Hsien

  • Dual-Courts
  • Clan Roster: Camps & Ranks
  • Gatherings
  • Hui T'ung
  • Chi & Tao Progression
  • I Chih
  • New Hirayanu
  • Storyteller Data


Dual-Courts


The original Shinma leader, Regent Lao Di, joined with Nekoko and the other elder visionaries of the Court, and brought many willing hsien with him. However, it is not only acceptable but traditional that the Shinma member more than one Court at the same time. The Shinma in Little Asia may choose to be members of the Court of Infinite Ages and/or members of the Jade Lodge. The Jade Lodge is a seperate, smaller organization in Little Asia that includes only hsien.

Some Shinma in the Court of Infinite Ages also member the Lodge, while others belong to only the Court. There are also a few who only belong to the Jade Lodge. There is no great animosity between the Court and Lodge. Conveniently, hsien who choose to belong to the Jade Lodge as well will find that their current Regent, Wah Sing Ku, is also their Clan Councillor in the Court.

Even hsien who are not a part of the Lodge of Jade may often be able to pick up rumors and events occuring in the Lodge that may be of some interest. Thus, all hsien players are invited to be on the Jade Lodge mailing list, regardless of their character's IC status with the Lodge. To be added to this mailing list, contact Soren, the ULAG Changeling Troupe Storyteller (see below).

Clan Roster: Camps & Ranks


The Hsien Clan, like the hsien at large, is divided into two "camps" -- the elemental "nobles", the kamuii, and the ferocious (or just precocious) animal "commoners", the hirayanu. A Councillor whom may be of either "camp" but is generally elected based on personal experience and Rank, oversees the entire Clan. A Delegate is chosen for each "camp" based on the same factors. The Delegates may act in the Councillor's place when he is absent. These persons' main job, however, is to hear and represent his fellow Shinma's concerns, interests, and wishes, and convey them to the Councillor.

Rank (a Trait determined by adding one's permanent Yin+Yang scores) is an important overriding factor of status in hsien society. It demonstrates an internal balance, personal ability, and inner strength. Regardless of political status, hsien of higher Rank are given great respect. Their commands are rarely taken lightly and usually obeyed by Shinma of lesser Rank. Of course, the closer one's Rank, the less deference expected. A Rank 15 Shinma can ask a favor of a Rank 8 and expect it to be carried out. But a Rank 10 won't necessarily get the same reaction from the Rank 8. Shinma can intuitively detect each others' Rank with a Perception+Shentao (difficulty 8) roll. Pakua does not affect this roll, though ancient and wise hsien who like to travel in disguise as humble old crones develop clever illusions to this end.

So each "camp" is further ordered by Rank. Eventually, the "camps" will be further organized by elemental affinities. Currently, there just aren't enough hsien to represent each element adequately. Also listed below are the few Waigoren (Western changelings) who member the Court. They may or may not be invited to Gatherings and participate in other hsien activities -- it's up to the Councillor. They are guests and while they hold the same rights as other Courtmates, they may not share the same Clan rights.

Councillor: Wah Sing Ku

Kamuii

Delegate: Ming Bo Lien (Rank 13)

Shinma

  • Wah Kadan (Rank 11)
  • Anela Wu (Rank 10)
  • Kabali "Agni" Mohenjo (Rank 10)
  • Yuen Dao-Zi (Rank 10)

    Hirayanu


    Delegate: Tsuki Sotatsu (Rank 12)

    Shinma

  • Kano Choshin (Rank 12)
  • Liao Khan Zhi Hui (Rank 10)
  • Yasui Reiko (Rank 10)
  • Han Phat (Rank 9)
  • Chiao Teng (Rank 8)
  • Mui-Ho Huang (Rank 8)


Gatherings


Once a month, the hsien of the Court of Infinite Ages gather to discuss relative issues, hail local cultural heroes, and invigor themselves. Their Gatherings tend to be exciting events, minor fairs even. The kamuii and hirayanu take this opportunity to show off any of their latest artwork, hold philosophical debates, and discuss Oriental theology. Musicians, normally traditional Asian musicians, may play tunes and provide a merry show. The gatherings may last a few hours or an entire night. They are always revels worth attending, and many other Courtmates from the other Clans often hope to be invited.

However, not all Gatherings are parties. The more serious Shinma often hold their own meetings in quieter places. The usual planners and managers of these events include Mui-Ho Huang, Fujimon-Chiao Teng, Kabali "Agni" Mohenjo, and Anela Wu. The revels are usually held at the Ling Estate (go here for a setting description), while the more serious Gatherings may be held in the Yamahasu Pagoda or in a temple along the Ten Do.

Hui T'ung


The hsien are encouraged to form hui t'ung (motleys). These hui t'ung must be limited to their respective Courts. That is, only Court of Infinite Ages hsien may be in a hui t'ung formed in the Court of Infinite Ages. The above refers only to hui t'ung that are formed for specific roles within the Court of Infinite Ages. Court hsien who are part of the Lodge of Jade are still free to join with non-Court Shinma. These "mixed" hui t'ung will simply have no recognition or standing within the Court.

Any of these hui t'ung have no special privileges or political powers in the Court, nor do they have any additional responsibilities. Each hui t'ung, however, may have its own duties and responsibilities. The groups are normally self-appointed and directed. Special, usually temporary hui t'ung may be formed at the Councillor's request to deal with a certain issue that concerns the Court's hsien in particular.

Many potential themes and purposes can define a hui t'ung. It's left to the imagination of the hsien (and players) involved.

Chi & Tao Progression


A hsien's Yang and Yin Chi scores, as well as her Tao score, are traits subjected to a system of faith and creativity. In short, increasing these traits like any traits online is at least partly bound by the "honor system" -- that one will not cheat and award one's self Chi or Tao checks for no reason, or even poor reasons. These three traits directly correspond to the character's personal enlightenment, affect his magical prowess, and even increase his personal status in hsien society.

To help players better keep track of their own characters' develop and to let the Storyteller more efficiently observe this development, a new OOC system is required to better serve the game. This system is simple. Upon achieving a permanent point of Yin, Yang, or Tao, by acquiring the 10 temporary "checks" as the book demands, the player must report this increase to his Hsien Clanmates on their mailing list. The report should appear similar to the following example:

Kano Choshin rises in the eyes of his fellow Shinma as bright and active energies increase in his magic and display in his behavior. Harkening back over what proceeded this development, Kano realizes he grew in the Way by...

  • Fulfilling his Yang Legacy's Ban by refusing to let distractions interfere with dedication to his cause: mastery of the martial arts. Because of that, he picked up several new, potent techniques.
  • For besting a powerful vampire in life-or-death combat.
  • For catching a glimpse of the Yang World's Mirror Lands when a chi'n ta used powerful magicks to temporarily knock down the Wall."


And so forth, reporting for each individual Yang, Yin, or Tao check. In short, players should now record the reasons they earn any Yin, Yang, or Tao checks.

I Chih


Numerous individual spells are possible to the inventive hsien player's mind. Here is a link to a list of spells that Soren has approved:

I Chih

New Hirayanu


Five new kwannon-jin approved for ULAG usage! Check 'em out!

New Hirayanu

But slots are limited! The number of these new hirayanu breeds that will be approved is based upon how many "standard" hirayanu are in play. There must be at least two of each "standard" hirayanu for the new breed of the corresponding element to be approved. For every two "standard" hirayanu, another slot becomes available. Thus, for one Jurong character slot to become available, at least two Nyan must be approved for the ULAG game. Here are the current available slots:

  • Gudai: 0 (1 Hanumen)
  • Jurong: 1 (3 Nyan)
  • Ryoken: 0 (2 Tanuki) (one approved!)
  • Shui Ta: 0 (1 Heng Po)
  • Utaki: 1 (2 Fu-Hsi)

    Storyteller Data


    The ULAG Changeling Troupe Storyteller is Soren. A ULAG site dedicated to the hsien is completed. Here are the contacts:

    Soren: merinita@yahoo.com
    Hsien Site: http://www.oocities.org/freemage/Cellar/Hsien.html

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