The Book Of Wood/MartialWorld
The World of Martial Arts is one of the oldest and widespread enduring traditional cultures in Creation. This section seeks to expand upon that world as described in the Scroll of the Monk:
THE FIVE GRANDMASTERS OF CREATION
In the First Age, when standards of martial valor were much higher than they are now, each of the Five Cardinal Directions recognized a much more organized hierarchy of the Martial World. Each Region held a series of Tournaments, each with fewer participants, yet more intense competition, than the last. The final five contestants were hailed by all Creation as the Five Grandmasters of Creation. Once, each thousand years, they would meet at the summit of Mount Meru, and hold their final contest, which would determine who was the best under the heavens (these final five were invariably Celestial Exalted, although some few upsets were recorded...). The winner was congratulated by both the Unconquered Sun and the Maiden of Endings themselves, and acclaimed Headmaster of the Martial Arts World, while the cycle of training for the next set of tournaments began anew...
The Usurpation occurred right before the next Grandmaster Tournament was set to conclude. Indeed, the Grandmaster cycle was broken and has yet to be restored in this fallen Age. Each Region still maintains a Grandmaster, however, tho when they meet is an open question. While one must have peerless skill and Face to be a Grandmaster, that is not all. One must also involve oneself in the goings on of the Martial Community, hosting tournaments, settling disputes, and expounding upon the principles that should guide Martial Artists everywhere; therefore, Chejop Kejak, tho his knowledge and power may well be unrivalled, is still unknown to the Martial Arts World, and so could never be accorded Grandmaster, in this sense. In this Time of Tumult, could the time for the Five current Grandmasters to come together once more finally be upon us?? They are:
Master Ragara Myrrun, of the Blessed Isle: One of only three Immaculate Grandmasters, Myrrun also has the most influence in martial theory as practiced on the Blessed Isle. Unbeknown to his legion of followers, however, there are other forces working upon his Destiny, that may soon enable him to transcend even the heights that he has reached...if they do not doom him, first.
Master Sonson, Monkey Queen of the East: Lunar Exalts have always served with distinction as Grandmasters. Among them is the current Eastern Grandmaster, Sonson. Exalted at the end of the 1st Age, this Changing Moon has taken a broader interpretation of the Thousand Stream River: Why focus on shaping one society, when one can mold an influential subculture that spans ALL societies? And so, the Eastern Martial Arts World is Sonson's project, one in which she subtly infuses with the honor, pride and virtues of the Silver Pact. She keeps her Exalted nature secret, and has actually served as every Grandmaster for the last thousand years: Whoever progresses far enough to earn a challenging match with her latest form, is allowed to win, then consumed for their form shortly afterwards, in which she continues her important work.
The Swamp Witch of the South: A truly ancient Sidereal resides in the Southwestern swamps, from which she often ventures to travel throughout the South, seemingly at random. She claims that acting as Southern Grandmaster simply keeps her mind and body fit, but as a Chosen of Secrets, there are likely other motivations that she has not shared with any. The prevailing notion, among those very few who know her true nature behind the Resplendent Destiny she conducts her business in, is that she is looking for a certain Solar student destined to come under her tutelage that she may teach *everything* to: Including the truth of the Usurpation, Solar Circle Sorcery and even Sidereal Martial Arts, should he prove worthy enough. Both Factions of Sidereals would do much to prevent this, if they knew...
Master Qui-Lo, of the North: Unique even among the Grandmasters, Qui-Lo is actually an automaton, created by a Twilight "Martial Scientist" to aid in his analysis of the Supernatural Martial Arts. Qui-Lo follows the general design of a Minion of Deadly Touch, only specialized for combat. He possesses the unique ability to analyze and duplicate any Martial Art Charm performed in his presence, which gives him a considerable library of power. After his creator was slain in the Usurpation, he fled further North, where he lay dormant for some time. After awakening, he has decided that he no longer wishes to be a sparring puppet. And so he has spent the last decades spreading his name and fame, and using his newfound clout to build an cultish army of martial warriors on his frozen island for his own ends...
Eunuch of the Blind Echo, of the West: For the longest time, there was no true Grandmaster of the West. If asked, most would cite the Ocean Father, except that he rarely, if ever, had anything to do with the Martial Arts community. Western populations were simply too small and isolated (and, some insist, backwards) to really even have a Martial Arts community. Until recently, when a dark monk traveled from isle to isle, preaching and teaching about the martial virtues. Eunuch of the Blind Echo does not deny his Abyssal nature, although he maintains that he is a renegade from a master that he dare not name. Although skeptical, many villages and communities in the West owe their lives and livelihoods to his skill at fighting off monsters, barbarians and the Wyld, and so they at least listen to him. His message is not one of blissful death, but of fighting for what you treasure. Many young ones have devoted themselves to him, and he is building up a sizable following among the islands...
THE BENEFITS OF FACE
In addition to the listed benefits, Face also allows one special privileges in the Martial Arts World. First among these is the Right of Challenge. While this may vary from culture to culture, it is traditional to submit a challenge in writing, stating the time, place, and reason (to settle a grudge, test skills, etc). It is customary to deliver this oneself, although allowing ones' Followers to do so is acceptable; delivering a challenge tied to a shot arrow or thrown chakram is frowned upon (tho it does happen). Martial Artists need not answer the challenge of someone with lesser Face than they, although they themselves may lose Face if they refuse too many such challenges.
The Second Right of Face is the ability to summon the local community of Martial Artists to a gathering. Similarly to duels, one must issue written invitations to those expected to appear, which usually includes all the masters teaching in the area, who are assumed to accept on behalf of their students, as well as any wandering heroes known to be in the area. One must be careful, however, as a lost invitation to a master of high Face can be seen as a deadly insult. Low-Face Martial Artists who are just passing through will often hear about such gatherings second-hand when they notice the unusual number of fighters at rest stops and inns; they will usually attend out of curiousity and are welcome to do so.
Contests of this sort are like smaller, less formal Tournaments (which are much more regular). There may be some sparring going on, various figures showing off some new technique they've learned, and some teachers may pit students against each other in "friendly" exhibitions, but for the most part they are social affairs, full of boasting, gambling, and gossip, perhaps called to celebrate the birthday of a famous local master, the wedding of popular heroes, or the mourning (and investigation) of the murder of a fellow Martial Artist, for example. The one who called the gathering is expected to provide food and shelter for all attendees, who are in turn expected to bring some small gift of appreciation. One must have Face 3 or higher to issue such a general call.
The Third Right of Face is the rarest used. While it follows the same rules as the second, it is much more serious and is only issued to rally the local Martial Arts World against some specific threat. Such a mass army of warriors usually gathers when the threat of foreign or supernatural invasion is imminent and the actual authorities seem powerless to prevent it. They will divide themselves up into an army composed of Face 5 disciples forming Fangs, Face 4 adepts leading Scales, and Face 3 masters leading Talons and Wings, with the entire Dragon led by the Face 2 or higher fighter who called the gathering in the first place (keep in mind that Face is not an actual ranking of skill, so a superior Martial Artist may be relegated to the command of an inferior superior if her fame has not spread far enough). Supernatural Martial Artists are almost always given command of their mundane compatriots and serve as Heroes, Sorcerers, and Relays.
DOJO CULTURE
As the soldiers' life revolves around the fort, so too is the Dojo the cultural center of the martial artists' life and community. While the exact size and form of dojo varies considerably (some Lunars even maintain dojo that are indistinguishable by most from beautifully maintained nature spots), most have at least a few specific features:
All dojo will have a large room where the main training takes place; if the building is large enough,it may also have a large assembly hall for announcements, although the training hall can also double for this feature. It will also have the usual amenities for an inhabited building, although the space for raw beginners may not be as comfortable as that for more advanced students and teachers. Many dojo (especially those whose function is largely bureaucratic or symbolic) have their training facilities outside, often in the form of a small arena or a field of bamboo stalks of varying height.
There will also be a room well-stocked for healing most injuries that may occur during training, as well as a storage space for the equipment used in that training (floor mats, practice dummies, etc). Most dojo also have an armory, filled with martial arts weapons, both mundane and Artifact, either taken in battle or donated by former students. Every dojo will have a shrine in a place of honor, as well as a place to hang signs (wooden placards or silken banners) authorizing the dojo to teach its Style, naming the current Sifu, remembering past Sifu and students, and the rules and general philosophy that those attending the dojo are expected to abide by.
Many Dojo serve as community centers for local martial artists, especially if the area is not that large. Tournaments are often hosted here, and it is customary for traveling heroes to be given a place to stay, perhaps in exchange for a lesson for the students. Students not only live there, but do all of the repair and maintainance work, which can be a chore, especially after exceptionally *vigorous* training! Most students are not allowed outside the tall walls separating the dojo from the outside, the better to focus their concentration on their initiation into their Art. When they must leave, there are certain doors that tradition dictates they take, along with Sifu and guests.
Dojo are under frequent threat of Challenges. Most often, a wandering challenger will announce himself at the front gate and wait for a response; the higher his Face, the quicker the response, and the more advanced his opponent. The duel follows the standard rules outlined above, except that the challenger, by ancient right, may take the dojo's Name sign with him. This is rarely done these days, in which the winning challenger most often forgoes this right in exchange for a night's stay with the most luxurious treatment the dojo can afford.
MARTIAL OPERA
The Martial Arts World is a community separate onto itself, with mores and rules most do not fully understand. One of the few bridges between this World and the everyday world, however, is that of the Martial Opera. Combining elements of song, dance, costume theater and the circus, the Opera, whether traveling or operating from a fixed location, regularly draws non-martial artists from leagues around to see its stories.
For the most part, there are few real martial artists taking part in the Opera, unless they are using it as a cover for some reason. Some are born to the life, while others were sold to it as children, often by poor parents who could not afford to care for them; both have hard early years, rigorously training minds and bodies in acrobatic contortions under the unrelenting gaze of stern taskmasters. Many performers started out as martial artists, but ultimately failed in the lifestyle, either because they couldn't master their school's style, or were crippled by some enemy. And so, they live out their days pantomiming the greatest they may never achieve...
The stories the Opera tells are many and varied, some dating all the way back to the First Age (although judiciously edited, especially in Realm controlled areas) while others are original. Many are simply spoken, many are sung, and some are more akin to ballet, with subtle shadings of meaning and emotion conveyed by exquisitely performed katas. They span the range of Romance, Comedy, Tragedy, and the ever-popular Revenge Drama, and often feature easily-recognized stock characters who are identifiable by standardized clothing, makeup and weapons.
Most major cities will have at least a few troupes of note, either housed in their own Dojo Theater or alternating the use of one shared among several troupes. Some groups specialize in broad, low-brow farces, often inviting theatergoers onstage to partake in the improvised (and harmless) action, while their opposite number are patronized by the elite of Creation and enjoy the best-designed Artifact-theaters and special effects. Some traveling troupes use no stage or theater at all, and improvise their performances in local inns or motels, making clever, daredevil use of chairs, tables and such as improvised props. At least one major city has such impromptu performances between two rival Opera troupes as a major tourist draw!
Of course, the major powers of Creation are certainly not above using this tradition for their own ends: Roving troupes provide excellent cover for Sidereal agents, as well as for hidden agents of the All Seeing Eye. At least two Deathlords sponsor Martial Opera troupes (although the best may only be viewed in the Underworld), and even the Fair Folk have gotten in on the act. A show starring a Solar performer, perhaps reenacting dimly remembered dramas from the First Age, would be a sight indeed! And, of course, the possibility of very real violence breaking out during these performances is perhaps part of the draw...
