Meido

From L5r: Legend of the Five Rings

Meido is the Realm of Waiting. This is the domain of Ryoshun, the tenth Kami, Emma-o, the Fortune of Death, and as well as the Lords of Death, the gaijin gods of the Ujik-hai. It is in this Spirit Realm that the deceased await judgement and their eventual fates.

[edit] Atmosphere

Meido is a bleak, grey realm-- colorless, nearly featureless, and is marked by only the rare landmark-- the most notable of which is the palace now shared by Emma-O and the Lords of Death. All human souls fated for eventual reincarnation appear in this realm after death, and the Realm quickly claims the dead. Those under the spiritual influence of Meido quickly lose all semblance of initiative and personal drive, awaiting only their turn to be judged. The few living visitors to Meido are not affected by the mind-numbing Control of this realm, as Meido has no claim and no interest in those who are not dead.

Before Daigotsu's daring raid on this Spirit Realm to rescue Fu Leng, Emma-O's supremacy was absolute, and the Fortune acted as judge, jury, and executioner of sentences. At times, he would consult with the absolute wisdom of Fukurokujin for guidance in the sentencing of a particular soul. Jizo, the Fortune of Mercy, has been known to plead for leniency on behalf of some of these dead, and while he has only changed Emma-O's mind five times in all of known history, that he has succeeded at all is a memorable thing.^[1]

In modern times, the balance of power has shifted away from the sole control of the Fortune of Death. A delicate treaty was negotiated in the wake of the Dark Kami's attack on Tengoku by Kitsu Hisashi, establishing a tenative peace between Emma-O and the Lords of Death, who now rule this realm jointly. ^[2] Emma-O guards the realm with a watchful eye, keeping the dead from wandering and indelicately escorting the rare travellers back to their native Realm. The Lords of Death collectively pass judgement upon unworthy souls-- those whose deeds have stained their kharma-- and then pass them onwards to the last influential inhabitant, Ryoshun. The dead Tenth Kami is a breath of comfort for the confused, listless dead in this desolate place, and guides them on to their next path when the time is ready.^[3]

[edit] Other Realms and Meido

Realms close to Meido include Maigo no Musha, Ningen-do, Yume-do, Toshigoku, and Yomi; realms distant from Meido include Chikushudo, Gaki-do, Sakkaku, and Tengoku. The realm of Jigoku is completely closed off to Meido. Additionally, Meido possesses the power to utterly strip nearly any amount of spiritual Control from creatures entering it through death. Only those who are completely Lost to Jigoku's influence escape the Realm of Waiting, though "escape" in this case is a relative term at best as these souls are generally sent hurtling into Jigoku itself for an eternity of torment. ^{[citation needed]}

Meido was one of the three realms touched by the opening of Oblivion's Gate. ^{[citation needed]}

[edit] References

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