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HWE Sagari

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Description

Name: Sagari

Alias: 'Hanging', Horse Ghost, Horse Head, The Vengeful Ghost of Mr. Ed

Alignment: True Neutral - Neutral Evil

Rank: 1 Megafauna

Race: Yokai

 

Size:

Length - 2-3 ft long

Weight - 11-13 lbs.

 

Powers:

 

Hanging Horror - Sagari's live primarily in trees close to where they died as a mortal horse. They develop a tendril, coil or tentacle, sometimes with a hoof like hand on the end that they use to hang from tree branches. When they spy someone, usually a human, underneath them, they proceed to drop down on top of them or in front of them. Where their second ability comes in.

 

Sickening Scream - Once a Sagari is on the ground or even when it has been noticed before it drops, it will release a horrific whinny like scream that induces an adrenaline spike so severe that it induces sickness. Sometimes it can cause a heart attack.

 

Weakness:

 

Fallen and Can't Get Up - Once a Sagari has dropped to the ground, it is largely helpless outside of screaming and biting. It will eventually wriggle back up but this is a lengthy process that can't be done in the heat of a fight.

 

Oriental Faith - Sacred tools and rites can exorcise a Sagari and lay them to rest, something they often desire as their existence is understandably painful and tragic. Much of what they do is a cry for help.

 

---

 

*after KAS Jubbukko*

 

"A Sagari? I would guess that would be something that hangs then."

 

"For the most part that is mostly what a Sagari does, hanging from the branches of trees and waiting for humans to pass under it so it can swing down and surprise them. Screaming with such intensity that it causes humans to suffer a massive adrenaline spike. Often resulting in illness or even a heart attack."

 

"So it's like the ultimate jump scare."

 

"More or less. Other than inducing illness in hearing its screams or biting you, a Sagari can't do much else and cannot move very far from the tree it inhabits."

 

"I'm not vulnerable to that scream am I?"

 

"Outside from a shock and perhaps a minor headache from the volume a Sagari is not much of a threat to Enigma Sensitives such as yourself. Sagari are really only hazardous to normal humans. Which makes sense being that much of their behavior is aimed at getting your attention."

 

"So what IS a Sagari and why do they like to hang onto trees? I'm guessing they'd even hang onto the Jubukko wouldn't they?"

 

"A Sagari is the spirit of a horse that died on the road and was left to rot. It's soul becomes entangled in the branches of trees along the side of the road. Leading to a rather embarrassingly horrible problem of most of its heavy body floating into the inner planes and its head being stuck on the tree and separated from the rest of its body, unable to fully rest in peace. In their desperation to receive a proper burial and rejoin the rest of their body, they scream their anguish and humiliation at any human that wanders by in hopes that they will be exorcised."

 

"The poor things...who would leave an animal that big just lying on the road like that?" Ruki muttered, aghast.

 

"During those times in the Okayama and Kumamoto prefectures, many beasts of burden that died on the road were simply discarded as tools that had outlived their usefulness. It's generally the same mentality you see with today's modes of travel."

 

"But those are machines! Horses are...well...horses!"

 

"It was all the same to the people of that time. War, famine...these things drive humans to be remarkably callous. As such, things like horses being left to rot on the road was a grim reality. But one that in modern times is not nearly as common as it once was."

 

"So all I really have to do is give a Sagari a proper sendoff and they'll be at peace."

 

"The extent of it for the most part. I'm sure the horse's spirit would appreciate it."

 

"Are there other Yokai that are created from horses? I can't imagine a horse head that hangs from trees is all there is. I mean, wouldn't a horse of a certain age become a huge monster?"

 

"The thing is that horses during those times were beasts of burden and transportation. Thus a horse is often tied to the fate of its master rather than itself. There have been stories of mounted warriors and lords who died in adverse situations, resulting in both rider and steed growing larger than life. But this is by no means something that is common. Such a creature would be as rare and individualized as its master...and much more dangerous than a Sagari could ever be."

 

"Just making sure, seems to be the trend with animal Yokai." Ruki said, satisfied.

 

"That said, there are ungulates and more...exotic beasts that are of note among Yokai. Both those that protect and aid mankind and those that explode like storm across entire cities. We will speak of those tomorrow. Now I believe some ritual practice in order little Miko."

 

"Oh come on~ I had to sit through a whole lecture on bonsai already and now you want me to practice MORE?" Ruki complained.

 

"You're going to have to find SOMETHING that allows you to meditate properly or you're training will hit a roadblock. Losing one's self in a task is likely what someone as excitable and easily distracted as you needs. Now get those tools out."

 

"...Darn it." Ruki relented. The rest of the evening was spent cover over the various differences in laying particularly different spirits to rest. While it may have appeared tedious, it would be crucial much later. As his Miko practiced, Kaitheros thought of the mighty beasts that he would go over tomorrow and how much of this knowledge had been passed down by one of these beasts and fiercely tested by the other.

 

---

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Comments5
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StevenSerisawa's avatar
Well, the Japanese were certainly creative with their mythological beings, nobody cannot deny that. Yokai are always a rather interesting subject if you ask me.