Sword of Gunze

By Joshua Lee Peryea (vabt@hotmail.com)

Also Known As...

Slayer of Oni, Executioner of Akuma, Wrath of Kami [Spirits, Gods or Heavens]

History

In 1310 C.E., the village of Tomakomai, on the island of Hokkaido, suffered a plague of Oni. The Oni wished to make Nippon into the next and most powerful Hell. The Five Courts native to Tomakomai could not stop the Oni's Evil. Five shen sorcerers then joined forces, after the Oni destroyed the ruling Courts. Misawa Rai-ki, the Chi'n Ta [Mage]. Nakano Juniko, the Kitsune. Maedasata Akiko, the Hsien Noble [Changeling]. Okamura Shin-Tai, Wan Kuei [Kuei-jin]. Odakyu Kogyo, Kami [Wraith]. The Five Sorcerers labored religiously, crafting a powerful blade, using sacred metals and stones as raw materials. Silver, Iron, Jade and others were used. A kami of Yang and a kami of Yin, were worked into the Sword. Finally, the Sword was finished, but the Sorcerers were too exhausted by their labors to wield it in battle. Misawa sent Rai-ko, their Nushi, to find a great Warrior. Rai-ko found Gunze Go, Samurai-no-Hakken, who was left Ronin after his Court was destroyed and his Sentai butchered by Oni. Gunze was led to Okamura's retreat [Haven? or Dragon Nest?], and was given the weapon. By the next sunrise, all the Oni were slain.

Description

The blade, tsuba and other metal parts are silver in color. The handgrip is wrapped in red lacquered sharkskin[ from a Same-bito warrior who fell in battle]. The blade has jade inlay in Kaja and Nihongo. The Tsuba has jade inlay corresponding to the five Directions and Elements, the 8 trigrams of the I Ching, and symbols of the Five Sorcerers.

Story Ideas

What are the later adventures of Gunze Go, Hakken Samurai? What becomes of the Five Sorcerers Wu/Sentai/Cabal? How does your Wu/Sentai/Cabal/etc encounter this artifact?

Statistics

Level five enchanted item, fetish, talisman, artifact and/or treasure

Yang Chi, Glamour and/or Gnosis: 7

Yin Chi, Arete, Rage and/or Pathos: 7

Demon Chi and/or Angst: 7

Powers

Sense Yomi [Wyrm], Hellweaving 2, Dragon's Stride [cross Wall and Ride Dragon's Path, using Yang for Yang, Yin for Yin, and Demon for Yomi], Tracking Prey [pursue anyone-or-thing injured by the Sword of Gunze], Shift [change forms]

Form	Difficulty Damage
Tanto (small)	4	Str+1
Tanto (large)	4	Str+2
Wakizashi	5	Str+3
Ninja-to	6	Str+4
Naginata	7	Str+4
Katana	6	Str+5
O-Dachi	7	Str+6

These are the seven Known forms. Rumors and theories of other forms abound, but none are known for certain. Tales of Shuriken, may be the Sword of Gunze, a lesser Talisman, or a Talen similar to the Bane Arrow. Notes: Hits Yomi automatically, only roll to hit non-Yomi. Yomi cannot soak, and damage is aggravated. Non-Yomi may soak as if the damage were normal, but any damage taken after soaking is aggravated.