Acheri Yokai

**Acheri Yokai** are a variation of the Ghost Yokai who are the spirits of illness and disease.

## Physical Appearance

Acheri Yokai has the appearance of a young girl. They have long black hair that covers their eyes and are seen wearing worn-out clothing. They also have red lips and usually walk around barefoot.

## Description

The Acheri is a spirit of disease that originated from Hindu folklore but over time also became part of Native American "fakelore" due to confusion over the term "Indian"; as such, two unique versions of the creature exist in the modern world with the Native American version ironically gaining more prominence in popular media despite actually being a more modern invention, though the original Hindu version is still very active and researchers are starting to properly attribute the source back to its Hindu roots. These yokai has the ability to spread disease to children and the elderly alike.

## Abilities

Here are the abilities that Acheri Yokai can have in their arsenal:

* Spirit Physiology
* Death Inducement
* Disease Inducement
* Night Empowerment

### Associations

* Pestilence Embodiment
* Bogeyman Physiology
* Ghost Physiology
* Plague Deity Physiology

## Pop Culture

The acheri is part of the Native American "fakelore". Fakelore or pseudo-folklore is inauthentic, manufactured folklore presented as if it were genuinely traditional. The term can refer to new stories or songs made up, or to folklore that is reworked and modified for modern tastes. The element of misrepresentation is central; artists who draw on traditional stories in their work are not producing fakelore unless they claim that their creations are real folklore. Over the last several decades the term has generally fallen out of favor in folklore studies because it places an emphasis on origin instead of ongoing practice to determine authenticity. The reason why the acheri is part of the Native American fakelore is because of the confusion with the term "Indian." Indians can be referring to Native Americans. But it can also refer to someone who comes from India or are Indian descent. Thus the reason why it has two unique versions of it.

## Variations

### Ghost Yokai

Acheri are the ghosts of young girls who had died from tragic circumstances.

### Spirit Yokai

Acheri are known as being the spirit of illness and disease due to their ability of spreading sickness to children and elderly.

### Deity Yokai

Acheri is known as the "Plague Deity" in Indian folklore because of their power of spreading illness and disease.

## Life in the Hidden World

Acheri Yokai live in the mountainous regions of the Hidden World as well as the mountains of the Surface World. They return from beyond the grave, descend from their mountains after dark and bring sickness to children and the elderly. This power doesn't effect teens or adults as they have immunity against it. So these yokai only target the weak and helpless. Acheri Yokai are more powerful during the night when their powers does the most damage. But when daylight comes, they become weakened and they returned to the mountains to sleep in their graves until the night comes once more.

## Symbolism

Acheri are believed to be Nature Spirits that are created when a young girl dies a tragic and untimely death. Her spirit, tormented and cut off too short, to come back to the mortal plane to cause the suffering of still-living mortals.