Species of Inuyasha

[JUNIPER ?!]

YOUKAI

Youkai, or Demon, are well-known as being both heartless and merciless, though this does not necessarily apply to all of them. They are divided into three categories; higher, middle, and lower, with the latter being the most common.

Higher Demons, or Taiyoukai, are demons of pure, undiluted blood, and are very often very powerful beings. They sometimes have two forms, one often being a humanoid one, and the other being their true form, perhaps of an animal. In both forms, distinguishing features would be markings on their face and along their bodies.

Middle demons generally consist of demons with a powerful humanoid form, possessing great strength, stamina and agility. The similarities between middle-class demons and regular humans makes it difficult to differentiate one from another.

Lower class demons are altogether very common, and perhaps the very ones that have given most Youkai their reputable name. There are a large number of Youkai which were originally ordinary human beings, transformed into something horrific and grotesque usually by some sort of extreme emotional state. These lower-class demons are very easily manipulated and are often very power-hungry.

HANYOU

Hanyou are very unfortunate creatures; many, both human and demon, wonder what would become of offspring between a Youkai and a ningen. The result is a half-demon; feared by ningen because of their demon blood and looked upon with disgust by Youkai because of their human blood. They are often faced with conflicting feelings because they do not belong on either side, but are rather stuck in the middle.

While Hanyou from a particularly powerful parent could easily overpower a lesser Youkai or perhaps a middle-class Youkai, it is very rare to see them as strong as a Taiyoukai. Like Demons, Hanyou posses supernatural strength that greatly surpasses that of a normal human.

However, there is one trait that every Hanyou possesses; on one night of the month, every month, they become fully human, taking on the appearance they would have carried without Youkai blood. This is still a rather foreign thing; many believe that on that one night the human blood in their veins simple overpower the Youkai. It generally occurs at night time because of both instinctual and safety reasons, though sometimes it occurs in daytime.

NINGEN

Humans are, by far, the species that over-populate the region. While demons are known to creature establishments (and to a lesser extent, Taiyoukai), Human villages and living places litter the region. While they do not possess the strength of Youkai or Hanyou, in sheer numbers they can be quite a threat. They are constantly warring, and they were the creators of many weapons that both humans and demons use, like the sword.

They are often ruled by fear, and, because of this, often attack demon establishments without a second thought. However, knowing the dangers that youkai bring, many have offered their allegiances to Taiyoukai Lords in exchange for protection.

As of yet, they are the only species that can use Spiritual Powers, and, because of this, many become Priestesses or Monks. Humans have adapted to recognize to Youki of demons, and Humans with very strong spiritual powers can be a force to reckon with.