A land shrouded in dark ominous storm clouds and sharp ravines, Some towering over even the Badland Fingers. Home to a Kingdom shrouded in mystery as many stories and lore from this region only seem to trigger nightmares... There is said to be a Leader of the Formless that rules these lands... Not much is known about him other than being the most powerful Immortal in the region. Simply known as Kunjiro's Lands, there are vast expanses of meadows speckled with thick overgrowth, and even a few forests that can give you the chills.
West Therös is known as the lands of the lawless, where all sorts of dark happenings cover the region. With only a few settlements spread about, many would be wary to share a campfire around these people. There is but one estate that covers a vast majority of the Westernmost tip of the Region. The Kunjiro Estate is regimented and near slavery conditions that only have whimpers or shrieks that haunt the alleys. Lord Kunjiro only wants one thing... Complete and lifelong servitude, only measured by the skills or powers a person can possess.
These lands are the home to many of the outcasts and banished types, only with one thing on their minds, survival of the strongest. With such dark energies seeping out of the land itself, no wonder tales of Deathwalkers, and Nightstalkers populate the creatures of this land, some say demons roam these regions building an army of formless for the Dark Lord himself, Kunjiro. Even the mythical empire of Agartha is wary of these lands, yet even they have correspondents that find sanctuary even in these polluted lands of Evil. Many have traveled into the Western Lands, few live to tell the tale of its darkness; yet some daring individuals manage to find a way of life, no matter how futile it may seem. These brave souls adventure into the Dark Lands of Kunjiro, few leave without some scar or trauma from such an unforgiving region of Therös.
Master of House Kunjiro and known as the Dark Jester, Grandmaster Prankster, Leader of the Formless... He is the only known human turned Immortal that established the Dark Immortals House, or simply known as House Kunjiro. Having the Shadowmen at his beck and call, some say he created this species simply to prove he was as fearsome as the Eternal Houses. Though his foundation happens in the Shadow Wars, some say he enabled such atrocities, being able to hold back the Architect's and the Sion Trinity.
Though Fei of House Kunjiro was born under the Akuma star, or demon seal, this was all in the Formless. There are legends that speak of Fei Akuma as the First of Humanity... given all the secrets of the Ancients and the Architect's. Fei was simply an experiment of the First Creation, which now lives on eternally yet doomed to damnation... Something the House of Kunjiro was known for. Some say Lord Kunjiro has reincarnated using taboo magick's and demonic summonings. This simply was the way of things, to keep balance in the universe and beyond...
Fei was known for all these things and his Immortal Host was simply himself, more specifically, the Kunjiro bloodline... This became the way of things in the Dark Immortal House of Kunjiro. Father would find a mate, have first born by them, and using rituals taught by demons and other dark magick's, and become the child once more... Fei was simply an easy neutral name that carried on through the lineage of Kunjiro. None would want to be part of such darkness willingly, House Kunjiro simply embodied the dark side of Humanity.
The leader of the Formless, the Dark Jester, Kunjiro Fei Akuma. In ancient times, originally known as the Army of the Formless, the founding of House Kunjiro had formed in the aftermath of the First Creation, and its war that followed, The Kaiser Wars. Kunjiro Fei Akuma had earned the favor of The Gold WarKing Buddha, Ewan Alistar who ended up working for Kunjiro in his younger years. There was a band of merchants that are subservient to the House of Kunjiro, and it's Dark Jester. Like atypical forces of darkness, they consisted of Ranks to show level of command in the numbers of the Dark Jester Army... The Fool... The Joker... The Jester... and Grandmaster Prankster title only belonged to Kunjiro Fei Akuma.
The current era was known as the Dark Lord’s great sleep. His son, Kunjiro Arbor-Kai was head of house Kunjiro. His demeanor was far more pleasant than his fathers; it may have something to do with the Dark Ritual that cursed the Kunjiro bloodline. Arbor-Kai was a kind and reserved man, the complete opposite of what his father was. This allowed his diplomacy skills and trade relations to become solidified making it seem to any outside observers of House Kunjiro as neutral as the free city of Grande Fresen. House Kunjiro were skilled strategists for generations and have been a successful force of nature during the neutral reign… This only happened once every century as the Dark Lord must return to slumber to regenerate and energize.
Arbor-Kai is a well respected man, who brought order to a chaotic province; his diplomacy and negotiations were legendary amongst the ruling classes of Therös. With his masterful command over the Shadowmen and their kin. These agents of the Formless were dreadfully loyal to the Clan of Kunjiro, serving as retainers since their inception. None would comprehend the massive network that the House of Kunjiro amassed over the generations… Arbor-Kai was intensely aware of the influence his family had on the continent. His only goal is to maintain order in chaos, like many had done before him…
The clan of Shadowmen and their assassins are more than solid objects, they are mostly energy containing basically of a black smoke. This made them extremely hard to detect or track, unless they wish to enact the will of the Dark Lord, which they become visible for only a moment before they strike any target.
“I must journey to Grande Fresen…” Arbor-Kai thought aloud as he paced the room. “There are some disturbances in the underground… What are those pesky Dark Casters up to now?” There would be an assembly of guards and councilors that followed and obeyed each command that the Kunjiro family would ask. Their only purpose was to serve the Head of House Kunjiro, Arbor-Kai. “Men, we shall set our sights on Grande Fresen… I have some business to attend to with those Dark Casters.” Without an objection his councilmen and guards simply stood to attention and saluted, giving out a hearty “YES M’LORD!” in unison and without a moment's notice Lord Kunjiro had assembled the away team, their sights set for Grande Fresen.
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Markus, Simon and Vance had finished collecting their gear; they met up at the armory before they were to set out. “Boys it’s time fer’ ye’ to see my sanctuary…” Simon announced, as he made his way behind his desk. Simon opened a book on a pedestal, inside there was a keypad. With a quick motion of his wrist, Simon deactivated the security and opened the hidden door behind the desk. ”My own personal Shangri-La.” The walls were decked out end to end with all sorts of weapons, relics, icons and even some magic tomes. Behind a reinforced cage sat all sorts of ammo; from handguns, to grenades, to rockets, Simon truly was a crazed weaponsmith.”Pick yer’ poison.”
“Well, well looks like the Deathunters are very well equipped. Hell you could arm a small troop.” Vance commented as he walked through the room.
“This place never ceases to amaze me, well done Simon!” Markus complimented his colleague. “Let’s gear up and report to Dion men!” the others simply smirked and nodded to the order.
They began to browse the Weaponsmith’s Workshop, Markus picked up a pair of etched rune revolvers and blessed ammo, along with a cartridge of Holy Bullets, a Simon J. Romero specialty. Vance glared at a black long-barrel desert eagle, something a Deathwalker like himself could handle without any repercussions to its use. ‘Being a soulless Vampire had its disadvantages.’ thought Vance as he picked up several cartridges for his Black Eagle. Simon grabbed a silver shotgun that had a double barrel, and a small semi-auto oozie, he always liked the ‘rat-a-tat-tat’ that accompanied such weapons. Simon also grabbed two ammo belts for the shotgun, and several clips for his oozie. The men were armed to the teeth and would be a force to be reckoned with if ever engaged. The three men gathered by the melee station and browsed the creations of Simon’s.
“Yes mateys, these be my pride n’ joy…” Simon crossed his arms as he admired his handy work. “Have a gander, I’m sure you will find something to yer’ likings.”
“I’m sure there are many things that will complement our styles, eh Vance?” Markus replied, asking the Vampire what his thoughts were.
“I’m not much for swords…” Vance commented, “I do prefer a good dagger or knife.”
“Say no more Vance, I have just the item for yer’ situation.” Simon spoke up, walking over to the end of a display and pulled out a drawer. “It has a mind of its own, but that shouldn’t be a problem for yer’ psychic abilities.” Simon pulled a small key out of his pocket, and unlocked a hidden section in the drawer. There layed a crimson red dagger, about the length of an average man’s forearm. The blade tapered at the end and widened as it reached the handle. A serpent’s head made up the guard and pommel. “This be called ‘The Crimson Thorn’ a very powerful blade that drains your energy, sapping it until its attack is unleashed.”
“Very nice…” Vance stepped toward Simon as he held the dagger. “May I?”
“It’s yours if yer’ mind can handle it.” Simon replied.
“Who do you think I am? Tinkerer?” Vance asserted his alpha mentality, only for a moment. “Give me that blade!” Vance grabbed it from Simon’s hands and began to examine it. The sheath was a dark padded leather, navy in color. When Vance placed his hand on the hilt of the dagger, something twitched into his mind… it was a type of trance to greet and create the spirit that inhabits the blade.
“Careful Vance! Simon isn’t called the Mad Engineer of Trion.” Markus warned him, but it was too late; Vance was inside the inner-world of weapon contracting.Simon simply sneered as Vance was no longer conscious of his surroundings, bound to the weapon until a Master is decided.
“The blade has a bit of a cursed spirit as well my friend…” Simon’s voice trailed off in Vance’s mind as The Crimson Thorn approached his soul.
Moments later Vance had become conscious of his surroundings once more. “Well that was certainly an ordeal…” Vance shook off the lingering paralysis from the inner-worlds. “Crimson Thorn has made a pact with me… though it will act as a parasyte because of my condition.”
“Very good, there is a perk to Crimson Thorn’s curse…” Simon spoke up as he inspected the Vampire’s arm. “Seems Crimson Thorn literally attached itself to your open wound.”
“A Bio-tech weapon…” Markus said under his breath, thinking of his own Watermind. Their unit was ready for action. They moved out and headed to Dr. Dion Martell’s office. Within moments of speaking with the director, he approved the mission and made arrangements for a bit of a treat to make it to Grande Fresen… an automobile.
“Now fella’s me n’ Randy, the pet we wrangled a few weeks ago, finished the final touches on this vehicle.” Dion stood up from his desk and made his way to the window. “Take a look for yer’selves.” The men joined the Director on the veranda by the picture window. Looking down inside one of the old train car bays was an SUV of some sort.
“Hey Doc, that wouldn’t happen to be my old Jeep from before the Dark Dawn?” Simon commented as he looked over at the Director.
“Very perceptive, my good ol’ pal o’ mine!” Dion chuckled and patted Simon on the back. “Here’s the key.” Dion pulled it out of his coat pocket and dangled it in front of Simon.
“I noticed there were a few modifications on ol’ Bessie!” Simon complimented their handiwork. “Ready to depart, boys! Yer’ in fer’ a hell o’ a ride!” Simon grabbed the keys from the Director and led the others down to the boxcar bays.
“This should be interesting…” Markus commented as they made their way toward the elevator. Simon, Vance and Markus descended into the boxcar bays, meeting up with Randy, the contracted Demon that Dion referred to as ‘the pet’. The demon had no human name, so Dion nicknamed him, like he would a dog.
“Hey Meatball!” Simon called out to Randy, having his own nickname for the demon.
“The hell you want, meatbag!” Randy was no kinder than the first day he was contracted, as expected from a Knight of Styx.
“Hahaha… I see you haven’t lost your sense of humor, Meatball.” Simon mocked the demon, again.
“Shut it you fleabag of rotting flesh!” Randy retorted in frustration. “Do ya want a breakdown for this piece of trash, or what!”
“Please do, Randy.” Markus spoke up, breaking the tension. “We should know what kind of demonic mechanisms you and the Doc came up with!”
“Very perceptive! Priest!” Randy complimented Markus, with a snarl of disgust. “Here is the user manual and be warned, this is a Dark Mechanicum. Read the bloody manual first!”
Simon had already jumped into the driver seat and began reading the manual, he was a meticulous tinkerer, he was in his element. Markus and Vance shrugged the warning off, leaving Simon to be the mastermind of the vehicle.
“Let’s load up and head out boys!” Simon barked an order, Markus and Vance scrambled to load the rest of their equipment into the Jeep and they were off, heading West… Next stop, Grande Fresen.