THE CRIMSON RIDERS

What comes riding in the Crimson Mist if it ain't the nomads from the far, far planes? If you're wondering about what in the world could I be talking about then you probably haven't run into any of their courts just yet. I wouldn't advise you to go looking for them if they don't come to you however. The riders are elusive creatures and many believe them to be nothing but a legend.

That aside, if you really must know; the Crimson Riders are Souls, just like all us; unlike most of us they are all soulborn, but where they truly differ from us is in that they can never be incarnated fully into physical bodies in the human realm. They can still visit the human world, ripping rifts in the fabric between our realm and theirs though and they can force their spiritual body into taking on the material qualities of the living during their stay. Furthermore they are able of casting magic without using incantations, completely disregarding the fact that 'words are power' as it flows through their veins as concentrated reiki.

Riders are said to be able to befriend and tame the oni instead of forcing them into obedience like normal souls do. They also posses the ability of invoking Shugen -instead of the Reigen utilized by normal souls- which doesn't include awakening the kami of an item but more like realizing the one dwelling deep within them and making peace with it. The workings behind the Shugen as well as its abilities and uses are identical to that of Reigen, regardless.

The Riders split themselves among groups known as Crimson Courts (or simply Courts). The strongest Rider among the group is recognized as the de facto leader of the Court and called Prince (if male) or Princess (if female). The leader then chooses a small number -usually three to seven at most- of other Riders which they find suitable for the position and name them as their 'council'. The Counselors are burdened with the duty of approving -or disapproving- of the Leader's decisions and figuring out the best way to act with him or her. The hierarchy aside, Riders consider themselves to be of equal status with any other Rider -even if they aren't leaders or counselors- and have the same rights as all. Different Courts act independently of one another but also in synergy with each other.

The Riders don't have a place of residence but move hidden under the veils of the crimson mist, and stay in whatever place the mist chooses to linger at for as long as it does, then move again. Of course, that is unless they decide to remove themselves from their circle of brethren and inhabit a certain land instead. Because they are nomadic such as that, their true origins remain unknown.