoner, from spirit and sword alike, even if it kills you.
2) Forsake your name and title. Tell it only to those you trust implicitly. Himari Izumi is dead, we are Yuki(nko) first and foremost.
3) Right your wrongs. For every life you took prior to wielding me, is a life you must save. For each life you take in this pursuit, save two more.
4) Learn to see the world through a different lens. Wash away the stains on your hands, with experiences anew.
5) Upon the day you give up this blade, or your life, will the seal to break with your last breath.
6) Service for Servitude. I will serve, so long as you do the same. For now, you are I, and I am you.
7) Should the flower wilt, or should you break these terms. I am freed.
Final note:
Yes, this is a weird one. I'm not really expecting approval to play around with Youkai lore specifically, and ultimately if this is not approved, said weapon simply remains as I have been RPing it thus far; as little more than a magic sword.
Character name: Himari Izumi
Request Type: Special Item Lore/Flavor (Relatively Funky Weapon flavor)
Request Details: Inclusion of a sealed/bound Yokai attached to Himari's weapon, Yukinko. Specifically, that of a Yuki-onna, created through a ritual similar to that of Karakuri production, though with no specifics known, nor given to the how or why this was done.
Due to the nature of the weapon being a family blade, of a now (mostly) extinct clan, knowledge pertaining to how this was performed, is lost to her, due to the weapon itself's age, and lack of knowledgeable individuals left alive who could replicate it.
This is mostly simply a flavor addition, and should have no significant impact on gameplay or lore, outside of expanding upon what was already made seemingly possible (albeit very difficult/cruel) with the introduction of Karakuri rituals.
Of course, messing with spirits and Yokai in general typically does not come without consequences, and no one would go through this sort of effort without doing so for a reason, so there will be boons and flaws:
Boons:
- A perpetual mist that ebbs from the sword when unsheathed, a "partial-summoning" of the Yokai housed within the weapon, similar to an install, but focused on the blade rather than the individual wielding it (Mechanically represented as the 'Freezing' elemental effect, and ice point greaves)
- A spirit within the weapon for Himari to communicate with, similar to the communications of a summoner and yokai through their contract. As a technicality, Himari would be "contracted" to the Yuki-Onna, a contract which bears its own stipulations (to be listed below).
- A connection to Yokai similar to that which most summoners have, something obtained through her own interests and spiritual sensitivity, though ultimately aided by the Yokai within the weapon.
- A significantly deeper understanding of ice, as an element; being both the expertise of her lost clan, and of the Yokai within the weapon, Himari should have a far more intimate understanding of ice as an elemental affinity than most. Allowing her some deepened control over its creation, beyond the norm.
- She gets to make her cool sword cooler by giving it individual flavor beyond just "Magic sword".
Flaws:
- Due to the nature of the weapon, and the Yokai within, any time the weapon is drawn, it requires a constant amount of focus supplied to it, as the Yuki-Onna is no longer in a "dormant" state, similar to the summoning of a Youkai in a proper fashion. This is represented by the flower attached to the blade, if it wilts, the Youkai is running out of focus. If the flower dies, the bond breaks, and the Yuki-Onna is freed from captivity.
- The Yokai inside of the weapon, due to the nature of its seal being forced, is inherently vengeful. It does not take joy in being unsheathed, and summoned. This may lead to disagreements with the weapon, in which a d100 will be rolled should Himari take actions in which it does not approve. Scoring below a 20, will cause the sheath to freeze shut, refusing to allow Himari to draw it, and fight. (Making her subject to the consequences of having to fight disarmed) This effect lasts for 3 OOC days.
- The Yokai inside the weapon abhors violence, after generations of being forced to kill without good reason at the behest of Clan Izumi. As such, any time the weapon is used for anything other than non-lethal pacification, a d100 will be rolled, scoring below a 25, will cause the sheath to freeze shut, for 3 OOC days. Preventing Himari from drawing it within that time. (Making her subject to the consequences of having to fight disarmed). This dice will be rolled any time the skill 'Flip Blade' is used, in any serious battles.
- Himari now has to live with the constant nagging of an indentured servant in her sword, and a particularly sassy one at that.
- Due to the nature of the seal being foreign to Himari, should the Yokai break free from its bond, due to significant burnout of focus to feed it, the bond can NEVER be replaced. Yukinko returns to being a normal, mundane weapon.
Additional lore/The Contract:
Initially Clan Izumi were known for being ice-favoring Mercenaries/assassins from Sougame, residing in the mountains.
Due to their nature as a clan that typically used ice as their weapon, they've typically elected to fight alongside ice-type yokai. As such, their familiarity with them is borderline second nature, after generations of it.
Clan Izumi are known for their particular fighting style, 月光霞流 (Gekkō kasumi-ryū), a style that Himari has tweaked from being designed for swift elimination of threats, to something designed specifically for non-lethal pacification using blunter weapons. A style, she intends on passing on to those worthy.
Due to the bloody nature of Clan Izumi, and Himari's own massacre of her kin to escape the bonds of a life of slaughter, she has turned to pacifism as a whole; partially due to the influence of the weapon, and partially due to her own disgust as being used as a killer by the very family she was born to inherit. As such, she disavows all acts of violence.
The contract's stipulations are as follows:
1) The fellow man comes first. Not country, clan, nor creed. Fight for the underdog, those down and out. Protect the commoner, from spirit and sword alike, even if it kills you.
2) Forsake your name and title. Tell it only to those you trust implicitly. Himari Izumi is dead, we are Yuki(nko) first and foremost.
3) Right your wrongs. For every life you took prior to wielding me, is a life you must save. For each life you take in this pursuit, save two more.
4) Learn to see the world through a different lens. Wash away the stains on your hands, with experiences anew.
5) Upon the day you give up this blade, or your life, will the seal to break with your last breath.
6) Service for Servitude. I will serve, so long as you do the same. For now, you are I, and I am you.
7) Should the flower wilt, or should you break these terms. I am freed.
Final note:
Yes, this is a weird one. I'm not really expecting approval to play around with Youkai lore specifically, and ultimately if this is not approved, said weapon simply remains as I have been RPing it thus far; as little more than a magic sword.
