PERSONIFICATION OF FORTITUDE, KADOMORI-NO-ISHIGAMI’S VESSELS
THE SENTINELS
Kadomori-no-Ishigami was no reformed mortal spirit, nor manifestation born of will. He was carved, fortified granite taken from the ancient cliffs of Norowarejima’s cursed north. The isle’s remnant Buddhist monks shaped his form, and placed him within the oldest graveyard, Komorebi Reien, where the honored dead were laid to rest. With every carving of chisel, quiet prayers were pressed into the stone, invoking the creation to stand guard, to watch over those who could no longer defend themselves. Over the years, the countless prayers of those wishing for their departed’s joy, and the lingering spiritual residue seeped into the granite, and from that devotion gave birth to the god.
To the living, Kadomori-no-Ishigami appears as nothing more than an ancient statue weathered by the centuries. Yet those sensitive to spiritual energy, his presence is felt the moment they step upon hallowed ground. A heavy stillness weighs deep within their heart, as if the earth itself has grown resolute ‘neath their feet, reminding all those who enter that the dead are not unguarded.
As long as the stone stands, Kadomori-no-Ishigami will never yield.
Second Sight [Innate] [Effect]
Accessible to all Vessels from the point of creation, bearing the soul-shard of a spirit, grants the living mortal the innate ability to view spirits who are not actively hiding themselves.
A requirement to become a Vessel through painful ritual with a spirit, the victim’s soul is cracked, and replaced with a piece of the spirit’s. Essentially becoming a walking Veil into Yomi, the Vessel may freely view spirits who actively do not conceal their presence. Should they choose to hide, the Vessel can only note that there is an odd presence about the area which the spirit remains within.
Ability Restrictions
- This is a passive effect, and is activated upon creation.
- The process of becoming a Vessel is excruciating, as the spirit tears out a piece of the Vessel’s soul, and replaces it with a piece of their own.
- Should the spirit be willing, they can further implant more pieces of their soul into a Vessel to increase their power.
- As the Vessel now shares the soul-shard of a spirit, they are now defined as a ‘Spiritual Being’.
- Now sharing the spiritual energy of a spirit, the Vessel may glimpse into the afterlife and witness spirits. Should the spirit make any attempt to conceal their presence, the Vessel can no longer physically view them, only now noting there is an odd presence about the location of the spirit.
Eternal Confinement [Innate] [Effect]
As Vessels splinter their souls in order to gain power, they now fall subject to the divine mandate of confinement upon the prison isle of Norowarejima.
No spirit is free to leave the isle, and as Vessels now share the soul, they now share the effect. Permanently bound to never stray from the isle, Sazanami-no-Kaze’s divine current will always drag them back to shore.
Ability Restrictions
- This is a passive effect, and is activated upon creation.
- Any Spiritual Being, including Vessels, are now permanently bound to remain on Norowarejima, unless they gain explicit permission to leave, or find means to escape otherwise.
- As Sazanami-no-Kaze, the Warden of Norowarejima’s influence extends throughout the sea, most, if not all Spiritual beings find themselves naturally adverse to seawater. This effect does not apply to travelling to the outer barrier islands, but Spiritual Beings may prefer to use Veils to travel there instead.
Steadfast [Remnant] [Effect]
The Vessel inherits an unyielding will, making them exceptionally resistant to break or deter.
Composed entirely of soul-filled granite, Kadomori-no-Ishigami is naturally quite the stubborn individual. As such, sharing a shard of his soul, projects that utter stubbornness unto his Vessels. Vessels of Kadomori tend to be extremely hard-headed, and difficult to force them to give up. While at times this is a good thing, this can also lead to their utter death, as they refuse to give up, even in dangerous situations.
Ability Restrictions
- This is a passive effect, and is activated upon creation.
- If death is certain, Vessels can still retreat, they will just dislike doing so.
Gravebound [Remnant] [Ability]
The Vessel may consecrate the surrounding ground, creating a spiritually fortified zone.
The Vessel may consecrate a small area of 5 meters around them to act as guarded ground. Within this space, stone, soil, and grave markers harden to the strength of fortified granite and become saturated with spiritual energy. Lesser and Greater Spirits feel an instinctive aversion to entering this area, whilst spirits that do, and act with hostility suffer crushing pressure and fatigue within their head and limbs.
Ability Restrictions
- The ritual must consist of at least two lengthy emotes with clear effort put into each message. The first emote consisting of the invocation of the spirit’s name, the second emote manifesting the spiritual energy into visible form.
- Gravebound has a maximum radius of 5 meters, with the Vessel acting as the centermost point.
- Gravebound’s crushing pressure inhibits concentration, with fatigue making limbs easy to predict their movement.
- Gravebound can be performed a maximum of twice per combat encounter.
Ossuary [True] [Effect]
The Vessel’s soul becomes densely fortified, resisting possession and suppressing nearby spiritual energy.
Incredibly dense spiritual matter condenses around the Vessel’s soul, granting them significant resistance against possession. Spirits that act with hostility designated toward the Vessel feel unnaturally sluggish, as this resolute nature is projected unto them.
Ability Restrictions
- This is a passive effect, and is activated upon creation
- Ossuary effects both enemy, and allied spiritual beings with this sluggishness.
- Spiritual beings only feel sluggish if they are within three meters of the Vessel.
- Incoming attacks of those afflicted by Ossuary’s sluggish nature become easy to read and avoid or block.
Boundary [True] [Ability]
The Vessel may designate a boundary as sanctified ground that resists hostile entry.
With a short, freeform ritual, the Vessel may declare a boundary or entryway as holy ground. Spiritual beings must be verbally acknowledged, and allowed through the boundary. Those who are not, feel as if they are attempting to push through a wall.
Ability Restrictions
- The ritual must consist of at least two lengthy emotes with clear effort put into each message. The first emote consisting of the invocation of the spirit’s name, the second emote manifesting the spiritual energy into visible form. Lasts two emotes.
- Boundary may only affect boundaries smaller than 6 meters across.
- Boundary may only be applied to doorways, entryways, hallways or adjacent. It cannot be placed freely as a wall.
- Boundary can be performed a maximum of twice per combat encounter.
Monolith [True] [Ability]
The Vessel may imbue spiritual energy into stone to restrain and crush spiritual beings.
Following a short, freeform ritual, the Vessel is capable of imbuing their spiritual energy into stone within 8 meters of themselves. This imbued stone is incredibly fortified, and can be utilized to crush, pin, or enclose spiritual beings. Requiring the Vessel’s utmost focus, they can be freely manipulated to create crude structures.
Ability Restrictions
- The ritual must consist of at least two lengthy emotes with clear effort put into each message. The first emote consisting of the invocation of the spirit’s name, the second emote manifesting the spiritual energy into visible form. Lasts two emotes.
- The Vessel cannot use imbued stone on mundane beings, whatsoever.
- Monolith can only be used to control a maximum of 10 meters worth of material.
- Upon the second emote of ritual imbuement, the affected stone will begin to rumble.
- Imbued stone can only be manipulated whilst it is
- Monolith can be performed a maximum of twice per combat encounter.
Sepulchre [Perfect] [Ability]
The Vessel may bind a weakened spirit to a physical anchor, subjecting it to constant compression.
Following a ritual, the Vessel may bind a restrained spirit on the brink of death, to a physical anchor. Bound spirits are unable to move more than a short distance from the anchor, and suffer constant compression until released or exorcised. Attempting to break free result in intensified pressure, capable of completely banishing lesser spirits, while stronger spirits are heavily staggered.
Ability Restrictions
- The ritual must consist of at least two lengthy emotes with clear effort put into each message. The first emote consisting of the invocation of the spirit’s name, the second emote manifesting the spiritual energy into visible form. Lasts until the Sepulchre is destroyed.
- Sepulchre must have a physical item or build counterpart to act as an anchor.
- Sepulchre can only be used on spirits who are sufficiently weakened, or on the brink of exorcism. Use common sense.
- Should a Lesser Spirit attempt to flee from their bound Sepulchre, they will be forcefully exorcised to return to Yomi
- Should a Greater Spirit attempt to flee from their bound Sepulchre, they will be stunned for a minimum of three emotes, and forced to physically manifest.
- Should an Elder Spirit attempt to flee from their bound Sepulchre, they will be stunned for one emote.
- Sepulchre cannot bind Kami.
- Sepulchre can only be used once per OOC week.