Core Concepts:
The Universal Dao = The realm beyond all life – a space that exists out of time and place, where there is only pure Qi. Pockets of the Wasteland are open to trickles of Qi energy from the Universal Dao. It is the goal of most Cultivators to add their energy to the Dao eventually, merging with all minds who have gone before and achieving pure unity of spirit and essence. Formerly known as 'The Heavens' before the Sundering and the death of the Old Gods.
Qi = The energy that flows through all living things. Can be harnessed through proper meditation and training to allow the performance of martial techniques. Sometimes referred to as the 'essence of the Universal Dao'
Cultivation: a process of meditation whereby a monk allows their mind to commune with the Universal Dao, growing their Anima Cores in the process over a long period of many years. There are six key stages of Cultivation that are currently known: Body Tempering. Mental Mastery. Core Regulation. Anima Banishment. Ego Internalization. Soul Actualization.
Anima Cores = a measure of the body's innate capacity to harness Qi energy. All candidates for Cultivation possess approximately 90 Anima Cores on average. In general, the higher one's Anima Cores, the more advanced the Cultivator.
Dao-Walk = A key process in the practice of Cultivation that enables the meditator to enter the Universal Dao for a short period of time and absorb small quantities of Qi in a controlled envrionment.
Animus = The unified whole of one's personality aspects. Can be sensed through observation and Qi meditation. Used to decide which Sect a Cultivator Disciple shall join.
Ego = Perception of the self and one's relation to the world.
The Sects of the Wasteland:
Eternal Dragon
Elemental Aspect: Fire
Key Animus Aspects: Power. Revolution. Passion. Creation. Destruction.
Location: Ramor-Tai. Eastern Rim
Waiting Tiger
Elemental Aspect: Lightning
Key Animus Aspects: Speed. Patience. Strength. Teamwork.
Location: Ramor-Tai. Eastern Rim.
Bending Reed
Elemental Aspect: Water
Key Animus Aspects: Reflection. Peace. Equilibrium. Pliability.
Location: Azar'Ilnim. Southern Rim.
Twin-tailed Snake
Elemental Aspect: Earth
Key Animus Aspects: Cunning. Individuality. Quick-thinking. Stealth.
Location: Mongiatsu. Western Rim.
Waning Moon
Elemental Aspect: Darkness
Key Animus Aspects: Despair. Nihilism. Fear. Fatalism.
Location: Nocturnus. Northern Rim.
Wasteland Organizations:
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The Cultivators of Ramor-Tai
Ramor-Tai has stood atop Mount Ramor since the final days of the Qingua Dynasty. It's architecture is simple but firm, much like the unity between the two Sects it harbors: the Eternal Dragon and Waiting Tiger. The Masters and Disciples have agreed to a strict policy of non-interference with the affairs of the Wasteland since their inception.
The Divine Order
A paramilitary organization seeking the resurrection of the deceased God of light and total unification under his faith. The Divine Order currently stands as the most powerful military force in the Wasteland, conquering settlements and recruiting their populace into their ranks. The Order has also made it its goal to eradicate all vestiges of technology from the world, believing it to have tainted humankind and led to the events of The Sundering.
The leader of the Divine Order is known as the High Eagle - the figurehead whose will is made manifest in every movement and tenet of the Order.
Spirits of the Wasteland:
Huli: A many-tailed fox spirit representing good fortune. Huli are often found in packs, in dense woods or nearby large bodies of water. They are known for being mischievous and quick-witted, often confounding travelers or helping them seemingly on a whim. There have been few recorded instances of humans bonding with Huli - but some have chosen them as their companions. Other spirits are far more amenable to interacting with mortals if they travel with a Huli, though the exact reasons for this are currently unknown.
Gui'po: The 'housekeeping' spirit. A benevolent apparition that takes the form of a kindly, but strict, old woman. Guipo will frequent locations that require constant upkeep, often remaining in academic institutions like schools or training centers, but can also be found in the ruins of old Qingua Dynasty palaces. They toil in maintaining a specific area of this institution, pursuing domestic duties without rest. They are docile so long as their work is not disturbed.
Yaoguai: Trickster spirits that feed off of human desire. A Yaoguai has no definable shape, and will take on the form of anything its mortal prey desires most. For Cultivators pursuing the final rank of Anima Banisher, Yaoguai are a particular nuisance - the final test of a Disciple's ability to cut his body off from mortal pleasures and earthy concerns. They are the prime reason for the high failure rate of Disciples to move to the rank of Internalized Ego.
Aoyin: The 'flesh-eater' spirit. These ghoulish, hunchbacked creatures can often be found exhuming graves to devour the corpses of the fallen. While their presence is terrifying, Aoyin are generally one of the weaker classes of malevolent entities that roam the wastes. Their frail bodies are a problem only for the untrained soldier, which is why they often dwell in dank caves near peasant villages. Some have recorded Aoyin that can mimic human language after consuming the brains of well-spoken travelers.