#lurban

As for the intricacies of the cage fights themselves, the participants are pinned against each other in hand-to-hand combat, although the use of Energy and Techniques are also allowed. The competitors are not allowed to use their ki in any way that would cause severely lethal or permanent damage, nor they may use them as weapons or projectiles (i.e. no forming energy or Techniques into anything cutting or piercing, no Techniques that risk permanent damage to anyone's organs, no Techniques that act in a similar manner to weapons, etc). While the whole hostage-like situation revolving the participants is definitely unsavory, the fighters are treated well considering their situation. In fact, they are treated with respect, it's made sure that their needs are being met, they are paid a just amount per fight including bonuses depending on performance, and they may come and go out of the club or even the city as they please. The only thing they have no control over is the fact that they must always be at the club at the moment of one of their scheduled fights, although they are not forced to fight should they not be in the conditions to do so. There are other peculiarities revolving their situation and the Territory controlling them, which can be read under Olver Manners' Territory description on the NPC section of this file.

Club Layout

The club consists of 2 floors, the first of which contains the Caged Ring, a spectator section around it, plenty of booths and tables to sit at, a VIP section overseen by its own set of guards, the bar, the kitchen right behind it, the first floor's storage room (used mostly to store the supplies related to the operation of the club itself, not any potentially illegal family business items), a lounge area for the club's staff in the back, next to it a lounge area for the Cage Fight's combatants themselves which also connects to their locker room, the nurse's office not too far away from the ring, a security room, club manager Oliver Manner's office, and of course, the stairs that lead to the second floor. The second floor contains several storage rooms, a VIP meeting room, a dinning room, an interrogation room, and finally Feesch's office, whose unusually large size is due to Feesch's tendency to remain in his yokai form while upstairs.

NPCs

Kingston Feesch, Head of Miscellaneous Operations, Caged Shark Owner

Lvl. 16 Saltwater Crocodile Yokai

Kingston Feesch might be just be the most intimidating of the Four Fathers. Moreso than his large and terrifying physical appearance, his demonic energy is absolutely is overwhelmingly; while not being more potent than that of the Grand Father's, it oozes barbarity and bloodlust. It is an aura that puts even high ranking family members (aside from the other Four Fathers) severely uncomfortable, often described as if "being in the presence of a very hungry lion while being a lone and crippled deer".

Kingston is in charge of Miscellaneous Operations; that is, anything the family is involved in that doesn't fall within their standard operations. For example, Kingston personally oversees the Caged Shark, a club in which the family entertains VIPs with scheduled cage fights between hostage participants. The logistics that go into maintaining that type of club and the activities that take place in it (such as the collection and management of the hostage fighters) falls under his umbrella.

As a leader, he is cruel and cold, though not necessarily unreasonable, but while the other heads of the family at least operate on some sense of justice and brotherhood, Kingston's mind is as cold as his outside appearance. Decisions that involve the lives of the elderly, children, or even the lives of his own men do not even register as much different than being asked what he would like for lunch. All of that being said, he does understand and does do what is best for the family.

Age & Appearance: 44. Custom tailored gray suit. Gold watch.

Human Form: 7'2, unusually large for a human. Large scar across his chest, hidden under a dark purple suit. Gray-ish, short hair. The face of a bitter man. Rarely bothers masking his natural voice, which is deep and monstrous sounding. Yokai Form: 9'3. Large size category (Occupies 10ft x 10ft on the grid). Off-black, pronounced scales covering his reptilian body. Retains a somewhat humanoid posture, albeit hunched over, and his body's structure looking more on the reptilian side.

Peculiarities: Collects bow ties. Compliments a good handshake.

Base Attributes

Physique 14, Martial 4, Spirit Level/Demonic Force 5, Capacity 0, Constitution 9, Intellect 1, Sensory 5 __ HP 119, Energy 5, Sense 10/100ft., Potency 14, Initiative 19, Movement 90ft.

Skills

Guard 23/37, Deflection, 18/32, Evasion 19/33, Cunning 6, Deduce 6, Resistance 14, Willpower 10

Combat

Unarmed Standard Attack 19, Energy Imbued 23, Damage Output d12, Full Attack 3

Minor Trait

As is with regular crocodiles, Feesch's natural body has never stopped growing.

Physical Trait

Tough Exterior: When in True Form, your unnaturally tough exterior reduces Slashing, Piercing, and Bludgeoning damage by 4, increasing to 8 in Second Form.

True Form

Enhanced Skills: Guard, Resistance, Willpower

Special Attack: Locking bite, d12 + 19, piercing.

Feats

Feral: Your True Form’s special Attack now utilizes the d10 die for damage instead of d8, and enjoys a +2 bonus on every single damage roll.

Savage: Your True Form’s special Attack now utilizes the d12 die for damage instead of d10, and enjoys a +3 bonus on every single damage roll.

Powerful Grapple: You may apply your Unarmed Damage Output (or a Yokai’s True Form Special Damage Output if available) on a successful grapple attempt. You may also choose to apply this damage as one of the grappling options, having to roll opposed unarmed attacks for it, just like with all other grappling actions.

Tasker’s Lock: As part of your grappling actions, with the success of an opposed unarmed attack (just as any other grappling action requires), you are now able to take an action with your free hand while still keeping maintaining your target grappled.

Sweeper: Your Trip attempts benefit from a +3 bonus.

Sweeping Attack: Unlocks the ability to perform a Sweeping Attack with the use of a Full Round Action. A Sweeping Attack is a melee only Standard Attack that threatens all targets within its reach.

A Sweeping Attack can also be used as a Trip attempt on multiple targets.

Techniques

Name: Terrifying Challenge Base: Taunt Modification: Fear Technique Type: Combat Performance: Standard Action Delivery: Field Size: 20ft. radius Effect Type: Passive Channeling Duration Tier (DT): H Duration: 1 hour Saving Throw:

User's Potency VS Target's Willpower (to Resist Taunt)

User's Willpower VS Target's Willpower (to Resist Fear)

Adventure Behavior

Kingston is the only one of the Four Fathers to have his primary office outside of the Blackfin; the Caged Shark functions as his personal base of operations. He spends most of his time there, and rarely interacts directly with much of anyone outside of the Four Fathers and Oliver Manners, the manager of his club. This means that if he is seen around to the Blackfin, it's safe to assume the Four Fathers are meeting or that there is something serious afoot. Player characters that find themselves in the restricted areas of the Caged Shark might walk close enough to his office to detect Feesch's Demonic Force. As the the GM, you want to intricately describe the dreadful aura, perhaps even prompting Willpower rolls to determine if they're affected by it in any way.

In combat, Feesch is a physical powerhouse, utilizing his incredible strength and large size to his advantage. As the GM, to maximize his toolkit, you can always set up a close quarters battle in a confined space. Either way, his large size (10ft. x 10ft.) allows him to strike a solid amount of targets by utilizing the feat-granted Sweeping Attack, which can be used both to apply damage or as a Trip attempt, the latter of which would also benefit from the +3 Sweeper bonus. He can also grapple onto a target with his powerful jaws, which immediately apply damage thanks to the Powerful Grapple feat, and a solid amount of it thanks to the Savage Feat. Finally, Tasker's Lock allows him to continue taking Standard Actions while maintaining his victim pinned between his jaws. Feesch does also have access to a single Technique, Terrifying Challenge, which he uses to overwhelm his opponents with fear while simultaneously inciting those brave enough to overcome it to engage him instead of any of his men.

Oliver Manners, Club Manager

Lvl. 8 Territory Master

Oliver is one of the few non-yokai members of the Seaside Mafia, and just like the others, he has a power crucial to the family. "Contract"- a Territory that binds those who partake in a deal so that they are unable to break it willingly- is used as a way to ensure all business done with the family will be kept on both ends. It is perhaps the family's number one tool in ensuring healthy business relations and trust between them and business partners/associates, thus making Oliver one of the family's most important members outside of the Four Fathers.

Oliver is also the manager of the Caged Shark and the organizer of the cage fights themselves. It is thanks to him that the fighters, whether they are participating willingly or not, perform so well and in such an entertaining fashion. He takes a benevolent approach at managing the hostage fighters. Oliver ensures they are treated with the utmost respect and have all of their needs met. It is because of this that many even stay after their contract is over, although this perhaps could be attributed more to Stockholm Syndrome. Regardless, Oliver really does care much for his fighters, and looks to develop meaningful relationships with them should their attitudes eventually allow it.

It goes without saying that Oliver Manners is a reasonable and charismatic man, being overall one of the most beloved members of the Seaside Mafia due to a cheerful and positive attitude. His personality highly contrasts that of his boss, who can count on him to act as a welcoming and warm face where he cannot.

Age & Appearance: 43. 5'10. Black hair, 1930's haircut and thin moustache. Uses vintage-looking glasses while reading.

Peculiarities: Extremely friendly and charismatic. Doesn't take anything personally.

Base Attributes: Physique 1, Martial 1, Spirit Level/Demonic Force 3, Capacity 0, Constitution 1, Intellect 7, Sensory 5 __ HP 47, Energy 2, Sense 8/80ft., Potency 4, Initiative 6, Movement 25ft.

Skills: Guard 2/8, Deflection 2/8, Evasion 6/10, Cunning 12, Deduce 12, Resistance 4, Willpower 8

Combat:

Unarmed Standard Attack 2, Energy Imbued 6, Damage Output d6, Full Attack 2

Weapon Name Hangun, Weight Class Light, Type Handgun, 1H, Range 20ft. Standard Attack 6, Energy Imbued 10, Damage Output d6, Full Attack 2

Territory

Name: Contract Radius: 130ft. Theme: Agreements Rule: Those who sign a contract written by the Territory's Owner are incapable of willingly breaking it. The Territory's powers operate on the signers' psyche, locking some of their decision-making and actions into the ones required to stray true to the contract's fulfillment. The Territory exclusively affects actions and decisions relevant to the contract.

As Oliver's description states, Contract is an invaluable tool for the Seaside Mafia, but as for the club, it is used to bind talented, unsuspecting martial artists and miscellaneous warriors to the club's Cage Fights, specifically by having them agree to a certain number of fights, and victories at that, which they have to regularly partake in before the Territory's effects can wear off. While they probably wouldn't have any trouble forcing people into such a task the good old fashion way, being the criminal organization that they are, Contract allows the individuals to be taken hostage in a passive way, making it so that the Family does not have to expend energy and resources into strong-arming, black-mailing, or using other complicated and unsavory methods to recruit participants, while also giving the combatants the freedom to come and go as they please and do the daily things they usually would, keeping their spirits high enough to perform well in combat and thus putting up a good show for the audience, some even remaining as part of the roster even after regaining their freedom.

Feats

Revealing Senses: Your Senses instantly alert you when something is being concealed or masked/disguised within 20ft. of you, but reveal no further detailed information.

Multitasker: As a multitasker, you are able to use an item as a free action in conjunction with a Standard Action, once per turn. You may not do so during any Full Round Actions.

Techniques

Name: Fine Eye Base: True Sight Technique Type: Support Performance: Free Action Delivery: Self Effect Type: Passive Channeling Duration Tier (DT): Mn Duration: 1 minute

___

Name: Thorough Examination Base: Scan Technique Type: Specialty Performance: Deduce Check Delivery: Self Effect Type: Instant

Adventure Behavior

As with is with all the managers of locations belonging to the Seaside Mafia, Oliver Manners is a busy man. The Caged Shark, compared to other family owned clubs, consists of an additional layer of complexity in the form of the caged matches. Because of this, Oliver's time is split up between managing typical club responsibilities and keeping the caged matches running smoothly. The latter consists of several things, but the most important one is perhaps the handling of the fighters themselves, something which he particularly excels at. Oliver attempts to develop genuine relationships with each fighter, but of course, this is not easy at first, because no matter how well treated they are, the fact still remains that the combatants tricked into becoming part of the club's roster through the Contract Territory are still, no matter how you look at it, a form of slaves. That being said, Oliver does try his best to make their experience as comfortable and humane as he can.

Oliver is by no means a fighter himself. Even if he were combat capable, he is not the type to solve things with violence. Being an expert at diplomacy, he will attempt to alleviate or control a serious situation with words.

If forced to, Oliver reveals there is little he can do to remove the effects of his Territory from an individual, explaining that despite the fact that the Territory itself can be retracted, its effects have already, in a sense, hardwired the individuals psyche in such a way that they are unable to break a signed contract's terms willingly, with no further interference from the Territory itself being necessary. That being said, precisely because the effects take place in the subjects' psyche instead of being powered by the Territory, other mind-altering abilities, be them natural psychic abilities, Techniques, or even other Territories, could in theory work to reverse the effects.

Ruve Luura, Nurse

Lvl. 5 Squid Yokai

Ruve is the nurse that tends to the cage fighters wounds right after every match. There's not too much to be said about her other than the fact that she is kind and helpful, specially with the combatants, which she often helps with aquiring breaks from all the fighting by overstating the damage they received, insisting that they need a period of rest to heal some serious types of wounds that cannot simply be cured by the use of healing Techniques.

Age & Appearance: 24, likes to wear a kimono on the job.

Human Form: Asian-looking. Shoulder-length brown hair. Often wears purple lipstick. Yokai Form: Humanoid/squid hybrid, more on the human side. Most notable unique trait is the additional arms: 2 long ones, and 8 smaller ones.

Peculiarities: Likes to flirt with all of the fighters.

Base Attributes

Physique 1, Martial 0, Spirit Level/Demonic Force 1, Capacity 8, Constitution 1, Intellect 3, Sensory 3 __ HP 35, Energy 9, Sense 4/40ft., Potency 2, Initiative 4, Movement 25ft.

Skills

Guard 2/4, Deflection 1/3, Evasion 4/6, Cunning 6, Deduce 6, Resistance 2, Willpower 4

Combat

Unarmed Standard Attack 1, Energy Imbued 3, Damage Output d6, Full Attack 1

Minor Trait

Most salt water aquatic yokai require a decent amount of time in salt water a day or they risk becoming Dizzy until they do. Remaining out of water for longer periods of time begins posing major health risks.

If their lifestyle has them spend a majority of time on land, aquatic yokai get their required time in salt water during their sleep, typically by resting in specialized tubs precisely made to meet the needs of their kind.

Physical Trait

Aquatic: Being an aquatic type of Yokai, you are an expert at swimming, moving up to a base speed equal to your ground speed, doubled when True Form is active, as well as being able to breathe underwater, considering the area is reasonable oxygenated. You also don’t suffer the typical penalties that come with being submerged.

True Form

Enhanced Skills: Evasion, Deduce, Willpower

Special Attack: Power Slap, d8, Bludgeoning

Feats

Positioning: Allows you to disregard Initiative and go first, but you may only perform Movement (and it does not count as a full-round action, meaning it is not doubled).

Approximate Damage: Once a day, before performing a Defensive Action in response to an incoming threat, you may prompt the GM to tell you how many dice and of which type are about to be rolled for damage, as well as how much bonus damage (coming from Potency or otherwise) will be applied with it as well. When it comes to Lingering damage, it also reveals for how long the effects will potentially stay active.

This feat can be taken more than once to grant additional uses per day.

Techniques

Name: Full Recovery Base: Restore HP Modification: Refresh Technique Type: Support Performance: Standard Action Delivery: Contact Effect Type: Instant Restored HP: 2d8 + Potency Saving Throw: User's Potency VS Target's Willpower (If target resists)

Adventure Behavior

During cage fights, Ruve remains ringside, prepared to to treat any serious wounds at a moments notice by using her Full Recovery Technique, which both restores HP and removes the Dizzy, Stunned, Overheating, Freezing, Pained, Exhausted, & Nauseated conditions. When there are no ongoing scheduled fights, Ruve tends to remain in her office. Ruve does not engage in any combat unless in self defense and benefits from several feats that help her get out of trouble.

Caged Shark Guard Template

Lvl. 4~8 Salt-water Aquatic Yokai

The club holds an amount of guards that don't in particular stand out in personality, skills, or abilities. Use this template for them and modify them to your liking.

Age & Appearance: 20~35, varying body size, but usually well-built.

Base Attributes: Physique 4, Martial 2, Spirit Level/Demonic Force 2, Capacity 1, Constitution 3, Intellect 0, Sensory 2 __ HP 34~46, Energy 2~3, Sense 5/20ft., Potency 5, Initiative 6, Movement 40ft.

Skills:

Guard 7/12, Deflection 6/11, Evasion 6/11, Cunning 2, Deduce 2, Resistance 5, Willpower 4

Combat

Unarmed Standard Attack 6, Energy Imbued 11, Damage Output d8, Full Attack 2

Weapon Name Handgun, Weight Class N/A, Type Hangdun, 1H, Range 40ft. Standard Attack 4, Energy Imbued 9, Damage Output d6, Full Attack 2

Minor Trait

Most salt water aquatic yokai require a decent amount of time in salt water a day or they risk becoming Dizzy until they do. It becomes even worse if for longer periods of time.

If their lifestyle has them spend a majority of time on land, these yokai get this required time in salt water during their sleep, typically by resting in specialized tubs precisely made to meet the needs of their kind.

Physical Trait

Aquatic: Being an aquatic type of Yokai, you are an expert at swimming, moving up to a base speed equal to your ground speed, doubled when True Form is active, as well as being able to breathe underwater, considering the area is reasonable oxygenated. You also don’t suffer the typical penalties that come with being submerged.

True Form

Enhanced Skills: Guard, Evasion, Resistance

Feats

Feral: True Form's special attack is d10 instead of d8.

Special Attack: d10

Fighters

Participants for the Cage Fights can be selected from the Miscellaneous Combatants Files.

Adventure

The Caged Shark is an excellent piece to set up some tournament style battles. Whether the player characters are going to fight the Club's own fighters or each other, they must first be forced into that situation in the first place, that is, if they don't decide to partake in the battles willingly (Oliver does pay miscellaneous volunteer combatants, just not as well as the in-house fighters).

Oliver attempts to use whatever incentive he can to ensure that the party (specifically the combat-oriented player characters) sign one of his binding contracts. To give an example, in one of the sessions hosted for the system's playtesting, one of the player characters had already been taken hostage by the family as consequence of a separate matter. Oliver set up a deal for the party: if they win 2 out of 3 cage matches, they would get their companion back and would be free to go without any troubles, but if they were to loose, they would have to remain as part of the Caged Shark's fighters. And indeed so, the contract was written as such and then signed, with some interesting matches with high stakes taking place that day.