SPIRITUAL VESSELS
This information is mostly unheard of in the public, and cannot be used to metagame. It is advised to roleplay spiritual interactions properly, and seek information through them.
Among sacred texts within history, few scriptures mention mortals who gain superhuman abilities, the powers of the dead. Be it through willing pact, trickery, or forceful implantation, spirits hold the power to shape their own souls, and chip pieces off of the living. The formation of such, creates a Spiritual Vessel. A living mortal, whose soul has been deliberately fractured through covenant, allowing a fragment of a spiritโs soul to take root within their being. This act creates a spiritual conduit, through which a spirit may exert physical influence upon the world without manifesting in full.
After successful creation, the vessel may draw upon foreign spiritual energy to aide them. The soul, though fractured, becomes reinforced around the spiritโs shard, granting a durability alien to ordinary mortals. Wounds that could outright kill, could leave death prolonged. Senses might find themselves heightened to superhuman levels, or the very shape of their soul warps, allowing them to strike with a fraction of the spiritโs power. Though pieces of the soul are shared, a vessel does not wield a spiritโs true abilities. Power is filtered through the mortal psyche, reshaped by belief, fear, and identity into force made manifest. No two vessels bound to the same spirit will ever express power in identical form, though some traits may be recognized between them.
Though it does not come without great cost. Both parties suffer immensely upon creation, as the spirit is diminished, and the mortal is broken. Inherently unnatural, they gain something from one another that does not belong.
While Lesser Spirits are far too weak to utilize a vessel, A Greater Spirit may have a maximum of [2] vessels, and have the capability to grant their vessel [1] combative ability, and [2] non-combative effects.
Elder Spirit may have as many as [4] vessels, and can grant their vessels [2] combative abilities, and [3] non-combative effects.
Kami, are boundless spirits, and such, have no limit to the number of vessels they may create, or the amount of abilities they may possess.
Among these exist, the Shลchลka, or Jinkakuka, beings whom have transcended individuality and mantled concepts themselves, Personifications. Mortals lucky enough to have bound themselves such entities are sometimes called perfect vessels, though the title is a cruel misnomer. Their power grows exponentially, yet the cost is erosion of self. Their identities bleed through the cracks, as they warp the vessel in accordance with the mantled concept.
Despite such promises of power, one must be wary to trust spirits, as yokai are known liars, tricksters, and will abuse such lies to consume souls entirely. It must be understood that becoming a vessel, is exceedingly rare.
The dead, can lie.
VESSEL GUIDELINES
Spiritual Limitations:
Yokai are spirits with flaws and mystery. Do not power-game, metagame, or publicly flaunt supernatural powers without explicit faction lead and narrative reason. As a vessel, one is acting as an extension of the spirit, as such, the rules are just as harsh.
Ability Restraint:
Any mind-affecting, possession, dream-walking, or body altering abilities require explicit OOC consent from the player affected. Vessels cannot curse, or bless mundane humans. Each use of a spiritual ability will be closely monitored, and scrutinized to avoid power-gaming. In addition, Vessels are created to allow a way for mankind to โcombatโ spirits.
Research & Respect Folklore:
As an extension, you are expected to uphold the spiritual side of Norowarejima, and shine it in a positive light. Understanding the lore behind your bonded spirit, as well as respecting cultural, and narrative depth are equally as important.
Separate IRP from OOC:
Do not use OOC information to gain advantage on other players. Actions should remain within IRP reasoning, and OOC dispute should never influence roleplay.
Consequences:
Frequent rule-breaking may result in character removal, power lock, or narrative consequences. This can be as minor as having abilities stripped, to as harsh as having that character killed, account warned, or banned.
Permissions & Crime:
Spirit characters are strictly prohibited from passing injury permissions to mortals. While you can still participate in Crime RP as a vessel, it is strictly prohibited to use any spiritual abilities in crime.
On Romance:
You may not RomanceRP with yokai. This rule is non-negotiable. You can, however, still hold love for the spirit of a loved one if they have passed on. As a spirit, you no longer hold any sexual desire, nor will to act on romantic feelings. You can still cherish your living loved ones, but keep it at that.
Character Pacting:
While you can have both a spirit, and a human character, creating a pact with your own characters is explicitly prohibited. Proper roleplay should be carried out prior creation of a vessel.
Failure to follow these basic guidelines, will result in character removal.
written by @usercultist