HWE Hyakume

HWE Hyakume

Alias: 100 Eyes

Rank: 1

Faction: However owns the area a Hyakume resides

Alignment: True Neutral – Protective (of their location)

Height: 3 to 6 feet tall.

Weight: Heavy

Race: Yokai

Powers:

I SEE YOU: A Hyakume has complete 360 degree vision from all sides. Furthermore, its eyes can detach and choose to follow a specific person and report what it sees back to either the Hyakume, or a Yokai, Priest or Onmyodo that has employed one. Making it a good security deterrent.

Unnerving Eye: Being gazed upon by a Hyakume causes the person to feel uncomfortable, chilled, nervous, and stressed. Thus serving as a potential deterrent to people as they get second thoughts about doing what they are about to do in the location.

Weaknesses:

Not Aggressive or a Fighter: Hyakume have no methods of fighting or defending themselves, they are simply watchers. The things they work for are the ones that should take up that role.

No other Senses: Besides sight, its hearing and smell is very minimal at best, and its sense of touch is likewise much dulled. Thus if you manage to obscure its vision by smoke, fog or some sort of cloaking, you can sneak past a Hyakume.

--

“Damn, for just two Dodomeki, they sure managed to stockpile a lot loot here---“Ruki commented as she looted through the former hideout of the Dodomeki.

“It’s a good thing we found it when we did, this well could have become on par with a Sengoku Era Hattori funded Criminal Syndicate.” Kaitheros commented.

“I’ve been meaning to ask about that--- it’s only been a few days and we’ve already came across an Aka Manto, Akaname, Keukegan, and Dodomeki--- yet the material plane, with the exception of the Ningen is completely utterly fine….” Ruki commented. “Are we in the beginnings of a Yokai resurgence?”

“I do not think so. At least not yet anyways. Planes and Earth Hollows, due to already present enigma reserves, are places that Yokai can reside in indefinetly. While the Den is difficult to penetrate with enigma at a high, it becomes the only that can be penetrated when enigma is low as Yokai can’t otherwise reach the Material Plane. So Yokai incidents here should happen from time to time, it is nothing abnormal, in fact it provides good training for you as you can fight them in your own home and have environmental awareness giving you a definitive edge---“

“I don’t suppose Dinosaurs help either.” Amaro commented.

“The natural fauna of the Den likewise make a strong deterrent for most problem Yokai. Hence why often the problem Yokai in the Den are human-oriented such as Dodomeki, spirits, or tiny Yokai like Inchlings. The major clans simply have too much natural competition to really establish a foothold here. Oni at least can get seriously injured by a large theropod, Kappa have massive fish and crocodiles to contend with in rivers, Tengu would be the prey of predatory pterosaurs, and so on. And let’s not even get started on the hell Ayakashi would have to go through to get a foothold.”

“Besides Isonade.” Ruki pointed out.

“Those are a special case, having originated in the Den before they became a Yokai. They also serve as a deterrent for other Ayakashi like Koromo-Dako from stalking the waters of the Den. You won’t find Isonade much or at all in the inland sea, but on the outer fringes of the continent and far out in Open Ocean is a different story, plus they still obey my sister so they respect the sanctity of the Ark.”

“Ummm, Kaitheros-sama, are there any other Yokai that live in the Den that are allowed to be here?” Amaro asked.

“Ko-Dama, but they more than pay for their presence here. What you call the Yaksha as well, but they were a Den native species back when the Den was formed, thus far older than the Yokai. They simply became Yokai with the spread of Buddhism and adopted the role of the reptilian servants of Bishamonten and essentially became the story. As for others, the rare events that Shisa show up are appreciated, can’t really stop a Tsukumogami one way or the other--- otherwise very, very few are allotted, although those afflicted with Yokai syndromes can be permitted on a case by case basis. Expelling one from one’s own home for something they had no control over runs against the very nature of kindred.”

“So the Dodomeki weren’t one such case then?”

“I knew the older sister, she infiltrated the Den about a decade ago, but I thought the Yaksha did well to shoo her out. Yaksha priests are more draconian than any Hoshoku Miko, but they are often all you have when there is no Hoshoku Miko.” Kaitheros expressed solemnly. “Hopefully some mercy will do well to ensure she stays out of the Den this time. That said, I’m surprised a Dodomeki den was as unguarded as it was, typically they are far more cautious and alert.”

“There was only two of them and they were too preoccupied bickering with one another so I was able to get the jump on them.” Amaro pointed out.

“I think what Thero-kun is saying, is that they often have other Yokai to help.” Ruki huffed, still a little angry at Amaro.

“Oh---“ Amaro realized solemnly.

“It isn’t like a Nure-Onna or Ushi-Oni relationship in any case, however.” Kaitheros pointed out. “Typically Dodomeki hide out in old shrines or graveyards where another Yokai often resides, and thus becomes a sort of watch-dog for them. The similarly many eyed Hyakume.”

“Hyakume? I assume they have at least a hundred eyes.” Amaro guessed.

“At least a hundred and often more. Their bodies are covered in many, many eyes giving the plodding creatures complete 360 degree vision. Furthermore, each eye can separate from the body and follow intruders to ensure that the Hyakume itself is aware of everything an intruder or intruders is doing.”

“That’d be pretty creepy, a bunch of eyes following you around…” Ruki admitted.

“That and being looked at by a Hyakume increases a person’s anxiety and stress levels, making them more likely to second-guess their actions and willingness to flee the area.”

“So what does a Hyakume do if it catches you doing something bad?” Amaro inquired with nervousness.

“Actually. Nothing at all. Hyakume have no methods of defending themselves or attacking. However Hyakume that are shikigami or in the employ of other Yokai can transfer their vision to their employer. Therefore making Hyakume nigh unbeatable forms of security, no matter what is done, the Yokai that owns an area a Hyakume is guarding becomes automatically aware of an intruders presence.”

“If it sees you. If it is all eyes, then it can’t smell or hear or even feel very well I would imagine.” Amaro speculated.

“Well guessed boy. If you can make yourself invisible, or do anything that ensures sight is obscured, a Hyakume will be essentially useless.”

“So good thing they didn’t have one of those then…” Amaro sighed with indignation.

“In any event, we should inform the rangers of this stash, so that certain items can be returned to their owners. Otherwise, if you take a few coins here or there to assist you, do what you must, but don’t overdo it.” Kaitheros warned. “We’ll be heading for the Graveyard in due time, so do well to prepare.”