Record: The Essential Actors (2)

Yokai Taxonomy and Classification
Classified Document #001589
Published by the Department of Containment
Written by Director Koyomi Daidouji

>CONTINUATION

NEO-YŌKAI

Neo-Yokai is a popular term to refer to new-age yokai born of Western thought.

With the gradual spread of western influence, so too did their legends permeate the Japanese psyche. Known to some as western yokai, the neo-yokai stem directly from western conceptions of monsters and cryptids. Mermaids, succubus, incubus, vampires, orcs, goblins, fairies, elves, dullahans, devils, angels, slimes, dragons, and werewolves fall under this purview.

Unlike traditional Japanese yokai, neo-yokai are beholden to a set of biophysical properties dependent on their species. Vampires may feel the need to consume blood, succubus might need to drain life force through sexual contact, and werewolves may need to bask in the glow of a full moon. These limitations are offset by a masterful control over elemental and fear-based energies.

In today’s world, neo-yokai form tight-knit communities in the hustle and bustle of the big cities, even more so if they are the same supernatural species. Fairies might form a Court, and vampires might form a Coven. All in the name of self-preservation and survival in an unpredictable world. 

Hexlords are trickster entities who specialize in illusion, disruption, and malediction. They slowly wear down foes and hinder their movements with a variety of disruptive skills and cursed speech. Hexlords have the ability to shut down horrors, disable abilities, and purge negative debuffs. Expert hexlords can weave words with powerful hexes to cast on opponents.

The Archfiend is a powerful neo-yokai that commands utmost respect on the field. They can wear down opponents by inflicting them with long-lasting horrors that slowly corrode their mental and physical faculties. The eyes of archfiends allow them to see through illusions, detect concealed dangers, and inflict debilitating effects with a mere gaze.

HANYOU

When a yokai and a human produce a child, a hanyou is born. These halflings skirt the line between humanity and the supernatural.

They usually inherit one or both of the parent’s powers, and in some cases they may develop their own unique abilities. Hanyou are able to harness both Fear-based attacks and Exorcist skills with enough practice. Some hanyou possess physical features of their yokai counterparts such as horns and cat ears, but most are able to live out their lives as inconspicuous human beings.

Hanyou are blessed with mastery of the sanguine arts. As a result of their supernatural heritage, the ichor that flows in their veins can be harnessed and shaped into weapons. Hanyou are also able to form a binding pact with a Patron, a powerful entity that can bless them with formidable powers in exchange for their loyalty and servitude.

Compared to the days of Heian, animosity surrounding the existence of hanyou has drastically lessened. No longer are they viewed as perversions of nature. They are considered a natural part of supernatural society and are highly-valued members in some circles. Though there are still small groups that retain the beliefs of old, hanyou are no longer ostracized by the community at large.

Sanguinars use their volatile blood as their primary mode of attack. They are reckless fighters and wildcards who can deal devastating high-risk high-reward blows to their opponents. They are able to shape their blood into weapons, and synthesize hemophages to increase the efficacy of their blood arts.

Harbingers are hanyou that have entered into a binding pact with a Patron. In exchange for their loyalty, the Patron grants them access to powerful abilities and control over a facet of the natural world. Harbingers who prove themselves worthy of their Patron’s trust are given boons and powers on par with the legends of old.

EXORCIST

While ordinarily, humans aren't considered yokai by many definitions, the inclusion of the exorcist class here is for the sake of completeness. 

The ability to see through the Veil is a blessing afforded to only a select few humans.

By virtue of their lineage and heritage, some develop the Gift naturally. Others invest years of practice and meditation in order to see the supernatural. These Gifted individuals can train further in onmyoudou and become fully-fledged Exorcists upon graduation or approval by government or other certified bodies.

Exorcists are humans gifted with the ability to see through the Veil and blessed with the power to harness natural and divine forces. In order to become a fully-fledged exorcist, one must train in the onmyoudou arts and devote oneself to the worship of the divine. Through faith, benediction, and time, one can surmount all odds and reach the pinnacle of otherworldly might.

Exorcists are able to form contracts with Curses and Yokai and turn them into subservient familiars. Skilled exorcists are able to seal evil and expunge demonic forces using innate abilities or specialized tools.

Archons are paragons of virtue, spiritual leaders who have devoted their lives to the pursuit of the divine. They call upon the blessings of celestials and gods to smite their foes and provide hope for their comrades. Archons are able to bind evil forces and purge them from existence. As masters of divination, they are able to consult with the stars and perceive the flow of destiny. 

Cursebinders are exorcists who have devoted themselves to the study of Cursed Spirits. Through experiments and research they have found ways to graft Curses to their own bodies and harness the latent energies within. Cursebinders are able to meld and weave flesh to suit their needs at the cost of their humanity.