League of Guardians
The organization responsible for maintaining order and balance among and for the yokai of Japan. It is second only to the Kami. They focus on the protection of humanity from those supernaturals who would do the mortals harm, and protection of yokai likewise from humans.
While yokai are often a powerful lot, their numbers dwindle. Some kinds more than others. For example, Kitsune were considered endangered a century ago. Last decade, they were put on the critical list.
Secret Organization
The group keeps themselves hidden, only allowing members to know their identities. Most yokai know of the organization. But, humans are kept blissfully unaware of the presence of the League of Guardians. Should it become common knowledge, it is feared yokai would lose their ability to hide among the mortal race. Some races depend on blending in to survive.Structure
Founded and headed by Soujoubou, who created its 3 branches--the Guardians, the Envoys, and the Salvage Crew.
Lion by Freepik
Guardians
These members are individual yokai that protect an area. They serve 50 year terms. As the number of yokai have decreased, the areas they watch over has grown. Because the increased responsibility and danger often keeps them from having a family during that time, many Guardians now feel they are unable to serve more than one term in a row.
The guardianship is the most well known and largest group of the League.
The guardianship is the most well known and largest group of the League.
Dragon by Wanicon
Envoys
They are the peacemaking force. When a guardian is killed or needs assistance to solve an issue, Soujoubou leads powerful envoys for a swift resolution to the matter. Peaceful solutions are preferred, thus the group's name. But this branch has its share of violent altercations.
The Envoys are the most elite and hardest to enter branch. Members must be atleast 200 years old and have served as a guardian in order to join. Unfortunately, egos tend to match rank here. Usually this isn't a problem.
The Envoys are the most elite and hardest to enter branch. Members must be atleast 200 years old and have served as a guardian in order to join. Unfortunately, egos tend to match rank here. Usually this isn't a problem.
Koi by Freepik
Salvage Crew
These members have the dirty work of cleaning up human and yokai clashes from the physical and spiritual worlds. They often appear to be normal everyday people and things. But do not be fooled. They are powerful beings able to change even the history of humanity.
The salvagers are the most controversial, feared, and misunderstood branch. In part, because many of its Tsukumogami members don't speak and thus are considered second class citizens among the yokai. Soujoubou constantly reminds the League that the salvagers were given this position and power, because no one else wanted the cleanup duty. So they, too, should be given due respect.
The salvagers are the most controversial, feared, and misunderstood branch. In part, because many of its Tsukumogami members don't speak and thus are considered second class citizens among the yokai. Soujoubou constantly reminds the League that the salvagers were given this position and power, because no one else wanted the cleanup duty. So they, too, should be given due respect.
Sweep in like a wave to protect, recede without a trace.
Team Secrets
Team Secrets are available for this post.
Founding Date
pre-written history
Type
Secret, Brotherhood
Alternative Names
庇護者同盟 （ひごしゃ どうめい）Higosha Doumei
Leader
Subsidiary Organizations
Related Traditions
Related Ranks & Titles
Controlled Territories
good lord. a 50 year term sounds so long. i enjoy the article overall. i fell i have an idea for what it is in the world and in and of itself. i found just two little errors. " have decreased, the areas they watch over has has grown" has appears twice here. in envoys, you mention when a guardian falls. Did you mean fails? when i read the three groups i wondered why envoys are considered so much higher on the totem pole. they seem to be more elite, more skilled, if they are used when guardians fail. so i guess that makes sense. just wanted to ask why to make sure. " Tsukumogami members don't speak and thus are considered second class citizens among the yokai. " awwwww, but those are some of my favorite folkelore critters ever! dang it. i love Tsukumogami and i love they are mentioned. great work!
Oh thanks much for the lovely comment! ("has has" is corrected now). I meant 'falls' as in is killed, but can clarify that and a bit of the envoy requirements. I have a soft spot for the tsukumogami too.