A lifetime ago, the Zamalash was a hunter. He was one of an honored few given the task of supplying the needs of those Naga who called Kalpa, the City of Rebirth, their home. Unlike other Naga cities, Kalpa was hidden in the mountains to the distant north, far beyond the borders of the vast Shinomen Mori. Game was sparse in the northern mountains, but the Zamalash was a gifted hunter, and even in his youth he was a testament to the skill of the Naga hunters. When the Great Sleep came, Zamalash took his place alongside his fellow hunters, preparing to sleep through the ages and rise again to defend Kalpa from the Foul and its many manifestations.
Zamalash’s sleep was filled with terrible visions, nightmares of Kalpa’s destruction that drifted through the Akasha as earthquakes ravaged the city and human exiles looted the ruins, slaughtering every Naga they could find. Zamalash and his comrades were in a cavern deep beneath the largest temple, however, and they remained undiscovered for centuries, even as the spirits of their fellow Naga tore themselves from the Akasha to wreak bloody vengeance on the humans who had murdered them. In time, the visions faded, and Zamalash’s slumber was peaceful again.
When the webs of sleep fell away, Zamalash awakened to find himself face to face with Nezumi, strange creatures that he recognized as livestock and wild prey he had once hunted. These creatures were different, however. They were taller, larger, walked more erect, and burning in their eyes was the light of intelligence. Most recoiled in horror from Zamalash, their primitive instincts demanding that they flee before a predator. One stood his ground, however, and met Zamalash’s eyes without fear. The beast pointed to a human, a creature recognized from his hazy dreams, lying dead on the floor. A crude spear was embedded in the man’s chest, just as his blade was buried in the coils of a sleeping Naga. The creature had found the sleeping chamber, and had intended to slaughter the Naga. The Nezumi had stopped him. The Nezumi looked into Zamalash’s eyes and uttered a crude, hissing sound. It was a butchered Naga word, but one that recognized nonetheless.
“Life.”
The months since his awakening have not been kind to Zamalash. The few survivors he has discovered in Kalpa’s ruins will not awaken despite his best efforts. Some sinister aspect of the Great Sleep keeps them tightly in its grasp. The Nezumi fear him, but thanks to their Rememberer, a sort of philosopher or historian, they have accepted Zamalash among their number. He, in turn, is learning of their culture and their language. The Tattered Ear Tribe is what the creatures call themselves, and they discovered Kalpa purely by accident while seeking another tribe called the Broken Shinbone. Regardless of what quirk of fate brought them to Kalpa, the Tattered Ear saved Zamalash’s life, and the lives of those that yet sleep beneath the city. So long as he lives, he will aid the Nezumi, though he can never truly repay the enormity of the debt he owes them.
The Zamalash, Ally of the Tattered Ear
Air: 2
Reflexes 3
Earth: 3
Fire: 3
Water: 3
Perception 4
Akasha: 2
School/Rank: Warrior 2
Glory: N/A
Status: N/A
Honor: N/A
Advantages: Allies (Tattered Ear Tribe, 1 point/4 points), Language (Nezumi), Venom (Venom Spray, 7 points), Way of the Land (Northern Wall Mountains, Shinomen Mori)
Disadvantages: Bad Reputation (Among Naga) (Associates with Nezumi), Obligation (Tattered Ear, 4 points)
Skills: Athletics 2, Battle 1, Defense 3, Dueling 2, Hunting 4, Jiujitsu 2, Kyujutsu 2, Lore: Nezumi Customs 3, Stealth 3, Swordsmanship 4, Theology (Moksha) 2
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Creatures of Rokugan 2.0 [Working Title] Preview:
Naga Warrior School (Pre-editing version)
Rank 1: Drawing from the Deep
Naga warriors are trained to draw upon the vast experience within the Akasha and apply it to their training. You gain a number of Free Raises per day equal to your Akasha. These Free Raises may be used on any School Skill Roll. You may add your Akasha to the total of all attack rolls.
Rank 2: The Tides of War
The serpentine grace of the Naga people is put to great use in a warrior’s training, making it difficult for even the most skilled opponent to land a blow. When you are in the Full Defense posture, you have a second chance to avoid successful attacks. If an opponent successfully strikes you, you may make an Agility/Defense roll against a TN equal to his attack roll. If you are successful, the strike misses. You may add your Fire to the total of all Initiative rolls.
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Shawn Carman a écrit :Okay. I'm not writing the Nezumi section of Creatures of Rokugan 2.0. I am, however, writing the Naga section. So I cheated. Here's the Nezumi bio I owe you from a week and a half ago. The Minor Clan bio that should have gone up last week will be done tomorrow. It's Kitsune Ryukan. Discuss.
