#Shikome-no-Tsukai

One who does not close the Gate of the Spirit Realm, but opens it. Apostle of Izanami.

Role: dead-spirit summoning, Spirit Realm combat, incorporeal servants
Core Attributes: Wisdom (智), Presence (美)
Core Zone Entry: forced Breakthrough
Base Class: Onmyoji × Esoteric Monk
Three Ways and Six Hearts: Demon fixed (cannot change)
Skills Eligible for Master: Sorcery, Exorcism, Barrier, Prophecy, Negotiation, Intimidation
Starting Automatic Skills: Sorcery Trained, Exorcism Novice, Barrier Novice, Negotiation Novice

Common to Fiend Classes: GM permission required. Designed as an NPC villain, but if a player wants, it can be played as a "path of corruption." See Villain Play Guide.

#Scent — One Who Came from Yomi

When Izanagi (伊邪那岐) fled from Yomi (黃泉), Izanami (伊邪那美) sent shikome (醜女) to pursue him. That is the myth.

The Shikome-no-Tsukai makes that myth real. They open the Gate of the Spirit Realm, call shikome into the present world, and hold the souls of the dead in the present world. By twisting onmyoji shikigami arts and esoteric exorcism knowledge, they wield sorcery not of "sealing," but of "release."

Core figures of the Spirit Gate Sect belong to this class. Their goal is to open the Spirit Realm gate completely and make an "eternal world" where the dead return. They know this means ruin for humanity, and still do not stop.

Recommended Weapons: vajra (exorcism-based, but inverted use), talismans (for curses)
Recommended Schools: Kido (heretical onmyodo), Shingon Exorcism School (inverted use)
Recommended Faction Traits: Hannya Altar (lingering grudges) or Throne of the Spirit Realm (world erosion, NPC only)

#Law — Trait List

#1st Dan: Shikome Servitude (醜女使役) [aptitude]

[aptitude] Shikome Servitude (醜女使役)
Effect: Constantly command 1 shikome (Veteran-grade, Wounds 3, Defense 14, spiritual claws).
   Shikome are treated like shikigami: they act using the practitioner's Energy.
   Shikome negate infiltration (tracking ability) + can make `[Incorporeal]` attacks.
   If a shikome is incapacitated, it can be resummoned at the lull (Energy 3).
Zone: no restriction. Shikome can move freely through the Outside Zone/Spirit Realm boundary as well.

#3rd-Dan Class Traits (choose 1)

Trait	Type	Energy	Limit	Effect
Dead-Spirit Revival (死靈復活)	[Kata]	3	1/round	Revive 1 incapacitated unit in the same zone, friend or foe, as a Minion-grade dead spirit. Wounds 1, can use 1 original weapon technique. Lasts 1 round, then disappears.
Spirit Realm Passage (靈界通路)	[Kata]	2	1/combat	Create a Spirit Realm fissure in your zone. 1-3 soul-current units (Minion) immediately appear (enemies, but they do not attack the Shikome-no-Tsukai). The fissure naturally disappears after 3 rounds.
Whisper of Yomi (黃泉の囁き)	[aptitude]	—	—	You can hear the "last words" of incapacitated units. Outside combat, you can also read memories of the dead (Wisdom check).

#5th-Dan Class Traits (choose 1)

Trait	Type	Energy	Limit	Effect
Dual Shikome Summoning (醜女雙喚)	[Kata]	4	1/combat	Command 2 shikome simultaneously. Each can act independently. Energy costs are summed.
Soul Binding (靈魂捕縛)	[Kata]	3	1/round	Target 1 creature with opposed Presence (2d10+Presence vs enemy 2d10+Courage). On success, "stop" the target's soul for 1 round: cannot act, Defense -4. Remove with Exorcism>=15.
Dead-Spirit Legion (死靈軍團)	[aptitude]	—	—	Dead-Spirit Revival expands to Minion squad scale. Revive an incapacitated Minion squad as a dead-spirit squad (3 Minions).

#7th-Dan Advanced Traits (choose 1)

Trait	Type	Energy	Limit	Effect
Open Spirit Realm Gate (靈界開門)	[Kata]	5	1/combat	Open the Gate of the Spirit Realm and summon Izanami's seed (Elite-grade) 1 body. Lasts 3 rounds. The seed follows the Shikome-no-Tsukai's commands.
Return to Yomi (黃泉歸還)	[Kata]	4	1/session	Move yourself + all allies in the same zone to the Spirit Realm. After 1 round in the Spirit Realm, reappear in any desired zone. In the Spirit Realm, you are not attacked by yoma (shikome guard you).
Net of Grudges (怨念の網)	[stance]	3	Maintain	While maintained, your zone is a "grudge domain": all spiritual beings (yoma/onryo/shikigami) have Defense -2, and Shikome-no-Tsukai Sorcery checks +2. Humans sensitive to grudges (entertainer/Pure Land monk) must make Courage >= 13 each round or suffer fear for 1 breath.

#9th-Dan Advanced Traits (choose 1)

Trait	Type	Energy	Limit	Effect
Queen of Yomi (黃泉の女王)	[aptitude]	—	—	When commanding shikome, shikome are enhanced to Elite-grade (Wounds 5, Defense 16, added technique: drag into Spirit Realm). Freely create Spirit Realm fissures (Energy 0).
Undying Dead Spirit (不滅の死靈)	[aptitude]	—	—	Units summoned by Dead-Spirit Revival persist (1-round limit removed). Each lull, Wounds decrease by 1; at 0, disappear. Can be immediately erased by exorcism.

#Extreme Strengths

Converts incapacitated units, including enemies, into resources. The longer the battlefield lasts, the more favorable it becomes.
Constantly commands shikome (Veteran-grade), a combat tool stronger than shikigami.
Free passage through the Spirit Realm: goes where other characters cannot.
Secures numeric superiority with Dead-Spirit Legion.

#Extreme Weaknesses

Cannot heal the living: cannot use any allied healing techniques. Deals only with dead spirits.
Present-world depletion: in the present world, Wounds -1 every 5 rounds (pulled toward the Spirit Realm). No decrease in Spirit Realm zones.
All exorcism causes 2 times Wound reduction: when hit by an exorcism technique, Wound reduction is 2 times stronger. Esoteric Monks/shugenja are natural enemies.
Three Ways fixed to Demon: Three Ways and Six Hearts cannot change. Automatically hostile to all faith factions (Hiei League/Ikko-ikki/Arahitogami).
Social rejection: Negotiation -3 in human society. If known as a necromancer, subject to arrest/execution.

#Typical Breath Pattern (5th Dan)

Count 11 — First breath:
 Dead-Spirit Revival(3) + shikome attack command(2) = 5
Count 7 — Second breath:
 Soul Binding(3) + shikome movement(1) = 4
 → remaining Energy: 11 - 5 - 4 = 2 (stored)

#Zone Bonuses

Zone	Bonus
Front Zone	Dead-spirit squads contribute Domination. The main body should hide behind them.
Rear Zone	Safe zone. Send shikome and dead spirits forward and control them.
Core Zone	If a Spirit Realm fissure opens in the Core Zone, shikome + dead spirits + soul-current units create a melee. Nightmare for enemies.
Outside Zone/Spirit Realm Boundary	Home ground. No Wound decrease in the Spirit Realm. Infinite shikome resummoning.

#Three Ways and Six Hearts Conflict

The Shikome-no-Tsukai's Three Ways and Six Hearts are fixed to Demon, but there is still conflict inside it.

"Is reviving the dead compassion, or desecration?" This question arises every time Dead-Spirit Revival is used.
"Is opening the Gate of the Spirit Realm saving the world?" The doctrine of the Spirit Gate Sect.
NPC Opposition: Esoteric Monks/shugenja oppose them as "trying to open what must be sealed." Enryokan observes them as "trying to understand."
PC Corruption Route: If an onmyoji or Esoteric Monk PC touches necromancy, the GM may offer "class change to Shikome-no-Tsukai." It cannot be reversed.

"Open the gate and the dead return. Close the gate and only the living remain. Which is right?"

#Example Character

→ Integrated Sample for 12 Fiend Classes (1/5/10 Dan + Corruption Path Story)