Realm of GARO
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This is an expanded page of fictional GARO tokusatsu series to inform this particular universe in greater detail:
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[edit] People
[edit] Makai Knights
Makai Knights (aka Magic Knights) each have their own set of armor and abilities that are unique to themselves, but all carry a Madougu as an advisor and Horror detector. This armor is passed down generations, or from master to apprentice. No Makai Knight can stay in the armored form for more than 99.9 seconds. If this time limit is surpassed, the armor starts to burn its wearer. This is because the armor is made of Soul Metal, something that only trained people can use at all, such as Makai Knights or Makai Priests. Too much contact with Soul Metal, even for trained wearers, can be fatal, as Soul Metal burns away normal human flesh on contact and is tougher than any other metal due to its magical properties. Their weapons are also made of Soul Metal. They can summon mystical armored horses, possess lighters that emit spiritual flames to help detect Horrors, and can use Madou flames to encompass their bodies, along with weapons to increase damage potential.
Makai Knights must be able to control their emotions and their yin and yang. If there is an overwhelming amount of yin (darkness) when the time limit is surpassed, demonic powers start to take over the Knight, giving him tremendous power, but turning him into a monster and eating his body away in return if the process is not stopped in time. Only Kouga & Barago dared this step, though while Kouga was snapped out it in time, Barago absorbed a Horror to assume his current state.
Makai Knights is also known to be a family affair. Makai Knights and Priests are known come a long traditional lineage of family names. Already known is the Yamagatana and the Saejima family line, but new non-traditional members practice the Makai ways as well. Adopted orphans such as Rei Suzumura have joined among the ranks of Makai Knights without a bloodline lineage. However those that come from a traditional line are known to be documented in Makai books for information purposes.
[edit] Makai Priests
Their role is to create anti-Horror devices, spells, and weapons to support the Makai Knights. Makai Priests possess a vast knowledge of spells and purification techniques. Like Chinese Tao Masters, they have seals for spells, a brush to write a seal, are trained in martial arts, and have prefabricated devices used to defend or attack. A Makai Priest is fully capable of handling Horrors, but their role is to only aid the Knights and keep equipment maintained for a Makai Knight. The priests provide a sentient Madou Jewelry (like Zaruba and Silva) to advise and detect Horrors for the Knights.
[edit] Watchdogs
They are the middle-persons behind the works of the war between Makai and Horror. It is they who usually detect Horrors and inform the Makai Knight of their missions. The Makai Knights are usually informed by a letter called "Orders Document" that's mailed to them. Watchdogs have no real control over Makai Knights, but they have been involved in directing the actions of the Makai for centuries. They help purify the Knights' weapons, refuel their Madou Fire Lighters, and send the spirits of the defeated Horrors (in the form of small daggers) back to their realm. Whenever they collect up to a dozen blades they will send the blades back into the demon realm. The story suggests there are many groups of watchdogs existing and directing the Makai's will, and the ones addressed to GARO are three cherubim-like girls who, though having the appearance of young teenagers, are technically centuries old.
[edit] Items
[edit] Madougu
Makai Knights carry a piece of sentient gothic jewelry called Madougu that is able to help train and advise its wearer and to detect Horrors. Each Madougu has its own unique capabilities and powers.
Based on Zaruba's capabilities, the Madougu's may empower certain techniques when in their mystical armor or help dispel hypnosis from horror influences.
[edit] Madou Fire
It's a spiritual form of fire that's commonly used by the Makai to destroy Horrors, increases battle strength, and can heal injuries. Such unique fire is contained in a specially made lighter by Makai Priests. The origin of the Madou Fire was never explained.
[edit] MADOUBI "Madou Lighter"
The Madou Lighter is a gothic themed Madou Fire Lighter that resembles a demonic eye. All Madou Lighters have a special piece of gemstone and can be revealed by removing the metal skin of the lighter. The lighter requires maintenance by the Makai Priests from time-to-time or it can stall (as seen with Amon working on Kouga's lighter). The Madou Lighter also requires refueling and Madou Fire is blasted into the gemstone piece for refueling by the Watchdogs' wolf statue. The Madou Lighter is often seen used to heal, open "Orders Documents" (see below), detect Horrors, and for GARO's Blazing Armament technique.
[edit] MADOUBA "Madou Horses"
They are mystical horses that assist the Makai Knights in combat. They have the ability to enter and travel through other realms and can leave the battlefield if the Makai Knights choose to. Madou Horses can only be summoned when the Makai Knights are in their armored form. Madou Horses may appear to be armored horses, but there's nothing underneath the metal, the whole horse is considered to be a sentient machine. Only those that slew over 100 Horrors can qualify a special trial to gain them. After passing the trial they can summon Madou Horses at will and have the ability to enhance or strengthen the Makai Knight's combat abilities.
Only two Madou Horses have appeared in the show so far, Gouten, which is GARO's Madou Horse, and ZERO's. Gouten has shown that he can increase GARO's battle potential by strengthening GAROKEN into GARO-ZAN-BA and even larger version (double-size) of GAROKEN for Kouga to battle. However his sword can only transform with the help of Gouten. If GARO isn't riding on Gouten and needs help, Gouten would stomp his hooves hard to the earth to send a magical shock wave to strengthen GAROKEN.
[edit] Reverter
It's a healing potion used cure injuries. The potion needs to be ingested and apply Madou Fire over the injury. Kouga used this method to heal his cut.
[edit] Dagger of Haja
It's an assassination Kunai-like weapon used for killing targets at a distance. Many Makai Knights had fallen to this weapon before. ZERO was using this weapon to vent out his anger towards Kouga under suspicion of killing his family.
[edit] Orders Document
The Watchdogs always mail letters to dispatch the Makai Knights. The document itself is sealed in a traditional letter and branded with a wax seal. The Madou Lighter is used to burn the document and the contents magically reveal an unknown calligraphy that only the Makai know for orders and/or invitations. The majority of the documents are usually about the appearance of a Horror or invitation to speak with the Watchdogs.
[edit] Soul Metal
The material responds to the wielder's strength and thoughts, weapons crafted from the metal are designed to slay Horrors. Its potential is based on the wielder's will. Taiga displayed he can make Soul Metal light as a feather or heavy as a meteorite. These weapons, however, require purification after being used to slay a Horror.
[edit] Horror Blades
They are tiny blades created after the purification of a soul metal weapon. Kouga is often seen putting his sword into the mouth of the wolf statue that purifies the dark energies of recently defeated Horrors, converting their dark essences into small blades. Anything that's purified can be reversed by having another human thrusting a blade(s) into his/her own body. A person who would willingly do such a thing would take the form of the previously defeated Horror and thus would have to be put down by Makai Knights. The blades could also be reforged into bullets.
[edit] Bar chess
Similar to regular chess, but played with Makai magical skills, The pieces represent a type of warrior in the form of a colored block along with an illustrated black ink illustration of a warrior. When the pieces encounter each other the player then puts the uncolored side together and put the pieces on the side. The players then charge energy to the chess pieces and the ink illustrated pieces come to "life" and fight. The pieces respond to players reactions and if the piece is slew then the defeated pieces fly out of the board.
[edit] Mahoui
The practitioners of Makai have a unique style of clothing. Makai Knights tend to wear leather pants and leather jackets of unique coloring and design. The Makai Priestesses wear the Mahoui to identify themselves to other Makai; they can wear clothing of their own liking.
[edit] Phosphorus Arrow
A Soul Metal arrow guarded by the Makai of Kantai. During the white night event (solar eclipse), the arrow must be shot into the barrier to prevent darkness entering the human world. However if it drains blood during that event, it would revive the demonic Legules tribe. The arrow possesses power to enhance and strengthen a Makai Knight's armor as seen with GARO's armor when he fought Legules. That feature however was never mentioned by the Makai Priests, suggesting that was a surprise feature.
[edit] Rituals
[edit] Forced Repatriation
Even after being defeated by a Makai Knight, a Horror does not truly died. Instead, a Horror's essence is sealed within the Soul Metal sword used to slay it and thus, the blade must be purified before it is used on another Horror. After the purification, the Horror's essence is reduced to a dagger and even in this state, a Horror may return to life usually by the dagger being used to stab a person if it falls into the wrong hands. In order to prevent such an event, whenever twelve daggers are collected, the Watchdogs perform a ritual to open the gateway to Demon world to dispose of the daggers. This process is called forced repatriation. This technique is not limited to the watchdogs however, Makai priests are capable of performing such a ritual without the aid of the watchdogs as done by Makai Priestess Jabi.
[edit] Soul Restoration
When a human soul has been taken, it can be restored. When the soul is safely contained, it has to be ingested by the person saving the soul-less body. After ingested, mystical words are spoken and followed by "kissing" to restore the soul. After soul-separation and restoration, the human body is weakened and suffers fatigue as a side-effect.
[edit] Kantai Demon Suppression Ceremony
Whenever a solar eclipse appears, the very dimensional barrier that separates the human realm and the nether realm becomes a gateway. When that happens countless Horrors would unleash themselves to humanity. The last time this event occurred unchecked, the demon family Legules was resurrected. Many Makai Knights and Priests died that day.
To prevent future horrific events, the Makai order prepared for solar eclipses by performing a sacred ceremony in Kantai to put demons into submission. The Phosphorus Arrow is shot into the barrier during white night to prevent darkness from spreading. Because of the potential danger that may occur in the ceremony, additional Makai Priests and Knights are summoned as backup forces ensure things don't go awry.
[edit] Location
[edit] Forest of Glen
It's a spiritual realm in the form of a forest. This realm is guarded by the Makai and inside it contains Horrors ready to snack on weak spirits. A mechanical Makai sentient robot exists in the realm as a custodian. Kouga had to face the Grou Dragon in order to win the Barankas Fruit to purify Kaoru. Kaoru was also inside this realm at one point because she lost the will to live and this realm borders life and hell. Makai Knights can't summon their armor while inside the forest, their Makai blades however take on their summoned form without the need for their armor. Kouga was able to use the Sword of GARO inside the forest to fend off Horrors.
[edit] Makai Forest
Another spiritual realm in the form of a forest. It is located in Kantai. Here Makai creatures exist and the forest is of monochrome theme. This particular forest gives a sensation of quietness even though spiritual creatures of Makai live in there, they aren't in under the command of the Makai Knights.
[edit] Kantai
It's a place of training for the people who study the ways of the Makai. Makai Knights and Priests are trained here to contribute to the Horror suppression. This is also the place that leads up to the Makai Forest. As a place for training and for ceremony rituals this place is filled with various Makai Priests. Kantai might be just a location, but it is home to various realms that blend into the forest. Besides the Makai Forest it's also home to The Forest of Naraku (Hell), a place that Makai Knights can't enter. Kantai is Tsubasa's (aka DAN, Knight of The White Night) district of protection.
[edit] Saejima Estate
The property is well over 100 years old since three generations has lived in this house. It's actual location is not mentioned, but known to be in a country area close to the city and up in a hill or mountain.
[edit] Naraku Forest
Also known as Hell Forest, it's an area in Kantai that has mystical properties. It's an area no Makai Knight has ever stepped foot in until Kouga the knights had to go rescue Rin. The gravity is also unusual. The shift and change of gravity is not gradual, but by distance. As soon as a person steps closed to the proximity of Naraku Forest, their gravity will almost instantly change from 270 degress to 180 or 0 degrees. However once passed a certain point, gravity returns to normal. The possible reason why no one has returned from this forest may be its gravity that prevents people from returning.
