Citizens Divine
The Emperor possesses the Mandate of Heaven and as such its people are blessed by the imperial pantheon. As the Emperor is their chosen representative, most Divines found in imperial lands are either minor entities, have responsibilities requiring their corporeal presence, await membership in the imperial pantheon or have simply not applied for entry into the Heavens. Regardless, all divines in imperial territory are subject to imperial law and as such, the Celestial Bureaucracy, the gods' own cumbersome government. The powers offered by the Divine are often low-key and limited, but generally reliable.
Tianlong, Messenger of the Heavens: An immense serpentine dragon. A god from the Heavens, he acts as a conduit between the Emperor and the Celestial Bureaucracy. Wise and ancient, Tianlong is considered retired by divine standards, being immensely frustrated with divine politics. As such, he spends his time on the mortal plane. Nominally in charge of dynastic changes, he spends his time managing tea plantations and teaching his philosophy of 'Four Compassions' to students. His few unwanted (but not unloved) cultists constantly pester him about spreading his religion, but Tianlong has never once gone out of his way to convert someone. Tianlong's patronship is rarely given and in the few times it is, only in the form of a few blessings and advice based of his own teachings.
Fenwa, Taker of Souls: A white phoenix that has secluded itself in the Imperial Palace for centuries. Fenwa has the lovely duty of reaping the souls of imperial mortals. Most who see her are immediately struck dead. Her decision to aid the imperial dynasty's founder has made her well-loved by the royal household to such an extend that they are now immune to her death-bringing visage. While clearly violating many rulings pertaining to godly interaction with the mortal plane, no god has been willing to speak about it in detail. Those that have obtained her aid are few or of royal blood and are often aided through the gift of miracle. Such miracles come at a high price, however. Fenwa maintains no cults or temples, being worshiped alongside other death-related gods at funerals and at cemetaries. These ceremonies are performed by her order of warrior-priests, who travel the world in her service.
Lu, Paragon of the Hann: A bald man eternally in his seventies, Lu by all rights should be in heaven. Born many milleniums ago, Lu was considered a hero in his time. Gifted with great intelligence and ambition, Lu invented many technologies and techniques that allowed the Hann to grow as a civilisation and found they empire they now rule. His commercial saviness and ability to innovate has come to define what a Hann should aspire to and indeed, many people see the Hannics as a merchant race. As such, Lu is worshiped as a god of technology, innovation and buisness. While a member of the imperial pantheon, Lu prefers to inhabit the village of his birth, now a bustling city famed for its automated machinery.
Zhud, Patron of Heroes: Taking the form of an albino tiger, Zhud is the patron god of heroes and explorers. As a god, Zhud is considered one of the more active divines, answering most prayers with minor boons, as well as personally mentoring many who would eventually become heroes. While well-loved, Zhud is one of the few gods to still accept mortal sacrifices. It is believed that the more sacrifices Zhud receives, the more boons he may confer each year.
Tukares, Pretender-God of Undeath: A skeletal lich adorned with all sorts of arcane inscriptions, the lich has long forsaken the mortal coil. Once a courtestan in a distant realm, she hoarded her realm's arcane knowledge and with it, ascended into a parody of godhood. Reviled as an enemy of all that was sacred for centuries, she created cults of death, knowledge and ambition throughout many nations, before being subdued by Fenwa's paladins. Brought in chains and burnt by holy ice, all were sure that Tukares' reign was finally at an end. Instead, she was pardoned and released. In time, she established cults in Imperial lands, lacking much of the depravity that once characterised her followers. She is worshiped as a patron of scholars, necromancers, the undead and cemetaries. Tukares' application for pantheon membership has been given low priority by the divine bureaucrats.
Margaux, Pretender-God of Magic: A seemingly young woman of fair skin and blonde hair, Margaux has become recognised as a divinity of the arcnae in Imperial lands. As such, she has no chance of getting into the Heavens. As a rule, the Empire and the Celestia Bureaucracy frowns on extensive magic use, seeing it as weakening the purity of mortals and corrupting the world with the aether. Margaux has little care for this and continues to grow her network of mystery cults throughout the empire, each with a cadre of ever-so-pious magi to guide her magic-loving flock. Her followers for the most part tend to be normal citizens who want some magical help, with her magi tending to her as priests.
Gungnu, Pretender-God of War: A giant sphinx built of muscle and steel, Gungnu is the direct descendent of a now unknown war god exiled to the mortal world before history began. Born a millennium ago to peasants in a distant land, Gungnu spent many years in the service of a king who in time came to fear Gungnu for his skill. Soon exiled, Gungnu wandered for a time and learnt much about his lineage. With this knowledge, he embarked on a quest to devour all who had the War God's blood so that in time, he could ascend into proper godhood. Currently employed by the Empire, the aspiring godling hopes to secure himself in the Celestial Pantheon through his service. Vain and proud, Gungnu aggressively supports his cult and those who prove worthy are thanked with the godling's blessings and vast collection of weaponry.
Citizens Mortal
The Empire is home to many groups vying for power, several of which are immensely powerful. Feared and loved, these mortals form the core of the Empire's strength, as well as its weakness. The aid given by mortal are often of great variety in both power and number.
Lady Wen: A truly ancient human transported from place-to-place via palanquin. Preferring no title, Lady Wen commands the loyalty of many merchants. Her companies and various agents hold influence in most imperial cities, maintaining profits that even make the taxation ministry wince. Royals, Nobility and Clergy alike are in debt to her and the vast mountains of capital that she controls. It is often whispered that if she wanted to, she could legally sell the Imperial Palace. Right now, Lady Wen is simply tidying things up for her successor and ensuring that regardless of what happens in the world, her conglomerate will benefit. Clients can expect many loans and other services at a good price, as long as they maintain a good credit rating.
Zhuhaiken, Imperial Chamberlain: A short eunuch who dresses modestly, Zhuhaiken oversees the vast city that is erroneously called the 'Imperial Palace'. Such a position unsurprisingly grants him immense influence with the Emperor and as such, the Empire. Little is known about the little man who hailed from a tiny village with no name, save that he cares little for the grandiose or novel, preferring to go about his business with the most straightforward method available. As befitting of his position, the Imperial Chamberlain has access to many of the Empire's more secret agendas, plans and resources...of course such secrets require total loyalty.
Princess Yolta, Viceroy of the Taiga Isles: The distant and freezing Taiga Isles was until Yolta's assignment there, only nominally part of the empire. Cunning, dynamic and brutal, she successfully forced the local lords to bow to her in perpetuity, and has since then been the queen in all but name. Under her rule, she has organised the colonisation of the isles, as well as exploiting its natural resources for herself and the empire at large. Her capitol in the Isles now possess some of the empire's best factories, as well as the aid of many outlawed mages, given safety in exchange for their services. While not in-line for the Dragon Throne, Yolta's ambition is not one easily subdued, and she eyes any opportunity that could expand her power.
Zao Zao, Legendary Alchemist: Inhabiting a small villa far from The City, Zao Zao is an ogre hermit that has spent the last 120 years perfecting his potions, especially those of longevity. Many have tried to garner his favour, hoping to live a little longer or woo this maiden or fatten this cow or other things that bore the great Zao Zao. No, what Zao Zao desires most of all are people who can do things for themselves and not annoy him so much. In other words, good students. Indeed, Ongdu is populated by many great alchemists who have apprenticed under Zao Zao, most graduating when they got tired of his tirades and complaints. Of course, most aspiring students simply die in freak accidents or leave his tutelage, broken by the experience. Zao Zao's clients often pay exorbitant sums for a few vials of the man's brews. Few are disappointed. Some pay the man with odd or rare reagents, which he gladly accepts.
Komenas, First-Adjutant of the Blue Academy: A cheerful panda-faced sphinx from the distant west, Komenos is de facto in charge of the Blue Academy, the premier place of learning and innovation in the Empire. While originally the position of Adjutant implied subservience to the Collegial Heads who controlled the Academy, the desire for many academics to be left alone and Komenos incredible usefulness has seen her centralise much of the Academy's administrative office under her and as such, control of its resources. Even the Collegial Heads often forget that they rank higher than Komenos, a fact that the cheerful sphinx has made many forget with her administrative wizardry and friendly disposition. Friends of Komenas often owe favours to her, in exchange for the Blue Academy's wonders.
Florian de Noman, President of the Imperial Archivist Society: The long history of the the empire is something well-enjoyed by many scholars, and Florian is no exception. A relatively small hawk-faced sphinx, Florian commands the much renowned Imperial Archivist Society, known throughout the scholarl elite for their chronicling of history and continuous excavation of ruins. They also tend to make use of convulted magical machinery to trap souls. To preserve primary sources, they claim. Their vast collection of historical personae in their collection (including the Fifth Emperor, six messiahs, the last giant ogre and two gods) is often kept secret from the general population, although sympathetic scholars or sponsors are often granted access to their archives, as well as their services.
Wei Yan, Master of Arms: A portly man, Wei Yan controls a trading firm known for both its innovations and razorthin profit margins. An inventor himself, Wei Yan was responsible for developing the much beloved land mine and its less popular cousin, the sea mine. Having amassed a small fortune from his inventions, he established a trading firm for likeminded inventors. While these investments have not always been wise, Wei Yan has made enough good decisions to ensure he remains solvent and more importantly, able to mass produce weapons of mass destruction.
Lei Kin, Wayswright: A vampire of middling age, Lei Kin is a mage who specialises in the art of displacement. While originally a way for her to move around during daylight hours, she has capitalised on it by creating permanent portals in and between cities. While immensity useful, the fact that these portals are powered by mortal blood and memories has prompted the empire to declare her invention illegal. As such, the Waywright only sells to the discreet, or at least until she can invent a better portal.
Citizens Revoked
Those who defy imperial law do not often live long. Those who survive often know more than few tricks to evade imperial forces or otherwise have an understanding with the authorities. The most notable of these have tormented the Empire for centuries. While bearing great boons, such powers come at a great price.
John Gruswitch, Grand Hierophant of the Sapphire Moon: A network of sapphire geodes spread throughout the empire, the man that became the Grand Hierophant is an abomination of mineral wealth blessed with the power of an alien god. Born a simple man of simple outlooks, the man that was Gruswitch welcomed the gaze of the Sapphire Moon one night and ever since, he has been the mysterious entity's prophet in the mortal plane. Forming a group known as the Blue Turbans, Gruswitch has lured many amongst the poor and rich alike, both with the promises of wealth, and the promise of brotherhood. Both promises are often fulfilled, although not in the way most would think. While the cult is illegal in the Empire, and many other realms, the cult's ability to be useful and present at just at the right time has seen them become tolerated in many places, despite their unsavoury goals. Despite this, most Blue Turbans are outwardly polite and indeed, seemingly benovelent.
Shanaya, Marquise of the Late Dutan Dynasty: A women garbed in a simple soldier's uniform, Shanaya heads the Dutan Dynasty, the former holders of the Dragon Throne. According to imperial custom, a dynasty that loses the Mandate is to be treated civilly once defeated. They are to remain nobles, remain wealthy, and remain alive, as is the will of heaven. While many of these former royals are content with their positions, Shanaya was not one to see her Dynasty simply become a part of history. After all, was it not the Dutan that brought peace to the nations, conquered the Iron Gates, sponsored the great schools of art, created the grand universities, and opened the Gates to Heaven? What did the modern royals have to their name, save three farmer-emperors who gained the throne through the gutter? Indeed, to Shanaya, the Dutan were clearly meant for the Dragon Throne and as such, she has spent much of her adulthood in open rebellion against the Empire. In the field, the court and the street, Shanaya has spent many fortunes to sway public opinion and fund rebel armies. Were she not so skilled at hiding and so influential amongst many aristocratic houses, she and her line would have been executed decades ago.
Ozmoyt, Khan of the Seven Steppes: An elderly man with a bluish complexion, his lower body has long ago fused with the torso of his horse companion. Like many leaders of the northern barbarian tribes, Ozmoyt is a vampire and one of great power. According to their custom, heroes and great leaders of the steppe tribes are turned into vampires, so that they may lead their tribe for eternity. Usually, these vampires are forced into suicide when their bloodlust reach unstable levels where even their own tribesmen look like tasty meals. Ozmoyt however, has lived for centuries, supposedly due to blessings from his northern gods. According to imperial belief, Ozmoyt's longevity is actually because he was never a human at all, but a creature who reached this world through the Iron Gates. That Ozmoyt once ruled over the Iron Gates before their conquest by the Empire and his skill at navigating them has given weight to this argument. Regardless, few would ask the man directly, for the Khan has never been one to answer questions about his past.
Hua, Witch of the Mists: A possessor of beauty incomparable, Hua has tempted many to her bedside and many more into her cooking pot. Hua was born to family of country gentry. Unfortunately for all involved, Hua had been born with a hunchback that made any future career (or betrothal) difficult. Instead, her business-minded parents focused their attentions on their other children and hoped that Hua wouldn't cause too much trouble. Alone and isolated, Hua eventually discovered that she possessed a talent, the ability to speak with spirits. Malevolent spirits. Glad to finally have friends, she listened to them and allowed them entry into her being. This would turn out to have terrible consequences. From then on Hua was no longer an innocent girl, but a vessel for many dark and unknowable things. The girl that disappeared into the mists a hunchback, emerged a grown woman of perfect beauty, but not one with a mind that was at all human. Sometimes one can even plead with her and gain her aid, although such boons often come at great costs.
Tunshiz, Guardian of the Wilds: A shapeshiftng draconic lion as old as civilisation itself, Tunshiz holds the honour as being both feared and respected by the empire. Born in the foothills of the idyllic Siunwun Range, the creature that would become Tunshiz was the creation of druids who sought to control nature. As the druidic records have shown time and again, nature cannot be controlled. Instead, Tunshiz saw mortal civilisation as a corrupting cancer that had to be removed from the world. Since then, Tunshiz has carried out a constant purge of civilisation, hoping to restore the 'beauty' of nature. While these purges are often merciless, Tunshiz is not heartless. Those who forsake civilisation or otherwise show their worth can obtain the creature's respect, and the boons that come with it. He Especially detests fireworks.
The White Emperor, Ancient Pretender: a man dressed in ancient finery, the White Emperor is a long-dead skeleton often seated atop his palanquin of ivory and bone, and surrounded by a court of the dead. Bearing great magical power, his very presence causes rot and entropy, all the while raising the dead to his side. He prefers to rule the living, however. Over the centuries, the White Emperor has raised his flag of rebellion many times and has succeeded many times, only to be removed by the Heavens. He currently seeks a way of rule without Heaven's interference and as such, is far more open to dealing with the imperial government when the situation demands it. At least, until he figures out a way to become ruler. His origins are known to none. Supplicants of the Emperor are often aided with his undead or with mystical artifacts.[/b]
Shi, Sovereign of Storms: A giant monstrosity, Shi resembles a titanic clam bearing a collection of tentacles, pincers, eyes and maws. Shi inhabits the deep waters south of the Empire and many mariners do their best to avoid her. Unfortunately, Shi's command over wind and water directs many vessels towards her, and as such, their doo. Only blessings and other shows of divine intervention offer sailors any hope ofavoiding Shi. Although illegal, cults to Shi have sprung up amongst Shi's mariners and coastal populations. While some of these cultists believe that Shi will allow them passage and safety if she is worshipped, others are clearly being influenced by Shi through methods the Empire still have not figured out.
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Topic: Beyond The Iron Gates [OOC] (Read 1282 times)