Yokai

Yokai
More often than not, “Yokai” is a general umbrella term referring to anything that is not strictly human -- in the same way that “monster” or “creature” is used. From there, specific subgroups are distinguished.

Youkai are not typically immortal, but rather very long-living, and tend to embody a specific part of nature, fear, or object, but can just be existing species from mythology and other things; due to this, the kinds of Yokai are endless. From this, they were originally beings born and powered by human fear & flesh -- but Gensekai offers a place for more personal purpose and style: including a more human-like appearance and temperament.

Yokai are primarily spiritual beings; and as such, they can recover and revitalize from being cut up into pieces; though they will be out of commission for a while during such events. They are way more susceptible to magical based charms and items; (seals, wards, etc.). Yokai are stronger and longer-lived than humans, and life spans can reach hundreds of years; though exceptions exist, such as fairies. All Yokai have an innate connection to the moon; as it was the moon's dim light during the creation of the universe that birthed them; while humans were made during the sun's shine. Most Yokai who live in Gensekai today live harmoniously with humans, but there are a few who used to treat them as animals still. There is violent and territorial Yokai who live deep within the Gensekai wilderness. These feral Yokai are ones who have not gained a humanoid body and keep their monstrous form.

When a Yokai is killed by special Yokai killing spells; they will not pass on a ghost but rather simply disappear from the world, this kind of extermination is a last resort and these weapons are only used by Shrine Maidens or Yokai exterminators. Though if a Yokai passes peacefully, killed outside of those spells, or by other natural means, they usually turn into a basic spirit and travel down to the Netherworld.

There are also times where Animals are turned into Beast Yokai for various reasons; they can either gain sentience and become autonomous like their peers, or keep their primitive minds and become bloodthirsty in some cases. These are the kinds of Yokai that are usually exterminated for their dangerous uncontrolled nature.

Types
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Divine or Pure

 * Celestials
 * Angels
 * Pure or Purified Spirits / Entities


 * Dragons
 * Kirin / Qilin (benevolent dragon-like beings)
 * Hakutaku (beings holding obscure mystic information)
 * Gods
 * Primordial (ancient yokai gods from the ethereal that don’t get stronger or weaker, rarely seen outside of it)
 * Faith ( human or yokai god who ascended due to being worshipped as a deity. Become immortal and their spirits can linger on after death. )


 * Komainu (shrine statues. Defenders of shrines and temples)

Demonic (or otherwise from Hell)

 * Shinigami (“grim reapers”)


 * Vampires
 * Demons / Devils
 * Hell Oni
 * Kishin (hell chiefs)
 * Amanojaku (oni)
 * Hell Animals (ie. Ravens)
 * Animal Spirits (from Hell’s Animal Realm)

Apparitions and Objects

 * Fairies (Technically not Yokai)
 * These are indestructible manifestations of nature, and can be aspects of anything found within it.
 * Seasons, weather & aspects of them (like snow or flowers)
 * Life & death
 * Embodiments of places like Hell


 * Fae can also encompass sprites, pixies, nymphs, and lampads


 * Spirits / Phantoms / Poltergeists…
 * Divine spirits
 * Tsukumogami (living objects)
 * Haniwa

Normal Species

 * Tengu (any bird animal, like a Crow)
 * Kappa
 * Yamanba (mountain woman)
 * Yamabiko (mountain yokai, look it up)

Underworld Realms (Hell)

 * Oni (drunken, incredibly strong, horned creatures)
 * Satori (mind-reading creatures)


 * Earth spiders (tsuchigumo)
 * Tsurube-otoshi (ambush creatures)

Misc

 * Any embodiment of generic yokai (ie seasons & aspects of nature, darkness & light, etc.)
 * Any animal variation (including were-creatures)
 * Shikigami (“programmed” servants)


 * Mermaids
 * Rokurokubi (neck-stretching creature)
 * Inchlings


 * And anything else that wasn’t mentioned!
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