Locations

[godsoffortune]

network  logs  ooc  meme  premise  rules  faq  god 101  shinki 101  calendar  LOCATIONS  taken  reserves  gods  shinki  application  app status  prayers  prayer suggestions  shinki spells  regains  deaths  canon update  tag requests  hiatus  drops  suggestions  mod contact  player contact   'Unseen by others. Living in people’s blind spots… they are ayakashi. They are everywhere. From those that hide to those that can fly. I’ve even seen ones that ride on people’s shoulders. Big and small, there are all kinds, but they are all the deceased, the residents of the other world. They cannot be seen by people like us who live in this world. Even though they are so close by. The only ones that can see them are animals and children. And those like me who stand on the border of this world and the other world, people of the boundary. They like depressing atmospheres. They call it gloom. If they gather around you, you fall into a whirlpool of depression.' Map of the Far Shore the near shore the far shore northeast district southeast district northwest district southwest district central district western district the heavens the underworld The Near Shore The Near Shore is the realm of the living. It is, essentially, modern day Japan in all its glory. Businesses Die Jagd A restaurant that serves traditional hunters fare, such as dishes made with venison and wild boar. It boasts a lengthy menu for those looking for a more hearty meal, and you won't find anything here that isn't served with meat unless you ask for a vegetarian menu. It's cozy on the inside, and to those from the Far Shore will note that the decorations inside aren't the traditional hunted beasts, but rather famous monsters from mythology (are they fake? Who knows). There's also a fish tank in a corner with a bunch of colourful fish and a small outdoor area for dining. KINYOBI (Friday) A blue collar dive bar in an industrial part of town, Kinyobi offers cheap drinks and zero judgment to mortals and Far Shore denizens alike. The owner might be using the place as a front to launder mob money, but please don't ask too many questions about that. ~ ~ Cat Café: Calico A popular two-floor cat café. The top floor hosts a video game area along with a great many cats, and the lower floor has yet more cats and a café area for food and drinks. Snacks for the cats can also be purchased. ~ ~ The Shinki Sanctuary The resident Shinki Sanctuary is a a place for shinki without a god to go to. True to its name, it's meant to be a safe heaven so that vulnerable souls can avoid being eaten by an ayakashi. It's also apparently a safe heaven for many roosters and chickens, which are plentiful on the grounds. Between five and ten shinki can live on the premises, although too many people will stretch the resources. Simple and thrifted clothing is given to anyone who needs it, and food is provided as often as possible. Everyone is to sleep in futons in the shamusho building, and expected to put them away in the morning. The Sanctuary also hosts a god-shinki matchmaking service, available to everyone in the Far Shore. For more information on both the Sanctuary and matchmaking service, go here. ~ ~ Convenience Store Every town has one! Come here when you need to get your snack on or you've dropped your toothbrush in the toilet. Garden Center A large garden center that sells plants such as flowers and vegetables, along with gardening supplies and equipment. Kofuku's Shop A simple outdoor shop that sells food and drinks. Plus, who doesn't like helping out the god of poverty a little bit, right? School There are plenty of schools around and about. Schools are an unfortunately great place for ayakashi to prey on, since there is so much negative energy there, especially around exam season. Hopefully you're not too close to any school-aged kids! Sparkle Motion A combination talent agency and dance studio located in downtown Tokyo. The first floor has private practice rooms and an office, and the second floor is entirely dedicated to a large dance hall. The Far Shore The Far Shore is the realm of gods and spirits. It is an ever-changing expanse inhabited by the gods and made up almost entirely of their homes. Frequent Sights the landscape and places of interest Abandoned Temples There are a large number of abandoned temples scattered throughout the Far Shore, left behind by gods long forgotten or simply just missing in action. Most of them can be found far to the west in the obscure gods' territory, remnants of forgotten deities, but a few are sprinkled throughout the minor gods' neighborhoods to the north and south as well. These temples are often overgrown, dusty, and cluttered, but they are free for anyone to explore or fix up to their heart's content. The Forest The dark forest appears randomly, throughout the Far Shore, without warning. There is no rhyme or reason to its appearances and often it is nowhere to be found when someone searches for it. There is a foreboding atmosphere all throughout the forest and no light pierces far into its depths. Tortured screams and moans can be heard as you pass through. Sometimes shinki are known to disappear inside and never return. Legends say that it is a graveyard for gods long forgotten, but nothing confirms what actually makes these woods the way they are. Northeast District Temples the homes of the minor gods The Northeastern district is humble, but not rural. Although small roads may be unpaved, the main roads are paved with cobblestone and run beside small ditches to channel away any rain that would otherwise puddle on the roads. Areas between temples are planted with maple and pine trees and adorned with the occasional decorative boulder; the leaves are kept raked and the grass trimmed. It is convenient to the Main Office, which is to the north of the Meeting Hall and easily accessible by a bridge across the river. Cnoc Áine Áine's Temple sits atop a high mountain, a stone staircase leading up the steep slope to end at high gate allowing access through the wall that surrounds the temple. Despite the Irish nature of the original goddess, the sprawling Temple Complex has a distinctly Korean flair to it, the location being a mirror to the castle Yona grew up in, which had once been the dwelling of an ancient dragon god who'd descended from the heavens to live among the humans. Color themes of red, gold and jade are predominant in the buildings clustered around a wide courtyard. Everything is made up of bright, vibrant hues and speak of much devotion and careful tending. The buildings are all connected by arched pathways and corridors and pavilions, the roof overhead a gleaming crimson. There are scattered gardens and pools and an orchard tucked between the buildings, the weather always seeming to reflect a warm summer day within the protection of the walls. A herd of horses roam freely on the grounds, their coats reddish in hue and while friendly, they are noticeably skittish around strangers. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ An Dagda's Abode Instead of any fences, gates or temple walls, the front holds a circle of shrines (which can be used to travel to other shrines on the near shore,) and a wide expanse of green, meant to imitate the Brú na Bóinne, where the Newgrange passage grave could be found on the Near Shore. Instead of this neolithic mound, however, there sits a simple bit wooden designed home that is partially suspended over the sheer cliff that's at the end. Right after the cliff, and where the supports to this temple home is, there's a river that goes through and a lush forest full of wildlife- boars, bears, elk, wolves and other creatures known to be native to such landscapes in Ireland. Such is it rich with fauna, it also is in native flora to the country. The trick would be getting down and back up with ease, for the tunnels from the temple down to the lower land has an entrance that blends with the cliff face. Since the move, the tunnels have expanded to include bed and bathrooms that could be accessed without entering the building at all; Just go in from the forest-side entrance and you'll see the halls that lead to the rooms on various levels. They're all fixed so there's a cliffside view out the window. ~ ~ ~ Dún Dealgan Cú Chulainn's temple is located in a massive forest- actually, it could be argued that the forest itself is a part of the temple. The trees grow unnaturally high creating an otherworldly atmosphere of a bygone age. An overgrown stone circle can be found near the spring of the purifying water. There is also an archery range build by hand. Three white hounds roam the forest freely. One apathetic which won't react much to guests, one incredibly welcoming one, and a true guard dog one, that will give warning to intruders and will react aggressively to hostiles. The hounds are also part of the temple "equipment", they're not strays taken from the Near Shore, and their true nature isn't fully understood by the temple's owner. After move a fourth dog appeared on it's own, younger, still a puppy, very earnest and trying their best. While there is no clear path to the temple, the guests won't have trouble finding the way. Strangers might wander a little, but eventually, they will find a large mead-hall-like building next to a massive oak. The main entrance leads to the second floor, instead to the first- It consists mostly of big dining hall and kitchen as well as relax area in the back. The first floor contains of various utility area, such as training hall, armory, shooting range for guns with necessary safety measures, sauna area with thermal baths both indoor and outdoor section etc - it also has an exit leading to the back of the building and herb garden. Personal rooms are on the third floor and are furnished according to the tastes of their inhabitants. Each shinki gets one of their own, and several are still empty used as guest rooms should someone want to stay overnight. Someone adapted one of them as a library room. The interior of the whole temple on a rustic side, wood, stone, textured fabrics, burlap. Everything in warm earthly tones - a combination of roughness and warm comfort, stability and simplicity. The near lack of modern materials like plastic or synthetic fabrics might be noticeable but of course, there is no escaping them, for example in the kitchen which, while kept in style, is fully furnished with all necessary modern appliances. After the temple's move to a different district the temple gained outside a large deck with firepit and benches around, as well as aforementioned upgrade to the sauna area, shooting range and fourth dog. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Glitnir/Forseti's Temple While there is no signs of the glittery roofs of silver and gold, the temple is done with the style of Ishgardian architecture with long sweeping tower-like structures and grey stone. Despite how the stone looks, the garden area and temple itself is warm and inviting just like the owner. Hawks have a habit of nesting on the grounds and most watch visitors with a cautious eye...until the god's fluffy and cranky cat comes out. The interior is akin to our versions of French style decor with blues being an constant theme within the dwelling but not overpowering. Upon stepping into the grounds, anyone will feel at ease and calm as well as take notice that the place is certainly lived in while remaining clean. ~ ~ Gegute's library A library filled with the world's information, and a place to study. Each area is divided up by subject, everything is in big print so it's easy to find whatever you need. There are plenty of tables and chairs for people to use, and quiet areas for people who might want to take a nap. The library is normally quiet and filled with people studying for exams, with the god helping anyone who needs it. With the move to a bigger location there is now a second floor filled with more general reading and entertainment based items. Such as a projector and dvds gifted by Apollo for viewing. ~ ~ Kuraokami’s Dwelling Nestled high on top of a snowy mountain, Kuraokami’s temple can only be accessed by the base of the mountain. There is a bridge at the bottom facing towards the base of the mountain in which crossing the bridge will immediately transport someone to the temple itself on the other side of the bridge. Greeting them will be a Japanese estate with multiple rooms and a vast garden overlooking the mountain. On the other side of the garden is a large courtyard, evidently fashioned for training. Despite the snowy mountain its placed on top of, the temple itself seems to be stuck in a state of early spring with cherry blossom trees in bloom and the rumble of distant thunder above them. There is also a waterfall in the background that can be accessed by a cobblestone path from the garden. It wouldn’t be surprising to experience a few sudden rain showers or snowfall on some days. ~ ~ ~ ~ Nuada Airgetlám's Hollow Located in a hidden cave/grotto sort of area filled with plants, small trees and a little stream flowing through it, Nuada Airgetlám's temple is similar to a colossal treehouse, the tree it's built in growing up and out through a hole in the cave roof. Despite the feel of it, amenities are modern and the interior is quite nicely done up, overall being quite fancy. The bedrooms are grouped together on one side of the tree, with ladders connecting the different ones as well as the normal bridges between platforms, and the tree and cave floor around it are blanketed with thick, colourful moss to prevent serious injuries from ladder, bridge or platform mishaps. A large spiral staircase runs up the middle of the tree, with a few of the main rooms coming directly off it or the lower branches, such as the meeting/guest reception room on the lowest arm. With the moving of her temple comes a few slight changes - the tree has grown, with many more of the uppermost rooms peeking out the cavern roof, and a new set of lowermost branches have spawned, carrying a modest library that circles most of the way around the tree trunk. At night, the cavern is now lit by clusters of fireflies that sometimes escape the cavern and explore around the outside instead, as well as colourful lanterns. ~ ~ ~ ~ Odin's Temple Where once the temple was fairly modest and still vaguely temple-like, Leo took the chance to redecorate on a massive scale. The temple is still stone and there is still a well-kept rose garden in the front and a vegetable garden in the back, everything has gotten much larger. While not a full-on castle, the temple certainly gives off the feeling of one from the outside, with a wing for the god and each shiki he may gain as well as a tall fence surrounding the lot. Inside, however, it's still cozy and inviting. It's always just the right temperature for the fireplace in every room to be lit, the wine cellar is magnificent, and there are now two rooms dedicated to star-gazing, not to mention the massive library as well the hot springs from home. (And a path that leads directly to Foresti's temple, but that's for personal use only.) ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Thanatos' Temple At first glance the temple seems nothing more than a lush field of poppies growing over the ruins of a medieval castle; making it appear like an abandoned temple except for the butterflies that congregate around the property. At night the temple subtly stands out more by the glow the poppies radiate. Since the move to the higher district, this glow now has a secondary effect. A calming effect. Much like their god. Unfortunately with so many of the flowers it can be easy to overdose so...try not to doze off. But if someone was to poke around the ruins long enough they may find the entrance inside the castle itself, converted to most modern necessities and quite comfortable to live in. A balanced mix of old and new with ancient, Mediterranean architecture. The castle has grown on its own whenever it needs to. If Emizel acquires more shinki, another bedroom may appear overnight to accommodate it. Or a whole additional wing might appear instead if it gets too crowded. Recently it happened with the introduction of four adopted kittens, that can been sometimes seen wandering the halls, kitchen, and their own play room. Yet despite expansions, on the outside the ruins remain relatively the same. Either some sort of magic is keeping it that way, or somehow the two places are detached from one another. As the temple had moved, a whole new area has opened up underneath it now. A new spiraling staircase inside that leads much deeper underground. One half dungeon-like, the other half...crypt? (He is a god of death, after all.) This area is much "larger" compared to the main part of the castle, but there's fewer things in it. One chamber in particular is perfect as a training ground due to its size. The other tunnels lead mostly to natural caves. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Temple of the White Dragon Temple: A large, two-floor wood-framed building constructed in the Korean style, set in manicured but minimally landscaped grounds. A wide pond and a small summerhouse bordered by ferns and overhung by trees can be found at the rear of the building. The interiors are very much in harmony with the outside, with wooden walls, latticed screen windows that are impossible to see out of if they're not actually open and low furniture that might pass for antique if it looked a little less new. Kija comes from a country that is roughly analogous to pre-modern Korea, and he very assuredly has a Comfort Zone. His temple is almost entirely reflective of that fact, and only very tentatively pays any attention to what century he's currently in, lacking both electrical lighting and any way of warming the rooms that doesn't rely on setting something on fire first. It has indoor plumbing - something Kija would be very much in favor of if he knew what it was - and power points, though Kija doesn't know what they're for and has yet to own anything aside from a light-up thing that sometimes makes noises and talks in other people's voices and a strange humming box with a letter board in front of it that actually requires one. Other than the bathroom and kitchen and the occasional electrical socket, though, there is very little in the home that looks to modern eyes as if it hasn't come from some kind of living museum dedicated to Bringing the Past to Life, and that is exactly how Kija likes it. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Southeast District Temples the homes of the minor gods The Southeastern district is humble, but not rural. Although some minor roads may be unpaved, the major roads are paved with smooth cobblestones, and often run beside canals lined with willows and cherry trees, where koi splash in the water. The areas between temples is planted with hydrangea and azaleas and cared for, and the grass is kept trimmed. This district is convenient to the library, which is just east of it and accessible by a bridge across the river. It's also relatively close to the Meeting Hall. Henir's Time and Space From the outside, Henir's tower seems small but quaint. Constructed from old stone and covered in ivy, the building rests on a wide stone patio with several potted plants, seating for guests, and a stone shed off to the side for gardening and other outdoor supplies. On the tower itself is a wooden door decorated with distinct carved patterns, and above it is a single window made of blue stained-glass and similar patterns etched into the glass. Behind the building are overgrown plants and flowers, thinning as the grounds stretch out into wide rolling hills into the distance. On the inside, the tower is more complex than it seems. The first thing one will notice is that the tower seems to be much wider on the inside, and the staircase spiralling around it extends infinitely upwards. As the tower is climbed, light starts to shine faintly through numerous blue stained-glass windows that line the staircase—if one stares at them for long enough, images of places both familiar and unfamiliar can be seen through the glass. There are no doors or landings within the tower, but knocking on any of the windows will cause it to shatter and transform the visitor's surroundings into a perfect illusion of the image behind it. Everything in the illusion can be interacted with, though it can't create anything sentient and nothing can be taken outside of the tower. Outside objects brought into the illusion and left behind will remain there, moved to logical locations within the illusion to suit its master's needs. Once an illusion is entered, though, the only way to leave is to search the area for another floating "window"... which will lead straight into another illusion. If you're persistent enough (or if Henir gets bored of watching you struggle), you'll eventually be dumped into a large, dark space filled with floating cubes. Gravity is questionable here, but the cube surfaces can be walked on regardless of their orientation. Each large cube contains an illusion reflected faintly on its surface, and the maze can be re-entered simply by knocking on the surface of any cube to create an opening. It's also possible to ignore these cubes and glide off into the unknown depths of Henir's domain, where the surrounding space gradually becomes darker and more ineffable as the laws of time and space are undone. A powerful energy can be felt the deeper one travels, though it's difficult to say if anyone could return from such a trip without Henir's guidance... To leave, all one needs to do is find one of the smaller floating cubes within Henir's space and give it a polite knock to reveal a portal back to the entrance. The same method can be used to enter as well—a knock on the door of the tower entrance can be heard from inside, giving the temple's residents an opportunity to welcome the guest inside without any of that illusion maze nonsense. ~ ~ ~ ~ Inanna's Home A two story courtyard house that is clearly Middle Eastern in design but also bares a striking resemblance to a medieval castle. It's now large enough to house at least a dozen shinki, especially if they want to stake out a claim on the roof or re-purpose one of the non-bedroom rooms. The entry point from the Near Shore is a stone circle at the head of a path to the front door. The front and back entry halls are S-shaped for privacy and lead to a large interior courtyard. The courtyard is open to the sky and is mostly tiled with plenty of seating but does also have some planted ares (including a couple trees). From the courtyard, one can access all of the other rooms in the house, or the two sets of stairs which led to the second level. A balcony wraps around all four walls of the courtyard to allow access to the rooms on the second level. Another set of stairs tucked away in a corner of the second level lead to the roof. Most of the rooms on the second level also have an exterior balcony. The image of an eight-pointed star appears prominently through the house, most notably in the stone circle at the entrance, above the front door, and in the shape of a large fountain in the middle of the courtyard. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Lakshmi's Temple Lakshmi is associated with both beauty and wealth, and the temple dedicated in her name certainly reflects both of these aspects in equal measure. Much of the original architecture and decorations have been left intact by its current resident, despite not sharing his patron's gender. The structure itself is an ornate palace made entirely of gold, with elaborate archways and windows studded with glistening jewels in nearly every color. The halls inside are decorated with intricately woven tapestries, statues of Lakshmi and her husband Vishnu, and lotus-themed imagery. The central chamber is less ostentatious, sparsely but tastefully adorned with pastel silk drapery to create a welcoming atmosphere for those seeking an audience. The floor is currently mostly covered with plush pillows, and is a comfortable place to relax. In the rear of the temple, there is a magnificent garden with outdoor bathing pools filled with pristine, crystalline waters infused with amrita and said to have healing properties. The water cannot heal physical wounds, but is capable of washing away mild cases of blight. In general, the baths leave guests feeling relaxed and refreshed, and the water keeps the skin of those who bathe there youthful and soft to the touch. Owing to the goddess' divine origins, there are also lotus flowers blooming in each of the pools, and a sweet scent permeates the air around them. Perhaps as a nod to the current Lakshmi's power, the temple itself as well as the grounds surrounding it are always perfectly and spotlessly clean and pure - not a single thing out of place or a speck of dust or dirt to be found. ~ ~ ~ ~ Temple of Metis The Temple of Metis is, at first blush, an unassuming place: stepping stones cross a clear and shallow reflecting pool to a small, open shrine in its center. White, gleaming columns support a domed roof, which bears reliefs depicting Metis' exploits, from crafting the potion that would force Chronos to release the children he had swallowed, to her shapeshifting contest with Zeus that resulted in her being swallowed herself, to crafting the armor Athena would wear when she would burst from Zeus' head fully formed (and giving him a massive headache to boot). A statue of a woman stands on a pedestal in the center; she is humbly dressed, and holding out a jar or vase of some sort. Intricate, geometric designs are etched into the roof and central pedestal, though time has worn away some of the finer details. And that's all there is to it, if you don't use your wits. There are several ways to open the true Temple of Metis, and the goddess has the ability to change the method at will, but examination of the jar the statue is holding will reveal the simplest and most consistent way. The jar moves on a vertical axis, and if one fills it with water, it will tip over much like a sōzu. This spilled water is key, however, as it begins to glow as it seeps into the cracks of the delicate carvings surrounding the statue. A chime plays, and then the floor opens up to reveal a stone spiral staircase descending underground with luminescent crystals embedded into the walls lighting the way. From here there are three main areas to the underground complex: the living area is cozy, though spacious enough to not trigger claustrophobia in its residents despite being entirely underground. One wing houses several warm bedrooms, as well as a few bathing rooms connecting them. The other side is home to the kitchen and dining area, where the tools provided are perhaps still a little outdated, but at least we're not cooking food over an open fire or anything. A simple iron chandelier hangs over the dining table, bearing more of those luminescent crystals to a cast a warm glow over any guests sitting there. Finally, past the dining area is a more casual living space with couches and chairs centered around a fireplace (where does the smoke go if we're underground? shut up don't ask questions). As for the other two sections of the complex, there is the library, which seems to have been recently updated and dusted, possessing a great many scrolls and books ranging in topics from herbal medicinal recipes to metal working. And finally, tucked away in the back, there is a spring of blessed holy water, glowing a constant tranquil blue. But who knows? Perhaps Metis is hiding even greater secrets deeper within, just waiting for the right person to uncover them... ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Sakuya-bime's Shrine The shrine resembles a traditional Japanese temple ground atop a hill. Cherry trees line the steps up to the temple and beyond the gate. Anyone who enters the temple grounds will feel a sense of calm and coolness. Those who enter with hostile or dishonest intentions, however, will feel heavy and anxious with the air becoming warm and incredibly humid. Overall, the grounds are aesthetically traditional and simple with plenty of open space. Of note, there is a shrine, a residence building, a purification well, a storage room, and several gardens and springs. The gardens and springs, are designed to look naturally beautiful regardless of the season and in particular, there is an abundance of cherry blossoms that are always in bloom. More info here. ~ ~ Northwest District Temples the homes of the very minor gods The Northwestern District is more rural. Most roads here are unpaved, and the spaces between temple grounds are filled with shrubs, weeds, and small trees growing wild. Small animal spirits are frequently seen around the Northwestern district, roaming free from the well-tended public park at its southwestern corner. The mysterious forest has been known to appear in this district. Unlike the central and eastern districts, distance and terrain can be flexible in the western districts. New temples might appear between two temples that had been next-door neighbors before, and terrain can shift outside of temple grounds, as well. Abandoned temples can be found in this district. The Park A well-maintained park that is home to numerous spirits of deceased animals. Some of them might be pets, some might be easily tamed, but some of them are wild animals that are just happy to be in such a peaceful, calm place. An ethereal aura of peacefulness pervades the park. It's a great place to have a quiet walk and some time to think and calm down. Freyr's Homestead The temple of Freyr is tucked away in a heavily wooded area, secluded among a venerable sea of trees with a simple path, worn down by foot traffic, cutting through the foliage to lead visitors to the building's front door. The building's exterior has a rustic, though elaborate feeling to it, with many rooms to comfortably house a number of residents. The interior has a more modern slant to it, with up to date amenities. An annex room holds a sauna for those living there or visiting to relax and refresh themselves in, while a shack out in the back of the property holds various tools for various mundane projects of the resident deity's choosing. From the current god's efforts, the front yard grows and blooms sunflowers through the summer, and rose bushes dot the edges of the building. Wild boars roam the property, and while fearsome, aren't aggressive, and are unlikely to attack anyone without provocation. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Neptune's Temple Neptune's Compound Situated on a beach, the home of this god rests easily between olive and pine trees, this place evokes more of a feeling of a coastline in the Northern United States than Rome. The main house of Neptune is welcoming and open, large windows allowing a peek into the living room and kitchen so one always knows if someone is home. Inside the home is an aquarium filled with colorful fish and seahorses. There is a bridge behind this house that leads to a wooden tunnel, which opens up to a lake hidden on the property. It is surrounded by two smaller homes for shinki, and the private quarters for the god himself. The way to tell them apart is that the god's home has a large statue of a trident behind it, whereas the shinki's quarters each have a statue of a large black dog to guard them. What stands out the most on the property is the barn and a wide open field that is clearly meant to accommodate horses. An unused forge rests near the barn, a variety of weapons scattered about. A bit of a walk from that is a small, well tended garden. The water in the compound sans the beach is of the highest quality of fresh water, though the source is unknown. A small well lies beside the main house and is the only area that one can receive holy water from. There is a plaque that reads that visitors are allowed to take freely from it. There are signs along the beach that warn of a dangerous undertow and several 'no fishing' signs are scattered wherever there is fish to be seen. Stormy weather is quite frequent in late summer and fall, and it's rather breezy the rest of the year. ~ ~ Southwest District Temples the homes of the very minor gods The Southwestern District is more rural. Most roads here are unpaved, and the spaces between temple grounds are filled with shrubs, bushes, and weeds growing wild, as well as occasional rice fields. Some spirit beings can be found wandering the streets or living in the wild areas between temples here. The mysterious forest has been known to appear in this district. Unlike the central and eastern districts, distance and terrain can be flexible in the western districts. New temples might appear between two temples that had been next-door neighbors before, and terrain can shift outside of temple grounds, as well. Abandoned temples can be found in this district. Home of Orihime A humble dwelling on the northern banks of the Celestial River. Fields of Hikoboshi (The Far Far Shore) Across the Milky Way River from Orihime's home is an expanse of rural fields, where Hikoboshi spends most of the year looking after the heavenly flocks. He can often be seen in the distance by residents of the Southwestern and Southeastern districts, although the river is wide and treacherous, and cannot safely be crossed outside of the Tanabata season. Shinju's Abode Shinju's temple, Shinto in nature, bears a strong resemblance to the Near Shore's own Kotohira-gu. The grounds are simple, with various types of flowering foliage popping up around the building itself, and kept tidy and in order thanks to the work of the resident deity's soulless shinki. The humble living space inside includes several rooms for both the occupants of the house, as well as any guests who may need an extra space to stay for the night. One of the back rooms of the temple exits to a decently sized hot spring, large enough for three to five bathers to comfortably soak in, and surrounded by a natural rock formation to allow for privacy. The water running through it is blessed, which makes it good for easing the effects of minor blight on top of the general soothing nature of a warm bath. Outside of the temple itself, the most noteworthy feature of the grounds is a large tree, well tended and taken care of diligently. It's thick trunk is adorned with a shide festooned shimenawa, and through the spring and summer months, the flowers blooming from it take on multiple colors and shapes, as if the branches are patch-worked of many different trees. ~ ~ ~ Central District Temples the homes of the major gods The Central District is prosperous, well-maintained and immaculately landscaped. Moss gardens, sculpted cherry, pine and maple trees, water gardens and bright flowers in every season fill the Central District between temple plots. All the roads here are paved with smooth cobblestone and run alongside canals that drain away any rainwater before it can puddle on the roads; the canals are lined with weeping willow and home to schools of brightly colored koi that will come to the surface for treats, and sometimes recite haiku if they appreciate the food. Stray spirits avoid the Central District, and ayakashi are never seen there. Apollo’s Celeb Paradise (CelePara) Apollo’s home on the Far Shore combines extensive private rooms with a glitzy shopping mall/amusement park on the interior. From the exterior, however, it looks like a giant purple Disney castle, around which flowers bloom in profusion. Goats also graze on the lawn. As befits a god of performance, there’s no shortage of ballrooms and event halls in this temple. One room in particular sports a throne around which multiple video cameras have been mounted. The same emblem, a gold sword atop a heart, can be found emblazoned on various drapes throughout the place. Apollo’s private quarters are done up similarly to the public areas: rich purple carpets and no shortage of plush sofas and chairs on which to repose while…watching TV. Lots of TV. Every room has a drop-down, full-size screen. The inmost room contains a few small tables on which Apollo keeps her dolls and stage model. Also, towards the basement, there’s this weird cathedral-like room entirely full of red lilies that the god in residence insists on calling “casablancas” despite casablanca lilies being white. Since moving to the central district, the front doors have gained a giant golden statue of Hibiki on either side of them, and there is a lake in the backyard now - large enough to dock a pirate ship. Which is good, because there's one floating in it. ~ ~ ~ Bishamon's Temple Bishamon's temple is an elegant and spacious Western-style manor. A large courtyard is at the center, surrounded by buildings for administrative and residential purposes. The garden has been gorgeously tended and is expansive, although it looks as though it has seen some recent neglect. A large hot spring filled with fresh lotuses occupies an inner courtyard in Bishamon's quarters, where she goes to wash away blight when necessary. There are facilities for weapons practice and training in the temple as well, including a large dojo in a more Japanese style where Bishamon hosts monthly training sessions as a favor to the new gods and shinki. ~ ~ ~ ~ Ebisu's Temple As the God of Fortune who looks after money and the economy, Ebisu resides in a temple that resembles a fancy high-rise skyscraper in a financial district. Mirrored glass and chrome feature heavily in the exteriors, and the interiors are crammed with high technology to allow Ebisu to closely monitor Japan's economy and decorated in an expensive but slightly impersonal style. ~ Fuujin's Temple The temple of the God of Wind, one of Amaterasu's closest advisers. Temple of Iron Crutch Li The temple is a two-story brick building of relatively simple construction, with balconies and porches both front and back. It resembles a small-town shop, incongruous on its large, well-landscaped plot, except for the fact that its brick and external woodwork are painted in vivid red, gold and green, and there are dragon finials just visible on the edges of the roof. The temple grounds are walled, the outer wall about ten feet tall and built of brightly painted plaster over brick to match the temple building, but the walls are clearly decorative rather than protective. Artistically shaped gates and openings are dotted all around the circumference, and some of the larger trees in the garden drape down low enough to make easy climbing access. The garden looks semi-wild, including a large lake dotted with mossy boulders that have been landscaped into miniature "islands," but a close observation will reveal that every plant growing in it can be used in some way, either in medicine or cuisine. Inside, the temple is large, airy and only sparsely decorated, with a minimum of ornament. The walls are white plaster, the downstairs floors tile and the upstairs natural wood, and large windows allow plenty of light into most of the building. The living quarters are on the second story of the temple building; the rooms are on the small side, but there are enough to accommodate dozens of residents, each opening out onto the shared balcony. The downstairs area contains a suitably sized kitchen, dining room, reception room and meditation area, as well as a large workroom packed with what looks like alchemical equipment and racks upon racks of carefully labeled dried herbs, insects, fungus, and other useful ingredients. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Nanshe's Shelter Nanshe's Shelter rests on a forested hillside, near a winding river that widens into a large freshwater lake before venturing onward. The Shelter itself resembles something like a traditional Japanese Inn and Onsen, a cluster of buildings around the main house left open and available for guests or anyone who requires shelter or a safe haven. The main house itself is left for Nanshe and her shinki, still holding a flair of traditional decor but feeling very homey and inviting, with large winding rooms and hidden gardens and plenty of comfortable nooks and crannies to relax or play. A large outdoor hot spring steams year round, sheltered from the elements by the temple itself. There are several gardens on the property - some more traditional and ornate while others hold patches and pots to grow vegetables and flowers of any kind imaginable. There is a gathering spot tucked outside among the trees with the perfect place to cook over an open fire or just curl up in the shade with a good book. A large koi pond is nestled nearby, water splashing over the rocks of a small waterfall and fat, lazy koi swimming within its depths. Scattered around the temple grounds, it's not odd to find statues of fish or pelicans nestled in among the architecture and greenery, the symbols of the goddess who dwells here. And there are often flocks of pelicans floating nearby on the lake or wandering through the temple grounds, but they're more interested in guarding the fish than bothering any visitors to the temple. Usually, anyway.... The atmosphere is often warm and welcoming, offering a homey sense of belonging to any who wander onto the Temple grounds and it's not unusual to find strays of any kind wandering through, whether they be the two-legged or four-legged kind. It doesn't matter who is in need of a safe haven, Nanshe is happy to look after any and all. Nekhbet's Temple A house built into a hill, the surface level is quite large, with several broad windows to let the sun and moon in over the day, and an oddly sweet smell about it that's difficult to identify. As well as the more visible living rooms and meeting areas, the upper floor goes well back into the hill and a curved staircase goes up around the higher parts of it, containing the main bedrooms with smaller, concealed windows around their edges. The interior walls are rammed earth, giving a very underground feel despite the ample light, and though the furniture is rather basic and practical, it has a certain comfort to it. For those who want a little more privacy, there is a lower floor of the temple that lies underground, with any natural light coming in through other concealed windows, and a now-protected hidden exit that comes out on the other side of the hill. Those who come to the temple with ill intent are likely to feel a great unease, like one might get if they knew the residents were aware of that intent and prepared for it, but those who come openly seeking help or shelter will be welcomed. Immediately to the right of the hill's front is a large garden, bordered by trees and thick flower growth so it's impossible to see into from anywhere but the one path in. This is the location of Shun's shrine that he uses to teleport - from the opening into the garden, there's a straight stone path that leads to it, flanked by two long, shallow pools which serve as his blessed water source. It's also populated by about two dozen vultures of two different species, griffon and lappet-faced, which are reasonably sociable to people who mean no harm. Surrounding all of this is a huge amount of flowering plants, which anyone particularly familiar with flower language may notice are all associated with death or mourning in some way. After the move, two exits have appeared at the far end of this garden that lead on to another, even larger area, with rose arches, chrysanthemum gardens, and various other more striking arrangements of mourning flowers. There is also a seating area in this section, and a large, impenetrable wall of greenery surrounds both it and the neighbouring small hot spring, also serving to divide both areas. The spring is only accessible through a path from the lower floor of Shun's temple. After his temple move, both the grounds and garden are lit at night by stone lanterns like one might find at a shrine or cemetery. There is no physical border around his temple ground, but if one looks closely, they may notice marking stones placed at intervals around the radius. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Raijin's Temple The temple of the God of Storms, one of Amaterasu's closest advisers. Suijin's Temple The temple of the Goddess of Water, one of Amaterasu's closest advisers. Upon approach, the first thing one will see is a simple stone shinto gate flanked by two long ponds. On the other side of the ponds are several pine trees, screening what is beyond from the view of a passer-by. Should one be allowed to enter past the gate, following the smooth pathway of river stone leads to a vast green area. Pines and sakura trees (of the variety yaezakura, which have double flowers) grow around the building in a manner that looks both natural and artful. Also in the garden is an outbuilding used for tea ceremonies and a small koi pond. Beyond the building is the joining of the two rivers flowing through Takagamahara. Suijin's home itself is completely traditional Japanese in style. However beneath the surface many modern human conveniences can be found. Although the weather in Takagamahara is always perfect it does have seasons, and so she is rather fond of the electric kotatsu table she brought up from the Near Shore. As Suijin and her shinki are working on the Near Shore so much of the time, her home is relatively small to keep housekeeping to a minimum. Xihe's Temple A temple that is designed as a semblance of a Chinese palace, Xihe’s temple is often bathed in warm sunlight with the weather similar to that of a beautiful spring day. While the outside may look fitting for an old Chinese temple, the insides are much more modern with several of the linked houses equipped with suites and a connecting kitchen. The main building itself stands out, almost like a palace, but the inside has Western decor and is equipped with the modern technology. There are stone bridges that connects these small apartments with the largest building that does serve as the main housing for the goddess and her patrons. There are stairs that leads downstairs to what appears to be a rec center and a mini bar. In the temple’s courtyard, there is a spring surrounded by mulberry trees that can heal those from blight. However, the temple itself is protected by ten odd-looking crows with three legs. They are quiet, but they do seem to possess an odd ability to suddenly shine and give off an uncomfortable heat if someone isn’t used to it. These birds disappear at random intervals, but will appear if someone tries to enter the temple without permission. ~ ~ ~ Western District Temples the homes of the new and obscure gods The Western District is in frequent flux. Distances and landscapes shift overnight, and abandoned temples can be found scattered all over the district. Unlike the rural areas of the Northwest and Southwest districts, the Western district is sometimes entirely wild outside temple grounds: forests, mountains and rivers can intrude between and around the temples of the new and obscure old gods. As the most distant area from the protection of the Heavens, this district has the least claim upon their protection and order, and since the changes wrought by the disappearances of old gods and appearances of the new, ayakashi have (rarely) been seen here. Abandoned Temple School A large building on the southern side of the obscure gods' territory, mostly concrete, that bears the marks of years of abandonment before its recent cleaning and renovation. It is three stories tall, with a relatively large courtyard and wide staircase leading up from the front hallway to each story in turn. Many rooms are furnished as classrooms, with blackboards and desks. Others are more minimally furnished. There is a kitchen (old-fashioned, with wood-burning stove), public bathrooms and bathing facilities available, so in a pinch the school can also be used as a dwelling place. Class Schedule - Editable Aether’s Domain Aether’s temple is a similar to the Land of Departure back in Ventus’ world. It is a large castle surrounded by grassy mountains, particularly twin peaks that are in front of the castle and are connected to chains that links the twin peaks to the castle. There is flowing water around the castle, particularly in the back of the castle where more mountains can be seen, twisting around the mountains. From the outside, the main building seems to bear the resemblance of a clock tower and there is a circular platform just below the main building. The temple itself will be a little difficult to access as it can only be accessed by riding the winds that surrounds the temple, which can be seen as miniature tornadoes in front of the building. The weather around the temple resembles more that of early spring. Inside, the castle itself is rather spacious. Upon entering the building, there is a wide throne room, but there are stairs on either side of the room; one winds around behind a wall, leading upstairs to the bedrooms and other miscellaneous rooms on the right side, and on the left side, there are stairs leading downstairs. These stairs leads to an entrance out to the mountains in the back as well as to the kitchen, a home theater, and an underground pool. In the mountains, there is a summit with various items used for training, as well as a mountain path that leads to a small clearing with these areas lit with lanterns once it hits night. Various wildflowers grow on the mountain path and near the waters. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Averruncus' Island The area around Averruncus' temple is rather unique, in that the temple itself is situated on a small island encircled by a not-so-small lake. Passage from the shore to the island is permitted by way of a high-arching stone bridge that appears to be held in place by its own architecture and gravity, as there are no obvious supports. The area both immediately surrounding the lake and the island itself are lush and green, but the palm trees don't feel...particularly Roman. The temple itself is, on the outside, built in the classic Roman style, traditional columns and all - but the capricious dichotomy of its god demonstrates itself vividly in the state of the structure. The lefthand side of the temple (as seen when looking at it from the front) is in beautiful condition, white marble gleaming in the warm sunlight of its surroundings. The righthand side, however, is a ruin, looking as though either thousands of years or some great catastrophe - or both - have taken their toll on it. And somehow, the sunlight never seems to strike the right side properly; the ruined portions of the temple seem to exist only in a perpetual overcast gloom. The interior of the temple is much more modern, in those rooms which are finished, and perfectly comfortable with most of the amenities one might expect in a high-class facility - though there's a somewhat tropical hint to the decor. But only some of the rooms in the temple - and there seems to be no rhyme or reason in their placement - have received this treatment. Exactly half the rooms in the temple are overcast ruins to match the dark and destroyed half of the exterior; passing between rooms in the temple can feel like entering another world, or traveling forward (or backwards) centuries in time. There's no logical correlation between whether the rooms are on the side of the temple that appear to be ruined from the outside or not. Giant’s Grave The temple grounds are not exactly welcoming. There is a cold air about them, even when it's warm outside. Nothing seems to grow within the courtyard no matter the time of year, a barren patch of yellow grass and dead trees with a stone path cutting through it. Animals seem to avoid getting too close to the area, as well. The exterior of the temple is rough-hewn stone, covered in moss and dead overgrowth. It's an oddly gothic building, sharp and foreboding. The moss is the only sign of life on the exterior of the temple. The doors are heavy and wooden, worn and weathered from seemingly years of disuse. Once inside, the walls of the temple are a bit more welcoming. The interior is well cared for with rich, dark wooden floors and an equally dark, vaulted ceiling. Surprisingly, there is electricity in the building, but the fixtures are all extremely old. The first floor houses the kitchen, a dining hall, and what appears to be a disused servant's quarters. There is a solid wood staircase leading to the second floor and basement. The second floor has living quarters for the shinki, well-furnished but not at all modern. Rooms branch off from the main corridor, eventually leading to a dead end. There are more than enough rooms for overnight visitors, if they wish to risk staying. There is still an off-putting air inside of the temple. The basement houses an armory, everything within it well taken care of and far cleaner than it has any right to be. The same dark wooden ceilings and floors line the room with dark wood cabinets in various places. Most of the weapons are mounted on the wall with partial suits of armor. The armory is an unsettling place to be, as it's always colder than the rest of the temple and it feels like you're being watched the entire time you're in the room. Behind the temple building is a large stone formation. This is what gives the temple its name -- it's a Giant's Grave. An unusual, u-shaped formation, leading to a four chamber gallery. Each chamber is covered with a cairn, marking it as a gravesite. Also on the property is abandoned stone church. There's no roof, no windows, and everything inside is either rotted or covered with dead overgrowth. There is an accompanying graveyard, as well, but it's mostly just unreadable, broken headstones. Best to avoid this part of the temple if you're worried about disturbing the dead. ~ ~ ~ Chiyou's Temple A large, two-floor wood-framed building constructed in the Korean style, set in manicured but minimally landscaped grounds. A wide pond and a small summerhouse bordered by ferns and overhung by trees can be found at the rear of the building. The interiors are very much in harmony with the outside, with wooden floors and sliding screen walls, latticed windows that are impossible to see out of if they're not actually open and low furniture that might pass for antique if it looked a little less new. To modern eyes it would appear to be uncomfortably archaic in materials, design and furnishing, lacking electrical lighting and any form of heating that doesn't involve setting something alight first. Aside from indoor plumbing in the bathroom and kitchen, a handful of modern appliances tucked discreetly behind paneling and the occasional electrical socket, there is very little in the home that could not have come from some kind of living museum dedicated to Bringing the Past to Life. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Cupid's Garden A beautiful garden full of brightly blooming flowers in every scent and hue. Statues in various states of undress adorn the various fountains that decorate the space. Colorful birds and honeybees dart among the blossoms. Winding through the greenery on the cobblestone path will eventually lead a person to the small building at one end. Round and supported by Roman columns, bedrooms, the kitchen, and other rooms surround an open air bathing pool in the center. The decor is a bit gaudy and mostly in red and gold. ~ ~ Double Cross ‘Double Cross’ is a bar that also proudly serves as a cafe/coffeehouse during the day before the night comes and the people want a drink. Eros' Castle Like something pulled straight from a fairy tale fantasy, Eros' Castle embodies romanticism, passion and, of course, love of the highest caliber. Elegant and refined, the large estate holds several green acres, a majority of which occupied by blooming gardens, a crystal clear pond, and decorated topiary. The castle grounds seem pleasantly inviting to any visitor and all who step through the illustrious golden gates feel warmth and acceptance, as if there's always a summer breeze's embrace billowing through the trees. But not just any trees. Cherry blossom trees stretching far and wide also pave way to the castle's inner court and though they cover the cobblestone in little pink and white petals, somehow the blossoms manage to stay full and in eternal bloom. Rarely will anyone feel hatred, disgust, or general dislike here. Inside the castle is every bit as regal and lovely as the outdoors with marble flooring, spiral staircases, a grand ballroom and over 30 bedrooms large enough to accommodate any guest and their partners (this is the home of the God of Love, after all). But love isn't always about emotion. It's also about being physical... In top physical condition, that is! The lower floors of the castle are therefore an exercise junkie's dream with a large gymnasium full of any and all state of the art workout equipment as well as an Olympic and recreational swimming pool, complete with a hot tub full of holy water to soothe those aching muscles (and persistent blight). How romantic~ With more than enough space to chase your lover through the halls and gardens, surely there's no better place to fall in love. ♥ More detailed information+photos can be found here. ~ ~ Fortuna's Temple While the exterior remains unchanged, someone familiar with the place would notice a difference the moment the stepped through the front door. Rather than the bakery they were expecting, the entire lower level seems to have been converted into a large greeting/gathering area. The interior paint, wall coverings and floor coverings remain unchanged (aside from the area with the brick facade and the oven now being the same as the other walls), but the various sofas, love seats and chaise-style lounges situated around the perimeter of the room are all blue. Dominating the space at one end of the large room is a shiny black baby grand piano. Situated on end tables at various points are vases of roses in various shades of red, pink, and white. A doorway off the back the main room leads to the stairwell that travels up to the second level. A series of midnight blue runner carpets extends from the bottom of the first set of stairs and ends at the door leading into the apartment, though it continues on to cover the entirety of that hallway. The entirety of this level is uniform as far as flooring and wall coverings go. The walls are a nondescript white with offset rectangles with light brown centers, and the floors consist of overlapping rectangles of dark oak. Dominating this level are the living room and kitchen. The former sports a pale pink corner sofa with an accompanying white square table, a white-to-pink gradient circular rug beneath the table, a modestly sized flat-screen television on a matching black stand, a pale brown bookcase near the hallway door, and enough throw pillows and large lounging cushions to be useful. A light blue door off the living room leads into Adrien's room. The kitchen is done in varying shades of pinks, whites and brown, and the floor of this area is a pink and white floral patterned tile rather than the dark wood. The refrigerator is blue. The stairwell in the kitchen leads up to a trap door that separates Marinette's room from the rest of the space. The trapdoor opens inward. The room itself is done in complementing shades of purple, red, pink and white. ~ ~ ~ Hachiman's Shrine Up in the lushly-forested hills overlooking the sea, there's a single smooth path, paved with smooth stones, just wide enough that someone might be able to manage it on horseback. At the top of that hill stands a simple wooden torii gate. Passing through the gate, visitors find themselves in a large, lush Japanese garden containing a compound of several moderately-sized buildings, all constructed in the traditional manner, with wooden framing and sliding rice-paper doors. Near the gate is a stable, currently standing empty, and just a little bit further in is a simple Shinto-style shrine building with a wide, roped-in strip of sand out in front of it. On the far side of the large pond, tucked away in the garden for a little more privacy, there are a few more buildings -- a sprawling one-story house with a kitchen and a number of rooms for sleeping in, a small storage outbuilding nearby, a little tearoom set off by itself in the garden, and a large training dojo with an open-air hot spring behind it. The furnishings in all of the buildings are simple and traditional, to the point of being a little bit on the minimalistic side, but many rooms do at least contain some nice calligraphy, or small vases with seasonal flower arrangements in them. Though Hachiman is a warrior god, a proper samurai has to be more than just a fighter, doesn't he? His shrine's complex is a serene place, and he can often be found on one of the verandas with his pipe, a warm pot of tea, and a calligraphy brush. ~ ~ ~ ~ Helheim A long and winding path leads to a tall gate in a stone wall. Through that gate, sitting on top of a hill, is a huge mead hall that seems perpetually covered in snow. Inside, the sparse decorations are somber and an air of melancholy hangs in the area. There always seems to be a chill in the air, and at night the howling of wolves can be heard outside. They sound hungry. ~ ~ Hermes' Garrison Much like the Garrison back on her Earth, the temple is set up similarly to the military academy. There's a section for living quarters, the biggest area belonging to the god herself on the top floor. The shinki's rooms are set up for one person per room with private bathrooms in each one. Sliding doors lead into hallways that have color coded bands running along the walls to indicate where each leads. There is a small mess hall for the kitchen, a training room with state of the art equipment, engineering department, and a space flight simulation room. Also a video game room. Elevators will bring residents between each level. When visitors first enter, they'll step into the main hall which is looks like a planetarium with the planets moving around each other in real time to mimic the actual planets in the galaxy, and a fountain sitting in the center that is decorated like the sun. ~ Huitzilpochtli Huitzilpochtli's temple is a sprawling marble complex high up on a hill, sprawled in a clearing above a forest. It's a long walk up a set of carved, intricate, white stone stairs before you reach the very entrance of the temple, which is bedecked with a dark red arch where the face of an Aztec sun stone stares down at anyone who enters. The grounds of the temple themselves are vast, decked with lush greenery. Vines clamber up the square pillars that surround the main building of the temple, and there's a creek that winds through the property, leading to a small pond somewhere near the center. Each pillar of the temple is adorned with the very same sun stone, and a walk through the main courtyard of the palace leads you to a massive, open air room. Inside this open air room is a floor veined with gold, leading straight up to an intricate, massive golden throne. Tributes to Hutzilpochtli are placed in the seat of the throne, and are collected by the god himself on a regular basis. Besides that, the temple seems to be molding to its new resident, and the rooms surrounding the courtyard have formed to become more modern, including a large, spacious kitchen, a living area, and five bedrooms. Most notably of those that have appeared is a bedroom with a little sign on the door that says ace's room. Since the entrance of a new occupant, only one thing has really changed: there's a mound of dirt in the courtyard, raised up for just the right height to play baseball on. ~ ~ Inanna's home A two story home that is clearly Middle Eastern in design but still bares a striking resemblance to a medieval castle. It's only large enough to house the god and a handful of shinki, unless they want to stake out a claim on the roof. The front and back entrances lead to an interior courtyard, from which all the other rooms and the second story can be accessed. The image of an eight-pointed star appears prominently throughout the house, most notably above the front entrance and in the shape of the fountain in the courtyard. ~ ~ ~ Iris temple The Iris temple appears to be a quiet place filled with greenery. At a first glance it looks ordinary and there isn't anything that stands out. In the entrance you'll find a small prayer altar. Everything is mostly made out of wood. For some reason nearly everything is old fashioned. As you go deeper in you'll stumble across a stagelike platform for preforming arts. Ishtar's Temple The temple has distinctly Mesopotamian architecture, with statues of the goddess Ishtar distributed throughout the temple. A more recent influence, however, can be found in the areas deeper in, with what appears to be "DO THAT AT HOME" written in bullet holes on a pillar near the altar. A gate with blue and gold bricks, marked with symbols of the goddess Ishtar, marks the entrance, and the center of the temple before the altar room is a small open air courtyard. ~ ~ Izanagi Jingu (abandoned) Unlike its original namesake, this iteration of Izanagi's shrine is reminiscent of a Japanese minka. A multilevel home, there's a serene and almost private atmosphere before you enter, where it's spacious, welcoming, and well lit. Inside are a handful of tatami rooms for free use, a comfortable and large living room, a quiet room/study, multiple bedrooms for residents and guests, and each floor has a spacious bathroom (complete with modern soaking tub). But once you get past the genkan, it's obvious that the one area that takes up the most space is the kitchen - found on the first floor and the core to the temple, where the stairs are located, the kitchen and dining area were notably built to house a lot of traffic, between storage space, bar seating, lounging space, a long table, and even extra seating and a table in an roomy alcove that looks out into the yard. Said yard can be accessed via multiple points on the first floor (the dining space, master bedroom, and a couple of the tatami rooms) where it partially wraps around the space, and is another area that is obviously intended to be used as a person sees fit - either for socialization or a quiet spot, depending on whether you stay in the lounge area or go into the small garden. There's often a faint trace of fog in cooler weather surrounding the house, which hovers at the edges of the yard. ... there are also, frequently, cats that come and go. Don't mind them. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ The Shrine of Kshitigarbha's Vow Leading down into a small but lush valley, there is a walkway adorned with lanterns and jizo statues. In the center of the valley, there is still lots of greenery, but of note is the statue there, representing the descent into Hell that is more about what someone will feel like when they come out of it -- the beauty of the Far Shore and Near Shore by comparison. ~ ~ ~ Laumė's Temple Betwixt the trees lies a humble woodland temple painted by the natural colors of earth. A simple design built of wood and stone fits easily into a clearing surrounded by tall, healthy trees with lush foliage. Natural, vibrant sun filters in during the day and at night a cool air blows through the trees; creating natural, soothing music. Outside the temple's walls is both a vivacious garden filled with pure white flowers and a clear stream, in the presence of which visitors can clear their minds. ~ ~ Laverna/Stelsa Sezyat Stelsa's temple is an almost paradoxical fusion between classical Roman architecture, punk rock aesthetics, and obsessively bland and orderly office interior. The outside, while built in an eye-searing combination of neon pink and teal, is fairly standard fare for a Roman temple. But once you step inside, it's an entirely different story. The first floor looks almost like a completely mundane lobby with teal linoleum floors and faded pink stucco walls, complete with a reception desk, waiting chairs, and... is that a bar? Yup, that's a bar, complete with pretty much every kind of beer, wine, and liquor imaginable. It looks like some effort has been made to combat the punkish dive-bar aspect of that part of the temple, but it seems to be a losing battle. Behind a door next to the reception desk is what looks like some sort of strategy/meeting room: files of every kind cover the ovular table in the center of the room, each marked with a prayer number. A file cabinet sits next to a massive map of the Near Shore, with pins stuck into the locations of prayers and the temples of Laverna, each with a specific time, place, and objective marked in neat all-caps handwriting using color-coded sticky notes. A water cooler is placed neatly in the corner near a cabinet full of healthy snacks. A door in the meeting room leads to a stairwell plastered with posters of rock bands and covers of famous gentleman thief novels. A few motivational posters in some odd alien language have been put up in an effect to dull the feeling of rebellion and daring come from the dingy backroom aesthetic of the stairwell, but in truth they just look kind of ridiculous and make it even more apparent. Up the stairs leads to Stelsa's personal rooms, which are extraordinarily lavish and very, very gaudy. The floors are a teal shag, while the walls are hot pink. The first room is what looks to be some kind of living room, where several pieces of exercise equipment, a few punkish electric guitars and basses, a liquor cabinet, a television, and a cushy-looking couch and two armchairs (bright pink and teal, of course), live. Beyond that is a cramped, utilitarian kitchen leading to a dining room for two; a bathroom that's somehow larger than the kitchen and crammed to the gills with things for a rigorous beauty routine; and a luxurious bedroom with a massive, steel-reinforced bed... and a rack of punk rock CDs and records. Loki's Temple More or less a temple in name only, this small complex of buildings sits relatively hidden in a grove of trees. Despite belonging to a Norse god, the buildings are Chinese in style, placed within the grove to have a sort of aesthetic balance. The main building is a residence of sorts, but it never seems to be occupied. There are a few small outbuildings that seem to be workshops of some sort and these bustle with activity if Lin Xue Ya is home. There is also a small cote that's home to some obviously pampered white birds. Lugh's Farm Lugh's temple is essentially a small farm. There is a small lake at the front of the property and a winding stone path that leads up to the front door of the two-story farmhouse. The front is well-kept, though spotted with the sort of shrubbery you might expect to find on a farm in a mountain valley. There is a barn further back and a paddock for the sheep and few horses that came prepackaged with the temple, as well as a chicken coop and a small stretch of land behind the back door fenced in and ready to be turned into a garden. Inside is just as cozy and rustic as the outside, stone and wood walls everywhere. The bedrooms are cozy, each with a small ensuite bathroom (except for the master, of course) and there's a small library on the second floor. There's also a cellar for keeping whatever Oscar harvests under the kitchen and an outdoor dining area by the lake. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Mars' Coliseum The current incarnation of Mars seems like an obvious choice to have a coliseum as his temple, although perhaps any (fitting) incarnation of a god of war might be equally well suited to it. It's clearly modeled after the ancient Roman Colosseum, architecturally, but updated for the present day; the columns are smooth and unweathered, the arches are actually paned windows, and the top is intact. It's also, of course, not nearly the size of the Roman Colosseum; it would hardly need to be, not when accommodating a new version of Mars who has to repopulate his temple with shinki from scratch. There simply wouldn't be any need for a temple the size of a stadium. It is big enough, however, to enclose an open-air training ground in the center, which is exactly how Bakugou likes it. The interior of the circular structure surrounding it is as modern as the exterior, and well-furnished, but there's a bit of an odd feel to it. Some of the rooms are similar to those one would find in a modern home, but others have more of a schoolgrounds vibe - especially the hallways and the library. It's clear the temple reflects the lived experiences of its teenage god, and perhaps is meant to provide some touchstone of comforting familiarity. Subcon Weald Rather than a singular building, the temple of Mephistopheles takes the form of a forest plunged into eternal nightfall. Its trees stand tall and barren and the ground is littered with blackened thorns and glowing mushrooms. A path lit by old lanterns leads the way to the center, past a village cobbled together from the stumps of impossibly large trees and overgrowth. The center is where the "true" temple is, a building made from a towering mushroom. An archway has been cut from the base where a bookshelf, armrest, and small table rest, effectively serving as the Snatcher's living room. The large brambles that wind around the mushroom act as a staircase, leading to a simple kitchen and bedroom, the latter of which features old, Victorianesque furniture mainly in reds, blacks, and purples. ~ Michael's Castle A castle in the medieval fashion, fortified for war. The grounds around the castle aren't terribly well-maintained, but it looks like some attempt has been made to plant gardens. There are two large ponds, well-stocked with fish, that flank the path to the front doors of the building. The furnishings inside are an eclectic mix of modern and ancient, but most rooms seem relatively unused. Neith’s Temple A rather large estate sized temple that belongs to the Egyptian Goddess, Neith . It stands out against the greenry with its colorful patterns. Inside the floors are either smooth stone or patternized reflective shiny tile. Brightly colored walls and high vaulted ceilings greet visitors upon entry. The Entrance opens up to a large room that is filled with various large comfy chairs and brightly colored cushions to sit. Bean bags have been recently added! From there the rest of the home is large and maze like. The main room is lined with eight different open hallways. These hallways can lead to extra rooms, to the kitchen, bathroom and other important places. But it’s easy to get lost if you’re new and don’t know your way around… welll Almost every path will inevitably lead back to it’s beginning as if it were a complete circle. There’s also a pool! ~ Nemesis's Temple A brightly-colored store resembling a girls' boutique, with a pavement cafe and a sign above the doors reading 'Prism Stone'. Walking inside leads to a wide tiled room with five alcoves arranged around the walls, containing the following: a reception desk with a computer; a cafe selling hot and cold drinks, snacks and cakes and ice-cream; a shop for clothes and accessories, with gaily-colored ruffled outfits displayed on mannequins; a salon offering hairstyling and makeovers, selling a range of cosmetics; and, at the apex of the room, a curtained-off alcove. Passing through the curtains and out to the other side leads to a landscaped square with a large fountain, with an imposing glass-and-concrete building on the far side. At first glance the lower floors of Mirei's temple appear to be a working law court, complete with reception areas, waiting rooms, and judges' chambers surrounding a single central courtroom. This room is decorated like a concert arena, with spectators sitting in rows of benches facing a central stage decorated with a backdrop of law texts and an immense set of scales. Behind the courtroom is a backstage area consisting of a dressing room for three artists, and a suite of dance studios with barres and mirrored walls. The top floor is given over to living areas, including a large, bright living room-cum-study lined with books and one carefully-hidden family photo album. The books continue into Mirei's own room, a colorful and cheerful room with pop-art prints on the wall and a wide canopy bed - kept, of course, scrupulously tidy. Yui, Mirei's shinki, has her own room on this floor as well. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Temple of Nüwa The Temple of Nüwa sits in a wooded area near the Temple of Xuanwu. From the outside, the Temple of Nüwa looks like a traditional Chinese double courtyard residence. It is not particularly fancy or flashy, and appears more like a residence one might find belonging to a prosperous farmer in a rural village rather than an opulent palace befitting a goddess with the title of Empress. The main gate is gray stone topped with a ceramic tile roof, and the door and posts are painted a lucky red gilded with gold leaf that has begun to peel slightly. The second, interior gate is far grander and in much better repair. Letters above the door declare that this is the home of the Empress Wa. Inside the main courtyard, the garden is tasteful but not opulent, with a large pond taking pride of place near the center. Rooms for shinki and guests are comfortably situated in the halls on the sides of the interior courtyards and are comfortably furnished with all the latest modern amenities that contrast rather sharply with the temple's ancient layout and appearance. All the rooms are ensuite, though there is also a luxurious traditional bathouse, complete with a sauna for the Temple's main coldblooded resident, located in one of the outbuildings should they feel the need to take advantage of the facilities. The main building is reserved for Nüwa's personal living quarters, comprised of a spacious bedroom, bathroom, study, and living room. ~ ~ Nyx's Temple Nyx's temple is a cross between a cave and a normal house, and surprisingly light for something dedicated to a darkness deity. That is, most of it is in fact, a cave built into the side of a small mountain, while the porches and yard areas look more like what you would find in a modern home. There's a stone path leading up to the front door, flanked on either side by a pool--one is small and generally empty, but the other one is much larger and full of koi and other fish. Around the ponds and the rest of the grounds are patches of aster flowers, mainly purple. Behind the house portion of the temple grounds is a natural hot spring, partially located in a smaller cave. A large statue of Nyx herself watches over this spring. A rock wall and a copse of trees separates this spring from other temple grounds. Inside, the house is relatively modern, with electricity and running water. There's no bathtubs, but rather smaller hot springs with tubs cut around them. There are small electric scones all over to provide light, as there are only windows in the bedrooms and dining areas. ~ ~ ~ Odin's Temple Unlike the temples of old, Odin's new temple isn't very large and open and is surprisingly warm. It is still made of stone and wood and built in a Nordic style, but apart from a throne room in the very front of the building, the temple resembles a stone mansion more than a place of worship. There is a large library, several bedrooms, and one room devoted entirely to the study of the night sky. The front yard is almost entirely roses, all carefully pruned and maintained. In the back, beyond the tall stone fence, is a small vegetable garden. ~ ~ ~ Od iyesi Tsuna’s temple is going to look exactly like his home, with a little more embellishment. At the gate, there is a Vongola Crest right beside the mail slot. On the inside, the rooms are not as simple as they are in canon, with large tables and chairs for many guests. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, with a room dedicated to meetings right when someone walks in (to the right of the entrance). Tsuna’s room is upstairs and it looks exactly like his room at home. He doesn’t seem to want to have a whole lot of ornate items... (the room is the blue-carpet room in the third image). ~ ~ Oshun's Sacred Grove In a dense forest, little statues of Yoruban deities are scattered all about. Birds continuously fill the woods with song, day and night. Towards the center is a rusty and narrow bridge that crosses a wide river, leading to what looks like an abandoned building. Plants have overrun the facade, hiding cracked walls and old graffiti. Even inside, the plants have taken over, spilling over the railings of the second floor, with other plants growing out of pots occupying the room. The building lacks a chunk of the back wall, exposing it to the outside. The ground floor and roof top have wicker benches and chairs decorated with colorful patterned cushions and blankets. Bamboo woven curtains are rolled and tied up to bottom of the second floor, which can be let down during rainy seasons to keep the water out. The second floor is the living area, where the kitchen and bedrooms can be found. There is a leather couch by the windows in the common area, a contrast to the rest of the furniture. Colorful tiles cover the floor, keeping feet cool during warmer days. The roof is open space with a pergola for shade, along with other plant life growing under the sun. The river runs around the temple, with narrow parked on the side for traveling. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Oxylus's Treehouse The house is built with a tree in the middle, with small trees holding each corner to the two story house, with enough open space in the kitchen and living rooms, and small hanging rooms from the top of the big tree in the middle, that use hanging bridges and wooden stairs to get to them. It's a decent tree house, with five rooms of varying sizes, both in the main floor and the second floor. Everything, from floors to walls and furniture, is made out of different types of wood. ~ ~ Poseidon's Lighthouse True to the nature of Poseidon, he resides by the "sea" in a lighthouse with a seaside cottage for the living space. There is a small sandy beach enclosed by rocks and the "ocean" surrounds it. Of course, it's a limited ocean that runs off into a waterfall where the water disappears magically. And though the water runs off, there is no pull to it so that anyone that swims in the salty water won't fall off of his property. The ocean surrounding his home is usually calm unless Poseidon himself is not. The inside is cozy and has a sea theme. It's welcoming to whoever wants to find a little seaside R&R. The lighthouse works (though the design is more old fashioned than the home) and will serve as a beacon for a safe place if there is any danger. ~ ~ Temple of Ra The temple of Ra takes the form of a bar called HOMRA. The imported English-pub comes fully stocked with wines, beers, and spirits. There's everyday brews and for those with more expensive tastes, there's a row of tasteful bottles behind the counter. The bar offers an ever-changing menu filled with tasty meals and treats for its patrons. In the corner, tucked away from prying eyes, lies a stairwell that leads down to a large basement. The basement contains a large sofa and an old film projector along with a TV for more modern tastes. It offers a large open space where people can hang out and be as loud as they want as the noise won't filter into the bar area. Nestled above the bar are two floors of living quarters. The first contains five bedrooms, each sparsely decorated with a bed, dresser, and closet. There's nothing unique about them aside from the porch that juts out, facing the ocean. The top floor is composed of a spacious flat with wooden floors. This is Ra's personal quarters and therefore made to withstand the god of the sun. His flames won't burn this room. At dawn and sunset, the temple offers a mesmerizing show. The sun's rays hit the god at just the right angles and shoot off like wildfire creating a prism of light that lasts but a few minutes. ~ ~ ~ ~ Sancus' Monastery A sturdy building that has withstood the test of time, it rests upon a clearing that is otherwise surrounded by trees. It's not uncommon to find birds flying across, and perched, on its roof or building their nests in the nearby woods. The inside features multiple large windows, a chapel, wooden chairs and benches, an altar and plenty of secluded rooms that can be used for meditation and prayer. The Monastery itself also houses an exceptionally extensive underground library, with five levels worth of books. Many of these are historical writings, scriptures, and other such literary works in both common and foreign languages. The state of cleanliness of these basement levels will often vary. With some some floors and corridors kept in neat condition, while other floors will have scrolls and lithographs tossed and strewn in varying piles of disarray. ~ ~ Serapis's Castle Serapis's castle is a strange place for a god of the afterlife. It's brightly colored, warm, inviting, and it's very reminiscent of a ship. There are docking bays for ships, though that's only a small part. Inside, it's very large, with several different rooms: a training room, an invisible maze, a large kitchen, bedrooms for plenty of people, a medical wing, a holodeck, a pool, and a ballroom. Oddly, there are five hangars, though what goes there is a mystery. ~ ~ ~ Sukunahikona's shrine On the top side of a little mountain, a little bit into the forest there's a pathway leading to a humble shrine. It doesn't look new, but it's cozy on the inside. It's propped up off the ground so it's almost hanging in the air if not for the poles under it. Most of it is one big room with windows along sides and front. Further in, there's a door leading into the living quarters of the shrine. There are a few small bedrooms, a kitchen, bathroom, a cozy living room. Most of it looks like a throwback to the way Japanese homes looked in the early 1900s, with the addition of some modern appliances, though no computers. But there's a record player and the kitchen is the room that seems the most up to date. There's electricity and plumbing, but there just doesn't seem to be that much stuff in there yet. Down the hill that the shrine is propped up on there's a little pond surrounded by green moss and trees, making sounds muffled and the place calming. When it's warm enough or you're daring enough, you can go swimming there, though the water is a meter and a half at its deepest. Out the front door is a little garden, and to the left of the shrine is a little building with screen doors, but no windows, unlike the shrine itself. It's for privacy, that's much needed in what's essentially a nurse's office. Or, some sort of version of it. It has all the basic things needed to care for someone in need of some small help. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ SUSANOO'S TEMPLE A very traditional, Japanese-style mansion and shrine. The building has many rooms, including a space for training, a room for meditation, and living quarters. A moderate sized pond lies between the shrine and the living quarters, with a stone path allowing one to cross between it. Its waters are filled with koi fish. The shrine itself has a torii style gate at its entrance, and the building itself is large and elaborate, but not so much as the mansion. Inside, a wall scroll with an image of a large, bearded Japanese man hangs from the rear wall, flanked by two smaller scrolls with the kanji for "blade" and "wing". The idol inside the shrine is a large stone, with a seal bound around it. It holds no power, but it is symbolic of the god that occupies this temple. Outside the shrine is a chōzuya. The grounds of the temple also have trees, in which Japanese barn swallows make their home." ~ ~ Tajimamori's Temple (abandoned) The temple is a large traditionally Japanese-style family home, with tiled roof and a plaster-and-beam exterior. It's two stories tall; the ground floor has a large sitting room, a dining room, a kitchen and a few tatami rooms. The upstairs rooms are mainly bedrooms. The interior is a mix of modern and traditional styles, eclectically furnished and decorated with brightly colored arrangements of the garden flowers. The temple is surrounded by a fairly large yard filled with a riot of brightly colored flowers; cosmos, sunflowers, snapdragons, tulips and columbine feature heavily in the sunnier areas of the yard, with hydrangea and azalea bushes around the house. There is a row of sour orange trees along the back wall that perfume the air throughout the temple when they're flowering. At the edge of the property is a medium-high (5') wall with a front gate that stands open at all times. ~ ~ MOUNT JUSTICE Themis’s temple is one that is built into a large mountain. The only visible parts are walkways and overhangs that seem to cling to the sides and wind down and around to the base. Everything is made out of a type of material that is immune to acid rain and is painted over with a similarly resistant sort of paint to blend in with the stone of the mountain, instead of standing out. At different points up the mountain, there are cut out entrances that you can walk into marked only by arched marble columns of a decorative ancient Greek style. Until you walk into the temple itself, this is the only sign of what goddess this temple belongs to. All of the lights both along the path as lanterns and inside as varying fixtures dim and brighten at touch and voice commands. Near the base of the mountain facing west is three entrances covered by a veil of grey and white silk. The path to the left spirals down to a small cave in which sits a fountain that takes up most of the room available. At the center of this fountain there is the statue of Themis, and from the scales, a strange green slime flows at a slow, but constant rate. Taking the right path it spirals downward in much the same way as the left, yet while this ends on the same level underground as the fountain, this one instead as a natural spring and stream flowing into and out of the mountain. The center path is short and leads to a large chilled storage room filled with tanks and barrels. Presumably for both the slime substance and the water. The fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh entrances are about halfway up, looping around the mountain to the northern side, with each being stacked in pairs. These are the guest quarters, with each hallway having a stairwell that connects the two levels since the second level isn’t accessible and serves as a balcony. Each room is able to hold two people comfortably and furnished with dark grey and black ancient Greek style furniture, a silver rug covering the floor, and has its own attached bathroom with everything in there being silver, white, or grey. On the second level is the communal living area with a small kitchenette and entertainment space. There is also, on the first level, what amounts to an ancient Greek style bathhouse separated into an area for men and one for women. The eighth and ninth entrances are further up and located on the southern side. These are barred by a metal gate and are the quarters both for overflowing, frequent, or honored guests, and also double as her shinki’s quarters. These rooms are larger than the ones below, but aside from that the color scheme and layout remains the same. The tenth, eleventh, and twelfth are also guarded by a gate and are located at the eastern side and nearest to the top. These are Tyzias’s personal rooms, her study, and her bedroom and bathroom. The first of these is roughly two floors of space below the other two and has two ornate doors at the entrance. On the doors is Tyzias’s sign in teal overlapping a set of silver scales. This leads to a large two-story personal library and study where Tyzias plans, studies varying topics and is somehow able to find what she needs through organized chaos. Besides the door having teal however, there’s still the black, white, and grey scheme in here as well, just with a splash of teal here and there. Here also lies all of the research she’d been digging up about the Signless, about the Summoner, and everything else she could get her hands on. On the far side of the study, the cancer zodiac symbol made out of silver and ruby is embedded into the wall. At the desk sitting below it is a necklace with the same sign made of iron. The last two rooms are side by side, both having thick doors at their entrances with the same symbol etched into them. Tyzias’s room is often kept dark, and keeps the organized mess from her study. However there also appears to be a strange squishy bug-like cocoon that has that same green slime as was seen earlier coming out of the fountain. Toyotama's Open Sea "Toyotama's Open Sea - Please 'puka puka' to enter." reads the wooden sign posted beside the temple gates, and sure enough, in front of you isn't a temple at all. Though from a distance it had appeared to be nothing more than a small pond, what you see before you now is a vast, blue sea. It's only once you look down, through the crystal waters that a temple adorned in coral, seashells and pearls can be seen resting peacefully on the seabed below. Marine life of all sorts swims happily in and out of the temple through open doors and windows. Should you follow the sign’s instructions by repeating Toyotama’s 'password', they will gladly come greet you at the shore with a cheerful “Hello!” and offer to take you with them down to the sea floor. Within the realm of Toyotama-hime, all can breathe easily within the comforting depths of the sea. While the majority of the temple, is completely open to the water outside, there are a few “dry” rooms located within air pockets on the second floor, allowing guest to dry off for a while, should they so choose. ~ Wenchang Wang’s Mountains Situated in the mountains, there is a quaint-looking dome house with another house attached to it and a small storage house not too far from it. It seems to be located in the middle of nowhere, but there are plenty of wilderness and some forests around the area, too. The house itself is more spacious than the outside, holding some decent-sized rooms that can house at least two people at a time. However, there seems to be a basement leading underground to another more spacious room where it houses the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. Outside of the temple and in the surrounding areas, herbal medicine grows, but watch out: there are some dinosaurs in the area that may be lurking around. The dinosaurs can be seen, but don’t worry, they can’t leave the temple grounds for any reason and will end up crashing into an invisible wall to prevent them from leaving. ~ ~ Palace of the Northern Stars/Xuanwu Built along the lines of a traditional Chinese Palace, this temple is nestled in-between a jagged line of old stones on one side and dense forests on the other. The outside walls and gates look old and weathered with traditional guardian dogs at the main entrance and craved snakes coiling along the edge of the over hanging roof. Past the first two gates is the main courtyard that's the center of the structure and home to a large crystalline statue of a monstrous turtle and snake locked in eternal battle or merging into one monstrous creature. While the whole place is generally built with a lot of traditional materials, the paper walls are not actually paper but a strange material that changes how they light the room from soothing dull blues and purples to red to yellow depending on the needs of the inhabitants. There are sculptures of alien origins, some of which look like they should be in a space ship instead of a temple. A lot of the furniture has traditional lines made in alien stones and woods and silks, and there is a general feeling as is the place is actual several miles underground and warmer than it should be. The throne area is the building farthest from the entrance and is very very modern inside. The floor, ceiling and walls are all made of a white material that glows with a soft internal light. Furniture of black stone will slide into being or disappear at a whim and the room itself can never really be filled completely. Beyond that room is Shen Wei's personal apartment where the furniture is modern takes on traditional design though there are a few hanging holograms in place of paper screens. There is also a very modern kitchen area that lays between his rooms and the shinki rooms to the east. The shinki rooms are bare until someone comes to occupy them, then the rooms shape themselves to whatever the shinki finds comfortable to them. The western buildings house practice areas for spells and weapons, and a large library full of strange craved books in various languages and a large hanging book in the center of the room. It's written in a tongue that Shen Wei seems to know and it keeps on being added to; as the paper touches the ground, it's folded and placed under the scrolls hanging from the ceiling. Pas the shinki rooms are the gardens which are filled with a large variety of normal plants mingling with a few aliens types. There are a large number of turtles and snakes roaming the gardens and the blessed pool of water holds a strange circle of metal in the center. If need be, the pool converts into a kind of shower to wash off blight of those injured too much for a normal dipping in the pool. ~ ~ ~ Temple of Yog-Sothoth The Temple of Yog-Sothoth sits atop a barren landscape, the sky around it illuminated by countless glowing spheres pulsing with an eerie green light. The interior of the temple itself can best be described as... non-Euclidean. The layout and contents of the rooms are constantly shifting, making it easy to get lost if you don't know how to navigate. Futaba's Persona is linked up to the temple itself, making it easy for her, but anyone who isn't invited in risks becoming lost in the maddening expanse of rooms. There are formless voids, places where things like distance and gravity are meaningless and subjective, rooms filled with far-off wailing voices, and even places that will show the occupants visions of their deepest fears. Interspersed with these are rooms with classic video game style puzzles that must be solved to progress - adorned with switches, sliding blocks, and the like. The only constant in the temple is the presence of mechanical eyes attached to metallic tentacles, allowing Futaba to monitor who's inside and where they are. The entrance to this room is an impressively large gate that requires a silver key to enter. Of course, people have to actually live in the temple, so it's not all horrible mazes and visions of madness. The temple's interior is outfitted rather differently, containing as many rooms as are needed for Futaba and her shinki. The very center of the temple is a sort of 'control room' filled with computer monitors and wires hanging all over, from which she can control its layout and bring visitors straight to the living quarters. When she's not in there, Futaba can often be found in her room playing video games or working on her computer. Sometimes she's sitting on the wall or the ceiling, mostly because she can. ~ ~ The Heavens The Heavens are the easternmost part of the Far Shore, strictly run by the highest-ranked gods. They 'control' the other gods, host regular meetings, and dole out praise and punishment where necessary. Main Office A simple office not unlike the offices of many places that are common around the Near Shore. Gods can apply for a grant of territory in the Heavens, register their existence as deities or establish new shrines. Shinki can apply to the office for reassignment to a new god. The Main Office can process all of your paperwork and help you establish a new existence in the Heavens, for minimal fees and no more inconvenience than your average morning at the DMV! Meeting Hall This is the place where the gods hold their meetings. All gods are anonymous throughout the meeting so that they can freely voice their opinions without being judged. Head shinki are allowed to come to the meeting hall, but are not allowed to attend the meetings. However, they will be well taken care of while their gods are busy with business. Outside of the room where gods hold their meetings, the Meeting Hall is an opulent palace in Edo-era Japanese traditional style. Hallways are floored with polished wood and rooms with wood or tatami. Elegant ink paintings adorn the walls, and windows are latticed. The place is kept patrolled by shinki wearing white adorned with a golden chrysanthemum. Library This library, to the south of the Meeting Hall, is home to every record known to the Heavens. You can find anything here, from historical works to dry records to fictional pieces of art. Even unpublished books can be found if you happen upon the right sections. There is a small room in the library that is locked, and no amount of prodding or tinkering will allow anyone inside, though sometimes the shuffling of papers can be heard beyond the door. Although it was once maintained by tiny goblin-like creatures, most of them died during a time-space upheaval and the library is now staffed on a volunteer basis by player characters and Amaterasu's shinki. The new library employees have been working hard to correct the disastrous disorganization caused by the former goblin attendants, but unfortunately, the goblins weren't the only reason for the disorganization. The same library magic that allows unpublished or unique records to have a copy available here also distorts time and space, causing books to appear, disappear and switch places at random. At least the new library workers are gaining a better idea of which books are available, although finding them is still a matter of luck. Amaterasu's Temple Although recently damaged by a severe fire, the dwelling place of Amaterasu is still one of the most beautiful, and unquestionably the largest, temple in the Heavens. It is built, like the Meeting Hall, in the style of a traditional Japanese castle, with expansive gardens and a roof tiled entirely in gilded tiles that reflect the sun. Repairs are ongoing, and white-uniformed shinki can be seen around the temple working hard at repainting, rebuilding and replanting wherever there is visible fire damage. Sakura Groves Groves of blooming cherry trees spread out to the north and south of the Meeting Hall, and these beautiful areas are sometimes used as meeting or celebration places. The grove to the south is badly scorched as a result of a fire, and many trees there have been damaged by storm winds or lightning. The grove to the north retains its unearthly perfection. The Underworld the realm of death The Underworld is the realm of Izanami, mother of the islands of Japan as well as many of the gods and goddesses of the Heavens. She died in childbirth and was abandoned to the realm of the dead by her husband Izanagi once he saw that she had become a rotting corpse. She now rules the land of the dead, commanding legions of ayakashi, and rarely suffers intruders to live... or to leave. Entrance to the Underworld The traditional entrance to the underworld can be found in Ise, although it is normally sealed and must be opened by a god or by Izanami herself. Vents, which may appear anywhere in the human world or be created by a god or shinki with that ability, are also entrances to the underworld, but they are temporary and often impassable or dangerous. Caverns of the Underworld The Underworld, as befits its name, is a series of caves, caverns and catacombs, some built of brick and some natural caves, both volcanic and limestone. Water that reeks of death and rot drips and puddles throughout the underworld, and it is filled with powerful and vicious ayakashi and demons. These monsters can smell the presence of a pure soul, either god or shinki, and will track down and attack them. Even if the god or shinki tries to conceal their scent, making eye contact with any of the underworld's monsters will cause them to attack. Izanami's Throne Room A tiled catacomb, gilded and beautiful, with a raised dais at the front of the room where Izanami reclines. Incense burners are set at the edges of the dais, and the room reeks of incense smoke over rotting flesh. Any god or shinki who comes this close will find themselves in the very heart of Izanami's power. Gods and shinki are more than welcome to open their own businesses on the Near Shore and may add descriptions and photos of their homes on the Far Shore. All you have to do to be added to the list is reply here using this form: <b>Place:</b> [Near Shore/Far Shore/Heavens] <textarea><b>NAME OF BUSINESS/GOD'S NAME</b> <ul>A brief description of the place of business or the home. Remove any of the following links that you do not use for images, feel free to add more if you need to.<br><br> <a href="IMAGE 1"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/ANRh2Fn.png"></a> ~ <a href="IMAGE 2"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/ANRh2Fn.png"></a> ~ <a href="IMAGE 3"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/ANRh2Fn.png"></a></ul> As gods' Total followers increase, they can apply with the Heavens' Main Office to have their temple moved to a neighborhood befitting their current status. All new gods' temples appear in the Western District, which is a place of shifting distances and terrain, far from important Heavenly administrative areas such as the Meeting Hall and the temples of the major gods. When a temple moves, the player is free to change the description of the temple to reflect its new location (for instance, the temple might increase in size or become more opulent, or the landscape might change around the temple.) To move to a new district, a god must meet or exceed the minimum required Total follower count for that district and reply to this post using the form below. Temple moves can be done at any time, are based on the Total follower count, and do not cost followers. District Minimum Total Follower Requirements Central District 50,000 followers Northeast & Southeast Districts 10,000 followers Northwest & Southwest Districts 5,000 followers Western District At least one follower <b>Place:</b> [Central/Northeast/Southeast/Northwest/Southwest/Western District] <b>God's Current Follower Count:</b> <textarea><b>NAME OF TEMPLE/GOD'S NAME</b> <ul>A brief description of the temple, if there are any changes. Please replace this text with "N/A" if there is no change.<br><br> <a href="IMAGE 1"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/ANRh2Fn.png"></a> ~ <a href="IMAGE 2"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/ANRh2Fn.png"></a> ~ <a href="IMAGE 3"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/ANRh2Fn.png"></a></ul>

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[godsoffortune]

Lavi will discover a scroll that contains the text of, and a melody notation for, the Song to Ward Off Lightning. It's perched precariously on a high shelf above a set of cookbooks, and will, when he walks by, teeter and fall on him.

There are no books dedicated specifically to the forest, but he will find it on a number of maps in the library. Newer maps call it the Moving Forest or the Firefly Forest. Older maps call it the Remaining Forest.

He will be able to find a vast number of books on religious ritual, worship, offerings, shrine consecration, moving gods, etc. There is some mention of dealing with gods whose worship is not approved by or recognized by the Heavens; this appears to have often involved religious wars or persecution among mortals, and the reincarnation of a god and execution of all their shinki.