Unnamed Wuxia Sandbox Setting: Character Origins, Part 1 (Orthodox Sects of the wider world)

While not quite in depth as a pre-made character, these Character Origins should help create some decently varied templates for players to pick and choose a character and how it integrate into the setting and the overall sandbox. The lore of these origin is a bit of a mish mash of ideas taken from both Art of Wuxia (which I intend to use as a game system) as well as other Wuxia RPG such as Legends of the Wulin and Wandering Heroes of Ogre Gate. In particular, the Virtues are very much taken from that exact part in Legends of the Wulin!

The focus of part 1 is on character origins which ties into larger, more powerful but distant sects who are not directly based in the region of the 'Unnamed Wuxia Sandbox' and as such draw more from pre-existing concept and archetypes rather than parts of my own creation. These come with the advantage of being from a pre-established group with the downside of their base of power being far away and unable to directly intervene.

Bowing Dragon

Artist unknown.

Skills: Martial Arts, Mystic

Style: Bowing Dragon

Restrictions: Male only

Virtues:

• Piety (Buddhism)
• Kuan (Benevolence)
• Yi (Righteousness)

You are a member of the Bowing Dragons, sometimes called the Little Forest Sect and sometimes simply reduced being called the 'Monk Sect', who draw inspiration from the fictionalized accounts of the Shaolin Monks. The Bowing Dragons are Buddhists and a strong moral code as well as inclination toward more philosophical matters are common and establish traits, although members can just as easily be cruel or inclined to certain vices nonetheless.

• The Bowing Dragons aren't based directly in the region of the 'Twin Cities', which would automatically make the character and Outsider. As an Outsider, the character is automatically not aligned with any factions in the Twin Cities and is very much akin to a wild card.
• However, in spite of this, they are well respect and established sects. They just happen to not be on good terms with any of the major players in the sandbox proper. As member of the Bowing Dragons, the reputation of your sect may very well supersede your own which can cause all manner of trouble you would rather not deal with.
• Bowing Dragons must refrain from consuming meat, alcohol and drugs. Their heads are usually shaven and they must also not engage in sexual activities and must not seek to acquire wealth. However it isn't to say a member couldn't in theory become consumed by their vices and try to hide them from the sect.
• One alternative option for a member of the Bowing Dragons is to have been a rowdy youth full of vices before becoming a Bowing Dragon. The exact nature of the events leading to such a conversion open up many possibilities.

Wudang Sect

Art by 天火 Shawn

Skills: Martial Arts, Sorcerer

Style: Wodan or Red Crane Wodan

Virtues:

• Daoism
• Kuan (Benevolence)

You are a member of the Wudang Sect, whose influence and history rival that of the Bowing Dragons. The key difference between the two is that the Wudang Sect are Taoist and are the most inclined to what could be considered the more magical aspects of Wuxia, as per the Sorcerer skill. Your Daoist techniques and the quest for balance form a massive part of your character. One option, however, is to play a secretly or not-so-secretly heretical/unorthodox Daioist priest. An 'heretical' sage does what he or she want, believing that being true to oneself and doing what they desire is the true nature of the Dao.

• The Wudang Sect isn't based directly in the region of the 'Twin Cities', which would automatically make the character an Outsider. As an Outsider, the character is automatically not aligned with any factions in the Twin Cities and is very much akin to a wild card.
• However, as ordained Daoist priests and with a reputation of delving in the more supernatural aspects, a member of the Wudang Sect might be expected to intervene in all manners of affairs which superstitious folks might consider supernatural, unnatural or cursed.
• Daoist Priest must refrain from alcohol and drugs as well as sexual relationships, unless they are an 'heretical sage' which somehow consider such things as part of their bizarre and heretical beliefs.
• For players who wish to look at the classic Orthodox sects in a manner similar to classic tabletop RPG classes and archetypes, the Wudang are definitely the 'Wizards'. While technically both they and the Bowing Dragons are of a religious bent, the Wudang have more of a direct access to openly supernatural means.

The Sword Sisters

Art from Age of Wushu(?)

Skills: Martial Arts and Thief or Detective

Style: Peach Blossom or any common External style

Restrictions: Female only

Virtues:

• Kuan (Benevolence)
• Yi (Righteousness)

Your character is a member of the Sword Sisters. Somewhat more secretive than the other two yet widespread in their own way, the Sword Sisters, sometimes called Jianmei (or 'Emei sect' to use their direct literary inspiration) are an all-female sect, with all the historical baggage this may include. When creating a member of the Sword Sisters, you must decide how to balance out the character's fighting style and technique between soft/hard, internal/external and long range/short range. While their sect is associated with the deceptive Peach Blossom style, a sword sister could easily go the opposite direction and learn a vicious and offensive external style.

• Being far away from their land, this automatically make the character an Outsider. As an Outsider, the character is automatically not aligned with any factions in the Twin Cities and is very much akin to a wild card.
• Some Sword Sisters carry what could be called 'political ambitions' within the martial world. For some it is order or righteous reform but it is entirely possible for a Sword Sister to be driven by goals she consider self-righteous but are actually quite selfish.
• As much as it is incorrect to compare the western archetypes, it is still worth writing down in hope of easing potential players. If the Wudang are the Wizards and the Bowing Dragons/Little Forest are Warrior/Cleric, then the Sword Sisters walk a line between Warrior/Thief or possibly the Paladin archetype, as odd as it may seem to someone less familiar. Their feminine traits versus the more male world of the Jianghu plays an important part of their nature. They can embrace the more feminine traits (to the point of being deceitful, hiding their strength) as per the demure-yet-deadly Peach Blossom style or one could easily choose the 'Soaring Dragon in the Sky' or 'Spiraling Wind Storm' style and become a fierce warrior.
• While they are capable of being deceptive and hiding beneath a veneer of softness if needed, the Sword Sisters very much are expected to be self reliant and will violently defend themselves or protect others as soon as the situation call for it.