hooks

the armour of tadashi

limited hook

The shrine maiden, passing a cup of sake to the mysterious visitor, smiles beneath her auburn lashes. “Have you ever heard the tale of the Fateful Fisherman, Okyakusama? Perhaps not — it is a local legend. The hero, Tadashi, was no more than a fisherman when he was forced to take up arms against the invading horde from the Steppes. But a fisherman know of war? He went to pray at the shrine of the Kami of Mizuhanamachi, for strength and the courage to defend his home. For his piety and bravery, he was granted an armour forged by Hi-no-Kagutsuchi himself. This armour was so strong that Tadashi took a thousand arrows, and never fell to them. Perhaps, Okyakusama, you have heard this tale after all, for it also speaks that the armour's final resting place is in my family's shrine. For that is why you are here, is it not?”

biwa hoshi

permanent hook

Coming soon.

the fishwife

permanent hook

The markets of Sui-no-Sato, Onokoro and Isari have often seen a red-haired Auri woman, hanging up mackerel by their dark red gills on a line, their iridescent silver patterns glistening in the morning sunlight. As the Kagutsuchi Daimyojin is not so prosperous these days, Chiyo supplements her family's income by selling fish and kelp; perhaps one of these market days, you'll cross paths with her.

charms and talismans

permanent hook

The small Kajiwara family have been guardians of the sacred shrine for generations, honing defensive enchantments and magics. Chiyo has learned mystical arts to propitiate her kami — along with practical ones to maintain the shrine. She is skilled in the making of ofuda and omamori that ward the presence of the spirits that haunt the mind and body – one need only ask for her assistance, and have the koban in hand.

blessed archery

permanent hook

Centuries ago, the Kajiwara family were given the task of safeguarding the many shrines scattered across the Ruby Sea, from lonely altars to great sanctuaries. To fulfill these responsibilities, the Kajiwara have mastered the use of charmed arrows and prayers to protect the shrines from spiritual foes, and practical archery to fend off more mortal dangers. Though the other shrines they once tended to have been long forgotten, Chiyo still practises these skills, and should the need arise, she will lend her bow and her sacred charms to any whose shrine — or home — is under assault by malevolent forces.