Collection of customs, cultures, traditions, and lore from the Tribes

[Togashi Saruko]

Let's use this thread to compile fluff and other cultural things from the previous game and this one. It's an ever-expanding setting!

I will add in the stuff from the Ayakashi from Dawn 1, as well as the various stories and songs that my character shared during that time. Everyone else is free to share stuff too!

This first post I'll use as a Master List to add links direction to the post in question (to save from lots of searching and scrolling).

Cultural Traditions of the Shiba Empire

• Gift-giving Ceremony

Expanded info on the Tribes

• The Ways of the Ayakashi Tribe (player content)
• Brief summary of the Hikaru
• The Ways of the Hikaru Tribe (player content)
• Customs of the Shoji Tribe
• The Ways of the Takemori Tribe
• The Ways of the Seidou Tribe (player content)

Expanded info on the new Families

• The Teachings of the Jin Family's founder
• The Three Questions of Jin
• The Teachings of the Wu Family's founder
• The Teachings of the Saru Family's founder
• The founding of the Nanzi Family
• Preface to the Divine Blade
• Excerpt from the Divine Blade
• Kaze's Doctrine

Agasha's Journals

• The First Journal

The Kolat

• Willow Sect

Stories

• The Fall of Kintsuki
• The Princess That Wore A Rabbit-Skin Dress
• Hachirou Battles Guren
• Nanzi And The South Winds
• The Oasis
• Nanzi's Visions
• Ballad of Brave Heart Yasuragi
• Nanzi
• Tale of Ryoshi
• Four Stories of the Origin of Man
• Song of Creation
• The Song of Yemon and Uguisu
• For Doji
• The Tale of Seika and Kimimasa
• The Monkey King
• How Sora Tells A Story
• The White Bear-King
• Carried Away By The Wind
• Kaminari and Sunder
• The Warrior, The Monk, The Priesstess, And A Rock
• Nanzi and The Bone King
• The Kami's Fall

[Togashi Saruko]

The Fall of Kintsuki

Subject: [D1 - LM] To be of Service (open)

"Of course, of course," she scooted a little off to the side to make room for the wanderer.

"Now let's see..." Yuki mused as she rubbed her chin.

"Once upon a time, before the time of the tribes today, the world was less organized and it was a time of myth and legend. Where the home of the Ayakashi lies today, the man named Kintsuki was lord of the forests and vales. His sword was like starlight and his face fair, and he treated animal and folk all with kindness and respect. The folk and creatures of the forest and vale admired him and was considered their warden and leader."

"However, his presence could not be eternal. And as he saw shadows growing to the south, from the kingdoms of trolls and ogres, he knew that he would have to protect those who were so very dear to him; every soul and spirit of the bountiful land."

"It was with great sorrow that he left the forest and vale, and even greater was the sorrow for those he left behind. As a parting gift, the yosei of the land bestowed upon him a helmet with a shine like silver, but as hard as boiled leather and bronze, to protect him and to bring the light of his land to the darkness of the south."

"It is said that the light of his helmet was seen from afar as he travelled to the south, shining brightly through the darkness and across the great distances. But in the south was also where the light was extinguished, and he was never to return - but the darkness dispersed and the trolls and ogres did not move further north, for they would not dare to face others like Kintsuki."

"And so today, we still remember him in song."

It was a weird change, as she concluded the tale with the song, and it didn't exactly make it all work. Maybe it was the Ayakashi-style, or her own personal style?

"Kintsuki was the forest's king.
Of him the rivers sadly sing;
his land of peace was fair and free
between the mountains and the sea.

His sword was long, its blade was keen.
His shining helm afar was seen;
the countless stars of heaven's field
were mirrored in his weapon's sheen.

But long ago he went away,
and where he dwelleth none can say;
for into darkness fell his star
in the south where the shadows are."

[Togashi Saruko]

The Princess That Wore a Rabbit-Skin Dress

Subject: [Day - LE] Tales from the Hood

"Once upon a time, long ago before the tribes today, there was a beautiful woman who led her own tribe. She had bonded a handsome man and they were blessed with a child they named Usagi. However the man soon died, and the woman found a new partner, only for tragedy to strike once more and claim the man's life. Some years later, she found a third man to share with her the life of parenthood and to lead the tribe. But he was a cruel and abusive man, and she soon became very sick. He promised the woman he would not be bound again unless the next woman was as beautiful as her."

"She died, and after her death, he search everywhere for a woman suitable to bond with, but could find no one. He soon realized that the only woman who qualified was his wife’s young daughter, Usagi. Usagi, however, was a clever young girl, and knew she did not want to be bonded with this man."


"To avoid her step-father, princess Usagi asked him for a special wedding gift. She asked for a silver robe like the moon, a robe with pearls and diamonds that was dazzling like the stars, and a golden shimmering robe like the sun. The first took one year and six months to make, the second two years and six months, and the last took three years and six months. Lastly, once all was made, she asked for a plain robe made of rabbit fur, and this was made quickly, for it was not a clothing of beauty or awe. The night before the ceremony, she took a golden ring, a spindle, and a reel, and left her home, wearing the rabbit-furs over the fine robes that had been made for her. The young Usagi lived in the forest not far from her home of a neighbouring tribe, until she was found by the prince of the tribe who watched over the forest as he went hunting."

"She was given the task of preparing food for the tribesfolk, and the other folk making food ridiculed her by telling her that all she needs are rabbit ears to become a true rabbit. The prince held a feast one night, and she sneaked to the festivities to join the dance, dressed in her silver robes. The prince fell in love with her, and next morning she slipped the golden ring into his soup. When he asked the cooks, everyone denied having placed the ring in his food, including the girl in the rabbit skin dress. For the next feast, the young princess Usagi went again dressed in her pearl and diamond robes and spoke to him all night. The next day, she slipped the spindle into his food again. Yet still, the prince could not find the culprit. For the third feast, she went in her shimmering gold robes and danced all night with the prince. As they danced, he placed the ring onto her finger with out her noticing, and he also made the feast last a little longer than usual."

"Because of this, the girl had to hurry to the kitchens and did not get enough time to change. So she threw her rabbit skin robes over the gold and prepared the prince’s soup. When she handed him the food, he caught her hand and found the ring on her finger. She pulled away in shock and her plain rabbit furs slipped slightly, revealing a peak of her golden robes. He pulled the mantle off, and her dress was exposed. Knowing her identity, he confessed his love for her, and the two were bonded as soul-mates. Together, they put an end to her cruel step-father, and united their two tribes in harmony."

[Togashi Saruko]

Hachirou Battles Guren

Subject: (D2, EE) Casual Event: Tasty Booze

"Nanzi requests a tale," Shirayuki chuckled, reaching for a round of new drink. "And a tale I shall tell! A tale of heroism, of great strength, of a terrible beast, and of battle - allow me to tell the tale of Hachirou and the gruesome Guren! So make sure your mugs are full, and listen in."

The Ayakashi storyteller stepped up on the table, to draw the attention - and hopefully return the room to its original intention of carousing.

"Let me tell you the tale of Hachirou, the strongest of the Ayakashi to ever live. Our greatest hero who crossed the great sea twice, once for a swimming contest, the second to answer the call for an unparallelled hero to defeat a terrible monster that was plaguing the great hall of the island-king O-Yari.

O-Yari was a wealthy man, ruling all of the island across the sea, and he and his tribe had quelled many of the dangers that lived on the island. This had also made him a proud and arrogant man, and as a testament to his own pride he built the greatest feast hall ever seen in this land or on the island, and he called it Oshika, named after the great buck he felled that year and its majestic antlers that decorated its entrance. Every night, O-Yari threw great feasts of drinking and music, celebrating himself and his many victories. The sound of carousing and merrymaking was heard far and wide across the island. However, not all that lurked in the shadows on the island had been vanquished, and not all liked this noise and disturbance.

One such being was Guren, a terrible beast that stood taller than the tallest man on two legs. His powerful arm ended in clawed hands that were longer and sharper than daggers. A creature born of union of an ogre and a dark creature from a world beyond our own. His skin harder than hardened leather and forged bronze. And when he heard the boisterous celebrations of the humans, his hunger for human-flesh grew until he could bear it no more. Shrouded in darkness, in the cover of night, he burst into Oshika during its revelries, his strong claws lashing out and tearing through men as if they were not made of flesh and blood, but of wind and grass, dragging one helpless man with him to devour him.

Guren's attack but a damper on the feasts, and they roamed the island to find his lair and put an end to the beast, but even whe they found his hiding place they could not follow him for it was a cave hidden in deep water, and they dared not swim into the beast's domain where he would have the advantage over them. But weeks passed and there were no more attacks, and so they resumed - beginning with a hearty wake to those lost where much wine and beer flowed. But tragedy struck again, as Guren returned once more to exact terrible violence upon the feast hall.

Years passed and every time they dared to hold a celebration, be it for unions, births, the dead, or the turnings of the season or the changes of the moon, Guren would return and leave death in his wake. A dark shadow fell over O-Yari's land and the feast hall became a place to be feared rather than a place of merriment, and the terrible story of Oshika's deadly enemy spread across the water to the land, where Hachirou heard of this terrible creature and resolved to rid the world of its terror. It was a treacherous journey, to cross the sea, but he did it without fear and arrived to the island in its time of need.

O-Yari had once known Hachirou's father, and welcome the noble and brave young man with open arms, glad that someone had come that would dare to face the gruesome Guren. However, O-Yari's son, Ookami, did not put faith in Hachirou, doubting he could truly face such a dangerous foe, and confronted Hachirou about this a tale he had heard. "I heard you lost a swimming contest to a man from the mountains", Ookami sneered, and Hachirou admitted it and spoke with truth; "It's true, much to my shame, I did lose the contest. The great Yamanaka and I had been neck and neck, swimming for a week against the fierce waves, wearing our heavy bronze armor. But in my defense, I was slightly slowed down in our race by the nine seamonsters I had to fight and kill along the way!" Hachirou's confident speech and sincerity squashed any doubt remaining.

"But how will you defeat Guren?" they asked. "Well, from what I have heard, this creature fights not with weapons but with bare claws, and wears no clothing or armor, so it is only fitting that I, as a true warrior, face this beast on equal footing. I shall require no weapon or armor in this task!" Though stunned, O-Yari and his warriors cheered for such admirable bravery and the coming night would be the first festivity in a long time in the hall of Oshika!

And the night came, and sleep fell on the exhausted celebrants, but Hachirou slept lightly with one eye open near the great door to the hall, undressed and unarmed, ready for the danger to come. And come it did, as Hachirou could smell the foul stench of the beast on the night-wind as he walked up to Oshika's doors, and then he could hear its heavy footsteps, sinking into the earth as if it could not fully support its massive weight, and then he heard its excited breath that lusted for blood and flesh of men. But he remained still, waiting for the beast to show itself before he would spring into action. The door opened, and the stone floor reverberated from the footsteps of Guren, approaching the naked man sleeping on the floor not far away, for the creature, cruel as it was, was not clever enough to see that it was a trap!

And a trap it was! Hachirou sprung into action, moving as swift and light as a bee, but his strength was like a bear! Guren tore through the air after him, but Hachirou was much too fast for the beast, and too clever for it too, as he could see that there was no technique or finesse to Guren's attacks. "Very well, let us see which one of us is the strongest!" he declared as he charged at Guren, knocking him down and overpowering him with all his might. The two grappled, and Guren's claws managed to sink into Hachirou's naked skin, but it was not enough to stop the great Hachirou in his assault, as he finally managed to lock one of Guren's arms between his legs. And he heaved, and he pulled, and with a great powerful rend, the gruesome Guren's arm was ripped from his body as Hachirou disarmed him - in the most literal sense of the word! The creature howled in pain, and with his remaining arm clawed his way free and he dashed out into the night, for once leaving only his own blood and pain behind rather than death of O-Yari's people.

The sound of the battle had awaken every soul and soon enough they all filled into the hall of Oshika where they saw Hachirou holding the torn arm of the terrible terror that had plagued them for so long, and they rejoiced, for Guren would not be seen again in Oshika!

There is much more to Hachirou's tale, but that is how he defeated the man-eating threat of Guren in the hall of Oshika!"

[Togashi Saruko]

Nanzi and the South Winds

“Nanzi is many things,” he said with a smirk.

Nanzi greeted the rest and then settled into his tale with a drink of spirits as he stood before the flames. He spoke with vigor, “Nanzi wil tell you the story of when he met the God of the South Wind in the lands where the sea is naught but sand and rocks but vast as the ocean. Mighty dunes roll along the land like waves and in this place dwelled a palace of colored glass where the God of South Wind made his lair.”

“Nanzi had traveled many leagues, his pouches thin with water, his throat parched from the sun. He stumbled and fell down a mighty dune nd laid at the steps of the Glass Palace, Nanzi rose to his feet and entered the cool halls and found delights and sights that defied words.”

“Until he came before the throne of the Mighty God of the South Wind, a curled serpent made of clouds and lightnings and it spoke loudly demanding why Nanzi had intruded on his home. Poor Nanzi was tired and hungry, and he asked for a place to sleep but this God was mighty and haughty… most prideful.”

“The God scorned him and ordered him to leave. But Nanzi is two times clever and knew that most Gods love a challenge so Nanzi challenged the God of the South Wind to a race to the edge of the fire stained sands at the base of the mountains,” he said crouching by the fire speaking darkly.

“The God agreed and asked for terms, Nanzi spoke defiantly if he wins he would be allowed to rest and eat his fill and if the God won, he would be banished and allowed to leave these lands in peace. The mighty God agreed and so the race began!”

Nanzi made a whooshing sound and then continued, “Nanzi ran some ways but stopped and returned to the palace, he drank deeply of the spirits, ate his fill of sweet meats and even snatched a pretty necklace befre he settled into a warm bed and rested.”

“The mighty God of the Wind waited a day at the edge of the desert before he returned to his palace to find Nanzi sleeping soundly and roused him. Nanzi yawned and said well I guess you win mighty God of the Winds.”

Nanzi grinned and finished, “Nanzi gathered his things and bowed graciously to the South Wind and made his way to colder lands in peace. The South Wind was angry but bound by his word and had to honor his word. Nanzi speaks these words, and these words are true.”

[Togashi Saruko]

The Oasis

Hantei was not so graceful with words as his sister but he was better than most at easing the worries of those around him "I promise to you we are here to help your people move forward but I am sure there are things you all can show us as well."

Nanzi stepped forward and said kindly, “Lord Hantei, honored tribes, this one is Nanzi, late prince of the People of the Mountains that burn with Fire. Out holdings are far beyond these lands, ten thousand steps or more, Nanzi walks alone now, but was brought to this place by a vision.”

Nanzi took a drink of beer and then added, “Nanzi’s ears are mischievous things and heard the words you gave and the words received. The ways of the Gods that walk as Men do is beyond us, Nanzi has no doubt.”

“Nanzi would offer a story as a gift for Lord Hantei, these are the words and these words are true. Far from these lands there is a place where the sun bakes the land dry and in this place dwelled a powerful lion whose mane was bright and crimson, it was the king of the land, young and fierce,” he started.

“These lands were thirsty for water and the Lion had not drank deeply in some time when he came upon a small oasis of water, on the other side he saw a pack of wolf-dogs. The Lion did not roar but calmly explained to these wolf-dogs that it needed the water to stay strong but the wolf-dogs replied that they needed it even more for they were many!”

“They argued in this way until the sun was high overhead and the sand and clay was at it’s hottest under their paws. Both sides were growing tired as they howled and roared their arguments. Overhead greedy vulture-birds watched hungrily as the Sun sapped the strength of these hunters… to the point that one screeched with glee that they would feast well that night.”

Nanzi finished with, “The Lion and wolf-dogs both looked up and realized that if they continued they would be not but vulture-food and decided to share their bounty. It was not an easy solution but with time all benefited and none went without.”

“Nanzi speaks these words, and these words are true,” he added filling his cup with more brew.

[Togashi Saruko]

Nanzi's Vision

Nanzi smiled and stood and tossed a log on the fire and said, “This one is Nanzi and these are his words and these words are true. Nanzi was far from these lands deep in the mountains that know only snow and ice, hunting a predator cat that had caused problems for a tribe. Nanzi crept slowly through the snow, quiet as the dark Moon.”

Nanzi crouched as he spoke and continued, “The night sky was dark and cloudy and the North wind howled, Nanzi made sure to stay down wind of his prey… for three nights and a day he hunted and now the time was nearing… Nanzi burst from the bushes with bow in hand and allowed an arrow to fly!”

“Thwack deep in the shoulder of the predator cat, Nanzi drew another arrow but the predator cat was quicker and pounced on Nanzi and they tumbled down the mountain and then over the edge… and Nanzi fell, it seemed like hours before Nanzi crashed into the river below… Predator cat still pawing and scratching!”

“Nanzi slid his knife free and gave several stabs until the creature grew still… and the water now was a new threat as it threatened to sap Nanzi’s strength, Nanzi is little god but even this was all too much! Nanzi pulled himself from the waters and into a dark cave but his strength finally failed and Nanzi fell into a deep sleep.”

Nanzi stood to his full height and continued, “In this dream that was as real as Nanzi speaking to you now he saw the Hill of the Seppun and above it the Sun bright and beautiful. Then tears rained down and hit the land with such thunder! One landed near Nanzi in a forested clearing and so Nanzi rose to his feet, for in the dream he was whole and unharmed.”

“Nanzi saw laying in the clearing a most beautiful creature, she was beyond any beauty Nanzi has seen unto then. She rose delicately and spoke to Nanzi but Nanzi could not understand and she smiled sadly instead. Nanzi spoke to her but she did not understand him and yet in time we found a way to converse and even learn. She said she was one of many a Child of Sun and Moon, and if Nanzi had not seen her fall he may have questioned it but she spoke true and with great Sincerity,” he said with a smirk.

“For four nights and a day we walked the lands and spoke at length and she taught him the names of all things in her divine tongue. Nanzi learned all he could, when she spoke her lips formed words of beauty and they demanded Nanzi to listen and understand and so he did. On the final day she stood on the Hill of Seppun and gave Nanzi a final request.”

Nanzi finished with, “She said in her way, find me Nanzi, find me and my kin, we Children of Sun and Moon, on the Hill you shall know us and you shall see.”

Nanzi then added after taking a drink, “Nanzi was roused from his sleep and bandaged his wounds. Nanzi now knew the path he would take. Nanzi walked ten thousand steps, and Nanzi would walk ten thousand more… if he could only be the man to fall down at her door.”

“Nanzi speaks the words, and these words are true,” he said with a bow.

OOC: Feel free if you enter the thread afterwards to have heard the tale, if you like.

[Togashi Saruko]

Ballad of Brave Heart Yasuragi

“Ah!”

Nanzi finished a cup and jumped up onto the table, “Lend me your ears for Nanzi has tale to say! Nanzi speaks the words and these words are true!”

“So Nanzi had finished his morning meal when he heard a powerful clash of metal on metal! Battle! Nanzi ran quick as a fox and came upon Akodo-kami locked in battle with Brave Heart Yasuragi! Their swords clashed like thunder, the sparks nearly blinding poor Nanzi.”

Nanzi affected a calm but stern look and spoke with a deeper voice imitating Akodo, “You cannot win this fight, admit defeat.”

Then Nanzi turned and affected a more feminine tone in response, “It does not matter, my sword is powerful if it takes a hundred days I will best you!”

Nanzi grinned and continued his normal voice, “So Akodo looked at this brave warrior and Nanzi swears the world grew still, even the ants paused to gaze at the perfection of the moment. Akodo’s blade flashed and Brave Heart Yasuragi could not fend off the powerful attack.”

“Yet she did not relent! Brave Heart Yasuragi charged forward and her blade slipped past the impossible defenses of Akodo-kami, I swear it as I see you now! Her blade kissed his cheek like a lover and left it’s mark!”

He then affected his Akodo impression and said, “Satisfactory.” He then acted as if he was sheathing a sword. Nanzi continued his normal voice and said, “Brave Heart Yasuragi had proven her skill, peerless, even the Gods recognize her ability. Nanzi speaks these words, and these words are true.”

[Togashi Saruko]

Nanzi

Subject: [Day 2 - LA] Yass Queen

Nanzi felt small having doubted her, it was a gentle rebuke that brought warmth to his cheeks. He placed the tip of the fan in his left hand to signal his agreement to tell his tale after a lengthy pause to collect his thoughts.

He spoke calmly, “Nanzi speaks these words, and these words are true. Ten thousand steps, and ten thousand more in the Mountains that Burn with Fire there is a tribe of people who once lived in the protected lands. They were raiders and conquerors who took what they needed, but time came when their rivals rose up against them and they left these lands. They settled in the mountains to herd goats and ply their trade of banditry. Life was good, plunder was plenty and the people prospered.”

“The leader of these people was a fierce woman, Nushihime; a terror of the mountains and sands it was at her side that Nanzi learned the ways of swordplay, the ways of the bow, and how to hunt, Nanzi was prince to be although he had a sister, Yuko older by half she was born under a bad moon, not well liked,” he said.

“At that time Nanzi was known as Ananzi in honor of father, Hadananzi but he died when young. Told he was dark traveler from the sands, perhaps Nanzi look like him, perhaps not, mother… sister, family more like people here than Nanzi.”

He paused and then drew in a deep breath, “Mother was strong but even so, raid went bad and she was mortally wounded, Ananzi was but ten or twelve summers when he watched mother die. Her pyre burned for two days and a night, Ananzi watched till last flame went out.”

“Ananzi return to tribe and they knew it was time to choose new leader, Ananzi was young not ready to lead and Yuko was cruel and two times crafty, she bewitched his kin and they tried to kill Ananzi. Ananzi take mother’s sword and bow and left. Tribe gave Nanzi parting gift,” he lowered his top to expose his right shoulder where there was a scar.

“Arrow, piece still in there,” he said before pulling the top back up.

“Nanzi traveled the sands, the mountains and the sea… went to the edge of the world where the gray giants live, with mighty curved tusks. Nanzi has been poisoned and laid in the desert for seven days and a night, his soul deep in the land of the dead, but Nanzi was two times crafty and found his way back.”

“Nanzi have many adventures some were good, some did not end so well, but Nanzi can never return home just as Doji-kami cannot go home. Nanzi would still be alone if not for the vision he had… high in the mountains while hunting a predator cat.”

He continued, “Nanzi was able to fell the creature but it knocked Nanzi off the mountain into a freezing river. Nanzi pulled himself free but collapsed in a dark place. Death should have taken Nanzi. Instead Nanzi found himself near the Hill of Seppun and above the Sun wept and tears fell from the sky. One fell close to Nanzi and he approached and it was the most beautiful site he would ever see… until now.”

“She spoke to Nanzi in your words, and in time Nazi learned to speak the words, he knows the words as well as he knows the taste of cold water, as well as his eyes can guide an arrow. As if Nanzi has known them since birth, and before the dream ended she said to Nanzi to seek her and her siblings on the Hill. Find the Children of Sun and Moon, and so Nanzi has come.”

He finished with, “Nanzi speaks these are the words and these words are true.”

Nanzi then added, “Nanzi has seen enough blood, enough suffering. Nanzi wishes to dedicate his life to sharing good tales, inspire others to be greater than they know they can be. There is beauty and potential in this world, under a proper authority that beauty and our potential can be realized. Then perhaps Nanzi can finally be home.”

[Togashi Saruko]

Subject: Collected Stories

The Tale of Ryoshi

Inari's own amber eyes seemed to delight a bit, as if weighing his next words. "We have had many tales, of members of the tribe who have gone on to have a long time with the kitsune foxwives. Children with strange traits, once their mothers flit off to Chikushudo again.

There is a tale among the tribe of a man named Ryoshi who had the keenest eye among all the hunters in the tribe. He would often go for days at a time into the thickest of woods and return with the choicest game for the chief and his closest family. It seemed like he could talk to the spirits of the animals themselves to find the faintest game trail. He would always thank the spirits of the animals for their sacrifice for the tribe.

It was as he returned from a hunt one day that there was the fairest maiden waiting for him, with clear yellow eyes, pure white hair and delicate features that seemed to have been sculpted from the very clay of the earth itself. She was waiting in his bed, with only the blanket from his tatami covering her curves. Their night was long and tender.... and when they woke up he found a white-furred fox in the empty room.

But this fox did not leave, did not steal his possessions... with a look from the kitsune Ryoshi knew that she had actually stolen his heart. She shifted back to her human form, a living divine image. She reached out to take his hand, and the days seemed to blur as the heated nights continued. She would help him find more choice game, and he found small treasures for her to decorate her home with.

Even when her belly became fuller and fuller did she not leave him, though she would stay in her human form, making ready for the kit in her belly. When the youn boy was born, she faded into the spirit realm, leaving him to raise his son alone. She would still visit from time to time however, appearing to Ryoshi's bed in the same way, covered in only his simple blanket...."

[Togashi Saruko]

Four Stories of the Origin of Man

Subject: Monk-ey Business (D2, LA)

"I can tell you all the stories I know about that," she nodded with some excitement, because this was a subject she was more comfortable with! Getting comfortable in her seat, the storyteller began to share the stories she knew with the divine Togashi.

The first story said that humans had been created by the ancient five who ruled the land before mankind; the kenku of air, the copper goblins of earth, the sea-folks of water, the nobles trolls of fire - this was a time before they became malicious and cruel -, and the feline kitsu of the void. The five races had decided to work together to create something to rival the sun, moon, and stars, and they constructed the first humans from wood from deep within the earth. Each of these constructs were imbued with the elements of each race, and when their job was complete the sun turned dark in shock as the humans came to life for the first time. However, the five races quarreled amongst themselves of what the purpose of their creation would be, and watching their creators fight and bicker, the humans thus believed this was to be the way of the world and this is why there is conflict in the world. The five races became their own undoing and many of them have now retreated to other places. The sea-folk disappeared into the depths of the sea, the kenku and kitsu crossed over into other realms, the trolls lost the balance from the other four and became violent and brutish, and the copper-goblins dug themselves deep into the mountains where they look for gold, silver, bronze, and jade.

The second story said that the humans came from the stars. Or rather, that the first humans had been stars that fell from the heavens, much the same way that an acorn falls from a tree, and they too were wrapped in protective shell. These shells were believed to be eggs by the snake-people of the previous era, and they had taken the eggs into their dwellings to protect them in anticipation that the star-eggs would one day crack open. However, the snake-people grew lazy and bored, and stopped caring for the heavenly eggs which earned them the wrath of the Heavens. And it was with their own life-essence, taken from them as they fell into a deep slumber, that the first humans awakened and opened their eggs, stepping into the world that was now theirs, scattering like the wind to see and explore.

In the Ayakashi-tribe, one of the more popular stories was that the first humans were not humans at all, but animals given human form by the Sun and Moon because they had shown great care in tending to the world that had been created. But when the animals took human form, they were acting out with eachother and indulding in all the things animals do when they have everything they want. The Sun and Moon were offended by this and wanted to destroy them, but the Stars stepped in on the humans behalf, pleading that they did not know any better because they had only been given toys rather than tools. And so they pleaded for the humans to be given souls, for which to tie them to the divine so that they would understand the world, and they were given language to speak, and they were given virtues to aspire to; strength, love, wisdom, contentment, honest work, wealth, and good health. Even with these virtues, there are still occassions where the beastial origins take hold of a person, leading to more base instincts and behaviour.

Another story say that humans were made by the Moon, in an effort to impress the Sun, who is the giver of life and the one who makes things grow. When the Moon was working his hardest, he was all aglow in the night sky, almost as bright as the sun, and this is how he made the physical form of human, for our bones reflect the whiteness of the fullmoon. The mind of human was made as his light began to wane, making them all different, shifting, and unconstant. When his light faded completely, nothing he did would work and he grew frustrated that he could not bring them to life as the Sun would feed warmth and life into the world otherwise. And so the Moon decided to steal the Sun's power for himself, and one day when the Sun was high in the sky, the Moon appeared before her and stole her light and warmth for a few moments, but a few moments was all he needed to bring life to humans. But to his dismay, as the light of the Sun returned as her powers came back, the humans turned away from him and his darkness and sought the comfort of the Sun and her light. This made the Moon angry and he put a curse on the humans he had made - for you see, the first humans were all women, as the Moon had tried to replicate the beauty of the Sun in his creation, and this is how the women of the world all must suffer the Moon's wrath as the faces of the Moon changes throughout the year. The Sun could not dispel the curse, but she could, in her mercy, make something good of it, and some of the first humans were changed by her power to become men, and the Moon's curse came with the Sun's blessing of giving life.

"I have heard variants of these stories, but these seem to be the ones I have heard the most." Her smile turned a bit sheepish now. "... I didn't think of how odd it would be to be telling some of these stories to someone like yourself, who might find them to be rather odd?"

[Togashi Saruko]

Song of Creation

Subject: [Day 4 - LM] Nanzi's Storyhour Brunch

Nanzi smiled at Two Tooth Liyang, and inquired about how the fishing had been going and of course it was poorly but Two Tooth Liyang was a pessimistic soul. He visited with Bountiful Iyuna, a woman of many talents with large tracts of bountiful land. She had allowed Nanzi to borrow her needles in return for several bundles of chopped wood and a charming smile. He heard the boasts of Big Hand Gen, and of course he was already working on his fourth cup of brew so early in the morning. The regulars that gathered were colorful and varied and Nanzi did his best to greet them all before he settle into telling his tale.


Nanzi spoke, “Nanzi speaks these words and these words are true, in the beginning of all things there was nothing but the void. The void was endless and there was darkness and in this darkness something woke up, she, for that is how it saw itself, had no form, no face but she knew herself. So for a long time she was the void and the void was her, she tried to speak to the void and even without a mouth she had a song and with this song created the first bits of light in the void, this surprised her and she gave voice to another song and more lights appeared.”

“She sang more and created the Great Turtle that carried the world on its back and then gave voice to all of creation and then sang into being all ten thousand things of creation. Her voice gave reality to all the realms of the spirits, and she finished with Tengoku, first making Lady Sun and then Lord Moon… by then her voice had grown strained and she could speak only at a whisper.”

“Lady Sun and Lord Moon went about and named all the things of creation and made sure all was in its proper place, they named the water, the stars, the birds, and the trees… they named mankind and the ogres and trolls and the other creatures of the world. They returned to their palace in Tegoku and believed they had named all things but the whisper in the darkness. Lord Moon heard it and tried to find the nameless whisper but could not and conceded that it was nothing and turned to his wife and begat beautiful children ten in number.”

Nanzi continued, “The whisper grew angry at being spurned by her own creation and cursed Lord Moon, his mood changing with his many faces giving him madness. The madness grew until one day Lord Moon swore at his children for conspiring against him and swallowed them all but Hantei who was hidden by Lady Sun, in his place was an enchanted stone to look like Hantei.”

“Time passed and Hantei grew into a powerful kami and challenged his Father, they dueled for ten thousand and one days, every strike cracking the earth forever the face of creation. Hantei finally struck a mighty blow and sliced Lord Moon’s bloated stomach and his siblings tumbled out! The last to fall reached for his brother in fear and Hantei tumbled as well into the mortal realm… they fell for ten thousand days and landed on the Hill of the Seppun.”

Nanzi finished, “Nanzi speaks these words and these words are true.”

[Togashi Saruko]

The Song of Yemon and Uguisu

Subject: [D5 EA] Kami Event: Enlightenment

As most had left, or finished their expressions of understanding, so too did Shirayuki express her own understanding, through song rather than story.

The leaves were long, the grass was green,
The hemlock-umbels tall and fair,
And in the glade a light was seen
Of stars in shadow shimmering.
Uguisu was dancing there
To music of a pipe unseen,
And light of stars was in her hair,
And in her raiment glimmering.

There Yemon came from mountains cold,
And lost he wandered under leaves,
And where the sylvan river rolled
He walked alone and sorrowing.
He peered between the hemlock-leaves
And saw in wonder flowers of gold
Upon her mantle and her sleeves,
And her hair like shadow following.

Enchantment healed his weary feet
That over hills were doomed to roam;
And forth he hastened, strong and fleet,
And grasped at moonbeams glistening.
Through woven woods of her fox's home
She lightly fled on dancing feet,
And left him lonely still to roam
In the silent forest listening.

He heard there oft the flying sound
Of feet as light as linden-leaves,
Or music welling underground,
In hidden hollows quavering.
Now withered lay the hemlock-sheaves,
And one by one with sighing sound
Whispering fell the beachen leaves
In the wintry woodland wavering.

He sought her ever, wandering far
Where leaves of years were thickly strewn,
By light of moon and ray of star
In frosty heavens shivering.
Her mantle glinted in the moon,
As on a hill-top high and far
She danced, and at her feet was strewn
A mist of silver quivering.

When winter passed, she came again,
And her song released the sudden spring,
Like rising lark, and falling rain,
And melting water bubbling.
He saw the spirit flowers spring
About her feet, and healed again
He longed by her to dance and sing
Upon the grass untroubling.

Again she fled, but swift he came.
Uguisu! Uguisu!
He called her by her truest name;
And there she halted listening.
The moment paused, their gaze met true
His voice laid on her: Yemon came,
And fate fell on Uguisu
That in his arms lay glistening.

As Yemon looked into her eyes
Within the shadows of her hair,
The trembling starlight of the skies
He saw there mirrored shimmering.
Uguisu the fox so fair,
Immortal spirit, old and wise,
About him cast her shadowy hair
And arms like silver glimmering.

Long was the way that fate them bore,
O'er stony mountains cold and grey,
Through halls of bronze and darkling door,
And woods of nightshade morrowless.
The realms so vast between them lay,
And yet at last they met once more,
And long ago they passed away
In the forest singing sorrowless.

[Togashi Saruko]

For Doji

Subject: Collected Stories

-Untitled-

Are we living in a dream world?
Are your eyes still serene girl?
Your heart and mind, Doji follow it
Smile, happiness, you could model it,
And when you feel opposite,
I just want you to know...
Your whole being is beautiful!
I'm going to do the best I can do,
Cause I'm the best when I'm with you.

Though this love may hurt a bit,
I just want to nurture it.
I want to build a Clan with you,
Protect and provide for you,
Truth is I can't hide from you
The rogue in me, may have to die with you.

Come close to me Doji,
Let your love hold you,
I know this mortal world is crazy,
What's it without you...

[Togashi Saruko]

The Tale of Seika and Kimimasa

Subject: [D7 LA] Kami Event: Dango Yori Hana

The Ayakashi storyteller was there, of course, and with a flourish she stepped forward. "Let me share the tale of Seika and his beloved Kimimasa. A tale of love, but also of sorrow." And Shirayuki's voice rang with its usual enthusiasm and confidence.

"A long, long time ago, when the realms where still close, and humans and spirits both lived together, there lived a singer of the most sublime voice. His name was Seika, and his musical lyrics could make trees grow and flowers bloom; and when he played his harp along with his song, even those who lived in the Celestial Heavens would stop and pause to listen, for so moved were they by the perfection of Seika's voice.

And he would find true love with the beautiful Kimimasa, a princess of the northern mountains who had been blessed by the powers of love and beauty. When Seika would play his music, she would dance, and together they captivated the hearts and souls of those who saw them together, for so harmonious were their talents.

So on an appointed auspicious day, Seika and Kimimasa were to be bound, their union sanctified and celebrated. And celebrated they did, and both people and spirits came from afar to join in with the festivities! For seven days the celebrations were to last, with wine, song, and dance... however, on the fourth day, their blissful fate would take a dark turn.

For there was another who desired Kimimasa. The man known as Hachi, who was the greatest hunter in the land, had set his eyes on Kimimasa, and as he saw her dance to Seika's music during the festivities, he could not control himself. And so he decided to lure her away.
"Fair dancer, come this way. I saw in the glade here a flower never seen before; consider it my wedding gift to you!" he said to the beautiful dancer, for he knew she loved the wonders of the world and the flowers in it. Kimimasa, so full of delight and joy, saw no reason to distrust Hachi, and followed him... away from Seika, away from the party, to the outskirts of a glade.

It was here that she realised that it had been a trap, as Hachi attempted to overwhelm her, though he did not expect the dancer to be as fleet of foot as a hare and she eluded his attempts. But she was frightened, and ran heedlessly into the glade to flee the hunter. Her panic grew more and more as Hachi gave chase, and in her distress she did not watch her step - and a viper, startled by her flight, lashed out and bit her ankle. The poison coursed through her, and she collapsed. Her breath began to fade when Hachi found her, and he became overwhelmed with guilt and shame, for had it not been for him, this would not have happened! Carrying the limp Kimimasa in his arms, Hachi hurried back to the party, hoping - praying! - that someone there could help her. Alas, she drew her last breath the moment Seika rushes to her side.

So great was his grief that when he sang his mournful song, the sky rained for days and days. The animals and the spirits of the forest wept too, for Kimimasa had been beloved by them all. Seika's sorrow reached far, into the heights of the Heavens themselves, until one of the heavenly houou could no longer bear it. It flew down from the Heavens to speak with Seika, and it told him that not all hope was lost. "If I could give up my existence for her to end your grief, I would," spoke the bird, "but I cannot, but I know of a way. Not all hope is lost yet!"

The houou told him of a passage that led to the realm of the dead, and warned him of the Lord and Lady that ruled this realm. "The Lord is not a cruel man, and neither is his Lady, but they are dedicated to upholding the laws of the universe - of death, life, and rebirth. But if your feelings are true, you may be able to stir their hearts like they have stirred the very Heavens themselves." Emboldened by these words, Seika buried his grief for now and resolved to rescue his love from death itself.

The journey itself was difficult beyond words, but he would not be deterred, even when he arrived at the entrance that lead to the realm of death. Even when the cold of the underworld seeped into his bones, he carried on and drew strength from the soothing sounds of his harp. Indeed, the sound of the harp kept any dangers that lurked within at bay for the dead were so confused by these overwhelming feelings of sorrow that should have left them when their lifeforce did.

The grey and misty passageway brought Seika to the great hall of the Lord and Lady of the realm, and the Lord spoke to him. "You have upset the peace of this realm. This realm is for the dead, not the living. It is a place of peaceful rest for souls before they move on, and your music has disturbed this peace, leaving my subjects confused and sorrowed." And his Lady asked; "Why have you come here? There must be a good reason."

Seika sat down with his legs crossed and the harp in his lap. "My Lord, my Lady, I come to you in great sorrow. For my beloved Kimimasa was called to this realm when a viper bit her, during a time of great celebration when our life together was supposed to begin. Without her, my life has no meaning, and I beseech you; return her to the realm of the living." And when it seemed like the Lord and Lady hesitated in granting him his request, Seika's fingers moved across the strings of his harp and began to sing. Never before had a more beautiful and sad song been heard. All the dead began to weep. On the living lands above, flowers closed, and no bird sang. First the Lady began to cry, and soon too did the Lord.

"Enough," the Lord said, his voice shaking. "You will have your wish." And the Lady spoke; "but it will not be easy. Return to your world the way you came, singer, and your beloved will follow behind you. However, you must not speak, or make a sound, and you must never, never look back. If you can pass out through the gateway without breaking these rules, then she will be standing before you again, alive and healthy."

Overjoyed was the singer and he readily agreed. For he could do anything for his love. And after paying his respects to the Lord and Lady of the dead, he began the trek back the same way he came, the sound of the lamentation of the dead still lingering in the realm as he walked away. As he began the long walk back in silence, he felt worry... and the cold seemed much stronger now that he did not have his music to keep his spirits up. Was she really following behind him? He couldn't hear anything anymore except for the distant sounds of the winds above at the gateway. He could not feel her presence at all. Not her warmth, not her scent, not her radiant being.

Seika could see the exit, but his mind had become consumed with fear. Had he done all this for naught? He had to know! And so... he turned around.

To his horror, he saw the transparent form of Kimimasa, beautiful even in death. And tears flowed down her cheeks as she saw him. "Why... why?" she cried, and her spirit slipped away... the great force that is death pulled her back to the underworld. And like that she was gone. Seika had lost his beloved because of his fear."

[Togashi Saruko]

The Monkey King

Subject: Spirited (A)way (D4, EA)

"Hmm..." she pondered for a moment. "Very well then, since you're not familiar with the tale of the Monkey King, I shall have to share."

Yuki cleared her throat, before beginning with the rhyme to the beginning of a story.

"A long long time ago... when the realms were not yet fully divided as they are now, there stood a giant rock on in the crossroads of the realms, in a place called the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit - a place where the realm of animals, tricksters, and the divine had their influence. One day, for reasons unknown, the rock split in half, revealing a polish stoned within. As the light of the Moon and Sun shone upon the polished stone over the course of a day, it took the shape of a monkey and gained life and consciousness."

"There were many other creatures in this place, and there were many monkey-spirits on the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit, though none were like the stone monkey. However, he enjoyed many good days playing with them and sharing the bountiful fruits that could be found everywhere here. One day, the monkeys decided to follow the river they loved to play in to its source - which led them to a gargantuan waterfall. The sound and majesty of the waterfall was a little terrifying to the little monkeys, and some expressed that a true leader should step forward and investigate what lay behind it. Upon hearing this, the stone monkey impulsively jumped right through the waterfall without a second thought to any possible dangers. Luckily for him, there were no dangers or monsters lurking within, but instead he found a great cavern with a stone palace decked with many luxuries for them all to enjoy. Understandably, the other monkeys were very impressed, and this how the stone monkey became the Monkey King, for the others looked to him as their leader now!"

"Enjoying the life in their waterfall cavern and stone palace for hundreds of years, for spirits do not age the way humans do, the Monkey King suddenly grew anxious about his mortality - for he was different from the other monkeys, and he knew that even spirits could eventually pass away. It was so that the Monkey King decided to go on a quest to seek immortality - a search that would take him a decade as he crossed through the many realms. At the end of his search he had travelled deeply into the divine realm of Tengoku, where he found the great Fortune of Wisdom, Fukurokujin, who lived on the Mountain of Heart and Mind, in the Cave of the Crescent Moon and Three Stars. Being the Fortune of Wisdom, he could see that the Monkey King was a being of destiny and potential, and after much pleading and begging from the Monkey King, he agreed to take him on as a disciple. The first rite of passage as a new disciple of Wisdom, was a new name, and Fukurokujin bestowed upon him the name of Sun Wukong - which is a name that means Awakened to Emptiness."

"In the years following, Sun Wukong turned out to be a dutiful student, as he learned not only to harness his great strength, but also the more mystical arts, such as the 72 Earthly Transformations, as well as magical wards against evil, and to speak with the elemental spirits. It would seem to all that Sun Wukong was a good disciple; for he was worshipping the Fortunes, the Sun and Moon, and was living a good and spiritual life, and Fukurokujin awarded him with the secret to immortality. Life seemed good for Sun Wukong and his worries were easing away. However, the good feelings would fade as Fukurokujin confessed to his disciple that he may be in trouble, for the Moon did not take kindly to non-Gods achieving immortality. He warned that the Moon would probably try to exact his wrath in terrible ways; striking him with lightning, set him on fire if that did not work, or merely remove him from existence if neither methods would work. For this reason, Fukurokujin advised Sun Wukong to return to the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit to hide from the Moon's sight."

"Upon returning to the waterfall cavern on the mountain, the monkeys there were overjoyed to see him, but they were also in a state of panic, for a monstrous creature known as the Monstrous King of Havoc, had been terrorizing the mountain and kidnapping monkeys to use as servants in his own palace. So with little thought for his own safety, again, Sun Wukong hurried out to save his friends and challenge the demon. The demon foolishly expected the fight to be easy, for to him Sun Wukong looked like just any other monkey, and he was not prepared to face an immortal monkey spirit infused with the powers and wisdom he had unlocked during his training, as well as his mystical powers. It was not a close match even, for the Monkey King soundly defeated the monster, and by calling on the spirits of wind and air, he conjured up a celestial cloud that carried him and the captured monkeys back to the safety of their prosperous mountain."

"Deciding from this encounter that he was truly a powerful force in the world, Sun Wukong flew far away to the far reaches of the land until he found the sea, and with the aid of the water spirits he travelled with swift haste to the palace of the Dragon King at the bottom of the ocean. There he demanded that the King of Dragons give him a weapon befitting his strength, for only the dragons would know how to create something powerful enough to be wielded by the likes of him. The Dragon King decides to humor Sun Wukong and opened the doors to his treasury. However no matter what weapon he showed to Sun Wukong, the Monkey King was not impressed, and after hours of holding some of the most powerful weapons ever created, the Monkey King announced that he had found his weapon of choice... and proceeded to pick up one of the great pillars of the Dragon King's palace, an obscenely heavy iron pillar infused with magic wards, and with his mystical knowledge he could reduce it to a staff, much like this one!" she gestured to her own staff. Which was plain wood in comparison.

"Shocked by the display of power, the Dragon King decided it would be best to humor Sun Wukong, and presented him with gifts befitting of a spirit of such magnitude; an armor made of golden dragonscales, a circlet with two houou-feathers, and a pair of sandals woven from strands of clouds. Sun Wukong thanked the Dragon King for his gifts, and after swearing eternal friendship to the Dragon King he returned to his mountain once more."

"With such a powerful King ruling the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit, Sun Wukong soon quelled other monsters threatening the peaceful monkeys of the mountain and became a feared warrior amongst demons and violent spirits. Some were defeated in combat, and others swore a truce to Sun Wukong, promising not to bring harm to him or the monkeys."

She smirked to Kenshiro. "But that tale is just the beginning of Sun Wukong's many stories, and that will have to wait for another time."

[Togashi Saruko]

How Sora Tells A Story

Here's how Sora tells a story.

"Well, Gondo's story's hardly one for the ages. Born somewhere around twenty-two winters ago. Grew up a Hikaru warrior. Good with his hands. Good memory, too. He knew most tribes we fight by sight- like, he'd look at how they wore their fur, or what kind of song they'd sing coming at us and know who they were. Had a woman- her name's Chika. Likes her fish dried better than fresh, and always made sure she had some bone rattles on her dress in camp. Could always hear her coming. Gondo decided he liked her, and they had a son. Miki. Miki's still only six yet, so there's plenty of time for him to die before he gets any kind of name for himself, but Gondo and Chika were working on getting him a brother or sister."

He grimaced.

"Made it hard to get to sleep a lot of nights. Chika's whole thing, true walking around, true when she was working up a sweat under a fur with Gondo... you could always hear her coming. Gondo wasn't much better. But anyway, we threw down with some people who... I'm not even sure who they were. Pretty one-sided. Gondo's the only one we lost. Ridiculous little tiny knife in his throat. Guy who planted it there was either lucky or really good. Also really dead. Only one of 'em who got away was some archer. But anyhow. That was Gondo."

A pause.

"I expect Chika or his brother, or his grandfather would have a better story of the man, but they're not here."

[Togashi Saruko]

The ways of the Ayakashi Tribe

The Tribe of Ayakashi is strange even by the looser standards of normality of the time. They are largely confined to one fertile valley, almost more of a pass, with steep mountains on either side. The human members of the tribe have worked into the mountains for many of their houses, some of them existing partially inside and out of a cave. Members of the tribe often travel to sell their crafted goods, and it’s not uncommon for a trader or merchant to be a regular face even among distant tribes. However, they don’t allow visitors unless they’re planning to become permanent residents, as the tribe is quite secretive about their whereabouts and practices. As a whole, the tribe is both rather playful and mischievous and highly attuned to the spirit realms, Chikushudo and Sakkaku in particular. - official writeup by GM Canary

Player-created content (compiled from various players and scenes in Dawn of the Empire-game)

While the tribe has a leader, most of the leadership and guidance is in the hands of elders and wise ones who offer counsel. The tribe remains mostly unconcerned with social ranks and strict hierarchy, though there are some who are given more prestige if they have the bloodline of previous successful leaders or heroes of the tribe.

Every day life in the tribe is rather peaceful by comparison of many other tribes, as the Ayakashi are secretive about their whereabouts, which leaves them safe from roving groups of plunderers, or other tribes trying to take their land and resources. They are a free-spirited folk - a philosophy that many of them follow. The idea of marriage isn't abhorrent to them, but they simply do not see the need to stand on ceremony to be with whoever they feel like. People are free to choose who they live with and have children with, and there is no fuss if a couple part ways to follow other paths or spend time with new partners. Changing partners throughout life is as common as having one partner your whole life, and neither is considered superior to the others, though like many other tribes they do love a good story about great love.

The life in the valley is rather spiritual, with a great emphasis on the flora and fauna there, and that it is treated with respect to the spirits of the animals and the life-force of the plants. It is a common belief that as long as the tribe treats the land well, they will continue to recieve its plentiful bounties. The fact that their land is quite fertile only reinforces this belief. Though just because they believe the animals is to be treated respectfully doesn't mean they live on a non-meat diet. Hunting game is something almost everyone in the tribe do or have a passing skill at doing, and its ways is considered greatly important. Emphasis is placed on giving the animal a swift and painless death if possible. Food of all kinds are given thanks and reverence before consumption.

Because of the belief that their relationship to the land and its denizens in return provide them with its bounties, it is also very common to leave out offerings of foods to the spirits of the land, usually in locations that are considered spiritually sacred or important. That animals will show up to eat the food does not dampen the spirit, as the Ayakashi are familiar with the fact that there are many spirits who take the appearance of animals.

With such close relations to shapeshifter spirits, the tribe is also very understanding of various sorts of dietary restrictions. Many shapeshifters must place themselves under special taboos to visit Ningen-do at length, and some tribesmembers with exceptionally strong ties to the spirit realms also take on similar taboos, which can often lead to diets that consist solely of meat - or solely of non-animal products. Because of the fertile valley, the tribe is luckily able to accomodate for the different needs, and maintain a diverse diet throughout the year that changes with the seasons.

Silk is rare among the Ayakashi, and the few who possess silk garments are among those who travel outside of their valley to trade who have traded it for themselves, or for those belonging to more prestigious lineages or important roles within their tribe. Clothing in the tribe consists mostly of hemp and mulberry, with some small use of cotton as well. Fabric is often weaved with geometric patterns in variable colors. Leather, hides, and furs are also used for clothing.
The Ayakashi do not have a strong leaning towards mining, but do trade with outsiders for minerals, such as bronze and including stones for personal decorations, which are often treated with colorful pigments. Animal bones and the like, such as teeth, claws, and antlers, are also used for accessorizing, with some parts being held in greater esteem than others but they try to use the most of the animal. Bones, teeth, and claws are also often used to craft various tools.

The Ayakashi who travel outside the valley to trade easily pick up the customs and small traditions of the other tribes they visit, as they consider it good manners to do so when being a guest. Among the Ayakashi, bowing as a form of greeting is still rather new, and most use their traditional greeting which is to present one's palms upon meeting another, be it family, friend, or stranger. The gesture shows that they have no weapons in their hands and leaves a delicate area exposed as a sign of trust... and for the Ayakashi it also means that they can see if the other one possesses any strange claws or talons.

[Jiyo Sora]

Some crude Hikaru bullet points established by Sora in various shouting matches last game:

• The Hikaru do not keep slaves. Criminals tend to be either executed or exiled- there's no room for people who can't be trusted in the Spine of the World, and it's ahrd enough to feed one's comrades without a bunch of unwilling abducted lowlanders
• The material benefits offered by the Kami had little appeal to them, since they tended to scorn anything they couldn't get for themselves
• At least one woman he knew wore bone decorations on her dress
• Dance seems to be a thing (both Sora and Kozan attempted dance for Doji's event- Kozan more successfully than Sora)

[Jin]

Jin's teachings (though he certainly tries to impress it on non-students as well):


When it comes to your fellow man:

• Words or avoidance before harm.
  
  Harm before maiming.
  
  Maim before killing.
  
  Kill the one or the few to prevent a war.
  
  But if there must be war see it ended swiftly and decisively so the fewest innocents are harmed.

When it comes to creatures of the realm:

• Do not hunt or kill solely for sport.
  
  There is no sin in killing for food as long as the kill is clean and quick and all that can be used is used.
  
  Creatures that slay men may be hunted to thin their ranks to protect the innocent. But unless diseased or maddened understand they too have their place in this world. Kill them swift and with mercy where possible and only in numbers needed to keep them at bay or under control.

When it comes to creatures from beyond this realm:

• If they approach in peace meet in kind - but beware for trickery and deception are common.
  
  Return them to their proper realm as swiftly as possible. This is not their home and they should not dawdle. Banish them if necessary.
  
  Those that seek to harm or corrupt men have shown their true nature. Destroy them without mercy or hesitation.