Ise Jingu

A map of the island.

**Ise Jingu** is a well-known holy site of the religion of The Wheel. This temple is the supposed resting place of Himiko, a woman known as a prophet in their religion who was the first to spread the now very popular faith across the lands. (not to be confused with Mikohafu). It is located on an island in Sin'Elione, and so commonly travelled to via a weekly ferry from Sucheon.

## **Description**

The island contains several medium-size hip and gable roofed buildings for the Shinshoku and visiting guests of the islands.

There are two main focal points of this location, the large palace-like shrine which covered the majority of the island and Okurimono - "The Gift".

### **The Shrine**

The shrine is comprised of several halls, connected by long open walled bridges/halls, forming a square. A tall wall surrounds the entire complex, much like the forbidden palace, to ensure no one can get in or out without passing through the large main shrine. The largest building in this structure is the main shrine, which is large and scarcely decorated, except for several large stone statues representing each god/goddess. There are also several tapestries which are tied into place along the pillars, however they have never been investigated.

There are two residences here for shrine maidens, each comprising of several medium sized rooms, giving each plenty of room for their spare time. For the maidens, as well as guests, there is a large kitchen, in which the Shrine Maidens prepared whatever foods they can for themselves and their guests.

There is a second temple, to the back of the large structure, which is much more decorative and is used for performances and depictions of historic events. These are usually performed when "important" visitors come to the islands, in order to satisfy those who would seek to donate large amounts to the pantheon.

Along with these buildings there is also a room filled with treasures and vastly decorated, with a large plush bed. Protected by an intricate magical lock, this is considered to be the Shinshoku's office or bedroom, however, the current Shinshoku has stated he is not one to use it himself. Under the bed is a magical circle which creates a large winding staircase to an underground temple.

The contents of the underground temple is largely unknown by everyone but Miko and the Shinshoku, few know of its existence.

In the centre of all of these buildings is a large park-like garden, stylised as a traditional zen garden.

### **Okurimono**

This strange, diagonal pyramid juts out of the ground at a strange angle. No one knows how long is has been there or why it is there. The structure is large, covered in strange glyph-like texts engraved into the sides and, as stated by the Shinshoku, appears to be invulnerable to forced entry or exploration, as no one has been able to enter.

### **Hidden Temple**

After convincing the Shinshoku they need to protect the temple, he allowed The Party into a hidden temple room deep under the temple. Mostly obscured by blankets, sheets and towels, the party could not make out much of the temple. No one other than Miko and The Shinshoku knows how it truly looks.

They discovered that there was a secret room dug out behind an empty sarcophagus, filled with a dark mist.

After entering they discovered The Eight Eyed Shadow Beast, preparing to strike. After a brief fight, The Black Spider joined the fray. After a long, hard fight the party went to rest.

## **Inhabitants**

As of 1034 2E, the inhabitants of the Island consist of:

### **Shrine Maidens**

A Shrine Maiden generally an assistant or low level priest. Each choses a god when they begin to show potential and devote themselves to them for the rest of their lives as Shine Maidens. They tend to gardens, they answer visitor questions and they participate in traditional Shinto rituals like weddings, funerals, festivals etc.. Along side this, once they are considered powerful enough, During the last month of the year they are sent to aid those in Sin'Elione, acting as travelling priests. They then return after Winters Shield.

### **Shinshoku**

The Shinshoku is a person responsible for the maintenance of the shrine as well as for leading worship of a given god or goddess. The current Shinshoku diverts the majority of his attention to Qael'Sadin, as those before him had similarly done.

A Shinshoku is voted in upon the death of the previous Shinshoku and is in that position until their death. Anyone can be voted as the leader, however it is almost always the elven leader of the temple in Sin'Elione (probably not anymore lmao).