NPCs

• Chamyoka Psionic Dark Naga
• Ka no Nigoshi Fire Shugenja
• Kwansh Thi Asp Naga Budouka (Martial Artist)
• Shei Priest of Temple Makura
• Yushei Wandering Inkyo
• Crew of the Maru Hinu Captian, lieutenant, and crew.

Chamyoka is infamous for her deceit and ruthlessness.  Known to travel the Spirit World and the Prime Material, she seems to involve herself wherever she pleases, but only as it furthers her own ends.  Appearing as a sinuous member of her species, she is distinguished by the bands of color on her snake-like body.  While they begin a dark purple near the head, they change into a gruesome green near her tail. 

Unlike most dark naga, she cannot cast sorcerer spells; rather, she has honed the powers of her mind as a psion (telepath), and a 9th-level psion at that.  Though she has no known steady followers, many can be found that are willing to do her bidding, either through her powers of charm or intimidation.

Chamyoka's overriding purpose in interfering with matters is left to the individual DM, as stating them here would ruin her role in ongoing campaigns...  nevertheless, it is indeed a dark purpose.

Among her belongings, she in known to have in her possesion a Spirit World Gate, a jade cube lined with protective adamantine which is a magical item that can carry her across the boundary between the Spirit World and the Prime Material plane.  It can operate 5 times per day as a standard action and affects only the wielder and 100 lb. of gear.  Manifester Level: 16th; Prerequisites: Craft Universal Item, astral projection (the astral plane is actually the Spirit World in the cosmology of Kokubura); Market Price: 32,500 gp; Weight: 1 lb.

Ka no Nigoshi poses as a simple sailor. He often uses void points to boost critical skill checks when bluffing and in disguise; these he can easily regain with a few moments of silence using the Self/No Self feat.  Though unusual for one versed in fire to ply the sailor's trade, the unexpectedness of a fire-borne assault on the water makes him all the more deadly.  Who he serves is unknown...

Kwansh Thi is a budouka (martial artist) of the asp naga.  Though tied to no specific dojo or temple, he does partake of training from anyone available, although most humans are terrified when he approaches.

Master Shei is the Fu-Shinsei, or the second-highest priest, of Temple Makura on the island of Makura.  His current duties relate mainly to the study of the temple's philosophy, which holds that the spirit of island Makura finds its peak in the depths of Kura-zan, the volcano at the base of which the temple is built.  Makurans believe an excellent way to attune themselves to the spirit of the island is to walk on the rocks heated by geothermal energy.  Among the most famous fire-walkers is Master Shei himself.

Shei is roughly 60 years old and somewhat physically frail.  His head is shaved save for a queue tied behind, and he helps himself along with a cane.  Nevertheless, he is mentally spry and quick in discussion.  Owing to his focus on the spirits of fire, his eyes have taken on a glow that can be seen faintly in the dark, though he is far from projecting any sort of infernal image.  More likely to listen for an hour and then offering advice too good to ignore, he is known for wise counsel.  On official missions he wears a kimono (robe) of scintillating colors, but when not Shei's garb is that of the upper tier of Makuran priests - red robes tied with a black sash over the right shoulder.

Shei began life at Temple Makura as a simple initiate, but soon it became evident that his frail frame couldn't amount to much in the physical rigors of the monkish life.  What was noticeable was his power of personality, and so he was inducted into the tract for spell-casting devotees.  Dedicating his studies to religion, the Plane of Fire, and spirits, Shei did not abandon his ability to persuade.  he made quite a mark in his sojourn as a novice to the mainland, where he managed to convert a member of the high court of the Emerald Throne, who subsequently relocated to Makura.

Shei is often the public face presented to high dignitaries, and when a peaceful meeting is required between the elite of Temple Makura and the Himei daimyo, he often speaks for the Shinsei (head priest of Temple Makura).  When not so engaged, he occupies himself with expanding and improving the temple grounds.

Among his possessions, he has a trophy head of concentration, which for example, allows him to cast flaming sphere and maintain concentration while doing other activities.  It is said he was given this strange item in his mission to the mainland.  He is almost never found without several healing potions, as he is well-aware of his frail nature.  He also possesses an amulet of natural armor +4, an andon of manifestation, a haori (cloak) of resistance +1, and several candles of truth.  When on official delegations, he dons a kimono (robe) of scintillating colors and a necklace of adaptation.  Additionally, as second-in-command of Temple Makura, Shei has access to almost all magic items that the temple possesses.

Shei of course shies away from physical combat, and relies on fire wings and expeditious retreat to get him out of a fray.  Having put some distance between him and attackers, he'll not hesitate to support companions with some of the more damaging spells in his repertoire, fireball and flame strike, after casting flaming sphere which is maintained by his trophy head of concentration.  He'll usually have endure elements cast upon him, as well as cat's grace.

Yushei is a wandering vanara inkyo.  He hails from a small monestary in Jo, a town in the Tai Pho Mountains.

Crew of the Maru Hinu

The Maru Hinu is a junk, a sailing vessel 65 feet in length outfitted for long oceaning voyages.  The hull is one inch thick, has a hardness of 5, and 60 hp per 10-ft. square section.  She sports two balissta, one on the fore and one on the aft.  She usually sails with a crew of 20 and the captain.

Most humans would not willingly follow a spirit folk without due cause, but in the case of captain Arakada, his race actually instills confidence in his crew.  Known to be harsh but fair, he has yet to lose a ship to wako (pirates) or any other menace.  Arakada tolerates no drinking, swearing, or smoking on his ship.  And if you don't like it, you can go "outside."

Komada is an aged sailor who seems to have been around the world once or twice.  Always hospitable, he enjoys telling of his exploits as member of the daimyo's sea patrols, though he lets on that he wasn't always doing just the daimyo's work...  For the last several years he has been captain Arakada's second-in-charge.  He's quick to see everybody do their duty when there is duty to be done, but isn't as strict as the captain.  Though he's aging, he's "as strudy as an old board."

Most of the crew of the Maru Hinu is hand-picked by captain Arakada, and all are personally known by him.  They know that to run afoul of captain Arakada or lieutenant Komada is to be in grave touuble, the former more so than the latter.

The Wu Jen