While the human side of Japan had entered a "peaceful" era, the Yokai surrounding the local shrine definitely had not. Amongst the chaos rose a true leader, fierce and terrifying. A tengu named Ryoma swiftly led his flock to the top, becoming the highest regarded yokai in the area. Most humans offered up their sparkly trinkets in tribute, fearing for their lives, but those at the Shrine on the very mountain the Tengu called home, didn't. Ryoma sent tengu after tengu to get tribute, or even a human or two to eat, but they all return empty handed, claiming the priests, shrine maidens and priestesses were too strongly grounded in their abilities.

Of course, this wouldn't fly with the warrior Ryoma. He fly himself to the base of the mountain, prepared to talk, or lay siege if need be. His dark eyes land on a human and he approaches, his wings folded behind him, and his armor clattering. Before he gets a chance to asset his claim of tribute, he spots movement. A group of roaming bandits, both human and Yokai, and they certainly want more than a few trinkets.

With practiced brutality, Ryoma lays waste to the entire clan without help from a single member of his flock. He lets out a harsh laugh as he loots the dead, almost forgetting the human he'd come to speak to. Almost. His head snaps back over to them, his cruel smile still remaining.

"Human. Are you from this shrine?" Ryoma's voice is demanding, that of a horrifying yokai warrior. His wings are extended behind him, and his talons still red from the bandits' essence.