The village of the local Kitsune, located on a small isle (called the Verge) south of the Watchers' Island. It's hidden by powerful illusions conjured up and perpetuated by the Spirits - mainly Shikigami - and it's almost impossible to find and reach it without either their aid, or the aid of their charges.
We were isolated here for centuries, cut away from the rest of the world, with next to no excursions outside whatsoever. T'was an inevitability which our elders ignored, and their elders ignored too, but we couldst not. - Kokoro |
Village Outskirts
Passing through the groves, following a convoluted path forward, one can hear faint sounds of civilised life, and then see it, too. The trees part, and reveal beautifully decaying ruins of a town, some on solid ground, some on stilts above almost marsh-like water that couldn't retreat into the sea and accumulated here. These are mostly wooden structures, with posts and lintels supporting tiled or thatched, gently curved roofs that often constitute half of the whole edifice, becoming the visually impressive component when compared to the plain walls, most of which are no walls at all, but instead sliding doors, screens or thin partitions. Verandas, pier-like walkways, arched bridges and little balconies are ever-present.
Nature has overtaken much of it - climbing ivy, grass and tree sprouts growing from the roofs, little ponds filling the interior completely alongside the water shrubbery, birdnests and dens. Even without this, it seems that care was taken to blend the buildings into the surrounding natural environment.
The halcyon glory of our home hath long pass'd, I am afraid. If even half of the stories art to be believed, this wast quite a settlement, back in the day. But we make do; we make do. - Kokoro |
Village Centre & Marketplace
As one progresses, it becomes apparent that not all the ruins are abandoned - instead, some seem to have been refurbished and re-purposed as dwellings again, creating an overall makeshift, patchwork, tribal aesthetic that somehow still manages to stay coherent with the original design of this ghost town. Occasionally, a Unknown or two peer at the visitors warily from within when they pass by.
There is the central square and the adjacent lily-pond in the shade of a great rosy cherry tree - the hub of activity with market stalls, colourful cushions for sitting, low tables with tea sets and smoldering smoking pipes, paper lanterns hanging above from ropes.
A colourful cast of merchants can be found here. They don't use currency, and instead function through haggling, bartering and exchange of goods.
The woodwork merchant is a greying, blind Kitsune grandma with a blissful smile, who is carving masks, figurines, and other objects right there at her stall. Her calloused hands move with practiced assurance that doesn't require sight anymore. She used to have a grandchild named Haruki, but they were killed during the quest Hag Hunt: Heart's Revenge.
The fashionable, sculpted, bedazzled textile merchant offers both raw materials (thread, fabrics, ropes, tassels, etc), and the cultural outfits that are already assembled. There is a large selection of kimonos, and complimentary accessories which notably include broad sashes called obi, present in a number of different sizes and proportions, lengths, and methods of tying, and various jewelry, among which is an elegant copper band with miniature engravings of songbirds - a Ventriloquist's Ring. Offered here are also pouches, bags and purses a-plenty. They are always looking for interesting trinkets, baubles and materials that could be transformed into items of some artistic value, or restored in case they already had that value to begin with. If met with something uninspiring or lacking flair or thrill, they quickly grow bored and disinterested.
One vendor oversees several stalls that offer local dishes, sea food, and produce. One of the merchants is selling various weaponry. Most of it can be recognised even despite unusual shapes and materials; some items are much harder to discern. A notable weapon purchased here was a mace that looks more like a flail. It has a short, beautifully carved handle with motifs recognisable from the Village's architecture. It is attached to a length of chain with a ball at the end, modeled after a very stylised many-pointed star with faint swirls on the surface. They are made of a strange material which turned out to be a star orb - magic coalesced into physical stone, often used like Familiars by some Kitsune. This one was clearly modified, either on purpose or accidentally, and later used while crafting this weapon.
A rather young, messy Kitsune named Susumu is selling what might be potions and elixirs. Might be, because they aren't stored in bottles or vials - instead, his questionable concoctions are filling literally anything other than the vessels one would expect for his merchandise. There are soup bowls, ladles, flower planters, pots, pans, mugs, kettles, large shells, cutlery, crockery, even one boot filled with something bubbly and steaming. These mixtures also don't look like any cooking upon this good gods' green earth. He often tests his experiments on himself, or anyone willing to subject themselves to his concoctions, which he is ready to reward immediately. Successful results are often followed by maniacal cackles, and he is eager to listen to suggestions for improvements. His eyes have an unhealthy glint to them, and they never focus on one thing for long, instead darting wildly from object to object. He is erratic, impulsive, prone to random, chaotic behaviour, often mumbles and mutters, and seems to lack social awareness or understanding of boundaries. When scolded, harshly criticised or yelled at, he immediately shrinks into a timid, frightened demeanour.
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Village Temple
Across the central plaza, on the other side of the pond, closer to the sea, is an imposing temple, shaped like a pagoda, that seems to have been spared from any decay; the steps upwards, towards the entrance, are one of the rare things around here that is made of stone. Inside, large, single space offered by the main hall welcomes the visitors, but the walls seem to be movable, providing fluidity to the floor plan. The interior is heavily decorated with pearls, gold, and jewels, but this ornamentation follows, and therefore emphasizes rather than hides, the basic structure.
Sunlight filters in through the gaps where the walls were removed completely, or through the paper screens themselves, muted and soft; more light is provided by candles and lanterns. A pleasant smell of incense lingers in the air.
One of the main features within the temple is the Wall of Names, an important cultural and spiritual relic for the Kitsune.