Post by Shadowfang on Dec 11, 2006 10:01:09 GMT -5
Well here's what I got so far for the Order of the White Lotus. I will say that I had a harder time with this one and its ranks. I used a serperation of the flower in a clan system like i did with the Dai lang but wasn't really inspired with a system of higher and lower rankings. Kinda figured the Grandmaster would receive information and spread it to those that needed it, and each member would be working with each other when it was needed. They struck me as more passive and so most would be content within their positions in government. I did make a clan that I figured would draw some attention. Figured the leaves would be a popular choice for those people that wanted to be a member but not a part of the mess called government.
Anyway here is the rough draft of it. I'll be on later today to see your suggestions and comments and then work on it some more.
Explanation of The Order of the White Lotus
The Order of the White Lotus is dedicated to preserving ourselves. We gather secrets to further our strength and knowledge and seek to become politically powerful without becoming known to outsiders. We accept candidates from any nation as long as they swear to uphold our codes, and not fight amongst themselves."
If you do join, you must help your fellow members, wherever you find them. But do not expose the Order to outsiders. Be discreet about your help. Don't openly show that you are helping them if it will bring attention to us. Remember, The Dai Lang are our most sworn enemies, for their objectives are much the same as ours. They will attempt to kill you should any Dai Lang find out you are with us. Speak not of secrets things in outside company and keep all secrets you learn.... Now, sit down and enjoy a game of Pai Sho with me....
The Order of the White Lotus is divided into four separate but equal clans. Within these clans, each member has a varying degree of importance. A new recruit to the clan of the Petal may begin as only the servant of a political figure and from there must work to rise through the political ranks. The Order is dedicated to keeping their secrets safe. This includes the identities of its members. Any member of the Order is required to house any other member in time of need regardless of either’s rank. The help is given after the code of our order is performed during a Pai Sho match, and there are several codes within the match that are able to tell what the person needs.
The High Grandmaster
High Grandmaster is the highest position in the Order of the White Lotus and is often given to someone with a great reputation. The Grandmasters are most often the retired Generals of an army, an advisor who is closest to a nation’s king, or even a ruler of a nation. These people are charismatic and seem to always be doing a favor for someone else. The High Grandmaster has undisputed command of the White Lotus but he keeps two members from each clan close to him to use as he sees fit.
The Four Clans
Roots: A flower’s roots are unseen by a viewer but provide the nourishment that the flower needs. This is just as our members are those every day people that supply the nourishment of information to us. A member of the roots clan is a member of the lowest, but arguably the most important clan of the Order. These members are made up of the members that wish to keep themselves from becoming a political figure, but wish to see our Order grow. These people are the ordinary villagers that dominant every town. They stay hidden within these ranks in order to learn the secrets our Order needs. There is always at least one group of Roots in every major town of every nation and nearly every village in our land has at least one member hidden within it. These people are used as spies to gain the gossip that will profit us the most.
Stem: The stem is an ordinary thing that grows from the ground, but inside of it, the stem is sending strength to the rest of the flower. This is just as our members are a part of the small government positions. With their higher power, they give us the information we need and aid us in our quest for further Political Power. A member of the Stem clan could be anything from a business owner to a mayor of a small town. These members use their positions of superiority to discover information that has to do with trading and information on the dealings of their nation in particular. They are also used to influence their town in a way that more members may gain the power that they seek.
Leaves: The leaves of the flower may break away and travel where the wind takes them. This is just as our members are the nomadic warriors that defend us in our time of need. They may wonder far from home, but they are still a part of the flower. Other ranks may have a love for political dominance, but these members seek one thing above it. The Leaves are the travelers of the White Lotus. They are also its fiercest warriors. These people travel the land in search of information consisting of people’s views on their land, but primarily this information concerns violence. The members of the White Lotus go to great lengths to learn everything in their specific art of combat. These members are often the masters of their element and most often know a few unique styles that few have seen before. These people use their power to protect the Order of the White Lotus in time of need. They also use their traveling to an advantage and can discover information from the shadier people that the Stem, Roots, and Petals could never be seen dealing with.
Petals: The petals of a flower may add in salves that cause either healing or pain. They are the most beautiful section of the flower and everyone looks upon them. This is just as our members are a part of the highest government positions. They may use their power to strengthen a government with White Lotus members in leadership, or they could cripple it with upheaval. The members of the Order of the White Lotus that hold high positions of power are often the Petals of the White Lotus. These people use their positions to learn the highly classified information that our order requires. They are the members of a King’s council, a part of a war council, and even a part of the leadership in revolts. Every kingdom has at least one petal somewhere in its ranks, but usually there are several petals that work in secret to put other White Lotus members into power.
Anyway here is the rough draft of it. I'll be on later today to see your suggestions and comments and then work on it some more.
Explanation of The Order of the White Lotus
The Order of the White Lotus is dedicated to preserving ourselves. We gather secrets to further our strength and knowledge and seek to become politically powerful without becoming known to outsiders. We accept candidates from any nation as long as they swear to uphold our codes, and not fight amongst themselves."
If you do join, you must help your fellow members, wherever you find them. But do not expose the Order to outsiders. Be discreet about your help. Don't openly show that you are helping them if it will bring attention to us. Remember, The Dai Lang are our most sworn enemies, for their objectives are much the same as ours. They will attempt to kill you should any Dai Lang find out you are with us. Speak not of secrets things in outside company and keep all secrets you learn.... Now, sit down and enjoy a game of Pai Sho with me....
The Order of the White Lotus is divided into four separate but equal clans. Within these clans, each member has a varying degree of importance. A new recruit to the clan of the Petal may begin as only the servant of a political figure and from there must work to rise through the political ranks. The Order is dedicated to keeping their secrets safe. This includes the identities of its members. Any member of the Order is required to house any other member in time of need regardless of either’s rank. The help is given after the code of our order is performed during a Pai Sho match, and there are several codes within the match that are able to tell what the person needs.
The High Grandmaster
High Grandmaster is the highest position in the Order of the White Lotus and is often given to someone with a great reputation. The Grandmasters are most often the retired Generals of an army, an advisor who is closest to a nation’s king, or even a ruler of a nation. These people are charismatic and seem to always be doing a favor for someone else. The High Grandmaster has undisputed command of the White Lotus but he keeps two members from each clan close to him to use as he sees fit.
The Four Clans
Roots: A flower’s roots are unseen by a viewer but provide the nourishment that the flower needs. This is just as our members are those every day people that supply the nourishment of information to us. A member of the roots clan is a member of the lowest, but arguably the most important clan of the Order. These members are made up of the members that wish to keep themselves from becoming a political figure, but wish to see our Order grow. These people are the ordinary villagers that dominant every town. They stay hidden within these ranks in order to learn the secrets our Order needs. There is always at least one group of Roots in every major town of every nation and nearly every village in our land has at least one member hidden within it. These people are used as spies to gain the gossip that will profit us the most.
Stem: The stem is an ordinary thing that grows from the ground, but inside of it, the stem is sending strength to the rest of the flower. This is just as our members are a part of the small government positions. With their higher power, they give us the information we need and aid us in our quest for further Political Power. A member of the Stem clan could be anything from a business owner to a mayor of a small town. These members use their positions of superiority to discover information that has to do with trading and information on the dealings of their nation in particular. They are also used to influence their town in a way that more members may gain the power that they seek.
Leaves: The leaves of the flower may break away and travel where the wind takes them. This is just as our members are the nomadic warriors that defend us in our time of need. They may wonder far from home, but they are still a part of the flower. Other ranks may have a love for political dominance, but these members seek one thing above it. The Leaves are the travelers of the White Lotus. They are also its fiercest warriors. These people travel the land in search of information consisting of people’s views on their land, but primarily this information concerns violence. The members of the White Lotus go to great lengths to learn everything in their specific art of combat. These members are often the masters of their element and most often know a few unique styles that few have seen before. These people use their power to protect the Order of the White Lotus in time of need. They also use their traveling to an advantage and can discover information from the shadier people that the Stem, Roots, and Petals could never be seen dealing with.
Petals: The petals of a flower may add in salves that cause either healing or pain. They are the most beautiful section of the flower and everyone looks upon them. This is just as our members are a part of the highest government positions. They may use their power to strengthen a government with White Lotus members in leadership, or they could cripple it with upheaval. The members of the Order of the White Lotus that hold high positions of power are often the Petals of the White Lotus. These people use their positions to learn the highly classified information that our order requires. They are the members of a King’s council, a part of a war council, and even a part of the leadership in revolts. Every kingdom has at least one petal somewhere in its ranks, but usually there are several petals that work in secret to put other White Lotus members into power.