Overview of the Court of Infinite Ages

Location: Little Asia, Kansas City, Kansas/Missouri border. Primary headquartars is the Yamahasu Pagoda, located northwest from the South Gate of Little Asia, on the outskirts of town overlooking the Missouri River. Other bases exist throughout Little Asia.

Purpose: The first purpose of this Court is to establish an organized union of the shen of Little Asia -- at least, of those shen who are not already organized. It observes the normal modes of courtly etiquette and seeks acceptable terms with the local Kuei-jin Court. Its underlying purpose, however, is to establish and display the fact that the shen can live in relative harmony. Part of the effort that unifies the Court is the overwhelming presence of Kin-jin in the city. Since this barbaric and corrupt antagonist is not likely to go away, it gives the Court a strong bond. The establishment of peaceful inter-shen relations, a bulwark against the intrusive Kin-jin, and the security of the local Sleepers are all goals of this Court.

Make-Up: The Court is made up of all sorts of shen and mortals alike. The Court is an attempt to organize the scattered shen of this region. Although relations are normally strained between these various races, the genocidal hatred present between races in the West is not seen in the East. Furthermore, the necessity (an OOC necessity as much as IC) creates the rationale for these many shen and even Shih demon hunters to work closely together. As the Kuei-jin were largely organized into their own Court, none are presented in the Court of Infinite Ages. Not to mention that inter-shen tolerance goes only so far, and the Hungry Dead push the limits too much for the tastes of most other shen. However, chi'n ta, hsien, hengeyokai, Asian wraiths, mortals -- even Shih, and others do make up the Court's ranks. No one is "just a member"; all are awarded at least minor titles and status, and with this status comes responsibility.

As this Court was erected in an American city, the presence of Westerners is (unfortunately to some) unavoidable. Furthermore, it may even be beneficial to host a few Western shen in the Court in order to understand (though not emulate, of course!) their ways more effectively. They can also provide links to Western "courts" for diplomatic purposes. Any Westerner given the honor of an invitation to the Court is expected to be on his best behavior at all times in the Court and Little Asia. He must strive to learn and follow the social protocols of the shen and remember at all times that he is a guest, and may find himself treated as an outsider. Just because a Hermetic is allowed to join does not mean he will be initiated into the mysteries of the Go Kamisori Gama. Nor may the Shinma invite Waigoren to their secret meetings. Any Westerners should expect some measure of isolation at most times, but will always be treated fairly and honorably.

Infrastructure: There are five primary seats. Each person who sits on a seat is a chosen representative of his respective race of shen, and makes decisions based on her race's ideas and opinions. There is one for the chi'n ta, one for the hsien, one for the hengeyokai, one for mortals (including Shih and hedge mages), and one for wraiths and any other Asian shen (wraiths, dhampyrs, Reborn, Risen, etc.). The races are often known as (for brevity's sake), the Clans. Each of these seats were granted the title Councillor. This is the Council of Five. The Council corresponds, for the purpose of auspice and joss (fortune), to the Five-Element Theory. Cardinal direction, elemental nature, and much more figures into this rationale. It may simply be superstitious astrology, but superstition plays a larger part in the Hidden World than some would like to admit...

Above the Council sits two positions, the two High Elders, whose power is kept in check by the Council and each other. Though the Elders may veto any actions the Council decides upon, they risk disfavor and usurpment. Neither the Elders, Councillors, or Ministers (see below) are given new elections regularly. One is chosen to serve in this position and given that position til she fails it or abuses. There is no rule as to which shen can or cannot be Elder, though it generally falls to the most able and powerful of the Court. There is only one rule guiding who members the Elders. To effect the harmony of Yin and Yang, one must be female, the other male. Again superstition?

Below the Council are all the other members of the Court. The Council is to decide whom among these ranks serve as Ministers. Each Minister is given an important duty within the Court's considerations, depending greatly on the Minister's race. For example, one of the hsien Ministers may be the Minister of the Land, and his duties would include the care-taking of all land and landscapes under the Court's jurisdiction -- namely, Little Asia. Each Clan is given over one to three Ministries to care for, and two Ministers are appointed to each (and some Ministries are divided further into Sub-Ministries), as follows:

          The Clan of Chi'n Ta: Ministry of Education, Ministry of Lore, Ministry of Omens
          The Clan of Hsien: Ministry of Culture, Ministry of the Land, Ministry of Welfare           (Health/Serenity)
          The Clan of Hengeyokai: Ministry of the Fabric, Ministry of Relations, Ministry of War
          The Clan of Jinrui (unAwakened humans): Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Justice           (Prevention/Punition)
          The Clan of Rinji (other Eastern shen): Ministry of Secrets (Information/Observation)

As noted above, the Council chooses their respective Ministers, and elect two for each Ministry. Generally, one Minister is given greater authority than the other. The second Minister, entitled Assistant Minister, is considered a vice-executive. He or she fills in when the primary Minister is not present or incapable of filling that position. Should the primary Minister leave the Court one way or another, the secondary typically succeeds him and a new vice-executive is usually elected from the Agents (see below). Both Ministers have authority over the Agents in their capacity, but the Minister can overrule the Assistant Minister. There are no Sub-Ministers.

Below each Minister are the rest of the Court's members, known collectively as Agents. Each Agent serves under a Minister in a certain area. It is not necessary that every Agent be of the same race as the Minister in question and often this will not be the case. There may be times where shen serve under Shih or even normal mortals! A final position exists, but does not possess any authority within the Court. Diplomats from other Courts or supernatural organizations may attend the Court of Infinite Ages. These ambassadors are chosen by the Elders but are subject to review by the Council. Each member of the Court, from Councillor to Agent, is also assigned their duty directly by the Elders themselves, though this can be appealed by going through one's superiors in the normal bureaucratic fashion -- although this is an earthbound celestial bureaucracy made up of predominantly shen.

Structure Within The Structure: It is perfectly normal, and even encouraged, that shen gather in their respective Clan to form groups, whether those groups be called cabals or sentai or whatever. These groups have little to no influence on Courtly politics and their goals often are seperate from the Court's. It is an unofficial rule, however, that all members of whatever sentai, cabal, or group, also be members of the Court. Any such inner circle formed with Courtly outsiders will not be recognized by the Court's authority. This is to encourage organization, and with organization comes efficiency and greater strength.

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