January 2021 Lore Release

Hello Fellow Trappers!

The past couple months have been busy for us but we have heard you loud and clear and we aren't going to let our one year anniversary end without posting the lore release for last month and this month. So for all you folks who love learning the story behind the models, this is for you. 

Earth Dragons

The dragons of Okinja are majestic and noble creatures with strong ties to the spirit world. Most are benevolent or at the least don't seek to harm mortals, though there are exceptions. Earth Dragons tend to be the most stubborn of the Okinjen Dragons. They are exceptionally proud and while they can fly like other dragons they tend to spend a lot of their time deep inside of mountains and valleys where they can burrow into the earth and build their layer. When dealing with one it is best to first try and appeal to their sense of honor and reputation. Often times showing respect and flattery can make them much more manageable should they be causing a problem. If you find yourself in the unfortunate position of fighting an earth dragon, there a few things you can do to improve your odds. Fist, take the fight to the sky, While the earth dragon is just as capable in the air as other dragons, many of its powers to shape the earth will be useless if you're not on the ground. If you can stay in the air the dragon won't be able to control the flow of battle as easily. From there you're on your own, they're challenging foes so good luck.

Kirin

Kirin are divine creatures of grace and kindness. Sightings are incredibly rare and if you are good at heart, an incredibly lucky event, as kirin will often bless those who do good. If your aren't as upright as you ought to be then you'd best run the other way. Kirin are resistant to magic and have quite a bit of magic themselves. Often trappers will seek aid or guidance from kirin while trying to track evil or destructive dragons. While kirin can't talk they are intelligent and extremely perceptive. If you are respectful, you may be able to get on their good side and receive the assistance of one. If you're thinking of taming one as mount, don't. It doesn't work..... we tried.

Nian Beast

Nian beasts are feral creatures that have been known to lay waste to entire villages on their own. They can leap great distances and swallow people whole. When attacking they while typically start by using their horns to sow destruction and cause pandemonium. Once there is chaos they while find a target to attack and feed until they are full. While these creatures are extremely dangerous they have several weaknesses. Nian are vulnerable to fire and are also afraid of the color red and loud sounds. Use this to your advantage to maneuver the beast into a more favorable position or even scare it off if you're lucky.

Hattori

Hattori grew up serving as a farmer in the Matsumoro Shogunate. Storms where common on their island but one came that was especially violent. The people of the villages dotting the island hid inside their homes hoping to wait out the storm. Hattori unfortunately had been returning from the city after having sold their cattle and was caught up in the tempest. As he rushed home fighting through the wind and rain, a loud boom sounded as the surrounding area was illuminated by a flash bright light. Hattori turned to hear snarling as streaks of blue light arched to the ground from the clouds above revealing the form of a dozen wolf like Raiju. They Raiju rushed past him towards the village, looking to find unsuspecting victims to prey upon. Despite Hattori's youth, he raced after them determined to prevent the slaughter that would take place. Using a pitch fork Hattori fought off the Raiju till villagers were alerted to his shouting. Eventually Hattori and other men of the village where able to drive them off. News of his deed spread through out the Shogunate eventually reaching the shogun himself. He was offered a position as a samurai for the Shogun but declined stating that he was needed more on the farm. His refusal was not taken lightly and several weeks later Hattori returned home from working in the fields to find his family murdered. The killers however had not left and sought to end him as well. Hattori fled and after boarding the first ship he could find, ended up at a Lodge of the Dragon Trappers. They took him in and trained him in the ways of the sword and eventually Hattori became one of the most skilled trappers on in the lodge. One day word reached the lodge that the Shogun of his home island had been killed by an unknown assassin. The culprit was never caught but Hattori's crew all know who was responsible.

Omi

Oni-ka are the offspring of an Oni and a human. They are seen by many as an abomination and regarded in much the same way a full oni would be. Omi had a tough life and it made him a tough person. After years of abuse and rejection he stumble upon a place that didn't what he looked like or what his lineage was so long as he could fight and hunt. Omi took to the life of a trapper with ease and has a reputation for being able to push himself further than any other trapper. He was once swallowed whole by a Nian beast only to cut his was out of its stomach, killing the creature. Having finally found palace to call home, Omi is extremely loyal to the lodge and his crew.

Sakura

Sakura was found by trappers who where tracking spirit that had been attacking travelers. She was only a child and was the only survivor of the grizzly attack upon her village. She was taken in by the trappers and trained with the bow. Despite physically recovering Sakura never spoke. Weather unable or unwilling, no one at the lodge has ever heard sakura utter a word. Sakura is an excellent aim and will land the most difficult of shots without fanfare or boasting. Once the fight is over she simply recovers her arrows and aids in the clean up. 

Yamakaze

Yakakaze was a Kabuki, performing theater for Lords and Shoguns and even the Emperor on one occasion. It was at one such performance that Yamakze saw a crew of trappers traveling through the city to gather supplies. Yamakaze asked for their story and the words he heard filled his mind with fantastical images and exciting adventures. For years Yamakaze had been trying to write and produce his own plays but they where never drastic or exciting enough to be picked up. If the stories these adventurers told where true then there would be no better place to gather material for his plays then on the road with them. He begged them to let him join them and eventually they conceded. Yamakaze uses his illusions to confuse and distract their targets and is usually the crews go to when it comes to sweet talking a particulate unhappy dragon.

Choto

Choto is riding foul bred from the finest stock of the Vyaahgr Dynasty. Hattori received Choto as a gift from the Vyaahgr King after leading a crew to deal with a dangerous Earth Dragon that had been destroying farmlands. Choto might not be as strong as a horse but he is much faster and aggressive. Hattori relies on Choto to not be spooked in the heat of battle and he has not failed him yet.

Raiju

Raiju are wolf like creatures that ride the storm clouds of Okinja. Their speed and ferocity make them extremely dangerous and the sound of howls echoing through the wind of a raging tempest has chilled the blood of many trappers. Raiju are small but they tend to hunt in packs and are extremely quick making them difficult to deal with. The best strategy is to band together and take a defensive position. It is unlikely that you will catch up to them so it is best to wait for them to attack before striking. Usually if their number are thinned enough they will treat. They tend to prey upon the easiest targets so keep your softest crew members towards the middle.

May Your Blades Stay Sharp And Your Flesh On Your Bones.