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Baku

Liminal Chronicles    Explore the World    Species      Baku

The dream eating spirit beast

Known as the dream eater, this yokai guards people while they sleep and devours their nightmares. Calling the baku by his name and asking him to eat your dreams summons him to rescue you from your slumber's visions.   Despite resembling a crazy chimera-like-mashup of creatures (elephant, tiger, bear, tapir, etc.), they are mighty and feared by all evil beings--who scamper away from the baku's imposing presence. The baku is favored by the gods, because he was humble and grateful to have been made at all.2   Some say that, perhaps the baku is not as well intentioned as we'd like to believe. Does he eat all dreams and ambitions?

Basic Information

Genetics and Reproduction

Unknown. He just appears when summoned and no one dares ask about such private matters.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Considered solitary, unless summoned.

Average Intelligence

High IQ, but not genius level. Some baku have been known to be decieved, unless they are detecting evil.2 Pehaps they rely on this sense too much?

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

  • Ultra keen sense of smell
  • A sixth sense for people having bad dreams
  • Able to detect the presence of evil
    •  
    Baku by Amy Winters-Voss
     

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    Origin/Ancestry
    Some legends say the gods assembled the baku from parts leftover after creating the other animals. Some people say it may have started as a Malayan tapir brought to Japan and transformed by the gods.1
    Lifespan
    Immortal
    Conservation Status
    Endangered. As best experts can estimate, there are fewer than 100 left.
    Average Height
    1 to 1.5 meters / 3-5 feet at the shoulder
    Average Weight
    550 kg / 1200 lbs
    Average Length
    3.5-4.5 meters / 11-15 feet
    Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
    Underbody is usually red. Main skin color is blue or green. May have white or yellow spots and a flame like mane, leg and tail ornamentation.
    Related Ethnicities

    (Please see research tidbits in the Author Notes section.)

    Appears In:

    Entry for WorldEmber 2020

    Competition Homepage
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    Inspiration

    The world of Liminal Chronicles brings in and builds on Japanese mythology and folklore. The author does her best to respect and show her love for the culture in this setting.

    This site and related stories are works of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places and events are products of the author's imagination, and any resemblance to actual events, places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

    Copyright

    Artwork and content (if nothing else is stated) are 2021 Amy Winters-Voss. All rights reserved. You may not use the material without written permission from the author.

    Theme page background credits: rawpixel.com. Global header, Umeji Tatsuya and Nakamura Hisako character art, and Rise bookcover by Odette.A.Bach.

    World Anvil logo and WA event logos are property of and provided by World Anvil.
    Cover image: Baku by Momotarou2012
    Article template
    Species
    World
    Liminal Chronicles
    Category
    Species in Explore the World
    Author
    shyredfox
    Publication Date
    1 Dec, 2020
    Creation Date
    30 Nov, 2020
    Last Update Date
    4 Mar, 2022
    Visibility
    Public
    Views
    813
    Favorites
    9
    Comments
    3
    Tags
    World Ember 2020 myth folklore yokai rise natural magic

    Comments

    Author's Notes

    Research Notes

    1. I wondered if it was possible for an ancient Japanese person to have seen a tapir, since they seem so similar to the baku. But the ones I knew of lived in South America. Then I learned about the Malayan Tapir. Click! Possibilites!   2. Figment of the author's imagination for interest.   Odd note: If this yokai reminds you of a certain Pokemon, is it Drowzee?   Fabulous fiction story about a set of Baku Twins. Worth a read! I came across it in my research. Though, it will not be part of LC, because it is not my story.   References
  • Yokai.com
  • Met Museum (for my drawing)
  • Ancient Origins
  • hyakumonogatari.com
  • Wikipedia
    •

    Please Login in order to comment!
    Sage Dylonishere123
    R. Dylon Elder
    1 Dec, 2020 07:53

    Im really liking that art. Love it, though I personally wouldn't want to see it over my bed. Also that is an awesome story in your research notes. Thanks for sharing that.

    Check out my work | The Web | Expedition Demeter|The Void Between|
    Councilor of the Inner Sanctum shyredfox
    Amy Winters-Voss
    1 Dec, 2020 22:29

    Aww thanks! And I'm glad you liked that story too!!!

    Author of Rise: Liminal Chronicles | vssCollab | Author Website
    Exalted Councilor of the Inner Sanctum Kummer Wolfe
    C. B. Ash
    1 Dec, 2020 23:17

    This is wonderful, Shy! That is a great story in your research notes, too! Thank you for giving me a chance to read it.

    — The wolf of Tales of Justice, Creator of Legends of Elohey, Star Wars: Shards, Windtracer and more!
    Councilor of the Inner Sanctum shyredfox
    Amy Winters-Voss
    2 Dec, 2020 23:23

    Thank you! so glad you read the story too! It was a gem and I had to share.

    Author of Rise: Liminal Chronicles | vssCollab | Author Website
    Councilor of the Inner Sanctum Serukis
    Dr Emily Vair-Turnbull
    2 Dec, 2020 02:07

    'He just appears when summoned and no one dares ask about such private matters.' Hahahahahaa. Love it.   I always love reading your articles because they introduce me to things in the real world I know nothing about. Thank you for that. <3

    Emy x   Etrea | Vazdimet
    Councilor of the Inner Sanctum shyredfox
    Amy Winters-Voss
    2 Dec, 2020 23:24

    Aww shucks! Glad you enjoyed it! <3

    Author of Rise: Liminal Chronicles | vssCollab | Author Website
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