Locations

[listsoffortune]

network  logs  ooc  meme  premise  rules  faq  setting  timeline  calendar  LOCATIONS  taken  reserves  gods/shinki  application  app status  monthly points  prayers  tasks/missions  shinki spells  regains  deaths  canon update  tag requests  hiatus  drops  suggestions  mod contact  npc contact  player contact   'Unseen by others. Living in people’s blind spots… they are ayakashi. They are everywhere. From those that hide to those that can fly. I’ve even seen ones that ride on people’s shoulders. Big and small, there are all kinds, but they are all the deceased, the residents of the other world. They cannot be seen by people like us who live in this world. Even though they are so close by. The only ones that can see them are animals and children. And those like me who stand on the border of this world and the other world, people of the boundary. They like depressing atmospheres. They call it gloom. If they gather around you, you fall into a whirlpool of depression.' Map of the Far Shore the near shore the far shore northeast district southeast district northwest district southwest district central district western district the heavens the underworld The Near Shore The Near Shore is the realm of the living. It is, essentially, modern day Japan in all its glory. Businesses Die Jagd A restaurant that serves traditional hunters fare, such as dishes made with venison and wild boar. It boasts a lengthy menu for those looking for a more hearty meal, and you won't find anything here that isn't served with meat unless you ask for a vegetarian menu. It's cozy on the inside, and to those from the Far Shore will note that the decorations inside aren't the traditional hunted beasts, but rather famous monsters from mythology (are they fake? Who knows). There's also a fish tank in a corner with a bunch of colourful fish and a small outdoor area for dining. KINYOBI (Friday) A blue collar dive bar in an industrial part of town, Kinyobi offers cheap drinks and zero judgment to mortals and Far Shore denizens alike. The owner might be using the place as a front to launder mob money, but please don't ask too many questions about that. ~ ~ Cat Café: Calico A popular two-floor cat café. The top floor hosts a video game area along with a great many cats, and the lower floor has yet more cats and a café area for food and drinks. Snacks for the cats can also be purchased. ~ ~ The Shinki Sanctuary The resident Shinki Sanctuary is a a place for shinki without a god to go to. True to its name, it's meant to be a safe heaven so that vulnerable souls can avoid being eaten by an ayakashi. It's also apparently a safe heaven for many roosters and chickens, which are plentiful on the grounds. Between five and ten shinki can live on the premises, although too many people will stretch the resources. Simple and thrifted clothing is given to anyone who needs it, and food is provided as often as possible. Everyone is to sleep in futons in the shamusho building, and expected to put them away in the morning. The Sanctuary also hosts a god-shinki matchmaking service, available to everyone in the Far Shore. For more information on both the Sanctuary and matchmaking service, go here. ~ ~ Convenience Store Every town has one! Come here when you need to get your snack on or you've dropped your toothbrush in the toilet. Garden Center A large garden center that sells plants such as flowers and vegetables, along with gardening supplies and equipment. Kofuku's Shop A simple outdoor shop that sells food and drinks. Plus, who doesn't like helping out the god of poverty a little bit, right? School There are plenty of schools around and about. Schools are an unfortunately great place for ayakashi to prey on, since there is so much negative energy there, especially around exam season. Hopefully you're not too close to any school-aged kids! Sparkle Motion A combination talent agency and dance studio located in downtown Tokyo. The first floor has private practice rooms and an office, and the second floor is entirely dedicated to a large dance hall. The Far Shore The Far Shore is the realm of gods and spirits. It is an ever-changing expanse inhabited by the gods and made up almost entirely of their homes. Frequent Sights the landscape and places of interest Abandoned Temples There are a large number of abandoned temples scattered throughout the Far Shore, left behind by gods long forgotten or simply just missing in action. Most of them can be found far to the west in the obscure gods' territory, remnants of forgotten deities, but a few are sprinkled throughout the minor gods' neighborhoods to the north and south as well. These temples are often overgrown, dusty, and cluttered, but they are free for anyone to explore or fix up to their heart's content. The Forest The dark forest appears randomly, throughout the Far Shore, without warning. There is no rhyme or reason to its appearances and often it is nowhere to be found when someone searches for it. There is a foreboding atmosphere all throughout the forest and no light pierces far into its depths. Tortured screams and moans can be heard as you pass through. Sometimes shinki are known to disappear inside and never return. Legends say that it is a graveyard for gods long forgotten, but nothing confirms what actually makes these woods the way they are. Northeast District Temples the homes of the minor gods The Northeastern district is humble, but not rural. Although small roads may be unpaved, the main roads are paved with cobblestone and run beside small ditches to channel away any rain that would otherwise puddle on the roads. Areas between temples are planted with maple and pine trees and adorned with the occasional decorative boulder; the leaves are kept raked and the grass trimmed. It is convenient to the Main Office, which is to the north of the Meeting Hall and easily accessible by a bridge across the river. Dún Dealgan Cú Chulainn's temple is located in a massive forest- actually, it could be argued that the forest itself is a part of the temple. The trees grow unnaturally high creating an otherworldly atmosphere of a bygone age. An overgrown stone circle can be found near the spring of the purifying water. There is also an archery range build by hand. Three white hounds roam the forest freely. One apathetic which won't react much to guests, one incredibly welcoming one, and a true guard dog one, that will give warning to intruders and will react aggressively to hostiles. The hounds are also part of the temple "equipment", they're not strays taken from the Near Shore, and their true nature isn't fully understood by the temple's owner. After move a fourth dog appeared on it's own, younger, still a puppy, very earnest and trying their best. While there is no clear path to the temple, the guests won't have trouble finding the way. Strangers might wander a little, but eventually, they will find a large mead-hall-like building next to a massive oak. The main entrance leads to the second floor, instead to the first- It consists mostly of big dining hall and kitchen as well as relax area in the back. The first floor contains of various utility area, such as training hall, armory, shooting range for guns with necessary safety measures, sauna area with thermal baths both indoor and outdoor section etc - it also has an exit leading to the back of the building and herb garden. Personal rooms are on the third floor and are furnished according to the tastes of their inhabitants. Each shinki gets one of their own, and several are still empty used as guest rooms should someone want to stay overnight. Someone adapted one of them as a library room. The interior of the whole temple on a rustic side, wood, stone, textured fabrics, burlap. Everything in warm earthly tones - a combination of roughness and warm comfort, stability and simplicity. The near lack of modern materials like plastic or synthetic fabrics might be noticeable but of course, there is no escaping them, for example in the kitchen which, while kept in style, is fully furnished with all necessary modern appliances. After the temple's move to a different district the temple gained outside a large deck with firepit and benches around, as well as aforementioned upgrade to the sauna area, shooting range and fourth dog. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Gegute's library A library filled with the world's information, and a place to study. Each area is divided up by subject, everything is in big print so it's easy to find whatever you need. There are plenty of tables and chairs for people to use, and quiet areas for people who might want to take a nap. The library is normally quiet and filled with people studying for exams, with the god helping anyone who needs it. With the move to a bigger location there is now a second floor filled with more general reading and entertainment based items. Such as a projector and dvds gifted by Apollo for viewing. ~ ~ Kuraokami’s Dwelling [Abandoned] Nestled high on top of a snowy mountain, Kuraokami’s temple can only be accessed by the base of the mountain. There is a bridge at the bottom facing towards the base of the mountain in which crossing the bridge will immediately transport someone to the temple itself on the other side of the bridge. Greeting them will be a Japanese estate with multiple rooms and a vast garden overlooking the mountain. On the other side of the garden is a large courtyard, evidently fashioned for training. Despite the snowy mountain its placed on top of, the temple itself seems to be stuck in a state of early spring with cherry blossom trees in bloom and the rumble of distant thunder above them. There is also a waterfall in the background that can be accessed by a cobblestone path from the garden. It wouldn’t be surprising to experience a few sudden rain showers or snowfall on some days. The temple is now empty. ~ ~ ~ ~ Nuada Airgetlám's Hollow Located in a hidden cave/grotto sort of area filled with plants, small trees and a little stream flowing through it, Nuada Airgetlám's temple is similar to a colossal treehouse, the tree it's built in growing up and out through a hole in the cave roof. Despite the feel of it, amenities are modern and the interior is quite nicely done up, overall being quite fancy. The bedrooms are grouped together on one side of the tree, with ladders connecting the different ones as well as the normal bridges between platforms, and the tree and cave floor around it are blanketed with thick, colourful moss to prevent serious injuries from ladder, bridge or platform mishaps. A large spiral staircase runs up the middle of the tree, with a few of the main rooms coming directly off it or the lower branches, such as the meeting/guest reception room on the lowest arm. With the moving of her temple comes a few slight changes - the tree has grown, with many more of the uppermost rooms peeking out the cavern roof, and a new set of lowermost branches have spawned, carrying a modest library that circles most of the way around the tree trunk. At night, the cavern is now lit by clusters of fireflies that sometimes escape the cavern and explore around the outside instead, as well as colourful lanterns. ~ ~ ~ ~ Odin's Temple Where once the temple was fairly modest and still vaguely temple-like, Leo took the chance to redecorate on a massive scale. The temple is still stone and there is still a well-kept rose garden in the front and a vegetable garden in the back, everything has gotten much larger. While not a full-on castle, the temple certainly gives off the feeling of one from the outside, with a wing for the god and each shiki he may gain as well as a tall fence surrounding the lot. Inside, however, it's still cozy and inviting. It's always just the right temperature for the fireplace in every room to be lit, the wine cellar is magnificent, and there are now two rooms dedicated to star-gazing, not to mention the massive library as well the hot springs from home. (And a path that leads directly to Foresti's temple, but that's for personal use only.) ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Thanatos' Temple At first glance the temple seems nothing more than a lush field of poppies growing over the ruins of a medieval castle; making it appear like an abandoned temple except for the butterflies that congregate around the property. At night the temple subtly stands out more by the glow the poppies radiate. Since the move to the higher district, this glow now has a secondary effect. A calming effect. Much like their god. Unfortunately with so many of the flowers it can be easy to overdose so...try not to doze off. But if someone was to poke around the ruins long enough they may find the entrance inside the castle itself, converted to most modern necessities and quite comfortable to live in. A balanced mix of old and new with ancient, Mediterranean architecture. The castle has grown on its own whenever it needs to. If Emizel acquires more shinki, another bedroom may appear overnight to accommodate it. Or a whole additional wing might appear instead if it gets too crowded. Recently it happened with the introduction of four adopted kittens, that can been sometimes seen wandering the halls, kitchen, and their own play room. Yet despite expansions, on the outside the ruins remain relatively the same. Either some sort of magic is keeping it that way, or somehow the two places are detached from one another. As the temple had moved, a whole new area has opened up underneath it now. A new spiraling staircase inside that leads much deeper underground. One half dungeon-like, the other half...crypt? (He is a god of death, after all.) This area is much "larger" compared to the main part of the castle, but there's fewer things in it. One chamber in particular is perfect as a training ground due to its size. The other tunnels lead mostly to natural caves. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Southeast District Temples the homes of the minor gods The Southeastern district is humble, but not rural. Although some minor roads may be unpaved, the major roads are paved with smooth cobblestones, and often run beside canals lined with willows and cherry trees, where koi splash in the water. The areas between temples is planted with hydrangea and azaleas and cared for, and the grass is kept trimmed. This district is convenient to the library, which is just east of it and accessible by a bridge across the river. It's also relatively close to the Meeting Hall. Hades' Temple Hades' temple looks to be a mixture between ancient Greek and some kind of post-modern minimalist aesthetic. There are the standard marble arches and vaulted halls, but the walls are veined with obsidian stone and cyan circuit patterns. There is a small grove of flowers behind the temple building, housing a black beehive and some void-touched bees. The front of the temple is a small field of grass, and the paved path leading to the archway is lined with two rows of black spider lilies. A side footpath leads to a fountain cycling holy water through a geometric design. The interior of the temple hall is much like the outside, with the increased number of void patterns being the only difference. Braziers are lit in regular intervals, placed under tapestries in black and gold. Overall, the temple is rather formal, but without much life. It's empty. There is usually a statue in the centre of Greek temples, and there is one in here as well. However, instead of a muscled man, the statue is of a winged woman, veined with patches of black paint and eyes. In front of the statue is an altar of black stone, and behind it seems to be a small alcove. Both are furnished, but in a minimalistic manner. Behind the altar is a concealed door towards living quarters similar to a modern Japanese apartment. It's small but not cramped, allowing for ease of housekeeping. It contains all the utilities that a household needs, as well as rooms that can be summoned into existence if necessary. However, there only appears to be a single room behind the worship hall if one looks from the outside, due to dimensional manipulation going on to save space. Henir's Time and Space From the outside, Henir's tower seems small but quaint. Constructed from old stone and covered in ivy, the building rests on a wide stone patio with several potted plants, seating for guests, and a stone shed off to the side for gardening and other outdoor supplies. On the tower itself is a wooden door decorated with distinct carved patterns, and above it is a single window made of blue stained-glass and similar patterns etched into the glass. Behind the building are overgrown plants and flowers, thinning as the grounds stretch out into wide rolling hills into the distance. On the inside, the tower is more complex than it seems. The first thing one will notice is that the tower seems to be much wider on the inside, and the staircase spiralling around it extends infinitely upwards. As the tower is climbed, light starts to shine faintly through numerous blue stained-glass windows that line the staircase—if one stares at them for long enough, images of places both familiar and unfamiliar can be seen through the glass. There are no doors or landings within the tower, but knocking on any of the windows will cause it to shatter and transform the visitor's surroundings into a perfect illusion of the image behind it. Everything in the illusion can be interacted with, though it can't create anything sentient and nothing can be taken outside of the tower. Outside objects brought into the illusion and left behind will remain there, moved to logical locations within the illusion to suit its master's needs. Once an illusion is entered, though, the only way to leave is to search the area for another floating "window"... which will lead straight into another illusion. If you're persistent enough (or if Henir gets bored of watching you struggle), you'll eventually be dumped into a large, dark space filled with floating cubes. Gravity is questionable here, but the cube surfaces can be walked on regardless of their orientation. Each large cube contains an illusion reflected faintly on its surface, and the maze can be re-entered simply by knocking on the surface of any cube to create an opening. It's also possible to ignore these cubes and glide off into the unknown depths of Henir's domain, where the surrounding space gradually becomes darker and more ineffable as the laws of time and space are undone. A powerful energy can be felt the deeper one travels, though it's difficult to say if anyone could return from such a trip without Henir's guidance... To leave, all one needs to do is find one of the smaller floating cubes within Henir's space and give it a polite knock to reveal a portal back to the entrance. The same method can be used to enter as well—a knock on the door of the tower entrance can be heard from inside, giving the temple's residents an opportunity to welcome the guest inside without any of that illusion maze nonsense. ~ ~ ~ ~ Temple of Metis The Temple of Metis is, at first blush, an unassuming place: stepping stones cross a clear and shallow reflecting pool to a small, open shrine in its center. White, gleaming columns support a domed roof, which bears reliefs depicting Metis' exploits, from crafting the potion that would force Chronos to release the children he had swallowed, to her shapeshifting contest with Zeus that resulted in her being swallowed herself, to crafting the armor Athena would wear when she would burst from Zeus' head fully formed (and giving him a massive headache to boot). A statue of a woman stands on a pedestal in the center; she is humbly dressed, and holding out a jar or vase of some sort. Intricate, geometric designs are etched into the roof and central pedestal, though time has worn away some of the finer details. And that's all there is to it, if you don't use your wits. There are several ways to open the true Temple of Metis, and the goddess has the ability to change the method at will, but examination of the jar the statue is holding will reveal the simplest and most consistent way. The jar moves on a vertical axis, and if one fills it with water, it will tip over much like a sōzu. This spilled water is key, however, as it begins to glow as it seeps into the cracks of the delicate carvings surrounding the statue. A chime plays, and then the floor opens up to reveal a stone spiral staircase descending underground with luminescent crystals embedded into the walls lighting the way. From here there are three main areas to the underground complex: the living area is cozy, though spacious enough to not trigger claustrophobia in its residents despite being entirely underground. One wing houses several warm bedrooms, as well as a few bathing rooms connecting them. The other side is home to the kitchen and dining area, where the tools provided are perhaps still a little outdated, but at least we're not cooking food over an open fire or anything. A simple iron chandelier hangs over the dining table, bearing more of those luminescent crystals to a cast a warm glow over any guests sitting there. Finally, past the dining area is a more casual living space with couches and chairs centered around a fireplace (where does the smoke go if we're underground? shut up don't ask questions). As for the other two sections of the complex, there is the library, which seems to have been recently updated and dusted, possessing a great many scrolls and books ranging in topics from herbal medicinal recipes to metal working. And finally, tucked away in the back, there is a spring of blessed holy water, glowing a constant tranquil blue. But who knows? Perhaps Metis is hiding even greater secrets deeper within, just waiting for the right person to uncover them... ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Sakuya-hime's Shrine [Abandoned] The shrine resembles a traditional Japanese temple ground atop a hill. Cherry trees line the steps up to the temple and beyond the gate. Anyone who enters the temple grounds will feel a sense of calm and coolness. Those who enter with hostile or dishonest intentions, however, will feel heavy and anxious with the air becoming warm and incredibly humid. Overall, the grounds are aesthetically traditional and simple with plenty of open space. Of note, there is a shrine, a residence building, a purification well, a storage room, and several gardens and springs. The gardens and springs, are designed to look naturally beautiful regardless of the season and in particular, there is an abundance of cherry blossoms that are always in bloom. The temple is now empty. More info here. ~ ~ Northwest District Temples the homes of the very minor gods The Northwestern District is more rural. Most roads here are unpaved, and the spaces between temple grounds are filled with shrubs, weeds, and small trees growing wild. Small animal spirits are frequently seen around the Northwestern district, roaming free from the well-tended public park at its southwestern corner. The mysterious forest has been known to appear in this district. Unlike the central and eastern districts, distance and terrain can be flexible in the western districts. New temples might appear between two temples that had been next-door neighbors before, and terrain can shift outside of temple grounds, as well. Abandoned temples can be found in this district. The Park A well-maintained park that is home to numerous spirits of deceased animals. Some of them might be pets, some might be easily tamed, but some of them are wild animals that are just happy to be in such a peaceful, calm place. An ethereal aura of peacefulness pervades the park. It's a great place to have a quiet walk and some time to think and calm down. Freyr's Homestead The temple of Freyr is tucked away in a heavily wooded area, secluded among a venerable sea of trees with a simple path, worn down by foot traffic, cutting through the foliage to lead visitors to the building's front door. The building's exterior has a rustic, though elaborate feeling to it, with many rooms to comfortably house a number of residents. The interior has a more modern slant to it, with up to date amenities. An annex room holds a sauna for those living there or visiting to relax and refresh themselves in, while a shack out in the back of the property holds various tools for various mundane projects of the resident deity's choosing. From the current god's efforts, the front yard grows and blooms sunflowers through the summer, and rose bushes dot the edges of the building. Wild boars roam the property, and while fearsome, aren't aggressive, and are unlikely to attack anyone without provocation. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Southwest District Temples the homes of the very minor gods The Southwestern District is more rural. Most roads here are unpaved, and the spaces between temple grounds are filled with shrubs, bushes, and weeds growing wild, as well as occasional rice fields. Some spirit beings can be found wandering the streets or living in the wild areas between temples here. The mysterious forest has been known to appear in this district. Unlike the central and eastern districts, distance and terrain can be flexible in the western districts. New temples might appear between two temples that had been next-door neighbors before, and terrain can shift outside of temple grounds, as well. Abandoned temples can be found in this district. Home of Orihime A humble dwelling on the northern banks of the Celestial River. Fields of Hikoboshi (The Far Far Shore) Across the Milky Way River from Orihime's home is an expanse of rural fields, where Hikoboshi spends most of the year looking after the heavenly flocks. He can often be seen in the distance by residents of the Southwestern and Southeastern districts, although the river is wide and treacherous, and cannot safely be crossed outside of the Tanabata season. Shinju's Abode Shinju's temple, Shinto in nature, bears a strong resemblance to the Near Shore's own Kotohira-gu. The grounds are simple, with various types of flowering foliage popping up around the building itself, and kept tidy and in order thanks to the work of the resident deity's soulless shinki. The humble living space inside includes several rooms for both the occupants of the house, as well as any guests who may need an extra space to stay for the night. One of the back rooms of the temple exits to a decently sized hot spring, large enough for three to five bathers to comfortably soak in, and surrounded by a natural rock formation to allow for privacy. The water running through it is blessed, which makes it good for easing the effects of minor blight on top of the general soothing nature of a warm bath. Outside of the temple itself, the most noteworthy feature of the grounds is a large tree, well tended and taken care of diligently. It's thick trunk is adorned with a shide festooned shimenawa, and through the spring and summer months, the flowers blooming from it take on multiple colors and shapes, as if the branches are patch-worked of many different trees. ~ ~ ~ Central District Temples the homes of the major gods The Central District is prosperous, well-maintained and immaculately landscaped. Moss gardens, sculpted cherry, pine and maple trees, water gardens and bright flowers in every season fill the Central District between temple plots. All the roads here are paved with smooth cobblestone and run alongside canals that drain away any rainwater before it can puddle on the roads; the canals are lined with weeping willow and home to schools of brightly colored koi that will come to the surface for treats, and sometimes recite haiku if they appreciate the food. Stray spirits avoid the Central District, and ayakashi are never seen there. Apollo’s Celeb Paradise (CelePara) Apollo’s home on the Far Shore combines extensive private rooms with a glitzy shopping mall/amusement park on the interior. From the exterior, however, it looks like a giant purple Disney castle, around which flowers bloom in profusion. Goats also graze on the lawn. As befits a god of performance, there’s no shortage of ballrooms and event halls in this temple. One room in particular sports a throne around which multiple video cameras have been mounted. The same emblem, a gold sword atop a heart, can be found emblazoned on various drapes throughout the place. Apollo’s private quarters are done up similarly to the public areas: rich purple carpets and no shortage of plush sofas and chairs on which to repose while…watching TV. Lots of TV. Every room has a drop-down, full-size screen. The inmost room contains a few small tables on which Apollo keeps her dolls and stage model. Also, towards the basement, there’s this weird cathedral-like room entirely full of red lilies that the god in residence insists on calling “casablancas” despite casablanca lilies being white. Since moving to the central district, the front doors have gained a giant golden statue of Hibiki on either side of them, and there is a lake in the backyard now - large enough to dock a pirate ship. Which is good, because there's one floating in it. ~ ~ ~ Bishamon's Temple Bishamon's temple is an elegant and spacious Western-style manor. A large courtyard is at the center, surrounded by buildings for administrative and residential purposes. The garden has been gorgeously tended and is expansive, although it looks as though it has seen some recent neglect. A large hot spring filled with fresh lotuses occupies an inner courtyard in Bishamon's quarters, where she goes to wash away blight when necessary. There are facilities for weapons practice and training in the temple as well, including a large dojo in a more Japanese style where Bishamon hosts monthly training sessions as a favor to the new gods and shinki. ~ ~ ~ ~ Ebisu's Temple As the God of Fortune who looks after money and the economy, Ebisu resides in a temple that resembles a fancy high-rise skyscraper in a financial district. Mirrored glass and chrome feature heavily in the exteriors, and the interiors are crammed with high technology to allow Ebisu to closely monitor Japan's economy and decorated in an expensive but slightly impersonal style. ~ Fuujin's Temple The temple of the God of Wind, one of Amaterasu's closest advisers. Temple of Iron Crutch Li The temple is a two-story brick building of relatively simple construction, with balconies and porches both front and back. It resembles a small-town shop, incongruous on its large, well-landscaped plot, except for the fact that its brick and external woodwork are painted in vivid red, gold and green, and there are dragon finials just visible on the edges of the roof. The temple grounds are walled, the outer wall about ten feet tall and built of brightly painted plaster over brick to match the temple building, but the walls are clearly decorative rather than protective. Artistically shaped gates and openings are dotted all around the circumference, and some of the larger trees in the garden drape down low enough to make easy climbing access. The garden looks semi-wild, including a large lake dotted with mossy boulders that have been landscaped into miniature "islands," but a close observation will reveal that every plant growing in it can be used in some way, either in medicine or cuisine. Inside, the temple is large, airy and only sparsely decorated, with a minimum of ornament. The walls are white plaster, the downstairs floors tile and the upstairs natural wood, and large windows allow plenty of light into most of the building. The living quarters are on the second story of the temple building; the rooms are on the small side, but there are enough to accommodate dozens of residents, each opening out onto the shared balcony. The downstairs area contains a suitably sized kitchen, dining room, reception room and meditation area, as well as a large workroom packed with what looks like alchemical equipment and racks upon racks of carefully labeled dried herbs, insects, fungus, and other useful ingredients. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Nanshe's Shelter Nanshe's Shelter rests on a forested hillside, near a winding river that widens into a large freshwater lake before venturing onward. The Shelter itself resembles something like a traditional Japanese Inn and Onsen, a cluster of buildings around the main house left open and available for guests or anyone who requires shelter or a safe haven. The main house itself is left for Nanshe and her shinki, still holding a flair of traditional decor but feeling very homey and inviting, with large winding rooms and hidden gardens and plenty of comfortable nooks and crannies to relax or play. A large outdoor hot spring steams year round, sheltered from the elements by the temple itself. There are several gardens on the property - some more traditional and ornate while others hold patches and pots to grow vegetables and flowers of any kind imaginable. There is a gathering spot tucked outside among the trees with the perfect place to cook over an open fire or just curl up in the shade with a good book. A large koi pond is nestled nearby, water splashing over the rocks of a small waterfall and fat, lazy koi swimming within its depths. Scattered around the temple grounds, it's not odd to find statues of fish or pelicans nestled in among the architecture and greenery, the symbols of the goddess who dwells here. And there are often flocks of pelicans floating nearby on the lake or wandering through the temple grounds, but they're more interested in guarding the fish than bothering any visitors to the temple. Usually, anyway.... The atmosphere is often warm and welcoming, offering a homey sense of belonging to any who wander onto the Temple grounds and it's not unusual to find strays of any kind wandering through, whether they be the two-legged or four-legged kind. It doesn't matter who is in need of a safe haven, Nanshe is happy to look after any and all. Nekhbet's Temple A house built into a hill, the surface level is quite large, with several broad windows to let the sun and moon in over the day, and an oddly sweet smell about it that's difficult to identify. As well as the more visible living rooms and meeting areas, the upper floor goes well back into the hill and a curved staircase goes up around the higher parts of it, containing the main bedrooms with smaller, concealed windows around their edges. The interior walls are rammed earth, giving a very underground feel despite the ample light, and though the furniture is rather basic and practical, it has a certain comfort to it. For those who want a little more privacy, there is a lower floor of the temple that lies underground, with any natural light coming in through other concealed windows, and a now-protected hidden exit that comes out on the other side of the hill. Those who come to the temple with ill intent are likely to feel a great unease, like one might get if they knew the residents were aware of that intent and prepared for it, but those who come openly seeking help or shelter will be welcomed. Immediately to the right of the hill's front is a large garden, bordered by trees and thick flower growth so it's impossible to see into from anywhere but the one path in. This is the location of Shun's shrine that he uses to teleport - from the opening into the garden, there's a straight stone path that leads to it, flanked by two long, shallow pools which serve as his blessed water source. It's also populated by about two dozen vultures of two different species, griffon and lappet-faced, which are reasonably sociable to people who mean no harm. Surrounding all of this is a huge amount of flowering plants, which anyone particularly familiar with flower language may notice are all associated with death or mourning in some way. After the move, two exits have appeared at the far end of this garden that lead on to another, even larger area, with rose arches, chrysanthemum gardens, and various other more striking arrangements of mourning flowers. There is also a seating area in this section, and a large, impenetrable wall of greenery surrounds both it and the neighbouring small hot spring, also serving to divide both areas. The spring is only accessible through a path from the lower floor of Shun's temple. After his temple move, both the grounds and garden are lit at night by stone lanterns like one might find at a shrine or cemetery. There is no physical border around his temple ground, but if one looks closely, they may notice marking stones placed at intervals around the radius. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Raijin's Temple The temple of the God of Storms, one of Amaterasu's closest advisers. Suijin's Temple The temple of the Goddess of Water, one of Amaterasu's closest advisers. Upon approach, the first thing one will see is a simple stone shinto gate flanked by two long ponds. On the other side of the ponds are several pine trees, screening what is beyond from the view of a passer-by. Should one be allowed to enter past the gate, following the smooth pathway of river stone leads to a vast green area. Pines and sakura trees (of the variety yaezakura, which have double flowers) grow around the building in a manner that looks both natural and artful. Also in the garden is an outbuilding used for tea ceremonies and a small koi pond. Beyond the building is the joining of the two rivers flowing through Takagamahara. Suijin's home itself is completely traditional Japanese in style. However beneath the surface many modern human conveniences can be found. Although the weather in Takagamahara is always perfect it does have seasons, and so she is rather fond of the electric kotatsu table she brought up from the Near Shore. As Suijin and her shinki are working on the Near Shore so much of the time, her home is relatively small to keep housekeeping to a minimum. Western District Temples the homes of the new and obscure gods The Western District is in frequent flux. Distances and landscapes shift overnight, and abandoned temples can be found scattered all over the district. Unlike the rural areas of the Northwest and Southwest districts, the Western district is sometimes entirely wild outside temple grounds: forests, mountains and rivers can intrude between and around the temples of the new and obscure old gods. As the most distant area from the protection of the Heavens, this district has the least claim upon their protection and order, and since the changes wrought by the disappearances of old gods and appearances of the new, ayakashi have (rarely) been seen here. Abandoned Temple School A large building on the southern side of the obscure gods' territory, mostly concrete, that bears the marks of years of abandonment before its recent cleaning and renovation. It is three stories tall, with a relatively large courtyard and wide staircase leading up from the front hallway to each story in turn. Many rooms are furnished as classrooms, with blackboards and desks. Others are more minimally furnished. There is a kitchen (old-fashioned, with wood-burning stove), public bathrooms and bathing facilities available, so in a pinch the school can also be used as a dwelling place. Class Schedule - Editable Averruncus' Island The area around Averruncus' temple is rather unique, in that the temple itself is situated on a small island encircled by a not-so-small lake. Passage from the shore to the island is permitted by way of a high-arching stone bridge that appears to be held in place by its own architecture and gravity, as there are no obvious supports. The area both immediately surrounding the lake and the island itself are lush and green, but the palm trees don't feel...particularly Roman. The temple itself is, on the outside, built in the classic Roman style, traditional columns and all - but the capricious dichotomy of its god demonstrates itself vividly in the state of the structure. The lefthand side of the temple (as seen when looking at it from the front) is in beautiful condition, white marble gleaming in the warm sunlight of its surroundings. The righthand side, however, is a ruin, looking as though either thousands of years or some great catastrophe - or both - have taken their toll on it. And somehow, the sunlight never seems to strike the right side properly; the ruined portions of the temple seem to exist only in a perpetual overcast gloom. The interior of the temple is much more modern, in those rooms which are finished, and perfectly comfortable with most of the amenities one might expect in a high-class facility - though there's a somewhat tropical hint to the decor. But only some of the rooms in the temple - and there seems to be no rhyme or reason in their placement - have received this treatment. Exactly half the rooms in the temple are overcast ruins to match the dark and destroyed half of the exterior; passing between rooms in the temple can feel like entering another world, or traveling forward (or backwards) centuries in time. There's no logical correlation between whether the rooms are on the side of the temple that appear to be ruined from the outside or not. Giant’s Grave The temple grounds are not exactly welcoming. There is a cold air about them, even when it's warm outside. Nothing seems to grow within the courtyard no matter the time of year, a barren patch of yellow grass and dead trees with a stone path cutting through it. Animals seem to avoid getting too close to the area, as well. The exterior of the temple is rough-hewn stone, covered in moss and dead overgrowth. It's an oddly gothic building, sharp and foreboding. The moss is the only sign of life on the exterior of the temple. The doors are heavy and wooden, worn and weathered from seemingly years of disuse. Once inside, the walls of the temple are a bit more welcoming. The interior is well cared for with rich, dark wooden floors and an equally dark, vaulted ceiling. Surprisingly, there is electricity in the building, but the fixtures are all extremely old. The first floor houses the kitchen, a dining hall, and what appears to be a disused servant's quarters. There is a solid wood staircase leading to the second floor and basement. The second floor has living quarters for the shinki, well-furnished but not at all modern. Rooms branch off from the main corridor, eventually leading to a dead end. There are more than enough rooms for overnight visitors, if they wish to risk staying. There is still an off-putting air inside of the temple. The basement houses an armory, everything within it well taken care of and far cleaner than it has any right to be. The same dark wooden ceilings and floors line the room with dark wood cabinets in various places. Most of the weapons are mounted on the wall with partial suits of armor. The armory is an unsettling place to be, as it's always colder than the rest of the temple and it feels like you're being watched the entire time you're in the room. Behind the temple building is a large stone formation. This is what gives the temple its name -- it's a Giant's Grave. An unusual, u-shaped formation, leading to a four chamber gallery. Each chamber is covered with a cairn, marking it as a gravesite. Also on the property is abandoned stone church. There's no roof, no windows, and everything inside is either rotted or covered with dead overgrowth. There is an accompanying graveyard, as well, but it's mostly just unreadable, broken headstones. Best to avoid this part of the temple if you're worried about disturbing the dead. ~ ~ ~ Double Cross ‘Double Cross’ is a bar that also proudly serves as a cafe/coffeehouse during the day before the night comes and the people want a drink. Hachiman's Shrine [Abandoned] Up in the lushly-forested hills overlooking the sea, there's a single smooth path, paved with smooth stones, just wide enough that someone might be able to manage it on horseback. At the top of that hill stands a simple wooden torii gate. Passing through the gate, visitors find themselves in a large, lush Japanese garden containing a compound of several moderately-sized buildings, all constructed in the traditional manner, with wooden framing and sliding rice-paper doors. Near the gate is a stable, currently standing empty, and just a little bit further in is a simple Shinto-style shrine building with a wide, roped-in strip of sand out in front of it. On the far side of the large pond, tucked away in the garden for a little more privacy, there are a few more buildings -- a sprawling one-story house with a kitchen and a number of rooms for sleeping in, a small storage outbuilding nearby, a little tearoom set off by itself in the garden, and a large training dojo with an open-air hot spring behind it. The furnishings in all of the buildings are simple and traditional, to the point of being a little bit on the minimalistic side, but many rooms do at least contain some nice calligraphy, or small vases with seasonal flower arrangements in them. Though Hachiman is a warrior god, a proper samurai has to be more than just a fighter, doesn't he? His shrine's complex is a serene place, and he can often be found on one of the verandas with his pipe, a warm pot of tea, and a calligraphy brush. The temple is now empty ~ ~ ~ ~ Iris temple The Iris temple appears to be a quiet place filled with greenery. At a first glance it looks ordinary and there isn't anything that stands out. In the entrance you'll find a small prayer altar. Everything is mostly made out of wood. For some reason nearly everything is old fashioned. As you go deeper in you'll stumble across a stagelike platform for preforming arts. Ishtar's Temple The temple has distinctly Mesopotamian architecture, with statues of the goddess Ishtar distributed throughout the temple. A more recent influence, however, can be found in the areas deeper in, with what appears to be "DO THAT AT HOME" written in bullet holes on a pillar near the altar. A gate with blue and gold bricks, marked with symbols of the goddess Ishtar, marks the entrance, and the center of the temple before the altar room is a small open air courtyard. ~ ~ The Isle of He Xiangu He Xiangu's temple is located on a small island in the middle of a placid, moat-like lake whose surface is strewn with lotus blossoms. There are a pair of traditional Chinese boats adorned with purple lanterns at docked at either shore that are used for passage to and from the island. Given that the current incarnation of He Xiangu travels between the shores via teleportion, the boats exist primarily for the benefit of her shinki and other visitors. Upon crossing the lake, they'll find that the island itself is lush with a wide variety of plants, trees, flowers, and mushrooms, both medicinal and poisonous in nature, that appear to have been left to grow wild. Occasionally, poisonous snakes, scorpions, and insects can be found if one ventures off into the wilderness. Fortunately, the path up to the temple itself is clearly marked with more purple lanterns that always seem to light up at night. The actual temple is a relatively small courtyard house created in the traditional siheuyan-style. The architecture is clearly Chinese and the house is laid out according to the floor plan below. The interior decor of the temple is very refined and done predominately in various shades of violet and adorned with pearls.The library is also divided between shelves full of medical texts written in Chinese that cover ailments of both the body and the mind and also a tiny, minimalistic compounding laboratory. ~ ~ Izanagi Jingu [Abandoned] Unlike its original namesake, this iteration of Izanagi's shrine is reminiscent of a Japanese minka. A multilevel home, there's a serene and almost private atmosphere before you enter, where it's spacious, welcoming, and well lit. Inside are a handful of tatami rooms for free use, a comfortable and large living room, a quiet room/study, multiple bedrooms for residents and guests, and each floor has a spacious bathroom (complete with modern soaking tub). But once you get past the genkan, it's obvious that the one area that takes up the most space is the kitchen - found on the first floor and the core to the temple, where the stairs are located, the kitchen and dining area were notably built to house a lot of traffic, between storage space, bar seating, lounging space, a long table, and even extra seating and a table in an roomy alcove that looks out into the yard. Said yard can be accessed via multiple points on the first floor (the dining space, master bedroom, and a couple of the tatami rooms) where it partially wraps around the space, and is another area that is obviously intended to be used as a person sees fit - either for socialization or a quiet spot, depending on whether you stay in the lounge area or go into the small garden. There's often a faint trace of fog in cooler weather surrounding the house, which hovers at the edges of the yard. ... there are also, frequently, cats that come and go. Don't mind them. The temple is now empty. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ The Shrine of Kshitigarbha's Vow Leading down into a small but lush valley, there is a walkway adorned with lanterns and jizo statues. In the center of the valley, there is still lots of greenery, but of note is the statue there, representing the descent into Hell that is more about what someone will feel like when they come out of it -- the beauty of the Far Shore and Near Shore by comparison. ~ ~ ~ Loki's Temple More or less a temple in name only, this small complex of buildings sits relatively hidden in a grove of trees. Despite belonging to a Norse god, the buildings are Chinese in style, placed within the grove to have a sort of aesthetic balance. The main building is a residence of sorts, but it never seems to be occupied. There are a few small outbuildings that seem to be workshops of some sort and these bustle with activity if Lin Xue Ya is home. There is also a small cote that's home to some obviously pampered white birds. Lugh's Farm Lugh's temple is essentially a small farm. There is a small lake at the front of the property and a winding stone path that leads up to the front door of the two-story farmhouse. The front is well-kept, though spotted with the sort of shrubbery you might expect to find on a farm in a mountain valley. There is a barn further back and a paddock for the sheep and few horses that came prepackaged with the temple, as well as a chicken coop and a small stretch of land behind the back door fenced in and ready to be turned into a garden. Inside is just as cozy and rustic as the outside, stone and wood walls everywhere. The bedrooms are cozy, each with a small ensuite bathroom (except for the master, of course) and there's a small library on the second floor. There's also a cellar for keeping whatever Oscar harvests under the kitchen and an outdoor dining area by the lake. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Mars' Coliseum The current incarnation of Mars seems like an obvious choice to have a coliseum as his temple, although perhaps any (fitting) incarnation of a god of war might be equally well suited to it. It's clearly modeled after the ancient Roman Colosseum, architecturally, but updated for the present day; the columns are smooth and unweathered, the arches are actually paned windows, and the top is intact. It's also, of course, not nearly the size of the Roman Colosseum; it would hardly need to be, not when accommodating a new version of Mars who has to repopulate his temple with shinki from scratch. There simply wouldn't be any need for a temple the size of a stadium. It is big enough, however, to enclose an open-air training ground in the center, which is exactly how Bakugou likes it. The interior of the circular structure surrounding it is as modern as the exterior, and well-furnished, but there's a bit of an odd feel to it. Some of the rooms are similar to those one would find in a modern home, but others have more of a schoolgrounds vibe - especially the hallways and the library. It's clear the temple reflects the lived experiences of its teenage god, and perhaps is meant to provide some touchstone of comforting familiarity. Michael's Castle A castle in the medieval fashion, fortified for war. The grounds around the castle aren't terribly well-maintained, but it looks like some attempt has been made to plant gardens. There are two large ponds, well-stocked with fish, that flank the path to the front doors of the building. The furnishings inside are an eclectic mix of modern and ancient, but most rooms seem relatively unused. Minerva's Mansion Minerva's Mansion is drastically different from the original; it has taken on the appearance of a Japanese mansion surrounded by a green forest. Visitors will hear the distinct sound of an owl or two hooting from the tree branches at night. The walkway is wide and leads directly from the main road to the front porch. However, there are two giant shogi pieces that are stationed on either side of the start of the walkway, marking the entrance to Minerva's Mansion. The mansion itself can house many guests, though there are four bedrooms that are bigger than the rest--three of them are for her shinki, where as Minerva herself has the master bedroom. The mansion also has a room around the same size as the master bedroom that serves as a library. Shelves line the walls and are home to many books on various subjects; there seems to be a surplus of books on poetry, medicine, and sheet music specifically. There's also a comfy chair in the corner of the library with yarn kept in a basket beside it, along with various tools that one can use for knitting and crocheting. Strangely, the largest room in the house appears to be a little more barren than the others. There's a table and seats for two, and a shogi board that always seems to be readily set up for a new match on the tabletop. You can't help but feel like you're walking into a battlefield once the door closes behind you. ~ ~ Temple of Nüwa The Temple of Nüwa sits in a wooded area near the Temple of Xuanwu. From the outside, the Temple of Nüwa looks like a traditional Chinese double courtyard residence. It is not particularly fancy or flashy, and appears more like a residence one might find belonging to a prosperous farmer in a rural village rather than an opulent palace befitting a goddess with the title of Empress. The main gate is gray stone topped with a ceramic tile roof, and the door and posts are painted a lucky red gilded with gold leaf that has begun to peel slightly. The second, interior gate is far grander and in much better repair. Letters above the door declare that this is the home of the Empress Wa. Inside the main courtyard, the garden is tasteful but not opulent, with a large pond taking pride of place near the center. Rooms for shinki and guests are comfortably situated in the halls on the sides of the interior courtyards and are comfortably furnished with all the latest modern amenities that contrast rather sharply with the temple's ancient layout and appearance. All the rooms are ensuite, though there is also a luxurious traditional bathouse, complete with a sauna for the Temple's main coldblooded resident, located in one of the outbuildings should they feel the need to take advantage of the facilities. The main building is reserved for Nüwa's personal living quarters, comprised of a spacious bedroom, bathroom, study, and living room. ~ ~ Nyx's Temple Nyx's temple is a cross between a cave and a normal house, and surprisingly light for something dedicated to a darkness deity. That is, most of it is in fact, a cave built into the side of a small mountain, while the porches and yard areas look more like what you would find in a modern home. There's a stone path leading up to the front door, flanked on either side by a pool--one is small and generally empty, but the other one is much larger and full of koi and other fish. Around the ponds and the rest of the grounds are patches of aster flowers, mainly purple. Behind the house portion of the temple grounds is a natural hot spring, partially located in a smaller cave. A large statue of Nyx herself watches over this spring. A rock wall and a copse of trees separates this spring from other temple grounds. Inside, the house is relatively modern, with electricity and running water. There's no bathtubs, but rather smaller hot springs with tubs cut around them. There are small electric scones all over to provide light, as there are only windows in the bedrooms and dining areas. ~ ~ ~ Odin's Temple Unlike the temples of old, Odin's new temple isn't very large and open and is surprisingly warm. It is still made of stone and wood and built in a Nordic style, but apart from a throne room in the very front of the building, the temple resembles a stone mansion more than a place of worship. There is a large library, several bedrooms, and one room devoted entirely to the study of the night sky. The front yard is almost entirely roses, all carefully pruned and maintained. In the back, beyond the tall stone fence, is a small vegetable garden. ~ ~ ~ Oshun's Sacred Grove In a dense forest, little statues of Yoruban deities are scattered all about. Birds continuously fill the woods with song, day and night. Towards the center is a rusty and narrow bridge that crosses a wide river, leading to what looks like an abandoned building. Plants have overrun the facade, hiding cracked walls and old graffiti. Even inside, the plants have taken over, spilling over the railings of the second floor, with other plants growing out of pots occupying the room. The building lacks a chunk of the back wall, exposing it to the outside. The ground floor and roof top have wicker benches and chairs decorated with colorful patterned cushions and blankets. Bamboo woven curtains are rolled and tied up to bottom of the second floor, which can be let down during rainy seasons to keep the water out. The second floor is the living area, where the kitchen and bedrooms can be found. There is a leather couch by the windows in the common area, a contrast to the rest of the furniture. Colorful tiles cover the floor, keeping feet cool during warmer days. The roof is open space with a pergola for shade, along with other plant life growing under the sun. The river runs around the temple, with narrow parked on the side for traveling. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Oxylus's Treehouse The house is built with a tree in the middle, with small trees holding each corner to the two story house, with enough open space in the kitchen and living rooms, and small hanging rooms from the top of the big tree in the middle, that use hanging bridges and wooden stairs to get to them. It's a decent tree house, with five rooms of varying sizes, both in the main floor and the second floor. Everything, from floors to walls and furniture, is made out of different types of wood. ~ ~ Pekko's Farm Located above a steep cliff with only one winding, perilous path up its side, is a vast plateau. A footpath leads through a forest to the actual temple grounds of Pekko; a stone farmhouse with some surrounding land of fields and small buildings for livestock and farming. Beyond, the forest stretches much further, and within lives wild animals, and down winding animal trails, a lake, frozen over by thick yet brittle ice. ~ ~ ~ ~ Sancus' Monastery A sturdy building that has withstood the test of time, it rests upon a clearing that is otherwise surrounded by trees. It's not uncommon to find birds flying across, and perched, on its roof or building their nests in the nearby woods. The inside features multiple large windows, a chapel, wooden chairs and benches, an altar and plenty of secluded rooms that can be used for meditation and prayer. The Monastery itself also houses an exceptionally extensive underground library, with five levels worth of books. Many of these are historical writings, scriptures, and other such literary works in both common and foreign languages. The state of cleanliness of these basement levels will often vary. With some some floors and corridors kept in neat condition, while other floors will have scrolls and lithographs tossed and strewn in varying piles of disarray. ~ ~ Serapis's Castle Serapis's castle is a strange place for a god of the afterlife. It's brightly colored, warm, inviting, and it's very reminiscent of a ship. There are docking bays for ships, though that's only a small part. Inside, it's very large, with several different rooms: a training room, an invisible maze, a large kitchen, bedrooms for plenty of people, a medical wing, a holodeck, a pool, and a ballroom. Oddly, there are five hangars, though what goes there is a mystery. ~ ~ ~ Subcon Weald Rather than a singular building, the temple of Mephistopheles takes the form of a forest plunged into eternal nightfall. Its trees stand tall and barren and the ground is littered with blackened thorns and glowing mushrooms. A path lit by old lanterns leads the way to the center, past a village cobbled together from the stumps of impossibly large trees and overgrowth. The center is where the "true" temple is, a building made from a towering mushroom. An archway has been cut from the base where a bookshelf, armrest, and small table rest, effectively serving as the Snatcher's living room. The large brambles that wind around the mushroom act as a staircase, leading to a simple kitchen and bedroom, the latter of which features old, Victorianesque furniture mainly in reds, blacks, and purples. ~ Sukunahikona's Shrine [Abandoned] On the top side of a little mountain, a little bit into the forest there's a pathway leading to a humble shrine. It doesn't look new, but it's cozy on the inside. It's propped up off the ground so it's almost hanging in the air if not for the poles under it. Most of it is one big room with windows along sides and front. Further in, there's a door leading into the living quarters of the shrine. There are a few small bedrooms, a kitchen, bathroom, a cozy living room. Most of it looks like a throwback to the way Japanese homes looked in the early 1900s, with the addition of some modern appliances, though no computers. But there's a record player and the kitchen is the room that seems the most up to date. There's electricity and plumbing, but there just doesn't seem to be that much stuff in there yet. Down the hill that the shrine is propped up on there's a little pond surrounded by green moss and trees, making sounds muffled and the place calming. When it's warm enough or you're daring enough, you can go swimming there, though the water is a meter and a half at its deepest. Out the front door is a little garden, and to the left of the shrine is a little building with screen doors, but no windows, unlike the shrine itself. It's for privacy, that's much needed in what's essentially a nurse's office. Or, some sort of version of it. It has all the basic things needed to care for someone in need of some small help. The temple is now empty. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ SUSANOO'S TEMPLE A very traditional, Japanese-style mansion and shrine. The building has many rooms, including a space for training, a room for meditation, and living quarters. A moderate sized pond lies between the shrine and the living quarters, with a stone path allowing one to cross between it. Its waters are filled with koi fish. The shrine itself has a torii style gate at its entrance, and the building itself is large and elaborate, but not so much as the mansion. Inside, a wall scroll with an image of a large, bearded Japanese man hangs from the rear wall, flanked by two smaller scrolls with the kanji for "blade" and "wing". The idol inside the shrine is a large stone, with a seal bound around it. It holds no power, but it is symbolic of the god that occupies this temple. Outside the shrine is a chōzuya. The grounds of the temple also have trees, in which Japanese barn swallows make their home." ~ ~ Tajimamori's Temple [Abandoned] The temple is a large traditionally Japanese-style family home, with tiled roof and a plaster-and-beam exterior. It's two stories tall; the ground floor has a large sitting room, a dining room, a kitchen and a few tatami rooms. The upstairs rooms are mainly bedrooms. The interior is a mix of modern and traditional styles, eclectically furnished and decorated with brightly colored arrangements of the garden flowers. The temple is surrounded by a fairly large yard filled with a riot of brightly colored flowers; cosmos, sunflowers, snapdragons, tulips and columbine feature heavily in the sunnier areas of the yard, with hydrangea and azalea bushes around the house. There is a row of sour orange trees along the back wall that perfume the air throughout the temple when they're flowering. At the edge of the property is a medium-high (5') wall with a front gate that stands open at all times. The temple is now empty. ~ ~ Toyotama's Open Sea [Abandoned] "Toyotama's Open Sea - Please 'puka puka' to enter." reads the wooden sign posted beside the temple gates, and sure enough, in front of you isn't a temple at all. Though from a distance it had appeared to be nothing more than a small pond, what you see before you now is a vast, blue sea. It's only once you look down, through the crystal waters that a temple adorned in coral, seashells and pearls can be seen resting peacefully on the seabed below. Marine life of all sorts swims happily in and out of the temple through open doors and windows. Should you follow the sign’s instructions by repeating Toyotama’s 'password', they will gladly come greet you at the shore with a cheerful “Hello!” and offer to take you with them down to the sea floor. Within the realm of Toyotama-hime, all can breathe easily within the comforting depths of the sea. While the majority of the temple, is completely open to the water outside, there are a few “dry” rooms located within air pockets on the second floor, allowing guest to dry off for a while, should they so choose. The temple is now empty ~ Palace of the Northern Stars/Xuanwu Built along the lines of a traditional Chinese Palace, this temple is nestled in-between a jagged line of old stones on one side and dense forests on the other. The outside walls and gates look old and weathered with traditional guardian dogs at the main entrance and craved snakes coiling along the edge of the over hanging roof. Past the first two gates is the main courtyard that's the center of the structure and home to a large crystalline statue of a monstrous turtle and snake locked in eternal battle or merging into one monstrous creature. While the whole place is generally built with a lot of traditional materials, the paper walls are not actually paper but a strange material that changes how they light the room from soothing dull blues and purples to red to yellow depending on the needs of the inhabitants. There are sculptures of alien origins, some of which look like they should be in a space ship instead of a temple. A lot of the furniture has traditional lines made in alien stones and woods and silks, and there is a general feeling as is the place is actual several miles underground and warmer than it should be. The throne area is the building farthest from the entrance and is very very modern inside. The floor, ceiling and walls are all made of a white material that glows with a soft internal light. Furniture of black stone will slide into being or disappear at a whim and the room itself can never really be filled completely. Beyond that room is Shen Wei's personal apartment where the furniture is modern takes on traditional design though there are a few hanging holograms in place of paper screens. There is also a very modern kitchen area that lays between his rooms and the shinki rooms to the east. The shinki rooms are bare until someone comes to occupy them, then the rooms shape themselves to whatever the shinki finds comfortable to them. The western buildings house practice areas for spells and weapons, and a large library full of strange craved books in various languages and a large hanging book in the center of the room. It's written in a tongue that Shen Wei seems to know and it keeps on being added to; as the paper touches the ground, it's folded and placed under the scrolls hanging from the ceiling. Pas the shinki rooms are the gardens which are filled with a large variety of normal plants mingling with a few aliens types. There are a large number of turtles and snakes roaming the gardens and the blessed pool of water holds a strange circle of metal in the center. If need be, the pool converts into a kind of shower to wash off blight of those injured too much for a normal dipping in the pool. ~ ~ ~ The Heavens The Heavens are the easternmost part of the Far Shore, strictly run by the highest-ranked gods. They 'control' the other gods, host regular meetings, and dole out praise and punishment where necessary. Main Office A simple office not unlike the offices of many places that are common around the Near Shore. Gods can apply for a grant of territory in the Heavens, register their existence as deities or establish new shrines. Shinki can apply to the office for reassignment to a new god. The Main Office can process all of your paperwork and help you establish a new existence in the Heavens, for minimal fees and no more inconvenience than your average morning at the DMV! Meeting Hall This is the place where the gods hold their meetings. All gods are anonymous throughout the meeting so that they can freely voice their opinions without being judged. Head shinki are allowed to come to the meeting hall, but are not allowed to attend the meetings. However, they will be well taken care of while their gods are busy with business. Outside of the room where gods hold their meetings, the Meeting Hall is an opulent palace in Edo-era Japanese traditional style. Hallways are floored with polished wood and rooms with wood or tatami. Elegant ink paintings adorn the walls, and windows are latticed. The place is kept patrolled by shinki wearing white adorned with a golden chrysanthemum. Library This library, to the south of the Meeting Hall, is home to every record known to the Heavens. You can find anything here, from historical works to dry records to fictional pieces of art. Even unpublished books can be found if you happen upon the right sections. There is a small room in the library that is locked, and no amount of prodding or tinkering will allow anyone inside, though sometimes the shuffling of papers can be heard beyond the door. Although it was once maintained by tiny goblin-like creatures, most of them died during a time-space upheaval and the library is now staffed on a volunteer basis by player characters and Amaterasu's shinki. The new library employees have been working hard to correct the disastrous disorganization caused by the former goblin attendants, but unfortunately, the goblins weren't the only reason for the disorganization. The same library magic that allows unpublished or unique records to have a copy available here also distorts time and space, causing books to appear, disappear and switch places at random. At least the new library workers are gaining a better idea of which books are available, although finding them is still a matter of luck. Amaterasu's Temple Although recently damaged by a severe fire, the dwelling place of Amaterasu is still one of the most beautiful, and unquestionably the largest, temple in the Heavens. It is built, like the Meeting Hall, in the style of a traditional Japanese castle, with expansive gardens and a roof tiled entirely in gilded tiles that reflect the sun. Repairs are ongoing, and white-uniformed shinki can be seen around the temple working hard at repainting, rebuilding and replanting wherever there is visible fire damage. Sakura Groves Groves of blooming cherry trees spread out to the north and south of the Meeting Hall, and these beautiful areas are sometimes used as meeting or celebration places. The grove to the south is badly scorched as a result of a fire, and many trees there have been damaged by storm winds or lightning. The grove to the north retains its unearthly perfection. The Underworld the realm of death The Underworld is the realm of Izanami, mother of the islands of Japan as well as many of the gods and goddesses of the Heavens. She died in childbirth and was abandoned to the realm of the dead by her husband Izanagi once he saw that she had become a rotting corpse. She now rules the land of the dead, commanding legions of ayakashi, and rarely suffers intruders to live... or to leave. Entrance to the Underworld The traditional entrance to the underworld can be found in Ise, although it is normally sealed and must be opened by a god or by Izanami herself. Vents, which may appear anywhere in the human world or be created by a god or shinki with that ability, are also entrances to the underworld, but they are temporary and often impassable or dangerous. Caverns of the Underworld The Underworld, as befits its name, is a series of caves, caverns and catacombs, some built of brick and some natural caves, both volcanic and limestone. Water that reeks of death and rot drips and puddles throughout the underworld, and it is filled with powerful and vicious ayakashi and demons. These monsters can smell the presence of a pure soul, either god or shinki, and will track down and attack them. Even if the god or shinki tries to conceal their scent, making eye contact with any of the underworld's monsters will cause them to attack. Izanami's Throne Room A tiled catacomb, gilded and beautiful, with a raised dais at the front of the room where Izanami reclines. Incense burners are set at the edges of the dais, and the room reeks of incense smoke over rotting flesh. Any god or shinki who comes this close will find themselves in the very heart of Izanami's power. Gods and shinki are more than welcome to open their own businesses on the Near Shore and may add descriptions and photos of their homes on the Far Shore. All you have to do to be added to the list is reply here using this form: <b>Place:</b> [Near Shore/Far Shore/Heavens] <textarea><b>NAME OF BUSINESS/GOD'S NAME</b> <ul>A brief description of the place of business or the home. Remove any of the following links that you do not use for images, feel free to add more if you need to.<br><br> <a href="IMAGE 1"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/ANRh2Fn.png"></a> ~ <a href="IMAGE 2"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/ANRh2Fn.png"></a> ~ <a href="IMAGE 3"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/ANRh2Fn.png"></a></ul> As gods' Total followers increase, they can apply with the Heavens' Main Office to have their temple moved to a neighborhood befitting their current status. All new gods' temples appear in the Western District, which is a place of shifting distances and terrain, far from important Heavenly administrative areas such as the Meeting Hall and the temples of the major gods. When a temple moves, the player is free to change the description of the temple to reflect its new location (for instance, the temple might increase in size or become more opulent, or the landscape might change around the temple.) To move to a new district, a god must meet or exceed the minimum required Total follower count for that district and reply to this post using the form below. Temple moves can be done at any time, are based on the Total follower count, and do not cost followers. District Minimum Total Follower Requirements Central District 50,000 followers Northeast & Southeast Districts 10,000 followers Northwest & Southwest Districts 5,000 followers Western District At least one follower <b>Place:</b> [Central/Northeast/Southeast/Northwest/Southwest/Western District] <b>God's Current Follower Count:</b> <textarea><b>NAME OF TEMPLE/GOD'S NAME</b> <ul>A brief description of the temple, if there are any changes. Please replace this text with "N/A" if there is no change.<br><br> <a href="IMAGE 1"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/ANRh2Fn.png"></a> ~ <a href="IMAGE 2"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/ANRh2Fn.png"></a> ~ <a href="IMAGE 3"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/ANRh2Fn.png"></a></ul>