Yokai

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, the strongest Yokai are able to regenerate body parts and even reform from being beheaded, though most Yokai would fall from these wounds. They are 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 view and 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!
 * }

Concept Yokai
While not an entire different species Yokai, this accounts for a certain subsection of Yokai. While most Yokai have a discernable species they can be called, there is a small part of the population that do not have a species but rather represent an entire concept of the universe, this concept can really be anything. For example, Gensekai Sage, Anastasia is a Yokai of Nature. She doesn't have a specific species though.

Fundamentally, there isn't a difference to these Yokai compared to the run-of-the-mill Yokai.

Feral Yokai
Feral Yokai are the inbetween between a normal Yokai and a Beast Yokai, and are Yokai who have humanoid forms but lack the same kind of foresight then many Yokai have in Gensekai today, and they still have animalistic tendencies and a hunger for human flesh that most Yokai have grown out of. This makes them very dangerous, but they mostly stay away from the busy places and settlements, mostly commonly seen in the wilderness. Vampires make up a good portion of this group, but they are certainly not the only one.

Feral Yokai are pretty rare in Gensekai though, and can be even tamed and move away from their flesh-eating ways, though they remain to be pretty animalistic and rough.

Beast Yokai
There are two types of Beasts, those who gain humanoid forms and proper sapience and are able to easily join Gensekai without much trouble. Catgirls for example would fall under this umbrella.

The most dangerous kinds are animals who gain beastly forms and magical power, and can pose a threat to Gensekai as they have little sense of holding back and are known for causing destruction. It is these kinds of Yokai that are usually exterminated without remorse as they are only animals, as they do not gain sapience.

Beast Yokai are usually stronger then the average purely magic Yokai but are more susceptible to falling to physical damage easier.