I prefer to call them 'gods' but they're known by different titles depending on the translation you're looking at.
A god is chosen by nature from the time of its birth, and recognized as such because of the moss growing on its head or back.
As you can see, every creature on earth has the potential to be this kind of god, though humans chosen to be gods seem not to do very well at it. However, if a human wants to become a god unnaturally, they would need to kill one of them and eat the creature's flesh, thereby taking the god's power and energy into their body, as well as the god's duties. They also sprout moss on their heads, but it may not be as closely connected to their bodies.
The hat of a god.
These beings are immensely powerful in their territory, able to do things like closing the mountain so no one can enter or leave. They can also put creatures (including humans) in an extended hibernation-like sleep. You really don't want to take them on lightly.
Not every mountain or stream has a god, but those that are exceptionally fertile and close to the light flow must have one. It's essential that the god control the light flow's power, regulating it so it doesn't go out of control or otherwise hurt the creatures living in the area. An unregulated light flow can have odd consequences indeed--rivers turning to sake, people getting dangerously ill, weird hybrid animals, trees that won't allow themselves to be cut down. Even odd illusions like this:
The mountain displaying odd signs.
However, a properly regulated area can be beautiful, if potentially dangerous to the unprepared. Given how fertile the land is due to the proximity of the light flow, many humans tend to be drawn to these areas, sometimes causing problems for the gods that regulate them.
A light flow area during harvest time. The colored mist of a light flow area.
A person sensitive to the mushi like Ginko would be able to feel the god's presence, and tell when the god is looking at them. In fact, someone like Ginko who affects the mushi so deeply would be a draw to the god's attention; he tends not to stay in places like that very long. Each god is incredibly powerful in its own area, able to dominate many other species, including humans. They should not be trifled with lightly.
Gods are not immortal. I am not sure what their life span is, but it's probably somewhat longer than the normal life span of whatever species they are, I would guess. When they die, a new god is chosen by the Rule of Nature (more about them later) and the god's soul goes back to Nature. Possibly it joins the Rule; otherwise, it simply becomes part of everything.
A god going back to the Rule. The egg of a god.
I'll be flowing... between life and the mountain. Inside the Rule. Inside the 'promise.'
Gods/Masters/Guardians
I prefer to call them 'gods' but they're known by different titles depending on the translation you're looking at.
A god is chosen by nature from the time of its birth, and recognized as such because of the moss growing on its head or back.
As you can see, every creature on earth has the potential to be this kind of god, though humans chosen to be gods seem not to do very well at it. However, if a human wants to become a god unnaturally, they would need to kill one of them and eat the creature's flesh, thereby taking the god's power and energy into their body, as well as the god's duties. They also sprout moss on their heads, but it may not be as closely connected to their bodies.
The hat of a god.
These beings are immensely powerful in their territory, able to do things like closing the mountain so no one can enter or leave. They can also put creatures (including humans) in an extended hibernation-like sleep. You really don't want to take them on lightly.
Not every mountain or stream has a god, but those that are exceptionally fertile and close to the light flow must have one. It's essential that the god control the light flow's power, regulating it so it doesn't go out of control or otherwise hurt the creatures living in the area. An unregulated light flow can have odd consequences indeed--rivers turning to sake, people getting dangerously ill, weird hybrid animals, trees that won't allow themselves to be cut down. Even odd illusions like this:
The mountain displaying odd signs.
However, a properly regulated area can be beautiful, if potentially dangerous to the unprepared. Given how fertile the land is due to the proximity of the light flow, many humans tend to be drawn to these areas, sometimes causing problems for the gods that regulate them.
A light flow area during harvest time.
The colored mist of a light flow area.
A person sensitive to the mushi like Ginko would be able to feel the god's presence, and tell when the god is looking at them. In fact, someone like Ginko who affects the mushi so deeply would be a draw to the god's attention; he tends not to stay in places like that very long. Each god is incredibly powerful in its own area, able to dominate many other species, including humans. They should not be trifled with lightly.
Gods are not immortal. I am not sure what their life span is, but it's probably somewhat longer than the normal life span of whatever species they are, I would guess. When they die, a new god is chosen by the Rule of Nature (more about them later) and the god's soul goes back to Nature. Possibly it joins the Rule; otherwise, it simply becomes part of everything.
A god going back to the Rule.
The egg of a god.
I'll be flowing... between life and the mountain. Inside the Rule. Inside the 'promise.'