[center][h2]NPC’S[/h2][/center] [indent][indent][indent] [hider=EMPEROR XIAO SHANG] [b]Appearance:[/b] https://i.imgur.com/UZFCY24.png [b]Race:[/b] Folk [b]Age:[/b] 29 [b]Status:[/b] Dead [b]Factions:[/b] None - Emperor of the Eternal Empire [b]Notable Allies:[/b] Jia Chong, Keola [b]Rivals:[/b] None [b]Summary:[/b] As the youngest in history to take the throne of the Eternal Empire Xiao Shang was ruled for the past fourteen years since the death of his father. Emperor Xiao Shang was modest, kind of heart, and temperate. He was however often criticized as being too giving and too eager to placate his vassals and advisors, a raw joke among the nobility being that “he would sell the Ruby Palace itself if he thought it would make others like him more”. Emperor Xiao Shang was murdered during the bloody massacre on the capital of Bian Wei during the Wan Yue festivities of 404. [/hider] [hider=JIA CHONG] [b]Appearance:[/b] https://i.imgur.com/zWF3lsJ.jpg [b]Race:[/b] Folk [b]Age:[/b] 37 [b]Status:[/b] Alive [b]Factions:[/b] None - Imperial Regent [b]Notable Allies:[/b] Unknown [b]Rivals:[/b] None [b]Summary:[/b] Jia Chong was appointed as Imperial Regent at the age of twenty-nine, one of the younger regents in the history of Yongcun. Before that he held a spot as an advisor in the court - a position he landed thanks to the wealth of his family. Though somewhat lavish and greedy in lifestyle Jia Chong is fiercely loyal to the Empire and is diligent in his duties as regent. [/hider] [hider=KEOLA] [b]Appearance:[/b] https://i.imgur.com/DAihoJL.png [b]Race:[/b] Zauri [b]Age:[/b] 69 [b]Status:[/b] Alive [b]Factions:[/b] None - Imperial Swordmaster [b]Notable Allies:[/b] Emperor Xiao Shang (Deceased) [b]Rivals:[/b] None [b]Summary:[/b] The son of the great general and Swordmaster Maleko, Keola is like his father a famed general and imperial protector. His greatest accomplishment to date being the defeat of the Mokeu warlord Ang-Pon. Keola is fiercely loyal to the Xiao line and the structure that is the Eternal Empire. A fine enough strategist and a bloody monster of a warrior he is not one to be trifled one and likewise the best of allies to have. [b]Stats;[/b] • Might: 20 • Dexterity: 11 • Perception: 14 • Wisdom: 10 • Constitution: 15 (30 HP) [/hider] [hider=TSIO BU] [b]Appearance:[/b] https://i.imgur.com/MAnEVqh.jpg [b]Race:[/b] Folk [b]Age:[/b] 26 [b]Status:[/b] Dead [b]Factions:[/b] Unknown [b]Notable Allies:[/b] Ubagai Wakuno [b]Rivals:[/b] Shinxi Bashira [b]Summary:[/b] Tsio Bu was adopted as an infant after the death of his mother and father, simple rice farmers. His adoptive father was an aging Honfokun senshodo who raised the young man just outside of Wo. The man would die when Tsio Bu was in his nineteenth year, the young Bu wandering the land for some time after his adoptive father perished. Tsio Bu made a living for several years as a sword for hire and a bodyguard but would in time come to join a shadowy cult of zealots after feeling “empty in his existence”. When Bianwei was attacked Tsio Bu was present and fought at the feet of the Ruby Palace with his brothers against the Imperial Guard. He was brutally killed in a duel with Shinxi Bashira after challenging her amid the fighting. [b]Stats;[/b] • Might: 14 • Dexterity: 14 • Perception: 14 • Wisdom: 12 • Constitution: 12 (24 HP) [/hider] [hider=UBAGAI WAKUNO] [b]Appearance:[/b] https://i.imgur.com/KnGywKY.jpg [b]Race:[/b] Unknown [b]Age:[/b] Unknown [b]Status:[/b] Alive [b]Factions:[/b] Unknown [b]Notable Allies:[/b] Tsio Bu (Deceased) [b]Rivals:[/b] Yazju Fleetscale [b]Summary:[/b] Next to nothing is known of this mysterious masked rogue other than he has a taste for violence and is unshakably obedient to his masters and devotedly loyal to his brethren. Ubagai Wakuno is ruthless in battle and always follows his directives through, referred to by some in hushed whispers as “the Reaper”. [b]Stats;[/b] • Might: 16 • Dexterity: 18 • Perception: 14 • Wisdom: 12 • Constitution: 12 (24 HP) [/hider] [/indent][/indent][/indent] [center][h2]FACTIONS[/h2][/center] [center][hider=THE FREE WARDENS] [img]https://i.imgur.com/PiApGBd.png[/img] [b][u]FULL TITLE[/u][/b] The Free Wardens [b][u]HEADQUARTERS[/u][/b] Jencho Castle (Northwest of Shanjing.) [b][u]LEADERSHIP[/u][/b] Warden Commander Sun Quiang The Warden Council of Twelve [b][u]INFLUENCE[/u][/b] High [b][u]BASES/OUTPOSTS[/u][/b] Unknown [b][u]BACKGROUND[/u][/b] Founded in the year 313 IE by Bando Zento and twelve former Imperial army officers the Free Wardens are an order of warriors and adventurers sworn unto the Imperial throne. They scour the realm of their own will seeking out perils of the land to defeat and ensuring the safety of the people of the Eternal Empire to the best of their ability. As part of their servile status the Free Wardens are sworn to the call of the throne, answering only to the highest authorities - the Emperor, the Imperial Regent, and the Imperial Swordmaster. The Free Wardens maintain themselves with donations as well as with coin granted to them by the Imperial court. Sometimes, though rarely, they will charge for their services. Usually only if the task or duty in question is notably difficult or dangerous. The Free Wardens strive to avoid large political affairs to the best of their ability and prefer to act only as protectors of the people and humble servants of the Emperor. Not once in their so far hundred years of history have they fought in any wars - at least not as a body. Individual Free Wardens may act of their own accord so long as they uphold the honor and reputation of the order and many for example fought in the last war against the Mokeu invaders. The Free Wardens typically recruit from the Imperial Army, the [i]senshodo[/i] clans of Karitu, and roaming Zauri and Mokeu warriors whom may be interested. Free Warden training is short in time but demanding and involves three tests; strength, wit, and moral. Some who show noticeable ability and integrity are allowed to skip training but this is a rare honor. The Free Wardens are renowned across the Empire as heroes and noble warriors and are often granted boons and accessory that others may not receive. [/hider] [hider=THE MERCHANTS GUILD] [img]https://i.imgur.com/gSgKtQE.png[/img] [b][u]FULL TITLE[/u][/b] Imperial Merchants Guild [b][u]HEADQUARTERS[/u][/b] Toknam [b][u]LEADERSHIP[/u][/b] The Merchant Council (Nine members.) [b][u]INFLUENCE[/u][/b] Immense [b][u]BASES/OUTPOSTS (GUILD HOUSES)[/u][/b] Bianwei, Shanjing, Yogang, Ludi, Zhongme, Wanhar [b][u]BACKGROUND[/u][/b] With a history that dates back to the final years of the First Emperor the Imperial Merchant Guild’s power has waxed and waned over the generations. From its first arising the guild seemed destined for greatness undeterred until the reign of the dreadful Xiao Yongrui- “the Yellow Moon Emperor” - whose harsh taxes made the guild nearly collapse. After the death of Xiao Yongrui the guild would begin to recover but would suffer through more issues during the corrupt rule of Xiao Yue “The Heathen Emperor” less than two generations later. It was not until the rise of the First Empress Xiao Hien that the guild would entirely return to its former power and prestige. In the last hundred years the Imperial Merchants Guild has truly reached the peak, having guild houses and rich contracts all across the Empire including in Karitu and the southern islands, it’s membership and council positions held by the wealthiest men in the entire realm. Such wealth and power of course is jealously guarded and must be constantly defended, the Merchant Council spending no shortage of coin on armed retinues and spies to give them an advantage in any sort of conflict. The guild is relentless in their contest for more wealth and prestige and many see them as decadent crooks and swindlers of the people. Even so, it cannot be denied that the guilds’ affect on the economy and influx of trade is enough to pacify most who would otherwise see ill of them - most. [/hider] [hider=THE BLACK FANGS] [img]https://i.imgur.com/Cvw50Bf.jpg[/img] [b][u]FULL TITLE[/u][/b] The Black Fang Tong [b][u]HEADQUARTERS[/u][/b] Shanjing [b][u]LEADERSHIP[/u][/b] Anaro Cloud-Eye [b][u]INFLUENCE[/u][/b] Unknown [b][u]BASES/OUTPOSTS[/u][/b] Unknown [b][u]BACKGROUND[/u][/b] The Black Fangs - or “Black Fang Tong” - are a criminal band that first appeared in Shanjing in 390 IE, lead by the relentless and cruel Anaro Cloud-Eye, a ruthless Zauri sellsword said to have a pearl in place of a lost eye. The group is almost entirely made up of Zauri and Mokeu with Folk and Honfokun associates usually only acting as spies and contacts. Anaro and his fellow Zauri are all exiles from the south while most all of the Mokeu are drifters and deserters from warbands in the east. All of the first Mokeu members were scattered remnants of Ang-Pon’s great army seeking a new beginning after his defeat. The Black Fangs first came to attention of authorities in Shanjing after their various acts against prominent citizens of the city and even the Merchant Guild in 390 IE - namely raids on docked ships and port warehouses, extortion of minor nobles, and kidnapping and ransoming of city officials. The following year they began raiding small shipping and passenger vessels along the coast though this would be stopped after Shanjing authorities strengthened coastal defenses soon after. In the years after the Black Fangs would begin to expand their activities down the coastline, robbing small farming communities and trade posts and waylaying traders and army shipments. In 394 IE a large base of the groups’ was found just southwest of Buhar and raided by a group of Free Wardens with Imperial Army support. Most all of Black Fangs present were killed in the fighting and the captured survivors publicly executed in Shanjing though Anaro Cloud-Eye would elude capture. In 396 IE the Black Fang Tong would resurface in Shanjing and in the time after once again become a plague on the southern coast. Ever since then Free Wardens and Shanjing authorities have tried to stamp out the group but to no success. The shadowy Anaro Cloud-Eye holds full authority over the outfit and like him his men and agents are all cold blooded and without mercy. [/hider] [hider=THE WHITE LANTERN] [img]https://i.imgur.com/mgRzryN.jpg[/img] [b][u]FULL TITLE[/u][/b] Following of the White Lantern [b][u]HEADQUARTERS[/u][/b] Unknown [b][u]LEADERSHIP[/u][/b] Unknown [b][u]INFLUENCE[/u][/b] Unknown [b][u]BASES/OUTPOSTS[/u][/b] Unknown [b][u]BACKSTORY[/u][/b] The White Lantern has - as many would say - been a lingering pox upon the Eternal Empire since the early rule of Emperor Xiao Hui. Others would say that they have devotedly served the memory of the gods and look to topple a pretender lineage that has claimed lordship over what is rightfully the gods’ creation. The White Lantern has risen and fallen repeatedly over hundreds of years now, each time they are stamped out and believed gone only to return with renewed zealousness. Considered a cult by most the goal of the White Lantern has always seemed to be the destruction of Xiao rule and the assumed fall of the Eternal Empire itself though what their final outcome is meant to be had always been assumed only, most believing they wish to see a form of religious and spiritual rule over that of law written by man. Others believe they are merely a cult of chaos or perhaps even secret worshippers of the devilish yaoguai. Whatever their motive and belief the White Lantern have always had a bizarre way of swaying people by the thousands - particularly among the peasantry and religious groups. Their members or “flock” has mostly always consisted of mostly Folk with notable enclaves of Honfokun over the years. Few Mokeu or Zauri have ever been known to associate with them. The White Lantern is fanatical in their long lasting goal and in guarding any knowledge of their origins and plans, not to mention ruthless in realizing their ambitions - further cementing the beliefs of many that they are a wicked lot disguised as purists. [/hider][/center]