To expands the lore of the Yokai Kingdom, I've created these concept artworks for the community to collect and explore excerpts of tales long forgotten. The lore is meant to hint at small story and world building elements in regards to the characters, their allegiances and powers that will be linked to the Oni's Quest game I'm working on.
The Arrival of the Void Worlokk
The lands pulse with pools of darkness and shadow almost cold to the touch and yet alive. Out of the Void steps the Worlokk cloaked with hat and cape but covered in shadow, his arrival is no coincidence, he has covered many worlds with his void magic in search for something that is most dear to him, conqueoring and destroying civilisations across the cosmos in his manic search. Over the eons the Worlokk has traveled far and wide and now he arrives ready to spread chaos and shadow in the lands of Geoda, amassing an army to flatten the world until he finds answers to questions he has long searched for. The Worlokk has yet found a world ready and willing to defend itself as stoutly as the warriors of Geoda but he is also ready to unleash his full might upon the lands.
The lands pulse with pools of darkness and shadow almost cold to the touch and yet alive. Out of the Void steps the Worlokk cloaked with hat and cape but covered in shadow, his arrival is no coincidence, he has covered many worlds with his void magic in search for something that is most dear to him, conqueoring and destroying civilisations across the cosmos in his manic search. Over the eons the Worlokk has traveled far and wide and now he arrives ready to spread chaos and shadow in the lands of Geoda, amassing an army to flatten the world until he finds answers to questions he has long searched for. The Worlokk has yet found a world ready and willing to defend itself as stoutly as the warriors of Geoda but he is also ready to unleash his full might upon the lands.
The Ambush:
A Shinobi acts in stealth and espionage, observing the enemy and their surroundings. Otherwise known as ninja they are always ready to strike before their targets even notice a shadow that stalks them. A ninja’s wits are sharper than their blades so attempting to ambush one only means the enemy will fall into the ninja’s own trap. Centuries of battles against the Worlokk of the Void has taught many ninja clans the value of deception and art of subterfuge, disabling an enemy before they know a strike has been blown.
A Shinobi acts in stealth and espionage, observing the enemy and their surroundings. Otherwise known as ninja they are always ready to strike before their targets even notice a shadow that stalks them. A ninja’s wits are sharper than their blades so attempting to ambush one only means the enemy will fall into the ninja’s own trap. Centuries of battles against the Worlokk of the Void has taught many ninja clans the value of deception and art of subterfuge, disabling an enemy before they know a strike has been blown.
KNOWLEDGE:
Before the Void conjuction brought havoc to the lands of Geoda, the order of Worlokks spent their time in pursuit of knowledge to help the people with their arcane magic. The arrival of the Void Worlokk wreaked chaos and demonstrated power never seen before by the warriors of Geoda but among the chaos the Worlokks saw the opportunity to gain new knowledge. Many studied the effects of the void and the potential power that could be drawn from this mysterious source allowing them to develop new spells and to fight back against the Void Worlokk and his hordes of cursed yokai. But drawing from the void can take a heavy toll on a Worlokk if not careful as they can be driven mad from the power with many recounting experiences such as hearing voices and feeling as though their shadows are stalking them. Even with this risk, the Worlokks are steadfast in the fight to regain their home from the cursed yokai.
Before the Void conjuction brought havoc to the lands of Geoda, the order of Worlokks spent their time in pursuit of knowledge to help the people with their arcane magic. The arrival of the Void Worlokk wreaked chaos and demonstrated power never seen before by the warriors of Geoda but among the chaos the Worlokks saw the opportunity to gain new knowledge. Many studied the effects of the void and the potential power that could be drawn from this mysterious source allowing them to develop new spells and to fight back against the Void Worlokk and his hordes of cursed yokai. But drawing from the void can take a heavy toll on a Worlokk if not careful as they can be driven mad from the power with many recounting experiences such as hearing voices and feeling as though their shadows are stalking them. Even with this risk, the Worlokks are steadfast in the fight to regain their home from the cursed yokai.
The Worlokk Gathers his army:
With the lands of Geoda in confusion and the appearance of the Void spreading it’s curse, the mysterious Worlokk from the Void, gathers followers to his side. The cursed beasts and yokai are drawn to the darkness and blood lust emitting from the Void Worlokk as he promises his horde there will be a reign of shadow covering the lands of Geoda. The Worlokks plans are in place as he gathers followers to wreak chaos on the villages and castles of noble families whilst also searching for a mysterious source of power that initially lead him to these lands, a power the Worlokk has been searching for what feels like eternity.
With the lands of Geoda in confusion and the appearance of the Void spreading it’s curse, the mysterious Worlokk from the Void, gathers followers to his side. The cursed beasts and yokai are drawn to the darkness and blood lust emitting from the Void Worlokk as he promises his horde there will be a reign of shadow covering the lands of Geoda. The Worlokks plans are in place as he gathers followers to wreak chaos on the villages and castles of noble families whilst also searching for a mysterious source of power that initially lead him to these lands, a power the Worlokk has been searching for what feels like eternity.
Awoken as an Oni but still a Ronin:
The warrior surveyed the land around him from which he fell hundreds of years ago and pondered how he was still alive. He remembered a flashing light and then darkness followed by the touch of long grass and a weird sensation that his body was not his own. The feel of fangs and the sight of his claws shocked him to his feet and he remembered, he was cursed alongside his fellow warriors by the Worlokk of the Void. He remembered a flash of victory, being of the party that pushed their foe back into the void, he remembered the sound of an incantation and the faint promise of the Worlokk’s return. The warrior remembered he was a Ronin, a masterless swordsman who would wander in search of foes and purpose and now his purpose was true. To stop the return of the Void Worlokk and to break the Oni curse.
The warrior surveyed the land around him from which he fell hundreds of years ago and pondered how he was still alive. He remembered a flashing light and then darkness followed by the touch of long grass and a weird sensation that his body was not his own. The feel of fangs and the sight of his claws shocked him to his feet and he remembered, he was cursed alongside his fellow warriors by the Worlokk of the Void. He remembered a flash of victory, being of the party that pushed their foe back into the void, he remembered the sound of an incantation and the faint promise of the Worlokk’s return. The warrior remembered he was a Ronin, a masterless swordsman who would wander in search of foes and purpose and now his purpose was true. To stop the return of the Void Worlokk and to break the Oni curse.
PREPARATION
Since the creation of their order, the Sohei warrior monks perform pre battle rituals to best prepare themselves for the fight ahead by drinking to their gods and reciting their war prayers. The warrior monks first formed to protect the temples of Geoda from the incoming threats of the Void but with many sacred sites falling to ruin, the Sohei wandered the lands and formed clans with other like minded monks, ninja and ronin to formulate plans to defeat the Worlokk of the Void. The Sohei are known for their skill and proficiency with the naginata with some high level warrior monks able to enchant their blades and incant blessings from the gods during battle to protect and aid their comrades.
Since the creation of their order, the Sohei warrior monks perform pre battle rituals to best prepare themselves for the fight ahead by drinking to their gods and reciting their war prayers. The warrior monks first formed to protect the temples of Geoda from the incoming threats of the Void but with many sacred sites falling to ruin, the Sohei wandered the lands and formed clans with other like minded monks, ninja and ronin to formulate plans to defeat the Worlokk of the Void. The Sohei are known for their skill and proficiency with the naginata with some high level warrior monks able to enchant their blades and incant blessings from the gods during battle to protect and aid their comrades.
KAPPA:
Being a water based yokai, the Kappa can be found around the lakes and rivers of Geoda where they wait for weary travellers to pounce upon. With scale like skin and turtle like beaks, the Kappa are small in size but are fast and nimble which allow for stealth when using the water ways to plan ambushes in packs. In combat the Kappa can wield weapons and summon magic from water that sits inside an indentation at the top of their head, it’s known if the water is spilled the Kappa are left vulnerable.
With the advent of the Void curse, many Kappa and water dwelling yokai have fallen prey to the control of the Void Worlokk, adding themselves to the ranks of his cursed army. The Kappa have immobilised across all the water ways of Geoda and have been spotted as far as the coast bolstering the numbers of yokai looking to hunt and eliminate the Oni and protect their Void master.
Being a water based yokai, the Kappa can be found around the lakes and rivers of Geoda where they wait for weary travellers to pounce upon. With scale like skin and turtle like beaks, the Kappa are small in size but are fast and nimble which allow for stealth when using the water ways to plan ambushes in packs. In combat the Kappa can wield weapons and summon magic from water that sits inside an indentation at the top of their head, it’s known if the water is spilled the Kappa are left vulnerable.
With the advent of the Void curse, many Kappa and water dwelling yokai have fallen prey to the control of the Void Worlokk, adding themselves to the ranks of his cursed army. The Kappa have immobilised across all the water ways of Geoda and have been spotted as far as the coast bolstering the numbers of yokai looking to hunt and eliminate the Oni and protect their Void master.
ALCHEMY:
For centuries the ancient Worlokks have passed down their knowledge of magic through various schools and clans. The advent of the Void conjunction allowed the Worlokks to study and create new magic and elixers to combat the Void curse and amplify their fighting abilities. Through the process of alchemy, mixing particles of the void with natural and blessed ingredients yield powerful potions and elixers known to help the help the warriors stave off the Void curse and enhance their supernatural abilities.
For any inquisitive Worlokk, studying the Void uncovers exciting discoveries and untold potential but doing so comes at a risk as for centuries, no scholar has been able to fully understand what the power of the Void is truly capable of.
For centuries the ancient Worlokks have passed down their knowledge of magic through various schools and clans. The advent of the Void conjunction allowed the Worlokks to study and create new magic and elixers to combat the Void curse and amplify their fighting abilities. Through the process of alchemy, mixing particles of the void with natural and blessed ingredients yield powerful potions and elixers known to help the help the warriors stave off the Void curse and enhance their supernatural abilities.
For any inquisitive Worlokk, studying the Void uncovers exciting discoveries and untold potential but doing so comes at a risk as for centuries, no scholar has been able to fully understand what the power of the Void is truly capable of.
TENGU:
The Tengu are a yokai warrior class said to be born from the spirits of worthy warriors not yet willing and ready to rest. They are known for their powerful wings and can take an appearance of a large bird or a long nosed demon with all classes possessing powerful magic and fighting abilities. The Tengu always look to test their skills on worthy warriors and are seen not to take sides when it comes to the Isle of Geoda's various past wars.
The Tengu are a yokai warrior class said to be born from the spirits of worthy warriors not yet willing and ready to rest. They are known for their powerful wings and can take an appearance of a large bird or a long nosed demon with all classes possessing powerful magic and fighting abilities. The Tengu always look to test their skills on worthy warriors and are seen not to take sides when it comes to the Isle of Geoda's various past wars.
SPIRIT STONES:
The Spirit Stones are a source of power that can be wielded and crafted into powerful artefacts, armour and weaponary. The appearance of the stones since the first Void conjunction event have been debated for centuries but many believe with the appearance of the Void Worlokk, the stones became a powerful weapon for both the Warriors of Geoda and Yokai alike.
The Spirit Stones are a source of power that can be wielded and crafted into powerful artefacts, armour and weaponary. The appearance of the stones since the first Void conjunction event have been debated for centuries but many believe with the appearance of the Void Worlokk, the stones became a powerful weapon for both the Warriors of Geoda and Yokai alike.
BLESSINGS:
The Sohei are known for wielding powerful blessings gifted from the old gods of Geoda to help them in their fight, heal their allies and fortify their strength. The Sohei are a mystical class of warrior monk that practice blessings long passed down from clan to clan. With help of their special brew of battle sake, the warrior monks enter a special battle trance that can take it's toll but creates a fearsome warrior for desperate times.
NAGINATA:
The naginata is a bladed spear that is wielded by the warrior monks known as Sohei. The pole arm is efficient for keeping foes at bay and can be spun to deadly effect keeping enemies on their toes whilst trying to combat the Sohei spear style. Some naginata blades have been passed down from clan to clan with blessed blades and with later iterations taking on the form of Spirit blades, fashioned from the mysterious spirit stones.
KUNAI:
The kunai is a simple but deadly weapon in the hands of a shinobi or Ninja class of Oni. A small throwable blade in design, the kunai can be wielded as a short hidden dagger for quick slices and thrusts. A ninja is trained from an early age to throw their kunai true and accurately especially if they are tipped in special poison to help the ninja gain any advantage in a fight.
KATANA:
The katana is the deadly tool of the Ronin warrior class, a blade that is designed to slice and cut in well trained hands. Katanas come from all sides of the Isle and some have been known to be imbued with magical abilities or forged from Spirit Stones for more potent magical abilities. A Ronin lives and dies by the sword so you will never catch a Ronin without their katana by their side.
MAGIKK:
The Worlokks are trained in wielding magikk that is elemental in nature, utilising fire, air, water and earth as part of their arsenal of spells. With the advent of the Void conjunction, magikk knowledge evolved to utilise the power of Void magikk to fortify spells and even bend time and space itself.
