Month: April 2019

In the character creation section of Art of War the clans are summarized for the player. Still Pre-edit. Posting these drafts help with reading continuity and flow of the read.

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Tiger Clan

Family Names: Date, Huang, Khan, Lao, Luo, Luong, Ma, Sakai, Shingen, Sun, Yu, Zhang, Zhao

Common Tenets: Benevolence, Harmony

Common Tropes: Buxist, Kui, Youxia

Clan Techniques: Koi’s Teachings, Moon Rabbit Leap, Tortoise Shell

The autonomous region begins with the Serpent’s Back, flowing west and ends at Serpent’s Tail to round out the northern border of the Hanxia Plains. West is the Wylds, a reminder of the division of the San Empire and the former lands of the moon goddess descendants. South is marred with barren jagged hills protecting the clans from the tainted terrors of the Scorpion Desert, known as The Wall or the Southern Wall. Vast grasslands sprawl across rolling hills playing home of roaming packs of feral and domestic basabasa. Throughout the plains are villages named for one of the 13 Heroes of the Cleansing Jade. Wide open spaces reflect the free spirit embedded in the minds of all Tigers. Their duty is to  protect the realm from injustice and freedom of its people.

Ancestral traditions of nomadic tribes have given generations grand stories of when the Kami lived alongside mankind. Predecessors of the Tiger Clan constructed wooden structures called Spirit Gates. These gates bridged the worlds, bringing celestial beings and humans together to learn the lessons of Chi. Today, the keys to open the doors to the beyond have been lost, but the wisdom and teachings of the divine live on through caretakers and guardians of sacred grounds. Temples and shrines form the pillars of a Tiger community, providing land for festivals, shelter from extreme weather, training space for martial arts, and sanctuary for honoring those that have passed.

Spirituality and coexistence with nature is a driving force. Monasteries dedicated to the martial arts are inspired by the world surrounding them. Each one specializing in a particular style of fisticuffs centered around the teachings of a grand master. Around monasteries grow the communities of families that seek the philosophical lessons to one day have the honor of a student attending a school.

These communities were the first to treat the kemonomimi as equals, setting the groundwork for the Umvee refugees that followed. Umvee hold members of the Tiger Clan to the highest degree of respect for the immediate inclusion into the San Empire. Knowing the importance of cultural traditions and maintaining their own values, members of Council 13 have designated a segment of the “green sea” to the Umvee. As what was done with the Kemonomimi, this land has allowed the Umvee to develop a minor district of the state unhindered.

Agenda:

Diversified as the shrines throughout the land, each monastery village has a goal of spreading their own teachings across the clan, but may hold a core value different from the next. Clan elders seek the lost wisdom of Kami of centuries past. Should the knowledge of the Spirit Gates ever be rediscovered, many are unsure if they should be opened at all. Some want to control the gates, thereby controlling the divine and the fate of the world. Many fear it could unleash something worse, like a vengeful forgotten spirit. As of yet, no such discoveries have been uncovered.

The current head of the clan is held by a Buxist who wishes only to maintain peace and build relations with the Kitsune Clan. As Speaker of the People, Buxist Po Ba Sing works to bring stability and unity to the villages after the last war. Much of his focus has been on maintaining security of those outside the Southern Wall. Resources from the court diverted to rebuilding the nation and aid from the Volunteer Army growing infrequent, Po is hatching a plan for a last ditch effort to bring those south back home. Once he knows all are safe, he would like to push the wall further south, expanding Tiger territory (and of course the Empire).

Sacred Duty:

The Society of the Jade Stratagem is headquartered just inside Tiger territory, with quick access to Kitsune and Serpent lands. While any hero looking to do good or odd jobs may join, the Stratagem is an organization spearheaded by the Tigers that have outpost located throughout the empire. Many outpost are publicly known, others are hidden in back alleys in unwelcoming villages, operate on direction of the Tiger’s sacred duty: Ensure freedom against tyranny and help those who can’t help themselves.

One appointed member from each of the 13 villages is selected to join the Striped Tigers. Striped Tigers are ambassadors of the Tiger Clan that may be called upon by the Emperor, Imperial Court, or answer a request from a Tiger village to investigate issues of oppression of any level. From business owners using unpaid labor to monasteries that refuse to aid starving families, no one is safe from an inquiry should a submitted request meet the Striped Tigers criteria.

Stereotypes:

Outside looking in, non-Tigers view them as simple rural folk who know nothing outside of herding basabasa and farming. While not entirely untrue, the greatest philosophers and war strategist have sought the wisdom and sword skills of a monastery master within the green sea. Characterized as a land of a 1000 shrines and boundless heroes, everyone is assumed to know a form of unarmed combat. The saying, “..in every hand, a fist..” does hold truth. Despite this, a typical member is patient, friendly, slow to anger, and adventurous at heart. The community takes priority over individual self interests (or at least that is what is taught).

Stories persist that all wandering heroes of the Tiger Clan are forced to become orphans that travel alone starting brawls in tea houses. Quite contrary, members develop strong bonds with family and extended family members. Roaming in packs runs in Tiger blood. Rarely does one wonder far by oneself.

Clan Knowledge:

• The main economic industry revolves around tourism, basabasa products, and silk trade.
• Members of certain sects follow the Traveler’s Pilgrimage. This journey retraces the path Kui followed. It consist of 103 shrines, temples, and Spirit Gates.
• Silk Butterfly Tournament is popular with heroes, and is seen as the best tournament to make a name for oneself.
• Umvee district is off limits to those that are not Umvee. Any actions taken in the sanctioned area is out of Tiger jurisdiction.
• Society of the Jade Stratagem is the first unified and multi-clan supported guild. It is a glorified adventures guild.
• Lands west of the Wylds are overrun by feral fur-covered berserkers.

Rumors & Secrets:

• One sect of Kui have gained the knowledge to open a Spirit Gate. They are said to have released Oni into opposing clan territory.
• One of the original 13 Heroes of the Cleansing Jade is said to live as a Terracotta in the Sorrow Swamps. If beaten in a duel the Hero will become a servant of the winner’s family for a lifetime, but the winner must never return.
• A network of Samurai who long for vengeance seek to remove the Emperor and create a dynasty ruled by a Tiger General.
• Underneath the capital city lays the comatose colossal kami, White Tiger of Ruin.

 

In the character creation section of Art of War the clans are summarized for the player.

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Serpent Clan

Family Names: Aoi, Fuma, Gan, Goemon, Iga, Kai, Koga, Meng, Tong, Wa, Wang

Common Tenets: Courage, Respect and Courtesy

Common Tropes: Hero, Kui, Shinobi

Clan Techniques: Clone, Flood, Scorpion’s Sting

Nestled in the foothills of Mt. Rinzai travelers can find the northernmost city and capital of the Serpent Clan territory, Aechi City. Mountain terraced rice fields surrounds the city known as the birthplace of the Serpent Clan, the sole source of the spirit mineral known as Dragon Scale, and home of the shadow arts practiced by shinobi. Sprawling south of the capital just beyond the foothills, a hero can find comfort in either the Valley of Peace to the east or the Valley of Serenity to the west. Approaching the southern edge of the valleys and encompassing much of the Serpent lands, the chi formed mountain range of Five Phases can be seen from any location in the providence. Those who are able to climb the jagged obsidian cliffs often refer to a hawk’s eye view as a “iron bowl of snakes”.

Hidden among the villages, behind the facade of pleasantries is a providence standing upon the rivers of blood spilled by shinobi gangs prior to the clan formation. Under the banners of conquest, the Kitsune and Tiger waged war for the resources of the valleys. Soon these gangs united and formed a plan to eject the tyranny that encroached upon them. They became the methodical mercenaries, spies and assassins of the silent battles fought between the clans. Serpent leaders worked together to dwindle the occupying clans to extinction. Since the Triad Resolution, clan territory has remained untouched and openly reserved in court politics. Choosing the side that puts them in the fortuitous situation, while appearing in the position of neutrality. Clan agents have wedged themselves into social circles, gathering information they need in order to maintain their survival.

Despite a profitable history of working in the shadows, the clan sustains itself on the agricultural advances in terrace farming. This method avoids the pitfalls of erosion from seasonal flooding rains of the melting snow-caps. In addition, with the help of initiatives banning herd animals (except for a select controlled population) the Twin Valleys remain untouched providing scenic harmonious environments to inspire the artistic culture. This inspiration has boosted the quality of craftsmanship of ceramic and blacksmithing trade coming from the clan. Thanks in part from adjacent peaks around to Mt. Rinzai containing vast deposits of minerals ranging from clay to Dragon Scale, masonry has become an economic boon to the isolated providence since the reintroduction into the Empire.

With sky reaching mountains, obsidian cliffs, hidden caves, and lush green valleys, the slithering snakes portray the perfect portrait utopia of civilization. Guided by the old ways of BuXia, citizens of the providence live prosperous and harmonious lives in the sunlight. Like the blackened cliffs that surround them, the shadows cast upon the valley are large and provide cover for the dealings of organized turf wars harking back to pre-Imperial days.

Ground is a limited and highly prized commodity within the iron bowl. While the major families of the clan faired well with the Triad Resolution, it’s the small ones that strive to gain status. Families spy on one another, truces are declared as often as they are broken and habitual evening duels are the standard. Often seen as a cultural aesthetic, when such measures must be taken, they often result in bruises or end with first blood. Blood of a Serpent spilled by a Serpent results in swift and often deadly resolutions, not by the families involved, but by local Serpent authorities.

Agenda:

Survival. When the Serpents extracted (some say kidnapped) the descendants of the Imperial family, do so ensured the survival of the dynastic heritage and placed the Clan in a position of influence for the first time.  As caretakers and advisors to the throne, the Serpent Clan has established a symbiotic codependency with the Emperor. Emperor Wu makes use of the specialized talents at his disposal, while the clan are the first to hear of royal rumors and decrees. They look to maintain this status quo as long as possible.

Balance. Serpents have seen the devastating results that war has on the citizenry of the country. They are the victims of a war that was brought to them, and never want others to suffer the same hardships. The clan has instituted spy networks, bribes, negotiations and underhanded tactics the other clans dare not perform to keep the power balance in check. Even if it means dealing with one of their own.

Sacred Duty:

Being the eyes and ears of the Empire falls to the imperial department of Office H. This office falls under the responsibility the Serpent Clan, but acts independently of any clan jurisdiction based on the original royal decree. Each member assigned to the internal affairs investigation office must receive the reigning Emperor’s approval. Whereupon acceptance, they must swear an oath before the Kami of the Jade Throne to follow the strict moral code of the office while holding its secrets. Failure means dishonor, followed by imprisonment or death. These are but the mortal responses, as the wrath of breaking a bond with a Kami hold longer lasting effects.

Stereotypes:

By the age of 25, should a Serpent not have at least one large tattoo, they typically will not receive them. Tattoos are a cultural tradition but are never forced. Designs range from full body murals of myths, to representing stages of life, identifying ones youth gang, or even depicting departed loved ones. The other clans view this practice as taboo and almost criminal. In order to curb this attitude, many who sport tattoos maintain them in places where they can be covered.

Beyond the view of pervasive tattooing practices, Serpents are typed as a laissez faire bunch who focus on the arts and philosophical elements of nature. While knowledge of some art is not unheard of, members of the clan are thoughtful of those they consider immediate family. Accused of being slow to act, they respond after logical contemplation, deducing the best resolution that helps in their survival.

Clan Knowledge:

• Only the most respected and hardworking individuals can earn a position at Office H.
• Shinobi schools can be found all over the nation, members from other clans trade in large favors for children to join the elite schools found in the Twin Valleys.
• WuXing of minerals and metal take refuge in a small foot hill west of Mt. Rinzai. Temple laymen travel down from its hidden location on the 12th of every month to trade wares.
• The meteorite shower that deposited Dragon Scale across the mountains is said to be happening in the current year. Soothsayers have predicted the rain will start in the Hanxia Plains and move east towards the Crap Reef.
• Emperor Wu has asked the clan to spearhead an envoy to the Naga nation in the north.
• Famed Duelist known as Twin Fang developed her signature style of wielding both a katana and wakizashi in her youth.
• The Peafowl Teahouse is the oldest standing structure still in continuous operation.
• Geishas from the Serpent Clan are only rivaled by those of the Kitsune Clan.
• Youth gangs are mostly social clubs that prank each other versus performing criminal activity.

Rumors & Secrets:

• The Statue of Aechi is a Terracotta that needs a burst of Chi to reawaken.
• The Iga and Koga families seek to eliminate the Tong family for caring more about profits then the keeping the shadow arts sacred.
• Once a year, the three main families each a champion to partake in a grand tournament. The winning family becomes the sole family for Office H recruits.
• Trade with the Nagas have been in place for more than 100 years. The mineral Dragon Scale is only accessible from the Naga side of the mountain range.
• Secret gambling halls that favor “the house” are operated by Serpents in every city and village.
• All shinobi organizations act independently of each other and do not consider themselves as part of a clan.
• The Oni invasion was a grand scheme of the Serpents to end the war between the Tigers and Kitsune once and for all.
• Wu Zhang is a Serpent imposter put in place after the real imperial passed away without an heir.