Jade Pillar Realms
Prayers Heard, Dreams Answered
The people of Macau are like any other people: they need, they hope, they dream, and they pray to the gods or God for deliverance. Long ago in the Middle Kingdom, the Shinma were appointed to answer those prayers. Macau is not an exception, and the overwhelming dominance of folk belief empowers the hsien to this day. Meanwhile, the legacy of colonialism means that Waigoren shen, including the whimsical fae, dwell here, too. And the global race of Merfolk: they also dwell off-shore, occasionally visiting the coast to frolic with little gods and tall faeries alike.
Once, Macau fell under the auspicious watch of the Li Shen, and specifically the Shui Fu (Ministry of Water). They did not abandon their duties so much as their duties were sabotaged by colonial usurpation. By the time Macau returned to Chinese hands, other concerns now occupied the island, which drew other kinds of Shinma: namely the Xian Mun. They now call the shots, but are quite tolerant of most other sects. In fact, the Li Shen prove less tolerant, perhaps because the Xian Mun turn a blind eye to (or worse, possibly work with) the Shu Shen mercenaries and criminals who also operate in Macau with impunity.
The smattering of present Kithain, for their part, seem content with enjoying the nightlife that Macau presents: the wild highs of winning, the nightmarish terror of losing it all. No nobles claim to rule in Macau and the commoners are too laidback to even dream of snatching freeholds from the far more powerful and entrenched hsien.
Hsien
The Court of the Endless Awning: this is what the Shinma call their umbrella organization in Macau. Xian Mun call the shots but are very tolerant of almost all other factions except Kura Sau. Even Shu Shen are at least accepted if not welcomed into the Dragon Nest. Tu Shen sybarites and Li Shen ministers make up the secondary sects. Many of the Shinma present are just Wu Hsien. All are dedicated to answering mortal prayers one way or another.
The Xian Mun are as involved with running, benefiting, and protecting both legitimate gambling enterprises and organized crime. Shu Shen are involved much more with the latter. Tu Shen rarely run the casinos; they just have a good time in them. Shui Fu keep an eye on the coast and the temples around the city while Wu Hsien all do their own thing. But all Shinma (so, excluding Shu Shen) gather regularly to reaffirm their Court oaths to the city and its people. They do so at Lin Kai Temple, which dates back to the 17th-century. The temple is filled with iconic imagery and divine idols, above all to Ua Kuong, who protects the sanctuary from fire. Gods associated with child-bearing and children are frequent idols in this temple, too. The temple is located centrally in peninsular Macau in the Patane District. Connected to the temple is a nearby hospital and halfway home for the chronically impoverished. Both organizations are connected charitably to the temple, and the hsien take advantage of those sites to better serve their celestial purpose and listen to pleas from particularly troubled and desperate mortals.
The Dragon Nest is a geometrically located spot within the shrine, where every idol is arranged to form a perfect lotus sutra. This spot is in a single, strangely-empty central room, lit with two small incense-infused candles and enclosed. This is a Level 2 Holding of Mercy. Access to this central room is nearly impossible. No members outside the Court, not even Shu Shen hsien, can find their way to it. Attempting to access the narrow corridors behind the many idols always results in the intruder getting lost, turned about, and finding himself exiting back to the front door. This is a powerful and permanent I Chih laid upon this place. A similarly powerful I Chih was prepared in the case of real emergencies. Fu-Lions and other elaborate statuary decorate the temple, but the Regent chose the two flanking hornless dragons on the roof. At her command, they become animated, deadly, and implacable foes: essentially, golem saltwater crocodiles who can shred nearly any trespasser with their massive granite jaws.
Laws
The Shinma are basically angelic entities. The Court of the Endless Awning upholds such saintly expectations. Openly unjust and/or vile deeds can result in punishment, including exile (rarely death). The Xian Mun, though the ruling sect, walks a fine line with its interests in the seedier side of human society in Macau.
The Dreaming
The Near Dreaming in Macau is similar to the Near Dreaming in most urban environments. Shadowy, wild, unpredictable, and frequently nightmarish, the main difference is the character of the local chimera. Feral fu-lions, cruel wingless dragons, rare sightings of ki-rin (a kind of Chinese unicorn), and much more are all reported. These creatures rarely wander into the casinos, which are banal and often filled with banal people.
Special Events
Special events are annual (or more frequent) holidays or special ritual days that the main group or groups observe as a whole community. Attendance and participation are often expected of all members, and sometimes required.
Dragon Boat Festival
In late May or early June every year, the Mecanese hold this celebration and the Shinma take special delight in it. It’s a two-part, all-day festival that many supplicants spend months in preparation for. A dragon boat race takes up most of the day, and contestant teams often spend months building and perfecting their boat. They usually race for charitable interests (but real rivalries can take place). The race is held on the Nam Van Lake, which is the most southern part of peninsular Macau. Afterwards, the people enjoy zongzi rice dumplings, realgar wine, and otherwise feast to commemorate the sacrifice of the ancient minister who drowned himself in protest of an unjust war. In addition to the yugen that the whole festival generates, the Shinma do their best to ensure people don’t go overboard with the realgar wine and face-painting due to its toxicity.
Chinese New Year
Everyone, and we mean everyone, celebrates Chinese New Year. It’s such a big deal in Macau that even the Kithain can revel in it and even gain Glamour from the traditional and yet familiar festivities. Parades, feasting, fireworks, and parties abound. Chinese New Year falls between January 20th to February 20th.
“You are too high-strung. Come! Sit! Drink! And stop pestering me. I’m due for my bath.”
-- Ng Tan Ling, Regent of the Court of the Endless Awning
