Kai Lao
Status: Mandator
Wu: none
Rank: Mandarin
Dharma: Path of a Thousand Whispers
Sect: none
Court: Court of Flame
Direction: South
Balance: Yang
Nature/Demeanor: Visionary/Fanatic
P’o Nature: The Demon
Apparent Age: 35 Real Age: 299 Second Breath: 1742
Attributes: Strength 3, Dexterity 4 (smooth), Stamina 4 (tenacious), Charisma 4 (fearless), Manipulation 3, Appearance 2, Perception 4 (intuitive), Intelligence 3, Wits 5 (calm)
Abilities: Alertness 3, Athletics 3, Dodge 5 (leap), Intimidation 3, Leadership 2, Poetic Expression 1, Subterfuge 2, Throwing 2; Acting 2, Animal Ken 2, Disguise 2, Drive 1, Etiquette 2, Fast-Draw 1, Firearms 2, Martial Arts 5 (kicks), Meditation 3, Melee 5 (spears), Ride 3, Stealth 4 (crowds), Survival 2; Academics 1, Enigmas 2, Investigation 2, Law 1, Linguistics (cantonese, putonghua, wu) 3, Kindred Lore 2, Kuei-jin Lore 3, Medicine 1, Military Science 4 (undead), Occult 3, Politics 2, Rituals 5 (transitional), Science 1
Disciplines: Black Wind 2, Equilibrium 5, Iron Mountain 3, Jade Shintai 4, Internalize 5, Yang Prana 1
Rites: 1) Center the Demon, Ritual of a Thousand Cuts, Scales of the Snake; 3) The Earth’s Embrace, Assume the Greater Mask, Wear the Lesser Mask; 5) Embracing the Little Death
Backgrounds: Contacts 3, Horoscope 2, Resources 2
Chi Virtues: Yang 6, Yin 5
Soul Virtues: Hun 7, P’o 5
Dharmic Rating: 6
Willpower: 9
Merits/Flaws: none
Image: An innocuous, average-looking Chinese man in his early to mid-30s, Kai does not fulfill the expectation of a burly or muscular general. He is thin and unassuming, an unlikely candidate for Mandator -- until one has observed him in the midst of conflict, where his blazing intensity and fearlessness can inspire the undead to leap into the flames of hell. He is found in either an expensive, tailored suit in black or blue, or antiquated Chinese ceremonial garb -- a magisterial robe.
Roleplaying Hints: This is what applies to you in this particular life: you are quiet but are not afraid to speak your mind when something should be said. And there is often much to be said, so your speech is direct and to the point. Your soldier’s poise should key others in on your skill, but many underestimate you still. That is not necessarily a bad thing. You work for the day that the balance of the world will fall back into place, and that requires the severing of key fetters along the way. The Kin-jin are one of them. And often, those who underestimate you are shocked when you suddenly become aggressive and violent and even condescendingly arrogant; this is just how Scarlet Centipedes live.
Background: About 275 years ago, the man now called Kai Lao was a tax collector in Canton who stole from the people and the government by keeping more than his allotted percentage. He was discovered and executed and tormented agonizingly in Hell -- and rose from Yomi with that karmic debt weighing on his soul. He began his unlife anew, realizing his mistake and seeking to restore balance. He became a wealthy merchant magnate, and soon after a philanthropist of great renown. But he soon realized that way could not last forever. He discarded that life, that mask, for another. He took up the fighting arts, honing his skills and Disciplines, to serve the Flame Court as a trouble-shooter and warrior. Among mortals as a lesser mask, he became a fearless firefighter. And for the next two centuries, this vampire continued to steadily walk the Path of a 1000 Whispers. Having already lived over a hundred different masks and experienced existence from a hundred different perspectives, he has in a way come full circle, now a general for the Quincux instead of just a soldier. In the Court of the Ebon Flame, the vampire called Kai Lao will fight the good fight until the fight is over for him…one way or another.

Hankyo Usa
Status: Minister of Omens
Wu: none
Rank: Mandarin
Dharma: Song of Shadow
Sect: none
Court: Koga-myo
Direction: West
Balance: Yin
Nature/Demeanor: Autist/Curmudgeon
P’o Nature: The Slave
Apparent Age: 17 Real Age: 642 Second Breath: 1378
Attributes: Strength 3, Dexterity 6 (hypnotic), Stamina 6 (absorbing), Charisma 2, Manipulation 3, Appearance 4 (lovely), Perception 5 (detached), Intelligence 4 (astute), Wits 4 (cool-headed)
Abilities: Alertness 3, Athletics 3, Dodge 5 (sidestep), Empathy 1, Intimidation 3, Leadership 1, Misdirection 3, Poetic Expression 2, Subterfuge 4 (guile), Throwing 3; Acting 2, Blind-Fighting 3, Dancing 3, Etiquette 2, Fast-Draw 3, Firearms 2, Martial Arts 5 (throws), Meditation 4 (empty mind), Melee 5 (daggers), Stealth 5 (shadows), Survival 3; Academics 3, Classics 2, Cosmology 4 (shadowlands), Divination 4 (bibliomancy), Enigmas 3, Investigation 1, Jade Kingdom Lore 3, Kaja 2, Kindred Lore 2, Kuei-jin Lore 3, Law 1, Linguistics (japanese, korean, putonghua) 3, Medicine 2, Metaphysics 2, Military Science 2, Occult 4 (spirits), Politics 2, Rituals 5 (chi rites), Science 1, Toxicology 2
Disciplines: Blood Shintai 3, Bone Shintai 5, Equilibrium 2, Iron Mountain 5, Jade Shintai 3, Tzu Wei 2, Yin Prana 7
Rites: 1) Trace the Dragon’s Blood; 2) Harmony with Night; 3) Imbuing the Jade; 4) Reading the Leaves of Wisdom
Backgrounds: Contacts 5, Horoscope 4, Magic Artifact 4 (Laughing Buddha Mask), Resources 2
Chi Virtues: Yin 9, Yang 5
Soul Virtues: Hun 7, P’o 7
Dharmic Rating: 7
Willpower: 9
Merits/Flaws: Eternal Cherry Blossom
Imbalance: Chronic Depression (Yin)
Elder Disciplines: Yin Prana: 6) Yin Shield; 7) Yin Nihilus
Image: A beautiful slip of a Japanese girl, it’s obvious Usa never smiles and seems to have forgotten how entirely. A gloom lingers over the mandarin in an almost tangible cloud, complementing her choice of attire that always involves black or white or both. That attire may be a simple kimono or a more utilitarian set of cotton, leather, and vinyl. Her long raven hair is bound in a long ponytail, and Usa walks slowly -- clearly in no rush to go anywhere.
Roleplaying Hints: Be quiet: there’s nothing worth saying. Be observant: mistakes are made all the time, and you have to wait and watch for others to botch up so you don’t have to be the fool. Not even the ghosts of the Yin World are worth the time of your notice, though you’re more likely to strike up a conversation with one of them than you would even a fellow Bone Flower. Damn Kuro-sama and this mission!
Background: In life, Usa was a geisha apprentice in Kyoto who despised her lot. She was a disobedient girl who ran away from the boarding home to play around with young samurai. But her disobedient nature didn’t stop there and it was her sharp tongue that ended her life when one of her samurai friends got drunk and ran her through with his katana. Her torment in Yomi taught her how wanton and foolish she had been, even as that same rebellious nature helped her slip out of custody when the demons weren’t looking. She experienced her Second Breath and her hunger drove to nearly massacring her former geisha peers had a visiting vampire not risen up and subdued her. She was taken before the Bishamon lords and restored to some semblance of sanity. Then she was introduced to the Dharmic way of the Song of Shadow. During her koa, Usa spent most of her time in profound study of all things esoteric and exoteric, making up for the lack of schooling she had received as a human. This time passed and she felt very unfulfilled. She began to test her cold mind’s limits, subjecting herself to torments only Devil Tigers and demons could devise, risking her unlife in the process. Her determination and endurance attracted the interest, however, of Kuro-sama, that famous Bone Flower assassin, in the late 15th century. He invited her to join his training regimen and she agreed, turning her studious nature and unflagging will to that intent. And she became one of his greatest students. However, as centuries moved on and things changed in Nippon, Usa grew bored. Very, very bored. She stayed with Kuro-sama at his mountain estate for the most part, helping new trainees learn some of the most secret arts of the Koga-myo. But she had no desire to do more. When the modern era came about, Kuro-sama was growing impatient. Though she had not stagnated, her extremely unfriendly behavior was getting on his nerves. And though learning to cooperate with other people, including Kuei-jin, is not a requirement of the Song of Shadow, she was certainly not doing anything to further the tenet of protecting the family. When House Koga requested a spy to help observe the Quincux’s Great Step Outward, Kuro-sama volunteered an unhappy Usa. The girl-elder was given an advanced version of the Laughing Buddha Mask, both to help her get along in the Court and conceal her motives for joining. Grudgingly, she moved to America to follow her sensei and House’s commands.

Lei Dian
Status: Minister of the Harvest
Wu: none
Rank: Mandarin
Dharma: Dance of the Thrashing Dragon
Sect: Laughing Rainbows
Court: Court of Flesh
Direction: East
Balance: Yang
Nature/Demeanor: Optimist/Bon Vivant
P’o Nature: The Monkey
Apparent Age: 27 Real Age: 377 Second Breath: 1653
Attributes: Strength 3, Dexterity 4 (graceful), Stamina 4 (hardy constitution), Charisma 4 (charming), Manipulation 4 (sly), Appearance 3, Perception 4 (attentive), Intelligence 3, Wits 3
Abilities: Alertness 2, Athletics 2, Brawl 4 (dirty fighting), Dodge 4 (blocks), Empathy 3, Intimidation 3, Leadership 2, Streetwise 4 (sleaze), Subterfuge 4 (seduction); Acting 2, Animal Ken 2, Dancing 3, Drive 1, Etiquette 1, Fast-Draw 1, Firearms 1, Meditation 3, Melee 3, Stealth 2, Survival 2; Academics 1, Classics 1, Enigmas 1, Law 1, Linguistics (cantonese, putonghua, wu) 3, Medicine 2, Occult 4 (vampires), Politics 1, Rituals 4 (chi rites), Science 1
Disciplines: Chi’iu Muh 6, Equilibrium 1, Flesh Shintai 5, Iron Mountain 3, Jade Shintai 1, Storm Shintai 5, Yang Prana 4
Rites: 1) Embrace the Spirits’ Change, Greeting the Sun, Prayer for Taking Life; 2) Rite of the Blessed Abode; 3) Imbuing the Jade; 4) Recognition of the Guru
Backgrounds: Allies 4, Contacts 4, Herd 4, Horoscope 5, Influence 4, Resources 4, Retainers 2
Chi Virtues: Yang 7, Yin 5
Soul Virtues: Hun 7, P’o 5
Dharmic Rating: 6
Willpower: 8
Merits/Flaws: Criminal Ties
Alternative Disciplines: **** Yang Prana (Eightfold Yang Barrier)
Elder Disciplines: Chi’iu Muh: 6) Shield of the Soul
Image: Lei prefers loose trousers and vest in dark blues and whites. He appears to be a vibrant Chinese man in his late 20s, his dark hair worn long and free. There is almost always a smile on his face, even during somber occasions, and his laughter is commonly heard wherever he goes. Of all the mandarins, he spends the most time in public, enjoying life.
Roleplaying Hints: You have a great, positive outlook on everything. You can’t help being that way, it’s just the way you are, and besides: it’s psychologically healthy. Even the centuries that have ticked by haven’t jaded you all that much. You’ve seen much and are happy to share many of your experiences with others.
Background: Lei Dian’s entire life was in Shanghai. As a mortal, he was a jovial farmer. He didn’t get to see much of the world or even much of the city, but he worked hard to produce that rice until he literally overworked himself to death before the age of thirty. His plummet to Yomi made it clear: he hadn’t lived enough and the repressed need to experience more of…life…hastened his return to the Middle Kingdom. His induction into the Flesh Court to Dance the Thrashing Dragon was only logical. The first century was, as expected, filled with debauchery and extreme exploration. But that passed, and he trained his mind, body, and soul into greater perfection as he came to walk a road of greater moderation. His laughter filled many ears for years more as he served the Quincux faithfully. Less than two hundred years ago, however, Lei Dian was enlightened again as he observed a massive cyclone of a thunderstorm sweep up out of the sea and devastate the city with flooding and lightning-spawned forest fires. He began to seek out the secrets of the storm from spirits and other shen. He began to develop Storm Shintai: the first vampire to do so. But he didn’t develop this Art himself; with the aid of a like-minded Devil Tiger and fellow Dragon, they perfected the Shintai to its present day form. He demonstrated its abilities to the Court, but they were not impressed by the “limited” bastard Shintai. So spurned, Lei Dian left the Court to wander the vast countryside with his comrades for years. When the Flesh Court Ancestor was assassinated, Lei returned to his home and helped the Silent Mandarins take control. As the Great Leap Outward took its first steps, Lei considered with curiosity. Sensing his interest, and needing at least one representative, the Silent Mandarins sent Lei to help formulate the Court of the Ebon Flame.

Po Yu Li
Status: Assistant First Interrogator
Wu: none
Rank: Jina
Dharma: Howl of the Devil Tiger
Sect: The Distinguished Sinner-Punishing Society
Court: Court of Flame
Direction: East
Balance: Balanced
Nature/Demeanor: Bravo/Gallant
P’o Nature: The Bandit
Apparent Age: 25 Real Age: 137 Second Breath: 1888
Attributes: Strength 3, Dexterity 4 (steady hands), Stamina 4 (resilient), Charisma 3, Manipulation 3, Appearance 3, Perception 2, Intelligence 2, Wits 3
Abilities: Alertness 2, Athletics 1, Dodge 3, Empathy 2, Intimidation 4 (condescending), Streetwise 3, Subterfuge 3; Acting 2, Animal Ken 1, Drive 1, Etiquette 1, Firearms 2, Martial Arts 3, Melee 3, Security 2, Stealth 3, Survival 1, Torture 5 (soul-flaying); Cosmology 2, Enigmas 1, Kuei-jin Lore 2, Law 1, Linguistics (cantonese) 1, Medicine 1, Occult 3, Rituals 3, Science 1, Spirit Lore 3
Disciplines: Cultivation 1, Demon Shintai 4, Flesh Shintai 1, Ghost-Flame Shintai 4, Tapestry 3
Rites: 1) Embrace the Spirits’ Change; 2) Ebon Wardings, Savage Joss; 3) The Deceptive Jade Chains of Yin Demon Command
Backgrounds: Contacts 3, Herd 2, Magic Artifact 1 (incense of inauspicious attention), Resources 3, Retainers 3
Chi Virtues: Yang 5, Yin 5
Soul Virtues: Hun 4, P’o 6
Dharmic Rating: 5
Willpower: 8
Merits/Flaws: none
Demon Characteristics: Horror, Tail, Tentacles, Wings
Image: Suave and smooth and downright wicked-looking, Yu Li wears gangster-style suits. He appears to be in his early to mid 20s, and walks with unflagging confidence, thumbing his nose even in the face of Final Death. His hair slicked back and a pair of shades on his nose, Yu Li epitomizes Hong Kong “coolness”.
Roleplaying Hints: The devil has come to town: you! You are smooth and slick, but rest assured, you will only torture and violate those who really deserve it. Of course, if the mandarins demand it, you’ll torture someone else, too. That’s no big deal -- good practice if nothing else.
Background: Surprisingly, Yu Li was not particularly violent at all before the Second Breath. He was just an average guy, a dock worker in Hong Kong, who was murdered one night right after he saw his girlfriend dragged off to be…well. He climbed out of Kowloon Bay a week later, memories of the people and area combined with demonic instinct leading him to the villains responsible. It was grisly. And it attracted the attention of the nearby vampires, who subdued and soon inducted Yu Li onto the Howl of the Devil Tiger. His entire simple life upset, Yu Li swore no one would again sin in his presence and survive to tell the tale. Some of his punishments, considered “public atrocities”, earned him a secret invitation into the Distinguished Sinner-Punishing Society and a valediction from the local mandarins. But he eventually joined the restoring Flame Court and studied hard at Disciplines and spirit studies alike. Yu Li could not help the fact that he felt responsible for his girlfriend’s loss and sought a way to reconnect with her through the Yin World and its denizens. Though he never found a way, he became well-acquainted with the spirit world, befriending ghosts and enslaving spectres for the Court regularly a century later. When he was offered the chance to go to America to help the Great Step Outward, Yu Li agreed. There would be much sin there, like anywhere. And besides, he was curious to discover what goblin-torched Kin-jin smelled like.