Jason C. Marshall (JCMarshall@sympatico.ca) for the Celestial Court.
"I don't exist when you don't see me
I don't exist when you're not here
What the eye don't see won't break the heart
you can make believe when we're apart
but when you leave I disappear
when you don't see me."
The six warriors stood at rigid attention, waiting for the arrival of their lord.
A limo pulled to a stop. The door opened and a slight Asian gentleman got out. Two more Asians also got out of the limo. They slowly accompanied the man to the edge of the courtyard.
The doors to the courtyards house slid open and a wizened old man stepped forth. He regarded the slight man with contempt.
"So, you have come." He said.
"Your position is to be mine, old one. Go quietly."
"Your sentiment is laughable. If you can make it across the courtyard then you can have the position."
The slight man smiled and turned to the man on his right.
He took a sword from his belt and offered to the slight man.
A grin like a shark's crossed the slight man's face.
"Let's do this."
The six warriors in the courtyard drew swords and turned towards the three intruders.
The Pao Yu were started by a member of Gangrel clan early in the first century. The Gangrel had traveled into China, fleeing persecution by members of another clan. He entered through the Tibetan mountains and ended up in a small deserted monastery.
It was here that he began to recuperate and live a peaceful existence. He fixed up the monastery and live quietly for close the three years before a small group of assassins, also fleeing persecution arrived and sought shelter within the monastery.
On the first morning of their stay they discovered the repairs and evidence that someone was residing within the place. No one could be found and whispers of spirits were heard.
On the third morning after the sect had set up they discovered the drained bodies of animals, buried in a serene graveyard of sorts behind one of the outbuildings. Once again their was talk of evil spirits.
On the fifth night the Gangrel appeared to the sect, attempting to scare them off, rising up through the ground. The majority of them fled, screaming about spirits of the night. The few who stayed asked to be taught the powers of the spirit world. The Gangrel shook its head, became a bat and flew away.
The few remaining members waited.
Days passed, with the sect members slowly repairing the monastery and adopting a way of peaceful life. They continued to petition the Gangrel for his knowledge.
As the months passed, the Gangrel finally succumbed to the sect, and embraced six of them. These six would be taught the ways of Gangrel, and then the Gangrel would leave.
In the later years of the Romance period, the Pao Yu were seen helping various generals of the Kingdoms. When the Lung finally made contact with the Pao Yu, they already knew of them and were prepared to accept them into their house. The Pao Yu agreed and joined the Jen Lung.
The Lung soon realized that the Pao Yu were a proud and honorable bloodline and so awarded their service with the creation of the Jen Pao. A house of their own. The Pao Yu re-pledged their loyalty to the Jen Lung.
"We are always happy to see a member of the Pao Yu, they were our first allies and have been our best compatriots."
Jian: We were happy to see them awarded that which was due them.
"Your services are always welcome."
Kwai Tao: This noble bloodline has been our friends for centuries.
"The Pao Yu are possessed of much honor."
Tong Chu: They have problems dealing with reality as it is. This endangers them.
"The Pao Yu have served beside us with honor. They are among our best allies."
Men Hu: They have their talents.
"As do you have yours."
Shu: They are a quarrelsome bunch. Always bickering about this and that, never seeming content with their lot. One day they will go too far.
"Fascists and fanatics, the lot of them. If a Jen Lung says 'jump' they do so. If the Jen Lung told 'em all to die to save a Jian or a Lung they would happily jump out into the sun. Not a bad idea, come to think about it"
Yu: They would be an interesting people if they ever seemed to do anything.
"We are the people. We are the masses. We are, have been and will be. Remember this."
Ch'i Chu: Ahhh, the hoarders of knowledge and secrets.
"We only watch and record. Nothing more."
Mui Tsai: Slaves to the rats that think they control the underworld.
"Our place has been decreed. We only do what we must, for now."
Camarilla: They are a competent lot, with their masquerade and their clans. Some of these kindred could possibly even rival our masters, maybe. They are welcome, as long as they do not cross the line.
"These guys are as bad as the Tong Chu. Cat based protean and strange fighting styles. Hell, I thought those Kwai Tao were bad enough. Never catch me in China again."
Shogun te: Some say we owe the Khoga and Ega our existence, but it is the other way around. Because of us they exist, and as long as they realize that, then all is well. As for those others, well, they could all take lessons from the Jen Lung.
"They have a great deal of honor, perhaps they are the only house that does. I will fight them honorably when the time comes."
Sabbat: As the Jen Lung have decreed, so shall we do. The Sabbat are a bane to existence and deserved death. We shall help them to see that end.
"A thousand curses upon them all. When we take over, they shall feel the sun's rays."