The Way of the Dragon

The Way of The Dragon

History

The Way of the Dragon was revealed in the North of the Far Eastern continent. It is both a Religion and a Warrior Code.

Its adherents are known as Dragon Warriors, or Dragon Lords if they are of sufficient rank, and they are Masters in the Art of Combat, in particular the Sword.

Core Beliefs

The Way

The Dragon is the Symbol of Good Fortune, Intense Power, Lordship, and Benevolence. It is the Central Symbol for “The Way of the Dragon”.

It is said the warrior's is the twofold Way of pen and sword, and he should have a taste for both Ways. Even if a man has no natural ability he can be a warrior by sticking assiduously to both divisions of the Way. Generally speaking, the Way of the warrior is resolute acceptance of death.

The Way stresses frugality, loyalty, mastery of martial arts, and honour to the death. Under the ideal, if a warrior fails to uphold his honour he may regain it by performing seppuku (ritual suicide). Failure is not, in itself, dishonourable.

The Code

The Code is typified by the seven virtues:

1. Rectitude – [Moral Correctness, Righteousness, Justice, Correctness of Judgment, Wisdom, Self-Control].

2. Courage

3. Benevolence – [Graciousness & Mercy]

4. Respect – [Politeness]

5. Honesty – [Sincerity]

6. Honour

7. Loyalty

In the Code, is virtue, and no evil. Wisdom has existence, Principle has existence, the Way has existence, Spirit is nothingness.

The day to day life of a Dragon Warrior:

The purpose of a Dragon Warrior’s life is to perfect his skills and gain honour for himself and his Lord. He will train constantly, and engage in both friendly and serious duels. If given leave he will join in foreign wars. He will seek out every opportunity to engage monsters and undead, even if it means crossing the borders of the realm, with permission. He will treat brave foes with politeness and respect, but crush them utterly in combat. He will live life as the perfect warrior, and will be happy to complement it with a perfect death.

The Way as Religion:

The Way is a religion as well as a code for warriors. It teaches that there are many Ways in the world, that of the farmer, the Artisan, the priest, the merchant, and the Warrior. The way of the warrior is supreme because it guarantees all the rest. Every person must fulfil their duty and perfect the knowledge and practice of whatever way they have chosen in life.

Priest ranks ~ Held By Priests.

Warrior ranks ~ Held by nobles who are not priests.

Adventurer ranks ~ This faith values its Adventurers, the Dragon Carls. But let them remember their lowly birth and keep a respectful distance from their betters. All men are subject to The Mandate of Heaven.

Advancement through the Ranks: All Advancement is by promotion of the High Priest of the religion, and is based on merit. Everyone starts as an Initiate and stays there until they are promoted. The Warrior and Adventurer ranks have a minimum swordsmanship requirement, but no one, Priest ,Warrior, or Adventurer may advance without fulfilling a quest to the satisfaction of the High Priest. Ideally a quest should be tailored to the noble, to correct weaknesses in his conduct:

Examples of quests:

- Travel to a specific realm and challenge a particular knight to a duel.

- Destroy a group of monsters without help from other knights,

- Advance your lance skill to 20%

- Obtain a Relic or Artifact of Power.

- Capture or wound an enemy knight

- Takeover a region

- Command an army in battle

- Serve in an enemy realm for a month to better understand the foe.

- Convert a thousand peasants.

- Convert a single noble.

- Build a temple.

- Collect a bounty by wounding a noble.

Elder Ranks:

High Priest – The Ancient Dragon, High Priest of the Way

Elder Priests – Elder Dragon Priest

Celestial Dragon Warrior - 70%

Gold Dragon Warrior - 50%

Other Ranks:

Priest – Young Dragon Priest

Turquoise Dragon Warrior - 40%

Red Dragon Warrior - 30%

Black Dragon Warrior - 20%

White Dragon Warrior - 10%

Dragon Carl Elite - 70%

Dragon Carl Veteran - 50%

Dragon Carl Adventurer - 30%

Novice - an Initiate rank

The Perfect Death, and the Celestial Palace

The Dragon Warrior will seek to live and die heroically, perfectly. After death, if he is found worthy, he will serve the Dragon Gods in the Celestial Palace as a Dragon (A being in man form but able to transform at will into a dragon). There he will serve as a soldier, guard or in whatever capacity the Dragon Gods deem fitting. He or she will be given possessions and concubines of great beauty to enjoy when he has leisure. His position in the Celestial Palace is in direct proportion to his heroism in life and death.

If he is found unworthy, he will be refused entry to the Celestial Palace, and wander the spirit world as a lost soul, at the mercy of Demons and their Ilk.

This is the Roll of those who have Ascended to the Celestial Palace. No Living man or woman may appear on this list.

Shinya ironhorse ~ Although this knight gave his life before the formation of the Way of the Dragon, he is recognised as the first Dragonknight. He committed seppuku to deflect the wrath of an Enemy Kingdom from his native land, but the Enemy King, a worthless nithling whose name is not even worth recording broke his realm's treaty and attacked anyway.