Enlightened

Born of magic they stood
Powerful, graceful, hopeful
Defenders against doom

-Our Defenders, Tanzaki Hozuki

Powerful magic lost to war, theft, and time created the original Enlightened. Through magical rituals, animals were gifted humanoid form, incredible power, cunning intellect, and unimaginable wisdom, for a price. Those involved in the casting of the ritual had their life force snuffed out, transferring both their power and intellect to the animal in question. Much doubt was spread about these Enlightened; were they worth a soldier? Were they worth ten? Would they even aid their creators once created? Doubts were quickly set aside as the creatures proved themselves invaluable to the war effort against King Mao. While most of the Enlightened have scattered to the winds, remaining almost entirely unseen by mortal eyes since shortly after the War of Twelve Clans broke loose, some have been known to resurface in society on occasion. More than likely sightings of the Enlightened happen during the Hyakki Yagyō, leading scholars to believe that the creatures fled to Yōkai no Kuni during the war. Children have been returned to their parent's arms by the mysterious shades from the past, confusing the very same scholars as to how the creatures travel and live. Notably, Enlightened Rajinda is one of the Enlightened that chose to stay with mortals. Unfortunately, he has imparted little knowledge upon his monks as to the nature and location of his kin.