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 Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2006 7:53 pm
The Shrine of the August Star
Darker than the depths of twilight.
The Shrine of the August Star, it is they who on the mortal realm lead the path of chaos. They, and their deities are those responsible for the darkness in the world. The greed, the corruption, that time you stubbed your toe and it broke.
They are also the ones responsible for the seperation of the Four Shrines of the Great Cycle of Life - otherwise known as the Shrine of Four Paths. Their paranoia which was born of their master dying has led them to blaming everyone else in the Shrine for what happened to him. Little did they know that the one who killed the High Priest of Mikaboshi was one of their own, their most promising student.
However, they've begun to look at themselves. With no one left to point the finger at, they look at their own brethren. Indeed, their paranoia has led them to question their brothers and sisters around them. Within the broken shrine, fights often break out between shrines leading to further destruction.
The one lush land is now dead, and filled with gruesome bakemono and yuurei. Truly, within the Shrine of Chaos it has become just that.
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Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2006 7:54 pm
The Layout of the ShrineA once holy land, now dark and tainted.The Location
The Shrine of the August Star sits on what was previously the land that belonged to the Shrine of Four Paths. It was once, lush and beautiful. One could mistake it, when the shrine was whole, for the great highlands of Heaven, Takamagahara. The grass was once emerald green, and the flowers once bloomed beautifully. Now? Dead.
The grass has become pale brown and brittle, the flowers have wilted. Some have even blossomed into the Jubokko, or flowers of a blood stained land. On this land which was once holy, there is only death and vicious creatures of darkness, vengence, greed, and sin.
The Shrine of the August Star sits in the middle of the valley, however it's death tainted land does not stretch beyond where the shrine sits. It is because the two opposing shrines of the Positive and Negative Cycles of Life have protected the outer ring of land from becoming tainted as well.
The Shrine
The Shrine was once beautiful. It was once the envy of the former Emporer himself, because of it's beautiful and traditonal architecture. Wooden, golden decoration. The wood was once constructed of such a strong wood, and yet with such a rich color. Now, now however that beautidul coloration has become dulled and is now that of a grayish brown. The wood, now weakened by the rain and without the proper care has begun to break.
Even the rice paper walls and doors have now become broken. Some of the rice paper walls even have holes poked in them, for people to watch the more perverse going-ons.
Holes little the roof of the shrine, and many of the wooden walk-ways are now broken. Rails have been torn down and even traces of blood can be seen splattered unto the walls, no doubt the work of the creatures of the shrine. However, this does not nessicarily mean that it is not the fault of those who live within the shrine as well.
Inside the Shrine
Within the shrine, it has become unorganized. Many broken bottles litter the floor, the the air smells of sake, blood, and death. The three Shrines have been ripped into, the hands of both human and obake and the once positive energy which came from the shrines of above and below has been tainted by darkness.
The Shrine of the August Star has free run over this large building, doing as they see fit. It is possible for one to see two lovers in a passionate embrace next to a man being slaughtered.
As if to make a mockery of the Shrine of the Heavens and the Shrine of the Underworld, the sacred items of the August Star have been split into two rooms. In the first room which was the Shrine of the Heaven's former home are the following relics: Nothingness. It would be more accurate to say that Amatsu Mikaboshi doesn't have a relic because of the fact his influence is so strong that he doesn't need one. There is also the heart of Hisa'me's former corpse, bondages and fosslized. Finally, there is the beak of a hawk which belongs to Sojobo, the king of the Tengu.
Next to the Shrine of the Heavens is the Shrine of the Underworld, or rather it's former home. Inside this shrine there are three more relics. The stuffed tail which is said to belong to a nekomata's first tail. The second relic is that of a massive lock of hair tied together by a rope, said to belong to a Daidarabocchi. Finally, there is the tooth of Kurogane, the king of the Oni. It is said that this tooth is so sharp one doesn't even need to touch it to be cut.
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Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2006 7:55 pm
Surrounding CreaturesVengful obakemono and yuurei.Uwan: Uwan is a pesky little creature which presence can shock the soul right out of an unsuspecting person. Uwan is an obakemono which dwells inside of the walls. Now, 'inside' should be taken in a literal sense. This creature can even be seen as part of the wall. When someone walks by he is known to come out of the wall suddenly, as if it were liquid, and shout 'UWAN!' at the unsuspecting victim. Because this can be so shocking, one can cry out and with their voice comes their soul. The only way to keep the Uwan from stealing one's soul is to shout right back "Uwan!"Kyoukotsu: This ghost is actually the vengful spirit of a person who was murdered and then thrown into a well. In this case, that would be the spirit of the former High Priest of Mikaboshi. However because of his ghostly appearance no one reconizes him. Thusly, his vengence has increased tenfold - many have fallen ill and died due to his curse.Kurokamikiri: This is quite the bizarre obakemono around the shrine. His appearance is one of that which is undescribable, although some people have compared him to a bear and a gorilla. This creature is all black outside of the yellow and black of his beady eyes. ..Well, that and the white of his fangs and the red of his gums. Despite his appearance, he is actually a rather harmless obakemono. He likes to eat the fine hair of beautiful women and men, nothing more and nothing less.Isogaki: This creature which resembles a zombie is close to that monster. The Isogaki is a corpse eater, said to stalk the graveyards around the shrine to dig up freshly burried corpses to eat their flesh. It is rare for them to attack a human, unless they are starving. Freshly killed flesh is always the best.Kuchisake-Onna: This is another vengful spirit. This is a spirit of a woman who has faced abuse, rape, and death all in one dreadful night. The story of the Kuchisak-Onna goes that she was once ambushed by a group of men who cut her mouth from ear to ear, and then raped her. Afterward, they left her to die of blood loss. The spirit of this woman wanders during the night, approaching young men and women to ask them if they thought she was beautiful - this is while wearing a mask mind you. She then removes the mask, and asks again. Regardless of their answer she gives them the same fate that was delt to her long ago.
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Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2006 7:56 pm
Those who follow MikaboshiThose who posess chaos itself.Amatsu Mikaboshi, hailing from the First Generation Grand Dark Kami, and the oinly one of his kind. He was born of the darkness of the unformed space, and was only given shape when light was cast unto his domain. He is the master of lies, kind of trickery, lord of deception. Amatsu Mikaboshi is what the people of the west often view as the devil, although he does not rule oer a hell of reprentance. He rules over a hell of chaos. The name literally translates to "The August Star of Heaven" and he is the oldest of the Grand Kami.
Naturally, those who follow the August Star are the most insane within the valley. They exist to cause chaos, and disrupt the flow of the world. In other words, they are the ones who exist to destroy the world, and to tip the delicate balance that all life sits on. Rather than Izanami, who represents the negative side of the cycle - they are the true evil.
The Magic of Amatsu Mikaboshi is more about psychology than anything else. Their wits, despite being completly out there, are extremely sharp and those who have polished and sharpened their mind to such a point can even twist words to a degree that they make their opponet question themselves. This is not to say that Amatsu Mikaboshi has no magic, oh no. Within his hands and body is the magic to deconstruct and reconstruct magic, or in other words use the weakness of magic to his gain. Able to turn earth into dust, water into steam, and fire a harmless gas.
The students of Mikaboshi recieve a length of cloth with the symbol '宇' for universe - that which Mikaboshi was born of - embroidered on it.
The priests of Mikaboshi recieve a dagger, and a vial. With these objects they are to drain their blood into the vial.
______________________________________________________________
Priests of Mikaboshi______________________________________________________________
Students of MikaboshiSato, Saigare
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Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2006 7:57 pm
Those who follow Hisa'me
Those who posess the heart.
Hisa'me, a once strong woman who had the ability to slay any daimyo. Now, however, she has been reduced to nothing more than the witch of Death at Mikaboshi's side. A once rebellious woman, she is now dormant and faithful to Mikaboshi, and Mikaboshi alone.
While some of her followers may not agree with this, they are loyal to Hisa'me as well. Perhaps it's a tad ironic, for if they were truly like Hisa'me they would indeed stand against what she did. However, instead they have reduced themselves to the same mindless puppets, following their goddess of death loyaly.
Hisa'me is Mikaboshi's death witch, and therefore within her she has the death magic. The ability to bring death to the mortal flesh, by exploting certain weaknesses within it. A weak heart, a weak joint, the ability to bring damage to the mortal flesh from a single touch.
The students of Hisa'me recieve a hair clip, beautiful and elegant and yet deadly at the same time. The elegant fashion of this hair clip covers the right side of the head, polished silver blades reaching backward.
The priests of Hisa'me recieve a piece of a bandage within a bottle, coming from the heart of Hisa'me.
______________________________________________________________
Priests of Hisa'me
______________________________________________________________
Students of Hisa'me
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Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2006 7:58 pm
Those who follow Sojobo
Those who posess the beak.
Sojobo, a man of mysterious origin who is said to be as old as the sands of time, and one of the First Generation Grand Dark Kami. He is known for his beautiful long hair which reaches the floor, and his beautiful features who have not a beak or a mask. He is said to be a genius of swordsmanship and magic, able to match wits with the brain of the August Star, Nuraihyon.
Those who follow Sojobo are elegant people, who have not yet stooped down to the level of those who exist within the Shrine of the August Star. Oh, no. They are well mannered people who approach their goal in a different manner. Ther can be chaos, and yet it does not need to be grotesque and vulgar either. They carry with them the air of a samurai, and the arrogance of gods.
Their magic lies in the icey wind of the mountains. Although this sounds the same as Fujin, it's quite different. While Fujin uses offensive magic, their wind is strictly defensive. While those who follow Fujin use magic such as strong gusts of wind, those who follow Sojobo use concentrated magic to aid them in battle.
The students of Sojobo are given a simple, elegant, 36" katana.
The priests of Sojobo are given a fan constructed by long blades of grass.
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Priests of Sojobo
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Students of Sojobo
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Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2006 7:59 pm
Those who follow MitsukiThose who posess the cat tail.Mitsuki, a brute of a woman with a temper which flares with the ferociousness of a sun about to burn out. She is a woman who prides herself on these things, and the ability to function without a brain and with instinct alone. Because of this she is more beast than human, and furthermore why the Bakeneko aren't high up in the ranks of the Decaying Star. She is also known for hating the male sex strongly, as her kingdom is run as an amazon society. Because of this, men within the following of Mitsuki are nearly unheard of.
Mitsuki's beliefs are brought down into the mortal realm. Those who are the Mitsuki following are vicious people, dominantly women with mild mannered men here or there. ..Although granted it would be more accurate to say that they are submissive to the ways of the women.
The magics of this following are particularly strange. Despite their wild nature they are highly spiritual people. Because of this they are known to actually have familiars of the feline sort near by at all times. It is said that thanks to this familiar the priests and priestesses of Mitsuki have the ability to shapeshift, although it's extremely painful for the mortal flesh. Outside of this, they also posess the ability to control corpses. It is said that it was the presence of the Bakeneko Following that brought the existence of the Isogaki as well.
The students of Mitsuki gain their feline familiar, otherwise known as a Nekomata.The priests of Mitsuki must transform into their animal form at least once before they can achieve this rank.
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Priests of Mitsuki
______________________________________________________________
Students of Mitsuki
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Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2006 8:00 pm
Those who follow the Daidarabocchi
Those who posess the hair.
The Daidarabocchi, gentle creatures who have no leader. Despite the fact they live on the August Star, they are not as vicious. ..Perhaps it was to save face, but the scrolls produced of the Daidarabocchi protray them as towering and vicious creatures who trample village after village.
Because of this, those who follow the Daidarabocchi who those who destroy things. They are not angry, exactly, but it would be more accurate to say that they simply like breaking things. They way it sounds, the way objects are reduced to garbage when they're done. It would be accurate to say that it is sadism towards objects.
Those who follow the Daidarabocchi posess the magic to enhance their strength. It would be more accurate to say that it's a channeling technique which distributes the magic within them into parts of their body. Because of this, they are known to be martial artists as well who do not study to calm their soul and master their 'self' but instead learn to destroy.
The students of the Daidarabocchi are given a special suit to wear under their regular clothing which constricts the stomach. They're not trying to look slimmer, it is to encourage a breathing excersize to strengthen the muscles within their stomach, and to teach them how to do it elsewhere. Building muscle without a single weight - it is said this suit carries the pressure of a grown man stepping on their stomach heavily.
Priests of the Daidarabocchi are forced to test their strength by suspending weights from their arms, held up by needles piercing their flesh. It is said mastery of the breathing technique leads them to be able to tighten their muscles to such a degree they can support such a weight, under such circumstances.
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Priests of Daidarabocchi
______________________________________________________________
Students of Daidarabocchi
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Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2006 8:01 pm
Those who follow Kurogane
Those who posess the tooth.
Kurogane, a gluttonous Oni King who only knows the brain in his arms and in his pants. That is standard Oni, however. However, Kurogane is just that. The strongest of the oni empire, and thus his rank. He fought his way up, killing his own kin so that he could become the Grand Kami who lords over the Oni. He is an extremely simplistic man who only sees one path in life.
Those who follow this brute are very much like those who follow Raiden. Brutes who only know of their two basic instincts, to feed and to have sex. They are quick to anger, and to throw a fit. Their personality is extremely addictive, and one that leads such a life style that for one reason or another it's amazing they're not dead yet.
Kurogane, while being stupid and arrogant, does have his magic at his side. Known as 'onibi' or 'demon fire' it is said to be a mtch for Kagutsuchi's hell fire. These black flames are said to burn endlessly, only to evaporate water. Many myths surround these flames of the demon, and some say that the priests are able to summon flaming creatures rather than just flames.
Student nor priest have objects or abilities which show who is who, instead the society within the Oni Empire as well as those who follow Kurogane is a simple one. Every man for himself, they fight with eachother and the strongest is reconized as a priest.
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Priests of Kurogane
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Students of Kurogane
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Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2006 8:02 pm
The Plot Thus Far
So THAT'S what happened!
The chaos, the evil, the corruption and darkness of the soul - it's center is the Shrine of the August Star. The dark emotions of the spirit is what drives these people, and consequently drives them into paranoia, fits of rage, murder. You can say that these people live to, and by, exploting weaknesses in people for their own gain. Because of their nature however, they are paranoid people. When their High Priest of Mikaboshi was slain, they began to crumble.
They first blamed the Shrine of the Heavens, when they were gone they turned to the Shrine of the Underworld. Next? Themselves because those who followed the Mind Kami were banished. Little do they know, they are correct in looking to their own followers.
It was well over ten years in the past when the High Priest of Mikaboshi was slain. He was a cruel, vicious, sly man. The list could go on forever about his darkness and the evil deeds he had done. Yet he never turned against his own brethren, and order was formed within chaos. When he was slain, that ordered quickly collapsed and the shrine had begun it's slow descent into what it is now.
From the very beginning he was a suspect, how he constantly left and came back to the shrine. A male in his twenties who was the spitting image of Amatsu Mikaboshi. He, this male, was named Sato, Sai'gare, and is still a student.
Their suspicions were correct, sadly they have fallen into such a state of chaos they don't realize it anymore. Sato, Sai'gare was the star pupil of the high priest. He was sly, witty, he was like a fox - although much more cruel and vicious. He had ideals of his own, goals of his own - one which exceeded that of being a lowly priest.
He betrayed the key rule of not only the Shrine of the August Star - but the realm Amatsu Mikaboshi sits on as well. Never, ever, betray your own brethren. He wanted power, and he sought it. Some could respect him for it, some could call him trash for it. It wouldn't be a long shot to say he didn't care.
This particular youth posesses a vial of blood that is not of his own. It belonged to the High Priest of Mikaboshi, and he hasn't shown it to a single person.
______________________________________________________________
Sub-Plot Lines The return of Sato, Sai'gare. After leaving for months, during the time when the shrine was still whole, Sai'gare has returned to grace the Shrine of the August Star with his presence. He has been met with a warm welcome, despite it all. Something, to this day, he hasn't expected.
After all, this is one of the prime suspects in the murder of the High Priest of Mikaboshi.
However, much to his surprise, he has found a friend within the walls of the shrine. One that isn't supposed to be there. A spy! Heaven's soil enters the Shrine of the August Star. Star pupil of Konohana, and best friend of Sai'gare, (Although it has been suspected they are more than just friends.) has entered the walls of the shrine disguised as the new student of Hisa'me, Hinoe. However, because of the fact she has muted herself and changed her appearance drastically, she has not been suspected just yet.
Needless to say, this has left Sai'gare in a panic. The Silent Lotus Jinpachi, Elexial, has returned from his training and meditation after who knows how long. The long standing rival of Sai'gare, and student of new age methods has definately gone one up on Sai'gare in means of insanity. The lunatic youth has his teacher have driven the youth beyond the brink of insanity.
Now, under the name of Silent Lotus, he has met with Sai'gare and a student of Sojobo - Yuuri - as friends. His true intentions are unknown. However, it was while they sat within the walls of the food court, his training had finally paid off.
He died. ..Well, mentally speaking anyway. The youth known as Elexial who was as normal as Sai'gare was, at the very least, was sealed within the depths of darkness which could only be described as 'Amatsu Mikaboshi.' A lunatic has posessed Elexial's flesh in his place.
Yet, on Sai'gare's face there was dissapointment.
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Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2006 8:03 pm
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Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2006 8:06 pm
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Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2006 8:07 pm
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Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2006 8:08 pm
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Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2006 8:09 pm
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