To My
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Origin of the Namahage -
Namahage are an ogre classification of Oni from Japan, however, all Namahage are descended from the 5 demonic ogres that Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty brought to the Oga area of Japan in 87 bc. The ogres established themselves high on the peaks of Honzan and Shinzan and stole everything from crops to women from the outlying areas of Oga.
In a bid to get rid of the Oni, the villagers proposed a challenge, that if the demons could build a flight of stone steps, one thousand steps in all from the village to the top of mount Shinzan all in one night, then the villagers would supply them with a young woman every year. But, if they failed the task, they would have to leave. The people of Oga were crafty, and just when the ogres looked like they might finish their task, a villager mimicked the cry of a rooster and the ogres - believing they'd failed - stayed true to their word and departed.
In modern times the Namahage's likeness has become a tool to scare young children into behaving and obeying their parents. Every New Year, adults don their likeness and go door to door teaching local kids the importance of being a hard worker and obedient son or daughter.
Some aspects of these legends remain true. Namahage are hard workers, it's their blessing and their curse They disdain idleness and have a penchant for punishing the lazy, but gone are the days when theft and kidnapping was the prerogative of these former mountain dwelling ogres.
The Modern Namahage -
The modern Namahage doesn't occupy their time with theft or human trafficking of any sort-- at least not typically. Being largely considered a neutral Oni to begin with, it's safe to assume based on the individual, they could be benevolent or wrathful spirits depending on the route they choose to take in life. Li Ling is neither good nor bad, herself, but entirely self-serving.
With the exception of a few traits both shared from her Oni roots, and those more unique to her ogre classification, she's just your average Type A workaholic.
All work and no play makes Li Ling a very dull girl, it's one part nature and one part history, but there is one day... One day a year where she sheds her inhibitions and obligations to play harder than most could tolerate in a single 48 hour period.
New Years
On the day itself, and the eve before it, Li Ling essentially gets kicked into a revelers hyper drive. She maintains herself, but there's less stoicism and more of a natural zeal for life. That charisma is affecting to manipulative degrees and those who've fostered even the most juvenile seed of attraction for her are likely to find her all the more irresistible. The damndest thing is that she won't rebuff you as she normally would.
Typically this devolves into absolute debauchery. Drugs, alcohol, men, women, creating mischief and generally getting her fill of sucking the marrow out of life-- of all the things she regularly denies herself during the rest of the year.
☯ General Traits ☯
☯ - Enhanced physical strength.
☯ - Amplified charisma (although you won't witness this much with Li Ling. Out of choice.)
☯ - An inability to be idle. It goes against the very essence of their being.
☯ - The ability to attract & inspire those willing to work towards their vision - Natural leaders. (ties into charisma.)
☯ - Aptitude for disciplinary positions.
☯ - Natural glamour - it's in the name. Oni means unseen, or ghost. Blending in has become paramount in the modern world.
☯ Drawn the ire of a Namahage? ☯
Holly - Grow it around your house.
Monkeys - Use them like lawn gnomes.
Raw Soy Beans - Throw them at her, can't find them?Frozen Edamame is almost as good.
Shinto & Buddhist
Prayer Ribbons & Tablets
Typically only permanently effective
if you can somehow get your hands on
her true name. They're about as effective
as the other methods otherwise. But, if you get her name, you can ward
yourself from her permanently.
