Spirits and Monsters

Spirits: A spirit is a very broad term in this RPG. It should be noted that the cosmology of Saiken is not that of western dualism (in which the soul goes to heaven after it dies), but is that of reincarnation (the soul dies and is taken to another plane, or the same plane, as it continues in its karmic cycle in an attempt to become enlightened). What this means is a "spirit" is not a dead person necessarily (as any of us could be dead), but simply a being that projects itself in another plane of existence. It can still influence this plane in limited ways, but only rarely can a being hurt or really stop a spirit. Keiki is the ability to see spirits. All spellcasters have keiki. Having a point of ki for any reason gives you keiki. You may also take the "Unlock Keiki" attribute to gain this power as well. Keiki allows a player to see and interact with spirits who may be occupying another realm, yet affecting Ningen-do (the mortal plane). Spirits will be able to tell (usually) who has keiki prior to that person influencing them, and may even take violent actions towards this person if they feel threatened by their presence. Most people (NPCs included) do not have keiki, however most players might. Keiki also effects the ability to hear, smell and actively touch a spirit. Although sound, smell and touch are harder to hide and therefore easier to detect without keiki (although its usually in a flickering sense unless the spirit wills otherwise).

Ayakashi: Ayakashi are the most common spirit other than the kami. They are spirits from various realms of existence who are in a completely insubstantial form. They can affect the human plane of existence to a minor extent (lifting small objects, whispering to people, etc...), but cannot directly inflict full damage on those without Keiki without being in a zone where the spirit realms open to the mortal realm. They are mostly harmless, but have been known to grow or become corrupt. They are usually however not seen so much as threats as they are nuisances. They also can make great sources of information, however most self respecting shugenja and shamans don't bother with these "low" spirits.

Mononoke: Mononoke represent the neutral spirits who manifest in an entirely physical body on the mortal realm. They are otherwise like Ayakashi, except usually stronger (since they are, like all non-humans, shunned and hunted).

Youkai: Yokai/Youkai are any spirit who exists in both the spiritual plane of its birth and is fully manifest in the mortal realm as well. They are dangerous to all persons, yet fortunately are not always evil.

-Akuma: Akuma are a sub-species of yokai/youkai who are, to say the least, evil. They are sentient, powerful and spiritual beings from the realm of evil who desire no more than to inflict pain and spread suffering in all of its forms across the land. Fortunately, they are rarely ever summoned to the mortal plane (since they usually kill the shugenja who summons them out of spite).

-Hengeyokai: A playable race of animal spirits ranging in every alignment feasible. They are usually servants to the Kami of Rice, Inari. Occasionally they take leave from Inari's rather lax court to "play" in the mortal realm. As their name implies, they can change form at will.

-Oni: Oni are a lesser version of Akuma, yet still extremely dangerous. Taking the name of the shugenja who fist summons them (so Oni no Ryosei would be "The Oni of Ryosei"), they are beings from the plane of evil who, although technically bound to their shugenja, frequently find themselves breaking free from their shugenja's bonds in a way that usually has the shugenja converting into a splatter of blood on the wall and a memory. They are usually massive and thick-skinned powerhouses, however range in size and shape as much as ayakashi.

kami: kami are the living spirits that make up all non-living things. They range from "rock on the ground" to "mountain" or even "gateway to a home". Shugenja can manipulate these kami to some extent and even ask the kami to perform favors or respond to questions. They are separated into categories of fire, earth, water, air and void and come in all shapes, sizes and varying degrees of power (as well as personalities). The represent not only the objects and nature of the world, but the very aspects of the world around us (so not just "air", but also "tornadoes"; Not just "wooden floorboards", but also "hallways").

Kami: The Kami are the greater sentient fortunes and clan founders who look over humanity and represent the major aspects of our lives. Although they have titles such as "The Kami of Rice" (Inari), it should be noted this does not mean talking to any rice kami will grant you audience with Inari. Inari has control over the harvest, but is not literally a piece of rice (but is manifest in a person).

Shiryou: Shiryou are literally ghosts. They are, however, rarely those "lingering with ill intent due to resentment in their death". Usually, they are spirits who have passed onto the realm of the dead and are currently residing in the realm of the living to be an ancestral guide or after being called by a Bear shugenja for what-ever reason.