How much knowledge about the four lords (auspices) is common knowledge ICly?

[Tiamatshade]

Hiya everyone!

 

I'm roleplaying a raen native to Doma, and despite her studious and practical nature, she's still very spiritual and frequently references about both the Kami and – sometimes – Byakko or Seiryu (who has a conspicuously similar name to Koryu).

 

My question is this: How many Domans or Othardians would at least be aware of the existence of the Four Lords, insofar as to revere them?

 

It seems likely common people don't know them as auspices or millennia-old critters, but the Lords' interactions with humanity throughout history (and through the legend of Tenzen) leads me to believe that the populace would at least be aware they have a monumental influence on preserving the natural order... or something to that effect. Many might not ever see one of the Lords, or even know them if they did see them, but I still wonder if it's a bit farfetched to be praying to or honoring one of the Lords.

 

Taking this a step further, or conversely: Would any Domans or Othardians pay respects, homage or worship to one (or more) of the Four Lords the way Eorzeans might do for the Twelve? If they are not well-known, would cults of superstition be a thing as well?

 

Thanks in advance for your time and consideration, as well as for helping me continue to grow and evolve my rp character since our last discussion!

~ Reberta Amachi, Mateus-US

[Kieron Lohengrin]

Yes, some auspices became well-known and prayed to.

 

Namai Elder: "It is rare we receive visitors here anymore, let alone ones who have traveled so far. Have you come to pay your respects to Tamamo-no-Gozen? This shrine was built long, long ago by a powerful landowner who saved a fox from a wolf trap. Since then, the spirit of that fox has protected this land from evil. Yet even she could not forestall the empire's coming, and now... And now, the people of Yanxia are forbidden to even look upon this place without fear of imprisonment, or even death. I am too old to care what the Garleans might do to me, and so I alone come here to pray."

Kudagitsune: "A friend of mine, Tamamo-no-Gozen, once called this place home. Possessed of nine tails, her power far eclipsed my own. But one day she left to live amongst man."
 

Byakko: "But I endured. I grew older and wiser, and one day, I resolved to protect this place and those that call it home, for in spite of everything, it was mine as well. In time they came to see me as a guardian instead of a demon."

 

Spoiler

Suzaku: "But Tenzen, dear Tenzen, would not close his heart to the people's plight. Not once did he hesitate to proffer a helping hand, and one by one he won over those who once cursed and condemned us. Be there oni in the east to slay, or revenants in the west to exorcise, without hesitation would he bid us rise to the challenge, and leave grateful men and women to spread word of our deeds."

 

[Tiamatshade]

Wonderful! Thanks for these reinforcing and insightful quotes!

 

So Domans would know they exist and are protecting the people, in a way... and from the first quote, they don't dare tread on what they perceive to be holy ground.

 

Really comforting, then, knowing that the common folk parted ways on better terms after Tenzen's legend became myth.

[Valence]

I think the only thing that I would be cautious about is to err too deeply into the mechanical, factual side of the story, like amaritama and what it does, how those critters exactly turn into millenia old kami, etc. I would stick to the folklore side of it, because that's what the common people of mortals would really know, and tell around each other.

Edited October 2, 2018 by Valence

[Tiamatshade]

Yep. Tales and hearsay often pass into myth and rumor over passage of great amounts of time.