Difference between revisions of "Hijo"

The '''primal hijo''', oralso known as '''primal spirits''', or simply as '''hijo''', are [[Splinter]]s of [[Virtuosity]] found on [[Komashi]].{{book ref|yumi|17}} They naturally reside underground, and are attracted by thoughts, emotions, and artistic expressions.{{book ref|yumi|17}} They can be bound by a [[yoki-hijo]] into useful tools and devices,{{book ref|yumi|4}} or be utilized to produce and supply [[hion]].{{book ref|yumi|part=anotherepilogue}}

Hijo typically take on a teardrop-shaped form roughly the size of a person's head.{{book ref|yumi|4}} They glow brightly like molten metal with a swirl of red and blue colors.{{book ref|yumi|4}}{{book ref|yumi|24}} They have no eyes or other discernible features, though they do seem to sense their surroundings and are able to speak audibly and telepathically.{{book ref|yumi|4}} Bound hijo do not speak.{{book ref|yumi|12}} The spirits which are bound to the [[father machine]] have an ice-like appearance, and undulate to an inaudible rhythm.{{book ref|yumi|39}}

Primal spirits are attracted to human thoughts and emotions expressed through art, in accordance with the Intent of Virtuosity.{{book ref|yumi|17}}{{wob ref|15500}} Many different forms of art can attract their attention, though not all--including painting--are known to do so.{{book ref|yumi|22}} Though painting appears to be one of them, it could indeed draw Hijo, and it is simply the commodification of the art through [[Painter]]s, which minimizes the pure artistry of painting, which causes it to fail to draw Hijo.{{wob ref|16186}} A musical performance such as a rock concert, for example, could summon spirits.{{wob ref|15551}} In Torio, a yoki-hijo stacking stones was known to be the best way to attract the spirits.{{book ref|yumi|22}} Following their freedom from the [[father machine]], the hijo have also shown interest in historical dramas and perhaps other [[hion viewer]] programs.{{book ref|yumi|part=anotherepilogue}} Some locations prove better for attracting the spirits than others, such as a [[place of ritual]], but they can be attracted elsewhere.{{book ref|yumi|22}}

Bound spirits typically take on either a stone or metal form, and always seem to be divided into two parts.{{book ref|yumi|4}}{{book ref|yumi|17}} Spirits typically remain bound for five to ten years.{{book ref|yumi|4}} In general, the more spirits that are bound in a session, the longer all of them will last.{{book ref|yumi|4}} Spirits bound by the prototype machine are generally smaller, seem to have operational issues much sooner, and may not remain bound as long.{{book ref|yumi|31}} This is likely due to the machine consuming a portion of the spirit's own Investiture in order to operate.{{book ref|yumi|31}}

With some measure of human intervention, the spirits are able to produce and power the hion lines which sustain modern life on Komashi.{{book ref|yumi|39}} The original hion lines are produced by the machine, which harvests the Investiture of the hijo to create hion lines emerging from the ground. After the father machine is destroyed, some hijo voluntarily continue to power these hion lines.{{book ref|yumi|part=anotherepilogue}}