"These buildings have been here for as long as I or my ancestors have known."
History
Founded during the closing of the Heian period (794-1185), the 900-year-old establishment has seen many scars and development, despite being perched upon Mount Komi. The Seinokoten (literally, The High Heaven Of Sex, can also be translated as, The High Heaven Of Nature) The as initially founded by the Japanese-Mongol warlord, Akiyama Mari. Who, in his pursuit of power against the Okinawa, liked to indulge himself with courtesan. And to keep them away from the King's growing influence built the initial building, a five story pagoda deep into the island of Iriomote. And that was where it sat for three hundred years, never knowing the gruesome war and death its creator has caused. While it's inhabitants, surrounded by nature and texts, studied the esoteric, starting a culture that would hold strong to today.
During this period of silence, the Seinokoten experienced some expansions by the courteous, and even opened trade routes to China and Korea. As fishermen and merchants have made their way, usually lost. And in return of the hospitality of the Seinokoten and its inhabitants, they had trade in tools and the knowledge they had gathered; religious doctrines, handicrafts and even martial arts have been exchanged. Bushi and Samurai have also made their way here, hearing of the kind and welcoming nature of the Seinokoten's inhabitants, and some have stayed to teach.
Likened to the Renaissance Era of Europe, it was in the 1482 when the third ruler of the Ryukyu Kingdom, sent an expedition to explore the surrounding islands. What was reported to him, was a new founded culture of women that spoke in odd tongues. A firm believer of Onarigami, or the Ryukyuan principle belief that women are spiritually superior to men, saw the Seinokoten and the tribe as an opportunity to gain the favor of the gods.
Sending his spouse, Kyoni and various other priestesses of the Okinawa cult to the island. The Seinokoten had experienced both a spiritual and financial ecstasy, backed by the kings until the 16th century. The Seinokoten had become a sacred house of worship, described as being Nirai Kanai (The Ryukyuan Realm where the Gods live). As mortals cloud get. And it was in this relationship that strengthen the Seinokoten footprint as an entrenched culture.
In 1615, during the Invasion of Ryukyu by the Satsuma Domain Of Japan, permitted by the shogun in Edo. Many had fled to the island for safety, rapidly increasing their numbers, while some destroyed any traces of the sacred land. Aristocrats and high priestesses have dropped their status of influence to blend in with the culture of simplicity and arcana. And with their numbers, the Seinokoten expanded. After a thwarted attempt of invasion by a small culture of Edo warriors, the Seinokoten had become a complex that extends towards the coves at its south, granting it access to its ports.
After Okinawa fell under a vassal state to the Satsuma Domain, civil war had broken out between the inhabitants of the Seinokoten, over whether or not they should join their new leaders, and two factions had risen. Between the two new groups, fires and destruction had interspersed between the complex. And the two groups had separated, one returning to the Okinawa and the other staying, studying the darker arts to conceal their state. The ones who stayed operated espionage missions, stealing from Satsuman trade groups and opening their own trade routes with South Korea and China, this started the hierarchical structure that the complex buildings now reflect.
However, while the rest of Japan seemed to have suffered, it was during the second World War that Seinokoten had prospered. During the Okinawa invasion by the U.S, a small squadron of the Navy had washed upon the shores of Iriomote, in order to occupy the shore. The Seinokoten inhabitants, experts in seductive practices as well as arcane, managed to convince the soldiers of remain of the island, while cutting off their communications. Eventually, starving off their would be captors while giving them whispers of reassurances. They salvaged the technology, and used it to trade with the rest of Japan and China. under the guise of women from Okinawa. And from then on they had experienced another boom in their own economy, continue their practices of the Ryukuan religion, and becoming in touch with the gods around them, eventually the inhabitants of the Seinokoten became known as the Ladies Of Myoijin, due to their precieved connections to the gods.
Overview & Layout
Located on the Island Of Iriomote, the Seinokoten Establishment occupies the space between Mt.Komi and the coves by Yubujima. With its many experience with its own indigenous origin, the Chinese, Korean and Japanese. The Seinokoten's building reflects such, borrowing architecture from the previously mentioned influences. Within the complex there are many buildings dedicated to the many practices and hierarchy of the Lady Of Myojin and other inhabitants. The overall layout consists of three major areas, the Yama Structure, located on top of the Komi mountain on where the complex was initially founded where those of higher importance reside and where religious rituals and esoteric practices take place. The Mizūmi structure, the central node, a series of buildings encircling a lake, where many of the more ordinary practices and handicrafts take place. And the Hama structure, near the shores where merchants and the ordinary residents are located.
Structures (Yama)
Amami-no-Utaki (The Sacred Place Of Amami)
An area of rock and forest with only four Torii (Japanene gates) marking its general outline. The Sacred Place Of Amami is said to be where the goddess Amamikyu had first come down to bless the earlier courtesan of the Seinokoten with literatures and understanding of the godly planes. Only those high enough in the hierarchy (Kikoe Ōgomi, The One Of Flesh And Spirit, and very special persons) are allowed within this holy place. They are never allowed to stand, only capable of crouching to transverse the large rocky terrain. For those with more with more experience in the Supernatural, they would experience as sudden light and could witness a small group of Tenno that patrol the area. Markings appear on the ground, said to be the entrance way into Niari Kanai.
The Noro and Yuta Residences
Structured after the monasteries in Koya-San, the buildings of shinto-buddist influence stand high in between mountain peaks. Resplendent I'm vermillion with its upturned roof's corners, with wooden coated with a mystical lacquer. The residences of the spiritual side of the Seinokoten reflect their closeness to the goddess above. With complex exteriors and simple interiors, it was made to reflect one's nature, while externally people seem complex until you know how simple they truly are. The residences above provide a picturesque view above the clouds.
Kikoe Ōgomi Residence
Belong to the Head Of Seinokoten, the Kikoe Ōgomi, residence was built to reflect her royal status. Built in the second highest peak on Mt. Komi (the first is reserved for the Amami-No-Utaki), the building reflects an emperor's main housing. It is home to many rooms with multiple purposes such as the storing of antiques and artifacts. Surrounded by metaphysical barriers and strong Chikara, its defenses are also impeccable, maintained by the power of the Kikoe Ōgomi herself. It is here where the inhabitants of Seinokoten go to celebrate New Years.
Ten Senjō No Sancho (Tenjono-Sancho| The Peak Of Heavenly Washing)
Tenjono-Sancho is the place where the ritual of Nekktsu takes place, where, every four months on the fourth week for four days, the one of Spirt And Flesh goes through a tortuous process of beating and fire as a way where her cries carry the repentance of the Seinokoten's inhabitants. Flanked by various dojo, it is also where many of the Lady Of Myojin take place in combative or spiritual practices. It is highly regarded and holds doctrines of esoteric knowledge and spiritual richness.
Quick Glances (For Rushed Locations)
Mountainous Vaults & Mines: Various mines and vaults are said to be interspersed across Mount Komi. These vaults hold the various metals the Seinokoten have mined or taken, including its newly obtained Odyssey Metal.
Various Effigies: Statues Of divine figures in Shinto, Buddhism, and the Ryukakuan
Structures (Mizumi)
Considered the central point of the Seinokoten, the Mizumi structures reflect a more slower pace of life. Where many of the more ordinary jobs required to keep the Seinokoten operating are taught and put into practice.
The Center
Encircling the main lake, many houses and industrial facilities make up the Center. It is here where most of the weaponry, structure and food that the Seinokoten has comes from. Unlike the Hama structures, men are seen here working alongside women to help maintain the paradise that is the Seinokoten. Various dojos can be found, where many of rather more mundane martial arts are practiced.
Kenomo-No-Ie (Kokoro's residence
Located far away from the center due to her status as a living sin, The House of the Beasts stays perched upon the middle of a lake. It is purely simple and traditional, it has a slopped thatch and bark roof and inside, a large space with nothing back a tatami mat and bare shelves. Its walls are made entirely by sliding panels.
Quick Glances
Schools: Various schools are along the Mizumi structures, dedicated to teach children about philosophy, combat, mathematics, science, language, and religion. For those who seemed to have a special desire for the arcane, they are recruited to live amongst the Noro and Yuta in the Yama structures
Structures (Hama)
Where the Yama structures if for the religious, and the Mizumi structures are for the mundane. The Hama is for the financial . Various ports and merchant stores line up near the shores of the hidden Beach, they continue their trading the secret and occasionally will set off in search of knowledge.
Excursions
(WiP)
The Ladies Of Myojin
(WIP)
Security
Seinotoken is an establishment of mostly peace and tranquility, however in the instance of an attack. She has many means of defending herself. Very inhabitant of the complex has been throughly trained in martial arts, and while some are better or worse than others. They all have a general understanding of putting someone on their butts. Various expert swordspersons patrol between the complexes, with more hiding within the shadows or plain sight
The Daughters Of The Myo-o: A more deathly branch of the Ladies Of Myojin, the Daughters Of The Myo-o are tasked with the under protection and defense of the arcane facilities, equipped with an understanding of Buddist-Shinto mysticism. They are recognized by their white kimonos and the sword they hold by their sides. They are described as Tenno of Izanagi
Mystical Defenses: Much effort has been put into protecting the complex from both mystical and physical attacks, and various defenses has been put up. Such as a system that searches for intent in more important facilities. As well as anti-teleportation shields and archaic runes placed within the wood and lacquer of the buildings. It also has a metaphysical barrier to prevent it from being picked up my technological means.
Underground Passage Ways: Regularly patrolled, the underground passage ways are built for both the heightened mobility of soldiers throughout the island, as well as the evacuation of the Seinokoten residence.
OOC:
If you want to do anything major with the thread or cause prominent destruction, PM me (@Ulysses_Baron, @TheStoryteller, @Omega_Finis)
Sell the security. These are peak human martial artists with the ability to manipulate chi and communicate with Shinto Angels
Log in to comment