Warrior Priests of the Emerald Empire

A sect of exorcists with deep ties to the origins of the Imperial Capital. The Warrior Priests of the Emerald Empire worship the Heavenly Sovereign, founder of the Guanyin Dynasty. They act as the deadly inquisitors of Kun'lao, seeking out impurity across Kun'lao and purging it. Their main targets are demons, blanks, and Path of Closed Fist fighters, whom they see as an atrocity to human nature.

History

The Warrior Priests of the Emerald Empire began as a cult who worshipped the Emerald Emperess during her rise to power. It was their radical worship of the first emperor that eventually won the Guanyin Dynasty their reputation as religiously important figures. This cult had many numerous powerful Diviners among their numbers, and they wielded numerous powerful prayers harnessing the power of the Devas.

While at first this cult was not particularly significant, their dedication to weeding out demons and blanks, among other enemies of the Guanyin, granted them more prominence in the Imperial Capital. Over time, they slowly rose to prominence and became less a cult and more a sect of warrior priests dedicated to eradicating the enemies of Kun'lao.

Today, the Warrior Priests of the Emerald Empire are the most prominent religious order in Kun'lao. They do not have the Shambali's great history, but they have greater political power and numbers. They do not have the wealth of the Yuan Monks, but they are regularly popular among the masses, and essentially act as a state religion for Kun'lao.

Culture

Despite the mountains of good publicity they have enjoyed as they've rose to prominent, the Warrior Priests of the Emerald Empire still act as if they are a cult. They aggressively recruit adherents to their order, and will regularly regard those who do not worship the Devas with suspicion. Considering how diverse Kun'lao is, and how many of its followers do not worship Devas, this can be a deeply problematic trait to the Warrior Priests. Those who leave the order are considered "dead" to its adherents, and are expected to act as if their old ally has passed. They regularly take part in rituals that are considered strange and esoteric to the average Kun, and practice self-flagellation

Typically, one joins the Warrior Priests by joining their sect in the Imperial Capital. Anyone of any social class is welcome, although Warrior Priests are expected to live the rest of their lives in poverty. After completely the necessary training, Warrior Priests are expected to simply wander Kun'lao in search of a home, either to weed out "impurity" or to find a place in need of a priest. Typically, Warrior Priests will hold regular rituals and festivals for the island they live on while also searching for potential evil.

It is worthy to point out that the term "inquisitor" is well earned as a description for the Warrior Priests of the Emerald Empire. Members of this sect will regularly kidnap and even torture innocent people if they believe them to somehow be tied to an act of evil. While not all Warrior Priests are belligerent or that outright hostile, such happenstances are common enough for the Warrior Priests to earn a reputation for their cruelty.

Membership

Membership among the Warrior Priests of the Emerald Empire is plentiful. They are a large and wide-ranging organization with numerous ranks that make up their numbers.

• Acolyte: Acolytes are the those still in training to become a Warrior Priest of the Emerald Empire. They will usually spend years being schooled at the Imperial Capital before being promoted to full priesthood.

• Priest: Full members of the Warrior Priesthood. Typically, priests wander Kun'lao in search of islands where they are needed. Because they are typically younger and inexperienced, they are expected to travel out into poorer regions or parts of the Outersphere, where they may be more needed but will live lives of hardship.

• Arch-Priest: Veteran members of the Warrior Priests. Typically, they are in charge of teaching acolytes, or head particularly large convents present in the Core and Midsphere of Kun'lao.

• Lesser Lord of Worship: Veteran exorcists who have managed to make their way into the ranks of the Lords of Worship. Lords of Worship are Warrior Priests renown for their skill in killing demons and heretics. Lesser Lords of Worship are those who have just inherited the title of Lord, typically younger Warrior Priests who are nonetheless talented in the hunt.

• Greater Lord of Worship: The top 3 Lords of Worship in the order, typically the most experienced or powerful priests, with a proven track record in defeating even the most powerful of foes.

• Arch-Lord of Worship: The head of the Arch Priests of the Emerald Empire. Typically, when the prior Arch-Lord passes, the Lords of Worship hold a vote over who is the most fit to lead the order. This vote is accompanied by numerous ceremonies and takes around 3 days in isolation.

Qi Techniques

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

• Pure Type - Turn Undead: A special Qi spell that allows for the user to radiate in a celestial light, one that sends the undead reeling back, either unnaturally or in fear.

• Pure Type - Spare The Dying: A special Qi spell that allows for the Warrior Priest to stabilize those with lethal wounds. Considered one of the most important miracles for a Warrior Priest to learn how to manifest.

• Construct Type - Shield of Faith: A Qi spell that manifests a powerful shield to protect either the caster or an ally from damage.

• Construct Type - Spiritual Weapon: A Qi spell that allows the caster to create divine weapons made of radiant Qi. These weapons can take many forms, and are typically telekinetically controlled by the caster.

• Special Type - Divination: A Qi spell that allows a Warrior Priest to consult the Devas. Using this spell, a Warrior Priest may ask The Bliss a question. They will receive omens or visions that will lead them to glory, so long as they are properly understood.