Fleshshapers

The Fleshshapers are a sect of warriors loyal to the Parliament of Green, a cabal of ancient nature spirits who meet within the World Tree, a place of great spiritual power in Prisma. Although the Parliament of Green is alien and unknowable to most people, the Fleshshapers loyally follow their will and do what they can, not kust in Kun'lao but around Prisma, to protect and preserve nature. Their influence has steadily diminished since the introduction of industrialization in Prisma, as has their hostility to many of the world's nations. Still, their actual demeanor can range from heroic protectors of nature, to violent terrorists willing to do whatever it takes to protect Prisma's nature, to wild champions of the Parliament of Green, just as unknowable in their intentions as the Parliament itself.

The Fleshshapers wield a martial arts style known as 5 Animals Style, and their Qi techniques often involve transforming parts of their bodies to take on the traits of other animals, among other techniques.

History

The Fleshshapers are among the most ancient sects of Wulin, likely being older than Kun'lao itself. Their exact origins are unknown, although it is believed that the Fleshshapers mainly originate from two sources: Early man who likely enjoyed and cultivated strong relationships with nature spirits, whom never took part in the creation of nation states, and individuals kidnapped as infants in early society. Due to their status as the loyal enforcers of the nature spirits' will in Kun'lao, it is likely that the Fleshshapers are as old as man, as nature spirits are far older than humanity.

The Fleshshapers have always had a tense relationships with Kun'lao itself. Ultimately, Fleshshapers and the Parliament of Green understand that groups such as the Th'uul Society or Black Dragon are selfishly motivated criminals with no respect for the greater good. This does not mean they do not see something wrong with other more traditionally heroic factions who are more associated with modern society. They represent nature, and that can mean that they are in many ways nature incarnate, all the unpredictability of nature included. Fleshshapers were among the first enemies of the Guanyin family, as efforts by early Kun'lao to build larger settlements and more farms meant destroying parts of nature the Fleshshapers protected. Fleshshapers are also not interested in matters of nationalism, and care not for outside forces invading Kun'lao. The Fleshshapers did not get involved in the Conquest of the Core to protect Kun'lao when it was invaded by the Holy Samurai Empire, and only got involved when it identified the Th'uul Society as an atrocity to nature. It is because of this that the Fleshshapers and their home, the World Tree, is not associated with the Heavenly Cities, despite their importance to Kun'lao.

At this point, the Fleshshapers are mostly situated in the Outer and Wildsphere. The World Tree itself is located in the Outersphere. Its island and the islands surrounding it was protected by Kun'lao law, and those who intentionally seek to destroy the environment around it are liable to be hunted down by the Fleshshapers, if they're lucky. Kun'lao understands well that the Parliament of Green and its followers are part of their culture, and that conflict with them would be foolish. With that said, many, especially meotrpolitans and industrialists, consider them a threat to progress at best, and terrorists at worst.

Fleshshapers mainly either operate in the Wildsphere, where they act as loyal protectors and vassals for spirits, or in the Outersphere, sometimes bringing them into conflict with settlers. Violence between Outersphere colonies and Fleshshapers are not uncommon, and can be bloody. These days, the Fleshshapers are a shadow of their former selves, a reflection of a society that no longer needs nature in the way it once did before.

Culture

Fleshshapers are a peculiar culture, quite separate culturally from native Kun people. They often dress in clothes fabricated from their surroundings. Most Fleshshapers are children, either abandoned and adopted or kidnapped by nature spirits. The humans are then raised by the spirits, eventually either becoming Fleshshapers or Green Orphans. These humans raised at the World Tree are taught how to forage and hunt, but always with respect for the land. Most Fleshshaper children are taught and trained at the World Tree, and the majority of their actual population lives inside and around the tree. However, pockets of Fleshshapers, usually those who are wandering or on missions, can be found all over the Outer and Wildsphere.

Masks are of great importance to Fleshshapers, although their origins are hazy to Kun'lao scholars. It is mostly believed that many of these masks are attempts by Fleshshapers to further take on the forms of their spirit companions, as these masks almost always resemble either animals or special kinds of spirits. There do not appear to be any harsh traditions associated with these masks, they are just an article of clothing, akin to shirts or pants. There are no laws associated with having to keep masks on around strangers or so on. However, these masks are of religious significance to Fleshshapers, and indeed part of their identity. These masks are not always worn on their face, there are cases of them simply being worn as part of their outfit. Of course, this all varies from sub-culture to sub-culture.

Fleshshapers share a complex relationship with the Parliament of Green. The spirits that make up the Parliament are wise and powerful, to the point where they come across as alien and chaotic to most humans. Fleshshapers often follow out the will of the Parliament based on how they personally interpret the will of the spirits. Because of this, there are numerous subcultures within the Fleshshapers, each deciphering their actual role in the world differently. The two factions often represent different paths a human from the World Tree can adopt. These paths are typically chosen when they are children. Green Orphans begin to learn Qi Magic at a young age, while Fleshshapers begin learning 5 Animals Style at around the same time.

Fleshshapers view the Green Orphans as allies and companians, and they largely share the same culture. This is not to say they do not have their differences. Fleshshapers are warriors, expected to use violence to solve problems for nature. Green Orphans are sages, many of which have no interest in violence or conflict. Green Orphans are also not as devoted to a particular mission statement, while the lives of Fleshshapers are devoted to carrying out the will of nature.

Membership

As can be expected, Fleshshapers do not have a concrete social structure. Even as an order of warriors, there are no true ranks within the organization. There are teachers and elders among their kind, but they are merely known as such: Particularly wise or experienced Fleshshapers. There is no official title for such people. Despite this, there are 3 clear "subcultures" of Fleshshaper. They aren't clearcut, but do represent different philosophies of existence they have developed.

• Harmonics: Fleshshapers who have taken on a more traditionally heroic philosophy. They believe that their mission is to protect nature, but humanity is just as much a part of nature as anything else. As such, outright hostility to Kun'lao is immoral. They will thus take on the roles of diplomat warriors, often arriving as a means of trying to resolve disputes between humanity and the spirit world. Violence is only a last resort to be used in response to other violence.

• Discordants: Fleshshapers who have concluded that humanity is a great danger to Prisma, and that their efforts of industrialization must be stopped. The acutal moral compass of these Fleshshapers can vary. Dissonants can range from those who are just most aggressive towards combating those who endanger the environment and the spirit world, to those who have renounced their humanity and actively hate it.

• Anomalies: Those who have embraced the chaotic nature of the Parliament of Green. These Fleshshapers have renoucned their humanity even more then Discordants, living in almost perfect harmony with the spirits. This, however, means that they just come across as complete anomalies to many humans. They have embraced chaos, often carrying out tasks for the spirits that have no rhyme or reason. The actual moral compass of these people can also vary: Some Anomalies are just eccentric Fleshshapers, others are liable to cannibalize you without a second thought. Traditional morality is just for the most part alien to them.

Qi Techniques

The following are examples of prominent Qi techniques often used by the Fleshshapers. Note that this list is not comprehensive, and actual abilities can vary wildly.

• Pure Type - Wild Sense: A more developed form of the traditional Qi Sense technique. Allows a Fleshshapers to sense their surroundings, particularly the nature and spirits around them, with more breath and flexibility. Fleshshapers can use this ability to properly get in tune with their surrounding nature, and also identify whether their surrounding environment is in pain.

• Enhancement Type - Wildshaping: The most traditional of Qi techniqies, the Fleshshapers' namesake, and the most likely Qi technique for them to know. More so an umbrella of Qi techniques than a specific technique. Fleshshapers have the ability to twist and morph their flesh into other forms found within nature. A Fleshshaper can transform their arm into the claw of a tiger, to transform their teeth into the fangs of a wolf, their arms into the wings of a hawk, their skin into the scales of a serpent, among many other uses. They can even give themselves gills to breathe underwater. The nature of Wildshaping varies, although they can truly take on any number of forms from this. There are those within the Fleshshapers capable of trasforming themselves into terrifying amalgamations of nature.

• Construct Type - Fleshmaking: The ability to use Qi to create biological mass. In some cases, this can be used to create biological bombs or diseases, or perhaps to create a wolf's head in the ground to bite an enemy.

• Special Type - Soul Transformation, Spirit Soul: A special form of soul transmutation, used to transform one's soul into that of a nature spirit. Often used for both ceremonial and practical purposes, as their home, the World Tree, is an environment more suitable for spirits than humans.