Locations/Residencies
Enkaku Machi; the Isolated Town
Enkaku Machi doesn't exactly live up to its name. There are plenty of spirits residing here, lively and droll alike, keeping the town going on favors and trades. (The spiritual have no need for money.) The town almost reflects those of modern day Japan, but is interesting in the aspect that it slowly becomes more traditional the further out of the center you go. It consists of three parts: The Center, The Middle, and The Outskirts. As you get more towards The Center, the spirits become more mischievous and younger, crafting the city into a more modern, "interesting" place to live. They may even seem like your average, young human. The middle has the settling spirits creating a medium between traditional and modern. The Outskirts, where the old and wise beings are, prefer themselves the traditional Japan. However, not all the spirits are friendly, especially towards humankind. Some may be outright vicious, others curious, and some might just outright adore humans. (Or whichever species your character may be.)
Also, we hate to break it to you, but you're stuck here in Enkaku Machi. Trying to leave is futile. Only Yamamura Takuetsu, the Shinto priest and spiritual librarian, can create the portals, as well as the youkai; but only youkai may follow through that portal. The exits Yamamura makes are for emergencies only. Anyway, if your character tries to leave, they will only find themselves back where they started. A special force around the city keeps everything inside.
Also, the spirit world has, if your character may notice, two moons. The sky is full of stars and even a band of stellar clouds going across the sky. You may see all kinds of different things - especially since there is no divided day and night. In fact, if you had to say, it'd almost always be nighttime. The moons and stars are constantly visible. The only thing that hints you towards a division of the days is the sky's color - it fluctuates between a rich, red-purple and a softer, blue-purple. The sky tends to be brighter when it's bluer, and especially when there's a full moon. Other than that, though, it's hard to tell. The city has its hours, though, when everything is lit and alive, and hours when everything seems to sleep. The spirits need their rest too. Generally, however, the city is quiet. There are no cars, only a train system that goes between the the three sections of the city, and the spirits aren't too loud.
The Center
The most modernized area; like an average high populated city. It has the works: a mall, apartment complexes left and right, arcades, cafes, high-tech shops, etc. Very much like your average city. Also, all your sketchy alleys with the rogue spirits? Probably here.
The Middle
A bit toned-down version of The Center. It's like walking in a small town. There's miscellaneous restaurants, perhaps a coffee shop here and there. There's more neighborhoods than there are apartment complexes, which mean more parks than The Center as well. There's even ponds scattered about.
The Outskirts
The most rural part of Enkaku. Very traditional housing and restaurants. There's onsens, tea shops, temples... This is also where the library is that Yamamura Takuetsu (priestbrarian) works at. It's the biggest building in The Outskirts. Rivers run all through this edge of town, leading to small lakes, the countryside stretching out into the horizon. Out of the corners of your eyes, you can even see the glimmer of other spirit cities beyond. But looking directly for them will be in vain.
Residency
You get to choose which area your character lives, and who with. We won't make you stay with your team, but you can if you like! There's no limit either as to how many people you stay with, though we highly recommend not staying with 20 people in a mansion, unless your characters are doing some... well, very good favors for the spirits.
...
Anyway! Get creative! See the sections of town to know what kind of housing is where. Feel free to even use this post to ask for roomies.
(If you guys want, we're willing to come up with more specific locations for convenience purposes. Just let us know!)
Enkaku Machi doesn't exactly live up to its name. There are plenty of spirits residing here, lively and droll alike, keeping the town going on favors and trades. (The spiritual have no need for money.) The town almost reflects those of modern day Japan, but is interesting in the aspect that it slowly becomes more traditional the further out of the center you go. It consists of three parts: The Center, The Middle, and The Outskirts. As you get more towards The Center, the spirits become more mischievous and younger, crafting the city into a more modern, "interesting" place to live. They may even seem like your average, young human. The middle has the settling spirits creating a medium between traditional and modern. The Outskirts, where the old and wise beings are, prefer themselves the traditional Japan. However, not all the spirits are friendly, especially towards humankind. Some may be outright vicious, others curious, and some might just outright adore humans. (Or whichever species your character may be.)
Also, we hate to break it to you, but you're stuck here in Enkaku Machi. Trying to leave is futile. Only Yamamura Takuetsu, the Shinto priest and spiritual librarian, can create the portals, as well as the youkai; but only youkai may follow through that portal. The exits Yamamura makes are for emergencies only. Anyway, if your character tries to leave, they will only find themselves back where they started. A special force around the city keeps everything inside.
Also, the spirit world has, if your character may notice, two moons. The sky is full of stars and even a band of stellar clouds going across the sky. You may see all kinds of different things - especially since there is no divided day and night. In fact, if you had to say, it'd almost always be nighttime. The moons and stars are constantly visible. The only thing that hints you towards a division of the days is the sky's color - it fluctuates between a rich, red-purple and a softer, blue-purple. The sky tends to be brighter when it's bluer, and especially when there's a full moon. Other than that, though, it's hard to tell. The city has its hours, though, when everything is lit and alive, and hours when everything seems to sleep. The spirits need their rest too. Generally, however, the city is quiet. There are no cars, only a train system that goes between the the three sections of the city, and the spirits aren't too loud.
The Center
The most modernized area; like an average high populated city. It has the works: a mall, apartment complexes left and right, arcades, cafes, high-tech shops, etc. Very much like your average city. Also, all your sketchy alleys with the rogue spirits? Probably here.
The Middle
A bit toned-down version of The Center. It's like walking in a small town. There's miscellaneous restaurants, perhaps a coffee shop here and there. There's more neighborhoods than there are apartment complexes, which mean more parks than The Center as well. There's even ponds scattered about.
The Outskirts
The most rural part of Enkaku. Very traditional housing and restaurants. There's onsens, tea shops, temples... This is also where the library is that Yamamura Takuetsu (priestbrarian) works at. It's the biggest building in The Outskirts. Rivers run all through this edge of town, leading to small lakes, the countryside stretching out into the horizon. Out of the corners of your eyes, you can even see the glimmer of other spirit cities beyond. But looking directly for them will be in vain.
Residency
You get to choose which area your character lives, and who with. We won't make you stay with your team, but you can if you like! There's no limit either as to how many people you stay with, though we highly recommend not staying with 20 people in a mansion, unless your characters are doing some... well, very good favors for the spirits.
...
Anyway! Get creative! See the sections of town to know what kind of housing is where. Feel free to even use this post to ask for roomies.
(If you guys want, we're willing to come up with more specific locations for convenience purposes. Just let us know!)