Introduction
In the distance, thunder rumbles. Lightning flashes. Funnels whirl. A storm of epic and terrifying force gathers. Tall trees over moss-coated floors, cool waters over mud-banked shores, faded brownstone over cracked asphalt -- the dual-state city of Kansas City stands at a cusp in geography and Destiny. Many powers play the great game of tug-o'-war throughout the city but none take the time to step back and see both the forest and the trees -- until now. Through the entrancing zodiac gate, within the fresh district of Little Asia, new, supermodern buildings tower over old, crumbling edifices. Beautifully-designed gardens stand side-by-side with pounding tech-music clubs. Mega-corporations and financial giants shoulder simple but stupifyingly gorgeous temples and shrines. Feng shui is the name of architecture, efficiency is the name of business, and syncretionism is the name of religion. Reverence for the old ways mingles with respect for the new. If Little Asia bears any mars, it is the bigotry held towards the rest of the dreary city. But that is a flaw that must wait to be remedied. The dragon lines are pulsing and the spirits hiss, moan, and whisper tidings of poor auspice. The shen, the keepers of the old ways, gather...
Nekoko, dark-souled and ambitious willworker, brilliant and visionary mage, chi'n ta of many colors, steps from the northern gales. Lao Di, wise and serene hsien, enlightened and benevolent changeling, Shinma of immense fortitude and grace, rests in the calm center of the tempest. From the quiet western drafts lingers Wong Tsung, quiet and introspective immortal, urbane and gentle Reborn Dead, Hsien-ren of antiquity and inspired genius. The warm winds of the south usher forth Mori, an ancient and serene seer, a wise and terrible changing phantom, a Middle Dragon and the keeper of the Memory. And from the protective vibrance of the east comes Ting An, a simple man of humility, a warrior of unmatched skill and restraint, the watchful legacy of Yi the Archer -- the Shih. Each of these elders will have a different part to play in the new conglomerate, but each has a voice that carries the command that must be heard and obeyed.
Nekoko addresses her brethren first. "We stand in a new epoch. The degredation and abuse of humanity has resulted in an explosion of anti-supernatural violence. The Subtle Thunders are knocking down the walls of every supernatural citadel they can find, and most that fall rightly deserve it. Too many forget the old ways and our purpose for being. Meanwhile, the Kin-jin and Kuei-jin alike exploit mankind through their ancient machinations. Foolish shen in the West and East alike indirectly help both the undead and the Yomi through their clannish conflicts. The Yama Kings chortle with glee and prey on everyone. America is a melting pot that is still boiling. We shen are at great risk here. The clannishness of the Fourth Age failed. The brutality of the Fifth Age is, to put it mildly, counter-productive. It is time to reach back to a distant time, when wisdom guided the hands of the children of heaven."
And so Mori speaks softly. "In the Third Age, it was not unthinkable for the shen to gather in a single Court and share resources, all to a single purpose. If we do not consider this option, we may not last to see and combat the horror of the approaching Sixth Age."
Wong Tsung agrees. "We must take care that we keep the August Personage's will in all things. I remember too when such Courts stood glorious and mighty against the tides of corruption. The spirits of the dead abound in vast numbers in this city. They cry out for a just reign. I believe it is up to us to give hope and justice to the memory of the past and the welfare of the future."
And Ting An comments, "If it is the way of the shen to protect humanity from both demons and themselves in all the myriad ways of the shen, then it must be the duty of the Shih to watch over the shen in the same manner. In this, harmony can be found. I see no wrong in the suppositions of such a Court."
At last, Lao Di nods. "The old ways and beliefs will be hard to forget. But there is a more ancient law still to which we must all bow, and that is the Will of Heaven. In the spirit of necessity and hope, such a Court seems auspicious indeed."
Nekoko regards her peers. "Then let us address how this Court will be organized, so that it may stand for many more eras, and so that it will see the infinite number of ages the gods promise."
OOC Background of the CoIA Troupe
The CoIA (Court of Infinite Ages) Troupe began in November of 2000 on the official White Wolf HTML chat site. Initially, its players hailed from those who frequented the Streets of Little Asia chat room but flocked from all over the site in short time. The visionary behind this gaming group is Cam. Utilizing the elder mage character, Nekoko, Cam pushed the CoIA Troupe both IC (in character) and OOC (out-of-character) and was soon established with dozens of players. There were multiple OOC reasons for the development of this troupe.
One of the most important reasons numbers as a problem that has always plagued the online Year of the Lotus players: lack of OOC structure and lack of active Storylines in which to participate. Given how so few people, both players and characters, numbered among each group of shen (Chi'n Ta, Hengeyokai, Hsien, et cetera), a single entity was necessary. In the past, it was assumed that each smaller part composed a separate game but made a whole, for the Little Asia gamers. Unfortunately, this did not hold true. A single Court, a single game, was necessary for the bulk of the Little Asia gamers. Even now, with more organization occurring in Little Asia outside of the CoIA Troupe, there is very little going on.
But another concern was the "perpetual consensual freeform crossover role-playing environment". Based on various observations, it became clear that...it doesn't work. Hence, the CoIA Troupe was slowly moved towards official isolation from the rest of the "Universal Necropolis Game" (as if such a thing exists). In time, the moderated site became a dividing issue in Little Asia. The CoIA Troupe and a slightly smaller portion of the Little Asia gamers became divided over what Little Asia should do as a whole. Some wanted to go to the moderated site and force Revised-compliance upon all Little Asia players. Others preferred to stay unmoderated (semi-moderated, at least), while being able to choose between 2nd edition or Revised. Most just wanted to role-play and forget the OOC arguments. But they could not be forgotten. The split eventually occurred and remains to this day.
However, the CoIA Troupe is far from in trouble as a result. On the contrary, it is stronger and more fortified than ever. Various OOC policies were installed to protect the members of the Troupe from the problems of the "perpetual consensual freeform crossover roleplaying" nightmare while yet retaining player freedoms as expected on an unmoderated roleplaying site. The game continues to experience a steady growth in both quantity and quality. Come what may, the Court of Infinite Ages has a bright future, guided by players and Storytellers who have learned to temper vision and tenacity with fair play.
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