Kami
Tranquil Nature Spirits that ward natural objects, such as trees, animals or flowers. They tend to leave themselves out of mortal conflicts, only choosing to interfere when their Wards are in danger.
Basic Information
Anatomy
While Kami can take multiple forms depending on the state of its ward. They tend to be small humanoid creatures, with short limbs, sometimes having clay, stone or wood like skin. Many describe them to have doll-like appearance, their movements being extremely subtle even when moved.
Older ones tend to be larger, sometimes taking more human like appearance.
Growth Rate & Stages
Most Kami do not live long lives, as their wards often die early in their lives due to natural causes, as does the Kami. As such many only see kami in their early, doll-like appearance.
Those that successfully defend their wards for long enough however begin to take on traits of their wards, and vice versa, creating a symbiotic relation between the two. The two begin protecting each other, and grow stronger as a result.
Those that ward trees or flowers tend to begin growing taller, taking a more humanoid appearance. Branches grow out of their shoulders with similar leaves to that of the tree, and their skin becomes barklike, hardening and offering extra protection. Overtime, these Kami become proficient in Natural Magics.
Kami warding animals, meanwhile, tend to take the traits of the animal they are protecting. The difference between Tree and Animals is that the animal they are warding tends to take a more active role in the symbiosis, gaining magical abilities and often becoming awakened.
Kami can also be summoned to protect shrines and temples, much in the same way they would with natural objects. As these objects are human made, these Kami tend to take Humanoid Traits, often becoming swordmasters or archers. These Kami, referred to as Zuishin, are often viewed as the strongest of all Kami, second only to Shinigami.
Finally, powerful Kami whose Ward dies or is destroyed due to ignorance or wanton destruction have a chance to transform into evil, destructive Oni.
Additional Information
Uses, Products & Exploitation
Kami can be attracted to mortal structures in the same way as a tree if the structure is perceived to be of great importance to nature. Such examples include a stone temple with an ancient tree perched within, a farming community with a dependence on a windmill, or a church or temple dedicated to the Creator, Fililia.
Many times Kami are simply attracted to these locations out of happenstance, but on occasions communities purposefully include such features to gain the attention of one for purposes of protecting such locations. Those attracted by happenstance tend to form into toshigami, integrating themselves into the community that attracted them, while those purposefully attracted tend to become Zuishin.
Average Intelligence
Kami grows in their intelligence and wisdom as their Ward grows. They typically start with a child-like understanding of things, but quickly mature within the first year of life.
Civilization and Culture
Culture and Cultural Heritage
Although kami aren't gods, people sometimes worship or pray at a tree or location where a kami is known to reside. Kami regard this behavior as a curious affectation of mortals, and they make no attempts to dissuade or encourage such reverential treatment as long as it doesn't threaten the safety of their wards.
Common Myths and Legends
Kami have no use for valuables or other material possessions, but the sites they protect are often rich with natural resources or even sometimes dotted with relics from bygone eras. One of the greatest kami treasures is a kodama's straw rope. Although these ropes grant no power to mortals, a freely gifted kodama rope is seen as a mark of the utmost purity and worthiness.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Kami are friends to arboreals, dryad, and other beings with spiritual ties to the natural world. Among mortals, druids are the most common recipients of kami aid, though these spirits might help anyone whose mission involves the protection of their particular ward.
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