Cosmology
Overview
The universe is composed of 5 primary realms:The Earth
The middle realm that acts as the focal point of interest for all other planes of existance. It is the primary battleground for transcendent forces for which the people inhabiting it are key players.The Moon
One layer above the Earth is celestial realm of the moon. Home to the Moon Rabbits, they compose a more tranquil and harmonious world than that of Earth. The moon rabbits are heavenly beings created by Amaterasu to assist and guide humanity. They are most easily compared to angels. The mysterious and insular society of the moon is unknown to those of earth, and is veiled in secrecy coompared to those lower worlds of which more is known.Reikai - The Spirit World
One step below Earth is Reikai, also known as The Spirit World. Reikai is a purgatorial world where supernatural creatures known as yokai reside. These include many types of magical ghosts and monsters that are sometimes former humans cursed to live out a miserable fate, or sometimes are from yokai clans that have long since resided in the Spirit World and have established their own societies and hierarchies. Others are mindless magical beasts and other creatures that are neither former humans, nor particularly sophisticated either. The Seishin barrier between Earth and the Reikai ebbs and flows, making it sometimes easier to cross from one side to the other by mistake or on purpose. To learn more about Reikai, go here: The Spirit WorldTengoku- The Heavens
The highest of all realms is Tengoku, a heavenly realm where kami reside, along with those mortal souls who were pure. Kami are able to interact with the material world at select points that have been purified and prepared for communication with kami. These include Shrines, even household shrines, anywhere purified with paper streamers called shide (discussed more in Priest & Shrine Maiden Tools), or the bodies of Kamiyoki. Mortals of notable greatness and purity and deed might find that they themselves become kami.Jigoku- Hell
Jigoku is a hell-like realm where evil souls are sent to. Unlike the spirit world, souls sent here are unable to interact with the material world. They endure an eternity of torment and suffering as a punishment for their deeds in life. Jigoku is ruled by Izanami, a horrific fallen kami who resides in the darkness of the underworld. She directs legions of Oni under her command to carry out brutal torment eternally to the souls trapped within. Jigoku is a place where both magma and blood flow like water.Remove these ads. Join the Worldbuilders Guild
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