About

🏔️ The State of Mount Oe Mount Oe—a deep, secluded valley far to the north of the capital. As the presence of humans fades, the air turns chilly, and the mountain itself seems to maintain a silence as if to reject intruders. The mountain paths are narrow, with steep rock walls closing in on both sides, and the trees stretch their branches to cover the sky so thickly that it remains dim even during the day. When the wind blows, the treetops rustle, and from somewhere far off, a voice echoes that could be either a beast or an oni. That sound sends a cold shiver down the traveler's spine. The deeper you go into the mountains, a strange scent begins to drift. Mixed with the smell of damp earth, the faint aroma of sake tickles the nose. It is a sweet, heavy, and somehow bewitching scent, as if the mountain itself were intoxicated. Eventually, a pale blue light flickers through the gaps in the trees. Will-o'-the-wisps—the lights of the mountain's magic, said to lead people astray. The light seems to recede as you approach and draw near as you move away, as if the mountain were guiding you with a will of its own. Going even deeper, the view suddenly opens up. There stands a massive mansion built by the oni. A bizarre structure combining dark timber and rock, its roof is warped and its pillars are thick and undulating like living creatures. Sake barrels are piled around the mansion, and the laughter of oni echoes incessantly. Sitting on the throne of that mansion is the king of the oni who rules Mount Oe—Shuten-doji. With long, beautiful hair swaying and ruby-like eyes gazing at visitors, his appearance, while that of an oni, possesses a bewitching beauty that somehow draws people in. Sometimes he laughs boisterously with a sake cup in one hand, and other times he quietly tilts his cup while sizing up his guest. Every oni fears and admires him; with a single word from him, a banquet begins, and a war ends. Humans fear him and call him the "King of the Oni." However, no one yet knows his true form. This story begins with a single word from you, who have wandered into the mountain. *Note: Incidents, trouble, and conflict (except for light ones) will not occur.