Temple of the Green God: The Candishitu

Monastery: Temple of the Green God
Element: Wood
Orientation: Neutral
Resident Classes: Monk, Votary (Cangdi), Reverend, Clerk, Medic
Location: Northern Ratlands (former Serene Kingdom of the Monkey)
Founder: The Green Stranger
Affiliations/Alliances: The Candishitu are answerable to and protected by no secular power and do not go out of their way to protect any surrounding communities. On the contrary, they work hand-in-hand with the only Druidic cell east of the Golden Crescent to thwart any large-scale development that might be attempted by humans or other would-be tamers of the jungle.

Culture

The Candishitu were founded by Orongo Vanara who adopted a Shou cosmology upon converting to the monastic life. They have maintained their core traditions from that era while syncretizing their mythology and philosophy with Indric and Druidic influences.

History

The jungles of south-eastern Shoulun were in a state of constant warfare during the Kings and Chiefs period. All the jungle races, Humans, Lizardpeople, Goblins, Bandar, Nezumi, was involved in interracial and intertribal cycles of pillage and reprisals. All except the peace-loving Orongo who cowered in their tree-huts trying not to get drawn into the violence taking place on the forest floor. A forest spirit in the form of a Green Orongo told the tree dwellers they needed to learn how to fight for peace before the warring destroyed their homes. The Green Stranger had brought with him some nature cultists from the west who helped the Orongo construct a training facility and fashion weapons. The cultists retired to their own new secret jungle compound and promised to continue to aid the Orongo as long as their presence in the region could be kept secret to others. Then, instructed by the Green Stranger, the Orongo presented themselves to an honourable Bandar chieftain and proposed that the two races could together bring peace to the region if the Monkey Chief were willing to train in the ways of the Followers of the Green Stranger (Candishitu) and institute a formal role for the Candishitu in blessing new rulers. The alliance was established and soon attracted several human bands and other supporters seeking to end the ongoing strife. Eventually a realm of order was carved out as the Serene Kingdom of the Monkey.
After the 14th century visit of missionaries from Baghadeesh, the Candishitu developed a different attitude toward the crown and the kingdom. In the Indric philosophy they found a lot of support for the approach of their secret comrades the Druids, and began to emulate their isolationism and anti-civilization stances. When they withdrew from blessing the crown and refused to train the King's soldiers, the reigning Monkey King ordered the temple looted, but his army was unable to find it. Eventually, the Kingdom of the Monkey descended back into chaos and the region remains lawless today. The vanishing Temple of the Green God remains where it has been since its establishment, but it cannot be found by anyone the Candishitu are not willing to show it to.

Education

Common Script: Indri
Common Tongue: Vanara
Liturgical Script: Indri, Druidic
Liturgical Tongue: Modron, Druidic
Other Languages Taught: Contradruidic, Showa
Sage Topics: Calligraphy, Dance, Theology, Religious Rites, Geology, Plant Biology, Botany, Herbalism, Medicine
Martial Arts: Wood Palm, Wood Temple Style, Meihuaquan, Vanaraviravidya, Monkey Legs, Poonkwan, Orongosilatan, Tongbei Yuan, Qigong, Tantui, Zuiquan, Olden Locking
Elemental Mastery: Wood, 5 Elements, Air, Water, Earth
Weapons: Bo, Longstaff, Monk's Spade, Boar Spear, Jo, Club, Hanbo, Bastons, Da Mo Cane, Tonfa, Great Club, Hand Axe, Shortbow, Dadao, Deer Horn Knives, Saw-Tooth Sabre, Lasso, Nunchaku, Knife, Dagger, Sang Kauw, Five Tip Spear, Wind and Fire Wheels, Dandao, Jian, Partisan, Chain Whip, Meteor Hammer, Three-Piece Rod, Quarterstaff, Guidestaff, Mace, Spear, Double-Spear, Butterfly Swords, 9-Ring Broadsword, Kwandao, Tambo, Parasol, Kiseru, Gourd, Flute, Horse Bench
Apprenticeships: Martialist, Scholar, Purist, Naturalist, Stealthist
Classes Trained: Monk, Votary, Reverend, Clerk, Medic, Ranger

Mythology & Lore

The Candishitu honour one specific god, Cangdi, and numerous nature spirits.

Founding Date

12,000 AB