Brotherhood Lands - Temple Of Listening Ghosts
Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2020 6:19 pm
Temple Of Listening Ghosts
On the edge of the Kitsu family’s fertile plains, built high in the mountains, Temple of Listening Ghosts stands guard over the Lion Clan. Golden lions keep watch from each side with crystal eyes that blaze in the sunlight. Other temples in Lion lands often have replicas as shrine guardians, modeling them on these, the most lifelike images of the kitsu race. Some believe the eyes flare to warn of coming trouble
The head monk of the temple is Shizuka. She has golden eyes, indicating the blessing of her kitsu ancestors. She rarely speaks, but when she does, all listen, and she embodies the wisdom and intelligence of the kitsu. She spends most of her time within the temple, and her skin is ghostly pale from lack of sunlight.
Ikoma Eiji is a visiting historian who sought permission from the Kitsu daimyō to live in the temple in the hope of learning more about the history of the Kitsu Clan—and their forebears. He spends his days waiting, hoping the kitsu spirits will grant him knowledge to add to the official histories. He petitions Shizuka for help, but she only tells him to listen.
Akodo and the Kitsu
Many myths circulate about the true nature of the kitsu ancestors, the lionlike race that walked the land before the Kami fell. The story told in this temple is that Akodo waged war on the kitsu, thinking them beasts, and only when the kitsu learned to speak Rokugani did he understand and ask forgiveness. To atone for almost exterminating their race, he offered them a place in his clan, and the surviving kitsu married his children and founded a new family. The monks at the Temple of Listening Ghosts place great importance on listening, understanding, and thinking before acting.
In Honor of the Kitsu
Painted red and built five stories high, the Temple of Listening Ghosts is visible for miles around, but reaching it is a test of strength and determination, as the approaching steps cut into the mountainside are steep and narrow. Inside, the wealth of the temple is on dis-play, sacred items crafted from the gold given to it by Akodo after he first encountered and waged war on the kitsu race. Only members of the Kitsu family have free access to the temple. Other Lion families require permission to visit, and outsiders are rarely welcome.
Listening
While the Kitsu family contains many shugenja, including the sōdan-senzo, who speak with ancestors, none would dare invoke spirits in this temple. If the spirits of the kitsu wish to offer their wisdom, only with quiet will the whispers be heard. Thus the resident monks rarely speak, and spend hours in meditation listening for the voices of the kitsu ancestors. Young Kitsu Clan members make a pilgrimage to the temple for their gem-puku, and they are sent into the mountains beyond to spend a night remembering how their ancestors were driven there by Akodo before he learned to listen.
Whispers about the Temple
Strange creatures prowl the mountains at night, and they have lionlike heads, just like the kitsu! Maybe the kitsu didn’t die out at all but live secretly in the mountains. The monks must know they’re there, and they are probably in league with them.
The Kitsu family carries the blood of those beings. That’s why they’re so strange.
Anyone who sits long enough might hear voices, but how do they know if it’s kitsu they hear or something else?
The temple is there to protect the clan and the Kitsu family. Nothing bad can happen to the family while the temple stands
On the edge of the Kitsu family’s fertile plains, built high in the mountains, Temple of Listening Ghosts stands guard over the Lion Clan. Golden lions keep watch from each side with crystal eyes that blaze in the sunlight. Other temples in Lion lands often have replicas as shrine guardians, modeling them on these, the most lifelike images of the kitsu race. Some believe the eyes flare to warn of coming trouble
The head monk of the temple is Shizuka. She has golden eyes, indicating the blessing of her kitsu ancestors. She rarely speaks, but when she does, all listen, and she embodies the wisdom and intelligence of the kitsu. She spends most of her time within the temple, and her skin is ghostly pale from lack of sunlight.
Ikoma Eiji is a visiting historian who sought permission from the Kitsu daimyō to live in the temple in the hope of learning more about the history of the Kitsu Clan—and their forebears. He spends his days waiting, hoping the kitsu spirits will grant him knowledge to add to the official histories. He petitions Shizuka for help, but she only tells him to listen.
Akodo and the Kitsu
Many myths circulate about the true nature of the kitsu ancestors, the lionlike race that walked the land before the Kami fell. The story told in this temple is that Akodo waged war on the kitsu, thinking them beasts, and only when the kitsu learned to speak Rokugani did he understand and ask forgiveness. To atone for almost exterminating their race, he offered them a place in his clan, and the surviving kitsu married his children and founded a new family. The monks at the Temple of Listening Ghosts place great importance on listening, understanding, and thinking before acting.
In Honor of the Kitsu
Painted red and built five stories high, the Temple of Listening Ghosts is visible for miles around, but reaching it is a test of strength and determination, as the approaching steps cut into the mountainside are steep and narrow. Inside, the wealth of the temple is on dis-play, sacred items crafted from the gold given to it by Akodo after he first encountered and waged war on the kitsu race. Only members of the Kitsu family have free access to the temple. Other Lion families require permission to visit, and outsiders are rarely welcome.
Listening
While the Kitsu family contains many shugenja, including the sōdan-senzo, who speak with ancestors, none would dare invoke spirits in this temple. If the spirits of the kitsu wish to offer their wisdom, only with quiet will the whispers be heard. Thus the resident monks rarely speak, and spend hours in meditation listening for the voices of the kitsu ancestors. Young Kitsu Clan members make a pilgrimage to the temple for their gem-puku, and they are sent into the mountains beyond to spend a night remembering how their ancestors were driven there by Akodo before he learned to listen.
Whispers about the Temple
Strange creatures prowl the mountains at night, and they have lionlike heads, just like the kitsu! Maybe the kitsu didn’t die out at all but live secretly in the mountains. The monks must know they’re there, and they are probably in league with them.
The Kitsu family carries the blood of those beings. That’s why they’re so strange.
Anyone who sits long enough might hear voices, but how do they know if it’s kitsu they hear or something else?
The temple is there to protect the clan and the Kitsu family. Nothing bad can happen to the family while the temple stands