... And other spirit realms that are related to Rokugan, and thus help shape the religion and belief system of Rokugani.

Any thoughts?

Edited October 21, 2015 by Shinjo Yosama

The Nothing knew not how long it had existed, it just knew somehow that it did. The Nothing only really became aware of its existence as the world began forming around it. Surely this world must have been created out of my loneliness the Nothing thought, so I will also destroy it for it now annoys me. However the world did not vanish, but continued to flourish, and new life began emerging. This only served to frustrate the Nothing even further, and it vowed from that day to destroy this bright new world. The Nothing then caught movement out over this world, and the Nothing hid itself.

Amaterasu and Onnatangu flew ever closer to this bright jewel of a world to behold each detail of its splendor. Amaterasu began naming all the creatures, and plants that she saw. This was a wonderful world full of potential. Onnatangu also named many things, places, and living things. This naming game made for a great way to pass time. Onnatangu spotted the Nothing as it was hiding itself. Onnatangu allowed the Nothing its privilege to remain anonymous, and unnamed. Thus Onnatangu did not reveal the Nothing, but allowed it to remain hidden, keeping this secret from Amaterasu.

Once all things were named Amaterasu was pleased with the work they had accomplished together. She gave herself to Onnatangu, and from that union were their ten children born. Akodo, Bayushi, Doji, Fu-Leng, Hantei, Hida, Ryushun, Shiba, Shinjo, and Togashi.

The Nothing later contacted Onnatangu and the two spoke about a great many things. They developed a relationship that was kept secret from Amaterasu. Over time the Nothing began to whisper lies into Onnatangu's ear, arousing in him jealousy, and fear of his own children.

*************

The Nothing
Dark Entity, Spirit of Jigoku

Maybe contacted by Bloodspeaker Ritual, or Sense, Commune, Summon Spells where blood sacrifices are offered for dark powers, or knowledge. May also be invoked through dark maho, or necromantic spells. The Nothing revels in destruction of flesh, and soul. The Nothing is willing to aide those who are willing to spread death, destruction, and fear.

It is hard to describe the appearance of the Nothing. Often it has been described as a constantly shifting swirl of dark smoke containing embers of flame that flare at times giving the effect of eyes flashing to emphasize a point of what it is saying, or perhaps just as a scare tactic.

**************

Amaterasu
Sun Goddess, Lady of Light

May grant power, or knowledge associated with fire, light, air, healing. Amaterasu is not to be petitioned lightly, and may require a service for her aide, or knowledge.

Amaterasu can literally take any form she chooses, but will often appear in a vision to those who serve her as a beautiful young woman adorned in a kimono that seems woven of light itself. Her voice is soft and soothing to hear. When it serves her purposes though her voice can resound as thunder, even shaking the very ground upon which a person stands.

**************

Onnatangu
Moon Lord, Master of the Void

May grant hidden knowledge, time manipulation, time travel, teleportation, but definitely ultimately demands the soul of the petitioner.

Most often appears to petitioners as a handsome, yet dark and brooding man. Either wearing a dark silk kimono, or one of pale neutral color. He often answers a question with yet another question. There is a double meaning to almost everything he says. He constantly hints at a darker hidden agenda belonging to any word, or deed.

*************

Akodo

Patriarch of the Lion Clan, The Right Hand

May grant those who have proven themselves honorable by deeds either on or off the battlefield, and who have upheld bushido as their way. Typically Water (Strength and Tactics), Fire (Courage and Battlerage.)

He may appear as a great celestial lion, or an armor clad samurai. He has an imposing presence, and when he desires to do so radiate an aura of power that frightens all but the most honorable of petitioners.

*************

Bayushi

Shiba's Twin, Lord of Masks, The Underhand

May grant spells to those he deems worthy from various elements: Air (specialty illusion), Earth (specialty poisons, and antidotes), Fire (specialty demoralization), Water (specialty misdirection), and Void (specialty secret or forbidden knowledge).

Bayushi through illusion can take any form he so desires, and is crafty enough at it to often fool his own siblings. He considers himself a Guardian Spirit of Secrets, and does not grant his boons lightly. He must know he can trust those to whom he favors. This was why he was so selective with his followers in his time in Rokugan. Bayushi is a jealous kami, and prideful, demanding loyalty above all in those who serve him.

*************

Doji

Matriarch of the Crane Clan, The Left Hand

May grant spells to those who show an aptitude for leadership, or masterful artistic aptitude. Earth (especially for sculpting, or shaping earth), Water (especially ritual cleansing, or healing), Fire (especially for forge, and leadership).

She most often appears to petitioners as an elegantly beautiful woman dressed in a sky blue and white kimono. She speaks with assertiveness that exudes authority. She has been known to inspire through dreams or visions of her singing, or acting out a role, but only for the most devout, and honorable of her followers.

************

Fu-Leng

The Dark God, The Ninth Kami

May grant spells from any element as Fu-Leng himself mastered many forms of sorcery, and is one of the kami who can actually take the form of a dragon. His power is considerable, but comes at a heavy cost.

He appears as a man of short stature dressed in black kimono, and a porcelain mask. He may also appear as a black dragon radiating an aura of extreme power, and malevolence. His voice may sound anyway he chooses it to sound, even mimicking the voices of mortals that are close, or dear to the petitioner.

************

Hantei

Emperor of Rokugan, Founder of Rokugan, Youngest of the Kami

May grant knowledge or power associated with air, earth, fire, water, thunder, healing, or light.

He may take any form he chooses. He will normally appear as a handsome mature man in a golden kimono, with jade inlaid scarf, or jade dragon motif. He is charming, and speaks with authority.

************

Hida

Patriarch of the Crab Clan

He may grant spells associated with earth (especially endurance and fortification), fire (especially battlerage), water (especially strength). He does not favor the weak, those who petition Hida must prove their strength.

He is physically the strongest of the kami. He usually appears as a giant of a man in full heavy armor. His voice is deep, and resounding. He is very pragmatic, and looks for those who are like him as followers.

*************

Ryushun

The Tenth Kami, Aide to Emma-O

Very few even know of Ryushun, because Hantei ordered his name and burial sight be kept secret. Those who do can petition to speak to the souls of their ancestors. Beyond this boon there is not much aide Ryushun will offer to mortals until their souls come visiting Meido.

They say Ryushun like Togashi can take the form of a dragon. Mostly though he appears as a spirit, or a monk to those who petition him. He will speak cryptically, or in riddles to test the sincerity of the petitioner.

************

Shiba

The First Phoenix, Bayushi's Twin

May grant knowledge, and power from any of the elemental realms, as well as healing, wards, and rebirth.

He may appear as a celestial phoenix, but most often appears as a handsome man in an orange red kimono. A conversation with Shiba is often like a conversation with a wise elder who responds with a line of questioning that sets your mind thinking so that in the end you arrive with your own answer as a conclusion. He favors those who seek knowledge, and perfection in every thing they do.

************

Shinjo
Matriarch of the Unicorn Clan

May grant air, and water spells, especially those dealing with speed, or travel. Favors those of compassionate hearts, and kind deeds.

May appear as a Ki-Rin, but most often appears as attractive young woman with long flowing black hair. Dressed in a purple silk kimono. She speaks with a tone of laughter in her voice. Shinjo is like that friend who is always glad to see you.

*************

Togashi

Patriarch of the Dragon Clan

May grant knowledge, and power associated with any of the elements. He may grant glimpses of the future in the form of dreams, or riddles. His followers are especially adept with divination.

He may appear as a dragon, but most often appears as a tattooed monk, or a samurai in full armor with a dragon motif. He is as adept with spells as he is with swords. He also has this knack of appearing out of nowhere, and vanishing once again. He tends to speak cryptically, or in metaphors, leaving the listener with a number of options, or paths to chose.

************

Please anyone feel free to add to, or comment. Possibly detail your clan's kami, after all these are just ideas, suggestions.

Edited November 3, 2015 by Shinjo Yosama

The Elemental Dragons out of a desire to create something unique got together and using their combined resources decided to make a jewel. Fire Dragon started by creating a flame to serve as a light, and a forge by which the others could add to the work. Earth Dragon then began gathering the bits of rock, mineral, and dust floating around in the void without shape, form, or purpose. The various bits of earth were gathered around Fire Dragon's forge. The dragons noticed though that the earth began to heat and melt together, so Water Dragon cooled the burning earth by drenching it with floods of water. This gave their jewel a rich blue color, but was not yet complete. Air Dragon blew over the new cooling jewel causing the waters to recede into rivers, lakes, seas, and oceans. Fire Dragon began to complain that his contribution could no longer be seen, thus Void Dragon reached down and pulled bits of Fire Dragon's forge to the surface creating mountains, some that jetted with flame. Other dragons seeing what the five had done, came and added their own touches to this bright jewel. Life began to spring up upon the jewel, and Celestial Dragon was pleased with the work her brood had created. Celestial Dragon made a decree that the new life upon this jewel must be allowed to grow and mature under observation, but without direct manipulation. This was new life to the cosmos, and should be allowed free will, that it may decide its own path. Thus the Dragons from that day forward would often offer their wisdom, or perform tasks for those who asked directly, but often seem aloof, or disinterested in mortal affairs.

There was only one flaw in this new jewel, a bit of the void had been trapped down inside it, next to Fire Dragon's forge, this bit of the Void would come to be known as Jigoku, where flame, and darkness coalesce.

************

Air Dragon

May grant the wisdoms of the wind, or blessings and powers related to the element of air.

On any given day you may have been visited by Air Dragon, even if all you sensed was a gentle breeze that blew past. She may whisper to you in a breeze, or roar with the force of a hurricane in her gales. She tends to favor those who free spirited, nomads, and explorers.

************

Earth Dragon

May grant the wisdom of the earth, and blessings or powers associated with the element of earth.

Courage of the Earth comes at times when it is not expected, but is needed. A bit of the Earth Dragon is the foundation we see and feel all around us. He may watch us from the pebble in our hand, or from the distant majestic mountain. Earth Dragon favors those who are resolved, and will stand by their convictions.

************

Fire Dragon

May grant the intuitions if fire, and the blessings and powers associated with the element of fire.

Fire Dragon kisses the food you eat with his touch, that all corruption maybe purged from the food. He favors those who thirst, and search for knowledge, and those who devout themselves to their pursuits with passion.

************

Water Dragon

May grant the understanding of the water, and the blessings and powers associated with the element of water.

Water Dragon resides along with all life, their is no life that has existance without water. She favors those who think before they act.

************

Void Dragon

May grant knowledge, and understanding of the cosmos.

Void Dragon watches over all, is ever present, and the most aloof of the five elemental dragons. His vast knowledge and understanding is often beyond the capacity for mortal minds to handle. Those petitioning Void Dragon too often end up going insane.

Edited November 4, 2015 by Shinjo Yosama

I wrote this just having a bit of fun with the setting. This is just fluff you could add to any set of mechanics you chose. My intention here was to create a Jigoku that is actually a part of the Void, trapped and frightened by what the dragons did. Jigoku wants its freedom even if that freedom means destruction of the world entrapping it. If you like what I have written, use it, if not ignore it.