-<span style="font-weight: bold">Setting</span>-<br/><br/>Hidden from our eyes there exists a land untouched by humans, a land inhabited and governed by monsters; this concealed world is the land of yokai or<span style="font-style: italic">Obakerikujou</span>, as some have called it in their myths and legends.<br/><br/>The land itself is divided into 4 vast regions; Nishi, Azuma, Hoku, Minami. There exists a 5th region but it's access is barred from other yokai and only the<span style="font-weight: bold">5 Saint Clans</span>shall enter. Speaking of those five individuals, the land knows of 5 powerful families tha play a large role in the function of<span style="font-style: italic">Obakerikujou</span>, the head of these clans being known as a<span style="font-weight: bold">Saint King</span>. Genbu, Suzaku, Byakko, Seiryuu and Ouryu are the names of the five clans, each one serving a vital role in yokai society, although the main purpose of the first 4 clans is to watch over the Gates of Cardinal.<br/><br/>The Genbu Clan oversees the Hoku Gate in the North<br/>The Suzaku Clan oversees the Minami Gate in the South<br/>The Byakko Clan oversees the Nishi Gate in the West<br/>The Seiryuu Clan oversees the Azuma Gate in the East<br/>The Ouryu Clan seems to maintain the "region" in which no yokai can enter; "Munashi", The Void.<br/><br/>Each Gate is actually a locked door to the "Outside World of Humans" where we live today, if one travels through one of these gates then they will be transported to the hemisphere in which that gate represents. There are few humans here as the land itself was shut off from humans long ago, this also explains the lack of technology being humans have now advanced far past Obakerikujou in terms of technology. In short, Obakekujou's level of development is nothing short of Feudel Japan. There are some technologies from the outside that slip into Obakekujou by means of the humans who rarely cross over her due to gate related errors, but these technologies are usually so rare in appearance that it is rarely documented.<br/><br/>As of now, while there is peace in some locations, something is diffenately wrong. The Saint Clans, most noteably the Ouryu Clan, are being subject of suspicious activity as the Kami have now resorted to seeing only them and none of the other Saint Kings. As a result (most likely of jealousy) most of the Saint Clans are beginning to distrust the Ouryu clan, this same distrust spreading amongst themselves as some Saint Clans begin to take sides on the matter. While the Saint Kings are preoccupied with their petty squabbles and butthurt, the gates have weakened ever so slightly over time and thus, humans are beginning to (accidentally) to enter the hidden land of yokai and some high level yokai are beginning to enter the human world respectively. On top of this, there are some yokai devising to take down the Saint Kings whilst they're fighting each other, most of said yokai being displeased with the clans and wanting nothing more than to do away with them.<br/><br/>Things are quickly beginning to spiral out of control and if the kings won't stop being butthurt, then what will become of the land of yokai?<br/><br/>Only time will tell...<br/><br/>-<span style="font-weight: bold">Locations</span>-<br/><br/>Each region has it's own diverse ecosystem and climate. The 4 regions are, in fact, not always governed by the 5 Saint Clans thus, laws are usually left up to hand picked Emperors and Empresses who keep the yokai denizens in line. If things really get out of hand in a region then the Saint King of that region will descend and set things straight. Kami usually don't play too much of a part in these affairs and usually observe the actions from above. Kami do, however, grant the Saint Kings guidance and serve as a last line of defense against any threats to the land.<br/><br/>Hoku - Regarded as the coldest of the 4 regions. Winter is one of the longest seasons here and thus the land is usually blanketed in snow. The Yuki-onna can only be found in this very region and some have helped others adapt to the harsh tempretures of this region. Others...not so much.<br/><br/>Minami - A region that is supported by volcanic activity. While the forests and land are fertile in some areas, elsewhere the land is rough, barren and mountainous. The entrance to Jigoku (hell) is said to be located somewhere deep within one of the volcanic craters...<br/><br/>Nishi -  A region that is mostly dense forest, that transitions to tropical forest. While a bit more populated than the Minami and Hoku regions, the numbers of villages are rather limited. There are ruins of a large mansion located somewhere in a immense bamboo thicket; it is rumored the Moon Princess, Kaguya used to live there. Tengu are numerous here the highest concentration being located within the "Tengu Village", most of them are loyal to the Byakko Clan and can be fairly defensive about it...<br/><br/>Azuma - A region that isn't too special in geological features and seems to be nothing short of forest, plains, and villages. There is a large network of underground tunnels and caverns, the entrance located in the mountains. Most of the caverns lead to other regions, but because of their secluded locations, bandits and criminals like to hang out here. Enter at your own risk. Somewhere deep in the caverns lies the entrance to the netherworld, Yomi-no-Kuni...<br/><br/>The 5th region, "Munashii", is a rather strange region being it's not actually a region at all, it's nothing short of a boundless void that exists where all 4 gates merge as one. This area is restricted from yokai who are not affiliated directly with the Saint Kings of a clan, however recently only the Saint King of the Ouryu clan is able to enter as a decree of the Kami from Tenkou. Why this is...no one seems to know...<br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold">Other Locations</span><br/><br/>- Tenkou (Takahamagara): Heaven or the place where the Kami dwell. It is located far above the clouds of Obakerikujou and can usually be reached by a scaling the Yama no Tenkou (Mountain to Heaven) and even then one might be denied access. The 5 Saint Kings are usually the ones who are able to enter this holy land, although this usually depends on the situation going on below and the overall mood of the Kami.<br/><br/>- Jigoku (Makai): Hell. Vicious demons roam here torturing and harrasing the human souls that end up here. The Enma who have damned a soul send them here where they may repent. Although entering this land while one is still alive is unusual, it is not forbidden. This maybe due to the vastness of Jigoku as a whole and the ferocity of the yokai that reside here. Most who live here are Oni and are usually employed by the Enma to gaurd the exits of Jigoku and keep the souls in order, there is usually a high ranking Oni (Oo-Oni) who take direct orders from the Enma and are considered the top brass among the Oni here. The Oni are usually given permission to kill live humans if they see fit.<br/><br/>- Yomi-no-Kuni (Land of Yomi): The netherworld, the first stop on where dead souls go to be judged by the Enma. The entrance to Yomi no Kuni can be found at the deepest point of certain caves, said entrance gaurded by a high ranking Oni or Yokai to keep out those who try to enter to disrupt order. This land doesn't seem to fall under any jurisdiction from the 5 Saint Kings as it is ruled over by the Grand Deity of Death; Izanami no Mikoto. There IS a city here, despite the rumors stating against it's existance. Beyond this city is the Grand Courthouse of the Enma "Diyu" in which souls are judged by one of the 7 Enma of Paradise. Those who have sinned will be sent to Jigoku, those who haven't will be elevated to Tenkou. The entrance to Jigoku can be found at the deepest area of Yomi, beyond Diyu.<br/><br/>- Ryugu-jo: The undersea palace of the Dragon God, Ryuujin. The palace itself is large enough to house a large number of sea going yokai who have pledged their alliance to Ryuujin as his servants. Time here seems to flow very different on the outside as the time spent here is far different the on the outside, where in a day is equal to 10 days on the outside. Because of this, the citizens here are said to be MUCH older than those on the outside. There are four sides to the vast palace, each side representing one season; autumn, winter, spring, summer.<br/><br/>Tengu Lord's Mountain: The headquarters for the Tengu, and the nesting place for the the strongest known Tengu in Obakekijurou, the Daitengu. The Daitengu are few in number (about 3 exist) but the three of them over see and govern their people from on high with assistance and guidance from the Byakko clan. The mountain itself is a varidable fortress for the bird like people, and they defend their leaders with pride and honor. Most are welcome inside, but only if said individual are loyal to Byakko and no one else. The Daitengu is located in a castle at the very peak of the mountain. Recently though, there has been some problems with the Byakko clan involving the Saint King's distrust for his allies and servants. Some of the Tengu are beginning to grow reluctant on staying on Byakko's side but the Dai tengu are willing to wait and see if The Byakko Saint King's paranoia will calm itself...<br/><br/>-<span style="font-weight: bold">Stuff you should know</span>-<br/><br/>Standard rules apply here folks, so let's try to follow'em kay?<br/><br/>I'm also wary of anyone willing to go for a Kami position being they are essentially gods (or rather divine spirits but still...), so I'm gonna ask that no one make a character of those types. Kami are to be NPCs only. Hell, they might not even make an appearance until the climax (or end) of the RP's story anyway.<br/><br/>-<span style="font-weight: bold">Character Sheet</span>-<br/><br/>Name: Self Explanatory<br/>Aproxx. Age: How old your character appears<br/>Gender: Male or Female<br/>Race/Species: (<a class="postlink" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_legendary_creatures_from_Japan">Go here for a list of youkai, if you can't think of one to use.</a>)<br/>Appearance: What he or she looks like<br/>Abilities: Any abilities your character has?<br/>Weapons: Any weapons to go with that?<br/>Affiliation: To whom they're loyal to, one of the 5 clans? Ryuujin? One of the Kami? No one? State it here.<br/>Goals: What your character hopes to accomplish.<br/>History: Self explanatory<br/>Extra Info: Anything else? Perhaps a quirk or habit your character has?<br/><br/>I might just have the Saint Clans be NPCs, unless one of you guys wish to take up the role. If so, let me know and I'll create a list in this post of open slots. Any questions, comments and suggestions are welcome.<br/><br/>The same can't be said for Saint Kings, although you can create a character for said clan if you want (as in family members). If you can convince me that I can trust you with that position then I'll give you leway for it.<br/><br/>-<span style="font-weight: bold">Characters In Play</span>-<br/>*Will include locations and other information once things actually start.<br/><br/>- Vasily 'Vasya' Ivanych Chekov (DiscoJohnny)<br/>- Takotaro Shikaku (DiscoJohnny)<br/>- RoTTeN (RoTTeN-BaX)<br/>- Katane Tsukimaru (Reizu)<br/>- Nanako Shiisa (PimpDaddyPichu)<br/>- Mitsuko Chiyotsuki (PimpDaddyPichu)<br/>- Arokleth (Reaper)