The Court of the Silver Censer
Introduction
Twenty years ago, the face of the Underworld in the necropolis of Kansas City changed drastically. The mighty realm of Stygia collapsed under repeated and coordinated assaults. The combined forces of several Renegade gangs and Guilds overthrew the Dark Kingdom, driving them out of the city and region entirely.
Ten years ago, a dreaded force arose in the necropolis, far more terrible than Stygia's return. One of the diabolic ancients had awakened. Some thought he would break out of the Tempest; others believed he was in the Shadowlands, but deep in the "earth". Some even said it was a combination of the two. But regardless, his mere consciousness was evident. Huge swarms of spectres and demonic forces swept over the Shadowlands, terrorizing and slaughtering freewraith, Renegade, and Guild member alike.
It required an alliance with necromancers in the Skinlands, ultimately, to help beat down this rising wickedness. But the Malfean was at last put back to rest and the spectral hordes diminished. But much of the necropolis was in ruin, razed by Maelstrom and battle. The ability of the Restless Dead to defend themselves had been equally diminished. Some of the allies they once sought now betrayed them, enslaving scores of ghosts through their magics.
Little Asia was no different. Many freewraiths were drawn from the district or even enslaved within the district, notably by certain vampires of the Kuei-jin Court. For several years, the Restless of Kansas City were much too concerned with survival and protecting their own corpora. All treaties were off, all alliances dissolved. Little Asia stood alone.
And far too concerned with the events transpiring in the Shadowlands of the East and West Coasts of America, the Kingdom of Jade would not send any aid to Little Asia. Even though, when asked, they would admit that Kansas City's Asian district and indeed all such areas throughout the world belonged in their jurisdiction, they could not spare the resources or manpower.
So the Fist of Nippon did. Concerned that Qin Shihuang would try to extend his influence to this necropolis -- with its veritable crossroads of Byways -- the Japanese "rebels" sent a team of ghosts to secure the district. The team soon found, however, that the Jade Kingdom couldn't be less interested in the district...and the freewraiths of Little Asia couldn't care less about the Jade Kingdom. It became their sworn duty to protect the district from all that threatened it: vile necromancers, vicious spectres, rampaging Renegades, and of course any agitators that the Dead Emperor might send.
The Fist of Nippon, along with the support of many local wraiths (regardless of ethnicity), soon allied with the shinta of the district. These spiritual mortals, they realized, were excellent buffers and allies against the less conscientious necromancers in the Skinlands. They also courted the Wan Kuei after the Court's Ancestor discovered and exiled those vampires responsible for abusing the Yin World's denizens. With the formation of the Court of Infinite Ages, the Fist of Nippon realized that they weren't alone in Little Asia at all. They realized also that the events of the Skinlands could very well impact the Shadowlands, and they would need all the allies they could get from these shen. Though this Court ultimately failed, the Coalition gave the Restless new hope. Forming their own Court comprised of the Fist of Nippon team and all freewraiths interested in keeping Little Asia secure from all menace, the Silver Censer was born.
Shadowguiding
All Wraith players upon creating their character must select one other player - preferably a fellow Wraith player! This person will serve as the Shadowguide. This method of roleplaying will be milked for all its worth online just as it is table-top and LARP.
Contents
House Rules *
* The link, "Arcanoi 4", now directs you to a larger website encompassing a wide variety of supernatural powers, including new Arcanoi. Please open this site into a new web browser for optimal viewing.
