Jianghu

Magic Level: Medium magic – magic exists but is rare. Only those born with strong Qi roots can wield magic powers. Those who can wield magic powers are known as cultivators. This has led to the rise of sects that hoard arcane knowledge and keep their lineages tightly controlled through selective marriages. Sects: There are 4 major sects: Dragon, Phoenix, Qilin, and Tortoise. Minor sects include Crane, White Tiger, Lion, and Nine-Tailed Fox. Sect Lectures: Each major sect will hold large lectures/educational conferences once every four years (the cycle starts with Dragon, then Phoenix, Qilin, and ends with Tortoise). These conferences are to share general knowledge and give disciples from both major and minor sects a chance to interact with one another in a more social setting. Disciples can use these as opportunities to form alliances across sects. Sect Ranking: Patriarchs and matriarchs are ancient, powerful founders/elders who are revered. The sect leader is the head of the sect. Sect elders are senior members, advisors, and teachers. Within a sect are different rankings. An outer disciple is the lowest level for a cultivator. They only have basic tasks assigned to them, receive fewer resources to better their cultivation, and are focused on foundational cultivation. Inner disciples are intermediate cultivators with better techniques and more important missions. Core disciples are top-tier cultivators and are considered essential assets. Core disciples learn secret techniques, have access to powerful mentors, and have significant privileges. Those who are direct descendants of sect founders are treated like core disciples from birth - they have access to essential assets and secret techniques at an early age. Direct descendants born without power are cast out. Technology: Ancient Eastern Asian technology – castles, manors, steel-forged weapons, crossbows, sailing ships, but no gunpowder. Theme: The world is ruled by the Jade Emperor. Beneath it, powerful sects compete for influence, favor, and glory. Their rivalries fuel intrigue, duels, wars, and dark alliances. All naming conventions should follow wuxia and xianxia elements.

The Jade Empire– the central kingdom, ruled by a single emperor or empress. The sects swear fealty to the Crown but scheme constantly for power. Key Cities & Regions: Vermillion Bridge (Capital): The seat of the Emperor. A sprawling city of jade palaces, stone fortresses, grand manors, and pavilions. The royal court is here, along with the Great Arena where sects duel for honor. The Capital is located at the center of the continent, where all 4 regions described below meet. Lotus Pools: Fertile farmland with many rivers and waterways. Sects here depend on the natural world to help develop their powers through rare herb gardens. The Tortoise Sect is in control of this region. This region is in the Eastern side of the continent. Celestial Mountains: A mountainous region known for its snowy peaks and cold/hot springs that aid in cultivation. The Dragon Sect is in control of this region. This region is located in the Northern side. Southern Jade Wilds: Known for its verdant forests and wild life, the Qilin Sect reigns over this peaceful region located in the South. Silkcoin Harbor: Known for its bustling ports along the western coast, Silkcoin Harbor is the place for commerce and trade. The Phoenix Sect reigns over this region. Sky-Severed Range: Frozen wastes, dotted with ruins of ancient sects and monasteries. Heavenly Waters: A lake of pure water with especially strong Qi in the surroundings. The top disciples of each sect must compete to see who can cultivate their powers by the lake.

Humans: Dominate the monarchy and most sects. Demons: Animals that gain sentience and evolve into powerful human-like forms.

Sect vs. Sect Rivalry – A centuries-long tension. Sects claim that their knowledge is the path to true immortality. Sects constantly fight over honor and glory through the number of demons quelled. Sects will also fight over secret techniques unique to each sect. Duels, assassinations, skirmishes, and even purges flare between them. Players can create their own sects and get rid of current sects. Monster attacks – Demonic beasts, wild spiritual beasts, fiends, ghosts, and bandits constantly harass and/or kill the common people. Sects send out disciples from their schools to quell these monster attacks. Sects may fight over who gets to resolve a request for help, leading to intense rivalries. The Demon Sect Conspiracy – Rumors spread of a sect of corrupted cultivators that follow the demonic/unorthodox path, seeking to corrupt the sects that follow the orthodox path, destroying the balance of yin and yang. Some whisper this sect is supported by one of the major sects.

Magic: Magic is not something you learn — it is something you are born with. Magic is linked to genetics - children between two strong magic users are more likely to have strong magic powers as well. Only those born with the strong Qi roots can shape the arcane. Sects are always seeking out talented people. Training & sects: While anyone gifted may have sparks of talent, true mastery requires training within sect academies. Sects often scout villages for rare talents and hold open trials/tests for anyone to try to find more disciples. Villages will pool resources to send talented people to open trials. Types of Magic: Sect Cultivators: Cultivators that follow a specific set of rules and learn magic through a specific type of training. These cultivators are revered and sought out. Lone Cultivators: Rarely, some cultivators learn magic on their own. Their magic is untamed and wild, but can often be powerful. Lone cultivators are not restricted by the rules of a sect and can wander freely. However, a lone cultivator leads a lonely life and lacks the resources that sect cultivators have. They take on smaller jobs that larger sects might not necessarily do. Religion Each sect propagates specific philosophies and follows strict codes. All sects believe in celestial realms - Heaven, Mortal, and Hell.

The Age of Chaos – Evil roamed the lands, plaguing the people. There was no law, no order. Monsters attacked villages indiscriminately. The Age of Dragons – A group of powerful cultivators came together and brought peace to the land. The leader of this group became the Emperor. The remaining were the founders of the major sects. Peace reigned throughout the empire. The Current Age – An age of scheming and impending crisis, with rumors of ancient threats stirring again. There are several major sects, and under each major sect are hundreds of minor sects.

Currency: Standard D&D coinage (Copper, Silver, Gold, Platinum). Trade Routes: River of Dragons: A massive trade artery connecting the Vermillion Bridge to inland towns. Lotus Pier Ports: Export enchanted goods, rare herbs, and exotic luxuries. Jade Roads: Trade routes from city to city. Sect Wealth: Sects gain standing by controlling mines, farmland, trade routes, or arcane resources.

Imperial Law: The Emperor is mostly an arbitrator, but has some core laws that apply to all sects, though sects interpret and enforce these laws within their own lands. Each sect maintains its own courts and judges, but appeals can be made to the Emperor's High Court in Vermillion Bridge. The Emperor's High Court comprises of the sect leaders across the 4 major sects. Dueling Courts: Many disputes between sects (or within them) are settled through formal duels. These duels are highly ritualized, with referees and witnesses. Winning a duel can bring honor as well as change land ownership, wealth, or titles. Punishments: Common folk: Fines, branding, imprisonment, forced labor. Cultivators: Public humiliation, exile for a sect cultivator, loss of titles, or trial by combat. Execution is rare for direct descendants unless for treason. Society’s View of Cultivators Admiration: Cultivators are seen as both useful and dangerous. They are admired for their strength and bravery, but some cultivators can misuse their powers to hurt others. Common people will apply to different sects in hopes of becoming a disciple of a sect and becoming a proper cultivator. Laws: Dragon Sect Precepts: 1) Master mind, spirit, and law before claw. 2) Power gained without understanding invites deviation. 3) Strength is proven through restraint, not cruelty. 4) Question the world with respect. 5) Do not hide - endure the storm. Tortoise Sect Precepts: 1) Do not seek victory in haste; time itself is our ally. 2) Withstand before striking; survive before conquering. 3) Let the shell be firm, but the heart remain calm. 4)Retreat is wisdom when survival is at stake. Phoenix Sect Precepts: 1) Wealth is fire - control it, or be consumed. 2) When fortunes fall, rise richer than before. 3) Let passion fuel cultivation, not consume it. 4) Shame is a furnace - endure and be remade. 5) From ashes. rise - never cling to what has burned away. Qilin Sect Precepts: 1) Do not draw blood without cause or wisdom. 2) Cultivate virtue before cultivating power. 3)Justice must be firm, yet tempered with mercy. 4)Walk between Heaven and Earth without arrogance. 5)Do no harm where harmony may be preserved. Crane Precepts: A mix between Tortoise and Qilin. White Tiger Precepts: A mix of Dragon and Qilin. Lion Precepts: A mix of Phoenix and Tortoise. Nine-Tailed Fox Precepts: 1) Information is power; silence is its sheath. 2) Truth is precious - lies are tools. Use both wisely. 3)Record everything, trust nothing unverified. 4)See without being seen; hear without being heard. 5) Defend the truth, do not fall victim to lies. Lone Cultivators: Lone cultivators are especially noteworthy. Many sects see them as wasted talent if they do not serve a sect. Some are pressured into becoming a disciple or pressured into marriage to bring their gifts into a sect.

Evil Ghosts: Lingering spirits of the dead that cause havoc among the common people. Disciples of sects can help get rid of these ghosts in two ways: either through resolving the spirit's reason for remaining on the mortal plane, or eradicating the spirit entirely. Demonic beasts: Animals that have gained sentience and evolve into powerful human-like forms or monstrous beasts. NOT ALL DEMONIC BEASTS ARE EVIL. Fiends: Naturally powerful evil spirits or corrupted cultivators who embrace dark paths. Demon Sect: The cultivators who follow the demonic/unorthodox path constantly seek opportunities to corrupt the sects that follow the orthodox path, destroying the balance of yin and yang. Some whisper this sect is supported by one of the major sects.