An Original Chronicle Beyond the World of Darkkness.
: Denizens by Night :
Cathayans : The Hungry Dead
This is the shape beneath the mask, the wiring under mercy.
The reason the light never loved you back.
I survived because I stopped asking the world to make sense.
​
I didn't rise above the dark.
I learned how to move through it
without making a sound.
​
--- Erika Yagami, "What the World Looks like Now"
Long ago, the Clans of Caine knew them as the Gaki. Before that time, they knew themselves as the Wan Kuei. In the Modern Age, they were known as Kuei-Jin, the Hungry Dead of the East. Unlike those who were descended from Caine, these “Vampires” followed another path of their own, owing their power not to blood ties, but to their connection with the Yomi Worlds, or Thousand hells.
At some point, the Wan Kuei, under the instruction of the Quincux, pushed out from their homelands into California, specifically San Francisco. With California at the time ruled by a Barony of Anarch nations, the Wan Kuei were able to establish a foothold within the city. By the time the Clans of Caine noticed what was happening, it was already too late, there were far too many of the Wan Kuei to combat against. However, San Francisco was not their only target.
Most of America's Major cities held influences of Asian origins, small districts all named "Chinatown" or “Little Asia” started to appear all over the country. By the time the Corporate wars began, the Wan Kuei had moved beyond San Francisco. The Wan Kuei met the most resistance to their presence in New Orleans, Louisiana. However, as the end approached, and Corporate colonialism reached its peak in 2077, most were recalled by the Quincux to the Middle Kingdom, where others remained in San Francisco.
It is unknown whether or not the Bamboo Princes were aware of the coming threat, but the Hungry Dead as a whole had been preparing for it since the fall of the ten thousand immortals.
The Yama Kings have risen.
With the end of all things came a startling Realization: While the World was being destroyed by forces beyond their comprehension, the Demon Emperor, which would mark the coming of the Sixth World had not risen as prophesied. It was clear that the sundering had only served to strengthen the Yama Kings, but something had changed. Every Hungry Dead felt the change in their P’o, the change in their connection with the Hells, and the change in their Hunger.
What followed was a century of war, not just with the Yama Kings’ minions, but for their own survival as the mortal population dwindled, leaving their only source of Chi in those Vampires who survived their own destruction, and vice versa, they became, for a time, the Kindred’s only source of blood. Many Hungry dead succumbed to their Hunger, or fell victim to the Yama Kings’ corruption, but those who didn’t, survived through evolution.
The New World, the New Rules…
This is not the world that the Hungry Dead remembers. This is not the world that is constantly under threat; where the Middle Kingdom repelled the Clans of Caine from setting a foothold in their borders. The Middle Kingdom lies in ruins. The Old Courts are all but destroyed, the few who remember having no desire to rebuild them. Only the Bamboo Princes had the foresight to adapt to the changing world.
Does this mean they abandoned tradition? No. It means that they apply the lessons, the tenets, and their mission to the New World as they see. Now, more than ever, they must learn to survive in a world where the minions of the enemy need no aid in crossing the thin barrier separating the Middle World from the Hells. Their Ancient enemy is stronger, and they, too, must grow stronger to survive in a world recovering from an extinction-level calamity.
Where do you fit in?
Few remember the Fifth World, for they are not old enough to have experienced it, or they perished during that time. You are one of those who have awakened to the Sixth World. You have escaped the Ten Thousand Hells, only to return to a World where your jailors have considerable influence, and they would love nothing more than to drag you back into their domain.
Respect and Follow the Cycle. Be ever wary of the enemy around you, survive, and fight another day.
Welcome to the Sixth World, Cathayan.
Cathayans are the Hungry Dead who feed on the Chi of the World and its inhabitants. Like many of the other Denizens of Darkness, Cathayns were affected by the Sundering. Where they once held their own territories and engaged in a War of Attrition with the Clans of Caine by merit of protecting their holdings and territories, these days, their priorities have shifted.
It is not uncommon to see Cathayans forming alliances with Vampires, and other Night Folk, or at the very least working alongside them. Cathayans recognize the threat that the Yama Kings pose, but the world is filled with other terrors who are equally Dangerous. With the loss of so many Ancestors and Bodhitsavas, Most Cathayans of this Age focus more on surviving long enough to achieve enlightenment, that they may join the fight against their ancient enemy in full.
Cathayan Dharma Paths
There are five known Dharma paths of Cathayans that dwell within Basilica Achlys and its surrounding areas. When choosing to be a Cathayan, select one of the following Dharma Paths for immediate roleplay.
-
Howl of the Devil Tiger - replacements for the incompetent demons of ages past
-
Way of the Resplendent Crane - The highly legalistic collection of Wise (if Traditional) Mentors
-
Song of the Shadow - coldly logical necromancers of dispassionate reasoning
-
Spirit of the Living Earth - shamans who interact with spirits, seeking both advice and adhering to taboos
-
Dance of the Thrashing Dragon - Those who achieve enlightenment by imitating the living
For those wishing to play a different Dharma Path, please reach out to the Mentors for access to the Rare Role Application. The mentors will help you work your character concept into one that will work within the lore we have set out.
:::NOTE::: Rare applications hold no guarantee of Approval, but are approved in how well the concept of the character works to build roleplay for the sim and builds upon the Lore that we have set up.
:::NOTE::: Please note that this is not the World of Darkness many know and love, but a homebrewed world crafted among people with a deep love and appreciation of all the various settings of WoD. Because we are homebrewed, we will not accept any transfers of characters from more Modern WoD-based roleplays and sims.