Ametsuchi viewed from a distance.
Ametsuchi (アメツチ Ametsuchi) is the setting of The Empyrean Inn and The Empyrean Inn: Last Resort. It is unique from other Worlds in that it cannot be accessed by standard means of dimensional travel, and instead exists "somewhere between life and death."
History[]
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"Now now, how would you like to end?" |
Little is currently known about Ametsuchi's origins, only that it was created by Kunitsu Amachi. However, it's suggested that Kunitsu may be a former Vessel, as some Vessels such as Fleauesse have been shown to wield enough power to create entire worlds. This is also evidenced by the glowing markings on his skin which strongly resemble those also posssessed by Yuwan Gilfrei and Maisha Laforge.
Additionally, it's unknown if the Great Spider also had a hand in the creation of the world, or was itself created by Kunitsu as a means to sustain the inn.
Culture[]
World Map of Ametsuchi.
The entirety of Ametsuchi, also known as the Empyrean Inn, is dedicated to serving as a traditional Japanese style hot spring resort hotel where its guests enjoy the finest luxuries. It does not have a currency system as everything is provided to guests completely free of charge, including food, shelter and entertainment. There are no native inhabitants of Ametsuchi (with the possible exception of the Great Spider), instead all of its residents originate from other Worlds and must be "invited" to Ametsuchi in order to arrive there. It is not entirely clear what causes someone to receive an "invitation" to Ametsuchi, although it has been suggested that "Ametsuchi appears to those who need it most." Those invited to Ametsuchi must also first undergo a near-death experience. Therefore much like Ametsuchi itself, the inn's guests are considered to be in a state of existence between life and death.
Anisage retrieving one of her Memory Shards.
The purpose of the inn is to rehabilitate those who have painful memories or trauma by allowing them to relax without those memories, before slowly reintroducing them. Upon arrival or "check-in," guests have their painful memories taken away, which are then given to the Great Spider so energy can be extracted from them. However not all memories can be used to create energy, and these unusable memories instead become Sootspawn. Memories in Ametsuchi take the physical form of crystals called Memory Shards. If a guest touches one of their Memory Shards, the corresponding memory will be regained. Guests can also sense when one of their Memory Shards has taken on the form of a Sootspawn. Memory Shards can be destroyed, however doing so does not erase the memory and simply returns the Shard to the Great Spider.
Ametsuchi's front gate, where guests arrive and return home.
Guests of Ametsuchi arrive through its front gate, referred to by Taketsumi as "The Spider's Cataract," though this may not be its actual name. The more of their memories a guest is currently in possession of, the more clear and inviting the gate appears. If a guest passes back through the gate, they will return to their original world, alive at the moment where they had their near-death experience.
Ametsuchi does not have seasons, its only "season" being similar to that of Spring, and always has pleasant weather. It also does not follow linear time in synchronicity with other worlds, and seems to instead operate on its own timeline. It's possible for someone to arrive in Ametsuchi as a child, go back to their home world, and then return as an adult, with very little time having passed within Ametsuchi, as was the case with Itsurugi. Ametsuchi additionally appears to take into account multiple instances or timelines of the same world, meaning a person can arrive in Ametsuchi only to find their future or past self is also a guest, as was the case with Mizuchi and Si Long. In this case, that person's Memory Shards can be detected by all instances of that person, even if one instance of the person has not had the same experiences as another. This means it's possible for someone to retrieve memories of things that haven't actually happened to them, but have happened to another instance of themselves.
During the events of The Empyrean Inn: Last Resort, where Taketsumi usurps Kunitsu and takes over Ametsuchi as the new Great Spider, he uses the power of the Great Spider and Serenity to erase all the guests' memories and replace them with false ones, in order to make them believe they have always lived in Ametsuchi and keep them in blissful ignorance. During his rule, Taketsumi sacrifices guests to take their memories and power Ametsuchi, while using his power over memories to make them believe it's an honor to be sacrificed. When Itsurugi defeats Taketsumi, he removes the power of the Great Spider from him and frees the guests from their brainwashed stupor. Afterwards, Kunitsu is revived and resumes leadership of the inn, however it's unknown if he then continued running the inn the same way as before, as he admitted Taketsumi's perspective gave him doubt as to whether or not his methods were correct.
Attractions[]
The Glutton's Arcade.
As a paradise resort and spa, Ametsuchi has numerous amenities that make for an enjoyable stay, including festivals and other celebrations held regularly. The Glutton's Arcade is the inn's dining hall, where guests can eat their fill and indulge in feasts of delicious food, while the Performer's Plaza features entertainers putting on shows. There are at least 108 different saunas that can be reserved for guests' personal use, including #12: Lava Lakeside, #17: Salty Cyclone, #23: Dragonjet Falls, #38: Sacred Peak, and #108: The Devil's Cauldron. The Springtide Suite also includes a private bath.
Guests[]
Citizens of Ametsuchi.
Guests are the majority of Ametsuchi's citizens, all originating from different worlds, without their painful memories which have been taken by the Great Spider. Most spend their time relaxing and enjoying all that the inn has to offer. Some guests may choose work as staff, taking up jobs such as chefs or members of the Concierge, presumably with benefits exclusive to those who have volunteered for these positions.
The Concierge[]
The Concierge are akin to Ametsuchi's police force and are led by Taketsumi. Their duty is to protect guests from Sootspawn attacks as well as other rowdy guests who would cause disturbances. The Concierge once had greater numbers, however its only remaining members are Taketsumi, Saito and Mizuchi, as the rest were previously wiped out by Si Long.
During the events of The Empyrean Inn, Taketsumi and Saito conspire to make guests believe they must not try to retrieve their memories or return home whatsoever, or else they will anger the Great Spider and become "Forsaken." Additionally, they manipulate Mizuchi into joining and assisting them in carrying out their plans.
The Forsaken[]
The Forsaken are a group stigmatized and hunted down by the Concierge during the events of The Empyrean Inn. They consist of guests who wish to retrieve all of their memories and return to their home worlds immediately, such as Anisage. Normally this is not frowned upon or forbidden by Kunitsu Amachi or the Great Spider, provided it doesn't cause unrest, affect the other guests or disturb the inn's general environment, as guests of Ametsuchi are meant to eventually regain their memories and "check out." However Taketsumi and Saito use their influence as members of the Concierge to make others believe there will be disastrous consequences if they try to go home or retrieve their memories. Guests deemed Forsaken may have their memories personally erased by Taketsumi or Saito, so they no longer remember why they wanted to go home in the first place, stopping them from attempting to do so.
The Great Spider[]
The Great Spider.
The Great Spider is Ametsuchi's "patron deity," though it is unknown if it existed prior to Ametsuchi's creation, or itself was created by Kunitsu. It is a powerful entity that takes the form of a giant spider and appears to operate on a similarly animalistic mindset, without human level intelligence or the ability to speak. Though it may be considered by some to be a monster, it performs a vital function for the inn's operations, which is the extraction of energy from Memory Shards.
The Weaver's Hall.
It occupies and guards the Weaver's Hall, a section of Ametsuchi that is off limits to regular guests due to it being a dangerous environment, as it is the spawning location of the Sootspawn. The Great Spider is also very territorial and may become angered if its "nest" is disturbed.
In The Empyrean Inn: Last Resort, Taketsumi defeats the Great Spider and claims its powers for himself. Though not explicitly confirmed, it is presumed due to Kunitsu's own revival, that after Taketsumi's defeat, the Great Spider returned to normal and now continues its previous duties powering the inn.
Sootspawn[]
Two varieties of Sootspawn.
Sootspawn are what happens when a memory taken from a guest fails to produce energy. They are essentially large spider monsters and mostly occupy the Weaver's Hall, however they occasionally wander into the populated parts of the inn and cause trouble. Therefore, Sootspawn hunting parties, such as those led by Taketsumi, are necessary to ensure the safety of guests and are considered popular sporting events.
When a Sootspawn is defeated, it returns to being a Memory Shard, which can then be collected by the guest who's memory it belongs to. Alternatively it can be destroyed, which will send the memory back to the Great Spider.
Trivia[]
- The name "Ametsuchi" is derived from one possible reading of the Japanese kanji characters 天地, meaning "heaven and earth." This is fitting considering Ametsuchi can very much be considered a purgatory, and as such exists between "heaven" (death) and "earth" (life).
Gallery[]
