Shanghai - Chapter Four The Loudest Silence

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Shanghai - Chapter Four: The Loudest Silence

A look into the politics and power of the Kuei-jin of Shanghai.
by Eloy Lasanta (https://web.archive.org/web/20101230165034/mailto:kendril1@gmail.com) (World of Darkness

(https://web.archive.org/web/20101230165034/http://www.nocturnis.net/games/world_of_darkness) | World of Darkness: Shanghai
(\"http://www.nocturnis.net/projects/world_of_darkness_shanghai\") | Resources)
As The Eye of Heaven set in the distant horizon, Orien awoke in time to gaze at its beauty just before cringing in fear. It was a good reminder of his place in the
universe to gaze at the unforgiving sun. He was certainly forsaken.
Quickly, he gained his composure, as he did most mornings and tripped his way to the kitchen for a glass of milk to wet his tongue. O treacherous bitch, jet
lag. The doorbell rang as he hastily gulped the milk down. Who could that be? Nobody knew he was in town yet. He had just arrived yesterday.
He attempted to spruce himself up, tidying his bed and jerking clothes onto his frame. On a whim he grabbed the steak knife from the night before, still covered
in meaty juices. He slowly walked to the door, taking each step as silent as a butterfly’s wingflap, then threw the door open and thrust the jagged knife at the
assumed throat of whoever was behind the door. But his wrist was captured. Orien suddenly found himself sprawled on the floor, his blade meters away. And
as Orien looked up, he saw the face of an older man, wearing an antiquated robe with designs of the Scarlet Phoenix upon it.
“Come now, Giang Orien. Is that anyway to greet me,” the strange man asked as he stepped over the confused Orien. “We have much to discuss tonight.” He
made his way towards the balcony.
Gingerly, Orien returned to his bare feet, rubbing the brand new bump on his head. “Talk about what? Who are you?”
Continuing to gaze off the veranda and not turning to look at Orien as he talks, the man says, “My name is Mo King Zhenyu, the Hand of Seven Claws.” Orien
remembered that name from his briefing. This was his new boss? “And we need to talk about your loyalties.”
“My loyalties?” Orien's thoughts were reeling.
Zhenyu turned to looks Orien, but glanced at everything in the penthouse besides him first. He picked up a chair, moving over by the wet bar, then slid open a
nearby window, before speaking again. “Yes. Where do your loyalties lie? Think about your answer as it is very important.” Zhenyu sat down at the coffee table
and sat an upright lighter on the table.
What the hell? Is he cleaning my penthouse for me? Orien thought to himself. “My loyalty is to the Five August Courts of the Quin….” His statement was
stopped by Zhenyu flicking the lighter off the table and at the same time Orien being thrown across the room, slamming into the white wall, cracking it in the
form of his body. He sat on his knees, panting. “What the hell was that?”
“Before we speak anymore, I need to know that your loyalty is to me only. Your allegiance cannot be divided.” Zhenyu stood and picked the lighter up from the
ground.
Before Orien could utter a word, he felt the Hand of Seven Claws piercing his soul, staring into it and unraveling his soul. He could not lie, not to this man. “My
allegiance will be with you, wise mandarin.”
“Good,” Zhenyu said. “We will need to be focused for my plan to work and your fidelity to the Blood Court will not help here in Shanghai. You are no longer
theirs to command.”
“How did you know where I had been? And how did you do that to me?”
Zhenyu smiled. “I have my ways.” And he left it at that. He walked over to Orien and pulled him from the floor, then led him to the balcony overlooking the
Bund. “Do you see it? The city is ours, but the other shen do not realize it. The ketsuki also do not realize it, but they will soon.”
“Is that our mission? To rid the city of gaki? What about the hengeyokai and hsien, are they equally at risk of your wrath?”
“Not my wrath, our wrath.” He drew a deep sigh. “You understand precious little, Orien. But you will learn soon enough.” Zhenyu walked out of the penthouse.
He left a bewildered and excited Orien behind.
***
Shek Tse walked along the streets of the French Concession. This area was supposedly the haven for too many Kin-jin in Shanghai, but also functioned as a
neutral meeting ground for several of the city’s shen. Peace was definitely what she needed tonight, everything needed to go just right.
With many of Frenchtown’s streets lined with love hotels, soaplands and prostitution houses, she had donned a mini skirt and bikini top to fit in. Inconspicuous
was the name of the game this evening, and yet her costume was anything but. Her long black hair flowed down her back, her face was covered in way too
much makeup and her breast were pushed almost to her chin. Remember, it’s just another mask, Tse thought while standing on the corner waiting for her
contact to show up.
“Wowee! Hot mama!” a familiar voice rang. She turned around to see Wen Pujian, her contact with the higher ups. He wore a business suit as many of the
‘customers’ of the area did, but his expression betrayed his serious attire. “You know, every time I see you in this get up, you make my heart go pitter patter.” He
batted his eyes and laughed, but Tse rolled her eyes.
“Can we just go already, geez?” She growled, stomping into the love hotel, dragging the professional man behind her.
***
“So, what do you think, Bei?” Tatyan asked. The two men, both decked out in leather, spikes and piercings, stood looking at the Xijiang Apartment building.
They both looked at the refuse that filled the neighborhood streets. The garbage, the litter, the road kill, burnt out street lights, all of it created such a mood of
death, of blood, of hell.
Bei leaned over into a trashcan beside him and noticed worms crawling through the filth. These were much bigger larvae and with a hint of Yomi on them, seen
with his Chi sight. “I think we’re looking at a Broken Mirror.”
“Excellent!” Tatyan screams in happiness. “I’ll go get the others!” He hopped on his bike and revved off down the street.
Bei looked at the development before him and smiled. “Yes. Yomi is coming. Excellent, indeed. The other Scorpions will be happy.”
***
“What do you mean, they want me dead!? How am I supposed to have power over the fucking weather!?” Tse screamed at the news. It seemed that the 3 Tiger
Triad had been losing money and product due to all of Tse’s ships being capsized in the recent months. Opium sold at top prices in Shanghai and its loss was
nothing short of catastrophic. She paced back and forth in the dirty love hotel room, trying to remember why she got into the business at all.
Pujian grabbed her and sat her down on the end of the bed, “Would you calm down? We can fix this. We need to get you a new identity and get you out of
here.” Tse laughed at the notion of the mortal helping her receive yet another mask, but it was a useless effort.
“No,” she said. “I must find out who is destroying my shipments and deal with them. It can’t be an accident that they are being washed out. Just where do I
begin?” She returned to her pacing.
“I got it!” Pujian said. “I have a friend named Nam at the docks. He will help us. I have some dirt on that bastard, so he’s got no choice.” He grinned to himself.
***
Arihito had never ridden in such poor conditions. In Tokyo he was in the upper echelon of the gaki, but here on a cramped boat, full of foul and soiled mortals,
he was just another migrant. The Green Courts promised secure travel, but this was not what he had in mind. But at least the squalor offered abundant Chi.
After 3 nights of travel, Arihito slid the door up and stepped from the back of a large truck. He hadn’t even seen the night’s sky during his voyage, but now all
was good. He looked around at the Shanghai docks. The glorious battles that were waged on that very location created an atmosphere of loss and regret when
he thought about his master. He was wearing dirty, ripped clothes in a city that was not his, standing on the land where Ozaki lost his last battle to the Five
August Courts.
“Hello, Tokyo Joe.” A voice came from behind the truck. It was Thin Black Feather, the new envoy of Tokyo that had resided in Shanghai for the last two years.
He was a rich mahotsukai, and his face was plastered with a shit-eating grin. “It has been a long time since we have seen each other, has it not, my friend?”
“It has,” Arihito responded.
Thin Black Feather kept his exultant tone. “You were always the upright warrior. That is fine. If my plans for this city go well, your battles with the Quincunx will
be quick and flourishing.” His face then loses any hint of humor. “Do you truly trust me, Arihito?”
He nods in response. “Yes, Thin Black Feather. I do.”
***
“How am I going to get the money to pay that off,” Tse thought. The price was $200,000 American to lift the city-wide hunt for her. The deal with Nam was a
bust. He ended up wanting to collect the ransom himself. He shot poor Pujian, point blank in eye, killing him instantly. It was nothing for Tse to take revenge on
Nam, but it was unsatisfying.
After searching through Nam’s personals, she found his passport and a copy of the police APB. She called all her other contacts frantically. None of them could
help. Tse was out of options, but that was just she wanted it.
Returning to her tomb, she was happy with the Ritual of A Thousand Cuts’ outcome. All people and things in her Shek Tse’s life had been destroyed with very
little effort on her part. She stood before the mirror and removed the mysterious mask from her face, drew herself up and looks at the original form of Hsu
Sengdao, the Restive Life Dancer, once again. Before laying down in his ritual sleep, he crushed the mask of Shek Tse beneath his foot.
Chaos and Disorder
Shanghai has suffered many changes throughout the past 60 years. War, death and sickness have all appeared in the city since the foreigners’ attack and
settlements in 1937, and only recently has hope smiled again. The same is true for the supernatural denizens of the city as well.
As China’s premiere port and financial center, Shanghai has preserved its strength and sense of nationalism, even through the constant invasions from
overseas occupants, but has not been able to do so without the constant watch of the Silent Mandarins. The Kuei-jin have spilled blood for over 60 years, and
has newly retaken the city with the Twice Red Tiger Battle of 1999.
The New Plan
For many decades, the city of Shanghai stood in name only as the focal point of the Flesh Court. It had fallen fully from the Quincunx, both in not having a
suitable ancestor and being a breeding ground and haven for Kin-jin, gaki and akuma. But in September of 1999, that all changed. The Flesh Court was
resurrected and returned to the fold of the Five August Courts, having beaten their opponents in a campaign that lasted over a year, but cost the Quincunx
many of their best foot soldiers in the process.
In February 2000, just after the Twice Red Tiger Battle, as the war was called, the honorable ancestor Chang Li called for a new type of plan. The Twice
Fanged Serpent Plan worked better than the Five August Courts could have imagined for Shanghai and yet, fell short against its foreign rivals in Hong Kong.
More forces were needed there, but an equal force was needed to retain Shanghai into the Quincunx’s fold. He appealed to the hopeful plan of a rising
Mandarin and renowned fang shih in service to the Flesh Court, Mo King Zhenyu.
Feng Shui was the answer that Chang Li craved and Zhenyu had the power to give it to him. He promised to guard Shanghai by realigning the Dragon Lines of
the city to empower the dragon nest recently attained at the Bridge House Prison. With supplementary support given from the Dragon Lines, Scarlet Screen
and Kuei-jin soldiers could be diverted to Hong Kong where they were desperately needed.
Jiejie Li, who flew in from San Francisco for this important decision, was fond of this new direction and gave her support, but many younger Kuei-jin, especially
those in favor of the Ash Plan from the beginning, opposed this bizarre plan. The Silent Mandarins of Shanghai strangely gave their full support of the new
strategy, branded the Glorious Shield Placement Plan. In the end, Zhenyu was dubbed in as a general of the Fence-Menders and given complete reign over
the newly captured city of Shanghai, under the supervision of the Silent Mandarins.
Stepping Stones
Great development schemes and horoscopes were cast for the next year, seeking out the best and most fluent way to approach the Glorious Shield Placement
Plan. The first obstacle was claiming ownership of the various Dragon Lines that ran through the city. Without ownership, Zhenyu could not move them quietly
to his liking or cloak them from usurpers. This part of the plan would require great planning.
The Flesh Court set out to resign old treaties with the Yin Courts. Yu Huang and the Dark Kingdom of Jade were hurting for aid in their own petty wars and the
Quincunx could always use another ally against the foreigners. The best Kuei-jin of the West Direction were called in for this job and quickly were able to
convince Wraith officials that an alliance would be the only plausible choice. With the armies of the dead behind Zhenyu, little could stop them.
On the other side of the spectrum, the Yang realms do not have as stagnant a court system as the Yin realms, and many of them are none too happy to deal
with the Quincunx. Of course, for the right sum of Chi and jade, anyone can be bought. Hundreds of powerful and not so powerful Yang spirits were bought as
spies and liaisons, contracted to confuse the information gathering of any hengeyokai or hsien that might be snooping into their plans.
With the combined might of the Dark Kingdom of Jade and the Kuei-jin forces, the Hand of Seven Claws was able to command over half of the Dragon Lines in
the city without public notice by late 2001. Then the real fun began.
Bending the Chinese foreign investment laws to their will, the Flesh Court imported millions of dollars from overseas governments, criminal organizations and
part of the Camarilla tribute in 1998 to purchase much of the city and demolish it. The Hand of Seven Claws recruited several mortal and shen fang shih to help
implement the designs of the new buildings that would be built in their places. These new structures would be of unique shape and color and be usable in
redirecting the Dragon Lines toward their dragon nest. Under normal circumstances, the destruction of so many buildings over such a short period of time
would seem odd to mortal society, but that is the way of the modern Shanghai and is currently an everyday occurrence.
The Death and Rebirth Segment, as it was called, went off without too many hitches, although once again, they gained opposition from the local shen who
noticed the sudden shift in the Dragon Lines. However, Zhenyu and his smooth talking assistant, Giang Orien, kept the other supernaturals at bay, later
resorting to more subtle strategies. Soon, the GSPP came to fruition.
The final step in the plan was alteration of the Chi and landscape of the whole city. Doing most of the more rural areas was easy, but the process has moved
slower in the last year. In central Shanghai, there are many different types of Shields, yet they are scattered, leaving room between for the Quincunx’s enemies
to avoid the wards.
The gaki Resistance

In 2002, Yoshida Ozaki (for more detailed on Yoshida Ozaki, see WoD: Tokyo), who was beaten in combat by Chiu Bao, thus retreating from Shanghai and
losing the city to the Five August Courts, reorganized his forces and has sent them to Shanghai once again. He and his chieftain Thin Black Feather have
begun their own campaign to shove the Quincunx off their pedestals and retake the city.
Spearheaded by their chieftain, the ketsuki have established themselves as the shen group with the greatest sway over the city's finances, taking most of the
Pudong area in Shanghai and arranging the Chi lines to be creating a dragon nest at the Shengwen Yu Tian Temple. Treaties with the lesser spirit courts have
gained them minor support for their dragon nest against intruders, but they are truly underdogs in this war.
With meager forces, around 25 warriors, they can not presume to defeat the Quincunx, who easily can call upon double their numbers without trouble. Even
their mahotsukai, Thin Black Feather, has only enough Feng Shui knowledge to keep their territories from falling easily to the Glorious Shield Placement Plan.
Other resources must be tapped and one of them is the seriously desperate Kin-jin.
However, the wise ketsuki are not ready to concede to the Quincunx. Many of the Bishamon and Genji who followed Cousin Ozaki in Tokyo have decided to
put aside their differences for the sake of the ketsuki in general. It was a huge, shameful defeat in 1999, which leads many gaki to join together to regain their
honor and prove that they will not be beaten so easy.
The Bishamon have created a web of Scarlet Screens throughout the city, mostly in gyms or new age shops. With these and the newfound treaties with a few
lesser spirit courts, they have gained an adequate spy network, comparable even to that of Giang Orien. They have been seeking ways, under Thin Black
Feather’s supervision, to destroy the grip that the Quincunx’s Tso Tao has on the City. If they were able to find that gap, it would be easy to diffuse and gain the
upper hand.
The Genji, on the other hand, have been dealing with other, more sordid issues. They have begun works into the vice of the city, but have not been able to gain
good headway into the business. Their subdivision of Tokyo’s Yakuza has stark competition in Shanghai from the Rattlesnake Coffin Triad, which has control
over most of the city. Other issues include dealings with the Kin-jin, which is headed by Tanaka Satoko, a young beautiful Thrashing Dragon. Although, the
Genji are becoming quite mistrusted by the Bishamon because of this, leading to hard feelings and betrayal between the two groups, but this rift has not
unbalanced the bond of the gaki.
The Green Courts
Korea’s Green Courts have had their hands in Shanghai since the beginning. After combining their Three Kingdoms into one, they have proved that
cooperation can exist between any Kuei-jin regardless of nationality. Their endless infighting stopped, allowing them to turn their sights to the other shen. The
Five August Courts and gaki had masses of jade that could be gained by certain favors, and the Green Courts were ready to take advantage of the situation.
However, the gaki took the initiative and many gaki war parties attacked Manchuria in 1910, claiming it for the Japanese. By 1937, the Japanese had full
possession of most of Korea, and the Green Courts. Korean Kuei-jin were hunted down and killed, many being impaled on jade spikes and left to die by the
Eye of Heaven. Those who remained kept themselves alive by easing the Japanese entry into Nanjing and Shanghai through their borders. They were given
small amounts of jade in return, but not much. In 1945, they were set free from the unyielding grasp of the gaki at the same time that Japan was forced to let go
of their Korean territories.
The Three Kingdoms have successfully stuck to their neutrality in all the current situations as well. Their relations with the Flesh Court are quite fragile and very
combustible. While their help with transportation is a blessing to any Kuei-jin needing to travel to other countries easily, the Silent Mandarins publicly blame the
Green Courts for most of the war in Shanghai. This view is fueled by the Green Courts abuse of the current situations, taking full advantage of the hsien
storms, charging outrageous prices of jade and gold for the safety of the Flesh Court precious “cargo”.
The relations with the gaki are much better, however. The Green Courts have worked with the gaki on more occasions than the Quincunx, making them ideal
clients. Most of their help was needed a few years ago to help the escaping ketsuki return to Japan, but lately it has been just the opposite. The storms, of
course, have made it hard for Kuei-jin to enter Shanghai by boat, the most used way, but the Emerald Dynasty wu has lines into all the other major
transportation systems. Only the single wu was sent to Shanghai, due to the ever-rising conflict between the Green Courts and the local hengeyokai in Korea.
Points of Power
The Bridge House Prison
Built on the mouth of a major Dark Kingdom of Jade Haunt, the Bridge House Prison has stood for several decades. It does not have a good image in the
minds of the Shanghainese of the area, but holds great power for the Wan Kuei of the Quincunx.
During the Second World War, the Kempeitai (Japan’s secret police, very similar to Germany’s SS) publicly tortured all who opposed them. Chinese, French,
even Russians, it didn’t matter to them. Most of these tortures took place at the Bridge House Prison, one of the Japanese military police’s many
headquarters. The death of thousands of Shanghainese and foreigners alike contributed to the malaise surrounding the Bridge House Prison, leaving a bad
taste in many Chinese mouths. The building is currently closed to the public, with the help of some pulled Quincunx strings, but is a historical landmark that
cannot be destroyed. This is just how Zhenyu wants it.
The ghosts of those killed stayed behind, but were merely forced into servitude by the gaki soldiers. Due to its huge spiritual defenses, the Dark Kingdom of
Jade’s forces were not able to free the Chinese Wraiths from the gaki’s grasp, leading to treaties with the Quincunx to ensure their return to the Kingdom. These
treaties are very important to the GSPP.
The Twice Red Tiger Battle proved the Quincunx’s key to winning the prison from the Japanese and using the dragon nest’s power against the usurping gaki.
Now, it stands as the second strongest dragon nest in Shanghai and focal point of all Flesh Court happenings.
The bottom levels of the four story structure are used as the regular meeting place for the Quincunx officials, while the top floors are used for training of both the
Flesh Court and Dark Kingdom of Jade’s soldiers. The two militaries share the facility, allowing for instant support whenever needed. The basement levels are
where the intense interrogation of gaki and other shen commences, where no one can hear you scream.
The gaki Temple
The ketsuki are quite the financial geniuses. Not only have they connected themselves in some way to almost every investment opportunity in the Pudong, but
they have made their dragon nest into a tourist attraction as well. The Shengwen Yu Tian Temple has become quite the moneymaker for the gaki in the last 6
months.
Being a renovated and rebuilt Zen Buddhist temple surrounded by parks and fountains, the Shengwen Yu Tian has become a fascinating and spiritual refuge
away from the commotion and sterility of the business-oriented sector of Shanghai. Not only for the mortals, however, but also for the shen of the area. Even a
few hsien and hengeyokai have begun visiting for the convenience of not having to cross the Huangpu River for dragon nest access. It has become a strange
gathering place for certain outcast shen such as Daityas, Nezumi and a Mage or two.
For those with differing spiritual needs, the temple houses both a Buddhist and Shinto shrine. The Bishamon feel this is an easy way to keep soldiers happy for
little expense from their cache.
The hsien
Storms have plagued Shanghai for over 6 months. Under normal circumstances, the city should be sunny and around 80 degrees, yet the recent events have
wrecked the city with heavy downpour. These are not natural occurrences, nor are they created directly by the GSPP. They are the creation of the hsien.
In the past, the Red Mandarin of the hsien, ruler of the Hunan Province, and the Silent Mandarins made secret treaties that kept the Kuei-jin and hsien out of
direct battle with each other. But upon the implementation of the Quincunx’s new defense plan, the Kamuii dragon nest, located in the Old city, has begun to
diminish, weakening the entire population of hsien in Shanghai. And, of course, The Red Mandarin blames the Wan Kuei.
No amount of diplomacy from Zhenyu has dissuaded the Li Shen from creating the typhoon-like storms. Their plan is to sink all of the Quincunx importation
vessels, knowing that they deal in opium and slaves quite heavily, hoping to cripple their economy and giving them no choice but to return power back to their
dragon nest. Investigations into those responsible for the magic itself are under way, as they will make great sacrifices of Golden Chi to the Silent Mandarins.
Many speculate that Mo King Zhenyu gained the hsien’s trust, only to gain insight into the workings of their dragon nest. With this knowledge he could easily
disassemble its power and take it for the Quincunx. Even though this information stares the Suijen ruler, Ye Hao Jie, in the face, he refuses to accept that
Zhenyu would have a hand in betraying him. But, honestly, even the Kuei-jin don’t know if that was the Hand of Seven Claw’s doing.
Yet Another War
Under the surface of the chaotic city of Shanghai, the Yama Kings stir up their own battles. The occurrence of the mysterious Broken Mirror in the Huangpu
District has resulted in the beginnings of new wars.
Mikaboshi, ruler of the Wicked City, has turned his eye on Shanghai for a long time. His top akuma, Zhang Fuwen, was run out of the city, destroying his all but
cemented position in the city. New agents have been sent, but have all been found out by the new Mandarin, Mo King Zhenyu.
With Mikaboshi’s fall in rank in Shanghai, Rangda, ruler of the Hell of Burrowing Maggots, has decided to increase her involvement in this ripe city. Having
many streets and dumps where her power reaches, she tests her power against the up and coming Mikaboshi.
Neither Yama King knows the origin of this new Broken Mirror, but its acquisition could fortify the winners position in the city and brings them that much closer to
being crowned Demon Emperor. But on either side, the Scorpion Eaters are making out like bandits.
The hengeyokai
The Beast Court of the Emerald Mother has its own problems and, yet, has decided to take the hsien in as well. Pity that they are not in the best of situations
either.
During the initial progress of the Glorious Shield Placement Plan, many of the Dragon Lines in Shanghai have been converted to pure Yin energy. This power
leaks out all around it and corrupts those Yang Lines that converge with it. This is the hengeyokai’s situation. Their nest has changed aspects from Yang to Yin
and is now overrun with their refugee cousins, the hsien, who retreated from their nest in the Old City.
Meetings with the Beast Court have ended in blood more than once in the past, leaving the present situation unconsciously stressful for the Quincunx. The
violence on the streets does not belong to the Kuei-jin only and both courts know that. No audiences have taken place between the two parties as of yet, as the
hengeyokai fear their assumptions of the Kuei-jin’s blame need further proof before war can be declared. The Kuei-jin fear their retribution for the changing of
their dragon nest, but there are many among the Quincunx that believe it was Zhenyu’s intention all along to tempt the hengeyokai into war. This is unwise by
anyone else’s standards, but the Hand of Seven Claws is very aloof.
Shards of Broken Glass
Many of the smaller dragon nests in Shanghai have been corrupted. Much like other thriving cities, the mortals have forgotten themselves to technology,
leaving the spiritual springs to eventually rot. A corrupted nest here or there is no problem, though, compared to a Broken Mirror, a place where hell and earth
become one.
Such a place has come into existence in Central Shanghai, in one of the many slums of the city. The Huangpu District houses the headquarters of the
notorious Rattlesnake Coffin Triad, as well as approximately 40,000 mortals who are being affected by the corruption of Yomi with no idea of what’s going on.
Many expeditions into the Broken Mirror, led by Song Ao, the Righteous Beast, have been sent by the Quincunx, but no definitive knowledge of whom or what
caused it has come to the forefront. The exact boundaries of the Broken Mirror seem to be fluctuating as well, making it hard to tell where Zhongguo ends and
Yomi begins. The Five August Courts fear that Shanghai’s akuma have finally taken over. This must be stopped by any means necessary as it may attract the
loathsome Scorpion Eaters as well.
The ketsuki have also discovered this area, but have stayed out of the area at the advice of Thin Black Feather. The Feng Shui of the area is too fragile and
could explode into something even worse at any moment. Their forces are small, keeping mostly to the Pudong for good reason.
Crowning the New Ancestor
One thing that has been constantly on the Silent Mandarins minds since the 1940s is the crowning of a new ancestor. For STs to note, the Silent Mandarins are
constantly looked down upon by the Blood Court, as they are not capable of running the city effectively in Chang Li’s eyes without a proper ruler. They are
currently looking into many different options, even going as far as to approach a few ancient Wan Kuei who frequent the city. The search continues however,
without any worthy prospects in sight.
The Secrets Beneath
The Silent Mandarins have stood as the central power in Shanghai since the last ancestor’s assassination in 1937. Since then, every move made in the city
has been theirs to control. Among all the chaos of the city comes the imminent threat of treachery and murder, which leads the Silent Mandarins to hide their
haven, plans and identities from all those, except their most trusted minions and companions.
What is known about the Silent Mandarins may vary from Kuei-jin to Kuei-jin, but the majority of info stays consistent throughout. They are a full-fledged wu,
with one of each of the five Directions and Dharmas. They are thought to all be very powerful, but each have an extreme case of paranoia that extends past
normal spectrums. This could be caused by Yang imbalance, which leads to other rumors about the Mandarins having hordes of dhampyr legions, which serve
as their loyal messengers.
Most of these are not true, but no one will ever know the truth. No one, except for Chang Li and Mo King Zhenyu. It is rumored that Zhenyu has worked with
the Silent Mandarins for several decades, honing his skills until it was his turn to take control of the city. Other rumors say that he is one of the Silent Mandarins
themselves, which leads to other rumors, of course.
Their communication systems have been very chaotic and haphazard since their rise to rulers of the city, but with Zhenyu’s help, they have advanced in their
organization. They do have ten private heimin (dhampyr and Kuei-jin alike) that work only for them. Of course, these heimin are highly trained in the art of
stealth and combat, leaving their messages for the intended parties without being seen. For the more menial jobs, however, they require less stringent
methods. They resign themselves to hire local wu, loyal to the Flesh Court, and using them to their ends, usually disposing of them afterwards to cause less
mess.
But the bottom line is that the Silent Mandarins are not active. Movements can be traced by those who are observant, which leads the Mandarins to halt most
communication with the outsides world, unless absolutely important. They are respectively hermits, generals in a war, but never the soldiers.
The Bund
The Bund proved to be the most important location for the Quincunx to conquer. Since the first Japanese Invasion, the ketsuki had almost exclusive ownership
of this area, but now it belongs to the Flesh Court. The importance of the Bund and the International Settlement in general, cannot be stressed enough. It
holds the major banks and other financial establishments of Shanghai, as well as the majority of business in the city.
Giang Orien holds this area as his, keeping his network of Scarlet Screens in the area on the down low from the rest of the shen. This is also the area where he
holds the most power, in a loud talking and brutish way.
The Old City
The Flesh Court link to the Old City, Nanshi, is immeasurable. It is the only section of the city that has stayed as stagnant as the Kuei-jin themselves, yet has
modernized only slightly. The old traditions still exist here, including the adherence to the Mandate of Heaven and Hell. Mortals here are much more open to
helping Kuei-jin, as they understand more fully that everything has its place.
Actually, the mortals of the area thank the Flesh Court for lifting the blanket of fear that lay over the Old City for several decades. The Blood Circle wu, an
outrageously violent gang of Kuei-jin, considered Nanshi its ‘turf’. They had countless gunfights and executions in the Old City and held the observers of the old
way in a noose of strict control. During the Twice Red Tiger Battles, this wu was ‘taken out’ by a fierce Japanese war uji, leaving the city in shambles and the
mortals relieved.
Then the Hand of Seven Claws arrived, picking up the fallen pieces of the Old City and making it his. It is now his ‘turf’ and is treated as such. It has the most
advanced Tso Tao shields of any location in Shanghai, for the exception of the Bridge House Prison, and is constantly under his surveillance, as it is his haven.
This is also the location that is shared with the Kamuii of the hsien who inhabit the Yu Yuan Gardens. There close proximity helped in gaining the hsien’s trust
and, on a lesser note, their friendship. Zhenyu has been known to walk to the streets on an almost constant basis, simply to watch the mortals in their everyday
existence.
French Town
The French Concession, home of the majority of the vice, opium dens, prostitution and Tongs in Shanghai, has become even worse since the claiming in 1999.
The Quincunx has placed great stock in their ability to manipulate the vice of the city, and have invested countless hours into French Town. Not surprisingly,
this means that there has been an increase in illegal activity in the area, without the police interfering as most of them are on the Flesh Court’s payroll. This rise
in vice was made to supplement the lost income from the boating industry that has been so graciously made problematical by the hsien.
In addition, The French Connection is the haven to more Kin-jin than any other area in Shanghai, attracted to the area because of the vice, blood and the
neutrality of the area. Many locations within the sector have been deemed middle-of-the-road areas, no violence among the shen. This is the only place in the
city where the Kin-jin have a chance to survive.
Pudong
The gaki rule this area with an iron fist, which leaves a bad taste in many Wan Kuei’s mouths. The underdogs of the war actually have a leg up when in the
newly renovated area of the Pudong, which means east of the river. It consists mostly of business establishments and office building developments, but the
gaki embrace this by allowing the development to cover their dragon nest.
Who Has the Nests?
It has been mentioned several times which factions control Dragon Nests, but I’m sure you’re wondering how powerful each one is. So, here are the numbers.
Flesh Court: Level 4, gaki: Level 3, hengeyokai: Level 5, and hsien: Level 1.
The Hidden Economy
Even though openly condemned by the Five August Courts, Shanghai has an underground Hidden Economy, as it is called, that allowed for the Flesh Court to
continue their struggle against the foreign invaders. Although many of the Quincunx’s warriors have left to support Hong Kong, this economy stays to fuel the
warriors that have stayed.
The exact date that the Ministry of the Scarlet Vessel was created is unknown, but it stands today as a large subculture of Kuei-jin all around the city who keep
storehouses of mortals for the use of those loyal to the Flesh Court, even though there is no longer such a large demand. They come from all walks of life, but
kidnapping victims, runways, unwanted children, the homeless, and prostitutes are of the most abundant supply. Mo King Zhenyu and the Silent Mandarins
have also publicly reviled the creation of such an abomination to the Mandate of Hell, yet they often use it a source of Chi as well, funding it with the Quincunx’s
own money.
To keep this a secret, the Ministry has created intricate tunnels throughout the city, many that correspond with the subways. There are over 50 different
checkpoints, each with enough supply of vessels to feed up to five Kuei-jin, the average wu, at the drop of a hat. Most tunnels are well guarded by wards and
hidden surveillance soldiers, disallowing any unauthorized entryway. The voluptuary Beautiful Dagger serves as one of the guards to the cells themselves,
making sure the vessels are well fed, bathed and healthy before they are devoured by the soldiers. This type of treatment is usually not expected by those
partaking in the Ministry’s goods, to take such scrupulous care of the vessel only to kill them a moment later. But, both of these duties are staffed by the
Meticulous Caretakers.
The organization of the Ministry of the Scarlet Vessel rivals that of the best-kept secret spy network. It has entered the digital age, even if most of its generals
are not, and has all the most up to date technology to back themselves up. This is operated by the Conscriptors, a group of techie Kuei-jin, many of them
defectors from the Bamboo Princes that have joined in the fight against the gaki. They are responsible for the accounting of the Hidden Economy, keeping tabs
on every mortal brought in and consumed.
The next rank is the Chi Brokers, who are in charge of black market purchase and kidnapping/acclamation of new product, followed by the heads of the
organization, the Illumination Proprietors. Their job consists of keeping tabs on everyone that uses the services and a lot of marketing and espionage, needing
to get the word out there without the information getting into the wrong hands. Behind it all, of course, sits Giang Orien, set as the new leader of the Illumination
Proprietors by the Hand of Seven Claws. However, Orien views this as a secondary objective to the Glorious Shield Placement Plan, leaving much of the
deliberation to the remainder of the Proprietors to do.
Talk has been circulating around the Flesh Court about the involvement of the Kin-jin in the plots of the Ministry of the Scarlet Vessel. This is something that
even the Silent Mandarins will not stand for, but several of the Illumination Proprietors have found Nosferatu sneaking around the underground tunnels. In
place of all out warfare, Giang Orien proposed a pact between themselves and their sewer dwelling parasites. The pact is simply stated: The Nossies have
access to the storehouses, by invitation only, but cannot tell any other Kin-jin of the location. The gweilo have yet to go back on their promises, which seems
odd to Orien.
The Sick House
The city of Shanghai is host to a large assortment of shen, not the least of them are followers of the Dance of the Thrashing Dragon. It is known that this
Dharma seeks to be more alive than the living, attempting to undergo every emotion, action or sickness in the Middle Kingdom. By experiencing these things,
the Kuei-jin will become one with the Maya and leave the Cosmic Cycle. There is such a place that this may be accomplished, the Sick House. Run by an
elder Thrashing Dragon by the name of Mu Shu-Xan, this establishment sells every kind of disease that has occurred since the 3rd Age. By taking, suffering
and, depending on which disease, dying from the experience, the Dragon gains insight into his undead form. Shu-Xan is not above selling these diseases as
weapons and poisons either.
This business is constantly mobile, never appearing in the same location more than once in a month. But those who know what to look for can always find it.
This is an example of one of the many different services available to the Kuei-jin.
Digging Up the Past

For a year, archeological studies and digs have gone on at a site 2 hours inland from Shanghai. The Bone Court has great interest in these, for the mortals
have discovered various artifacts thought to be from the 4th and 3rd Ages. Statues, coins and such, as well as mass burial chambers lined with visages of
Three-eyed Demons have been found. These, of course, symbolize the Wan Kuei during the 4th Age and must be salvaged and studied for magical power.
From an outside perspective, it would seem that the Bone Courts are seeking much more at that dig site, which would explain how much they are putting into
this dig as opposed to any other. But they are not leaking nay of that information as of yet.
Wang Quoc-an, a young but distinguished Bone Flower, is the leader of the survey team. He has pulled strings to gain the Ha Jin Dig Site (named after the
mortal to first find the site) as a Scarlet Screen, gaining most of the mortals’ loyalty, as well as getting hands on, anxiously searching and digging while the Eye
of Heaven sleeps.
Since the site has become common knowledge throughout the city, seen on television and newspaper stands, though, there have been several nocturnal
disturbances at the site. Fighting between the Kuei-jin guards and what seems to be a rebel group of Kin-jin has erupted almost weekly, leading to lost and even
broken relics. This displeases the Bone Court immensely and they are increasing security at the site in response to it. Although, still little is known about the
source of the attacks, the Quincunx will not lose this site to the unenlightened.
Keepers of Relics
In 1995, the Shanghai Museum was moved and rebuilt in the People’s Square, which lies in the center of Shanghai. Although this was not the best move under
the context of Feng Shui, the Quincunx was smart to use the facility to its full advantage. Many of the countries finest pieces were moved there, making it a
huge tourist attraction, as well as keeping grand security there to protect their national treasures.
At the same time, however, the Quincunx was up to more than pleasing the visitors to Shanghai. Underneath the museum, lies a large, hidden laboratory that
is run by the Bone Court. Once again, Wang Quoc-an heads the research of the museum, which has lead to many discoveries of forgotten Wan Xian history
and lost magical artifacts.
After being discovered at the Ha Jin Dig Site, each piece is hand delivered to the Shanghai Museum by a member of the Bone Court or a loyal heimin, and
given to a crack team of scientists (including a few scientifically inclined Kuei-jin) who know all the most technologically advanced methods of dating and
authentication.
However, the Shanghai Museum houses much more than the Bone Court’s secret studies, it also retains many of the Bone Flower libraries and havens. Wan
Kuei with no place to go before dawn rush to the facility for a place to rest before dusk sets again. It is a safe haven and neutral ground for all under the banner
of the Five August Courts, but stands as the power base of the Bone Court specifically. It also is one of the checkpoints for the Hidden Economy as well.
The Shanghai Museum has the largest amount of security of any Kuei-jin location in the city. Wards, Feng Shui and a mass of mortal sentries stand guard
nightly, allowing for the most protection for the found relics.
Demon/Kuei-jin Crossovers
True Names and Obligation: The True Name of any Elohim is his most prized possession. It is a well-known fact that this piece of information is neither given
freely, nor easily found out unwillingly. That is, until they met up with the Wan Kuei. Using the Soul Art, Obligation, many Kuei-jin have enslaved Elohim since
their return. But the soul of the Hungry Dead must be strong enough to discern the meaning of the multiple layers attached to the True Name and to reflect the
Torment inside the Elohim, which attempts to stop the invasion of privacy. The Kuei-jin must know that the target is a Fallen and be actively attempting to
retrieve the True Name, as only the Celestial Name will pop up in a normal Soul Reading, the Dharma level must be equal to or higher the Faith Rating of the
target, and the Kuei-jin must achieve 5 successes on his Obligation roll to gather the True Name. A failed roll causes automatic levels of Aggravated Damage,
equal to the target’s Torment Level.
Faith and Chi: Drinking from the Elohim is equally as dangerous and addictive as the Golden Chi, or Yugen, of the hsien This fact furthers the idea that the
hsien and Fallen are related in some way alien to Kuei-jin thought. The difference is this; each of an Elohim’s Faith points is equal to 3 Yugen, making even a
single taste three times more addictive than a hsien.
Devouring Souls: Just as the Faith Pool has the same effect on the Wan Kuei as Yugen, the hungry dead may also fully devour the soul of an Elohim from his
body, just as they would a hsien. First they must fully drink all of the Faith out of the Demon, then each health level, rendering the Elohim forever gone and the
Kuei-jin 100% addicted to the rich Golden Chi from the veins of Heaven’s minions, hsien or Fallen.
The Fallen Soldiers
The amount of run-ins the courts of the Quincunx had with the Elohim before 2002 could be counted on one hand. But these experiences have been surreal to
say the least. Following many wars against the gaki, Fallen inhabiting Asian bodies found themselves caught in the crossfire. They were immediate targets on
both sides. They were obviously supernatural and unknown to the Flesh Court or ketsuki, so they were, of course, expendable. Many Elohim lost their souls to
the Kuei-jin in 1999, but have multiplied in numbers since then.
It was as if the death of so many Fallen only created another, larger crack in the Abyss releasing even more. They have become more abundant in the past
year than ever before, numbering now in the upper 30s. They had attempted to hide from the Kuei-jin after the war, but were unsuccessful as soon as Mo King
Zhenyu came into command.
He went into intense training in learning more and more about the Elohim, even learning Bone Flower memory stealing rites to complete his knowledge
database, then went on to manipulate them. Some of the Demons of Zhongguo are now subservient to the Flesh Court by one way or another. The Hidden
Ones, mostly Cryptics, are those Fallen that have sided with the Bone Court, working together with the Bone Flowers to learn more of the world they have come
into. The Docile Ravagers are those Elohim that have sided with the Flesh Court in their war against the foreigners, battling them at every turn. It is unknown,
however, how many of these Demons serve by choice or because Zhenyu knows their True Name.
The Woman Who Knew Too Much
It has been said that the Silent Mandarins are paranoid. This is a huge understatement of the situation when it comes to one small woman.
With Zhenyu taking most of the plan of the city in hand, the Silent Mandarins have called for the execution of a certain woman that has seen their faces. She
somehow followed one of their informants curiously, only to see the wu of hidden masters. This did not please the Silent Mandarin’s in the slightest. Neither
does the fact that every attempt to bring her in or kill her has ended with failure. The woman is thought to be a cabby, yet has no identifiable name. There are 2
teams of Flesh Court Kuei-jin who are searching for her.
The Sick Ocean Minders wu, made up of three Thousand Whispers and two Bone Flowers, is on the end of seeking out the woman and finding out what she
knows. They have the job of finder her, figuring out who she is in league with and destroying anyone she is close to. The other wu, the Venial Blood Merchant
wu, which consists of five Devil-Tigers, has the sole duty to seek and destroy the woman. Although no name has been given, her aura shouts of life unlike any
other mortal. By using Yang Sight, she can easily be found, although she is thought to have intensive knowledge of the city and its hiding spots. Also, there are
thousands of taxi drivers. The hunt will be long and hard, but fruitful in the end.
But there are others who are searching for the woman. The gaki or Kin-jin would love to get their hands on this woman for information on the rulers of
Shanghai. With that info, they would have an advantage against the Quincunx and could possibly retake the city from the Silent Mandarins.
Storyteller Notes - Secrets of the Wan Kuei
The Silent Mandarins’ Decision
Many might think it weird that the Silent Mandarins would give their city up to someone who is of low Dharma and station, but this is just what they want you to
believe. They have not given the city over to anyone else; they have kept it within the wu.
After the assassination of the Silent Mandarins’ Thrashing Dragon ancestor, a replacement had to be trained. Mo King Zhenyu was a young and promising
member of Kuei-jin society and was chosen from hundreds of candidates. Now that he has gained mandarin Status, Zhenyu has decided to show himself.
Being less paranoid than the others, there is little threat to him in his mind.
The Glorious Shield Placement Plan
In many of the explanations of this risky plan, it has been overstated that Mo King Zhenyu is a master of all things Tso Tao. Many of the interactions with the
shen and the newly manipulating Chi Lines, has lead to disaster. The hengeyokai are furious and ready for war, the hsien have lost their dragon nest all
together, a freak Broken Mirror has appeared near a peaceful part of town, and still Zhenyu sits quietly.
Since he’s a master fang shih, wouldn’t Zhenyu know the consequences of all his manipulations? The answer: Yes. He knows everything that is going on and
these repercussions are all part of his, and the Silent Mandarins’, ultimate plan to take over the city for good.
The Calamity Shields
Using Tso Tao, and many test victims, the Flesh Court has found ways to not only stop a Kuei-jin’s ability to process Chi in a given area, but also how to negate
certain other abilities of the shen. These are affectionately called Calamity Shields, places in the city so intricately designed that their meaning is known only to
masters of Feng Shui. Only Zhenyu and his closest allies know their true intention.
Between the hengeyokai nest and Shanghai, lies one of these Calamity Shields. The Feng Shui of this area is strategically arranged to negate the shifter’s
natural regeneration ability. Many hengeyokai have fallen to this shield already, but not enough to become wide knowledge, so knowledge of this area remains
very sparse. In the works are other shields that will weaken the Beast Court’s bodies even further, making simple bullets seem like torture.
In the guise of fortifying the Old City, Zhenyu created cut-offs in the power the Dragon Lines gave to the Kamuii dragon nest. It slowly dwindled in power, while
Zhenyu pretended to help with the hsien’s plight the whole time. In the end, it was his intention the entire time to steal their power and transfer it to the Bridge
House Prison dragon nest. There are now Calamity Shields that make a hsien lose 1 Yugen per turn if they are within the area, which has lead to “mysterious”
deaths on their end.
2004: The Year of the Monkey
Zhenyu plans everything, as is his nature. By following the Ten Seasons Sect and practicing Tzu Wei and Tso Tao, he has gained an appreciation for his plans
coming together for a big finale and the GSPP is no different. 2003, the Year of the Black Goat, is one of preparation and this edict is strictly following by the
Flesh Court at the moment. But on New Year’s Day of 2004, the Year of the Monkey arrives and a new part of the plan will begin; the Paroxysm Project fires
up. This new plan will ultimately end with the Five August Courts on top and the other shen crushed. The power of its success will be immeasurable, while its
failure will mean the end to an empire the Shanghainese struggled so hard to hang on to.
All calamity shields in and around Shanghai will be activated in one gesture. The fireworks display at Chinese New Year is a most amazing one, and will mark
the beginning of the Paroxysm Project. No doubt, all the shen in Shanghai will engage in one form of battle or another at that point, but Zhenyu and the Silent
Mandarins will be hidden away to watch it from a distance. Then they will return to pick up the pieces.
The Broken Mirror
This is the one mishap that the Flesh Court is not directly responsible for. The Tremere Clan has decided to try their hand in the Feng Shui game as well, but
they have not the centuries of expertise. An entirely new Feng Shui Path of Thaumaturgy was created within the last few years. It is very unstable and very
damaging to the Chi of the area.
The Huangpu District, south of the Old City, has been struck down with a Broken Mirror caused by the Kin-jin’s tainted magicks. The Scorpion Eaters of
Shanghai have found out and moved right in, making deals with the akuma and bakemono. The evil of Rangda, the Pestilence Queen of the Hell of Burrowing
Maggots and Mikaboshi, Lord of the Wicked City, have entered the area, making Tiger Scar’s bounty a plentiful one.
Kuei-jin of Note (NPCs)
Quincunx
Mo King Zhenyu, “Hand of Seven Claws”
Background: Zhenyu grew up on Shanghai’s fertile soil, starting from its humble roots as a fishing town up to the present thriving metropolis it is today. Born to
a poor fang shih, he dove into the mysteries of Yin and Yang, even in his early mortal years. He gained great proficiency in proper Feng Shui techniques, using
a Lo’Pan, and his skill with a staff was matchless. Others in his village came to notice his remarkable talent and referred him to the Qing Army, who was badly
in need of good soldiers during the late 1890s. He volunteered to enlist and diligently served them for many years.
The intrepid chaos of the Boxer Rebellion in 1900 cost Zhenyu his life. A flurry of swords and guns mercilessly slaughtered an entire battalion of Qing warriors,
including Zhenyu. The foreign armies that came to ‘help’ against “The Righteous Fists” instead arrived to loot and kill from the people of Beijing. He failed his
solemn mission to defend the capital and his emperor. Considering this an extreme disgrace, he entered the Hell of Being Cut to Pieces for his grievance. All of
his family line’s ashes have been scattered over the Huangpu River. His ashes were no different.
Zhenyu’s chih-mei form was found two weeks later, washed up on the shoreline of the river. After Changan and his Fire and Water Tests, which he passed with
minimal difficulty, Zhenyu took up his service to the Silent Mandarins. His initial knowledge of Feng Shui fully blossomed under the power of the Second Breath
and his involvement with the Ten Seasons Sect. His meticulous gardens gained fame throughout the sect, and he was deemed the Hand of Seven Claws.
When he struck, it was done not only with the force of his hand, but with that of Heaven and Hell as well.
Zhenyu has practiced Tso Tao in Shanghai for many decades, for many shen clients, and has become rightfully renowned citywide. He has become quite the
coveted fang shih since advancing along his dharmic path. His skills have been of extra importance to the Silent Mandarins in the recent nights. A Feng Shui
conflict is being waged with extreme urgency and Zhenyu is at the forefront.
Description: He is a muscular man, who prefers the comfortable feeling of traditional Chinese clothing to that of jeans or t-shirts. He has dark eyes, light skin
and his black queue (a long braid worn by soldiers of the Qing Army), which is usually hidden under a hat or hood. His angular face shows a life of hardship
and his cold eyes stare right through even the most ironed of wills.
Roleplaying Hints: You are a soldier first and foremost. You serve the Silent Mandarins and little else matters more than securing the city for a Chinese
victory. You are almost single-minded. Except for the occasional tending to your gardens, your life in consumed with the thought of a Quincunx triumph. You
are powerful, but never forget that you are indebted to the Silent Mandarins. Despite all external indicators, you don’t actually enjoy fighting. You just draw
yourself to conflict.
Haven: Zhenyu resides in the Old City and is well known to the rest of the shen that dwell there. He has particularly great esteem from the hsien who house
their dragon nest in the Yu Yuan Gardens.
Secrets: Not only does Zhenyu have access to the fang shih of the city, he also has access to sacred texts, treaties and the locations of known shen in the city.
You must know where people are, before you perform Feng Shui, as you may anger someone you did not intend to.
Influence: He has been in the Feng Shui business for over a century now. He has the admiration and esteem of the entire society of fang shih in Shanghai. He
has lots of pull and can have unbelievably elaborate displays of Feng Shui completed in a small amount of time with the help of his followers.
Nature: Traditionalist, P’o Nature: The Legalist, Demeanor: Architect, Chi Balance: Balanced, Direction: West, Dharma: Dance of the Thrashing Dragon 6,
Second Breath: 1900, Apparent Age: Mid-30s
Stats: Physical: Strength 3, Dexterity 4, Stamina 3, Social: Charisma 2, Manipulation 4, Appearance 2, Mental: Perception 5, Intelligence 4, Wits 4
Abilities: Talents: Alertness 3, Athletics 2, Dodge 3, Empathy 2, Leadership 3, Streetwise 2, Subterfuge 2, Skills: Etiquette 3, Martial Arts 3 (Soft), Meditation
4, Melee 4, Performance 2, Portents 5, Stealth 4, Survival 2, Knowledges: Enigmas 3, Investigation 2, Law 3, Linguistics 1, Lore: hsien 1, Occult 4, Rituals 5
Disciplines: Iron Mountain 1, Feng Shui 6, Tzu Wei 4, Tapestry 3, Obligation 1, Cultivation 1, Rites: Trace the Dragon’s Blood, Behold the Spirit’s Doorway,
Imbuing the Jade, All Wind and Water & Feng Shui Rites
Backgrounds: Allies 2, Contacts 4, Followers 4, Horoscope 5, Jade Talisman 3, Nushi 3, Resources 4
Chi Virtues: Yin 6, Yang 5, Soul Virtues: Hun 5, P’o 4, Willpower: 9
Giang Orien, “The Insurgent Player”
Background: Orien grew up on the hard streets of Shanghai in the early 50’s, after the end of the Second World War and the beginning of the evacuation of
the foreigners. He took pride in his country and everything that the new People’s Republic of China stood for. While growing up he became involved in mortal
politics, anxiously becoming one of Mao Zedong’s devout Red Guards of the Cultural Revolution and was very happy in his place for many years. Until he saw
firsthand the harshness of ‘cultural re-education’.
As his time in service elapsed, he realized that he was doing nothing with his life. He was a puppet for not only Mao, but also he was a slave to his country and
had no real identity or dreams of his own. When he protested the group and tried to persuade other members as well, he was ridden with bullets by a firing
squad for treason.
Upon reawakening, he realized that self-reliance was a must, but could not shake the comfort of being under someone else’s powerful thumb. Serving the
undead hierarchy with intense loyalty has gained Orien a great deal of favor from the Blood Court. He was relocated and his voice is now Zhenyu’s voice to the
rest of the shen of the city when the Hand of Seven Claws is not present. However, Orien lets his mouth run away with him too frequently, making many
proposals for twilight war.
Orien leads the Devils of Rapport wu, which has been put in charge of manipulating most of the Flesh Court’s important Scarlet Screens, as well as the
responsibility of keeping the mortals of Shanghai in check.
Description: Orien is a compact man, standing at 5’ 2” and just over 120lbs. He is often seen wearing business casual, blue jeans and polo shirt, and almost
always wears sunglasses. He carries no weapons, as he detests the feel of being weighed down.
Roleplaying Hints: You have always been under someone else’s heel. And this experience is no different. Now you have had a small taste of power and can’t
get enough of it. Everywhere you go, you are known as Zhenyu’s assistant and are treated with obvious respect, and sometimes fear, because of it. But lately,
your brush with power has proved too much and you are trying to save yourself from the onslaught of hatred that will soon follow.
Haven: He has several dwellings in Shanghai. He mostly stays at his penthouse that lies just north of the Bund.
Secrets: Besides being in the midst of every plan of the Silent Mandarins and Zhenyu, Orien knows much about the mortals of Shanghai, as he frequents many
of the places that mortals enjoy.
Influence: Orien holds his main power in the well-populated Bund. As the name of Hand of Seven Claws is passed around among the Kuei-jin community, he
becomes more and more influential in just about every area of town. But he has problems understanding his limitations and has gotten some of the locals
angry.
Nature: Conformist, P’o Nature: The Legalist, Demeanor: Bravo, Chi Balance: Balanced, Direction: East, Dharma: Way of the Resplendent Crane 3,
Second Breath: 1967, Apparent Age: Late Teens to Early 20s
Abilities: Talents: Alertness 2, Dodge 2, Empathy 3, Expression 2, Leadership 2, Streetwise 2, Subterfuge 5, Skills: Etiquette 3, Martial Arts 2 (Hard),
Meditation 3, Performance 1, Security 1, Stealth 2 , Knowledges: Computer 2, Finance 2, Law 2, Linguistics 3, Occult 3, Politics 2
Disciplines: Black Wind 1, Flesh Shintai 3, Yang Prana 2, Cultivation 1
Backgrounds: Allies 3, Contacts 4, Jade Talisman 3, Herd 2, Resources 3
Song Ao, "Righteous Beast"
Background: At the age of 24, Ao had a very successful career as a florist in Nanjing. She was married at a young age, having a 9-year-old son, Aric, and a 7-
year-old daughter, Eling, both of which mostly took after her. And although she and her husband, Choon, had certain marital issues, for the most part she was
happy.
On December 13, 1937, the Rape of Nanjing began. In the second week of the ‘forgotten holocaust’ her family was rounded up. The Japanese soldiers raped
Ao and Eling repeatedly while her husband and son were forced to watch. Then at gunpoint, Choon and Aric were forced to do the same. Afterward, her
husband was buried up to his neck, while ravenous dogs devoured his head for the soldiers’ amusement and her children were used for sword and bayonet
practice. She was kept around for many days as a ‘comfort woman’ to ‘entertain’ the remaining Japanese, but was mercilessly ridden with bullets during an
attempt to escape.
She took the Second Breath and returned from the Hell of Upside Down Sinners on the Chinese New Year of 1938, after the massacre was already finished. As
a chih-mei, Ao hunted and killed many Japanese people (soldier or not) before the Meng brought her before the Jade Court. Passing her Fire and Water test
easily and showing impressive physical ability, she worked under the Meng for many years, learning the hardened techniques of chih-mei wrangling. She
adapted the title of Righteous Beast for the brutality of her capturing, because “she doesn’t teach them, she just catches them”.
The Obdurate Aggressor Crew, of which Ao is the leader, is the Jade Court's ambassador to Shanghai. They have the honorable duty of capturing any and all
Shanghainese chih-mei to add to their forces. Ao has also proudly taken the role of one of the head instigators of the conflict between the Quincunx and gaki
Description: She presents the classic beauty of a young China woman, but is over set by her somewhat rugged appearance. Her hair is always dyed different
colors (red being her favorite), and wears baggy clothes. These are not hip-hop clothes, just baggier clothes that don’t reveal her supple, muscular body
covered with scars and menacing dragon tattoos.
Roleplaying Hints: You are a determined woman and are willing to use any means necessary to keep Shanghai under Quincunx rule. You are a well-known
chih-mei wrangler, renowned for your mercilessness, but you will not let your equals forget that you are a lady first. You view the Japanese as even lower than
chih-mei and will do even worse things to bring them down.
Haven: She occupies a small apartment just north of Frenchtown, across the street from the Children’s Palace. She enjoys watching the children play for the
little time that she can after sunset.
Secrets: She has investigated the allegations of a Broken Mirror in the Huangpu District and has fought many times with followers of MuRong Bei, the akuma,
but has retreated every time. Never fight the enemy on his home turf. But she has found out much about his gang, the Rattlesnake Coffin Triad, and plans on
taking them down as well as the gaki forces.
Influence: Ao has huge clout within the Flesh Court and although she has no set territory, she does regard the area around the Children’s Palace as hers. She
does hold sway over many of the warriors of the city, even one of the local hunters.
Nature: Fanatic, P’o Nature: The Demon, Demeanor: Autocrat, Chi Balance: Balanced, Direction: South, Dharma: Howl of the Devil-Tiger 5, Second
Breath: 1937, Apparent Age: Mid-20s
Abilities: Talents: Alertness 2, Athletics 2, Brawl 3, Dodge 3, Expression 2, Intimidation 3, Leadership 1, Streetwise 2, Skills: Crafts 3, Firearms 2, Melee 4
(Chih-mei Net), Performance 1, Stealth 3, Knowledges: Enigmas 2, Investigation 2, Linguistics 2, Occult 1, Rituals 4
Disciplines: Black Wind 3, Demon Shintai 3 (Claws, Mandibles, Wings), Ghost Flame Shintai 3, Yang Prana 2, Rites: Restoring the Dharmic Balance
Backgrounds: Allies 1, Contacts 3, Horoscope 1, Influence 2, Magic Artifact 2, Resources 3
Wang Quoc-an, “Changing Skin”
Background: The son of a wealthy businessman, Quoc-an grew up in a sheltered environment. He went to the British styled Yan Zhi Boarding School where
he received the best education, yet he was picked on everyday for his lack of social skills. Endless teasing coupled with his family’s apathy produced inner
turmoil and intense anger, but Quoc-an held in his anger, never letting it out as everyday, his life became threatened by bullies and ambitious upstarts used him
as a punching bag.
He lived at the boarding school for 16 years, until his 21st birthday, but at the graduation his abusers went too far. An elaborate prank to hang the skinny, naked
Quoc-an from the roof as a joke turned into lifetimes in prison for the 2 boys that lost their grips on his feet. He plummeted four stories head first into the
pavement, while his soul plunged into Yomi. He escaped soon after, riding the coattails of another escaping P’o.
Quoc-an’s koa went very well. In service to the Devil-Tigers, he was able to vent his pent-up aggression on the demons of Yomi as well as making sure his
killers and tormentors were executed by less humane ways than the firing squad. But that life turned out to be too much for him to bear, as he had never been
an aggressor before his Second Breath. So he found the soft solitude of the Song of the Shadow to be quite inviting. He was renamed Changing Skin after the
transfer to his new Dharma. He lost many comrades during this time, which suited his loner personality just fine.
The Bone Court selected but a handful of its best Wan Kuei to aid in the protection and discovery of ancient artifacts from the Ha Jin Dig Site. Quoc-an was one
of those elite. He was gifted with a shrewd business sense as well as equally sharp fighting skills that he learned during his koa, but despite his great
qualifications, he was selected only for his knowledge of archeological studies and nothing else.
Lead the expedition team in Shanghai is a great privilege, but also a huge test for Quoc-an. The Blood Court Mandarins are watching his every move; they do
not want to be proven wrong. Just one mess-up and he knows that he would be doomed, as those who switch Dharma are always looked at with circumspect.
Description: Lanky and muscular is how he would be described with his shirt off. He has pale skin, with black hair and dark eyes. If not for his glasses, he’d fit
the perfect image of a lady-killer. He is often seen wearing traditional, simple silk robes befitting someone in his station (but not his apparent age).
Roleplaying Hints: You have been shoved into a position usually held for those of a higher Dharma, but you feel that you are capable of accomplishing your
intended goal. Despite what others might think about you, in your years under the Howl of the Devil-Tiger you learned much about how not to be a pushover.
You have been sent to do a job and nothing will stand in your way. The rest of your unlife would be hell otherwise.
Haven: The facilities underneath the Shanghai Museum are more than adequate for a follower of the Quiet Song. It’s leaky, dirty, and badly ventilated.
Secrets: Nothing of grand importance. The Mandarins reveal little to him at the moment, with little question as to why.
Influence: He has been charged to lead the Quincunx plans to excavate the digs of the Ha Jin Dig Site, 2 hours inland from Shanghai. He has forces from the
Bone Court around the site and around the Shanghai Museum and in areas of his influence, his word out ranks any other.
Nature: Loner, P’o Nature: The Barbarian, Demeanor: Director, Chi Balance: Yin, Direction: North, Dharma: Song of the Shadow 2, Second Breath: 1974,
Apparent Age: Early 20s
Abilities: Talents: Alertness 3, Athletics 1, Brawl 3, Dodge 3, Expression 2, Leadership 1, Skills: Crafts 2, Etiquette 4, Melee 1, Portents 2, Stealth 3,
Knowledges: Academics 4 (Archeology), Computer 2, Enigmas 4, Investigation 2, Linguistics 4, Occult 3, Rituals 3, Science 2
Disciplines: Demon Shintai 1 (Third Eye), Internalize 3, Yin Prana 2, Tzu Wei 1, Chi’iu Muh 1, Rites: Trace the Dragon’s Blood, Imbuing the Jade
Backgrounds: Contacts 1, Horoscope 2, Jade Talisman 1, Magic Artifact 5, Resources 2, Rites 4
Beautiful Dagger
Background: Beautiful Dagger, or Li Rong as she used to called, was sold in 1913 to an old Qing soldier named Loc Hung Guo, at the age of 9. During her
stay with him, she not only was his concubine and companion, but also his pupil. He taught her strategy, combat and espionage. And these qualities would
serve her well, as Guo’s manor was attacked by a rival lord from the south in 1920. She took on more than a dozen skilled warriors, but was not able to save his
life. Later, she died by those same warriors hands for trying to defend her lover.
When she finished her violent run as a chih-mei, in 1924, she found that Guo worked for the Five August Courts of the Hungry Dead. Beautiful Dagger rejoined
her sifu, learning from him the ways of the Rootless Tree. For many years, the joyful reunion was uninterrupted, but Guo met final death during the Second
World War while battling the ketsuki. The weapon that killed him being a very ornate and beautiful dagger, from which her name derives. She still mourns him
to this day, but continued her practice of the mistress for the rich.
After the banning of legal concubines in 1981, she took to the streets at the suggestion of the Flesh Court officials. She was given the duty of preserving the
vice of the French Concession during Shanghai’s 50-year revitalization period. She succeeded, but when Beautiful Dagger called for a rise in station within the
courts, the Silent Mandarins refused. Mo King Zhenyu, the powerful fang shih, was placed in charge of the city and she was now to serve him loyally. She has
decided that ruling the city was the least of her ambitions, but has decided to court the Feng Shui master in more way than one. Unfortunately, she is not given
a second look at their meetings together. Beautiful Dagger has instead been given the job of looking after the Kuei-jin’s Hidden Economy of Shanghai as one of
the Meticulous Caretakers.
Description: The wickedly gorgeous woman has long black hair which is always put up in an artful display and has a wide wardrobe of cheongsams of every
color and design. Beautiful Dagger finds this type of garb the best suited to her task. She is small of stature and doesn’t look it, but she wields remarkable
warfare reflexes, both physical and mental.
Roleplaying Hints: So cold and calculating, many would think you a Bone Flower. But you also have a warm side, as your Dharma dictates, and you make
sure to show both sides. You are known for your skills in the martial arts and for your beauty. Do not let anyone bring you down; your place in the hierarchy is
low, but important. Somebody has to do it, why not someone who is over-qualified. Just remember, good things come to those who wait.
Haven: Beautiful Dagger’s present mask, Lady Ji Fung-Yi, manages and lives in Saint Kathryn’s Boutique, an upscale gentleman’s establishment in French
Town. This club is also linked, through the use of underground tunnels, to the Hidden Economy.
Secrets: To her chagrin, she occupies the bottom of the totem pole, but holds great knowledge of the battles that ensue in the city told from the mouths of
survivors who make it to the Hidden Economy. She also has knowledge of and is responsible for many of the Nosferatu dwellings in the underground tunnels.
She does not mind them, except for their horrible smells.
Influence: None, and she is quite offended by that too.
Nature: Deviant, P’o Nature: The Fool, Demeanor: Conniver, Chi Balance: Yin, Direction: East, Dharma: Path of a Thousand Whispers 4, Second Breath:
1924, Apparent Age: Mid-20s
Abilities: Talents: Alertness 4, Dodge 3, Empathy 3, Expression 2, Streetwise 3, Subterfuge 5, Skills: Etiquette 2, Martial Arts 4 (soft), Melee 2, Performance
4, Security 2, Stealth 3, Torture 3, Knowledges: Finance 2, Investigation 4, Law 2, Linguistics 3, Occult 4, Rituals 3
Disciplines: Demon Shintai 2 (Eyes of Horror, Hive body), Flesh Shintai 3, Bone Shintai 3, Cultivation 1, Rites: Wear the Lesser Mask, Ritual of a Thousand
Cuts, The Ashes of the Phoenix, The Gentle Repose
Backgrounds: Contacts 4, Herd 3, Magic Artifact 2, Resources 4, Rites 6
Gaki
Thin Black Feather
Background: Since 1997, Thin Black Feather has stood as a thorn in the arrogant Quincunx’s side. By utilizing his current identity as a wealthy and influential
Japanese executive, he has fashioned staunch contacts in Hong Kong and Shanghai, as well as keen investment opportunities with the Green Courts. In his
shadow life, he has been elevated to Ozaki’s chieftain (second in command) of Tokyo, but he and Cousin Ozaki have not always been so familiar.
From back in the days of the Kamakura era, not only did Mitsui Otaru, as he was once called, belong to House Taira, but they fought incessant battles many
times. In their final, stunning duel, Otaru fell by Ozaki’s razor-sharp blade. When he reemerged from Yomi and went through his Fire and Water Tests, he
realized that a few of his fellow samurai were also members of the hungry dead. Following the Meiji Restoration and the rise of the Genro, House Taira fell and
with it Otaru’s dreams. Knowing a winner when he saw it, he then joined the ranks of the Bishamon. The Bishamon were hit hard by this period of rapid
modernization and faced the rebellious Genji, which was later quelled by the well known Black Kites purge. Otaru served his new masters by returning many of
the corrupted revisionists to Yomi.
As the shadow wars between the ketsuki continued around him, he saw a bird soaring in the air and from it fell a single, beautiful feather. From this, he gained
enlightenment and renamed himself Thin Black Feather.
In these modern nights, he is a renowned mahotsukai in Japan and is Ozaki’s representative in Shanghai, for the newly crowned ancestor could not come
himself. A prudent ruler must stay with his pristine empire. Mo King Zhenyu has implemented the Glorious Shield Placement Plan, but Thin Black Feather is up
to the intricate challenge.
Under the guise of his recent mask, Iijima Tadashi, he conducts his business out of either the Bund or the New Pudong Business District, which is positioned
near the city’s docks. Thin Black Feather’s foremost concern is gaining money for this difficult war, with the most promising investment being the Shanghai East
Circus Center (See Changeling Section).
Description: Thin Black Feather stands a bit taller than normal, and appears in his late-30s. He has an average build and is seen wearing designer suits in
public or full cotton and silk yukata (samurai garb) when in private. During important undead meetings, his old armor gets dusted off and his long black hair is
seen tied in a top-knot. During normal hours, it is worn down however, as not to offend the locals and start unneeded encounters. Remember, though, that the
Rootless Tree has no one set way to look.
Roleplaying Hints: It is both an honor and a privilege to be the gaki leader in Shanghai. The hopes and dreams of the Bishamon, and all other ketsuki as
well, rest on your shoulders. You’re shrewd and logical in most instances, and present all words in cryptic puzzles, as any good Thousand Whispers would.
Under your cool exterior, also, burns a strong resentment for your Ancestor. You were good enough to battle against Ozaki in the olds days and keen enough to
become his chieftan today. Yet, you are to train Mizutani Arihito to surpass you in power, on Ozaki’s whim. You are determined to see this young man’s
downfall, but with you skill, you can make it look as if you had his best intentions the whole time.
Haven: After becoming accustomed to Hakari’s former cabin in the emperor’s garden of the Imperial Palace of Tokyo, he has taken residence in a small, hidden
cabin in Pudong Park. The life of a hurried businessman has left him wanting the peace and tranquility of nature.
Secrets: What is more powerful in this war than the knowledge of Tso Tao? Maybe the knowledge of all Ozaki’s agendas. Aside from that, he also has
knowledge of most of the major investment parties in Shanghai.
Influence: Thin Black Feather is the leader of the resistance and has all the power in his hands. Every bit of territory the gaki have is because of him and all
the others know it.
Nature: Fanatic, P’o Nature: The Fool, Demeanor: Director, Chi Balance: Balanced, Direction: Center, Dharma: Path of a Thousand Whispers 5, Second
Breath: 1733, Apparent Age: Late 30s
Abilities: Talents: Alertness 3, Athletics 3, Intimidation 3, Leadership 4, Streetwise 3, Subterfuge 4, Skills: Etiquette 2, Martial Arts (Hard) 4, Melee 3,
Performance 4, Torture 4, Knowledges: Computers 3, Enigmas 2, Finance 3, Linguistics 3, Medicine 1, Occult 3, Politics 3, Rituals 5
Disciplines: Demon Shintai 2, Blood Shintai 5, Feng Shui 4, Jade Shintai 2, Chi’iu Muh 1, Rites: Ritual of a Thousand Cuts, Ashes of the Phoenix, Center the
Demon, The Earth’s Embrace, Assume the Greater Mask, Gather the Broken Mask, Closed Tiger Portals, Peer Through the White Tiger Eye, The Great Tiger’s
Appetite
Backgrounds: Contacts 5, Herd 3, Jade Talisman 1, Resources 5, Rites 22
Tanaka Satoko, “Rising Hyacinth”
Background: Satoko was born into a middle income home in Tokyo, but was a roaring child of the 80’s. She had many advantages over those of inferior, poor
stations in life and studied many things in high school and then on to college, but her only reliable passion was music. She was truly eclectic, loving music of all
kinds. In her mind, Madonna and Prince rivaled the contemporary classical and traditional Japanese music. But Hide (Hee-day), a visual rock singer, fast
became her favorite.
In 1999, when she and her school friends went to the Shanghai Center Theater to see Hide’s latest concert, the theater was suddenly attacked. A group of
determined people seemed to be anxiously hunting some sort of gnarling beast, a chih-mei. The beast quickly evaded even the best-planned attempts to
capture it, running with inhuman speed. The leader of this hunt, Song Ao, the Righteous Beast, saw Satoko in the audience and, to lure the hungry beast,
slashed her throat with a black jade dagger. The chih-mei stopped at the delicious smell, craving precious Chi, and began to devour her alive. After it finished
with most of her flesh and Satoko had passed, the beautiful huntress struck down the beast, knocking it unconscious. Seldom do people remember this
incident, as mortals’ minds cannot comprehend most things in the World of Darkness, but Satoko will never forget.
She is now one of the younger, respected leaders of the gaki entourage in Shanghai. Satoko is a heimin in charge of the communication with the Kin-jin in the
city. This position was a good chance for her to rapidly gain face, acquiring the respect of the elders and showing the Bishamon that Genji are good to keep
around. Of course, she was promoted also because no one else desired the dangerous job. Transactions have been going well with the gaijin vampires, little
pacts here and there, nothing too big.
She has recently adjusted her Chi to draw closer to her raw Yang power. This holds a double meaning for Satoko. First, she wishes to give birth soon and to
fulfill that profound portion of the dharmic development, she must be heavily Scarlet Cycled. Secondly, she likes to appear as even more human, writhing with
sweaty Yang forces through her pumping veins, to tempt the Kin-jin into making mistakes when dealing with them.
Description: The hyacinth is a beautiful flower, and Satoko matches that beauty perfectly. She is a girl of the modern age. She dresses in short skirts, tight
tops and the other kinds of clothes that are ‘in’. She sports shoulder length, tea-colored hair (known in Japan as chapatsu, ‘tea hair’), and light brown eyes.
Roleplaying Hints: You are normally a very happy person, but you know that fate will catch up with you. Everyone knows the Kin-jin are not to be trusted and
yet you do trust the few you deal with, which will no doubt lead to trouble. You know the adoration from Thin Black Feather, the Bishamon, but he cannot save
you from the jealousy of the other Genji. You know that a normal life is not within your grasp, since your Yang imbalance makes ordinary life impossible. And
yet you smile through it all. The eternal optimist.
Haven: She lives and works at the Pudong Intercontinental Hotel. She has a small living quarter in the back and works off the boarding with 2 nights a week of
information desk work.
Secrets: Satoko, through dealings with the Kin-jin, has noticed that they have used a corrupted form of Feng Shui more than once in their meeting place to
influence her in certain decisions. Aside from this, she has seen Song Ao in Shanghai and is seeking her revenge.
Influence: She has little pull with the rest of the gaki, since they see her as corrupted for trading favors with the Kin-jin, but she has gained Thin Black Feather’s
favor. He admires her for her courage in her station.
Nature: Bon Vivant, P’o Nature: The Monkey, Demeanor: Architect, Chi Balance: Yang (Imbalance), Direction: East, Dharma: Dance of the Thrashing Dragon 3,
Second Breath: 1999, Apparent Age: Early 20s
Stats: Physical: Physical 2, Dexterity 2, Stamina 3, Social: Charisma 4, Manipulation 3, Appearance 4, Mental: Perception 3, Intelligence 2, Wits 3
Abilities: Talents: Alertness 2, Dodge 3, Empathy 4, Expression 2, Leadership 1, Streetwise 1, Subterfuge 4, Skills: Animal Ken 1, Etiquette 3, Firearms 1,
Martial Arts 2 (Soft), Melee 1, Performance 3, Security 2, Stealth 1, Knowledges: Academics 3 (Music) Computers 4, Investigation 3, Linguistics 2, Lore: Kin-jin
3, Occult 2, Rituals 1
Disciplines: Black Wind 2, Obligation 3, Flesh Shintai 2, Feng Shui 1, Rites: Greet the Sun
Backgrounds: Allies 2, Contacts 3, Jade Talisman 2, Resources 2, Rites 1
Mizutani Arihito, “Tokyo Joe”
Background: Arihito’s family moved from Tokyo to America when he was 10 years old. He grew up within the western ideology of fast cars and fast women,
but had his roots firmly set in Zen Buddhism. He practiced his religion at the local temple in Japan Town in San Francisco that was positioned next door to a K-1
boxing gym and began going there after school and work. Between the stern training of the bonzes and the gym, he grew lean and hard.
He quickly became a local star in the boxing circuit, gaining the nickname “Tokyo Joe”, in recognition of his city of birth, and beating every opponent he ever
faced, even killing one man with his bare hands, but served no time. He even went on to become the national champion of the American Federation of Boxers
(AFB), winning many trophies and cash awards. But tragedy hit Arihito’s family when his mother died of breast cancer in 1978. He and his father flew back to
Tokyo to have his mother’s body cremated, following Buddhist custom. When he arrived back to his birthplace, he and his father decided to stay there for a few
more years. Returning home from abroad is never good for those involved, as they quickly become social outcasts to those who know them. Arihito fought
through the adversity, however, making him stronger for it.
When walking home from the grocery store one day, Arihito and his father were victims of a vicious mugging, which left both of their bodies haphazardly thrown
into the nearest empty dumpster. While Arihito’s body was slowly devoured by maggots in that neglected dumpster, his spirit fell to the Hell of Burrowing
Maggots where his spirit had a similar experience. He was able to escape Yomi quickly though, but still carries the vile taint of Rangda with him.
He was found and ‘adopted’ by Cousin Ozaki, taken into his home and inducted into the Silk Tiger Clan of the Jigoku-gumi Yakuza. While Ozaki is busy with
business in Tokyo, however, Arihito has been sent to Shanghai to aid Thin Black Feather in his efforts to gain a stronger foothold on the city again. He is also to
learn what he can from the wise Rootless Tree about strategy and wielding great power, as Ozaki is conditioning Arihito to rule in his stead one day.
Description: Arihito models a bald head with striking rigid features and wears jeans and tank tops frequently. (He recently saw Vin Diesel in a movie and fell
for the image in two seconds flat.) He ripples with muscles, which he gladly shows off at a moment’s notice. He has a hard and rigid look to him, the look of a
hardened fighter.
Roleplaying Hints: You’re here to learn, but Thin Black Feather doesn’t teach you much besides propriety and you are more of an action kind of guy. You
have to fend for yourself in most occasions, since he leaves you to your own devices most of the time. At times you enjoy this freedom, but at others you resent
it. You are quick to start a fight or to flirt with the ladies, both of which you are good at.
Haven: Teck’s Gym, off of Nanjing Lu, which has the largest public boxing ring in Shanghai, serves as Arihito’s home. He recently bought it using Ozaki’s
money and lives in the spacious back apartment. He trains a few up and comers for the international K-1 fighting circuit.
Secrets: Thin Black Feather is not as generous with the low-down as Arihito would like, but he picks up things here and there. He has had talks with Satoko on
several occasions, learning much about the Kin-jin as well.
Influence: His name is not known and he is not given much power at the moment from Thin Black Feather, but he is gaining a lot of support from Shanghai’s
boxing community. A legion of combat ready fighters.
Nature: Masochist, P’o Nature: The Barbarian, Demeanor: Gambler, Chi Balance: Balance, Direction: East, Dharma: Howl of the Devil-Tiger 3, Second
Breath: 1978, Apparent Age: Late 20s, yet was only 22
Abilities: Talents: Alertness 3, Athletics 3, Brawl 5, Dodge 4, Intimidation 3, Leadership 1, Streetwise 3, Subterfuge 2, Skills: Drive 3, Etiquette 1, Firearms 3,
Melee 1, Performance 2, Security 3, Stealth 2, Survival 1, Knowledges: Computers 4, Investigation 1, Linguistics 2, Lore: Kin-jin 1, Occult 2, Rituals 2
Disciplines: Demon Shintai 4 (Demon Armor, Extra Arms, Demon Weapon, Huge Size), Storm Shintai 2, Ghost Flame Shintai 1, Rites: Savage Joss (Dharma
Book: Devil-Tigers, pg. 52)
Backgrounds: Contacts 2, Demon Jade Talisman 2, Magic Artifact 4 (Knives of Sublime Hunger), Rites 2
Green Courts
Yoon-whan Choe, “Avarice Mark”
Background: Growing up in wealthy family in Junnan, Korea, he always had everything given to him, never wanting for anything. But when the woman of his
dreams turned down his marriage proposal, Choe became homicidal. He maliciously murdered her in cold blood, leaving little trace of a woman on her corpse.
Her family, unbeknownst to Choe, was the head of a major crime ring in Korea and had his murder carried out by the best assassin available.
After leaving the Hell of Being Skinned Alive, Choe found that his ambition and greed were truly put to good use in the Green Courts and came to Shanghai to
make money for his superiors of the Fifth Parallel. As the leader of the Emerald Dynasty wu and the Green Courts’ representative of Shanghai, Choe bears a
lot of responsibility. He has a very liberal way of doing business, to the dismay of his much wiser elders, dealing with the Kin-jin, gaki and Quincunx all in the
name of jade. He is very cutthroat, willing to cut any deal with anyone as long as it gains a profit for his pocketbook.
Description: Choe died in his late thirties, giving his short black hair a tinge of gray. Business suits are his tastes for meetings with the shen, but when alone,
he dresses comfortably in slacks and loose-shirts.
Roleplaying Hints: You are greedy, pig-headed and stingy. Money, jade and revenge are all that motivate you. When making deals, the bottom line is all that
matters and you don’t mind double-crossing one person to get more from the next. Sadly, your cutthroat ways have leaked into your personal life as well.
Haven: Just as Choe has contacts with most transportation businesses, he also has stock in most hotel chains in Shanghai. He stays in any one of them every
night, but is constantly on the move due to his paranoia.
Secrets: Choe knows that Se Oh was the assassin hired to kill him. He enjoys using Oh as a puppet and will continue this trend until he has had his revenge.
Other than that, Choe is the only being that holds safe passage for shen in and out of Shanghai and will not hesitate to remind anyone.
Influence: Once again, Choe is the only link to reliable safe travel in or out of Shanghai for shen. He has pull with the local docks, airports, trucking companies
and train stations. There is not a transportation hook-up that he cannot get. Quincunx wants this power all to themselves and Choe knows it.
Nature: Addict, P’o Nature: The Bandit, Demeanor: Architect, Chi Balance: Yin, Direction: North, Dharma: Way of the Resplendent Crane 5, Second
Breath: 1944, Apparent Age: Early 30s
Abilities: Talents: Alertness 5, Dodge 4, Expression 4, Leadership 4, Streetwise 2, Subterfuge 5, Skills: Crafts 1, Etiquette 3, Martial Arts (Hard) 3, Melee 2,
Performance 3, Security 1, Stealth 1, Knowledges: Computer 2, Finance 5, Investigation 1, Law 2, Linguistics 5, Medicine 2, Occult 3, Politics 2, Rituals 3
Disciplines: Iron Mountain 3, Cultivation 4, Blood Shintai 2, Smoke Shintai 2, Equilibrium 1, Rites: Harmonious Shielding of the Guarded Home, Construct the
Dragon Bone Prison
Backgrounds: Contacts 5, Jade Talisman 5, Resources 4, Rites 6
Se Oh
Background: Oh’s past is unknown, even to himself. The approximate date of his death, March 1st 1946, coincides with the attempted assassination of the
leader of North Korea at the time. Awaking from his rant as a vile chih-mei, with memories of nothing but hell, he carried on with his unlife, wishing for one
memory that didn’t involve being melted in a vat of someone else’s melted flesh.
He showed promise in the art of silence and assassination, taking to the Song of the Shadow quite swiftly, becoming one of the best in the Green Courts. Yoon-
Whan Choe took great interest in him and begged the Green Courts to allow him to join the Emerald Dynasty wu (which just so happened to lose its fifth
member shortly after). Under the command of Choe, Se Oh becomes a force to be reckoned with, but he lacks the drive to assert his personality and make his
own decisions. What would happen if his memories started returning?
Other than his death dealing duties, he is a pachinko addict, losing lots of money every week for the fun of it.
Description: For those who have seen him, he is of average height, average hair and eye color and average vocal tone. He wears black all the time, which
helps with his stealth. All of these, the staples of those who do not wish to be noticed. But very few people who see him live to tell anyone about it.
Roleplaying Hints: You are a robot and you know it. Yet you don’t feel the need to change your life right now, not until more of your memories return. When
that moment happens, you will escape from your bondage life of the assassin.
Haven: Oh has no set dwelling, preferring to sleep wherever is most comfortable at the moment.
Secrets: none.
Influence: none. Choe handles it all.

Nature: Survivor, P’o Nature: The Slave, Demeanor: Loner, Chi Balance: Yin, Direction: West, Dharma: Song of the Shadow 4, Second Breath: 1946,
Apparent Age: Late 20s
Abilities: Talents: Alertness 4, Athletics 4, Dodge 4, Empathy 2, Streetwise 2, Skills: Etiquette 2, Martial Arts 4 (Hard), Meditation 3, Melee 4, Security 4,
Stealth 5, Survival 2, Knowledges: Enigmas 3, Investigation 1, Rituals 2
Disciplines: Black Wind 2, Bone Shintai 3, Yin Prana 2, Blood Shintai 1, Cultivation 1, Obligation 1, Rites: Harmony with Night (Dharma Book: Bone Flowers,
pg. 61)
Backgrounds: Horoscope 2, Magic Artifact 4, Resources 2, Rites 2
Others
MuRong Bei, “Tiger Scar”
Background: Born poor, Bei lived in a squalid communal living environment in the slums of Shanghai until his teens. As a child he lived a life with little money
and even less opportunity to advance in life. When he was a teenager, he worked for the Shanghai Scales Triad, doing deliveries and odd jobs for the shan chu
(crime boss), who was called only Rattlesnake.
Every year, he would appeal to Rattlesnake to join the Triad, but was quickly shot down every time. One night, the date of his 20th birthday, he was refused
again to join the Triad officially. Later that same night, he rushed into the smoky headquarters and demanded once again. Rattlesnake did not appreciate his
tone and lack of respect, having Bei thrown into a cage at the Shanghai Zoo where he was ripped apart by five ferocious tigers.
Within a day of his untimely death, he took the Second Breath and awoke in the tiger cage. The splendid battle between beasts of nature and a beast of death
commenced, leaving the tigers lifeless and Bei covered in deep scars. When he returned to normal life, after being discovered by the Scorpion Eaters, he
proceeded to kill each of Rattlesnake’s loyal thugs one-by-one. It came down to the two again, face to face. Rattlesnake cried for mercy as Bei spoiled his
blood with poison, leaving him to die a slow death. The Shanghai Scales Triad was renamed the Rattlesnake Coffin Triad, with Bei, now called Tiger Scar, at its
helm.
He began his intense interest into demonology and the study of Yomi shortly after. The Scorpion Eaters’ connection to it is too much to deny. The Broken
Mirror in the Huangpu District is the Triad’s next target. The Rattlesnake Coffin Triad is not contended with in that area, which will make moving in painfully
simple. Now, if only the Quincunx would stop sniffing around there.
Description: Bei is of average appearance in the face, with dark eyes, pitch-black hair and Han features, but the rest of his body tells a different story. He is
covered from the neck down in long, deep scars he incurred from his vicious battle with nature’s predator, the tiger. He makes no unneeded attempt to cover
these up, however, wearing them as badges of power. His clothes are always Gothic leather punk, with spikes and chains; the whole works.
Roleplaying Hints: You are a very ambitious, young man who knows his boundaries. You are a thrill seeker, yet not as stupid as the leaders before you. With
10 other Scorpion Eaters under you, The Rattlesnake Coffin Triad is the strongest in the area. But you do not let it get to your head. Business is business and
personal is personal and that’s that.
Haven: The slums of the Huangpu District. He has already moved in and made his nest. Now to bring in the rest of his Triad.
Secrets: Not only are Bei and his triad the only ones that know exactly how much of the area is affected by the Broken Mirror. But Bei, himself, has already
begun summoning demon servants of Rangda and Mikaboshi in order to make deals.
Influence: Tiger Scar has power all over Shanghai.
Nature: Thrillseeker, P’o Nature: The Deceiver, Demeanor: Thrillseeker, Chi Balance: Balanced, Direction: South, Dharma: Scorpion Eater 3, Second
Breath: 1979, Apparent Age: Early-20s
Abilities: Talents: Alertness 3, Athletics 4, Brawl 4, Dodge 3, Intimidation 4, Leadership 3, Streetwise 5, Subterfuge 3, Skills: Drive 4 (Motorcycles), Firearms
4, Melee 2, Security 2, Survival 5, Knowledges: Computers 2, Enigmas 1, Investigation 3, Law 2, Linguistics 2, Lore: Denizens of Yomi 4, Medicine 3, Rituals 1
Disciplines: Demon Shintai 2 (Claws, Demon Armor), Decay Shintai 4, Radiation Shintai 2, Beast Shintai 1, Tapestry 1, Rites: Eating the Scorpion
Backgrounds: Contacts 4, Gang (Herd) 4, Resources 5, Rites 1
Hung Ming, “Detective”
Background: Ming grew up in Shenyang, China, a then rural community of peasants. He was married and had a son named Lao. During the Second World
War, his small family was destroyed by Japanese Zeroes, leaving him a broken, hollow man. Ming needed something to fill that void, so he joined the
Guomindang Nationalist Army, opposing not only the Axis forces, but also the secret attacks from the Communists that shadowed. Struck down in a flurry of
bullets, he passed away, in the hopes of meeting his family in the afterlife. His body was discarded along with the bodies of hundreds of other soldiers that
fought against the Communists.
When he awoke, with no memory of his time in Yomi or the horrible things he did as a chih-mei, he found himself in the company of the Rising Phoenixes. He
cursed and begged to die to meet his blood relatives again, but the Phoenixes could nothing but console him and take him into their small, but content group.
Taking up the heretical Dharma proved very simple, and he eventually rose to the level of leader of the Phoenixes in Shanghai. There are only a few of them,
but they have a distinct purpose.
Ming and the others have found out about the slavery and smuggling ring that the Flesh Court has set up and intend to stop it. Their determination outweighs
their lack of usable resources in their cause, but Ming has become a police detective to counteract that deficiency. With the help of the local peacekeepers,
they’re search will go smoothly.
This movement is a viable source to tap. If the gaki ever found out about Hung Ming and could get over the fact that Ming follows a heretical Dharma, they
could work together to conquer the Quincunx.
Description: Standing tall and rugged, he wears a brown trench coat with bullet and cigarette burn holes in the jacket tail. He wears his hair short and has a
bad smoking habit.
Roleplaying Hints: You are a hardened detective and have been for the last decade. As a police officer, you are interested in facts more than emotional tales.
Short and to the point, sometimes you come off as rude when you are just being honest. You will convert whom you can; the others have to stay out of your
way.
Haven: The comfort of a small cramped home in the Old City doesn’t escape this man. He resides there with his new wife and her son.
Secrets: Ming has found the location of and has raided 2 or 3 slavery dens in Shanghai already and intends to continue on his mission. He also despises the
Rattlesnake Coffin Triad, storming their establishments as much as possible.
Influence: He carries a badge and so is privy to the power that cops receive.
Nature: Caretaker, P’o Nature: The Slave, Demeanor: Bravo, Chi Balance: Yang, Direction: East, Dharma: Flame of the Rising Phoenix 4, Second Breath:
1944, Apparent Age: Mid-30s
Abilities: Talents: Alertness 3, Athletics 3, Brawl 4, Dodge 3, Intimidation 3, Leadership 1, Streetwise 4, Subterfuge 1, Skills: Drive 2, Firearms 4, Melee 2,
Security 3, Stealth 3, Survival 2, Knowledges: Computers 1, Investigation 4, Law 3, Linguistics 2, Occult 2, Rituals 4
Disciplines: Black Wind 1, Yang Prana 3, Mibasham 3, Cultivation 1, Rites: Harmonious Shielding of the Guarded Home, Tithing to the Ancestor, Mists of the
Lotus
Backgrounds: Allies 2, Contacts 3, Herd 4, Jade Talisman 2, Resources 2, Rites 6
Duan Chooi, “Fire Child”
Background: Chooi was born to a young, unwed Han woman of Shanghai 17 years ago. She lived in a middle class neighborhood and went to low-class
schools, where she was a cruel bully. She was kicked out of every school she was placed in up to the age of 13, when she found out her true and disturbing
heritage as a Shadewalker.
During the chaos of the nights of 1999, Chui Bao called upon Chooi. She discovered that her father was an esteemed mandarin of the Quincunx and was
briefly trained in the ways of the heimin, at least enough to keep her alive. She did as her newly appointed father directed, delivering important packages and
magical artifacts all over the city.
When it was all over, she relaxed. She would be rid of her ‘daddy’ and would be able to go back to her normal life. Or this is what she thought. Instead, she
was taken away to Chui Bao’s home in northern China where she could train with her 17 brothers and sisters. Not all of them dhampyr, many of them were Ban
Ren Guei, the demon bastard children of the Devil-Tigers.
Even though Fire Child resisted the forced training, it did her good. She now resents Bao, blaming him for all her troubles and for not allowing her to attend her
mother’s funeral, a death from starvation, in late 2001. She finished her intense training as speedily a possible so she could leave the compound quickly and
she moved back to Shanghai.
She was sent back with an imperative from her father. She is to serve the Flesh Court as a heimin and be Bao’s eyes and ears as to the goings on of the city.
Conversely, Fire Child has different plans of continuing her normal life once again, but she always gets pulled back into the impious World of Darkness. Yet
another thing to blame on her father.
Description: On the outside, she appears hard as a rock. She is a 17-year-old girl who wears leather, steel-tipped boots and drives a motorcycle. Of course,
she leads a double-life, but dresses very similar in both of them. She has thick black hair and green eyes and sports tribal tattoos on her shoulder and lower
back. Tattoos are verboten in China, for the most part and she catches hell from her elders for giving in to another pitfall of youth.
Roleplaying Hints: You are a rebel, indeed. Nothing about your life is the way you want it, yet you continue to go along with the charade that you are normal.
Haven: Chooi and her Ban Ren Guei sister, Luo Yanna, share a cheap, mid-sized dwelling about 5 blocks south of the Old city.
Secrets: As a heimin, you are privy to a lot of the goings-on in the city, be it mortal or Kuei-jin related. But she only scratched the surface of the present war
going on.
Influence: None.
Nature: Rebel, P’o Nature: The Demon, Demeanor: Conformist, Parentage: Chui Bao, Apparent Age: Late teens
Abilities: Talents: Alertness 3, Athletics 3, Dodge 3, Empathy 2, Expression 2, Security 2, Streetwise 1, Subterfuge 2, Skills: Animal Ken 3, Drive 2, Firearms
3, Martial Arts 3 (Hard), Melee 1, Performance 2, Stealth 1, Knowledges: Computers 4, Investigation 3, Law 1, Linguistics 2, Lore: Quincunx 3, Occult 2
Special Abilities: Passive Joss, Active Joss, Jade Shintai 1, Tzu Wei 1
Backgrounds: Allies 1, Contacts 3, Face 4, Mentor 3, Resources 3
Virtues: Conscience 4, Self-Control/Yin 3, Courage/Yang 5, Humanity/Joss 8, P’o: 1, Willpower: 6
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Shanghai - Chapter Four: The Loudest Silence

by Eloy Lasanta (https://web.archive.org/web/20101230165034/mailto:kendril1@gmail.com) (World of Darkness

“My loyalties?” Orien's thoughts were reeling.

“It has,” Arihito responded.

He nods in response. “Yes, Thin Black Feather. I do.”

Chaos and Disorder

The New Plan

The gaki Resistance

The Green Courts

The Bridge House Prison

The gaki Temple

Yet Another War

Shards of Broken Glass

Crowning the New Ancestor

The Secrets Beneath

The Old City

Who Has the Nests?

The Hidden Economy

The Sick House

Digging Up the Past

The Fallen Soldiers

Storyteller Notes - Secrets of the Wan Kuei

The Silent Mandarins’ Decision

The Glorious Shield Placement Plan

The Calamity Shields

2004: The Year of the Monkey

The Broken Mirror

Kuei-jin of Note (NPCs)

Mo King Zhenyu, “Hand of Seven Claws”

Backgrounds: Allies 2, Contacts 4, Followers 4, Horoscope 5, Jade Talisman 3, Nushi 3, Resources 4

Chi Virtues: Yin 6, Yang 5, Soul Virtues: Hun 5, P’o 4, Willpower: 9

Giang Orien, “The Insurgent Player”

Disciplines: Black Wind 1, Flesh Shintai 3, Yang Prana 2, Cultivation 1

Backgrounds: Allies 3, Contacts 4, Jade Talisman 3, Herd 2, Resources 3

Chi Virtues: Yin 3, Yang 4, Soul Virtues: Hun 3, P’o 3, Willpower: 7

Song Ao, "Righteous Beast"

Backgrounds: Allies 1, Contacts 3, Horoscope 1, Influence 2, Magic Artifact 2, Resources 3

Chi Virtues: Yin 4, Yang 4, Soul Virtues: Hun 4, P’o 5, Willpower: 7

Wang Quoc-an, “Changing Skin”

Backgrounds: Contacts 1, Horoscope 2, Jade Talisman 1, Magic Artifact 5, Resources 2, Rites 4

Chi Virtues: Yin 4, Yang 2, Soul Virtues: Hun 4, P’o 3, Willpower: 6

Influence: None, and she is quite offended by that too.

Backgrounds: Contacts 4, Herd 3, Magic Artifact 2, Resources 4, Rites 6

Chi Virtues: Yin 5, Yang 3, Soul Virtues: Hun 3, P’o 3, Willpower: 7

Thin Black Feather

Backgrounds: Contacts 5, Herd 3, Jade Talisman 1, Resources 5, Rites 22

Chi Virtues: Yin 5, Yang 5, Soul Virtues: Hun 4, P’o 4, Willpower: 8

Tanaka Satoko, “Rising Hyacinth”

Backgrounds: Allies 2, Contacts 3, Jade Talisman 2, Resources 2, Rites 1

Chi Virtues: Yin 2, Yang 5, Soul Virtues: Hun 4, P’o 3, Willpower: 6

Mizutani Arihito, “Tokyo Joe”

Chi Virtues: Yin 3, Yang 4, Soul Virtues: Hun 2, P’o 5, Willpower: 7

Yoon-whan Choe, “Avarice Mark”

Backgrounds: Contacts 5, Jade Talisman 5, Resources 4, Rites 6

Chi Virtues: Yin 5, Yang 3, Soul Virtues: Hun 4, P’o 3, Willpower: 7

Influence: none. Choe handles it all.

Backgrounds: Horoscope 2, Magic Artifact 4, Resources 2, Rites 2

Chi Virtues: Yin 5, Yang 3, Soul Virtues: Hun 3, P’o 3, Willpower: 8

MuRong Bei, “Tiger Scar”

Influence: Tiger Scar has power all over Shanghai.

Backgrounds: Contacts 4, Gang (Herd) 4, Resources 5, Rites 1

Chi Virtues: Yin 3, Yang 3, Soul Virtues: Hun 3, P’o 5, Willpower: 7

Hung Ming, “Detective”