Kirigakure Gates

[Corvus]

The area around Mist village is a vast, deadly swamp. Solid land is a rare commodity, it snakes and weaves its way through vast swathes of putrid, decaying water. There is no telling the depth of this water. At some points, the water could be no more than ankle deep, and without warning plunge to untold depths. Beneath the water, the ground is treacherous. Thick roots, sharp sticks, snaring algae, diseased microbes, and untold, unspoken horrors choke the bottom and make passage on foot impossible.

Vines and algae hang from the dying trees, swaying like gallows when there is no wind, attempting to choke and strangle any creature foolish enough to pass beneath them. Over the water, they twist and turn as if stirring the cauldron, and every so often bubbles will be seen rising from the murk. Over the soggy, sodden land, they reach and grasp as if searching for victims, ingredients to add to the horrific cesspool.

Creatures roam this swamp, always just out of sight, but always there. Always watching. Sounds of strange animals burst through the silent, dead swamp, but none of these creatures are seen. It's not certain these creatures truly exist.

Like a maze, the solid ground that is capable of being walked on meanders through the impassable bog, leading any inexperienced traveler on an impossible journey through an unending maze.

But, wait, there's hope. Torches lit in the mist seem to guide the lost through the swamp, pointing the way to civilization, or to rescue. But the lights lie. Methane gas from beneath the swamp bubbles up and ignites, creating the illusion of a trail of torches. Mist ninja and those who have traveled the swamp know not to follow the lights. Anybody new will surely become impossibly lost if they follow them.

However, within the swamp exists the remnants of times lost. Many, many years ago, there existed a cult which believed the swamp to be filled with malevolent spirits. This cult built a shrine within the swamp where sacrifices were made to appease these spirits. For years and years, humans and animals alike were ritualistically slaughtered in tribute to these hungry spirits. It was believed that if the spirits were not constantly fed, they would attack everyone living in the swamp.

Some say that this cult failed in their duty and were slaughtered by the spirits, others say they were wiped out by rival cults, but one way or another every single one of the cultists was wiped out. Every so often, one of their skeletons is found, broken and beaten, with huge gashes in the very bones. It is uncertain what caused this fate, but now their ancient shrine marks the entrance into the village of Mist.

Built on the only bedrock within miles, the village is hidden away in this seemingly endless bog. Once the mist and the gloom are successfully navigated, one wishing to enter the village will find themselves in a vast church building. This building is yet another maze, honeycombed with doors and passages and collapsed walls, a design conceived of by a madman.

An eerie green glow permeates this place. Some believe it is the putrid breath of the spirits poisoning the air, others believe it is the veil of algae filtering the wan light from the outside world. It is easy to get lost in this place, its hugeness seemingly impossible, and its complexity mind-boggling. Only those who have traversed it before have a hope of making it through without being lost at least once.

Finally, after wandering the impenetrable swamps and traversing The ancient building, one comes upon the final step in the journey to Mist. A gate, huge in its imagining and lined with concrete several feet thick, is the last bastion of defense for the village. This is where shinobi and ANBU patrol and guard, opening the gate only for those confirmed welcome in the village.

Twenty feet high, twelve feet wide, made with inches of thick wrought-iron, this gate can withstand immense assaults before crumbling. The guards are hidden in and among the rubble of the shrine, able to see without being seen.

Beneath the swamp is far too moist for subterranean travel, as anyone trying would surely drown before they got far. The floor of the shrine is solid stone, impossible to penetrate well enough to travel underground. Anyone wishing to enter the village must walk, and anywhere walked within the shrine is observed. If an intruder is observed, they will be set upon and prevented entry by any and all shinobi in the vicinity.

Once all of these trials are survived, one is allowed access into the village of Mist. Good luck.

Gatekeepers:

[/u][/b]
Foreign Organ: None
Primary Tree: Mori
Secondary Tree: Suiton

Setsuna Noriyama
Foreign Organ: None
Primary Tree: Medic
Secondary Tree: Inton[/ul][/div][/blockquote]