The Monks of Eastrun

Monastic aesthetes, the priests of Eastrun are known for their dedication to law and discipline. They live a life dedicated to the acquisition of wisdom. In most cases, that life is lived almost entirely behind the walls of their temples.

The priests do not marry and do not have children. They are typically enrolled in their temples between the ages of 6 and 10, where they will remain in vigorous training before they are seen again by the larger world; only emerging as young adults wearing the crocus-dyed robes of their class. During that time, they have devoted themselves to physical, mental and spiritual discipline in emulation of their founder, the venerated Bao Dan.

The Gift of Bao Dan is also known as the Way of Order. Uniting themselves to their Way, the monks use meditation and physical trials to develop their spiritual strength. They eventually learn the ability to focus their own life essence into powers far beyond that of mortal men. Generally, this focus finds its object in one of three totems: the Dragon, the Tiger and the Monkey.

The priests are so renown for their wisdom and detachment that they are often called upon in Eastrun society to settle disputes and to serve as diplomats between various noble houses. They are also entrusted with training unarmed combat to the young men who will eventually serve as the knights of their society.

Despite their detachment from the things of the world, the priests are deeply devoted to the prestige of their temples and to the reputations of their masters. As a result, while generally above the disputations of the great houses of Eastrun, they are almost always in the middle of great rivalries, if not contests between their own orders. As ardently as they pursue these struggles, they are almost always undertaken in private.

There are dozens of temples throughout the known world, but the Nine Eternals are those held in highest esteem, three each are located in the Empires of Shu, Chiro and Miyabe. By name they are:

Shu
Temple of the Summer Fire

Temple of the Moon's Shadow

Temple of the Northern Frost

Chiro
Temple of the Rising Tide

Temple of the Raging Winter
Temple of the Stone Fist

Miyabe
Temple of the Falling Wave

Temple of the Whispering Wind
Temple of Setting Sun

The Warriors of Eastrun

The Wide Land between the Pillars of Heaven and the Seas of Certain Death have been covered in the blood of battles for centuries. Upon its bitter steppes and deep within its fertile valleys, men have mastered the art of war. The Daizu warriors and the Jae Shi of the Dynastic City States are the pinnacle of fighting men in Eastrun.

The Daizu are the mounted warriors of the steppes and the foundation of their military might was built upon the expert use of their unique short bow: a composite of horn, wood, and sinew. The Daizu archers are some of the finest to ever handle a bow and arrow. Their specialty is mounted fire from a galloping horse. 

The skills of the Daizu are developed at a young age. Once he is old enough to make war, a Daizu warrior leaves the Ordaru and joins the Bataro. There he learns to serve his tribe as one element of a fighting force that might number 1,000 mounted archers. A group this large, firing in unison will make the sky rain with arrows, striking fear and panic into the hearts of their foes.

The Daizu are as well known for their mounts as for their archery. The steppe pony is a full grown horse is smaller in stature owing to its shorter legs. This breed of horse is very well adapted to living in its harsh environment. It is strong and sturdy and its footing is true even over very tough terrain. A Daizu upon a steppe horse and using a short bow is able to perform some feats known only to the finest horsemen. He can also fire his bow at nearly twice the speed of a trained archer.

The Jae Shi of Eastrun are the young men of privilege, who have been earmarked for war almost from the time of their birth. They are raised on strict codes of honor and taught skill at arms from an early age. They are often taken from, or sent away by, their families to be apprenticed. Every Jae Shi warrior will spend his earliest years in a Temple, learning unarmed combat and serenity from its monks. Upon learning, they will then be joined to an existing Obi-ken -- a Jae Shi warrior who is recognized as a master of swordplay. The apprentice will remain by his Obi-ken's side as a Mitai-ken until he has fashioned his own sword and is released by his master. 

Taciturn and serene, the Jae Shi are believed to be emotionless. From a young age they have learned to master their feelings and their weapons. The calm detachment with which they undertake their craft is often said to be more fearsome that the shrieking attacks of the Daizu.