Four Guardian Sects
As is common with groups existing for hundreds of years, the Ando Order is divided into many smaller groups of sects. It’s stated that across the mountain tops, there may be dozens of these smaller groups of monks, all following the teachings of Sayua Ando, yet not quite agreeing on how they reached Enlightenment.
Culture[edit]
The different Sects of the Ando Order mainly live in harmony on the Mountain. There is a grand Monastery that sits atop the mountain where the monks stay, and train with another regardless of sect or lifestyle. It is this shared monastery that where Festivals and Tournaments between the Monks are often held as well as where they gather when it is stated a Convergence is nigh before heading out to combat it.
However, each sect also has it’s own smaller Monastery, where the leaders of each sect teach their particular lifestyle and method of Chi. It is common for members of the Ando Order to move between these different sects to learn which ones they prefer. Sectless members of the Ando Order are not as common among older members of the Order, however any member of the Ando Order is welcome to study and work with any other member of the Order in the pursuit of self improvement.
Among these sects of the Ando Order, sit four called the Four Guardians. The Four Guardians Sects claim themselves to each be descended from the teachings of one of the four Saints, the four disciples of Sayau Ando that survived the Convergence she died in, however these claims are dubious and can not be confirmed. Each of the four guardians have claimed a direction atop the Aurumtine mountains and as thus are called the sect of the Dragon of the East, the Phoenix of the South, the Tiger of the West, and the Turtle of the North.
Four Guardian Sects Listing[edit]
Dragon[edit]
“The way to Enlightenment is the way taught by the dragons”
Empty Palm
Often referred to as the first of the Four Guardian Sects, the sect of the Dragon claims it’s roots from Sayau’s first disciple. Those who follow the way of the Dragon believe that the Dragons who created the world are the reason that Sayua obtained Enlightenment, that following what Paludrex shared with her allowed for her to reach the pinnacle of both earth and heaven. This path believes that frequent reflection on what one knows, and the life that they lead will eventually pay off and that similarly, they will become great sages.
To this end, it is stated the Dragon sect learned the ability of the Empty palm, hand ever spread as if a metaphor for how they were to live their life, ready to receive the lessons that the world may hold for them. Often those of the Dragon sect are poets, and practice calligraphy and reading as forms of meditation. The Dragon sect often is responsible for the maintenance of gardens atop the Mountain peaks.
Tiger[edit]
“Enlightenment is the path that you pave by being true to yourself”
Rigid Palm
If the Four Guardian Sect legends are to be believed, the sect of the Tiger was the second to form. Where the Dragon sect believed that Sayau learned Enlightenment from the Dragon’s teachings, the second Disciple laughed at this notion. When Sayua dove into battle against the Demons and the High Faerlan, this Disciple saw her will to save others and her being true to herself that caused her to obtain the enlightenment and understanding of the world that she had been searching for.
For this reason, the sect of the Tiger adopted the method of the Rigid palm. A fierce, unchanging way of fighting and way of living, not questioning one’s beliefs and always trusting their gut is the origin of how they live, and their style of combat. Often seen as a brute-like sect, activities such as drinking, fighting, and other more physical activities are how this sect meditates, and studies. The Tiger sect often volunteers its members as sparring partners when other sects are short of members.
Phoenix[edit]
“I will die a thousand times, before I rise to heights unseen and unmatched”
Blazing Palm
The third of the Four Guardian Sect, the Phoenix, took a couple of years to form, initially part of the Dragon sect before splitting. The Phoenix and the Dragon sects stem from the thought of reflection, but where the Dragon sect believes that this reflection begins and ends in thought, counters, and defense, the Phoenix believes that one can only take flight towards their dreams after repeated devastation. To the Phoenix cult, each loss represents death, represents an important lesson, whether it be in battle, or in life.
Only from these repeated losses, does the sect believe that something new can rise. Every death leads to a greater tomorrow, a death to be reflected on, learned from, and then burned away as a new you forms. Their style is known as the Blazing palm, the style said to cause fire to spread from them, burning away those losses like the legendary Fire Bird Spirit. Their methods of meditation often involve things such as creating lanterns that float away into the sky, and dying far away, and creating objects with the understanding that one day those too will burn up to reach their enlightenment. Additionally, the Phoenix sect is accredited with the largest festivals, using the time to reflect on previous burned up losses, and celebrate their renewed focus and morale.
Turtle[edit]
“Only through discovering which Sentiments must remain firm, and which are loose can you reach Enlightenment”
Snake Palm
The Final of the Four Guardian Sects, the Turtle, was stated to be split from the sect of the Tiger. The legend claimed that the fourth discipline agreed with the second disciple until one day seeing a Spirit with the body of a turtle, and the head of a snake. The confusion of this made the fourth disciple question, for the Spirit didn’t change, but perhaps somehow adapted to fulfill both the role of the slow but wise turtle, and yet also have the speed and strength of a slippery quick snake.
As such, the style of the Snake palm is two fold. Half of the life style works offensively, aiming to do what they do quickly, however, where the Tiger sect would insist on never giving up, digging in their heels, and storming forwards, the Turtle sect believes solutions may be more malleable, and is willing to change it’s approach if something is not working. A balance between striking forwards, and being willing to change and adapt is struck. Frequent meditative methods of the Turtle sect often involve gymnastics, swimming, and slow physical movements with controlled breathing, all things that display changing and adapting how the body moves. The turtle sect often delivers information between the different sects, as well as is the most frequent to descend to Mount Highshield below for trading.
Trivia[edit]
Each of the four Guardians sects claims to be descended from one of the four disciples of Sayua Ando that survived the Convergence she died in, but there’s been no way to confirm these claims.
The Dragon and Tiger Sects have an ongoing rivalry due to severe disagreement on how Sayau obtained Enlightenment. This rivalry is much lessened between the other sects. It is often displayed through Tournaments, or racing each other to complete tasks faster or better then the other.
Each of the sects claim a patron Spirit on their side of the mountain, said to have the features befitting of said sect.
Credit[edit]
Notyel https://forum.verdict.dev/showthread.php?tid=1888
Inspired by
Journey to the West
Tai Chi (Inspiration for Turtle)
Kung Fu (Inspiration for Tiger)
Judo (Inspiration for Dragon)
Aikido (Inspiration for Phoenix)
Various Wuxia Sources