In the modern world, if someone spoke about evil spirits and conjuring out in the open, people would most likely send them to a mental hospital. The occult isn’t something publicized or celebrated, in some places it’s even forbidden, and yet the ideas of the supernatural have struggled on throughout the years.
Simply look to the Japanese shrines for proof. These buildings have been standing for hundreds of years, and are still visited on the daily. Right by your home in the growing city of Kokona, there is one in particular that gets the most hushed talk among peers. It is said that the shrine, known as the Obake Shrine, is a dimension which connects this world to that of the dead. Rumors have it that the gentle woman who is the leader of the shrine is an onmyoji, as well as all of the shamans and priestesses below her.
Disbelieving this, you decide to investigate. Late at night, you trespass into the Obake shrine. As soon as you pass through a peculiar looking torii gate guarding the back entrance, you have signed yourself down to never go back to your old life ever again.
This is a lighthearted role play about the lives of Onmyouji in the modern world. The players belong to the Obake shrine, and every night they go out hunting the evil spirits which plague the city of Kokona. Some exorcisms are requests, others they track down on their own, but every day holds something new. They are a wacky and colorful crew, but they get their jobs done!
In this world, there are spirits or yokai which dwell within the same realm as our own. It just so happens that most people aren’t able to see them, so they believe it does not affect them or isn’t real, such as you were.
But there are a few who are able to open their third eye and gaze into the world of yokai. These yokai come in all forms, so we documented them below into classes to make it easier.
Tier 1, the Common Yokai: Usually of smaller size, common yokai are tricksters. If they are ‘evil’, they often cause mischief in human lives or bring bad fortune. If your ice cream cone spilt for no reason or you suddenly get a case of the blues, you can blame it on a tier 1. Those who do not meddle often keep to themselves and will only cause trouble if pestered. They are harmless and have little to no magical power, but can be annoying. Really anyone can shoo them away. Examples are imps, will o the wisps, and kappa.
Tier 2, the Lost Yokai: These spirits are often the ones you’d find haunting a home. Lost Yokai are spirits who most often had a tragic death, and are stuck in the past unready to move on. You’ll see them pacing the same area over and over, sometimes repeating the same act with sullen expressions. These yokai can be a bit more dangerous and have a slightly better control over magic, usually using it to levitate or move objects. Usually can have up to two forms. They are more violent than Tier 1, and sometimes require an exorcism. Examples would be azukiari, or yurei.
Tier 3, the Myth Yokai These are the spirits of higher magical power, and the most popular in modern day culture. Most have multiple forms, but cannot later their appearances too far from from their true forms and cannot keep up the form for long. Myth yokai almost always tend to meddle in human affairs, whether it be good or bad. Examples are kitsune with <4 tails, tanuki and tengu.
Tier 4, the Divine Yokai Mistakenly believed to always be bad, divine yokai can take either end of the spectrum. Most prefer solidarity, and will only attack if someone mistakenly trespasses. Divine yokai can be of any size, and many can actually change their form at will. These always require an exorcism, and can be fatal if not dealt with as an evil spirit. They have seemingly boundless spiritual power and are masters in magic. Examples include kitsune with 5+ tails, Umibozu and gashadokuro.
Those who see these spirits are called “mediums,” and an even rarer group can befriend and contract a yokai as their guardian. Onmyouji are summoners who become contracted with a yokai, contracted yokai known as shikigami. An Onmyouji will attract a spirit of their magical level. Those with higher spiritual energy can tame higher tiered yokai, and thus have a stronger shikigami. Onmyouji grow with their shikigami, usually only able to be contracted to one at a time. Though having two has been heard of, it is unbelievably rare. Though a shikigami may start at a low tier, they can raise it by working hard with their onmyouji. If the summoner’s magic grows, so does their shikigami!
The soul contract is formed when a yokai bestows their trust in you, and puts a mark on your body as their summoner. This is a sigil, each one a unique thumbprint of each yokai. The higher tiered a yokai, the more complex the sigil will be. This sigil doubles as their summoning circle, used to call shikigami to your side wherever you may be. More powerful shikigami will be able to teleport to you without you even needing to call them!
But, do not despair. As an onmyouji, you have your own powers to defend yourself if your shikigami is away, called onmyodo. Granted, you need a catalyst to use any magic, and it is quite draining, but it will keep you alive in a tough spot. Your catalyst can be any magically imbued item, such as a necklace or staff. Without your catalyst, you cannot cast!
Your powers cone from within. Everyone is born with an alignment, including yokai. Your Shikigami most likely will match your alignment, or be complimentary. Alignments are split into two coexisting spheres.
The first sphere is of yin and yang. Those born under the yin alignment are destroyers. These are born fighters, and are based in physical attack. They are effective in combat, but their summoning ability and exorcism is low. Those born under yang are purifiers. They rid the areas of miasmas and are effective exorcists, which comes incredibly handy with trickier yokai. Though they aren’t spellcasters, give them a paper and ink and they will create unstoppable ofuda. Neither yin or yang can be effective on their own, which is why Onmyouji are sent out in groups of at least three or four.
The second sphere is the elemental. There are five elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water. Wood people are those with a tough skin. If they are Yang, they often are healers. As Yin, they are defenders. Fire people are eccentrics on the field. Yang Fire often use quick spells to weaken the enemy, whilst Yin Fire dart about relying upon their physical prowess. Earth people are balancing. As Yin, they will level out the fields and act as any form needed. Yang will use spells such as those that reflect damage. Earth are generally wild cards that do not fit any mold of fighting style perfectly. Metal people finish the job so to speak. Yin metal will be the ones to deliver the final blow, whereas Yang metal will finally exorcise the yokai. Water people are generally support. Yin Water will create spells to push back or disorient the enemy, where Yang Water will increase their allies abilities.
In general, this is how the elements interact. Wood fuels Fire, Fire fuels Earth, Earth fuels Metal, Metal Fuels Water, and Water fuels Wood. These help to determine who would work best together on a team.
However, elements also contradict. Wood hurts Earth, Earth hurts Water, Water hurts Fire, Fire hurts Metal, and Metal hurts Wood. This shows who would be most effective against what yokai, however putting these together in a team spells disaster. If you read all of this, put at the bottom of your form “Pardon my”.
Note: Not all information is 100% accurate, as it has been adapted to fit a role play structure.
Hear the chorus of sighing I know, I know. But they’re important, okay?
Dont be rude. No one likes that guy. If you have something to say, say it politely and avoid snide remarks. If you’re feeling annoyed, pm me about it first so I can be a mediator. DO NOT fight in the OOC. I will get pissy. Don’t.
Follow standards. You know the drill. All site rules apply, fade to black if it gets hot (please don’t insinuate anything if they are underage), don’t god mod yadda yadda yadda. I don’t mind cursing, but don’t swear like a drunken sailor if you could. Avoid all text talk in the actual IC, and try to post one to two paragraphs. I understand writers block, but lemme know. Same goes if you are going to be gone for an extended time. I will drop you if you are gone for a week without saying anything.
Have fun! This is supposed to be a lighthearted, comedic and action packed adventure. Don’t be too dark or dramatic and keep it enjoyable for everyone!
I can edit these rules, so watch out mister or mistress. If you read all of that, add “spirits” to the end of the previous key phrase.
Can non-Japanese myth and spirits be used? Yes of course! If it’s something obscure, I’d like a link to a little blurb about your species however. Can I have multiple characters? Yes you may! As many as you can handle. Can I use my own form/make it pretty? Go ahead, as long as you keep all the information. Can I play my own shikigami and onmyouji pair? I encourage it. It can get messy with two players having to work together. That being said, being in a partnership with another player is fine too. Help! I wanna be a shikigami, but I have no Onmyouji! Calm down! Just leave your “onmyouji” section blank until someone fills it, and we’ll “ghost” your Onmyouji until then. Can my character be possessed/already be a medium/etc.? Character creation has a lot of freedom here. If it fits, I’ll most likely accept it. If you’re still unsure, just shoot me a pm!
Choose your player!
[img here, preferably anime or digital art] Name: Nickname(s): Age: Gender: Sexuality: Appearance: (description optional) Previous Onmyouji?: (Put yes if you already worked at shrine, no if you were one of the curious buggers.) Shikigami: (Yes, you can leave this blank, especially if you are a new Onmyouji) Sigil and Location: (if above is filled) Alignment and Fighting Style: Catalyst: Team: (Optional/Unneeded) History: (optional) Personality: (Just a short paragraph) Other:
[img here, preferably anime or digital art. Most common form.] Name(if any): Nickname(s): (Those given to you by humans) Preferred Gender: Sexuality: (according to preferred gender) Appearance: (description optional. Include alternative forms) Shikigami?: Onmyouji: (only if answered yes to above) Tier: (please don’t pick 4, or everyone be 3) Alignment: Sigil: Powers: History: (optional) Personality: (Just a short paragraph) Other:
Questions? Comments? Concerns? Either tag me here or pm me!
Disclaimer: No images used belong to me in any way. I do not claim these images as my own.
Finally got my onmyouji up for those who needed an example. I left the shikigami part blank in case someone wants to be partnered with her, otherwise I have a shikigami of my own in order.
@Cherrywitch Alright, well, here's the spider. I think I got everything right, but do tell if there are problems. I'll get to addressing them later~
For the most part she's done. If someone wants to be her Onmyouji, do tell. We can work out the details of that and stuff. If not, I'll make her own Onmyouji later. Maybe have her gain one over the course of the RP.
"Oh my, aren't you just a delicious looking morsel. Let me have a bite, hmm? Pleeease? Aww, don't give me that look. I'll be gentle~"
Name: Suzue Yamazaki
Nickname(s): N/A
Preferred Gender: Female, like most Jorogumo
Sexuality: Bisexual, though is attracted to femininity, even in males. Odd, for a Jorogumo, isn't it?
Appearance: If standing on her human legs, Suzue reaches a respectable height of five foot seven. She has light brown hair, amber colored eyes, and is typically seen as somewhat dainty and slight of frame. As most Jorogumo tend to be, most would likely consider her to be fairly attractive, appearing to be around a young adult age. In her hair she wears a simple hair ornament, and she is a fan of simple though yet elegant seeming dresses. Her usual casual attire may seem a little outdated, or at least a bit odd by today's standards.
Six yellow and black spider legs grow from her back, able to be used as well as her other limbs. If using her spider legs for support, she can reach nearly six foot five - quite an intimidating boost, especially since she has a tendency to sneak up on people for giggles. Six, pupiless eyes can be seen on her forehead above her two 'main' ones. She has spider like fangs that extend from her top two canines, that are difficult to hide. Of course, this is not a side of her that many see unless she directly wants them too. The legs, are mostly used for defensive and maneuverability.
Shikigami: Not currently. Onmyouji: N/A Tier: 3 Alignment: Yang Water
Sigil:
Powers: Suzue is not much of a fighter, especially when compared to other Yokai, and she's quite aware of her lackluster combative ability. Her skills are as one might expect of a Jorogumo, are geared more towards deception and misdirection, as most Jorogumo naturally are inclined to. Who knows, though? Perhaps she could learn alongside a cute Onmyouji one day. Her preferred method of fighting is that of sneak and non-direct attacks. She is fairly good at setting up traps to ensnare people and things using her threads. The fire-breathing spiders help too.
Shapeshifting: Jorogumo are born with an inherent ability to shapeshift. In effect, this allows them to change from their more monstrous form to one of a beautiful women. Typically, it's used to deceive people and lure handsome young men to an untimely death. Thankfully Suzue doesn't do that. Any more.
Spider Tongue: As with most Jorogumo, she can both speak to and control lesser spiders. As spiders can often go unnoticed by people, this is a fairly good way of both gathering information and simply knowing what's going on around her. She has an uncanny ability to know quite a bit about a lot of people because of this. The spiders vary in size, and carry an extremely potent venom typically. On the extreme end of this, the ability allows her to command large, fire breathing spiders that are the size of a large dog. She has a tendency to let spiders make a home in her clothes
Thread Control: The threads of a Jorogumo are strong enough to ensnare a fully grown human with ease. She can wave these with ease, from her hands, legs, and her spider appendages. She can manipulate them with a fair bit of ease, using them to ensnare and trap foes, even Yokai. The thread is strong, durable, and make for excellent protective wear. Her own clothes are made of her own silk, and as such offer quite a bit of protection from certain Yokai. Also good for, ahem, other things
Venom: A lesser used ability of hers. Jorogumo inherently have a very potent venom that can weaken a subject over the course of a few days in small doses, ensuring that they suffer or she can inject a large dose all at once to greatly weaken any foe or human. Yokai are not immune from the venom, but depending on the type they may be resistant to it. Difficult to bite a foe directly in combat though, but being swarmed by small spiders is a good way of getting a small dose of it. In small doss some people might find it enjoyable
Physical Abilities: As far as her physical strength goes, she's surprisingly strong and athletic compared to a human. While she's nothing on super-human levels, she's much stronger than her slight frame suggests and all of her legs hold the same ability. As one might expect of a spider, she's surprisingly agile on her feet, and can climb and cling to surfaces using her legs and webbings. As well, she is a master of stealth and moving fairly silently, and makes almost no noise when moving.
History: It is said when a Joro spider reaches 400 years of age, they gain magical abilities. Whether this is true or not, Suzue is rather mute about, but she makes no effort to hide her actual age from people. She's old. Really old. Old enough go be a great-grand mother and at times hints that she maybe even is. She never gives a clear response though, and constantly either brushes the question off or otherwise flirts her way out of it.
What she does tell people, is that she's just a bored Jorogumo who wants to 'play' with humans. Whatever that means.
The truth of the matter is a bit less friendly than she passes off, though. She's a jorogumo, after all, and they aren't known for being friendly. However, age, and perhaps meeting the right people, can even change their naturally cruel disposition.
Personality: Upon first glance, Suzue, is very formal in her mannerisms and tends to treat everyone with a high amount of respect and proper decorum. Some might mistake this for her being overly serious and humorless, but they would find out quite quickly that she in fact, doesn't take most things seriously. Under that initial formality, is a very promiscuous and even slightly domineering person. While she no longer takes part in the cruelty that most Jorogumo are known for, she still finds humans a little on the...'curious' side. As in, she finds them funny to play with.
That's not saying she's uncaring, quite the opposite. While she likes teasing, messing with, and otherwise making humans uncomfortable, She cares greatly for her comrades and friends, and while she doesn't like conflict she will never let anyone hurt those she cares about, even at probable cost to herself. She tends to dote slightly on people she likes, and likes being doted on herself. Displays of affection a very easy way to get on her good side. but that might not be the wisest choice
Other: Is an excellent seamstress Can play a guitar and other string-based instruments fairly well. Can sometimes be found playing an acoustic guitar. 'Suzue Yamazaki' is the name she took upon deciding to live among humans, and isn't the name she was born with. Is a reasonably good cook.
Well, you had me looking up yokai mythology and such and I came across a Kyorinrin. Now I really want to play as an animated scroll dragon thing, so I'll write up a CS for one soon.
Name(if any): Kyorinrin Nickname(s): (Scraps? Bookwyrm?) Preferred Gender: Male sounding Appearance: An eastern dragon made out of scrolls, at his full size he stands/floats at about the height of a human. He's still rather 'fresh' so he is not too fancy looking, but he has found some rather ornate scrolls as horns and has started to incorperate books as hands/feet. He has room to grow as he comes across more things to assimilate.
Mundane form: Can take the form of a large scroll. The contents of it can be whatever he desires it to be.
Shikigami?: Onmyouji: (only if answered yes to above) Tier: 1 Alignment: Yang, Earth Sigil: A bound scroll Powers: Walking Library: He can eat scrolls and books and whatnot and slowly absorb their knowledge. He can also generate said consumsed books at the cost of his own health/magic. A normal sized book will last him about two weeks, and the older it is the tastier it is to him. Also creating books from his own form takes about half that time.
Book...nesis: Can telekinetically move books/scrolls/paper around
Paper generation: He can create paper and books using his magic.
History: Born of the scrolls of the Obake shrine and after giving some papery justice to the neglectant caretaker he's been meandering about the shrine ever since. He's sort of become a librarian of Onmyouji texts and it turns out that's actually pretty useful so there is a sort of unspoken agreement to not go after him as long as he doesn't cause any more harm. He has a tendency to occasionally eat some of the texts, but they'll inevitably reappear on the shelves after he's done with them in a better state than before.
Personality: As a yokai created from neglected scrolls, he's quite aggresssively protective when it comes to written knowledge. Don't go cutting up or burning any books or you'll find yourself smacked about by an blindly enraged living encyclopedia, it can be quite hard to calm him down when he gets like that. He values knowledge a lot, and likes to show off his own if people let him. He even tends to regurgitate whatever he knows about a topic he's thinking about when he's nervous or scared. He's a very peaceful yokai as long as you don't trigger him and treat books respectively, loving to help anyone learn as well as seek out new tasty knowledge to add to himself.
Ah? I'll change her attribute to Yin, then. I didn't think it'd fit well initially when I started making her, but she changed a bit when I went to adapt her abilities. Forgot to reassess that bit~
Name: Megumi Nijima Nickname(s): Age: 16 Gender: Male Sexuality: Bisexual Appearance: Megumi is short, and, to be frank, fairly cute. He stands at only 5'2, and has big, dark, doe-like eyes. His hair is black and usually on the longer end of average, making him look like a tomboyish girl. A couple of his hairs always stand up, no matter what he does. In terms of overall figure, he's fairly slender and lean. He has a soft voice, and is an excellent singer, though he's a bit embarrassed about it.
Previous Onmyouji?: Nope.
Shikigami: None yet.
Alignment and Fighting Style: Megumi's alingment is Yin Metal. can use his digits to lift and move objects using electromagnetism. He uses his digits to direct a maximum of 10 objects, with each finger able to lift up to 20 pounds. This means that with each hand he can lift 100 pounds total, up to 200 if he's using both hands. Objects being moved by his telekinesis are tangible even for spirits, and spiritually sensitive beings will be able to see a bright blue aura around them. He can not manipulate living things with this power, though dead organic matter works fine.
By levitating a small object between his hands and rapidly spinning it, he can store potential energy in it. This attack is called his "Magnet Gun." It's a little bit like a rubber band. It takes about five seconds for him to charge a shot, and upon releasing it, it fires with supersonic force. It's extremely powerful, but the recoil alone dislocates his shoulder, so he doesn't use it much and once he does he's not going to be doing much else.
Catalyst: A set of 10 rubber rings, one for each digit.
History: After a certain incident at his school, Megumi has gone to live with his aging grandma and help take care of her. In an attempt to fit in, and in spite of his better judgement, went to trespass in Obake Shrine, thus signing himself down to never return to his old life.
Personality: Good natured and easily frightened, Megumi is not really suited to battling all manner of spooky things. He does not want to be a hero. He wants to watch magical girl anime and play trading card games. But unfortunately, he has a strong sense of duty, and deep down, is very ambitious and lusts for power. After a certain incident at his school, he was made an outcast. Secretly, he wants to get revenge on everyone that ever wronged him. He dislikes when the strong pick on the weak, but he particularly dislikes it when he's the weak one. In terms of intersts, Megumi enjoys various anime, video games, cosplay, soccer, and trading card games. Though he is frightened by the idea of spirits of dead people, he nonetheless has an interest in the occult and scary stories. It's only recently that he started to believe in it, though. There is in fact a laundry list of things Megumi is creeped out by or scared of, including but not limited to: Bugs, ghosts, undead, bats, barbers, lightning...He doesn't like to admit it, but he's very easily frightened. Other: Pardon my Spirits
Appearance: Yuudai is, for a lack of a better word, unexceptional. He's neither tall nor short, nor particularly broad or thin. He's not androgynous or girly, but not notably masculine, either. Half of his face is obscured by his hair, making it hard to memorize. He doesn't show any expressions, but apparently his eyes are absolutely terrifying.
Previous Onmyouji?: No Shikigami: Sigil and Location:
Alignment and Fighting Style: Despite being Yin-aligned, Yuudai is surprisingly good at summoning weapons from his (disturbingly) large repertoire. However, he still fits into his fire alignment quite well; taking on a "rock-paper-shotgun" approach to fighting (sometimes literally), he can shuffle through his arsenal with rapid attacks, though only a small fraction of it is necessary.
Catalyst: His ring. Team:
History: ???
Personality: Yuudai rarely communicates with words, body language, or, really, anything aside from violence. Despite that, he doesn't seem particularly inclined towards it, often actually taking great care not to cause any (unintentional) harm. He seems to be somewhat simpleminded, labeling everything as either good, bad, or neither, then acting accordingly. Although a person's actions do factor into it, Yuudai seems to mainly focus on the motives behind them, such as altruism, selfishness, or necessity.
Although Yuudai is only ever exceptionally violent with people doing something notably bad, usually just using a paper fan or paper shurikens for everyone else, he fact that he has absolutely no ill intent behind any of his actions tends to unnerve people.
That, and he doesn't seem to react while you're talking to him. It takes a few moments for him to process information in the first place, but he doesn't move either way.
Other: - Occasionally greeted by big men in suits. - Rumor 1#: He comes from a dangerous family. - Rumor 2#: He is actually a robot designed by the government. - Rumor 3#: Reincarnated weapon otaku, now gang boss. - Rumor 4#: Was once seen smiling with a girl. - Rumor 5#: Magical chemical cooking. (DO NOT EAT) - Rumor 6#: Amazing at karaoke.
Pardon my spirit's limited vocabulary ... you ever just feel like you don't have words
@HeroicSociopath ...I forgot about my own rule I set. Dammit... Well you’re definitely accepted haha.
@Rune_Alchemist@Vrrak You guys are still accepted, but would you mind reading the operating info and rules please? I forgot about my own detail to make sure people read it...
So, I'm thinking of starting her as a lone Yokai and perhaps picking up an Onmyouji in the RP. If anyone's interested, let me know.
Yukine Aroi
Preferred Gender: Female
Sexuality: Bi
Appearance:
Shikigami?: Not yet
Onmyouji: TBD
Tier: 3
Alignment: Yin Fire
Sigil:
Powers: Yukine wields the power of foxfire. By cloaking her body in the pale-blue flame, she can enhance her physicals, giving her great speed and strength. She can also use it to create double images of herself or minor illusions. By launching a blast of concentrated foxfire, she can scorch evil creatures with divine energy. Yukine can also alter her appearance, allowing her to appear as different people every time she mingles with humans.
History: Ever since she was a cub, Yukine has been fascinated by humans. She loved their festivals, the lights in their cities, and of course their food. Her parents warned her that it was dangerous to involve herself with their affairs, but she eventually found a home for herself in the outskirts of Kokona city. She regularly mingled with the humans there, drinking men under tables and partaking in wild nights of partying. However, it wasn’t long before she was found by the mediums of Obake shrine. As a three-tailed fox, she was far from harmless, but her friendly demeanor made her easy to work with. Now, she works with Obake shrine to defend her beloved city from malevolent forces. She has not yet contracted an Onmyouji, but she knows her powers are limited without one…
Personality: Cheerful and fun-loving, Yukine is the life of any party. She is insatiably curious and hates being left out of anything. She can be flirtatious and likes to tease people to get a reaction out of them. She can be a bit mischievous, but only in the sense of playful pranks. As a yokai herself, she urges mediums to seek peaceful resolutions to any spirit problems, but won’t hesitate to defend herself if she has to.
Other: The source of any kitsune’s power is their Hoshi no Tama, a small glass ball that sparkles like the night sky. If anyone steals it, they can render the kitsune powerless. As a show of good faith, Yukine has stored her Hoshi no Tama in Obake Shrine in a secret location known only to herself, and the priestess Hikari.
