| Occupation | Guardian's of the Tengoku tree |
|---|---|
| Titles | Seishin - Holy Guardian |
| Leader | Thranduil Leafsong |
|---|---|
| Members | Thranduil Leafsong (Leader) |
| Headquarter | Chinkasou - Luthiren |
|---|
¶ Overview
The Yugon Order are the dedicated protectors of Tengoku—the sacred, towering sakura tree located in the city of Tenshū (known as Luthiren in Elvish). For over 2,000 years, they have served as the tree’s guardians, carrying out their duty with unwavering devotion. Their primary responsibility is to defend Tengoku from all threats, whether physical, magical, or spiritual, while ensuring the sanctity of the surrounding forests and the city.
The Yugon Order were founded by the ancient elf Thranduil Leafsong, who remains their leader to this day. Thranduil personally developed the Yugon Order’ unique combat style, the Hachizenkō, a set of eight sacred techniques that balance harmony with power and serve as the foundation of the monks' training. The monks, while primarily composed of elves, are open to members of all races, although higher-ranking monks are usually elves due to their longer lifespans, which allow for greater spiritual enlightenment and mastery of the Hachizenkō.
¶ Structure and Governance
The city of Chinkasou, along with the surrounding forests, is neutral ground, claimed by no house and governed solely by the Yugon Order and the Shogun. The monks answer directly to the Seishin (Holy Guardian) and the Shogun herself, making them immune to commands from the Four Great Houses.
While the monk apprentices live in the city, scholars, masters, and the Seishin reside within the temple complex surrounding Tengoku. The monks are tasked with preserving not only the physical safety of the tree but also the spiritual balance of the land, ensuring that the natural world around Chinkasou remains pure.
¶ Combat Style: Hachizenkō
The Yugon Order practice a unique martial art known as Hachizenkō (The Eight Sacred Lights), which was personally developed by Thranduil Leafsong. This combat style emphasizes a perfect balance between harmonious movement and powerful strikes, blending offense and defense into seamless, flowing techniques. The Hachizenkō is divided into eight levels of mastery, each more difficult than the last.
The eight techniques of the Hachizenkō are as follows:
- Hakko (発光) – "Radiant Strike" Rank 1: The monk channels pure, radiant energy into their fist, concentrating the light within. Upon striking the opponent, the stored light is released in a blinding flash, burning the target on impact and disrupting their vision. This sudden burst of light disorients the opponent, leaving them vulnerable to further attacks while enhancing the monk’s precision and focus in battle.
- Inazuma no Nagare (稲妻の流れ) – "Flow of Lightning" Rank 2: This technique channels the essence of lightning to amplify the monk’s speed, agility, and reflexes. Surrounded by faint white lightning, the monk’s movements become sharper and more fluid, enabling them to dodge attacks with ease and respond instantly to threats. The enhanced reflexes make the monk more responsive and nimble, allowing for seamless transitions between offense and defense. Gliding across the battlefield like a flash of lightning, the monk can swiftly reposition, anticipate enemy movements, and strike with precision.
- Hikari no Ken (光の剣) – "Sword of Light" Rank 3: The monk manifests a blade formed from white lightning, crackling with intense energy. This electrified sword cuts through both physical and magical defenses, delivering direct, searing damage with each strike. The blade’s lightning energy inflicts burns and numbs the opponent, weakening them with every hit. The Sword of Light is designed to incapacitate and disarm, but its powerful, lightning-infused strikes can also cause substantial harm, making it both a defensive and offensive asset on the battlefield.
- Raimei no Uta (雷鳴の歌) – "Song of Thunder" Rank 4: The monk channels white lightning into their hands, infusing them with crackling energy. With a powerful, fluid clap, they release a thunderous shockwave that sweeps across the battlefield, sending nearby enemies flying and stunning them from the concussive force. The Song of Thunder resonates with the power of lightning and sound, disorienting foes caught within its range and creating an opening for follow-up attacks.
- Shinsei no Tenkū (神聖の天空) – "Divine Sky" Rank 5: The monk closes their eyes, forms a hand seal, and recites a solemn prayer, activating a radiant healing aura that surrounds them and their allies. This gentle, divine light mends wounds, restores vitality, and calms the mind, allowing those within its range to recover from physical injuries and regain focus. The Divine Sky technique sustains allies during prolonged battles, continuously revitalizing body and spirit, countering exhaustion, and aiding in the recovery of minor to moderate wounds.
- Kaminari no Kagami (雷の鏡) – "Mirror of Thunder" Rank 6: A defensive technique that creates a shield of lightning around the monk. This shield reflects attacks back at their origin, using the energy of the attack to power the lightning mirror. The shield is not only protective but can also be used offensively when enemies strike, as the reflected force is amplified by the lightning. It is particularly effective against projectile attacks and spells.
- Seihikari no Senkou (聖光の閃光) – "Flash of Sacred Light" Rank 7: The monk channels concentrated divine light into a single, blinding flash that radiates outward, damaging and stunning enemies within range. This intense burst of sacred energy scorches foes on contact, disrupting dark energy and weakening enemy defenses. The Flash of Sacred Light purges hostile energy from the battlefield, dealing radiant damage while disorienting and immobilizing enemies, leaving them vulnerable to further attacks.
- Kōjō (光浄) – "Light Purge Rank 8: The monk places their open palm gently upon the opponent’s body, channeling a powerful surge of pure, radiant energy directly into them. This intense light flows through the opponent’s entire being, cleansing both body and soul from within. The technique purifies the opponent’s spirit, rendering them unconscious as the radiant energy overwhelms their senses. People with evil intentions or dark energies experience far greater effects, potentially suffering lethal consequences as their bodies and souls are purified beyond endurance. Light Purge is both a merciful and devastating technique, leaving a lasting impact on those touched by its power.
¶ Mastery of the Hachizenkō
Most monks are able to master only the first five techniques of the Hachizenkō. This is particularly true for non-elves, as the long lifespans of elves allow them more time to achieve spiritual enlightenment and physical mastery. Monks who reach the 6th technique are considered exceptional, while those who master the 7th are regarded as unique talents within the order. To date, only three monks have ever mastered the 8th technique, marking them as legendary figures in the history of the Yugon Order.
¶ Role and Purpose
The Yugon Order primary duty is to protect Tengoku from all threats, maintaining the sacred balance of the natural world surrounding the tree and the city. In addition to their protective role, they are also stewards of the environment, ensuring the purity of the land, air, and water around Tenshū. The monks tend to the spiritual needs of pilgrims and serve as guides for those seeking enlightenment. They are respected across Kirijima for their devotion, wisdom, and strength, answering only to Thranduil and the Shogun.
Despite the physical prowess of the monks, their combat skills are tempered by their deep connection to harmony and peace. They use their abilities to maintain balance rather than to seek out conflict, exemplifying the delicate balance between strength and tranquility that the Hachizenkō represents.