Nobunaga's Black Castle TRPG
Warring States Era Samuraipunk
Honored samurai, ruthless ronin, wayward vagabonds, shadowy ninja and helpless villagers... welcome.
Opening Volley
The weekend is upon us once more. I took a small break from writing the Castle Oblivion novel this week to keep myself from burnout. I’ve been working on translations all week at work in prep for three days of orientation. For those of you who do not know what I do: I work as a translator/interpreter at a Japanese MLCC company utilizing overseas workers as a part of our workforce (probably 10%). To that end, I translate documents, machine manuals, medical exam documents, etc. in an effort to smooth over their worklife here. I also interpret the orientation lectures. Three days, eight hours each of everything from straight lectures to driving safety, mental health care, factory tours, etc. (Most of which I have translated beforehand so I can just read the material into a mic.) It’s grueling at times, but ultimately super rewarding.
Main Event
I have just one item of interest this issue: Nobunaga’s Black Castle, a Mörk Borg TRPG (TTRPG) module set in the Warring States Era of Japan. For those unfamiliar with either the Warring States Era or Mörk Borg, you’re in for a treat.
First and foremost, “Mörk Borg” translates into “Black Castle” from the Swedish, and it has taken the roleplaying community by storm. This review explains the setting. (No Wikipedia entry apparently.) Here’s the official webpage where you can download a scaled-down (barebones) version of the Mörk Borg corebook as well as content.
It’s gothic and very metal.
For those of you not familiar with Nobunaga Oda or the Warring States Era, it was a time of great strife in Japan. Massive samurai battles waged constantly for nearly 150 years culminating in Oda on the verge of becoming the Shogun after defeating Ashikaga. Betrayed, he was ambushed and forced to commit ritual suicide.
Enter Nobunaga’s Black Castle. A scenario in which Oda did NOT die, conquering Japan with the crushing fist of his might. You see, despite his incredible tactical prowess, and while he certainly has his fans, Oda apparently called himself “Sixth Heavenly Demon King“. There have been other games that depict Oda as evil, one of the most famous being Onimusha, so Nobunaga’s Black Castle has a bit of history behind it.
From the front page of the game’s official webpage:
This is a Sengoku doom-metal fantasy TRPG set in a dark version of the Warring States Era, wherein Nobunaga Oda did not die at Honno Temple, instead becoming the true Sixth Heavenly Demon King.
June 10, Tensho 10 (1582).
Nobunaga joined forces with Mitsuhide Akechi and Hideyoshi Toyotomi to conquer as far as Kyushu, with the Chōsokabe Clan retreating to Shikoku before them.
At breakneck speed Nobunaga advanced along his path to unify the nation.
But, he was no longer a man.
"This is not about right or wrong, good or bad. It is about inevitability..."
His words engulfed the world in flames.
The lid to the cauldron of hell was removed and a swarm of demons vomited forth.
The world burned as Nobunaga slaughtered everyone.
You, too, were destroyed. Now, a corpse consumed with vengeance.
...murdered by Nobunaga.
Resurrected from the depths of hell on March 2, Tensho 10, three months before the Honno Temple Incident.
You are now tasked with slaying Nobunaga Oda at Honno Temple before is to become the true Sixth Heavenly Demon King.
Already 100% funded, this is the essence of a samuraipunk adventure. Not set in the future, but in the distant past.
There are just six days left in the Kickstarter, so pick it up if interested, but be warned, it will only be released in Japanese. The publish is working on a “barebones” version that is supposedly easy to translate via your favorite wonkezlizer.
We never meet without parting
Next issue... Unapologetic. Mayhem.
Until then!
Made in DNA
Need moar? http://vocal.media/authors/made-in
Time to do an English translation for the rest of us!
Thanks very much indeed. I came across your site through various Japanese links. Thanks so much for publicising this Mörk Borg adaptation.