Officer Biographies

[VincentStClaire]

Name: Kiran Ashok
Age: 33
Location: Qi

Bio: Kiran Ashok had seen many things in his life, he was lucky to born when he was for the way of life was accepted and spreading greatly under the rule of a wise man. Sadly he passed on, as all things do, but his heir held much the same beliefs as the father. Kiran was raised as humble monk from the early days of his childhood, born into a large family there simply was not enough food to care for the child. They offered him to a sect of monk, who had prior just built a small cave temple in honor of the Buddha, and the monks willingly took care of the baby. Whether it was because of their fear of being punished for not taking care of the child, or because they genuinely wanted to see him raised as a proper being, Kiran never asked. When he was old enough to feel the more carnal cravings of man he began his pilgrimage into the world, his first destination was the city of Lumbini. The birth place of the first enlightened one was a small place at the time, like most places of interest it had attracted a small market, the goods mainly being food and clothing, but more importantly what seemed to be a land mark of some type, a pillar reaching toward the sky, was being constructed by several of the monks who tended the grounds. Kiran, feelings a sense of duty but more a sense of intrigue, offered his services. It was here he first began to learn the basics of architecture and Engineering. He stayed for six years, cutting sand-stone, and working with the basic plans drawn by the maha-thera, eventually the pillar stood. The time spent working on the great pillar saw him through his years of trial, as the maha-thera had called it, he was now a man, his body having changed drastically over the years, and was ready for his second pilgrimage. After receiving a new robe, one of dull brown, he began to travel to Benares. T

The world had truly grown around the land where Buddha had first preached, the Dhamek Stupa, the city was filled with life. Most of it distressing to the blooming monk. His travel sent him through the streets, filled with several temptations. The smell of the food made his stomach churn for hunger, and the sight of the women caused an equally distressing reaction. Finally he arrived at the Dhamek Stupa, and all temptations were gone. The stupa was a solid cylinder consisting of bricks and stone reaching a height of about 40 meters and a width of 28, it had been constructed on the very spot of the first sermon, but the winter previous had left it in disarray. Once again several men were working to enforce the building and fix the repairs done by the cold. Kiran helped again, this time learning more of mortar, arches and ashar construction. It took two years, but the Stupa was finally fixed and once again the people flourished to the site. Kiran had completed his goal, and once again he moved on, Bodh Gaya was waiting, the place of enlightenment.

Kiran had seen great things already, and from these things he already knew what he wanted to do when he returned home, build a better place of enlightenment for his fellow brothers, but everything changed when he arrived in Bodh Gaya, for before he even stepped into the district he could see the Mahabodhi temple rising above the horizon. He no longer thought of the small cave, and the monks that raised him, he only thought of building such a grand temple in the name of enlightenment, he craved...and for that he cursed himself. One of the four noble truths was "Suffering is caused by craving." But how could craving to build a temple in the name of enlightenment be wrong. The thought was complex, and contradictory, it caused his great pain both physical and mental, so he brushed it off and moved toward the temple.

Up close he could already see the building was constructed of pure brick, being about 55 meters tall, around the central tower were four smaller towers, each one being about 22 meters in height. Furthermore the entire building was surrounded bye two railings of two meters in height, the material being different...and older sandstone. The construction would have taken hundreds of years at least...but here it stood before him, a testament to time itself of enlightenment and the true path. He saw the scaffolding's that surrounded the east side of the temple, and he knew it was being repaired. He yearned again, and suddenly he could sense the gnawing hunger in his stomach. Something was happening. He could spot this temples maha-thera approaching him, a warm smile on his face. "I greet you fellow monk. Come for pilgrimage?" he asked, ushering Kiran toward the temple with his hand."

"I do, maha-thera, this is my third location on the great pilgrimage, I set out eight years ago, when I was but a blooming boy," he could see the maha thera was impressed, "I almost regret it took this long to arrive...the site of this temple is...overwhelming."

"All for the greater good, and enlightenment of the people." he smiled, "You have traveled far and long, and although we abstain from over-indulgence we need nourishment to live. Come eat, we have food ready now, the sun is still up so you have time to dine."

"I thank you." he said with a smile, his eyes still darting toward the scaffolding's and the few monks who worked at replacing cracked stones. Over the day he spoke to the Maha thera about the temple, explaining his experience with buildings and construction. Eventually the older monk accepted Kiran on as a temporary worker, allowing him to serve under the master builder. The master builder was in his thirties now, his hands rough from work and his breathing raspy from the inhalation of stone dust. Kiran learned even more at his time in the Mahabodhi, so much he already had plans for his own temple in his mind. Five years passed, it was only supposed to be two but while working one of the western towers collapsed, killing one monk, and they had to rebuild it, this time reinforcing the mortar with a new ingredient. With all the repairs done, and the new tower built, Kiran had nothing left to do. He still had one location left, Kushinagar, the place where Buddha had passed on. The original Maha thera had passed away leaving a poorer monk in charge who let the supplies dwindle to the point of near loss, forcing Kiran to step in and administer properly, but the master builder was still alive when Kiran left, the two bowed before one another and admitted they would miss the other, but Kiran had to leave. Torn between elation of his acquired knowledge, and the loss of a true friend he set out for the resting place of the first one.

It was here, in Kushinagar near the Hiranyavati River, that Kiran had finally been shown what to do. At the river’s edge he met another monk finishing his pilgrimage. He was a much older monk who admitted he put of finishing his pilgrimage far too long, and was afraid his days were numbered. Kiran felt pity for the man, the pilgrimage to him was a truly enlightening experience, and at twenty-eight he had several years to put what he learned to use. The older man however...would not live a single year. He told Kiran of a place farther to the east, where several monks had started to spread their word. How he had wished to go as well, but feared he would not make the trip alone. Kiran wanted to return home, to construct a new temple for his brothers, but he knew the older monk was secretly asking for assistance. So he obliged. The two set out, Kiran's pilgrimage now over, for the land in the east. The silk roads as some called them. It took a year, and the monk had taught him several things, of writing, math and even several languages, but as they finally arrived the aging monk, Nauset Seminol, had grown ill. He smiled at Kiran and thanked him, but soon he felt into a deep sleep and refused to awaken. Alone in a foreign land and unaware of what to do he did the only thing he could think of, he walked.

His travels led him all across the greater land of china, when he met the natives, even staying in cities and teaching citizens of the one true path. Some had heard of it before, others looked at him as if he was a fool, a great fire lighting their eyes. The one thing he noticed however was how much larger this world was. The cities were bigger, and the people on the whole more nourished. He cast a wary eye to the over indulgence of some citizens, and the grand, and more importantly, unneeded style of clothing. He eventually learned the ways of this world, their system of government (a new concept for a monk) and even their beliefs. He started to doubt some of the core precepts. Although they were not mandatory, they were very commonly used amongst monks. He started to doubt some of the simpler ones. Such as not accepting money, an item he would need in this land to build a temple for the “path”. Upon one long journey he was offered rest by a kind noble, but the bed was luxurious and as such he would shunned by some monks for accepting it. In his humble nature Kiran turned the man down, which seemed to anger the noble greatly. It was an unfortunate way to learn that rejecting a gift was an insult in this land.
Kiran adapted, and in doing so he felt a pang of guilt, and less pious, but at the same time he knew it was for the greater good of the message. In doing so he met a local, Guan Ce, the cousin of one Guan De one of the ministers of Qi, a young man who’s curious nature allowed Kiran to enlighten him with the ways of Buddha, the boy took an instant fascination, and after weeks of study committed himself to the basic message of necessity and piousness. Over the coming weeks Guan Ce took note of the several architectural scrolls Kiran carried with him, he smiled at this and explained to Kiran how he too was taught the ways of administration. The young apprentice now urged Kiran to meet a relative of his Guan Yin Che. The three met and Guan Ce explained his new way of life, and the vision Kiran Ashok had, of building temples in the name of the path, and teaching the people a new way of life. One of selflessness and good thought. He no longer thought the way the old monks did in his homeland, he did not believe the way to eternal peace was starvation, or even cutting oneself off from the greater things in life. He simply believed in selflessness, goodliness, and unification as a people. Although he still attained many of the core beliefs of Buddhism, he altered some of the harsher restrains. He explained his life, and what he had done in the Eastern provinces of India, and how his pilgrimage had educated him and how all citizens could learn from pious life, Guan Yin Che, was not as much impressed by the message of his philosophy, but moved by his goals for the people, and his administrative capabilities. On that day Guan Yin Che promised that if it ever came that he could assist Kiran with his goal, he would, Kiran however would also have to assist Guan Yin Che. The two agreed, and Kiran, along with his apprentice, left to wander the greater part of china. Taking work as masonry’s as they could, and saving up enough money to build their temple.

[Tzar DwL]

Qiao Sen zi Dazai
Age: 18
Birthplace: Wu Region

Likes:
+Books
+Control
+Autopsies
+Agony of Others
+Pyu Pyu's Company

Dislikes:
-Cute Little Animals
-Alcohol
-Pessimistic Individuals
-Whining
-Unhealthy Foods

Personality: It is so seldom to see Qiao Sen in a decent mood. She is normally calm and collected with her usual mean looking exterior although she is very easily upset. Most of her days are spent within her study reading, not outgoing at all. Perhaps it is confiscated for her quick wit and broad vocabulary and knowledge in various fields. She views the majority of people as her inferiors save she gets to know them a little better, which seldom happens. However, a girl with as large a knowledge as herself does not speak very much despite her vast gloating rights. She keeps most things to herself; she would rather observe the imbeciles around her and pity them in her own mind. Yet as boring as she may sound, she has a horrendous quirk: Qiao Sen enjoys the abusing of young women. It might be viewed as a hobby, a hobby that only satisfies her temporarily however; so unfortunately for her young handmaid attendants their numbers will decrease every so now and then. With a deadly mind like hers, Qiao Sen covers up any deaths with ease and merely relays to the other girls that the 'missing' were fired lest they become rebellious upon hearing the truth. Such a lie isn't all too hard to believe anyway, she is probably the pickiest you'll ever see.

Bio: Qiao Sen was the last born of five other children, the sixth child. She and her other siblings were raised in Moling by fairly wealthy parents. In the daytime when schooling was over and all of the other children her age went out to play and basically horse around, she stayed inside and continued her studies until nightfall. Only then would she come out in the night and look up at the sky in wonder, recording this and that about the starts above within a notepad she always carried around with her. Qiao Sen was well versed in artwork, literature, astrology, and above all anatomy. She was always curious on how things worked in the human body lest various animals. Her parents and many of the elders within the city noticed this skill honed by her while she was still just a child at the age of 10 years. They also noticed that she was like no other child her age and although the youngest child of her many siblings, she out shined them when it came to intellect. Qiao Sen was very quiet, independent, and overall quite mysterious in her younger years. Despite it, her parents disregarded any flaws thought upon their youngest daughter and decided to put her to use to the city. When she was 14 she was already given the job to doctor various patients, with her knowledge in anatomy it made an easy living for her.

Her siblings were often jealous of her due to her success whilst still young, but Qiao Sen never paid them any mind, it was as if she lived in her own world. Her parents were very proud of her achievements as far as aiding those in need. She's diagnosed hoards and hoards of diseases, created hundreds of remedies, and even done a few surgeries in her day. But she never took pleasure in her works of aiding the people. After a while, it just became so, so boring, and she retired her miracle working when she became 16 years. To her parents, it was a major let down, but Qiao Sen didn't pay any mind to them, if what she was doing didn't satisfy her, then why would she do it?

For the bulk of her 16th year, Qiao Sen spent it studying things further. She wished to find a cause, she wished to find pleasure in some kind of career, as doctoring was not the right choice for her. One day whilst she was reading a rather heavy book in her study, Qiao Sen was interrupted by her parents as they brought in some woman she has never seen before in her life. They explained that she would stay with their family a while as she would perhaps be a nice influence upon Qiao Sen; maybe break her out of that shell she's been cascaded in all these years. She was introduced as Pyu Pyu, and Qiao Sen merely looked her up and down before dismissing her parents so that she may perhaps get to know this woman.

It took some time for them to actually acquaint as awkward as they both were, but as the days went on Qiao Sen learned that this woman was very much different than anyone she's met before. One night Qiao Sen made her usual trip to the basement just to pick up a few supplies needed for her astrological observations, however she found a much more gruesome scene than anyone would have thought. Upon the floors was a mess of blood, a pool of gore. It seemed as if it were smeared everywhere, like paint, but the strong smell of death that lingered in the air would make anyone think otherwise. The most horrific sight however, were the bodies that were strung up from the ceiling and they were immediately identified as her family. Qiao Sen secretly watched Pyu string up the last of her siblings, however she held no grudge against her.. it intrigued her and for the first time in so many years she grinned widely.

Later on in the night, Qiao Sen sketched that very scene to the best of her abilities. It brought her joy for some reason, and she has never had this much fun in her life. Thereafter adding the finishing touches, she ripped out the said portrait from her notepad and left it upon the main table of the estate so that any visitor would be prepared to see such a scene if they were curious enough to enter the basement. And once done, they would most likely be too sick in the stomach to stand. It would be a mystery to all of Moling however, because Qiao Sen would be long gone from there before anyone would have made the discovery.

[Flawed]

A Broken Family

Gao Song – Eldest Child, Only Son


Personality: Song is known, in recent times, to frequently succumb to fits of sobbing in private, the pressure of the world bearing down on his shoulders. A crumbling house around him, the only one in the Gaos left who can further their name; his sister having been married. Having left his father to die the same as he had his friend so long ago, it's become to much in recent months. Confliction was his pass time and regret was his solace. He maintains a strong exterior, and avidly works toward his late fathers goals in life. His sense of nobility at best could be called enlightened shepherding, and at worst, egotistical prevention of loss. He has few friends, and among them he rarely spends much time (as of late) being occupied by self-pity and gross confusion.

Likes
+Courage
+Rain
+Bonds
+Trust
+Fighting
+Honesty

Dislikes
-Regret
-Cowards
-Liars
-Criminals
-Tea
-Complacency


Family History
The Gao's had, at one time, been a prominent Noble Family in the Qi Region. Gao Chong had gone out of his way to ensure that teachings of a time long forgotten were not only taught in his family, but rigidly enforced. Their station came with many perks, many allowances they got simply for existing day to day. That was not free though, not as free as most nobles liked to think. Their station came with the responsibility to look after those below them, egotistical yes, but their hearts were in the right place.

Nobility had a purpose far beyond simply leeching value from the region they called home, gaining power in political courts, and playing war games when they got bored. Their job, their duty, was to look after those who could not afford to look after themselves. This is what Chong taught to his son, and lessons similar were given to his daughter.

Lady Lin died during the birth of Gao Mei Ling, a dark spot in the families history were – for a time – Chong lost sight of who he was. He alienated his daughter, before a confrontation with Song reminded him that their family was all they had, and surely Lady Lin, his mother and Mei Lings alike, would not want her to be excluded from the family. After a brief exchanging of words, Chong was back to his old self.

Being a Noble Family brought with it given ties to other families in the region. The Guans were one to make notable mention, and the Jiaos as well, were other dominant families in Qi.

All of these families frequently had their interaction, for this reason or that, but their power and where it came from was very different. The Jiaos were a political powerhouse, willing to do just about anything to get ahead, the patriarch of the family being a man often related to a snake. The snake-man had two children, that were acknowledged, a son Jiao Fang, and a daughter Jiao Suyin. The daughter was mostly ignored, clearly plans for her were limited to political marriages. Jiao Fang took after his father mostly, though he had not had enough lime-light for it to be decided just how he was from the outsiders perspective.

The Guans had numbers, a large family with a variety of skills and abilities. They had warriors, politicians, charmers and generals, smiths and masons and breeders too. Their power came from their vast expanse of talent, there was nothing the Guans couldn't provide for themselves, and if they couldn't – there was nothing they couldn't afford.

The Gaos were known in the region for being, mostly, the old fashion Noble Family. Their power wasn't able to match the Guans, and politically they weren't as respected or feared as the Jiaos. They were present though, and that presence couldn't be ignored by those who disliked them, even. The people had feelings for the Gaos quite different from those they had for the other families. Some they had distrust for, some they had fear for, the Gaos though – the Gaos were well received.. typically. No one Noble Family could claim to be perfect in any one area, even more so claim to be perfect in all. Each of these three families had their purpose, their draw in life, and they each frequently encountered one another.


Gao Song – Early Life
Songs life was easy enough, he was a Noble after all. He grew up being tutored by many men far superior to him in terms of their respective trades, but he learned next to nothing. He was a good boy though, well liked by his tutors and servants, despite his lack of general knowledge. Song could easily judge a situation for what it was though, his instincts, you could say; were far superior to his thought process.

He went to gatherings with his father, that's where he met the man that would be his idol; Guan Huang. The man was simply awe inspiring, it was then that Song decided to be the strongest man in the Gao Family.. a feat he quickly strove for and achieved. The Minor families within and under the Gaos had fighters in their own right, but it was evident at a young age that Song was better, or if he wasn't, that he soon would be. His potential had been found, it was ironic though, considering his gentle nature in most other aspects.

Mothers Passing; Sisters Arrival
One of the most tragic events in Songs life, was oddly enough hand-in-hand with one of the most joyous. He had waited eagerly for months to see his sibling be born, his mother and father were equally as excited. When the day finally came though.. there was trouble. Lady Lin had been quite weak in the months leading up to the birth, she had caught something perhaps.. but that wasn't important anymore, they had acted too late.

His new baby sister was brought into the world safe enough, but shortly after Lady Lin left this world. Chong was stunned, and could only look on as this happened, distraught over the loss of his only wife. Song was only six at the time.. it was difficult for him to understand.

The following years were a dark spot on the families past. Up until Mei Ling was almost eight, Chong had little to do with her, though Song played his duty as the brother quite well. It was when he was fourteen, a man, finally able to speak to his father on equal level that he confronted him. He was sick of explaining to Mei Ling why father was too busy for her when it wasn't true, how he had to do this or that when it was a lie. How could he tell her that her father blamed her for their mothers passing?

Harsh words were exchanged, almost coming to blows even. Song won out though, opening Chongs eyes to the reality of what he was doing. Their father broke down in tears of shame for those past years, promptly seeking out his daughter and embracing her for the first time in her life, sobbing the whole time for forgiveness. Their family would be back to normal from that day forward.

The Jiaos
It was with Chongs revival of spirit that he set back out into the world of the upper-class, looking to mend the things done wrong. The first family he came across during this new practice in fixing the Qi Region was the Jiaos. In the Gaos absence from the political scene the Jiaos had taken leaps forward in respect and political weight. It seemed though, that for all the Jiaos questionable antics, they did strive for something more than just power.. they wanted respect. To earn that respect, they did good things now and then, the motivation behind it could be question – but the results could not. When the Jiaos set out to do something, regardless of their true reasons, it got done – and done well.

It was during a banquet that Gao Chong held to host for the Jiaos that Song met for the first time the heir to the Jiaos, Jiao Fang. Fang was much like his father.. but had yet to live or do as much, so seemed much less cold in his calculations for advancement. Though advancement he did want, more than anything, even to surpass his father. His little sister was there was well, Jiao Suyin who spent most of that banquet with Gao Mei Ling. Though this would be the start of a, sometimes strained, but never doubted friendship.

Friendships Bloom
Fang and Song had very different ideas on the world, and very different ideas on how to fix it. They had both, after all, taken very different focuses of study in their youth. They would go on outings together, leaving their estates to go on walks or hunts, or just go sit somewhere and talk / argue about whatever the topic of the day was. It was on these outings they almost always had one or two tag-along followers, each of them being the older brother and only sibling of a sister. Mei Ling slowly stopped following them, for whatever reason, most likely bored with their lack of exciting adventures.

Jiao Suyin though, always followed them. This would irritate Fang to no end, telling her to just go home, and to leave him alone – that she wasn't wanted with them. Song would calm him down and convince him to ignore her, her presence was causing no harm to them. Sometimes he could talk Fang into letting her walk with them, and be part of the conversation.. though her points were only met with scoffs by her brother. Other times, the best Song could do was talk him into letting her shadow them as she usually started off doing.. every time though, regardless of the outcome, he'd flash her a small smile and continue his discussion with Fang. She just wanted to be with her brother after all, it was understandable. Song knew next to nothing about their family life beyond this.

Tragedy – Farewell Jiaos
With the support of the Gaos, who had lost some political clout during Chongs withdraw, and other minor noble families – the Jiaos made a bold move. They promised to cleanse the whole region of Qi of all banditry, and made it clear that they had a plan to accomplish this. The reaction from the populace was disbelief, whether or not such a thing could even be done was questionable, but to boast about it so openly gave them heart. The Jiaos had literally dared the criminals of the province to stand against them.

This struck a chord in the darker spots of the Qi province. For years the Jiaos had been a thorn in the side of the honest thief and bandit, and with this latest proclamation.. it had become worse. They were more afraid more than anything, the Jiaos had earned a reputation for getting anything they wanted done, done; and done well. With this it was quickly decided that swift retaliation was the best course of action.

Before the plan could be put in motion, before the families could muster their small Provincial Militias, before any of this could be done the criminals made their move.. and they held nothing back, there was no mercy. By dawn news had spread that the Jiaos had been struck with a vicious surprise attack by a large group of bandits and thugs working together.. their estate was overwhelmed.. Fang and his father were killed, along with all the male servants. The women, all the women, were missing.. including Suyin.

Song was sent into a fit of rage. Taking up his spear and steed, without even blanket for a saddle, he rode after the suspected bandits. The thieves, the murderers, they had expected some sort of counter attempt though.. and had laid in wait for someone to try and pursue them. A skirmish ensued during Songs pursuit, and they did their job well; the criminal rear guard held him long enough that the trail was lost cold.. but they all died in exchange for this. Gao Chong arrived shortly after, family militia in tow.. riding up quietly beside his son who now stood, breathing heavily, on a path surrounded by corpses of men far beneath him in terms of skill. Their weapons broken, their frames shattered.. some still gasping for air as their life left them..

“Son..” he quietly called to him “..son, there is nothing more to be done here.. they have a nights lead on us, and know the wilderness better.. it's done.”

“...” Song didn't speak, simply mounting his horse.. he began riding again, before he was stopped by is father shouting for him once more.

“Song! You cannot, I forbid you from giving further chase.”

“Why!?” Song shouted in reply, turning his horse to face his father “Why must we give up because it's difficult? Why must we leave them all to that fate? Fang is already dead, if I could just s-”

“You would die! There are countless thieves and bandits in this wood. They are all waiting, they are all watching, not even our Militia could stand to them.. they have every advantage here. The Jiaos plan would have worked.. but with them gone..” Chongs voice trailed off..

“So we just give up, we forget them and move on?” Song spat on the ground beneath him “Dishonor. We would give up before trying for fear of failure! Cowardice!”

“No, my son – we do not forget. We promise to do what we can to carry on their ideals, and we say farewell. Do you think Fang or Suyin would want you to die in a lone charge against impossible odds?”

Song was quiet.. he had no reply.. his emotions were a wreak, and his mind confused. Looking into the wilderness he could feel them, the eyes, he could feel them on his back. His father was right.. with a heavy heart he turned to leave the woods, mumbling a farewell to the Jiaos before leaving.. it took Song several months to recover his personality after that incident.

With the Jiaos gone.. the Guans stepped in to fill the gap, gaining more clout in the province..

Recent Life - Now
Struggle – New Home
It was difficult for Song especially to stay himself after the incident with the Jiaos.. and with their station picked up by the Guans.. the Gaos began to speak to them more. It was in this time that their two families grew strong bonds, most strongly between Yin She and his father, as well as an attraction between Yin She and Mei Ling. The Guans were a nice enough family, and had heads on good shoulders, but it was attempting to fill a void left empty long ago by a failure he accepted without attempting to succeed.

It wasn't long before the Gaos left Qi, Chong having decided they were more needed elsewhere. Toward the capital, where Chong felt his families influence and ideals would be most needed. They served for some time, remaining practically unaligned, simply voicing what was best for the whole, the people, how to best tend to those beneath him. It took some time, but the Gaos efforts were finally getting through to some of the other local nobles.. then tragedy struck once more..

Final Words
Conflict had erupted nearby, and was spreading closer.. it didn't seem that it could be stopped by any amount of effort. With little thought, Chong called Mei Ling and Song to him. It was then he told them both to pack their things into a single carriage, take two servants, and ride back to Qi and seek the Guans. Song immediately voiced opposition to the idea, Mei Ling too quietly added her thoughts.. they were talked down though. The Fathers ruling was law for their family, and he had decided that they would be much safer in Qi. Song had no children, and Mei Ling wasn't married yet.. the Gao Family had to continue somehow.

It was another push down on Songs soul, and his heart grew heavier as he led the carriage out of the city with his horse in the lead. Spear in hand he turned back to look at his father, seeing them off with a handful of armed guards around him. The old man was smiling, wider than ever, at seeing them leave before the real conflict erupted. His son staring back at him, regret evident in his motion, with a nod from his father.. Song turned back around, leading the carriage to pick up speed and make the journey as quick as possible.

“I'm proud of you both..” a voice said “..so proud, Song; take care of your sister as best you can.. Mei Ling; don't give your brother too much trouble. This old man is sorry for being so hard on you both, sorry for all his mistakes, I could have done better and should have. You both deserved a better father, this old man is sorry..” tears streamed down Chongs face as he spoke, knowing they couldn't hear him.. unable to say it to them, but unable to keep the thoughts inside. The men around him feeling their hearts tug at their lords words. “I love you both, be strong!” he gasped “Be so strong no one can shake you!” he heaved a sigh as the tears continued to flow down his stress wrinkled face..

Well into the journey Song still rode the lead.. and then it began to rain. The carriage driver heard a strange sound in the midst of the downpour, but said nothing. Silently he dropped his head in the rain, the other servant, a lady, inside the carriage with Mei Ling..

Songs shoulders shifted heavily up and down, his breathing erratic.. sobbing.. crying with all his might.. the rain disguised his tears and the thunder drowned his cries. He too had said nothing when he should have said everything, and the chance was lost to him forever now. Regret hurts so much..

It was several weeks after their arrival in Qi that the old Gao Estate where Song stayed was paid a visit.. two men brought him a satchel, somewhat heavy. Unwrapping the leather straps he revealed the covered item inside. His mouth fell open, and the delivered item fell to the ground with satchel around it.. a helmet, all they could afford to send. Another sob escaped the young man as he fell to his knees before his lament, his pain, was let out in a frenzied wail – so loud, so strong, for so long; that would be what woke his sister that day.. that was what woke the servants..

Regret hurts so much.

[Suicide Fox]

The Legend of De Man

Name: De Man
Style: Senju
Age: 27
Height: 6 Feet
Weight: 180 lbs
Hometown: Village 20, Di Province
Profession: Blacksmith
Political View: ???

Personality: From what is shown of De Man, he is light-hearted and kind. He shows great pride in his abilities as a practitioner of Qiangshu and in the way of the forge. Possessing a strong sense of humor, he is likely to crack a joke even in the most dire of circumstances. The past has taught him to let go of his anger and frustrations, thus leading to a calm demeanor. Very strong spirited and passionate given the opportunity to serve a cause he believes in.

Appearance: De Man is characterized by his blue armor, white shaggy hair, golden brown eyes, and red tattoo streaks that go down his eyes and on his chin. He wears a forehead protector at all times, and underneath his armor a blue kimono tied together with a pale yellow sash.

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Bio Summary
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Born and raised as a blacksmith and hailing from a wealthy family, De Man's world was turned upside down when his entire clan was wiped out by their rivals. After feeling the bittersweet taste of revenge, he now wanders the land posing as a vagabond, meeting others along his journey in hopes of finding his true purpose.

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Bio
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The Early Years

As a child De Man loved to work alongside his father, a prominent blacksmith who was well known in village 20. Through a careful foundation laid out from previous generations, the De clan was able to accumulate vast sums of wealth by sticking with their family trade. Each father would pass down to their son the way of the forge, and in turn he would pass down the art to his son, and so forth and so on, so that by the time it came De Man's turn to learn the art, his family was so well off that they nearly controlled the entire village.

Like most children, De Man spent his early years learning to laugh and to play, how to share with others and how to be kind to his fellow man. Village 20 was a peaceful place then, a prime area to raise a child away from the wars. When he wasn't at the forge learning from his father, he was at the local academy learning the ways of the world. The instructor was a cultured man, one who believed that the principals of Qiangshu and honing one's body was just as important as honing the mind. De Man took to Qiangshu well, much more so than he took to his studies, and quickly excelled in the art.

The founding fathers

Though the De clan held most of the wealth and power in village 20, there was another clan, the Jiang, who rivaled them in every way. They, along with the De were the founding clans of village 20. The Jiang consisted mostly of farmers and merchants, but were shrewd businessmen who envied the influence that the De were building. Though both clan's sat equally among the village council, it was on De Man's 18th birthday that he was awarded a position that swayed the balance in the De's favor.

Extermination

Figuring that the De clan would eventually find a way to limit the Jiang influence in village 20, the Jiang elders came together and formed a devious plot. Like so many men and women driven by power before them, they sought to destroy the De clan, killing every man, woman, and child, so that the Jiang clan would have no rival, and complete control over the village. Wars had been waged in previous generations among the clan, but always they had agreed to peace and came together for the benefit of the village. This time, such a thing would not be the case.

Not half a month after De Man inherited his position on the council, he was called away to the Han province to ensure the clan's latest shipment of resources arrived safety to the village. In his absence, a surprise council was called -- an ambush by the Jiang that resulted in the slaughter of all De's elite figureheads. A small guerrilla war was faught in aftermath which lasting one week, but without the leadership of the De's prominent members they were quickly defeated and wiped out.

Vengeance

When De Man found out about this atrocity, the boy who was known to have one of the kindest hearts in all the village was plunged into darkness and plagued with revenge. It took a vast amount of time and planning, but over the course of a year De Man was able to rally together a sizable force of bandits and raiders, promising to them the spoils of his family inheritance in the battle to come.

On a dark October night, the raiders crept down on the village like a curse. The original target was the Jiang clan, though in the heat of battle many innocents were slain. When the sun rose after that wretched day, buildings from the village still burned bright in the morning sun. The dead and the dying lay all around De Man, but he had his wish. His clan was avenged and the Jiang were no more. As he promised, the survivors from his small army were given a chunk on the De inheritance, and Man, feeling overtaken by guilt fled the village vowing never to return.

Revenge had been won, but at what price? In the years that followed, De Man only found that revenge had brought him sorrow, not happiness. The faces of the innocent haunted his dreams, and he could hear the wailing of the Jiang youngsters as they were struck down in cold blood.

The Present

Many years have passed since those days, though the memories of the past still at times haunt De Man's dreams. For the most part, he has been able to live a care-free life, wandering the lands of the Middle Kingdom and finding happiness in not knowing what lay ahead for him on the day to come. Through his travels he has met many good friends and made a rare bit of enemies, though he can't help but feel a longing for a sense to belong. Every man needs his purpose, and it is through his extended journeys that he hopes to one day come across his own.

Game Progression
Added as notable events occur, if I'm not lazy..

[Infernal Dragon]

Bio: Xunnüfashi (纁女法师)

History of the Crimson Dragon Sect - 200 years ago during the "Warring States" period, a wealthy official within  Zhao Province had a strange dream. In this dream, a Crimson Dragon rose from the earth and soared the skies before bathing the world in fire. As the flames died, the land was reborn and life began anew. To the Official's surprise, the Dragon spoke to him. It told him to spread the word of the Crimson Dragon and what would become of the world once it arrives. Just as the Dragon Commanded the official told all he knew of the dream. He was laughed at by those of the elite, but some of the peasantry believed his words. The official took his wealth and used it to construct a large temple in the mountains north of the Yellow River. Once the temple was complete, the official, his family, and those who also believed moved into temple to begin their new lives in service of their deity. The Official's eldest daughter became the first "Xunnüfashi" or Crimson Priestess. Things went well until one day her father found her eloping with a son of a fellow sect member. In a moment of rage, the official killed her. He then pronounced his younger daughter as the next "Xunnüfashi". Life in the temple was going well until one day the second Xunnüfashi fell ill and died shortly after her 20th birthday. It was during this time the official came upon a revelation. It wasn't a coincidence that both of his daughters died during their 20th year of life, it was a sign from the Dragon itself. This meant that the dragon wanted a sacrifice in the form of the current Xunnüfashi once she turned 20 years of age. Though there were a few that resisted the notion of killing a daughter when she turned 20, but thanks to an idea for the official, that wouldn't have to be the case anymore. In order to offset the dwindling number of sect members, the official came up with an idea: the sect would accept any newborn babies that the parents of said baby didn't want. Once news got out of the "orphanage" in the mountains, poor families dropped off children they couldn't tale care of. These children were raised depending on their gender. All boys were trained to become priests who would one day through devotion to the sect, become elders. The elders made all of the decisions for the sect. All girls were trained to become priestesses. The girl who showed special characteristics (or just liked by the elders) would be granted the title of "Xunnüfashi". The Xunnüfashi became the most powerful woman in the sect but once she turned 20, she would be sacrificed to the Crimson Dragon as the ultimate act of devotion to the deity. Though the sect's base of power was the temple, it's influence spread throughout the province and even into the neighboring provinces of Wei and Changshan. It was rumored that even some officials within the Zhao government were secretly Crimson Dragon sect members. Things changed however when the Zhao were defeated by the Qin in 228.  Somehow the King of Qin. Learned of the Sect and sent an army to destroy it. Though the army searched for many months, the location of the temple was never found. This further increased the belief in the Crimson Dragon as even the king of Qin could so no harm to them. The sect continues to thrive in the shadows of the land even to this day, as they wait patiently for their deity to appear and cleanse the land of the nonbelievers. 

 Xunnüfashi's History - The girl that would become the 18th Xunnüfashi started her life like many of the female orphans that were dropped off at the temple. She lead an ordinary life of studying and cleaning until she turned 5. It was then that the event that changed her life occurred. One night the girl had a dream. Unlike her other dreams, this one had a man in red robes in it. In this dream he told her that she will become the 18th Xunnüfashi. The girl asked the man why, and he replied that it was the 17th was going to be sacrificed soon. The young girl knew nothing of the sacrifices as it was something only the Xunnüfashi herself and the elders knew about. The next day, she sought some time with the Xunnüfashi and she gave it to the girl. Once alone, she asked her why the Xunnüfashi was to be sacrificed on her 20th year. The woman was visibly shaken at the question. There was no way that this girl should know of such a thing. When asked, the girl explained the dream to the Xunnüfashi. The woman understood the dream to be prophetic in nature and immediately confronted the elders about the girl. The Xunnüfashi requested that the girl become the next  Xunnüfashi after her death. At first the elders stated that they would consider it, but in secret dismissed the idea. It was their decision, not the Xunnüfashi's. The girl was 10 when the 17th Xunnüfashi was sacrificed. With the Xunnüfashi gone, her successor was needed. The elders were greatly divided. It was around this time the girl had another strange dream. This time, the man in red robes, told her to tell the leader of the elders that he would suffer a painful end. The girl was nervous about the idea but she did as told. The next say the girl approached the elders and told them of her dream. The elder leader took this as a threat and had the girl locked away that night. Just as she had told them however, the elder fell down the temple steps and died. The other elders took this as a sign from the Crimson Dragon that the girl was to be chosen as the next Xunnüfashi. Once she was promoted, her training changed. Instead of house work, she was to study Martially along with her normal studies. She would get such dreams off and on for the next 5 years...

Personality: As one might be able to tell, Xunnüfashi is not her real name. Orphans like her were never given one. Instead, they were referred by their level of study or by a number. Because of the lack of such a trait of individuality or perhaps by the overwhelming teachings Xunnüfashi finds dealing with people on a personal level difficult. She doesn't know how to deal with emotions such as love or fear. She views herself simply as the Xunnüfashi and lives as she was taught. She is completely devoted to the sect and will not tolerate any negativity aimed at it. At first, she may seem a bit off, but in reality she is very observant. At times she has been known to comment on things she normally wouldn't know about. However, she does seem to have a soft spot for children. This may be due to fonder memories of her own childhood or possibly her own biological clock trying to exert itself.

[Meia]

Ding Yi -- 丁 怡
Year of birth: 230BC (age 24)

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Biography / Character Description

Born and raised in the remote village of Bayi (aka "Village 81" on the map), in the tundra of northeastern Yan province, Ding Yi inherited the position as village chief when her father abruptly "retired" in late 207BC. In the first few months of her ascension, she crammed whatever literature the village's humble library and her elders could offer on civil administration, politics and war manuals. For her lack of experience and preparedness, she made up with sheer will and possibly fear of letting the people she loved down. By the arrival of spring 206BC, the 24-year-old was able to function as smoothly as her father did as decision-maker, in the heart of the Bayi settlement.

As the only child to the village head, Ding He Huan, Yi's upbringing was considered privileged in the rather small but tight community. Like most privileged daughters, she was taught the social graces of ladies in her era, although she never did truly had use of it interacting with kin in the village. Having grown up in a sheltered environment, she finds crowds discomforting and is sometimes painfully shy and nervous interacting with strangers.

Ding Yi enjoys helping out her village friends and, like many ladies, counts painting as her hobby, although secretly she prefers to watch her male friends engage in friendly sparring bouts, finding the art of wielding weapons intriguing.

History

April 206 BC - Joined Wen Luan, ruler of Yan

August 206 BC - Shi Tong sent his army -led by his stalwart general Fang Ai- into Wen Luan's territory for a fullscale provincial invasion. With one definitive assault, the Marquis' forces annihilated Wen Luan's administration and successfully conquered the northern province. Not involved in the battle, Ding Yi escaped from the city of Ji with the help of warrior Liang Zhuwen and eventually found herself out of the province, seeking lords in various regions who had offered her a place in their administration, or sanctuary.

October 206 BC - Ding Yi and her follower Cong Ma travelled to Sai to answer Lord Zu Yanghei's invitation. Moved by the Lord-Scholar's generous and sincere hospitality, Ding Yi decided to serve him as her new liege.

[Fi Sheng]

Fi Ran - The Young Protector
221 BC - Present [15 Years Old]

Fi Ran is a descendant of the battle-torn warrior Fi Sheng who served the Emperor as one of his personal guardians, until he was betrayed by a young, budding soldier and murdered in secret. Fi Ran was only 7 when this happened and he was enraged by the turn of events which led to him stabbing a merchant during an argument. Fi Ran was sent into exile and was sent to a small village of poor peasants and those that were to weak to work for their money.

During this time he decided to train his mind and body rather than spew in anger and torment. Fi Ran kept to himself and escaped from the village everyday to train with nothing more than a long stick to practice his technique. As the days became weeks and the weeks became months Fi Ran slowly built up his strength and his knowledge of War and the leading of men.

By the time that Fi Ran was 12 he trained as per usual and on his outing he came across a sword, shimmering in gold. He looked around and took it from the ground to use as his own......it seemed that he was a natural with a sword after his years of training. At this time he decided to start and plan his escape from the kept-away village and to restore the honor that his father had once shown under the Emperor.....his main goal was to eventually become a loyal guardian of the Emperor. Though he knew he was years upon years away from this task.

In the year 207BC Fi Ran decided that he should use his unique skills to serve a lord and gain the fame and renown that would be needed to entice the Emperor to not ignore the young warrior. A year later he shaved a scruffy beard and his hair to a shorter version of it's former self in order to sneakily escape the hell-hole that had taken away his childhood, his personality, his life. He sought now that he was free, to roam the land, gain his fame and renown. All this leading him to his ultimate goal.....The Protection of the Emperor.

Likes:

1) Honor
2) Wine
3) Elders (Over 40's)
4) The Emperor

Dislikes:

1) Capture
2) Merchants
3) Closed off space

Fi Ran is of an average height and is athletically built, thus his strength and speed. He is short-tempered and would rather earn his fame and fortune rather than it be given to him.

History:

April 206AD-
Ran took a village in the JiBei region decided to build his army base there.

June 206AD-
Fi Ran was given command of Shi Tong's army in it's attempt to occupy Boyang. They were successful and Ran had gained his first taste of not only leading a unit but leading an army.
Following the battle Fi Ran engaged in a duel with Kang Shi. The end result was that Ran killed Shi.

July 206AD-
After deciding to leave Jibei after killing Kang Shi, Ran left to venture towards the capital but on the way came across a man who barred his advance to the capital. After a brief duel, to which Ran lost, he decided to stay on this mans path and join his quest to travel to Jiujiang. This man was none other than Wen Xu and he took Fi Ran in without question.
They advanced onto Jiujiang and took the city of Shouchun as a foothold to their true goals.

[Bourne]

Zhào Láng (赵狼)
Xīngnù (惺怒, Tranquil fury)

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Born Zhao Lang, styled Xingnu, he came into this world during the spring frost in 230 BC, simultaneous with the tumultuous happenings that had engulfed the Zhao state, which had once risen the flag of prominence, solidifying themselves a power amidst the against Qin. His mother was wed to the prince of Julu, and general of the militia, thus he was a direct descendant to the Zhao hegemonic. In spite of his family royalty, Lang would nary be provided an opportunity to learn of his father, to who fought in a seemingly hopeless struggle upon the vanguard when the Qin legion advanced in overwhelming numbers with the intention of decimating the one thorn dug within their side. Furthermore, the widespread famine meant the luxuries believed to be bestowed upon those of station were not afforded to the young Lang, at least not in the quantity of his predecessors. Regardless, for the earlier extension of his childhood, the boy was scarce in want. Although even the royalty and begun to suffer the effects of what had become commonplace amongst their people, the young boy would not theorize the purpose that allotted them superiority over their subjects, those beneath them to whom they swore to uphold protection and secure a better means of life. This lingering contemplation, a muddle fragment he could not dislodge that would influence his desire to wield the sword and command. The tales of his father’s exploits from his mother only accentuated his growing desire as a youth to emulate these accomplishments and fight for the betterment of Zhao, a prospect that upon this interval would nary come to pass.

The conflict between Zhao and Qin was approaching an unceremonious conclusion for the former, having long been crippled both militarily and through the climate turn, fate had dealt them a devastating blow in the preceding decade and in response, surrender seemed all the more inevitable. The prior treatment of prisoners of war; the slaughter of tens of thousands merely due to the crest upon their chest, led to the growing speculation of what would become of the ancestry were they to tender their flag the somber shade of white. Not intending to risk these forethought consequences, the Prince commissioned a division of his personal guards and concealed the escape of his family by means of secluded pathways, remaining himself, to elude suspicion. His foresight would prove accurate as within the subsequently weeks the city to once house the royalty of the state, was reduced to a smoldering ruin, nary a soul; excluding the captured women, was to be spared.

What remained of the descendants of the Zhao majesty was a disbanding group scourging few what merger means of survival they could locate whilst others migrated north hoping to conceal themselves as commoners, thereby avoid any indication they were remnants from the Zhao. Among this entourage was Zhao Lang, his mother and a handful of personal escorts incapable of shedding their loyalty. This charade would ultimately allow them to live a quaint life, although under the ruling authority of Qin, an aspect even a young Lang harbored significant resentment towards.

Within the year, Lang’s mother would birth a second child, to which she would name Zhao Ji. Initially there was pressing complications due to the ordeal she had endured prior to their relocation to Dai. Fortunately, she would periodically recover though the following years although never to a full extent. Poverty-stricken and having been task to care for his family placed a difficult burden upon a boy merely twelve years of age. The townspeople would provide assistance to the best of their ability, although no one was of favoring standing to offer much. This led to Lang seeking means elsewhere - utilizing skills of the sword he had learned both from tutors and through his own dedication, to acquire the necessities, be it by means of thievery or intimidation. It was nary a proud moment, despite the fact he did derive some delight in overpowering those who attempted to resist. His antics would eventually come to impede the path of what he had surmised a lone elder individual who was traveling from afar. A regrettable course of action, for the elder was of skill significantly superior to anyone he had ever witnessed. In an instant, he felt the blade by his neck, barely having made his attempt. The swift, nigh seamless movement to draw a weapon and render a potential lethal blow, memorized him.

For a short duration, the young Lang resolved himself to overcoming this obstacle, no longer concerned for the wealth the elder general may have possessed, more or his pride was damaged having so easily been cited defeat. Time would saunter by, trial and error in tow and succession would elude the boy at ever pass, yet for whatever reason the man never saw fit to punish the lad, humoring his continual attempts and inwardly improved by his ability to adapt his technique no matter the disarray of it. Such was not until a tribal brigand from the north descended upon the city did Lang realize whom this man was alongside the degree of skill he wield a blade. The man was in command of a militia having formed to combat the very threat now imposed on the city and without hesitance, his entourage had already engaged the Xiong Nu. Meanwhile, Lang raced home to secure his family, fighting through the pillaging men not yet accosted by the militia group. His skills were impressive, albeit fell short when numbers began to swell against his favor. Wounded and exhausted, he would continue this futile contest, disregarding injuries until the aforementioned band came to his family rescue, forcing the Xiong Nu to beat a hastened retreat.

Whilst his injuries healed, the elder man finally introduced himself as Yuelang, a name renowned through the northern prefecture for exploits believed inhuman. His skills with a blade were extraordinary, having killed his adversaries with minimal effort. His intentions however lay with having acquired a liking for the young boy, something that only amplified greatly when he discovered the majority of Lang’s training was self taught. He offered to provide for the family in exchange to training Lang in his manner of combat, in addition he would serve under him. The proposal was met with not even a moment’s hesitance.

Thus, life began anew for Zhao Lang, now having been recruited into a militia, which operated more as a mercenary syndicate. The exception of Dai not tendering payment simply was due the majority having called it home. As the years dwindled onward, the youth grew under the tutelage of Yuelang, abandoning his abrasive tendencies and adjusting the calming demeanor demonstrated to him. The words “silence of the mind, equates to the swiftness of the blade” would linger in his mind assisting in his endeavor to emulate the teachings of his newly appointed master. Less than a handful of years passed and Lang had already accomplished well beyond expectations, his skills gradually becoming more akin to that of his master’s and moreover, overwhelming any combatant to attempt to engage him. Within the militia, he was the youngest still, all while maintaining a superior strength despite a smaller frame. Conflict amongst the group was trivial at best, minor quarrels from time to time, normally deriving from a night of intoxication. Otherwise, their unity was something worthy of praise all by its lonesome. No one individual retained a notion of superiority regardless of rank or skill.

Their assignments frequently required long marches throughout the region, occasional to the southern portion of the Country, however every spring Lang would return home to Dai, entertaining the ever youth exuberance of his growing sister, to whom idolized his very existence. One the off opportunity he was allotted a longer duration home, he would begin to tutor the young Ji in the ways of his master. This would inevitably lead to her constant pestering and whining whenever he was forced to depart. Presently, life has risen from amidst the ashes to lit ablaze the flames of glory, so to speak. Unfortunately, the cruelty fate would weave her hands in a different path.

The regional lord of Ji, Cao Si, in the Yan Province had sought to bolster his position by acquiring additional territory in Yan, principally Shanggu, yet strayed away from this ambitious undertaking due to the employment of Yuelang’s militia by the reigning governor. This boiled growing disdain for the elder and his group, thus with the frequent conflict having materialized between the aforementioned group and the Xiong Nu, allowed for the ever opportunistic prefect to arrange an agreement in a cooperative assault, utilizing spies to determine when the syndicate was on active leave. During the midst of the summer months in 212 BC, Cao Si mounted an assault on Shanggu hoping to lure Yuelang into the open. His stratagem was successful and upon their arrival, the Xiong Nu attacked Dai, preventing reinforcements for coming to Yuelang’s aid. Lang immediately took to arms and drove away the tribal invasion, they having been deceived by Cao Si in the actual numbers residing in Dai. Regrettably, those in Shanggu would overwhelmed and cut down to the man, Yuelang fought a legion of soldiers, yet even his exceptional skill could not overcome the odds and he fell to a storm of arrows glistening through the air.

When word sounded, Lang was beside himself with fury, having lost the man who had essentially been a surrogate father to the greed of one prefect. His wrath would know no quell nor would his brethren, who appointed him the successor to Yuelang’s legacy. Together they regrouped what remained of the militia and led an expedition to Ji. This was to become a massacre, burning the city to the ground and slaughtering every inhabitant to cross their path; blinded by a yearning to decimate everything Cao Si held. The military at Shanggu would arrive and even through numbers, the causalities were astronomical. Cao Si was caught in the ensuing chaos and torn to pieces while the armies of each respective group fought onward, calling a conclusion when either side was barely housing a tenth of their original size. Blood soaked, standing amongst the ruins of a city to have bore him no ill will; Xingnu would not bear the guilt of his misguided vengeance, disbanding the militia that following season.

To further complicate the somber nature he had fallen upon, Xingnu would learn of his mother succumbing to illness, leaving the care of his now ten year old sister to him. In an attempt to distance himself from the compiling ordeals, he would relocate with Ji to the city of Julu within the Zhao province perhaps in the intent to reacquaint himself with his ancestry after all these seasons passed. With a loss for purpose, Lang began training initially only his sister as he had before. When intrigue traversed the region, others would inquire of his tutelage. This was his basis for livelihood although to prospect of reviving the fallen Zhao had started to linger.

Ultimately, his life was once again quiet, with the years uneventfully drifting by. It was only upon the arrival of a mortally wounded soldier had Xingnu learned of a bandit brigand having made camp a few li from their location. The men beseeched him to rid the group from the vicinity before they could pillage the town. It was something he would contemplate for a time, not able to determine if he could reenter a life, he had departed from. His sense of honor and the words of his master would usher in a revitalized resolve, therefore he would embark upon the aforementioned encampment.

He would almost have to suppress a chuckle; the disarray of these riffraff posing a threat was laughable. Granted, the plausibility of this being a fragment of a larger regiment was possible. Nevertheless, his success in decimating this group may well frighten the remainder from moving to raid the villages. With no thought of concern, he drew his blades and descended the hillside, slitting the throats of the few maintaining guard. Dispatching the additional few within the compound, Lang’s optics bore the sight of what had been enslaved group nary alive any longer. This discovery explained the rationale for the soldier’s claim. It was merely a fabrication, lightly due to few garnering enough sympathy to warrant a raid to rescue slaves.

Calling outward to determine if any were alive, Lang was only met with further opposition, all of which met a rapid loss of life as his blades split through the air, his movements swift and elegant, almost akin to a dance; a fatal blow with nigh a single strike by each pass. It was a remarkable sight to behold and the mannerism was identical to what Yuelang had displayed a decade ago. With the leader cut down, Lang would move to investigate in hopes of finding some who had survived. To his fortune he would catch a glimpse of a single young woman, scarcely considered an adult, cowering in the corner, what remained of her clothing in tatters whilst she trembled. His approach would result in her gasp; the terror exhibited only insinuating a fragment of what her life had been. Eventually Lang would carry her to his home and tend to the numerous wounds upon her body, although despite his query she would utter not a single word. For months, she would remain by her lonesome, fearful to move, much less speak, however she seemed to warm to Lang over time, almost to an excessive extent. This deviation in her demeanor only further led Lang to ponder when the last time someone had treated her in a way not akin to slavery.

Life would return to as it was, the young woman still having not spoken since her arrival although she would eventually write to express her desires. Xingnu would retain his training to those who sought to learn his skills, becoming renowned in his own right as the “Silent Flash of Zhao,” attributing to his style of combat. To this day, nary a soul knows his surname, addressing him as either by his style Xingnu or as Master Lang. The present rise of Xang Yu and the subsequent tyranny of his dictatorship has reawakened the contemplation of reviving a militia… perhaps it would provide him a purpose in life, perhaps he already has one without his realization…

[Zhou Kahn]

The Complexity of Mai Zu


Mai Zu was born in a small village in the province of Dai in the year 231. It wasn’t a very poor village, but was quite simply “out of the way.” Nothing of interest happened in the village the year she was born, much like how nothing interesting happened in the village the year she left. From a young age, she was expected to be a brilliant child, one that would finish chores at a high speed and make a man very pleased one day. Her mother, Mai Shi, however, always knew that she would do more than just that with her life.

Shi: “She can’t sit still. I just hope she doesn’t cause too much trouble when she’s a woman.”

She began making her own toys as soon as she was able to stand, walk, and understand enough to do so. Simple things or tying string and sticks together with rocks to amuse herself with. As she grew older, she carved swords for the boys to play with and sewed clothes for her baby sister (only a year old when she herself was 10). She grew interested in these crafts, as well as writing. Her writing was spectacular, to the extent that her mother enrolled her in a special school in the bigger city nearby for a year. She returned home, lacking something.

Zu: “I can’t take this solo action. I need to understand more.”

While she loved to write, and could do so well, she didn’t feel satisfied with just that. By the time she realized what she wanted, she was 14. Everyday, she would go to the local smith’s workshop, or the horse trainer’s fields, or the tailor houses, watching and learning. Of course, the only place she, as a woman, was welcome, were the tailor houses. The women there were always kind to her, giving her scrap materials when able to afford it. She fell in love with the craft, but never gave up her dream to learn more.

Zu: “Are you sure it’s alright?”

Tailor: “Of course Miss Zu. Please, take it. Make something wonderful.”

A year later, she left the village, under her mother and father’s blessings. She had secured an apprenticeship in Henan with a blacksmith there, who promised to get his friend to teach her more about the art of training horses. She travelled there and became the student of Fa Shu, the blacksmith in yet another small boring village. He taught her well, treated her like a daughter, and fulfilled his promise of passing her on to the horse trainer, Ma Seng, when she had learned her fill. She spent 5 years in their care, working for both when they had orders they needed help with, and enjoying her life when she could otherwise.

Shu: “Can you believe it Seng?! Our little apprentance is a full fledge employee now!”

Seng: “Shu, shut up. You’ve been drinking again.”

Shu: “… Nope.”

Zu: “…”

She met a young man in that village when she was 19. His name was Zhican Dong, a soldier only 3 years older than herself. They quickly fell in love, spending all their time together that they could. Of course, with him being in the military and her working off her studies, they didn’t have a lot of free time with one another. But they made it work for a time, but in the end, it was nothing of sustenance and he eventually moved on as he was ordered to do with the military.

Dong: “I have to go now. I’m never going to forget you, and one day I’ll come back to you. One day when it’s safe, when China is safe, I’ll come home and build a shop where you can make the greatest things in the world.”

Zu: “And in the mean time, I’m going to move on and realize that it wasn’t meant to be.”

The next year, when Mai Zu was 20, she left the village and instead went to yet another small village on the western edge of Henan. She was sick of it; she wanted to be somewhere important. But she set up shop with her skills, trying to make a living for herself. It went well enough, to the extent she began to shirk her responsibilities in maintaining her shop. She hired a girl from the village to help her, an 18 year old home schooled, sheltered daughter of the village leader. Her name was Yun Lin. The more time she spent at Zu’s shop, the better friends they became, and eventually she came by even when she wasn’t needed to clean, just to talk for hours with Zu as she worked.

Zu: “Lin, what are you doing here? You just cleaned yesterday…?”

Lin: “Well, you’re always so lonely here, so I thought I’d come keep you company!”

Both: “Hugs!!!”

One rainy afternoon, Lin was over, talking in such a situation. It was strange, as if she was nervous, but Zu understood, to an extent: she was feeling the same way. She couldn’t understand it, why she set down her tools, let the metal burn and fester in the coals too long, why she walked over to the younger girl, and kissed her lips. They stopped for a moment; both of them surprised, but yet not, before Lin pulled away and stood up quickly.

Lin: “That was not right Zu. Why would you do that?! We are both women. Why would you do that?!”

Zu: “Lin… I… I don’t know… I don’t see you as a woman… I just see what I feel!”

Lin stood there a minute or two longer, struggling with her want to stay and hold Zu’s hand, as she had wanted for so long. In the end, she said goodbye to Zu, left out in the rain. Her body was found the next day in the swelling river nearby, a note found in her bedroom explaining that her honor was shattered and she could no longer live.

Zu: “All I wanted was to make her mine, like a husband and wife would be as they sit outside their home, enjoying life.”

Her pansexual life was a secret; not something she was ashamed of, because she did not see gender, she did not see sexual love; she merely loved and wanted, because of that love. After Lin’s suicide, Zu left the village, doing small jobs here and there when she found work. She made enough to get by in life, but she always dreamed about doing more. She considered returning home; maybe the blacksmith had croaked by now, but knew that wasn’t the right course. Perhaps down south she would find more work, or a place to finally set up a solid shop.

Zu: “I need a sign on where I’m supposed to be…. anything, a dove, a letter, anything!”

[lutai]

DEAD