Hibiki

As the goddess of fortune in Til Xiao, Hibiki is a perplexing entity. She appeared before the people of Til Xiao when the people began to pray for their luck to change- the people who originally populated the country struggling to endure the island in it's current state, with the Oni from the Morayuki Mountains bearing down on them. They at once wanted a benevolent god that would grant them safety, security, and the ability to stand on their own, as well as a wrathful kami that could come down to ruin the attempts of their enemies. They received both, but never at the same time.

Hibiki as a goddess is much the fortuitous entity that met with Rito Sahashi- her first worshipper- although the demands of her people were exacting on her in the early days, and she quickly found that one person could not meet with all that her newfound worshippers needed- not even a goddess. Unwilling to draw her divine brethren from their own troubles either from shyness or a refusal to share her new home with others, Hibiki resolved to find a solution to the wishes of her people by herself - or not, as the case may be. She split herself into two parts of a whole; two beings and yet one at once. One aspect, the Rakku-Kami, granted good fortune to those pure of heart, and the other, the Damasu-Kami, brought karmic misfortune to those whose deeds were wicked, though both blessing and curse would often be capricious and whimsical.

After a long struggle to aid the country in getting to where it is now, Hibiki retreated back to her home, although she left behind a portal that allows her most loyal followers to bring her tributes and hear her words. Although rumor has it that sometimes she leaves to walk among her people and enjoy their presence... In either case, her people loyally fight to prove to her that they are still worthy of her attention, creating beautiful and innovative things, delicious foods, and amazing works of art to keep her attention for worry that just like fortune, she may eventually fall away from them and toward others.

## Worshippers

Hibiki, as a dualistic deity, has an interesting host of followers who don't always get along. They are somewhat stuck between two sides, in a way... And in some ways, reflect the dualistic nature of the deity. Those who rely on fortune for their livelihood- such as merchants, gamblers, and the like often worship her as a whole, praying for the eyes of the Rakku-Kami to fall upon their endeavors, and the bane of the Damasu-Kami to fall upon those of their competitors.

Beyond this, however, the divide begins to deepen significantly. Worshippers of the Rakku-Kami favor loyalty and justice, often seeking to prove their worth to their goddess through the endeavors they pursue, be it service to a lord as a soldier, yojimbo, or even as a simple cleaner... The knowledge that Hibiki grants blessings of fortune upon those who diligently complete their tasks spurs them into great acts of goodness, effort, and loyalty. The idea that Hibiki will also bless their lineage and legacy upon their death, or that the tides of fortune can turn in their favor at the worst possible times, can often lead to such members being steadfast to the point of foolishness: refusing to retreat from battle against insurmountable odds or attempting to fight enemies that are far greater than their capacity. The most steadfast and loyal among them sometimes even find these acts rewarded, which often spurrs them and others like them to even greater heights. "Fortune favors the foolish" after all.

The inverse of this, the followers of the Damasu-Kami often acknowledge the fact that fortune and luck is something that can often be used as a tool. Hibiki as time and again thwarted powerful enemies by sheer force of intuition and luck, causing others to blunder and fail spectacularly with simple misdirections and small things that entirely destroy their plans. As such, the use of trickery and deception to see the right of things is also within Hibiki's purview, blessing the efforts of ninja, scouts, and thieves who seek to thwart the efforts of wrongdoers. This aspect of Hibiki is also sometimes known as the "child's god" to some worshippers, as it is the Damasu-Kami that will often take great strides to protect the playful pranksters, so that their own machinations might not harm them, keeping such children safe.

Clerics often throw their lot in with either the Rakku-Kami or the Damasu-Kami, but they acknowledge that their goddess is a dualistic individual, and while they worship one factor of her, the other is very much a part of their life. Some clerics, however, worship neither the Rakku-Kami nor the Damasu-Kami... But they worship Hibiki. These clerics, referred to as the "Fōchun no shinja" are exclusively neutral good entities, believing that the true path is to acknowledge the universal truth that the dualistic deity attempts to portray, and reach perfection by following the middle road. These agents of fortune seek to use the luck their goddess grants them to do the most good on the world, in whatever way they can, be it by using trickery and guile or by following a path of stalwart strength... But often by combining the two, and walking in between.

## Temples

Shrines to Hibiki also often represent one of her two sides. They are often very minimalistic, sometimes having no more than a simple small structure at about chest height of wood with a small roof, and a little statuette of either a black or white fox inside, depending on which side of her it's to, and a small offering box. Her full shrines, however, tend to be larger affairs where her followers can find a moment of reprieve. Typically built of Redwood Cedar and varnished so that the beautiful red of the shrine is highly visible, these buildings tend to be very open, although may be brighter or darker based on the focus, with white or black foxes.

Shrines to the Rakku-Kami sometimes seem slightly more militaristic, with weapons and training areas available for open use, although this is far from the main point of the shrine- rather, the Rakku-Kami tends to draw more martial followers as a result of her views on loyalty, honor, and steadfast nature. Those that stick to a regimen, or are very precise with their lives, tend to be drawn more to the Rakku-Kami than to the Damasu-Kami, although this is far from a rule, but rather a commonality. The idea of fortune as a reward to those who serve faithfully is a very strong driving force, after all. Still, these shrines tend to often be game halls as well, not specifically for the purposes of gambling, although exchanges of money are often held here as well- both by gamblers changing hands and by merchants who are hoping for fortunate businesses. As such, the airy nature of the shrines are partly to ensure there's plenty of space for people to pass through either for business or entertainment.

Shrines to the Damasu-Kami, however, are often much more closed. Shortcuts and secret passages through areas of the temples are common, and most business is in hushed whispers. This doesn't mean there isn't a playful nature involved in the location, however... Espescually when the local children appear. Clerics of hte Damasu-Kami have a particular love of teaching the children new games and tricks they can play, both as a way of giving them something to do, but also in some way to train them. Games of hide-and-seek that can help them hide if something dangerous is around, or games of tag that help them learn athletics to evade danger... In many ways, where the Rakku-Kami protects with a blade. the Damasu-Kami almost ends up being more of a gentle protector, teaching people evasion and safety over how to hold one's own.

The Seat of Hibiki, however, observes the deity as a whole. Followers of all walks of life are able to come to the seat of Hibiki, although few are ever allowed into the inner confines of the shrine where the portal to Hibiki's domain, and the most tangible connection the people of this plane have to the goddess, exists. Here, only the royal family and their retainers are said to set foot to confer with their dualistic deity.

## Teachings

Hibiki teaches many things, but her primary teachings come down to the idea that luck is complicated. It's ever-shifting, ever-changing, and that what may be a blessing at once can also be a curse at another. As such, one should never take anything at face-value. She teaches that hard work and determination can often be rewarded with just a turn of luck to turn the impossible into a possibility if one stands fast, however she also teaches that fortunes can change, and that intelligence and the knowledge of how to maneuver around these changing fortunes can lead one to a brighter tomorrow. While somewhat counter-intuitive, many of her followers tend to read into this in many ways. Regardless, Hibiki has never herself said what renditions are correct. Perhaps, as the Fōchun no shinja state, both are correct, and it's a matter of knowing when to stand your ground and have faith in the tides of fortune, and knowing when to pull back until one's fortune comes again... But either way, the one thing she teaches more than anything is to never give up. Even when one's fortune is at it's worst, there will eventually come a time when it's paid back in spades.

## Edicts and Anathemas

Much of the way that Hibiki operates is in that people are to live how they feel is right. In many ways, she doesn't overly have much oppinion on the actions of the world beyond certain points- or at least, not that she voices. Still, however, there are many things that she doesn't abide by, and many things that she has shown favor to, with her "personalities" seeming to cause this to vary to some minor degree. Still, she does have some things in general she sticks to as guiding principles. Her anathemas, however, are the same across the board.

Hibiki's (as a whole) edicts are:

* To remember the enjoyment and fun of small things
* To showcase cleverness and wit- be it in creation or in action
* Remember the trick, not the sleight, for you learn nothing from pointless vindiction and everything from a clever rouse.

The Rakku-Kami's Edicts are:

* To be steadfast in the face of adversity
* To pursue mastery in at least one thing
* Having something to fall back on when the dice fall south

The Damasu-Kami's Edicts are:

* Pass on what you learn, espescially if it's fun
* When teaching, make sure there's a ploy: It's easier to remember a fun trick than a dull fact
* Be as fluid as fortune, and never pull the same trick twice.

Hibiki's anathemas are:

* Looking down on those less fortunate than you, for your fortune may just as quickly change
* Gambling with more than you can pay
* Punishments that are greater than the crime
* Intentional harm towards innocents, even for the sake of a prank