Hengeyokai

• Goals of the Clan
  
• Internal Structure
  
• Clan Policies
  
• The Emerald Assembly
  
• The Sheltered Waters
  
• Clan Duties
  
• Clan Roster by Duties
  
• Sentai
  
• Renown
  
• Changing Breeds of the Court
  
• Storyteller Data

Goals of the Clan

The few hengeyokai who immigrated to the West, some as curious wanderers, some due to ancient pacts -- or rivalries -- with other immigrating shen -- and settled in Little Asia of Kansas City recognized their problem within a few years. There just weren't enough to organize and provide protection against their local enemies.

When some of the other shen offered the alliance of the Court of Infinite Ages, some hengeyokai were resistant at first. There are some still who will not join, as there are some who may not be invited. Those who join the Court must be more open-minded than many hengeyokai. But then the likelihood of a bigoted isolationist immigrating from the Middle Kingdom for the States is low anyway. The majority of the local hengeyokai now member the Court and their traditions continue still, within the Clan if not the Court at whole.

To date, the hengeyokai are interested in tightening the organization of the Court. The defeat of the Court's regional enemies is also important to the hengeyokai, but its leaders are patient generals. The security of Little Asia's surrounding wilds (and connected spiritscape) and its internal parks is a key purpose for the Clan as well. The Clan is well-manned to carry out these goals.

Internal Structure

The standard gai'nan positions of the Beast-Court are not employed. Instead, the Councillor acts as the Regent. The Minister of War stands as the General and the Minister of the Fabric as the Seer. As the hengeyokai co-exist with other shen, the Historian position is fulfilled by the Ministry of Lore. The Clan makes sure it has at least one Agent in this Ministry, however.

Indeed, not all of the standard Beast-Court features could be employed in the Hengeyokai Clan of this unusual Court. In this Clan, technically, everyone is a courtier. Everyone is an Agent or Minister of something. However, in addition to Courtly duties, the hengeyokai appoint other minor duties to their members. This may range from picking up litter to guarding the Dragon Nest. Those who subscribe to being a Courtier in the hengeyokai sense of the word will be awarded the more important minor duties and be expected to carry them out at all times, no exceptions. Everyone else will have minor duties but will be expected to form a wave or even mountain sentai at some point. Those who already are in mountain sentai are free from this requirement, as they already have the duties of serving in a mountain sentai. Furthermore, the Ministers and Councillor are exempt from this, as they have their coordination and leadership duties to handle.

All full members of Clan Hengeyokai must subscribe to the Path of Emerald Virtue, and are recognized by the Court in this way. Other Fera, whether they are Sunset People allowed to join the Court or whatever, are considered honorary members of Clan Hengeyokai. Their rank and standing is not promoted by the Clan and though it is recognized, honoraries are as guests. These honorary members may not attend Emerald Assemblies. They have no authority in the Clan itself (though they may hold Courtly authority) and must seek recognition of their deeds from their people outside the Court.

Clan Policies

The hengeyokai follow both the Mandates of the Emerald Mother and the Celestial Mandates and policies of the Court of Infinite Ages. They are very alike and should cause no real conflict of interest. Furthermore, Court policy simply reinforces that which is largely common sense or standard shen etiquette.

An unofficial policy of "cautious trust" is employed in regards to the other members of the Court, especially the Chi'n Ta and Rinji Clans. General Bete and hengeyokai-in-general secrets as well as local secrets (like the location or even existence of the Heartstone) are not to be shared with the Courtmates. Nor may non-hengeyokai attend hengeyokai proceedings like the Emerald Assembly without expressed permission of the Councillor (an unlikely proposition).

The Emerald Assembly

The Emerald Assembly, often just called Assembly, is the equivelent of the Garou moot. This ritualistic ceremony reaffirms the hengeyokai's loyalty to the Clan, Court, and the Emerald Mother. It provides a medium to discuss current affairs and a means for social advancement -- or punishment. Each Beast-Court has its own version of this Assembly, initiated by the Rite of the Emerald Assembly (same system as the Moot Rite). The hengeyokai of the Court of Infinite Ages hold their Assemblies every 1st quartar of the month's half-moon (this is near the beginning or end of the month). It can be split into four distinct portions: the Opening Ceremony, the Worldly Songs, the Spirit Dance, and the Festival Hunt.

Opening Ceremony

Before this part even begins, the Councillor (or another) will link the entire group together mentally with the Waking Dream of Unity Gift. Most communication is done by telepathy. The hengeyokai then arrange themselves in the gathering place in the appropiate formation. The group forms a crescent circle, the Councillor (and Elder Mori behind) stand in front of the group facing them, while the Ministers stand ahead of the Agents. The Agents arrange themselves in rows by Rank, the highest Rank standing just behind the Ministers. The Agents and Ministers bow to one another. Then the Ministers turn and lead the Agents in a returned bow to the Councillor. Everyone then changes to Breed form and sits (meditation-style if Homid). The Councillor recites the Mandates of the Emerald Mother and the Court's (so far) short history. In time, as the Court grows more experienced, the Councillor can emphasize the Mandates less and the history more.

The Worldly Songs

This part of the Assembly involves the temporal affairs of the hengeyokai. A Secretary of the Assembly writes the "minutes". The first order of business is the Councillor's announcement of any new policy. As this depends on necessity, it is not regular and may often be skipped over. Any new policies he dictates may not be questioned til the open discussion. The next order of sequence is for the Ministers to discuss any issues relating to their Ministries of War, Relations, and the Fabric. Then the open discussion takes place. Here anyone can speak out about anything, so long as it's appropiate for Assembly discussion. Hengeyokai speak deferring to those of higher Rank, and so the order in which people speak begins at the highest Rank and continues down, from Silver to Wood.

After the open discussion, the accomplishments part is reached. Each member, again in order by Rank, may speak up and make any claims to temporary Renown by announcing the appropiate deeds performed. The member need not have a witness though it is wise to have one. If the person does not have a witness, when and if a Rite of Accomplishment is performed (whether it's that Assembly or another) anyone can speak out against the character's claim to the permanent Renown point. Follow the normal system for Renown-questioning during this Rite. Since a witness isn't required, however, many hengeyokai forego bothering with a witness. Spirits do count as witnesses though (just be sure to drag them along to the Assembly)! After each person speaks, the Councillor will commend the person (and the temporary Renown may be marked down on the character sheet). If appropiate, the Councillor will perform -- or appoint another (such as a Minister) -- the Rite of Accomplishment (and the character may transfer 10 points of temporary Renown to permanent). After everyone who has claims to Renown has spoken, Rank successions are announced and the appropiate badge awarded. However, Rank challenges are not made or done during Assemblies without a special request/permission from the Councillor or Elder Mori. At last, punishments are done. Firstly, the Councillor addresses individual Renown losses. He receives word of his lower-ranked brethren's misdeeds from fellow hengeyokai (who are tested by Truth of Gaia) and spirit contacts. His judgement is not questioned and the Renown losses cannot be appealed (the player marks off the appropiate Renown now). After Renown losses, the Councillor then addresses any special transgressions made, and then enacts the punishment (usually a Punishment Rite). The accused may plea but the Councillor has final authority. He is advised to allow no more than ten minutes discussion; judgement among even the Beast-Courts is swift and made as painless as possible to all involved. Punishment on the other hand may be extremely painful. The punishment always fits the crime.

The Spirit Dance

This portion of the Assembly praises the Totem-spirit of their Dragon Nest, the Sheltering Waters. The Totem is the Earth-Wurm, an avatar of the Celestial Dragons. The Dance involves everyone changing to homid form. A hymn of praise to the dragon is performed. The Minister of the Fabric initiates it and the rest of the group joins in slowly, in order by Rank (except that the Councillor and Elder Mori join in last). Humming is permitted in case a character's talent lies elsewhere, but the leader of the hymn must be able to carry a tune! Halfway through the hymn, all of those who can Reach into the Umbra do so, and continue the hymn in the Mirror Land. Those who are earth-bound continue to sing where they stand. The tune is moving and passionate -- patriotic, even.

The Festival Hunt

The hymn concludes with everyone changing to their animal forms and creating a cacophony of elated animal sounds, a praise to Gaia as the hengeyokai remember their bestial roots. Then the hengeyokai speed out of the gathering place, spreading out as far as the borders of the bawn in the Mirror Land and real world alike, hunting down anything in their path -- animal, human, and spirit alike. In the case of spirits, the appropiate Rite is performed afterward (the Rite of Contrition or even Prayer for the Prey suffices).

Only Courtmates may not be killed, and doing so even by accident results in the harshest punishment (of course, Courtmates are advised to stay indoors this time of the month...). After one hour of hunting, the Councillor calls all hengeyokai back to recongregate in the gathering place. The Councillor then instructs all to return to their sitting places in Breed form and meditate. The meditation lasts at least an hour. Sometimes, the Councillor will propose a question or riddle for the hengeyokai to ponder, but normally the meditation is for the shapeshifters to think upon themselves. They should accept their true natures but not lose themselves in their bestiality and Rage, and this meditation helps bring them back to their senses.

At the culmination of the Assembly, each member of the Clan offers a tribute of energy (at least one point of Gnosis) to the Earth-Wurm Totem and their Dragon Nest, invigorating it for another month.

The Sheltered Waters

The Dragon Nest, or Caern, of the Sheltered Waters is a recent creation. The ritual to build the site of power was performed by Minister Ikomo Tadeo, with the entire Clan and even Court supporting the battle against the inevitable onslaught of Yomi. The site description of the Dragon Nest can be found here. This section just provides the OOC information.

Level: 2

Type: Honor & Unity

Totem: Earth-Wurm (Terrestial Dragon)

Base Wall (Gauntlet): 4
          Bawn: Here the Gauntlet is thinner than most places. In the underground caverns nearest the Inner Chamber, the Wall can be as weak as 5. Most of the bawn territory, however, rates a steady 6. This is before any feng shui construction is applied.
          Heart: The heart of the Dragon Nest is found in the Inner Chamber. Here the Wall is nearly non-existent; hengeyokai who cannot normally step sideways may do so here provided they have placated the spirits in proper fashion. The few Courtmates given permission (by the Councillor or Elder and ultimately the Earth-Wurm) to access the Dragon Nest may benefit in similar fashion. Di Shen (earth elementals) are especially responsive to the hsien, for example, and chi'n ta can take advantage of the Dragon Nest's primal and creative "Wyld"/Dynamic Resonance.

Earth-Wurm's Bestowments: Successfully appealing to the Earth-Wurm (via the Rite of Dragon Nest Opening) allows the hengeyokai to add dice to his Rituals or Leadership rolls and any activity concerning the Celestial Mandates or hengeyokai traditions. Alternately, the Earth-Wurm may bestow one or two points of Strength or Stamina upon the benefactor so he may be as strong and steady as the earth.

Clan Duties

The following are the current "minor" courtier tasks assigned to any member of Clan Hengeyokai who does not hold a leadership position (Minister or Councillor) or serves in a mountain sentai. These tasks are not optional in the usual strict obligatory rule of the hengeyokai. Performing them earns the shapeshifter honor in the Clan and Court's eyes, but failing to perform them strips the renown just as readily.

In OOC terms, in order to earn the 1 temporary point of Virtue for "performing monthly chores", the player must take the initiative. In the same manner descriptive posts are made to the mailing lists to earn "automatic" XP, once a month the hengeyokai player must make such a post to the Hengeyokai mailing list if that Renown is desired. Honoraries are exempt from this as they cannot earn Renown in the eyes of those who follow the Path of Emerald Virtue anyway.

• Battle Tutor: The Battle Tutor's task is to instruct his fellow hengeyokai, particularly any cubs or kits, in the methods of down-and-dirty tooth-n-claw combat that the shapeshifters are better known for than the human fisticuffs and martial arts.
  
  
• Caretaker of the Land: The Caretaker's mission is to insure the constant cleanliness of the Dragon Nest and its surrounding lands. The Caretaker disposes of any litter, tends to the landscape, and observes the local environment.
  
  
• Dragon's Page: The Page's job is fairly simple. She is to deliver messages and run other minor errands for the Councillor or Elder Mori.
  
  
• Eye of the Dragon: This scouting position requires that the hengeyokai act as sentinel in the hengeyokai's territory. Any trouble or unwanted intruder is immediately reported to the representative gai'nan of the Clan.
  
  
• Guardian of the Sheltered Waters: The Guardians' traditional duty is to diligently watch over the Dragon Nest and protect it and the Clan from enemies.
  
  
• Honorary: This is the simple and respectful title given to any Sunset People who member Clan Hengeyokai but do not follow the Path of Emerald Virtue.
  
  
• Master of the Hunt: Traditionally given unto Tengu, the Master's job comes into play only once a month during the Assembly and the Festival Hunt specifically. He must observe his brethren and make sure they do not violate the Festival with ignominous deeds (like pouncing a Courtmate) as well as make sure no humans may stumble across the event and thereby threaten the Veil.
  
  
• Reeve of the River: An important extrapolation of the Caretaker, the Reeve's mission is to care specifically for the neighboring Blue River. It is to be regularly purified via the appropiate rituals. Water Elementals were bound to the stretch of river bordering Yamahasu to keep it that much healthy. Each Reeve must donate Gnosis (one point a week) to the Elementals for sustenance.
  
  
• Secretary of the Assembly: The Secretary's task takes place normally once a month during the Emerald Assembly. She takes notes, minutes, on all that is discussed or transpires during the Worldly Songs. They may also be called upon to act as general loremasters for the Clan. If they don't know what the Clan needs to know, it's their job to research and find out.
  
  

Clan Roster by Duty

Elder:Yamakita Mori
Councillor: Hirasaki Kenko
Ministers: Gotetsu Hironue, Ikomo Tadeo, L'Amour Shining Deer
Assistant Ministers: Adri Gan Khon, Silence, Yi-Yin Li

Mountain Sentai (Lanterns): none
Mountain Sentai (Fists): none
Mountain Sentai (Mirrors): none
Mountain Sentai (Leaves): none
Mountain Sentai (Pillars): none

Battle Tutors: Oichi Kitabatake
Caretakers of the Land: Kindra Song-of-Warrior, Nariko Haikumo
Dragon's Page: Kimi Maeda, Lotus-Burns-Black
Eyes of the Dragon: Alicia Collins, Hotaru, Night Light
Guardians of the Sheltered Waters: Hansha, Kazuo Sasaki
Honoraries: Ryu Sucker-Bet, Shinrai Takekuki
Masters of the Hunt: Kosuke Sonada, Zenji
Reeves of the River: Kazuma "Hadji" Kawajiri, Shizmazu Kame
Secretaries of the Assembly: Carol An Liu, Otami Hiroshima

(Pending): Fang Yin

Sentai

Currently, Clan Hengeyokai has no mountain sentai. They will be allowed to develop naturally so the hengeyokai learn who they work best with (and players). Sample purposes for a mountain sentai could focus on war, spirit world interaction, espionage, diplomacy, guardianship of a certain place or artifact, exploration, and lore-gathering.

Wave sentai are may be appointed at emergency necessity. However, the Court at whole employs standing "wave sentai", the ERTs (Emergency Response Teams), that involve a mix of everyone in the Court per group.

The organization of mountain sentai is detailed in Hengeyokai. This section reviews and presents at once what can be read in various pieces in that supplement. Traditionally, a mountain sentai numbers five members. Each member corresponds to an astrologically and auspiciously correct position. Wave Sentai normally are temporary matters and though the most auspicious arrangement is sought, it is not so necessary. Below is an outline of the positions in a sentai. Note the similarities and differences between the sentai and both the Western werewolf pack and Kuei-jin Wu.

I. Auspices
Each member has a traditional Auspice within the sentai. They are as follows, with the Garou Auspice to which they most closely correspond listed thereafter. It's important to remember, however, that warriors do not necessarily dominate hengeyokai society. Thus, whichever member is most qualified for a current dilemma at hand is given leadership of the sentai. During "down-time" and most general occasions, however, the Lantern is the sentai leader.

          Lantern (Philodox)
          Fist (Ahroun)
          Mirror (Theurge)
          Leaf (Ragabash)
          Pillar (Galliard)

II. Elements
Each member of an sentai is also given an Element that best suits his role and nature. When referring to their Elemental role, hengeyokai state the Element+Talon. E.g., "Fire-Talon". Like many other beliefs, the hengeyokai have their own slanted views on elements. Below are the five Elements and the Auspice to which they most commonly correspond. Of course, these are not mandatory references. A sentai's Fist may better relate to the strength and endurance of the Earth while the Lantern with a fiery charisma may subscribe to the flame.

          Water (Lantern)
          Fire (Fist)
          Moon (Mirror)
          Air (Leaf)
          Earth (Pillar)

III. Directions Each member of a sentai is also given a cardinal Direction that best suits his role and nature. When referring to their Directional role, hengeyokai state the Direction+Wind. E.g., "South-Wind". Below are the five cardinal Directions and the Auspice to which they most commonly correspond. Again, these are not mandatory applications. Directional and Elemental roles are awarded based the most on personality. Since Auspice is also based on the character's personality as well as abilities, the common correspondences don't often need to change. The strictly traditional hengeyokai like it that way.

          North (Lantern)
          South (Fist)
          West (Mirror)
          East (Leaf)
          Center (Pillar)

Within the Hengeyokai Clan, other familial organizations have begun to rise. These groups are geared towards specific Changing Breeds. Possibilities include an Ananasi Colony (of course the few Damhan involved are all considered Honoraries in the Clan), a Tengu Murder, and a Zhong Lung (Mokole) Wallow. These family units, termed shizu, may also include Kinfolk in the Court (who technically member Clan Jinrui) and these groups thus cross Clan-lines.

Renown

Below is a link to a standardized Renown chart for hengeyokai of any Beast-Court. It based loosely on the Garou's Renown chart, with space given for the fact that the hengeyokai number a variety of different Changing Breeds.

Storytellers must arbitrate by circumstance whether a shapechanger has earned any Renown, as well as what kind and how much. Players cannot be allowed to dictate their own Renown by pointing to this chart, though players are free to remind their Storytellers that Renown awards may be available. Remember, of course, that the duties of each Breed will affect the amount of Renown one gets for particular activities. This is also noted in more detail after the chart. Note that in many cases, less Renown than Garou normally receive is awarded. The Beast-Courts are very expectant of their members and thus stingier with Renown.

To see the hengeyokai Renown chart, go here.

Changing Breeds of the Court

Below is a list of the Changing Breeds and where applicable Tribes acceptable to the Beast-Courts and particularly this Court. But not all shapechangers can join the Court of Infinite Ages. For example, Nezumi are true hengeyokai but would not even want to join the Court of Infinite Ages nor would they be invited. They're far too anti-human (and this sentiment has been made known in the past year or two...). Also, obviously, Same-Bito would not be found in a Court this far inland. Kumo are rarely members of any Beast-Court and this Court holds no tolerance whatsoever to servants of Yomi. Proper Ananasi, of course, would be forbidden to take up the Path of Emerald Virtue. Nagah are too secretive to join a multi-shen Court. As far as the Garou go, due to their global presence almost any Tribe may have Asian members or Kin. However, the Tribes below are the only ones truly native to Zhongguo (the Middle Kingdom). The only exception are the Honglang (Red Talons), who would not want to join nor would they be invited, for the same reasons as the Nezumi. Here is a list of those shapeshifters, however, that do fit the bill. Next to each Breed and/or Tribe is listed the total number of current characters of that type. This is for players who want to play a type of hengeyokai not often played or are afraid to play something "overdone". It should be noted that unless numbers reach a ridiculous peak, there are no "population restrictions". (These numbers do not count Honoraries.) So feel free to play what you want, as per the list below.

This list does not preclude the possibility -- however slim it tends to be -- that a Western shapeshifter takes up the Great Burden and joins the Beast-Courts. It should happen in the course of the game. No "enlightened Get of Fenris", please.

I. Garou (7)
A. Hakken (Shadow Lords) (2)
B. Boli Zousizhe (Glass Walkers) (1)
C. Xing Kanmengou (Stargazers) (2)
D. Wantong (Bone Gnawers)
E. Yanlanjinshen (Uktena) (1)
F. Dadi Ertong (Children of Gaia) (1)

II. Bastet (2)
A. Khan (1)
B. Bagheera (1)

III. Corax (5)
A. Tengu (5)

IV. Mokole (5)
A. Zhong Lung (5)
B. Makara

V. Kitsune (4)

Fringe troupes for specific Asian Changing Breeds, such as a Nezumi Deceit or Nagah Nest, may be underway or in the works. Special permission must be obtained to play any sort of shapechanger in the Court besides the ones listed above.

Storyteller Data

Shooter is the Werewolf Troupe Storyteller. An ULAG site dedicated to the hengeyokai is completed. Here are the contacts:

Shooter: pheline@terra.com.br
Hengeyokai Site: http://www.dashooter.hpg.ig.com.br/IA/index.html

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