Everything

Like the mighty Yangtze river, magick flows through the Middle Kingdom, twisting and diverting from its source to spread across the land and feed the mountains, valleys, plains, deserts, forests, and people. Ancient myths proclaim that the Han people came into being through the grace of the ancient gods, who descended from the heavens in the bellies of dragons to bring order to the chaotic world. The august persons of this age included the Yellow Emperor, Huangdi, and his mystical advisors, all capable of performing feats of incredible magick and supernatural power. Now their descendants – the Wu Lung, roughly translated as “dragon wizards” – maintain that sacred duty under Heaven.

The Wu Lung trace their origins to this early group of divine beings; indeed, during China’s long Imperial history, these mages (all male, of course) used this dragon lineage to steer the empire to greater heights, achieving great wealth and status. In many respects, the Wu Lung were China, which is why they ignored the invitations and warnings of those barbaric Traditions. By the time British colonialists – funded and armed by the Technocratic Union – arrived in Asia, the Wu Lung inner council members had been so thoroughly blinded and corrupted by absolute power that they failed to see the danger. Between Japanese, European, and American intruders, followed by the Communist Cultural Revolution, the 20th century witnessed the near-obliteration of these ancient masters.

Capping off that century by allying with their ancient Akashic enemies, the Wu Lung appear to have humbled themselves. This impression is quite deceptive. In fact, the Dragons have been busy… most notably in the pursuit of old gold and new initiates. Gold, the incorruptible metal, has been a primary focus for centuries, less for its monetary worth than for its mystic essence. As Wu Lung discovered long ago, pure gold works against sinister forces, driving corruption from its presence. Seals of gold, for example, can bind evil men and lessen their influence upon Enlightened folk. And so, under cover of alliances and illusionary feebleness, the Wu Lung strive to recover the lost gold of Imperial China, returning it home for a grand ritual of incredible power.

When they were forced out of power, the Wu Lung had to take a long and critical look at their traditions. It was stagnation, after all, that caused Imperial China’s weakness and collapse. Today’s Wu Lung still believe that they’re the rightful descendants of Huangdi and the old gods; they still practice the intricate rituals and ceremonies of their ancestors. However, they also realize that their sacred traditions have become the ligatures around their own throats. In order to prosper once again, they must be as clever and flexible as a dragon… or as bright and harmonious as gold.

Even in stillness, the earth shakes.

Stereotypes

The Traditions: They ignored the natural order of things and are now reduced to a squabbling collection of untrained babes presiding over a pit of chaos. Our alliance with them is bound to be short and fruitful… at least, for us.

The Technocracy: Beneath the talons and teeth of the Dragons, they will pay their souls to the hells of the Yama Kings.

Whereas the Dragons once maintained an almost exclusively male (and exclusively Chinese) membership, tradition must bow to circumstance. Today’s Wu Lung might be a man or woman of Chinese heritage; the so-called mongrel taint of non-Chinese blood is a regrettable necessity in such confused times, but no non-Chinese people are ever considered. Dedicated to Heaven’s Celestial Order, the modern Dragon considers herself an elite heir to glorious succession. Though she cultivates grace, there’s an arrogance about her. She is, after all, an ancestral ruler of the greatest culture on Earth. Those who doubt China’s magnificence will perish in China’s rebirth.

The Disparate Alliance: Our past has taught us that isolation is a weakness… and that even unwashed mongrels may support the will of Heaven.

Organization: Although the Wu Lung no longer maintain the dizzying social structure they once commanded, some vestiges of that ancient structure remain. All Wu Lung still recognize the T’ien Kung te Huang Ti Wu Lung (Heavenly Emperor of the Dragon Wizards) as their supreme leader and his counterpart, the Feng Huan Hou Wu (Phoenix Empress Wizard) as his near-equal. Though most modern Dragon Wizards have never even seen these two personages, they still recognize that the red thread of heritage and tradition is preserved and maintained through those august elders.

The supreme leaders appoint regional ministers to oversee the selection of Sifu, or teachers, under the authority of the Dragon School (rulership), the Phoenix School (healing and mercy), and the Tiger School (fighting and strategy). The Sifu, in turn, educate their adepts and senior students and select prospective candidates for initiation. At all levels, a Dragon Wizard remains acutely aware of where she exists upon the ladder of Wu Lung society, who she owes obeisance to, and what her responsibilities within that hierarchy must be.

Initiation: Wu Lung Sifu utilize divination and communication with ancestors and spirit guides to find potential new recruits on the cusp of Awakening. Those Sifu then contact the prospective initiate through visions and dreams, hoping to trigger an Awakening. An ideal candidate is either fully Chinese or of close Chinese heritage. Young people with an affinity for international business and finance are particularly valuable. If she has not been raised with the traditions and values of pre-Communist Chinese culture, then the candidate undergoes a period of education, testing, and training. After the Sifu is satisfied that the candidate has progressed well enough in her training and performed well enough on her tests, she’s formally accepted as a Ch’uang Shih, or senior student of the Wu Lung.

Chinese alchemy and High Ritual Magick form the core of Wu Lung practices, reinforced with social dominion and the martial art of Kuei Lung Chuan – a.k.a. Dragon Spirit Kung Fu. (See Chapter Nine, p. 427.) Such power comes through Li – the righteousness of Heaven and an adherence to its perfections. Exquisite ceremony mirrors heavenly perfection. Divine Order will allow the Wu Lung to Bring Back the Golden Age and banish chaos forever.

Affinity Spheres: Spirit, Forces, Matter, or Life… though they shun such degraded terminology!

Organization

Although the Wu Lung no longer maintain the dizzying social structure they once commanded, some vestiges of that ancient structure remain. All Wu Lung still recognize the T’ien Kung te Huang Ti Wu Lung (Heavenly Emperor of the Dragon Wizards) as their supreme leader and his counterpart, the Feng Huan Hou Wu (Phoenix Empress Wizard) as his near-equal. Though most modern Dragon Wizards have never even seen these two personages, they still recognize that the red thread of heritage and tradition is preserved and maintained through those august elders.

Focus

An Awakened soul is a spiritual inheritance – the Shih, or divine ancestor. Magick is a duty to tradition, an honor of the ancestors, and the key to the past and future majesty of China. Ritual is essential, and sloppy improvisation is to be avoided at all costs.