In the years after the fall of the Festering Pit, the Brotherhood will see an early birthplace in the empire, thanks in no small part to the inspiration of the memory of Taochusu and Ch'Jak'Matt's sacrifices. This monastic order is nearly identical to the canon Order of Heroes, though with a couple key differences (for one, Goemon is not involved, obviously.).
The Order of Heroes Monk
The first organized sect of monks of the Brotherhood of Shinsei, the monks of the Order of Heroes are strong adherents to the ideas of Shinsei. They believe the potential for greatness exists within the soul of all men. With the proper encouragement, any human can become a hero of legend to inspire and teach others. The Order actively seeks out threats and problems that exist within the Empire, and then seeks out individuals who possess the proper talents to deal with the matter conclusively.
The order at this point is simply a Brotherhood that follows Shinsei’s ideas with no one place to call home. They wander the empire and do what they can to seek to fulfill their duties, and thus can be found in any major city or minor village, seeking out those that would protect ningen-do. They are well known for not discriminating for any reason, only caring whether a person is willing and capable of doing what needs to be done, seeking heroes from among the tribes, the clans, the heimin and even sometimes from among non-human races like the Nezumi. While they believe in the infinite potential of humanity, they also recognize the strengths and potential of any that calls Ningen-do home.
In times of danger they seek out those that would face the threats of the day. But in times of peace they keep the ideals of heroism alive, recording and sharing stories of heroism of days gone. Among their first tales are those of sacrifices of the Nezumi hero Ch’jak’matt and the wanderer Taochusu and the epic victory of the rescue of Fu Leng and the numerous heroes that participated in that battle. But their tales tend to focus on those that proved their will and devotion, which are unfortunately usually the tales of sacrifice.
Devotion: Shinseism
Benefit: +1 Perception
Honor: 4.5
Skills: Athletics, Defense, Jiujutsu, Lore: Theology, Meditation, Perform: Storytelling, any one Skill
Technique: Destiny’s Hand - The Order’s esoteric methods allow for the passage of chi from a monk to another without difficulty. You may spend a Void Point as a Free Action to confer a bonus of +1k1 to any one roll this round by an ally who has not yet taken his Turn. You may not enhance a roll that cannot normally benefit from Void Points (such as a damage roll, for instance).
Kiho: 3 at Rank 1. Kiho are (currently, as per tentative discussion with Canary, likely finalized next game) limited to Mastery Level 5 or less, similar to spells currently being limited to Mastery 3 or less.
Historical and Teaching Notes:
- The Order of Heroes is originally founded by Nozomi (formerly known as Phi), alongside Shinsei. It derived from their reflections on the infinite possibility of human potential and the potential of the mortal soul, which they saw as they traveled alongside Ch’jak’matt and Taochusu and others in their fight to rescue Fu Leng and seal the portal into Jigoku.
- Like future schools of thought based on Shinsei’s teachings, the Order teaches that attachment leads to suffering, and only in putting aside what attaches oneself unduly to this life does one transcend and find the spirit of enlightenment and a hero within. In realizing this potential, anyone of Ningendo can become a hero. Their earliest stories stress how those who died as heroes put aside their fear of death and loss in the name of benefiting others.
- Reflective of the earliest thought of Shinsei, the school is more pragmatic than some. Marriage of monks is permitted so long as the attachment is not impeding the monk. Killing is permitted in the defense of others. The Truth is considered ‘flexible’ when embellishing a tale of heroism, so long as the embellishment causes no harm to others.
- A strong sense of the desire for purity is common, and although monks are ascetic, it is normal to carry items of jade or other protections against something that might corrupt one’s ties to the mortal world. Anything of the mortal world may be a hero, and that tie to this world is protected fervently.
- The order is mobile and itinerant, without much in the way of a base of operation. Early shrines begin to find their place in Saru lands and the Imperial Capital as members of the order seek out heroes to protect the empire, be they as fellow members or as bushi who display great potential. While traveling, they protect the weak, seek out bold hearts, share Shinsei’s sayings and the stories of past heroes like Taochusu and Ch’Jack’matt and help those in need by seeking threats to the empire at large. Ever vigilance is a hallmark of the order.
- As the Order gains traction and its early shrines are built, the Chinsei Tribal member Miyako comes to give a gift of Taochusu's beloved musical instrument, the guqin, to the Order. Though not a group with a need of material possessions, the item carried the sentimental significance of Tao and the Chusu people. It was kept as an heirloom of the order, and a physical reminder of the tale of Fu Leng' Rescue and his part in it.
