Societies of National Prominence

Caged Bear: Some say that the Caged Bear society is an offshoot of the Storm Wheel (which see), composed of those who have learned to control and focus their berserk furies. They are fierce and determined, but controlled, with a strong, slashing style of fighting. As with the Storm Wheel society, membership tends to go in families, perhaps due to the tendency to run berserk descending through family lines. Members of this society use a bear in some form as their emblem; many have a helm formed like the snarling head of a bear.

Note above, the members of the Caged Bear society are mostly people who have a tendency (sometimes a very strong tendency) to go berserk in combat; one of the greatest services this society performs for its members is to help them learn to control the battle-rage. It is unlikely that any person who does not have such a tendency would desire to join the society--it would have nothing to offer him; equally unlikely that they would be allowed to do so. It is the berserker tendency which forms the common ground of the members. This society does not take a moral stance except in so far as the desire to control the Rage is moral. Obviously, they are going to find quarrelsomeness and a fondness for brawling unacceptable behavior in their members; any member who persists in such attitudes and shows no genuine desire for control and order in his life will be expelled from the society. The only other major society concerning which members of the Caged Bear have strong feelings is the Storm Wheel--they disapprove very strongly of that society, feeling that it not only fails to teach control but actively encourages loss of control.

Charmed Wind: This society walks a narrow line between the practice of magic and social acceptance. The members call themselves bards, having adopted that Alastarian word when nothing in the Adantri language seemed quite to fit. Though it is agreed by most that the society as a whole is honorable, they are generally viewed with distrust. It is said, not entirely in jest, that they have no true fighting style because they are always able to talk themselves out of trouble--the members are certainly notorious for their clever tongues. At times, of course, their clever tongues get them into trouble, as when they lay themselves out to be sarcastic and otherwise to give insult: which they do very well indeed. The higher ranks are deeply involved in what they claim is the study and development of hiu, but others say it is the study of magic. The emblem of the Charmed Wind is the lyre.

This society has no particular moral attitude implicit in its teachings, but, laboring as it does under the stigma of "trifling with the edges of magic," its members are careful to do nothing to draw adverse comment on themselves. A member who gets into trouble may talk his way out of reprisals by the authorities or the general public, but he will find his society-mates much more strict. Activities which are likely to be strongly censured by members of this society include: public drunkenness, brawling, licentiousness (a polite word for lewdness, and here used to include trifling with married women--those bards may have honeyed tongues, but they have to be careful what they catch with them), and the practice of magic. For the public practice of magic, a member of this society is likely to be expelled from it.

The Charmed Wind has no particular attitude toward other societies, except in so far as it finds the Jade Eye, the Unicorn, the Spirit Hound, and others of that sort to be stuffy.

Clawmoon: This society is said to be of religious origin (or at least, religious in its current nature) and has been outlawed for the past six hundred years or more as being treasonous in philosophy and practice. The society is united around the worship of Torhol, a god of deception and destruction generally described as a "politician's god." Membership in the society is a closely-held secret. They make use of crescent-shaped shuriken and poisoned blades in their fighting, and their emblem is a crescent moon.

A more wordy discussion of this society is found at the end of the section on societies, but it should be noted that no society is likely to ally with or support this society, nor is the Clawmoon likely to aid or support any other society for any reason other than its own (such as to sow dissension).

Golden Wind: The origin of the Golden Wind society is easily found--it is a society of merchants, mostly those who deal in trade with foreign countries. Society unity gives the merchants and their agents reliable allies in distant lands. If the Golden Wind society has its own fighting style, nothing has ever been said about it. The Golden Wind has as its emblem a gold coin of antique pattern, but there are said to be numerous secret signs and passwords by which members in distant lands may identify themselves to each other. It is also rumored that the Golden Wind accepts non-Adantri merchants as members.

The Golden Wind society is one of the very few national societies to which one may belong along with membership in some other society (but not just any other society); most of these "secondary" society memberships will be in regional societies. The strongest teachings or beliefs of the Golden Wind society are the preservation of private property and the duty of every member to assist every other member at cost (no interest) as called upon. The society as a whole has an enviable reputation for honesty in business (but not stupidity), and any member caught stealing anything from anyone or knowingly buying stolen goods will be expelled from the society immediately. To refuse assistance which has been requested and which is within the power of the refuser will get the unhelpful one called up before a committee of his peers; if he cannot give very good reasons for his refusal, he is likely to be expelled, also. Any merchant who has been a member of the Golden Wind society and was expelled will be blacklisted with all members: they will refuse absolutely to do business with him; non-members may also come to view him with suspicion, since the expulsion is considered equivalent to an accusation of dishonesty.

Horned Serpent: This society is political in nature, although it is said to have had a deeper origin and has certainly lasted longer than a purely political society usually does; its members are devious and aggressive and have often championed unpopular causes before the Emperor--but they have never acted treasonously, and so they are tolerated. Their fighting style is a strange blend of tricks, deceptions, and hiu-heightened moves. Very little is known about the inner beliefs and customs of this society, as they are secretive and suspicious of inquiries. Their emblem is the horned serpent of legend, the Alahandyu.

The most frequently suggested origin of this society is that it once represented some deposed dynasty or royal family; one variant offers the possibility that, in the days before equal-opportunity rulership, the dynasty in question may have ended with a female only. Members of the Horned Serpent Society are by no means temple knights, as a society, although they may approach the paladinic moral stance on an individual basis (see under Jade Eye for a description of the behavior expected of temple knights/paladins). Members are expected to have a certain amount of social competence, to be able to move in government circles comfortably, and they are expected to be knowledgeable about the structure and functions of the government and about current political issues. (Actually, people who are not able to behave in an acceptable manner are simply not asked to join.) The only known reason for expulsion from this society is to have acted in a manner which might be construed as treasonable; knowing themselves to be closely watched by the Inspectors General, the leaders of the society have no wish to leave themselves open to such an accusation. The society as a whole has no particular attitude toward any of the other major societies but two: they are adamantly anti-Clawmoon and very wary of the Tathakano (for different reasons).

House of Wind: The House of Wind is believed by some to have been the parent organization of the Clawmoon society; the birth was apparently a painful one, for the House of Wind is said to have destroyed itself in an effort to wipe out the Clawmoon six hundred years ago. In its day, this society was said to be much involved with study of the magical arts. Presumably the fighting style taught involved the use of magical skills. The House of Wind is not outlawed, but that may be because it is believed to be extinct.

In fact, the House of Wind still exists, though in a small and carefully unnoticed way. To remain unnoticed by the public at large is a prime command of this society (it is assumed that nobody remains unnoticed by the Tathakano), and attracting public attention is sufficient grounds for expulsion. (The ceremony of expulsion includes spells which are designed to handicap the subject magically.) To attract suspicion through the practice of magic is punishable by death. The House of Wind, as a society, is rather amused by and scornful of the Charmed Wind (they consider the bards to be "amateurs"), wary of the Tathakano, and violently opposed to the Clawmoon. Did they know it still existed (the Tathakano never volunteers information, except to the Emperor), the Spirit Hound society would view it with suspicion.

Jade Eye: This is the society to which the Emperor belongs; the members are all paladins, or Temple Knights, unutterably honorable, and champions of the weak and innocent. Their fighting style is very hiu-intensive. Their emblem is an eye in a shield, wrought of jade.

Note again, the members of the Jade Eye society are all paladins. They are upholders of right and justice--without exception; they uphold the laws of the Empire, protect those who need protection, defend the borders of the Empire from all hostile incursions, and serve as splendid examples of the Way of Mantor. They don't become drunk, they don't brawl, or engage in adultery, steal, curse, or play crude practical jokes. They never participate in assassinations: if a Jade Eye paladin finds it necessary to kill someone, he or she will do it in a fair fight. A member of this society who did any of the things listed above would be censured; if the incident was a serious one, or was repeated, he or she would be expelled from the society. Members of this society, regardless of the caste and social level of their origin, are expected to learn to be at ease in any honest company.

Martial training in the Jade Eye society is rigorous, far more so than in some of the other societies such as the Golden Wind. Advancement through the ranks of the society is slow, depending partly on combat skills and partly on other factors: members who would go beyond the lowest three levels or "enlightenments" are expected to spend a year or more in study at a temple of Mantor, to study the laws and history of the Empire, and to spend a year or more in the army learning basic tactics and strategy. Naturally, if the member wishes to specialize in one of the areas where Jade Eye paladins most frequently serve the Empire, s/he will study more deeply in the appropriate areas--one who enters the Sun Legion will learn as much as possible about military matters, one who is called to serve as an Inspector General will delve into the heart of the law and the history and culture of the realm, and so forth.

The society of the Jade Eye looks to the Unicorn, Spirit Hound, Shadow Dragon, and Tathakano societies for assistance at need and allies readily with members of these societies. The Clawmoon is their enemy; but for the other societies they feel only an indifferent tolerance.

The Jade Eye paladins differ from those of other paladinic societies on details of ethical stance. It is generally conceded by all that the Unicorn Society is the most rigorous of the paladin societies, to the point of impracticality. The Shadow Dragon is held by the Jade Eye to be less rigorous than themselves, and the Tathakano likewise. The Spirit Hound is the closest ally of the Jade Eye. The motto of the Jade Eye Society could be said to be "Requite Good with Good, and Bad with Justice."

Kitten: Members of the Kitten society are all women, perhaps half or more of them followers of the pink flower trade. It is said that the followers of this society learn skills other than fighting. Their fighting style is acrobatic, unpredictable, and quick, and they have a reputation for cruelty. There is a rumor that the members of the Kitten society either worship old goddesses as a society, or that the society numbers many worshippers of such goddesses among their members. They use no emblem, so far as anyone knows.

Kittens are uninterested in other societies as societies. Though all members are women, they are not either feminists or man-haters in the earthly sense, except perhaps individually. While there is no particular behavior code for Kitten society members, one who habitually behaved in a crude manner in public (swearing and abusive language, drunkenness, lewd behavior, etc.) would be censured by society members (rather painfully, probably), as this would reflect on other members, many of whom make their living by their social skills. But she would not be expelled unless she proved incorrigible. What members do in private is their own business.

Red Rain: The members of this society are generally reclusive. The society is believed to have been founded on an esoteric philosophy, probably with religious overtones. Socially and politically they are passive, or seem so. Their fighting style is defensive and persistent, like rain carving stone, and has been likened to the "Total Parry" style. Little definite information about this society is available. Their shields are red but have no specific emblem.

It is not known whether this society has a behavior code which it enforces, but it seems likely. Members are always quiet, generally polite, and slow to give or take offense. As a society, they show little interest in other societies, except that they hate the Saviralodi society--this is believed to be on religious grounds. They always show respect to Mantor and his followers, saying that Mantor is honorable and good, though young, but are believed to worship or follow the teachings of some more ancient god or prophet. They are surprisingly tolerant of the Clawmoon, saying that in the nature of things the followers of the Claw cannot triumph, so why worry? For many of the smaller, more modern cults, such as the Circle of Three, they show a tolerant scorn.

Saviralodi: The Saviralodi are secretive, but the Imperial Investigators have determined that their society is based on some sort of mystical/philosophical premise and does not threaten the Empire. They are known to be vindictive when crossed; they fight with axe heads and an axe head is their representative emblem.

Little is know about this society save that they take no non-Adantri members and are hostile to the Red Rain society and the followers of Shistalas.

Shadow Dragon: The members of the Shadow Dragon society are very honorable, accounted as paladins like the Jade Eye warriors, but they keep a lower profile. Little about this society is known by outsiders, but their fighting style has been seen on more than one battlefield--it is quick and powerful, with many spectacular leaps. Their emblem is a dragon.

See the notes under the Jade Eye society for behavior acceptable in paladins. The Shadow Dragons differ in that, should it be necessary to attack someone, they will attempt to come upon that person by surprise (like "a dragon from the shadows")--not an assassination from ambush, but the members of this society will prefer to pick their own ground and circumstances before fighting and have no desire to let the opponent have a chance to get set. The Shadow Dragon society respects the Jade Eye, Unicorn, and Spirit Hound societies and will give aid if called upon, but they work most happily with the equally low-profile Tathakano. The Clawmoon and other such groups (the Thieves' Guild of Ini Palel, for instance) are their special enemies, and they take satisfaction in beating these groups at their own devious and dangerous games.

It is said by some that the motto of the Shadow Dragon is "Return Like for Like."

Shistalas: It is rumored that the members of this society worship a winged snake called Shistalas. This has naturally caused some unease from time to time, but the priests of Mantor accept Shistalas members into their congregations, so they can't be all bad. Their fighting style is a fast one, and they are prone to throw things: darts, shuriken, daggers... Their emblem is a winged snake on a blue field.

Because so little is known about the inner beliefs of this society, the other societies are all neutral with regard to it; the members of Shistalas return this regard and are neutral toward the other societies, except for the Saviralodi, toward whom they are antagonistic. Few members of this society are pure Adantri, and many are part Ratani; they are most numerous in the region of the Empire which borders on the lands of Old Ratan.

Silver Fan: The members of this society are mostly priests and what we would call, perhaps, scholar/bards--lirkan-dari, lore-singers. The teachings of the society sages are strongly focused on developing the hiu-forces of the members. Many healers belong to this society. Their fighting style resembles the Alastarian "Aimed Blow" style. The emblem of the society is a delicate silver fan on a dark blue ground.

In the nature of things, advancement in this society is very slow, for the development of hiu-forces is a long matter, and the novice of the society, whether priest or lay scholar, has much other material to study as well. They are very law-abiding and work well with the paladin societies (Jade Eye, Shadow Dragon, Unicorn) and with the Spirit Hound and usually the Tathakano. Those of the society members who are not healers are often found advising the Spirit Hounds in their judgments or assisting the Tathakano in their researches.

By the time a member of this society has reached even the Second Scroll of Advancement, s/he has developed a courteous and socially pleasing manner--it is considered an important part of their training. A member of this society could be expelled for unlawful activities, and would be censured and possibly expelled for the usual "socially unacceptable behavior," i.e., drunkenness, swearing, brawling, etc. Though trained to fight, the members of the Silver Fan are not usually considered to be warriors--the martial training is intended as much to assist them in developing their self-control as in self-defense...but let any who attack them beware!

Spirit Hound: This society numbers most of the judges and law enforcement personnel of the Empire among its members; its code of honor is strong, but stronger still is its desire for justice. It is said that the members know how to use hiu to heighten their senses and their wisdom; their fighting style is strong and enduring. Their emblem is a double balance scale supported by a sword, but individually, many members use the device of a hunting dog.

This is not actually a society of paladins, although some members may achieve that standard of honorable and pure behavior; the society leaders consider that paladins sometimes let themselves be led to the point of gross unwisdom in their efforts to follow the most extreme letter of the Code of Honor. They will not lie, cheat, steal, or commit an assassination, but a little carefully calculated distraction, an artfully baited trap... They respect the laws they enforce, but justice is all, even when the laws do not quite provide it. The Spirit Hounds have been accused of being ruthless in their pursuit of justice, and this is so.

Members of this society will call on the Jade Eye society for help at need, the Shadow Dragon and Tathakano somewhat less freely. (It is suspected that the last two societies mentioned are willing to go beyond anything the Spirit Hounds consider allowable to bring about what they see as justice--and that they may have...unusual views as to just what, exactly, constitutes justice in some cases.) The Unicorn Society they do not call on, believing the followers of that philosophy to be too impractical for reliability.

The motto of the Spirit Hounds is "Uphold the Law, but Justice above All."

Storm Wheel: The members of the Storm Wheel society are reputed to be berserkers, wild, fierce fighters who use hiu to increase their strength. The origin of the society is unknown, save that it is very old, possibly pre-dating the Empire. Storm Wheel members are always found in the front line of the Empire's armies. Members of the Storm Wheel society are often blood kin to each other--the berserker tendency having been found to run in families. Their emblem is a swirling circle of lightning bolts.

Please note that the members of this society are berserkers. That is their uniting quality. A non-berserker would not only be out of place in this society, s/he would be very likely to die (or at least be crippled) the first time s/he met other society members in sparring. The society is ambivalent about the Caged Bear society, some members feeling that learning to control the Rage, as the Caged Bears do, is not necessarily a bad thing, others asserting that chaining the Rage is unnatural. The paladinic societies, the Jade Eye, the Unicorn, and to some extent the Shadow Dragon and Spirit Hound societies, they view with confusion, finding it hard to understand how these people can remain calm in the face of great provocation. The Storm Wheel society, as a society, takes no particular moral stance.

Tabyr: Members of the Tabyr society are mostly sailors. It is said that their fighting style was developed to accommodate the shifting deck of a ship and even underwater combat. They don't use of an emblem, as they make little use of shields.

The overall uniting factor in this society is simply employment on the sea, or even a strong hobby of sailing. The society takes no moral stance and has no particular attitude toward other societies; it is more tolerant of drunkenness than most national societies. The members who sail the Trier Sea, those who sail the inland waters of the rivers, and those who sail on the great Southern Ocean form different branches of the society. Information concerning hazards in the waters society-members sail is freely exchanged, giving them an advantage over non-society sailors in the same waters.

Tathakano: The Tathakano society, called "shadow eyes," is very old, but obscure. Little certain information about the society is available, but they are said to have one of the largest libraries in the Empire and to have numbered some of the most renowned detectives and investigators in Imperial history among their members. Their fighting style is said to be subtle, flexible, and opportunistic--perhaps similar to the Alastarian "Parry-Riposte" discipline. The Tathakano use no emblems, perhaps due to their expressed desire to keep a low profile.

Although not unduly concerned with the letter of the law, members of this society are interested in seeing justice done--by whatever method works best. They will aid the Jade Eye society, although they find those paladins, especially the young ones, to be rather idealistic, even naive. They work closely with the Spirit Hounds, supplying them with information needed in administering the law and justice of the Empire, and with the Shadow Dragons. Any sort of activity which draws attention to oneself is frowned on by the Tathakano, but no one has ever been known to be expelled from the society--although a few members who were suspected of using their information for dishonest ends have disappeared.

Unicorn: As one might guess from the name, the philosophy of this society is one of extreme honor and purity. Members of the society, who may be of either sex, are said to take an oath to remain celibate for some set period, usually five years, while actively pursuing the society's goals. At the end of the oath period, they may either renew the oath or become inactive members and resume a more normal life; for the masters of the society teach that sexual activity weakens the hiu and thus impairs a warrior's fighting ability. It is said that members of the Unicorn society are dedicated to the eradication of crime. Their fighting style is direct and physical. The emblem of this society is a unicorn in white on a red field.

The Unicorn, like the Jade Eye, is a society of paladins. See under the description of the Jade Eye society for behavior inappropriate to paladins. The Unicorn society works readily with the Jade Eye society, and somewhat more reluctantly with the Spirit Hound, the Shadow Dragon, and the Tathakano societies. It is unalterably opposed to the Clawmoon society and to such organizations as the Thieves' Guild of Ini Palel.

It is not known whether this society has a motto, but outsiders humorously say that it must be "Purity, and No Compromise."

Zegan: This society is a peculiar one; its members are wanderers, some say professional beggars and hoboes. There are said to be many drunks numbered amongst them, although this has never been established. (Drunkenness is not a readily tolerated condition in the Empire, as it is held to impair a person's fighting skill.) They are said to have developed a disconcerting style filled with seemingly random moves--it is said that even a drunk can defend himself using this style. The Zegan society has no emblem; detractors say that this is because they are insufficiently organized for such refinements.

By its nature it may be assumed that the Zegan society takes no moral stance; it is suspected that many members, if not the society as a whole, may engage in illegal activities--but nothing has been proved...so far. The Jade Eye, Unicorn, Spirit Hound, Shadow Dragon, and Tathakano societies watch them closely. The members of this society are on fairly good terms with those of the Kitten society, although neither society would actually leap to the defense of the other. Most of the other societies ignore the Zegan; if questioned, they will suggest that the Zegan society is not a true warrior society.