Onume

Onume is the sister-city to Fusan, dedicated to the patronage of the goddess Oimoke. It is built on the edge of the lake Ogaru, where the rivers Kita and Inawashi empty into it. Water from these rivers plays an important role in the daily life of the city, providing a bounty of food and also providing the basis for many of Oimoke's rituals. The waters of Ogaru are steeped in the magic of the Kochi, acting as a natural wellspring that assists Oimoke's priestesses in their prophecies and other magic. The city is governed in the same cooperative manner as the rest of the Kochi, broken down into individuals each working towards their own ends. Like Fusan, it also falls under the sway of its patron's cult, with Oimoke's priestesses playing a large role in guiding and advising its people.

Politics

Clustered at the edge of Lake Ogaru, Onume is a fairly small town. Its populace is made up of Oimoke's faithful, with most aspects of life in the city geared towards supplying the priestesses in the nearby Amethyst Dream. Food and other crafts are made in the city for the cult, given to them as offerings to incur Oimoke's favour. The cult has, for all practical purposes, full control of Onume, acting as its rulers much more directly than Fuchi's monks in Fusan. The ruling class of the cult consists of a select few priestesses, who maintain and fulfill the secret desires and prophecies of their goddess. To this end they exert direct influence over the city, sending minor priestesses and attendants out to collect or direct villagers. All of this, combined with the mystery surrounding the cult, has given it a certain reputation within the Kochi as a whole. Some see it as a city devolved into superstition and the mysticism of ancient religion, while more radical critics claim the priestesses ignore Oimoke in favour of their own goals and ambitions. Whatever the case, there is little opposition to their reign from within Onume, though they occasionally face confrontation from Fusan and the monks there.

Groups

Muchi

The priestesses of Oimoke are not fighters, instead devoting themselves to the mysticism and magic of their goddess. Their safety is guaranteed by a cadre of warriors, the finest of whom are known as the Muchi. Young men join the cult as these protectors, training for much of their youth before the best are chosen to ascend to the rank of Muchi. During the ritual, these volunteers have their consciousness committed to a dream state, effectively becoming hosts for the will and desire of Oimoke herself. They become husks without any free will, entirely devoted to the safety and service of Oimoke’s priestesses. Often times, if one of the priestesses must venture forth from the Dream on some errand or matter of business, a Muchi bodyguard will be attached to her for her safety. These warriors do not speak or have any need for sleep, relentless sentinels that are well-trained and perfectly obedient.

Landmarks

Amethyst Dream

The Amethyst Dream is the region of forest occupied by the cult of Oimoke. A heavily magically influenced realm, it exists in a dream state. Those who walk its paths find themselves suddenly tired, awake and yet exhausted. Fog and mist obscure vision, while purple and pink lights mark the canopy far above them. Everything is in a twilight, disorienting and concealing the affairs and rituals within it. The fog smells sweetly of flowers and berries, and also of decay. It is an immensely unsettling realm for any to roam; the afterlife made manifest. Oimoke’s attendants live within this realm, gradually losing touch with reality as they commit themselves to their goddess' dream world. Despite the disquieting atmosphere, it is a remarkable world created within the woods. Time seems to stand still within it, and those who spend significant time within the Dream find themselves living much longer and youthful lives.

Personalities

Haruna, Oimoke High Priestess, Crone Mother

Onume is ruled by the cult of Oimoke, either directly or indirectly along their design. Decisions are made somewhere within the Amethyst Dream and make their way to the city through a network of priestesses and attendants, all of whom dilligently and devoutly follow whatever is asked of them. At the root of these decisions are the high priestesses of Oimoke. An ancient council, they have been preserved by the energies of the Dream, living many times longer than the natural life of an elf. At their head is the Crone Mother, perhaps the oldest Elf in existence, and almost certainly the most powerful sorceress. She is the true power in Onume, and even abroad, tugging at the tendrils of prophecy shown to her to bring about the desired events. She spends much of her time in contemplation and sleep, resting between periods where she is needed. Her machinations are carried out by the high priestesses, and in many ways she is considered the avatar of Oimoke, worshipped almost as much as the goddess herself. Her skin is a purple-grey, while her hair is long and white. Her eyes glow with a deep amethyst radiance, and to stare into them is to see the infinite threads of the universe.

Daigo, Muchi Warrior

The Muchi are a strange order of Elves. They are drawn from devotees of Oimoke, and therefore disproportionately hail from the city of Onume. Young men are able to join the cult as protectors, unable to enter the clergy of the goddess and learn the ways of a priestess. Instead they train relentlessly for years in the ways of combat, similar in their devotion to the sheisho of Fuchi. The best of them are selected for the honour of ascending to the role of Muchi, seen as a great gift and the ultimate service a male can perform for Oimoke. The ritual is long, essentially stripping the warrior of his conscious self. Through hypnosis and magical energy, they give their body over to the will of the goddess, allowing their minds to reside alongside her in a paradise dream world. Their bodies, left behind, are controlled by the will of the priestesses, who use them as attendants and also bodyguards for their own travels. The entire process is seen as a great honour, and many compete for the privilege to attain such a rank. The Muchi themselves are great warriors, and tend to live even longer lives than many Elves, owing to the blessings of their goddess. One of the greatest among them is Daigo, seen as the champion of the Muchi. He lives in a dormant state among the cult’s upper council, serving the High Priestess herself as bodyguard and servant. He was once a great warrior some centuries ago, and has since been used to challenge and test some worthy Muchi, while also accompanying some important priestesses on secret errands around the Kochi. Daigo wears armour at all times, with a face mask fitted to his helm to hide his features from onlookers. He is tall and broad, however, and retains the soulless attitude of the other Muchi.