Sengoku jidai, the age of the country at war. The reign of the old shogunate is over.
In Kyushu, the old Otomo clan has given over to new ways, taking the price of abandoning the old gods so that they may use foreign weapons while the Shimazu clan comes to dominate the southern end of the island. The minor clans will be crushed between them as the old ways war with the new on the island that is the Gateway to the West.
Eastward, the Mori point jealous eyes across the inland sea, and set to work shipwrights that their ambitions may be made manifest. The Chosokabe and the other inhabitants of Shikoku, when not killing one another, ready to burn them on the water and blot out the sun with blackened shafts. Shikoku will come to be covered by blood, either from the shore or from the air.
In central Honsho, the followers of Shin Buddhism- mobs of farmers and priests- have risen against the rule of the daimyo, seeing the current chaos and destruction in the land as something to lay solely at their feet. The Shogun- a weak and indecisive man- hides behind his most loyal retainers while the Miyoshi plot to replace him. The very structure of the shogunate and his daimyo is under threat, either from a complete overthrowing or the total loss of legitimacy.
On the eastern coast, Owari languishes under a revolt and a fool of an heir while the Hojo huddle in their castles, waiting to reclaim their ancient place. A legend stumbles from his cradle, the fool and the former kings buttress against the Imagawa.
The Takeda and Uesugi continue their rivalry, and an enterprising ashigaru has begun to count their bloody battles over the same stretch of land. Pinnacles of Bushido, there's is a conflict which will be sung of for ages and looked back upon for it's a genius for the rest of time. Hachiman, the god of war and protector of Japan, looks on his sons with pride.
And to the north, the wild lord of the Date sets out for conquest, seeking to unite the north. Barely a step away from the northern barbarians, they lack the "culture" of the south, but their role in the Japanese saga will be forged by steel, blood, and lead. Respect and honor earned by valour. Victory cleanses dishonor, after all.
You, on the other hand, are not a part of any of that. Rather, you are but a-
[X] Soldier of Christ, a Jesuit. While Protestants and your fellow monastic orders look down on these "Nihon-go" for their barbarism, you and the handful of brothers you managed to convince the Portuguese to bring can see their potential as devout, if somewhat esoteric, servants of the one God. That their current civil war had given you potential in-roads with their leaders in only a sign of the righteousness of your path.
[ ] Geisha-in-training. As a woman of skill, your services of tea, dance, and conversation provide entertainment that is in vital demand in these stressful times. That your skills are, as-of-yet, barely acceptable, does not limit you as much as it would on a time of peace. You are the counterpoint to the demure Japanese wife, and a touch of passion is of great utility to those on their way to death.
[ ] Miko, a soother of godly tempers. Your shine may only be small and dedicated to an equally "minor" deity, you maintain it as best you are able. In these times, however, you may need to begin to look to its defense, should what little respect for the old ways give way in the name of ruthlessness or practicality.
[ ] simple farmer. The youngest son of your family. You and your various remaining family must take care of the farm and pay your taxes. The daimyo march to war, with your father and brothers beside them, but they will bring back nothing but tragedy should they not be fed.
That does not mean you are wholly unaffected by the greater goings-on of the nation, of course. After all-
[ ] Shikoku, home to the Chosokabe
[ ] Chugoku, home to the Mori
[X] Kyushu, home to the Shimazu and Otomo
[ ] Kinki, home to Kyoto, the Miyoshi, and the heart of the Ikko Ikki
[ ] Chubu, home to the Oda, Takeda, and Uesugi
[ ] Kanto, home to the Hojo
[ ] Tohoku, home to the Date
was not unfamiliar with the devastation such words as these would cause. In much the same way as none of Japan was unfamiliar with such devastation.
Still, though, as an ant among Titans you may yet be able to avoid directly facing the consequences of the conflict.
Or, perhaps you wanted to get directly involved? Chaos does open otherwise closed paths, after all.
Only time will tell.
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A/N: Hello everyone, as you can see I'm starting a new Quest. This one will probably be updated much more frequently than my other one, as I planned for it to be much shorter per update. If you guys have seen "We Stand in Awe" recently, by Maugan Ra, you'll have some idea of how I plan to run this one. If you haven't seen it, I wholeheartedly recommend that you do.
If you guys have any questions you can go ahead and fire away; if you guys have a pertinent historical knowledge as to the situation in Sengoku-era Japan then I welcome it; and I hope you guys all have a fun time.
There are no trap options.
Here goes.