The Chūmon Monastery
High in the Gangdong Mountains overlooking all of the Jade Island and Zhizun Lóng Dynasty that rules it, stands a monastery dedicated to protecting peace, harmony and order within the world. Where the famous Justicaars, Arbiters and Magisters live and are trained for their duty to safeguard the world from the darkest of threats. Their purpose is to ensure balance is met, that no one power becomes too great, no dark evil becomes too powerful to stop, to put down the threat of war by any means necessary and to protect the innocent of the world.
Only the Chūmon monks know where the monastery is which maintains it's protection, though that does not mean they are secretive. The Chūmon will travel across the vastness of the world in order to uphold their virtues, the masters will issue directives to the monks sending them out to investigate potential threats to world harmony. In some places they are well respected as bringers of peace, order and stability, willing to carry out the most dangerous of tasks for the betterment of others. Granting them a level of authority which allows them to overule many law keepers in parts of the world. Though not all share the same respect for the Chūmon, some countries and nations see them as little more than meddling in affairs they have no business with.
The strength of the Chūmon is limited but potent, to even become an apprentice may take years of training to be acceptable but those that are able to complete the training, pass the trials and ascend the ranks of the order are some of the most skilled and feared warriors. Though that does not mean they are without willing enemies, the Zhē Yīn monastery have been the oldest adversary to the Chūmon. An unscrupulous order which barters with the rich and powerful in exchange for their services, their lack of honour and purpose is despised by the Chūmon. The two orders often find themselves in conflict when the Zhē Yīn are hired by a target of the Chūmon.
Structure
The Chūmon have several ranks that denote the strength and skill of the individual, the training and trials to meet each rank are progressively more difficult. Many do not even make it as an Apprentice.
Master
The highest rank one can attain, the masters are old, wise, powerful and few in number. They decide on the directives and paths the order should take, they also oversee the training of new apprentices as the masters rarely leave the monastery they are able to dedicate themselves to the new generations. Though in some rare incidents a master maybe required to leave the monastery to deal with the most dangerous of threats.
Justicaar
The elite rank which all Chūmon aspire to be one day, of the monks that travel the world they are the strongest and in places where the Chūmon are well respected they are permitted almost unrestrained authority to complete their missions. There are few Justicaar in the world but when one appears somewhere it general means something very dangerous is lurking.
Arbiter
The interim rank, only Magister who have proven themselves on multiple missions are consider for the rank of Arbiter. At this point they are no longer required to operate in pairs, and can chose to go solo if they desire. They are assigned more difficult missions, that are often greater distances away. Arbiters are also tasked with scouting new apprentices for the order.
Magister
Once an apprentice completes their training and passes the trials they become a Magister and are able to go out on missions and venture the world. Assigned in pairs they take on the lowest risk missions.
Apprentice
Once an aspiring apprentice has been scouted and intially tested by an Arbiter they are brought to the monastery. Most tend to be young or show an apptitude for fighting, those already in dojos or being trained by private instructors are highly sought out. Though some are taken in from rougher backgrounds as a chance to offer redemption for those who aren't truly lost.
Public Agenda
The Chūmon are very open with their purpose and ideals, they seek to bring order and protect those who cannot protect themselves. Peacebringers, lawkeepers and when the time comes for it they will judge those who have commited wrongs and execute justice it whatever means they see fit. They outwardly despise tyranny and the abuse of power, in the past the Chūmon have taken it upon themselves to depose cruel emperors. Though they tend to avoid politics and taking sides, sometimes they are forced to step in for the good of the people.
Assets
The only true asset the Chūmon have is the monastery, inside of which keeps all their treasures and secrets. A surplus of weaponry ranging from kunai, shuriken, various swords, staves, nunchucks, spears, axes, sickles, whips and even iron flutes. It also contains an extensive library of scrolls containing the teachings of the order, ancient history of the grand dragons that once ruled the Jade Isle, martial techniques and the locations of great relics that are precious to the Chūmon. The monatery serves to house all of the Chūmon monks, in total in can harbor around seven hundred monks however the total number of Chūmon monks is far greater numbering somewhere over a thousand, many of these monks are set to wandering the world doing their duties as peacebringers.
History
Dating all the way back to the times when the great dragons ruled the Jade Island, when the lóngzhu and kobolds served the massive beasts. One of the dragon lords, Laoshen, an ancient bronze dragon appointed to oversee law, order and justice across the island. Taking an interest in the affairs of the dragonfolk that resided on the island continent, he was aware of many crimes being committed. Murders, thefts, destruction and all other unspeakable acts that plagued the subjects of the dragons. The other dragon lords that ruled the island showed little care for their subjects wellbeing, only caring for themselves. High atop the mountains, deep within the forests, flying across the fields and hiding within the valleys the dragon lords enjoyed a life of comfort and luxury. While the lóngzhu and kobolds struggled and strived to produce enough food to feed their families while also providing tribute to the greedy dragon lords. Laoshen despised what his kin were doing to the dragonfolk, so took it upon himself to find the most virtuous, honourable and caring amongst them by transforming into a bronze lóngzhu. Travelling the island he was able to gather five noble dragonfolk, Lu Bao a red lóngzhu warrior, Dai Yuhan a kobold educator, Lei Xiu a white lóngzhu minister, Huang Fu a copper lóngzhu town lawman and Shi Jian a kobold farmer. Together these five became disciples of Laoshen, the dragon lord promised to train them in ways to protect the innocents, fight against evil and defend the land from threats. In exchange they would serve Laoshen and his ideals of upholding peace, order and justice.
These five were trained by Laoshen and in time developed their training into a unique martial art style. Becoming masters of open hand combat, developing techniques to control and force an opponents movements, while using their Ki to protect themselves from harm. Once they had mastered this new art the five set out across the land. Travelling from farms and villages, towns and cities righting wrongs and enacting justice for those who abandoned by their dragon lords. It didn't take long before all five had apprentices themselves, ambitious, hopeful youths desperate to make a change to. They donned the blue and gold gi, emblazoned with a golden dragon, becoming the first Justicaar's of the Chūmon. They patrolled the land of the Jade Island, gathering apprentices and bringing them back to the mountaintop monastery.
Over the millenia the Chūmon have continued to practice, teach and increase in numbers. Even after the departure of the dragon lords and the rise of the lóngzhu empire, they remain. Alwats ready, prepared to defend the innocent and challenge those that seek to rule with tyranny, destruction and death in mind.
Strength, Discipline, Order, Integrity, Stability
Chūmon Virtues
First is Strength, the foundation of our force.
Second is Discipline, so we may temper that force.
Third is Order, for us to focus that force.
Fourth is Integrity, for without it we are lost to that force.
Fifth is Stability, what we shall achieve with that force.
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