The Gensokyo Chronicle

The Gensokyo Chronicle is a compilation of information as written by the Child of Miare. The Child of Miare is a reincarnation of Hieda no Are, and is born in the Hieda family once every century and a few decades. The Child of Miare is unfortunately cursed with short life, but is known for her perfect memory, allowing her to retain memories even from older reincarnations. The last Child of Miare, Hieda no Aya, had passed away early on in the Meiji era, but not before her volume of the Chronicle had been published.

The Gensokyo Chronicle, in old times, was filled with data that allowed humans to learn how to combat against the Youkai. At the time of publication, however, Gensokyo had been in a relatively more peaceful era, mainly because the Youkai have been losing their power.

(Note: Please do not post in this thread. This thread will be updated with new information on demand, but please make those demands in the General Discussion thread.

Humans

The humans of Gensokyo are hardly any different from any other humans, except that some are born with special talents reminiscent of those of the Youkai. Why they have these talents may vary between each one, but it seems that humans with strange properties tend to be drawn toward Gensokyo, where their powers seem to be the strongest. The humans of Gensokyo, however, have a sworn duty to continue living in Gensokyo for the sake of keeping the heavy Youkai population of the area under control. Nearly all humans in Gensokyo live together in the Village. The exceptions are either very powerful or very stupid.

Humans may be relatively weak and physically inadept compared to most Youkai as well as having a relatively weak Chi (inner power, Odic force, etc.), but they make up for it by being very numerous and reproducing quickly in comparison to Youkai. To combat the Youkai, many humans must make use of magic (using Mana from the earth or borrowing from familiars) or technology (such as iron weapons) or must dedicate themselves to religious practice in order to defend themselves. Humans are most vulnerable to physical attacks and ailments.

Youkai

Youkai are born from the fears of humans, making them their absolute enemies. They come from nowhere but the minds of people and the power of the moon. They come in just about all shapes and sizes and appear in almost all folklore around the world, but in modern times, many like to adopt deceiving humanoid appearances.

Common traits among Youkai may include extended lifespans, superior physical capabilities, superior intelligence, shapeshifting abilities, superior Chi, etcetera, but a lot of these vary between Youkai. However, many of them share their regenerative qualities in common, being able to heal any part of them even if they are cut into five pieces. That is, of course, only the case if the attack had no real power behind it.

Many Youkai are said to have certain weaknesses, but all of them share the same weakness of being weak to spiritual and faith-based attacks and ailments. That is to say, anything between exorcisms and charms to magic to simply not believing they exist. Youkai grow strong off of fear, just as Gods grow strong off of faith, so when a Youkai’s existence is denied, they themselves are greatly weakened and once completely forgotten, could disappear. This is a fate feared by all Youkai. Thus, to keep a balance between humans and Youkai, Youkai must attack humans and humans must exterminate Youkai.

Most Youkai are said to be very self-centered and only do what’s best for them. However, weak Youkai (such as Fairies) tend to crowd around stronger ones and there are some examples of Youkai that do create their own cooperative societies in imitation of human ones (such as the Tengu).

Fairies

These feeble creatures are said to be the embodiment of nature. Wherever a fairy sleeps, the plants grow even when on the edge of death, and wherever they play, the forest sings praise, the fields dance and the water greets. Fairies are rather common throughout Gensokyo. Wherever nature thrives, so do they. Fairies, however, are considered a nuisance to people, at least humans, in many ways. Indeed, they are known well for mischief as they will go out of their way to befall misfortune upon any unlucky suspect, whether it is making a traveler lose his way or dropping stones on him. Their abilities are usually problematic for people, such as causing weeds to grow in gardens or even through stone. Often, when something unexplained happens, such as the disappearance of an object or even a person, fairies are to blame.

Fairies represent all that is untame about nature and all that cannot be explained easily. Fairies most often take on the deceiving appearances of young children, whom like nature, are difficult to tame. Yet, it doesn't matter how much one scolds a fairy or hinder a fairy's tasks, fairies are incorrigible and will harshly change, just as nature is incorrigible. Such is why very few fairies take an appearance older than a child. Aside from that, they are easily identifiable by their insect-like wings. Fairies are among the most problematic of Youkai because of the fact that one can't truly kill a fairy. Death is only a temporary measure for them, as they'll simply disintegrate and reintegrate not long afterward.

Oni

Probably the most fearsome Youkai in all of Gensokyo. Known mainly for their overwhelming physical strength, it takes Oni extermination specialists to deal with these fearsome ogres, and those are increasingly less common in Gensokyo. They're easily identifiable by the horns on their heads and their huge muscular stature. Oni love drinking and partying, but they also like to challenge humans to competitions. If you lose, you're abducted, and the Oni cannot be beat in anything. That said, Oni are known to be very honorable and hate cowards and liars.

Do not face an Oni without a specialist with you. Do not accept an Oni to his challenge. Do not look for an Oni. Do not insult an Oni. Do not even get near an Oni, and for the love of all that is holy, do not drink with an Oni. Just remember that they are weak to fried beans.

The Oni have lived in Gensokyo for a long time, having established their own society upon Mt. Yatsugatake (otherwise known as Youkai Mountain). Every now and then, they'll come down and kidnap a human, and it's up to a specialist to deal with them. The leaders of said society are known as the Four Devas of the Mountain, and they are the toughest among all the Oni (two of them are pictured above.) They rule Oni society with an iron fist. It appears that the Tengu and the Kappa are subordinates to the Oni, although it appears that not all of them seem all that happy about it. Indeed, there is unrest between the three societies on the mountain.

Tengu

Some know them as the fastest Youkai, the Tengu are spirits of the wind. Their forms vary between crow-like forms to monks with long noses and red faces, but they all share very similar traits. They have the natural ability to fly and the ability to control the wind using their hauchiwa fans.

Tengu are known to be ancient and have developed a very strict hierarchical society. Perhaps it is because they can transfer information between each other faster than humans can (note: although now, there exists something called a telegram) that they have the most well-organized society of all. In Gensokyo, however, Tengu live mainly around the peak of Mt. Yatsugatake and are merely subordinates to Oni and serve as their messengers, guards and scouts. It seems, however, that they might be getting fed up with it.

Kappa
Although they aren't as ugly as most old stories depict them as, Kappa aren't any less unusual. Kappa are known to be water spirits and most commonly inhabit lakes. Do take note that they don't actually live in the water, but spend a lot of time near it. They are extremely strong swimmers, stronger than any human, and are known in stories to be the cause of many drowning incidents. Many stories tell of them abducting children or farm animals. However, they are known to be both very respectful and very gullible. They also love cucumbers. If you want to make peace with a Kappa, be sure to offer one of these and they won't abduct your child.

Kappa supposedly have their own hidden society somewhere at the base of Mt. Yatsugatake, but currently, they are subordinates to the Oni. They appear to have no real ill-will toward humans, however, and are quite curios about human culture. Western technology definitely seems to interest them. One shouldn't trust them, however, as they are both very introverted and quite mischievous at times. Among Youkai folktales, the Kappa may be known to be the easiest to deal with, but that doesn't mean they're any less potentially dangerous than any other Youkai.

Kitsune

Perhaps the most clever Youkai of them all, the Kitsune are merely foxes with long lives. The longer a fox lives, however, the more powerful it becomes. For every hundred years, a kitsune will grow an extra tail, which is a direct reflection of their power and their wit. By the time they have nine tails, they will have reached the peek of their strength and their intelligence. It would take a specialist to take one down.

Kitsune are known for several powers, but most notable are their illusionry abilities. They're able to completely change their form at will and they will often take on the forms of humans either for mischief or harm. Other abilities include possession, fox fire, increased strength and omniscience. Always take note that a Kitsune's favorite food is tofu.

Tales about Kitsune vary about their intents. Some tales tell of wild Kitsune who attack or possess human beings, while others tell of Kitsune who merely like to play pranks, such as disguising as women and seducing men. Stories also exist of Kitsune who actually pretend to live as humans, some of which tell of Kitsune marrying humans and bringing up children together. Children of Kitsune are said not to inherit fox traits, but tend to have supernatural powers. Kitsune are also associated with shrines and some are known to be quite tame, serving the deity Inari Okami.

Tanuki

These aren't your ordinary raccoon dogs. Tanuki (or Bake-danuki) are Youkai known for their shapeshifting powers, perhaps exceeding those of Kitsune. They'll transform into anything from trees to money. It appears that they use leaves as the source of their transformation power. Be careful when making a deal with one, as they're known to give merchants fake money. That said, Tanuki are known to have good fortune. Tanuki can be found throughout all of Gensokyo, so you should always be wary, especially during the night of a full moon, that they don't manage to get into your snacks. It appears Kitsune and Tanuki aren't exactly on friendly terms.

Bakeneko

Should one allow their cat to grow old enough, it may just become a Nekomata. Nekomata are known for their powers over necromancy and black magic. Having a Nekomata around may lead to your house being haunted. Nekomata can also shapeshift into human form. A simple indicator of a Nekomata is a split tail. One should exterminate a Nekomata quickly, before they can become a greater issue. Nekomata are known to be hostile toward humans, and often live in abandoned places or in the mountains.

Magicians

While humans normally rely on religious practice or rigorous combat training to fight against the Youkai, there is a new-found interest in magic, mainly those of western origin, which is very different from the magical practices imported from the mainland. Ever since western merchants and missionaries had first traded with the Japanese several centuries ago, literature upon western magic has existed in Gensokyo (and with the end of Sakoku, said literature is now commonly imported out of scholarly interest in western ideals) but with it came a form of Youkai known as a Magician, otherwise known as a Witch or Warlock.

Magicians are human-like Youkai that extensively practice magic. They commonly live in isolation, especially from each other for the sake of being in 'magically-rich' locations, where they spend their days alone performing research and experiments to expand their knowledge and power. In this way, they are hardly any different from scientists. Indeed, they aren't all that different from humans, being equally frail if not even more so, as many tend to work with hazardous chemicals and lead sedimentary lifestyles. Nonetheless, they are clearly Youkai, as they have casted spells upon themselves that rids their need for food and extends their lifespan. Also, being Youkai, they have much greater natural magic power within them.

Some are simply born Magicians, while others are actually human magicians that have themselves become Youkai, usually with the assistance of these forbidden spells. Because of their secluded nature, Magicians aren't hugely dangerous unless one draws near the dwelling of one. Magicians are known to kidnap livestock and children, who are never seen again. Some are also known to sell shady enchanted items to people. Never trust a Magician. While they have vast and powerful magical capabilities, most are known to be very weak physically and aren't good with close combat or lengthy battles. Just don't fall into a magician's trap.

The Eight Million Gods

The Shinto religion is quite well known for it's Eight Million Gods. Of course, the true meaning of that is simply 'myriad of gods'. Shinto is an animistic religion, meaning that everything, dead or living, contains a god. For that reason, gods exist throughout nature. For this reason, gods vary heavily from hardly recognizable spirits to omnipotent, omniscient creators of our world.

All gods are born and fueled by the faith of humans. Faith is what gives them power, but it is also what defines them. Faith is what gives gods a 'name' and an 'ego', which is what defines their blessing. In this way, as beliefs change, so do the blessings and traits of gods. A god usually receives faith in the form of worship, but even simply celebration of a god will do. Most gods attract faith by answering prayers or by bestowing their blessings (such as a harvest god bestowing good harvest) to which humans will present the deity with offerings as a form of gratitude and celebration. Gods are known to have negative sides, however, and if they are angered, it is said they can bring upon curses and disasters. This side of a god needs to be appeased so they will not cause trouble. Sometimes, the good side and bad side of a god can be so different that they will be worshiped as two separate deities. Faith is essential for a god to manifest their power, and without it they will be unable to do so. This, to them, is equivalent to death.

Shinto gods inhibit strange properties in comparison to gods in other religions, even other polytheistic ones. Gods will inhabit just about anything associated with them, from a small object (often worshipped as a Shintai) to a large structure or grounds (like a shrine). That said, gods are also capable of splitting themselves indefinitely, yet every body will have the same power as the original. In this way, a god can be present in multiple places at once (such as a famous god being worshiped at multiple shrines and altars, or a god of cooking being present in all kitchens). Some gods are also known to have physical forms which allow them to directly interact with humans, while others can only be channeled through certain individuals, such as shrine maidens.

Gods may come into being in more ways than one. For example, a human, such as a priest, may have a god's abilities mistaken for their own and thus, they may become a god themselves. This type of living god is known as an Arahitogami. They retain godly nature in a physical form just like ordinary gods, but should they lose their faith, they'll become ordinary humans. Divine Spirits are humans that ascended to godhood for their deeds before or after death. Some Youkai who are famous for doing good deeds may be worshiped as gods as well, and attain godhood. Likewise, a god who lives off of fear instead of faith may descend into becoming a Youkai. If an object such as a tool exists for a hundred years and isn't respected, the god residing within it may turn the object into a Tsukumogami, an animated Youkai tool.

Probably the highest and most revered god in Gensokyo is that of the Dragon God. Unlike the monsters of western folklore, dragons of eastern religion are legendary creatures, and the Dragon God of Gensokyo is no exception. It lives within the sky, the rain and the sea. When it winds its body it causes mountains to crumble and earthquakes to occur. It is thicker than the eldest trees and long enough to block out the sky. It is a great destroyer, yet it is also the creator of Gensokyo, being responsible for the rain, rivers and abundant plantlife. The Dragon God is the one that created the harmonious and destructive elements of nature that we see are present within Gensokyo today. Such is the great power of the Dragon God. Humans and Youkai alike worship this great being.