Kun'lun Sanctuary

One of the oldest martial arts sects in Prisma, the Kun'lun Sanctuary is an order of martial artists situated at the seemingly mystical peak of Mt. Tien. They are the practicioners of Heavenly Mountain style, having been taught martial arts by Master Kun'lun, one of the oldest living humans in existence.

History

The Kun'lun Sanctuary has history tracing back to a time shortly after the Shattering. Master Kun'lun, the founder of the Kun'lun Sanctuary, was a village champion, the greatest of his time. At the time, village champions competing ceremonial wrestling matches that relied on raw power. Master Kun'lun was a behemoth of a man, considered a peak physical specimen. However, everything changed when, one day, Master Kun'lun was defeated by a small, elderly man.

Shattered, Kun'lun retreated into the wilderness and reflected on his loss. Over the years, he would develop one of the oldest martial arts, innovating a technique known as "Xiao Li" and traveling the world, accumulating vast amounts of knowledge. Slowly, Kun'lun would become one of the most elite masters of martial arts, with his Qi knowledge in particular slowing his aging process. Over a period of thousands of years, Master Kun'lun would establish the Kun'lun Sanctuary on the peak of Mt. Tien, occasionally leaving the school for excursions out into the greater world.

This had the end result of making Kun'lun Sanctuary a source of great knowledge, as well as making it a great epicenter of martial arts in Kun'lao. Rumors of a great sage camping atop Mt. Tien began to attract aspiring young fighters looking to learn, until eventually Master Kun'lun founded an entire school. In the 2nd era, the Kun'lun Sanctuary's great knowledge, alongside the contributions of the great martial artists its cultivated, earned Mt. Tien a spot as one of the 8 Heavenly Cities.

Today, the Kun'lun Sanctuary remains an influential aspect of Kun'lao's Wulin. It still remains in an extremely isolated position, sitting atop one of the highest peaks in Kun'lao. The Kun'lun Sanctuary's martial artists either sit atop the peak, protecting its mystical knowledge, or travel the world in search of more secrets. For the most part, the Sanctuary remains elusive, its adherents only ever seen when on an excursion into the outside world.

Culture

Those who are interested in joining the Kun'lun Sanctuary must venture to Mt. Tien, known for its harsh, mountainous, icy terrain. Those who managed to survive the trek must bring an offering to Master Kun'lun. At which poit, if the gift is accepted, they are allowed to train in the Sanctuary. Those who train at the Sanctuary life frugal, simple lives. At the same time, the great medical and mystical knowledge accumulated at the Sanctuary means that its adherents also live full, healthy lives.

Lives are strict, they live regimented lives, albeit under the tutelage of the Kun'lun Sanctuary's senior students. Master Kun'lun himself is rather relaxed and whimsical in his behavior. Those who eventually graduate beyond junior student are allowed to take excursions into the world. These students often travel Prisma looking for proper challenges to their power, in addition to treasture troves of knowledge to bring back to the Sanctuary.

Membership

The Kun'lun Sanctuary has a simple but strict hierarchy.

• Junior Disciple: Fresh new students to the Kun'lun Sanctuary. They often learn the basics of martial arts ad run chores for the rest of the Sanctuary.

• Disciple: Those who have learned the basics of Heavenly Mountain may graduate and become full disciples. Most members of the Kun'lun Sanctuary fall unnder this rank. They are formidable and powerful fighters, although they have not master Xiao Li and thus have not graduated to master. Typically, after a successful excursion, they can graduate to master.

• Master: Those who have mastered Xiao Li and Heavenly Mountain can become masters. Masters are gifted with great knowledge by master Kun'lun and are also responsible for teaching disciples.

• Grandmaster: A spot held by Master Kun'lun, and a position that has not changed for over 4000 years. It has no formal responsibilities, although assumedly Master Kun'lun occasionally steps in to teach.

Qi Techniques

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

• Enhancement Type - Xiao Li: Otherwise known as "The Power of Emptiness." Xiao Li allows for one to lighten their body to the point where they are as light as a feather, with their bodies becoming almost like water. Strikes against them are absorbed with ease. They become like feathers, managing to dodge around strikes easily. They can also more easily manipulate the energy in their body due to this lightness and gather extreme amounts of energy to manifest super-strength like strikes.

• Enhancement Type - Featherwalking: One can lighten their body as if they are as light as a feather, gliding through the air and maneuvering as if they are being pulled by wires. Can be used to manifest impressive acrobatic maneuvers.