To the far northeast of Vakkert Sedd is a domain known as Zehou, split into two regions with the upper overseen by the celestial bureaucracy, and lower overseen by the Shinto pantheon. The upper region's governance is led from a "lake" the size of a small sea known as The Spirit Gate. Its name being literal, the bottom of this lake, down so deep it compares to the ocean floors, holds physical portals to each of the thousands of afterlives that exist.

Such a location of course, is one of the most protected places in existence, as mortals and the living aren't supposed to be able to reach these planes while alive. The physical holdings of the Celestials are located in a grand fortress that spirals the first dozen or so leagues down into this body of water. Living in the lower ends are dragons different to my own, strange creatures who have no wings but can still fly, who don't have gills but can breathe water. Magic is the very nature of their existence and all that drives them to Be.

Per divine decree, these dragons patrol the lake's surrounding areas while taking up residence in the deeper parts of the Spirit Gate's city, and surface frequently to hunt and fly. Unless a similarly divine creature is approaching, they're almost always under orders to kill on sight. That was where I met this lady.

Yupemi, or Yu as she was happy for me to call her, is even younger than I am at only thirty years of age of a species of dragon that can live immortal lives even without any higher powers tampering. She was shocked to find a Western out this far east, much less learn I was a servant of the cycle of Death. I had come out there because I wanted to know about this gateway in person at least once. Instead, I ended up leaving with a friend made.

A colossal behemoth of a dragon for her age, but able to shrink down spoke again for their magical potency as she reduced herself to a size more conductive to conversation, where she went about telling me about the lake and the city and offered to show me as a 'divine guest'. I sensed... eagerness from her, the kind that told me she wasn't able to get out much, so I allowed her to take me on this tour and show me around the city inhabited by the many, many divines who lived as part of this pantheon.

Though as often, I speak about the individuals more in these notes, so then... Lei is... excitable. I know it's a pot calling the kettle black since I'm only in my sixties, but her youth showed even more than mine did in her enjoyment of showing off her home to me. When it came time to return the favor and discuss what my home was like though, I noticed her grow sullen and asked why.

Simply put, dragons like her were MADE to guard the Spirit Gate, unless she was disgraced or given permission to leave for an extended time, she could fly a few miles out from the lake before having to return, even being so young she was already rooted to this place irreconcilably. She confided in me that as a form of protest she often wouldn't kill intruders, but would often play around with them a little bit before letting them go with a warning, while drawing whatever knowledge of distant lands she could from them. I empathize with her a fair deal, I wouldn't like that too much either.

After seeing what I saw and bidding her farewell with a friendly promise to visit again thanks for enjoying her hosting, I headed on my own way home.

I would despise having my freedom restricted from me so greatly, especially at still such a young age with such a long life in front of me, perhaps I should put some of the political weight I have behind me as a Reaper to use...

- Veluren Thanazel, the Sights and People of Vakkert Sedd.

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Nooooooodle.

So I saw this guy up for resale a while ago and her design jumped out to me, so I decided you know what, I'mma take her and give her a new home! This is Yupemi, an Eastern dragon and guardian of the far East holy sites of Vel's world. Lei is young and still impulsive, which should make for some fun character interactions. A lot of her themes will likely end up being very playful but casual cat-and-mouse type interactions with people to earn their escape or just kill the pervasive boredom she tends to deal with while stuck on her duties.

This girl is still super WIP, and likely pending a redesign to make her longer and lean more into the Eastern Dragon themes, so be on the look out for that!

Yupemi belongs to me.

This character was an adopt/resale from  Starquill, with the original artwork done by  Shikaro.