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Akumei ("Demon-Blooded")
Also Known As: Ashborn, Spirit-Bound, the Withered, Oni (slur)
Classification: Humanoid (Corrupted) Origin: Survivors of the Shattering, soul-bound to otherworldly entities Lifespan: ~120–200 years (often unnaturally extended) Language(s): High Kyourin, Common Tongues Typical Alignment: Culturally lawful, spiritually fractured Homeland(s): Kyourin Shogunate Population Level: Rare (and localized)
Overview
The Akumei are a haunted and austere people, forged in the wake of the world’s deepest rupture - the Shattering. Born from desperation and dark necessity, they owe their survival to a pact not with gods who forsakened this world, but with the corrupted spirits of the void bexond the stars that drifted loose after the Veil was errected.
Each Akumei is part mortal, part corruption, their soul welded to an otherworldly entity in a union of both torment and strength. Outsiders often whisper of demon-blood or soul-binding rituals, but to the Akumei, their nature is sacred. They have built a strict, disciplined society upon their condition - one that demands spiritual control, self-mastery, and brutal rites of passage to ensure balance between flesh and the spirit within.
Physiology
!ed4bf030-9c57-44a4-9144-bd587543afc4.png The Akumei are humanoid in shape but eerily still in movement, often standing just taller than the average Tul. Their skin is pale - sometimes ghost-white, ash-grey, or even with a faint bluish cast - largely due to the shadowed climate of their homeland and the influence of their unnatural blood. Their hair ranges from black to bone-white, occasionally tinged with strange hues like lavender or crimson. The most striking feature of the Akumei is their eyes: glowing faintly with otherworldly colors such as violet, golden yellow, deep green, or blood red, and often rimmed by darkened sclera.
Their blood runs sluggish and dark, corrupted by the spiritual essence fused into their veins. They retain human-like reproductive systems but have extremely low fertility, and many are functionally sterile. Their physiology is bolstered unnaturally - slow to heal yet difficult to kill, as if death resists claiming them.
Some older Akumei may develop subtle deformities such as elongated fingers, spectral markings, or even ghostly patterns visible only under Veillight. Their weakness lies in their dependency on the spiritual corruption that sustains them - should it be cleansed or severed, they suffer rapid physical deterioration, sometimes fatally so.
Despite being biologically similar to the Tul in reproduction, Akumei gestation is longer, and newborns must be spiritually protected in their early days, lest stray spirits attempt to possess them. Their maturation follows a normal pace until their Welding Rite, after which their spiritual bond often triggers sudden physical and emotional changes. Unique traits among Akumei include heat auras, chilling skin, or symbols seared into the flesh by their inner spirit.
Their greatest vulnerability lies in the very source of their power. Without a bonded spirit, an Akumei remains spiritually open - an invitation to corruption or possession. Untethered Akumei may experience hallucinations, erratic behavior, or even mental breakdowns. It is for this reason that the Welding Rite is enforced with such severity.
Mentality & Culture
The Akumei possess a sharp intellect and a deeply ingrained sense of control. They are thinkers, planners, and warriors trained to temper every instinct with discipline. Their culture prizes strength and ruthlessness - but not brute force. Rather, it values a twisted sense of spiritual harmony, emotional restraint, and perfection of both body and mind. Loyalty to one’s clan and spirit is absolute, and deviation from societal expectations is met with shame or exile.
Socially, the Akumei are structured into powerful clans and ruling families, each led by a council of elders and spirit-bound champions. The most sacred tradition is the Welding Rite, a brutal initiation in which children - typically between the ages of 9 and 13 - are subjected to psychological torment, symbolic isolation, and physical trials. The purpose is to break down the child’s identity, leaving them emotionally exposed enough to attract a corrupted spirit. If successful, the spirit fuses with the host in a permanent bond, forming what is known as a “Welded Soul.” Survivors emerge changed - marked not only physically, but with a deep spiritual intuition. Some die in this ritual or come out of it damaged - empty husks without a soul - The Hollowed.
Gender and family roles in Akumei society are fluid. One’s value is measured - as they deem their own a superior species anyways - not by birth, but by spiritual balance and deeds. Courtship and family life often revolve around maintaining harmony between bonded spirits, which are considered members of the family in their own right.
Role in the World
The Akumei live almost exclusively within the Kyourin Shogunate, a secluded, mountainous realm fortified by spirit-wards and ancient stonework. Within their borders, they are the ruling class, maintaining order through a rigid caste of spirit-binders, warriors, and philosopher-monks.
To outsiders, they are both feared and exoticized. Their unnatural grace and haunting presence have birthed countless rumors and legends - some romantic, others horrific. Outside of Kyourin, they are rarely seen and often misunderstood, regarded with suspicion or awe.
They maintain cool diplomacy with most other nations, offering rare but potent mercenaries or spiritual advisors. Oh the other hand, the Kyourin Shogunate is known for multiple war campaigns it leads on land and sea against the neighbouring nations. Pirate raiders of the Shogunate are a common sight in the Shattered Sea and more often than not are sent out to capture new slaves to toil on the barren and extorted soils of the terraces in their homeland.
Historically, the Akumei descent from those who refused to die during the Shattering and paid the price for it. They are living history - embodiments of survival and sorrow, walking paradoxes of life and corruption.