Species

Humans
The world of Gensekai while mainly filled with yokai; does have a small minority of humans who settle around. Mostly in settlements; going too deep into the wilderness can prove dangerous for them. There are of course; the humans who can wield magic to a point they can battle with the upper echelons of Gensekai. Humans in Gensekai are often called Ethereal Humans. To pass through the Gensekai border requires being exceptional or magical in birth or practice, or even at random during supernaturally charged events or entering mystic places in the outside world of the earth; or from other universes. When in Gensekai; humans gain the natural ability to use magic if they choose to learn, and all humans gain the ability to take a few average danmaku attacks and levitate/fly.

Types
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Occupation

 * Magicians (human)
 * Hermits (those ascended to immortality via ascetic/religious/spiritual training)


 * Any job, hobby, etc.

Partially Human

 * Magicants (born-as, or turned youkai)
 * Half-youkai
 * Were-creature (usually linked with the moon)
 * Living gods (arahitogami)

Once-Was Human

 * Immortals
 * Spirits
 * Half-phantoms
 * Any undead

Divine Entities
Note: These labels can also apply to Yokai
 * Celestials (those living in the heavens)
 * Avatars (living embodiment or indirect manifestations of a god)
 * }

Yokai
More often than not, “Yokai” is a general umbrella term referring to anything that is not strictly human -- in the same way that “monster” or “creature” is used. From there, specific subgroups are distinguished.

Youkai are not typically immortal, but rather very long-living, and tend to embody a specific part of nature, fear, or object, but can just be existing species from mythology and other things; due to this, the kinds of Yokai are endless. From this, they were originally beings born and powered by human fear & flesh -- but Gensekai offers a place for more personal purpose and style: including a more human-like appearance and temperament.

Yokai are primarily spiritual beings; and as such, they can recover and revitalize from being cut up into pieces; though they will be out of commission for a while during such events. They are way more susceptible to magical based charms and items; (seals, wards, etc.). Yokai are stronger and longer-lived than humans, and life spans can reach hundreds of years; though exceptions exist, such as fairies. All Yokai have an innate connection to the moon; as it was the moon's dim light during the creation of the universe that birthed them; while humans were made during the sun's shine. Most Yokai who live in Gensekai today live harmoniously with humans, but there are a few who used to treat them as animals still. There is violent and territorial Yokai who live deep within the Gensekai wilderness. These feral Yokai are ones who have not gained a humanoid body and keep their monstrous form.

When a Yokai is killed by special Yokai killing spells; they will not pass on a ghost but rather simply disappear from the world, this kind of extermination is a last resort and these weapons are only used by Shrine Maidens or Yokai exterminators. Though if a Yokai passes peacefully, killed outside of those spells, or by other natural means, they usually turn into a basic spirit and travel down to the Netherworld.

There are also times where Animals are turned into Beast Yokai for various reasons; they can either gain sentience and become autonomous like their peers, or keep their primitive minds and become bloodthirsty in some cases. These are the kinds of Yokai that are usually exterminated for their dangerous uncontrolled nature.

Types
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Divine or Pure

 * Celestials
 * Angels
 * Pure or Purified Spirits / Entities


 * Dragons
 * Kirin / Qilin (benevolent dragon-like beings)
 * Hakutaku (beings holding obscure mystic information)
 * Gods
 * Primordial (ancient yokai gods from the ethereal that don’t get stronger or weaker, rarely seen outside of it)
 * Faith ( human or yokai god who ascended due to being worshipped as a deity. Become immortal and their spirits can linger on after death. )


 * Komainu (shrine statues. Defenders of shrines and temples)

Demonic (or otherwise from Hell)

 * Shinigami (“grim reapers”)


 * Vampires
 * Demons / Devils
 * Hell Oni
 * Kishin (hell chiefs)
 * Amanojaku (oni)
 * Hell Animals (ie. Ravens)
 * Animal Spirits (from Hell’s Animal Realm)

Apparitions and Objects

 * Fairies (Technically not Yokai)
 * These are indestructible manifestations of nature, and can be aspects of anything found within it.
 * Seasons, weather & aspects of them (like snow or flowers)
 * Life & death
 * Embodiments of places like Hell


 * Fae can also encompass sprites, pixies, nymphs, and lampads


 * Spirits / Phantoms / Poltergeists…
 * Divine spirits
 * Tsukumogami (living objects)
 * Haniwa

Normal Species

 * Tengu (any bird animal, like a Crow)
 * Kappa
 * Yamanba (mountain woman)
 * Yamabiko (mountain yokai, look it up)

Underworld Realms (Hell)

 * Oni (drunken, incredibly strong, horned creatures)
 * Satori (mind-reading creatures)


 * Earth spiders (tsuchigumo)
 * Tsurube-otoshi (ambush creatures)

Misc

 * Any embodiment of generic yokai (ie seasons & aspects of nature, darkness & light, etc.)
 * Any animal variation (including were-creatures)
 * Shikigami (“programmed” servants)


 * Mermaids
 * Rokurokubi (neck-stretching creature)
 * Inchlings


 * And anything else that wasn’t mentioned!
 * }

Fairies
Are technically not yokai, but clumped in with the group. A fairy is a small, simple, humanoid creature of magic that represents some aspect of nature. Many of them are also simple-minded. They tend to have short lives, but they will regenerate immediately after death; if they keep their memories or not depends.

A fairy may have abilities relating to the four seasons, weather, emotions, longevity, decay, fertility, or other aspects of nature. The power exercised by a single fairy is usually harmless and small scale, so they're more suited to playing around rather than causing major happenings. Fortunately, most fairies are easily amused by pulling pranks on unsuspecting humans and Yokai. However, since fairies tend to gather in areas frequented by humans and youkai, a large group of fairies may indicate the presence of a powerful youkai.

Fairies spring forth from nature, and as long as that nature is preserved, they're indestructible. On the other hand, if that nature is lost, the fairies who spring forth from that disappear forever. Most fairies are small; enough to fit in the palm, but very old ones who have regenerated for long times or represent huge sources of nature can have adult sizes. Most fairies are very simple-minded and not very smart; but once again, age brings the exception. They also don’t need food as nature revitalizes them. These larger and older faes are called Greater Fairies.

Fairies can still die, but they have no lifespan; as the only way to truly rid one is to destroy the nature base they are sourced from.

Gods
Gods are described as beings of spiritual significance and are separate from Yokai and Humans. They can travel to the heavens, (Elysium Isle) above on their own volition; and their beings are described as pure, even if they represent darker aspects of being.

Primordial Gods
The oldest gods; and responsible for the creation of the universe. They never grow stronger or weaker and are usually formless beings; who reside in the inaccessible Ethereal. Primordials do have offspring, but they are not counted as part of the main group and are more so seen as extensions. The number of primordial gods is very low, and they are rarely seen out in the universe. They can however create avatars of their being and visit the universe for a short time. They are completely immortal and cannot be erased or killed. They can however have the avatars they create sealed if it should come to that for whatever reason. Cannot exist in the physical world.

Faith Gods
Now; this is where the bulk of gods come from. Faith gods are gods who gain their power from the belief others have in them. This requires a true divine belief that they are a god; a revered spirit; etc. They can also be created during times where groups need to believe in something. Faith gods can live among Gensekai undetected and directly impact lives.

Most faith gods have two aspects to them. The worship of them grants blessings and they will protect their followers. in the same vein, they can cause disasters and curses. These states can be different in appearance and behavior. A shrine is a place a god can occupy to be connected to Gensekai. Nativia Shrine is a special place because it is the gate to the direct gateway to the heavens. A shrine can be as large as a building and its grounds; or as small as a little box on a shelf where gifts can be inserted. Most Shrines have a Shrine Maiden that helps keep it defended; exterminate truly evil Yokai and Vengeful Spirits; among other things that can be done. It depends on the god that has been enshrined.

Gods are not Yokai; they are counted as a different species. Most are born from faith, such as Minerva who was created when a faction of humans from the outside world created her a long time ago; and note that “born” can mean ascension to godhood after death; such as the case of Hestia. Faith from both Yokai and humans are valid, and is described as a fear for the retributions of one’s actions; and the will to enrich one’s life, spirit, and body. But it doesn’t have to be this serious; it can be as simple as throwing parties to celebrate your god.

Faith Gods may split their spirits and manifest where they are called upon; enabling them to be in multiple places at once to help their followers. Each split has the same power as the original, and the splits can take different forms. The Shrine Maidens and Priests of the gods can call upon the power of their gods to enter their bodies to gain powers. Faith Gods can travel around to all the realms as their bodies are made of purity. Some faith gods that exist in Gensekai are even based on relevant mythology from the Outside world.

When a faith god loses their faith; they lose the ability to manifest anywhere, and it is the equivalent of death, where they will become a simple spirit. Except for Arahitogami.

Arahitogami are humans who became gods through being worshipped while they were alive. They are not dependent on faith to maintain their existence unlike normal faith gods and divine spirits; and will return to being normal humans if their faith runs out. While they are worshipped, they do not physically age. An example of this is Ranae Nativia.

Divine Spirits are the faith gods of yokai or humans who died and were worshipped after their death; where they will retain their form even in spirit. If they leave the Netherworld they will gain a physical body to use temporarily; essentially a rebirth. As long as their faith continues; they will maintain their consciousness.

All Faith Gods can create children, but these children will simply be living normal humans or Yokai depending on whom they make children with, and are not counted as Faith Gods unless they are also worshipped.

Yokai Gods are the name given to Yokai who are divine or have ascended; they are no longer considered Yokai and become gods of faith. Essentially changing species. The line between Yokai and god is blurred in this case though.

Spirits
Spirits cannot physically be touched and are mostly like fairies. They represent some kind of force or concept and aren't normally the souls of the deceased. Most spirits are faceless and barely have personality if they have any-, yet there are two major exceptions to this rule.

Divine Spirits, which are explained above.

Vengeful Spirits have much more sapience and are usually born from regrets or other strong negative emotions when a person dies or when a disaster occurs. They are among one of the most dangerous beings in Gensekai and Shrine Maidens are tasked with exterminating them if they cause trouble.

Ghosts
Ghosts are limited to humans, yet they are not required to be purely spiritual beings. Ghosts are born from the souls of humans with a strong emotional attachment to a high degree to a certain place or otherwise. They are not able to pass through objects and have physical bodies. It can be almost impossible to tell when you're interacting with a ghost as they look perfectly human and are even warm to the touch.

The best way to have a ghost move on is to show them they are dead; as they may be unaware of their situation. Providing closure or realization more usually makes them move on.

Phantoms
This is what is usually meant when someone speaks of a dead person, yokai, or human. Phantoms are the 'standard' ghostly being and are usually the souls of someone who has passed onto the Netherworld. They lose their conscious self and when looked at are similar to floating wisps. They can exist in both the spiritual and physical world (depending on the area. Graveyards for example have phantoms about). Under odd circumstances, Phantoms can be born from even inanimate objects.