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Please note: This article is about spirits. For other uses of the term, please see Kami (disambiguation).

Kami were spirits which sometimes interacted with people, often shugenja. They were known to possess great elemental power. Kami also possessed common traits such as emotions and were able to think freely for themselves. Shugenja who were able to sufficiently please kami were usually blessed with their loyalty. [1]

Creation[]

The first elemental spirits were born by intermediate of the Five Races, after they determined to combine their will to make a world that would last forever. The newborn kami drew lines of order through chaos, formed boundaries between earth and sky and between land and sea. They gave purpose to fire's hunger, and made the Void into the balance between all and nothing. Ningen-do, the mortal realm as man knew it, was created. [2]

Types of kami[]

There were generally five types of kami in existence.

Air kami[]

Subtle and varied, these kami were playful and inquisitive. The air kami enjoyed a good mystery, and would not run from the chance to help solve one. When asked questions, these kami might answer by asking their own. Air kami were also distracted easily, and if they felt their wisdom wasn't being used, they won't hesitate to move on. [1]

Earth kami[]

Embodying the traits of strength and persistence, these kami are the most patient. Earth kami believe answers come with time, and often respond to questions with silence. [1]

Fire kami[]

Destruction and power were the keys to these kami. The fire kami's wisdom and insight could prove difficult if not immediately comprehended — made more difficult due to their tendency to speak quickly. Arrogant and egotistical, the power-hungry fire kami were short-lived. [1]

Void kami[]

The most rare of the elemental kami. They led solitary and eternal existences, tending to stay near items and people of great power. [1]

Water kami[]

The water kami found joy in transformation and change. Their emotions ebbed and flowed just as readily as the element they embodied. In contrast to their personality, they communicated with only stark memories of the past. [1]

See also[]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Way of the Shugenja, p. 7
  2. Enemies of the Empire, p. 175



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