Warriors & Legends
The legendary blades, dragons, and fighting traditions that define the martial spirit of the Ryukami Archipelago.
The Nine Legendary Rune Swords
Forged in ancient times by master smiths blessed by the three great dragons, these nine swords are said to embody the primal forces of creation itself. Each blade carries its own will, waiting for a worthy wielder.
Raitoningu
Lightning's Wrath
Type: Katana
Damage: Lightning
A blade that crackles with electric fury. Once per day, the wielder can summon a devastating lightning storm that strikes all enemies in the area.
Kaminari
Thunder God's Voice
Type: Nodachi
Damage: Thunder
An enormous blade that resonates with the voice of thunder. On critical hits, it creates devastating shockwaves that knock back and stun enemies.
Hyosetsu
Frozen Eternity
Type: Wakizashi
Damage: Cold
A blade of impossible cold that frosts the very air around it. Enemies struck by this blade must make a save or be frozen solid in place.
Kaen
Infernal Blaze
Type: Tachi
Damage: Fire
A katana wreathed in eternal flames that never consume its wielder. The blade can summon fire elementals to aid in battle.
Shinku
Crimson Tide
Type: Katana
Damage: Necrotic
A crimson blade that drains the life force from those it strikes. The wielder is healed for damage dealt, making them increasingly difficult to defeat.
Kaze no Ha
Wind's Edge
Type: Tanto
Damage: Force
A dagger that cuts through the very fabric of air itself. The wielder gains the ability to fly and can manipulate wind in combat.
Tsukikage
Moonlight Shadow
Type: Ninjato
Damage: Psychic
A black blade that whispers with psychic energy. In moonlight, the wielder becomes invisible, making stealth attacks nearly impossible to defend against.
Taiyō no Ken
Sun's Blade
Type: Odachi
Damage: Radiant
An enormous blade that emits blinding radiant light. Undead creatures take double damage, and the wielder can blind enemies with a flash of light.
Yami no Kiba
Fang of Darkness
Type: Kusarigama
Damage: Poison
A cursed kusarigama dripping with virulent poison. The wielder can summon shadow creatures from the darkness to fight alongside them.
Veilbreaker the Soulreaver
An ancient weapon of unfathomable power that can cut through the very barriers between planes of existence. Said to devour the souls of those it slays.
The Three Oriental Dragons
Primordial entities of immense power, the three great dragons of Ryukami shape the very landscape and weather of the archipelago. They are ancient beyond reckoning, each governing their own domain with jealous authority.
Ryujin
The Tempest Sovereign
An ancient blue-scaled dragon of immense power that dwells in the crushing depths of the ocean. Ryujin commands the very storms and tides, bending them to their will.
Domain
Deepest ocean trenches
Breath Weapon
Boiling geyser blast
Powers
- Control storms and tides
- Summon tidal waves
- Breathe boiling water
- Sense all movement in water
CR
24
Sea Dragon
Fujin
The Storm Herald
A sleek silver-white dragon that rides the highest winds, commanding the very atmosphere itself. Fujin controls weather patterns across entire regions.
Domain
Highest air currents above Shiroshima
Breath Weapon
Cyclone blast
Powers
- Control wind and weather
- Create whirlwinds
- Summon lightning storms
- Fly at impossible speeds
CR
23
Wind Dragon
Shenlong
The Verdant Warden
A massive emerald-scaled dragon whose very essence is intertwined with the ancient forests of Midorijima. Shenlong controls plant growth and decay across the islands.
Domain
Entwined with Midorijima's root network
Breath Weapon
Spore cloud
Powers
- Control plant growth and decay
- Communicate with all flora
- Animate trees and vines
- Poison through spore clouds
CR
22
Forest Dragon
The Dragon Accord
According to ancient Ryukami legend, the three great dragons established an accord millennia ago, dividing the archipelago into three domains. They rarely meet, yet their influence is felt across all the islands. The appearance of all three dragons in a single location is said to herald events of continental significance.
Fighting Traditions
Combat in Ryukami is elevated to an art form. Multiple schools of martial discipline exist, each with their own philosophy, techniques, and legendary masters.
The Way of the Blade
An ancient martial discipline focused on katana mastery, emphasizing grace, precision, and the harmonious flow of combat. Practitioners spend years perfecting their technique.
Core Practices
- Kata training
- Meditation before combat
- Dual-wielding mastery
- Emotional discipline
Dragon's Fist
A powerful unarmed combat tradition that mimics the movements of the three great dragons. Practitioners channel elemental energy through their bodies.
Core Practices
- Elemental channeling
- Pressure point strikes
- Chi manipulation
- Stance perfection
Shadow Dance
A secretive fighting style practiced by ninja and shadow warriors, emphasizing stealth, precision strikes, and vanishing like smoke after combat.
Core Practices
- Stealth techniques
- Silent movement
- Poison application
- Escape artistry
Spear and Strategy
A disciplined military tradition taught to samurai and noble warriors, combining spear mastery with tactical awareness and strategic thinking.
Core Practices
- Formation fighting
- Long-range combat
- Leadership training
- Tactical positioning
The Dojo System
In the major cities of the archipelago, dojos serve as both training centers and spiritual sanctuaries. Sensei — masters of their chosen tradition — take on students and guide them through decades of rigorous training. The relationship between sensei and student is profound, often lasting a lifetime. Mastery is not measured in years but in the depth of one's understanding and the harmony achieved between technique and spirit.
Unique Armors
The master armorers of Ryukami craft protective gear infused with elemental magic and dragon blessing, granting their wearers extraordinary resilience and power.
Ryujin no Yoroi
Dragon God's Armor
Type
Legendary Plate Armor
AC/Bonus
20
A suit of pristine armor fashioned to resemble dragon scales, infused with the blessing of the sea dragons themselves.
Features
- AC 20
- Fire resistance
- Flight once per day
Kaze no Hagoromo
Wind's Feathered Robe
Type
Legendary Light Armor
AC/Bonus
16
A flowing robe adorned with feathers that shimmer with divine light, granting the wearer exceptional mobility and grace.
Features
- AC 16
- Fly speed granted
- Evasion bonus
Oni no Kawa
Demon's Hide
Type
Very Rare Medium Armor
AC/Bonus
17
Hide armor crafted from the preserved skin of a slain oni, radiating an aura of intimidation and supernatural power.
Features
- AC 17
- Necrotic resistance
- Intimidation bonus
Umi no Tate
Ocean's Shield
Type
Rare Shield
AC/Bonus
3
A magical shield blessed by the ocean depths, providing both protection and connection to the sea itself.
Features
- +3 AC bonus
- Water breathing
- Cold damage resistance
Yama no Ikari
Mountain's Wrath
Type
Very Rare Heavy Armor
AC/Bonus
19
A suit of heavy armor imbued with the strength of mountains themselves, granting the wearer tremendous defensive and offensive power.
Features
- AC 19
- Earthquake stomp ability
- Bludgeoning resistance
The Warrior's Path
To be a warrior in Ryukami is to walk a path of eternal self-improvement. Combat is not merely about victory in battle but about the refinement of body, mind, and spirit. The greatest warriors understand that their truest opponent is always themselves, and their greatest triumph is transcending their previous limitations. The legendary rune swords, the Three Dragons watching from above, and the ancient fighting traditions all serve as reminders that in Ryukami, the pursuit of martial excellence is a sacred calling.