In a world of darkness beyond our own, evil gods dwell, envious of the world of Man, coveting death and destruction. They are the Shinma. From time to time, a Shinma crosses the gulf between the worlds to walk the Earth. Many centuries ago, a demon with the power to steal the identities of mortals came to Nippon. Known to Man as Kao-Goto Suru, the Face Thief, he is the reason the Masters of Silence walk the path of vengence.

It is said that the Face Thief's greatest pleasure is in leading humans to bring about their own doom. After taking over the face of a great and noble warlord named Tezuka. The Face Thief then led Tezuka's loyal followers in a shameful and hopeless rebellion against the Emporer.

Of those betrayed by the Face Thief, only three survived. Three samurai who discovered the true nature of the fiend. They swore vengeance at any cost. But no mortal can fight the Shinma and live. So they lifted their voices to the heavens and besought the three storms for aid, for power to strike against the demon. And the three storms answered. Thus, were the Warrior Souls of Lightning (Inazuma), Wind (Kaze) and Thunder (Kaminari), bestowed upon Men, fierce spirits of great skill and the ability to become one with the silent whisperings of the night. This stealth is the only way for them to strike the Shinma, who are vulnerable only when in mortal form.

In return for the gift the warriors swore to serve the cause most dear to the three storms: The path of vengeance. They vowed a tradition of service that would survive long after they themselves had fallen. Since then, generations of Masters have plied the trade of assassins who kill only those who deserve death. Their mission is without end; there is much evil in the world and many innocents who cry out for just retribution.

This page is copyrighted by Tim Rassbach 2001, 2002.

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