Toki wa Sengoku – an age of warring states. The world is stained by hundreds of years of continuous war, with no end in sight. This is but one tale of many in the land called Tenra … a tale of war, loss, and struggle … a tale of pain and bravery … the tale of Lotus Blossom’s bloody bridal path.
TENRA BANSHO ZERO is a Japanese Storytelling Game of “Hyper-Asian Fantasy”, in the author’s own words. Conceived, designed and illustrated by famous manga author Junichi Inoue (and featuring gorgeous art from illustrators Hiroyuki Ishida, Rasenjin Hayami and others), Tenra Bansho Zero is one of the most recognized “Made in Japan” tabletop role-playing games.
On a distant world in the far future, the Sengoku (feudal/warring States) period of Japan is happening all over again. But this time with high-tech weapons, magically powered mecha, taoist magic masters and super-powered samurai.
The focus of the game is on acting out the characters, their backgrounds and their destiny in the world of Tenra. The players get bonus points by acting in character and entertaining the other players, which can be spent to boost powers and gain abilities. Creativity, energy, and comraderie is physically rewarded in the game. Spend these gains recklessly, though, and you lose control of your character as they spiral down the Path of the corrupt Asura.
Finally, TBZ is a fast RPG. It was designed to play out like a theatrical production, complete with Scenes, Acts, Intermissions and Coming Attractions. And like a play or movie, an entire story or campaign can play out in its entirety within one 4-6 hour gaming session.