Kuramoto (闇本)

Kuramoto (闇本, Lit. The Dark Lands), or the Shadowlands, is a region in northern Hinomoto beyond Otorii Kabe. The lands beyond the wall are tainted and impure, no form of life grows there that is not twisted and corrupted. The air is still, and the stench of rot and decay is present everywhere, growing stronger and stronger the deeper you go. The skies above Kuramoto are forever gray, as ominous clouds loom over the Shadowlands perennially. The waters in Kuramoto are said to be toxic, and a thick fog carrying the weeps and wails of the damned wander the Shadowlands.

Table of Contents

History

Geography

The Taint

Denizens of Kuramoto

History

Kuramoto was originally called Hokuhyuushu (北氷州), it was widely untamed and untouched by civilization. But when Goryu-Ten, or The Confluence struck over six centuries ago, Hokuhyuushu was engulfed in a black miasma and transformed in to Kuramoto. As to why it happened and, in the grand scheme of things, why The Confluence happened is anyone's guess. The Heikegani believe it was punishment from the Okami (大神/ great gods or spirits) for pursuing an enemy (the remaining Hakuma that retreated north) that had already surrendered, and thus they believe it was their fault. But evidence of this claim is yet to be produced.

Geography

The exact geography of Kuramoto widely remains unknown. There were many expeditions, projected to last weeks, that tried and failed within a few days, not getting farther than a few miles. Despite not being affected by the Taint, Hakuma scouts still need to eat. As such they cannot venture too far as food and water expire quicker in Kuramoto, foraging is also not a possibility. Needless to say, the many dangerous creatures that call the Shadowlands home is another limiting factor.
All that is known about Kuramotos geography are that there mountain ranges span from the center of the region. Heikegani cartographers call it the Blood Mountains.

The Taint

The Taint is a miasmic substance that came with the creation of Kuramoto. Before Otorii was erected, fog clouds of taint crawled on the north eastern region of Hinomoto, and for a time the lands were barren. The effects of Taint were so deadly, that it left the lands of Tohoku (東北, north east region) scarred, scars still seen today.
One of two things may happen to anything living thing that gets afflicted with the Taint. The first effect Taint has on those afflicted is death, then comes back as as a Taint Zombie. This usually happens to those of weak constitution: children, elderly, the sickly etc. The other effect it has on living things is corruption. While not as dire as the first effect, being corrupted by the Taint is a fate worse than death. At first the Taint manifests itself in symptoms similar to other diseases. As it grows and festers the effects on the body become less and less bearable. Until finally the Tainted gain the inexplicable urge to walk towards Kuramoto, not stopping for rest, food or drink. They call this Shi kogun (死行軍), the death march. No one knows what happens to those who aren't killed when Shi Kogun afflicts them. Some say they walk until death finally takes them, others say they walk towards an Oni offering themselves as food to sate the Oni's thirst for flesh. The secret lies within Kuramoto.

Denizens of Kuramoto

No natural life can survive the harsh conditions of Kuramoto, let alone the Taint. According to the few short expeditions into the Shadowlands, as well as reports of Heikigani Scouts, the Shadowlands are rife with undead: Zombies, ghosts, malevolent spirits, variations of vampire etc. They wander the lands of Kuramoto aimlessly. Yokai (妖怪) also call Kuramoto home. Yokai come from Shinkai (神界), or the spirit realm. They are malevolent in nature and take on many monstrous and grotesque forms. The most infamous, known for their devastating and destructive power, are the Oni (鬼), able to level entire armies.
There is only one form of life that is unaffected by Taint, the Hakuma, one of five Senjuumin (先住民/indigenous races) that existed on Hinomoto long before humans did. No one knows why the Hakuma aren't affected by the Taint, but after continued sightings of Oni, some have suggested that the Hakuma and Oni are related as they share many similar qualities. Nevertheless, the Heikegani Uji hire Hakuma as scouts as they can venture into Kuramoto with virtually no recourse.