Order of Takamagahara Monks

## Abilities

The **Order of the Takamagahara Monks** (lit. 高天原の僧侶順, "*Takamagahara no Sōryonojun*") is an ancient and secret society that transcends the boundaries of all sovereign nations, seeking philosophy, beauty, and truth. They are devoted to the sharing of ancient knowledge across national and political divides while attempting to maintain world peace at all costs. Takamagahara Monks are individuals who use chakra absorbed from the sun through Ningennokōgōsei (lit. 人間の光合成, "*Human Photosynthesis*") to empower their jutsu. **Namajin Monk** (lit. 僧侶の生, "*Pure Spirit Monk*") and **Majin Monk** (lit. 僧侶の魔神, "*Evil Spirit Monk*") are the two types of Takamagahara Monks.

## Overview

Before the Ancient Tree ever sprouted, people had already been worshiping the sun. The energy from it supplies life to all creatures on the earth in one way or another; without the sun life would not exist. The sun worshipers became like plants, constantly absorbing the heat rays day in and day out as the meditated atop mountains in order to grow closer to the sun in some sort of way. Such actions no doubt killed many; the sun's rays can be harmful and deadly. Through time, however, the vast majority simply adapted. Eventually those who practiced this ritual became known as the Takamagahara Sōhei, which means "Plain of High Heaven Warrior Monks". The very mountain that members would "worship" on was Mount Takamagahara located in the Land of the Monks.

Overtime as shinobi came on the scene and the use of chakra became more prevalent, the course of life that the monks would take altered. Already the sun provided power to the monks; they were exceptional, having the ability to manipulate this solar energy in magnificent ways, far before the Ancient Tree provided the world with chakra, so when chakra was introduced and people began to abuse it, the monks became a very secret society which hid itself in the mountains. They would take it upon themselves, however, to roam the region during the night, ridding the area of demonic spirits and immoral people. In order to do this effectively, it was evident that Takamagahara Monks would need a high spiritual power and so the effort for them to obtain it began. Monks would meditate day in and day out, using solar energy as sustenance so that they did not have to move. This meditation revolved around their inner self; many of them learned to live entirely within their minds, living life and gaining experience through sheer imagination. Today Takamagahara Monks are still a secret society with temples all around the world.

There are two major types of monks and those two types can be further broken down into more specific classes. The singular word for the Takamagahara Order members are monks, but a female member is a priestess and a male is a priest. Very seldom will you meet a passive Takamagahara Monk who has not yet lifted his hands in battle against a demon or evil force so therefore, all monks are Sohei, or Warrior Monks unless stated otherwise.

**• Namajin Monk** (lit. 僧侶の生, "*Pure Spirit Monk*") — The vast majority of Takamagahara Monks are Namajin; this is the most basic of monks. They are individuals who absorb the sun's rays, turning its solar energy into fuel for their Spiritual Energy and or chakra. Namajin Monks are very spiritual-minded and have an intense Spiritual Power that is warm and bright. They can very easily wan the harming power of a foe and or purify evil spirits.

**• Majin Monk** (lit. 僧侶の魔神, "*Evil Spirit Monk*") — One of the lesser known classes of Takamagahara Monks are the Majin, a class of tainted monks whose will has become fleshly and "tethered" to the things around them, fueled by hate, jealously and rage. Majin Monks cannot purify evil spirits but can taint pure ones, corrupting their intentions. They can sense negative emotion and grow stronger when around them.

Listed below are sub-classes of Takamagahara Monks. It is possible to be more than one at a time.

• **Sējisō** (lit. セージ僧, "*Sage Monk*") — Sage Monks are monks who have become sages and use their special abilities in tandem with nature.

• **Hōrōnosō** (lit. 放浪の僧, "*Wandering Monk*") — Wondering monks go around on pilgrimage, traveling the country to exterminate demons and aid people through spiritual guidance.

• **Teranosō** (lit. 放浪の僧, "*Temple Monk*") — Temple Monks are specially trained priests who are keepers of a temple. Many are quite powerful, using sacred spells to ward of demons.