I ran a one-shot of Garbage & Glory tonight, but I've already done that character and I don't want to do the write-up right now, so here we are.
The Game: The Mountain Witch
The Publisher: Timothy Kleinert, I guess?
Degree of Familiarity: None
Books Required: Just the one
The Mountain Witch came out of the same Game Chef year that gave us Ganakagok, and it was a game I was always interested in but never got a chance to play. And then back in 2018, the author Kickstarted a new edition of the game, and I backed it, and then about a year after the Kickstarter was funded it just...went dark.
Fast forward to January 2025, when the creator messaged all the backers and revealed that he'd actually had a brain tumor, which, like, kind of impacted his ability to finish the game. He did send out the PDF of the game, and now through a series of good fortune it looks like it might get printed at some point, but I'm gonna do a character now.
Anyway, that in mind: The basic premise is that we're a group of ronin samurai heading up the mountain to confront and kill the titular Mountain Witch, but we all have dark secrets and dark fates that can be revealed at any time (and must be revealed before we can resolve the story). Mechanically it does some similar things to A Tragedy in Five Acts, which is only coincidental because I'm pretty sure Michelle never read or played this game and I know I didn't.
Next, pick a Zodiac, and this one I actually can select. Hmm. I think I'll go with Rabbit.
I like the idea of his love being sensitive and affectionate rather than hot-blooded and passionate, but being too timid to pursue it rather than chasing it Romeo-style.
Step Three, I need a name and starting Trust, except we're not going to worry about Trust because there aren't any other PCs to deal with. Let's call him Kinjo Daisuke. The fact that I have a family name indicates that I am (or was) of higher station, but let's worry about that in Step Five.
Step Four: Abilities. I get two Abilities that are kinda standard and then one that I make up that is tied to my Fate. These are mostly mundane skills or gear, and there's a handy list. I want Daisuke to play an instrument, and I think we'll go with the shakuhachi. For the second ability, I'll take Stealth. Daisuke is just naturally good at not being noticed.
My third ability can be more overtly magical, but it has to be tied into my Fate. Normally I could not declare it before play and just figure it out as we go, but since it's just me I'd kinda like to have an idea.
Well, I like the idea of being timid and skittish, but also having sharp senses. So maybe Daisuke can sense danger coming. Oh, but it would need to tie into his Fate. Well, let's say that Daisuke lost his love because he felt the danger coming but froze up, and his lover was killed (probably by the Witch or someone working for him).
And, finally, I answer the two Background questions:
Why is the character a ronin? Daisuke was a ronin before his lover died. His master committed some terrible heresy and was executed while away at a local lord's home. Daisuke and his fellow samurai only found out when the soldiers came to take possession of all of his master's property and inform them that they were now ronin.
Why does he desperately need the money? Daisuke (and other PCs) have accepted this job of killing the Mountain Witch because it's profitable. Daisuke needs the money because he has nothing - he's sold everything of value except his katana, his tanto, and his flute. It's this or he starts selling the stuff he doesn't think he can sell.
And that's it! I picture Daisuke as really skinny, always alert, fidgety, and always sad. He plays on his flute if there are other people around to watch his back, but never alone.
