Tales from the Emerald Empire
The Emerald Empire stretches over most of the lands of Seppun, from the Pillars of the Sky in the North to the Shadowlands in the South, from the Sea of the Jade Sun in the East to the Burnings Winds in the West. Ruled by an ruthless, evil Emperor who bereaved the clans of their power only to replace the daimyos with his hand-picked Imperial Legates.
Times are dark in the Emerald Empire, but there are those who stand against evil, those who seek to wake a dormant power which can stop the Emperor on his dark path....
Magistrate Matsu - Tales from the Emerald Empire is a rules-lite game for up to 5 player and a GM, requiring little preparation. All you need is the download from this site, some dice or coins, and your imagination. There are two extra PCs if you got additional players in your group.
The setting is loosely based on Rokugan and the Legends of the Five Rings RPG mixed with a Galactic Empire, feudal-japanese style. Players and GM will develop the lands of Seppun during the game, so each group's setting will be different: Will it be 7 Samurais, Yojimbo, 47 Ronin, ... or even Sukiyaki Django Western?
The game mechanics of Magistrate Matsu - Tales from the Emerald Empire are based on John Harper's fine Lady Blackbird and other Tales from the Wild Blue Yonder RPGs.
Races of Seppun
Humans are the dominating people in Seppun, but there are other intelligent beings. The more common are described below.
Abozu and Jinki-niku are small creatures, mostly seen as Eta or Hinin as they often are charged with unclean task. Most cities have an Abozu quarter. Despite being of the lowest caste, the avid Abozu are seen as a sign of good fortune. The nocturnal Jiniki-niku, however, are even despised by other Eta. Yet, their work is more important than the higher castes are willing to admit - Jinki-niku sort and dispose most garbage, ... even the dead.
Kawausu-tengu are ottergoblins, shapeshifter and quite rare. Creatures of the Shadowlands, yet not necessarily evil, Kawausu-tengu sometimes travel far from their demonic homelands. Kawausu-tengu often get confused with Kawausu, yet the attentive observer will notice the goblinoid features of the creature. The latter are intelligent otters which can be found all over Seppun, living in small family groups in the wilderness apart from human settlements. Some may trade with nearby villages, but usually these creatures keep for themselves. Most people might never have direct contact with a Kawausu, but almost anyone knows someone who knows someone who "trades with otters", as the saying goes.
Nagani - or snake people - are very reclusive and keep for themselves. There are some known settlements of this sophisticated race in the region of the Shinomen Mori, and the Nagani quarter in the Emerald City.
Zokujin hail from the lands west of the Burnings Winds. These powerful beings are rare in the Southern Empire. Those encountered are mostly fighting pit slaves or thugs for the local crime boss. Cities closer to the Burning Winds often have a considerable Zokujin population, working and living as Heimin traders, worker and craftsmen
Source: Pinterest https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C3UBj33VMAEF5TW.jpg
Source: Pinterest
Source: Pinterest (edited)
Source: Pinterest
Source : Pinterest (edited)