The Sundered Isles of Yamato
Welcome to the Sundered Isles of Yamato, a world remade by catastrophe, a breathtaking landscape scarred by a cosmic wound. Here, reality itself behaves like troubled water – fluid, unpredictable, and dangerously deep.
A Fractured Reality
The Sundering & The Three Realms
Before the cataclysm known simply as the Sundering, Yamato existed as three distinct, yet subtly interconnected realms, their interactions mediated by The Veil:
Utsushiyo - the Seen World, the tangible realm of mortals, governed by familiar cycles of time and physical law.- Kakuriyo - the Spirit World, inhabited by countless Kami (spirits), mischievous yōkai, and the lingering echoes of ancestors.
- Yume-no-Kuni - the Dreaming Realm, a fluid landscape where myths were born and the collective psyche of civilizations ebbed and flowed.
The Catastrophe
Then came The Sundering. Whether caused by a celestial war, a ritual gone catastrophically wrong, or the slow decay of some fundamental cosmic principle, the Veil tore violently. In its place ripped the Scar of Sundering, a terrifying wound in reality that bleeds into all three realms.
This event fundamentally rewrote the laws of existence. The three realms crashed into one another, their landscapes and principles merging in chaotic and unpredictable ways:
Time lost its reliable flow, becoming fluid and subjective- Strongly remembered places achieved heightened reality, while forgotten ones could physically fade away
- The power of intent became absolute in Kakuriyo, directly shaping outcomes
- Shared dreams could manifest physical effects, and forgotten myths could coalesce into dangerous realities
The Spiritual Economy
In this altered world, the fundamental currency is not gold or rice, but essence itself. Existence operates on a complex "spiritual economy" driven by four intangible forces:
Kō (Memory)
The anchor for physical reality and sustenance for spirits and Kami. A village collectively remembering its founding hero might find his spirit protecting them, while a forgotten shrine might physically crumble into dust.
Nen (Intent)
The driving force behind actions, possessing such power that pure, focused intent can deflect curses or compel spirits, while malicious intent can poison the land itself.
Shin (Belief)
The current that empowers deities; Kami thrive on reverence, and even Forgotten Gods can regain coherence and influence if belief is invested in them.
Kan (Emotion)
The raw psychic energy generated by living beings; intense joy might cause ephemeral spirit-lights to appear, while profound grief could cause phantom storms to rage for generations.
Memory Tithes & Death
This economy has tangible mechanics shaping life and death:
Memory Tithes: Certain powerful spirits, ancient places, or crossings between realms demand specific memories for passage or knowledge – leaving gaps in one's personal history.- Life & Death: Those held strongly in memory remain anchored near Utsushiyo or within Kakuriyo, while the truly forgotten fade into Yomi-no-Kuni, a desolate realm of dissolution.
- Echoes: Intense, collective outpourings of memory or emotion can coalesce into Echoes – tangible constructs resembling the deceased but often warped, driven by the emotions that birthed them.
Inhabitants of the Isles
Humans
The most numerous inhabitants, exhibiting remarkable adaptability alongside deep-seated fear and ambition. They cling to the structures of their Imperium while relying on community memory and Onmyōji to maintain stability.
Oni
Powerful, horned inhabitants of the Shattered Peaks who embody raw forces of mountain, magma, and storm. Their tribal culture revolves around strength, grief, and honor.
Kitsune
Mystical fox spirits who thrive in the unstable emotional landscape. Masters of shapeshifting and illusion, they operate from hidden courts, weaving intricate webs of intrigue.
Tengu
Bird-like ascetics and warriors residing in secluded mountain monasteries, dedicating themselves to preserving ancient truths and perfecting demanding martial disciplines.
Enigmatic Figures
Factions & Philosophy
Key Factions
Human Imperium: Nominally unified under an Emperor and Shogun, but practically defined by the political maneuvering between regional Daimyo lords.- Oni Clans: Like the volcanic Ash-Walkers or the geokinetic Stone-Bloods, concerned with survival, territorial dominance, and honor.
- Onmyōji Guilds: Working to counteract the decay of reality through geomancy, spirit pacification, divination, and Reality Binding rituals.
- Shrine Keepers: Kannushi and Miko who tend to local Kami, facilitate offerings, and anchor community memories that keep villages from fading.
Philosophical Schools
- Onmyōdō: The Way of Yin & Yang, providing tools to perceive cosmic balance, channel spirits, read ley lines, and mend tears in reality.
- Mikkyō: An Esoteric Buddhist path offering intricate rituals, mantras, and visualizations to align the self with cosmic truth.
- Kenkidō: The Path of the Sword-Spirit, elevating swordsmanship to a spiritual discipline, using combat and meditation to reveal inner truth.
- Kishinkō: The dangerous Cult of the Forgotten Gods, where followers offer intense emotion and memories to decaying, nameless Kami.
Regions of the Sundered Isles
Coastal Areas
The Whispering Coast is frequently shrouded in mist carrying phantom sounds and illusions, where bustling port towns serve as centers of trade, intrigue, and smuggling.
Mountain Frontiers
The Ashen Peaks mark volatile borderlands where fortified human settlements exist against volcanic landscape and the threat of powerful Oni clans dwelling in the heights.
Ancient Forests
The Sunken Forest of Kurōzan is a vast, spiritual domain where time feels thin and paths shift according to memory or dream, home to Ailuren kinships and nature spirits.
The Scar's Edge
The Bleeding Lands represent desolate, unstable zones where reality is actively hostile, landscapes warp according to chaotic energies, and only the most desperate or fanatical venture.
Core Themes
Memory: Is it a tool, a weapon, a burden, or the very fabric of existence? What happens when it fades or is stolen?Emotion & Belief: Can a community's fear manifest real monsters, or its faith sustain a dying god?
Survival & Adaptation: What traditions must be sacrificed, and what new, perhaps dangerous, paths embraced?Blurred Lines: In a world where dreams walk, memories build walls, and the dead linger, how does anyone truly know what is real, or who they are?