Righteous Text
The Righteous Text is an ancient volume that details how to be valiant. Legend has it that it was written by the first Immortal, Alchemist Chue. The Righteous Text preaches honor almost as a form of religion. Though it does not forbid other religions, a true adherent worships the idea of justice and the concept of how a virtuous man should behave. Personal cultivation and excellence are highly valued, as is gaining revenge for any slights or harm to family. The closer the family, the stronger the drive for retribution. Within family there is a hierarchy, starting with family elders, then senior members of organizations the virtuous man has sworn allegiance to, then "brothers" of equal rank, then juniors. In theory the code is simple, but in practice conflicts between the principles can produce grey areas. Blue is indelibly linked to the Righteous Text sages, and devotees of all levels tend to sport it.
- Disciple: A Master or Senior must accept you as a student. You are expected to study the Righteous Text, and must succeed at a check for fighting, scholarship, and rank before you are accepted as a master,
- Master: Must be Adept or Rank 10+. You are now considered an expert on the Righteous Text and may interpret it for others, and write your own poetry and treatises. This also allows you to take on students of your own. You must pass the three tests again to become a senior,
- Senior. Must be Remarkable or Rank 13+. You are now an authority on the Righteous Text and any newer works. You may start your own school or sect and still be considered orthodox.
The Valiant Societies as a whole are based on the notions of honor set down in the Text, and the organization of sages named for it have been led the collective for generations. They are the arbiters of what is considered ethical and just, and they have traditionally been the strongest and most numerous of the societies. However, that is changing. The sages are notoriously politically neutral, but also notoriously traditional, and with the Tigers taking over the Dragon throne these stances are incompatible. So far the solution has been to do nothing at all, which has led to uncharacteristic rifts within the inner circles of the sages. Worse, no true heroes have emerged in the current generation, and the Valiant Societies are customarily led by the strongest.
- Allies: Foundation Stone, Free Shields, Glory Fists, Magic Wheel
- Enemies: All Cults and Outlaws.
Structure
The Righteous Text sages are built around schools. Some schools are explicitly for swordplay, but many focus on literature, ethics, and penmanship to various degrees. Each school has a headmaster, and everyone else (including other teachers) are ordered by age group and then talent. Students within each group are often referred to by this rank: "First Brother", "Seventeenth Sister", and so on.
- Mount Wue School. The oldest and largest school, primarily dedicated to swordplay and ethics. Mount Wue is the unofficial capital of martial world.
- Golden Dragon School. A small but prestigious university in the capital city of Paijin. The Tigers executed many philosophers and teachers when they first took control, but the political neutrality of the sages helped Golden Dragon survive mostly intact.
- Forlorn Library. Deep in the frosty peaks of the Sheep Nation, the Forlorn Library is the to the most advanced alchemists in the world, and the rarest scrolls on mystical topics. Its exact location is a well guarded secret.
- Lake Tranquil Academy. An odd school built in the center of a shallow lake. It specializes in calligraphy and mathematics, and students must pole to classes each day across the still waters.
Creed
The Righteous Text sages are traditionalists, and often seen as uncompromising and xenophobic. They have mixed emotions towards the Tiger Dynasty. The Righteous Text is teaches that government is inherently corrupt, but also inherently necessary. Justice should be pursued on an individual basis, never on a national scale. The sages are almost all human males, since for hundreds of years that was a requirement for education. The Tiger Dynasty has opened schools and government positions to women and all species, which has caused some friction with the sages even though it isn't explicitly forbidden by the Text.
Decorum: Risk your life to enforce propriety.
Focus: Attack someone who has behaved inappropriately.
Justice: Eliminate a corrupt organization.
Focus: Avenge someone who was wronged.
If you are caught violating the strict creed of the Righteous Text you are banished from the sages and may be hunted as a criminal. Suicide is considered an honorable alternative to these punishments, and expunges all but the most unforgivable crimes.
- Impropriety: Romancing anyone of another species or the same sex is considered wrongful, as is any liaison that happens outside of wedlock.
- Irreverence: Failing to respect an elder within the hierarchy is a mortal crime in some cases. Not taking revenge for a fallen elder is seen as a kind of irreverence. The main exceptions come when an elder violates the Righteous Text or disobeys someone even more senior.
Resources
Each school or library has training grounds and artifacts that you may gain access to. You also gain the right to participate in or attend any valiant tournaments being held. You also gain access to the following items:
| Attack | Tier | Keywords | Dice | Blue/Red |
| Meteor Sword | 2 | Blade, Defensive, Durable, Mighty , Pierce 4 | 6dE | Hits / Bleed |
| Myriad Sword | 3 | Blade, Defensive, Mighty, Relic, Focus: Short & Burst 5 | 6dE | Hits / Bleed |
| Asset | Tier | Keywords |
| Spider Silk Vest | 2 | Armor 4, Body, Holdout, Use: Gain the effects of other apparel. |
| Sorcerer's Stone | 2 | Relic, Use: Replace potions without a forge. |
| Dragon Pearl | 3 | Relic, Use: Gain Armored, Clawed, Flying and Serpentine at will. |
| Immortality Elixir | 3 | Use:  Regain all hits, become ageless, and gain a crucible.
|
Career Concepts
| Righteous Text Scholar |  | ||
| Recommended Fault | Recommended Goals | ||
| Curious | Justice | Knowledge | |
| Signature Skill | Key Skill | Notable Skill | |
| Scholarship | Appearance | Combat | |
| Abilities | |||
| Cast (Alchemy Magic, Arcane Knowledge, Magical Wealth), Chance, Concentrate, Entertain (Great Fame), Interpret (Ancient Tongues), Recall (Esoteric Study), Rein, Seduce (Protective Lover), Slash (Abstract Sword, Shadowless Sword) | |||
| Brief Description | |||
| The Righteous Text is ancient, popular, and prestigious. Scholars are educated tutors, or pupils from wealthy families. Scholars usually depend on their refinement and the reputation of their school rather than their prowess. | |||
| Righteous Text Ascetic |  | ||
| Recommended Fault | Recommended Goals | ||
| Gallant | Good | Justice | |
| Signature Skill | Key Skill | Notable Skill | |
| Agility | Combat | Rank | |
| Abilities | |||
| Brawl, Concentrate, Grapple (Dragon Step), Plan (Strategic Formation), Rein, Run (Floating Step, Grass Gliding), Rush, Slash (Abstract Sword, Dancing Blade, Shadowless Sword, Sword Energy, Whirling Blade), Tumble | |||
| Brief Description | |||
| The Ascetic aims to move past worldly concerns and lead an enlightened and elegant existence. They are often called Sword Saints, and deliver justice (as they see it) without hesitation or reluctance. | |||
Related Destinies
- Become Immortal. Alchemist Chue found a formula that allowed him to live forever, and you are destined to follow in his footsteps.
- Write a Legendary Work. A novel, treatise or poem so sublime it will alter the course of history. You must be August and have a Scholarship of 16 to complete this masterwork.
- Rule the Martial World. You are the most promising young talent of your generation, and the seniors are pinning their hopes for the future on you.
- Create a New Sect. Someday you will deny the sages and start a new society. Will it be acknowledged as righteous, or rejected as a cult?
- Destroy a Cult. The sages have led many crusades against immoral and unorthodox cults. Take up the banner and save innocents from the abuse of martial power.
- Find Alchemist Chue. No sage has encountered the Immortal, leading some to believe that they have misinterpreted his writings. If you discover him, what question will you ask?
Notable Members
- Great Sage
- Student
- Sword Saint
See Also
Version 2.5.2
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