The Tranquil Blades

Wed Mar 27, 2024 9:09 am

The Tranquil Blades

Owned by the Cho Family, the Tranquil Blades are a faction comprised primarily of roaming Soulborn that pursue the secrets of the Soul Plains. Be it rumor of an emerging landmass or an opportunity to find something valuable, the Tranquil Blades are usually involved with it. They are an odd bunch - materialistic at heart, and still willing to venture out into the unknown to acquire the very material they covet. They've been around roughly as long as the Xun Family have, and recruit from all stretches of Soulborn life that seem to seek adventure. Expeditions are the Tranquil Blades' specialty, and the brotherhood they foster among their members makes them some of the most formidable individuals to encounter or compete with on that front.

In the past few decades though, tragedy has struck them time & time again due to unknown circumstances. Despite wavering wills, their members have still carried out their usual tasks, though the organization has taken to outsourcing into smaller jobs like scouting, courier work & even spying. Some members have begun to be introduced to the Cho family ranks as well, whose primary purpose lies in trade route commune and the creation as well as selling of maps across the Soul Plains. It was the business that the family's been partaking in from the beginning, and where their subsidiary has faltered, they've only risen.

Territory

Like the Projector's Guild, the Tranquil Blades' place of stay is home to that of the family they serve as a subsidiary to, the Cho. Constructed in classic, Hanguk-in "Hanok" style, the manor is built close to the Northern Peaks, and nestled in the pockets of forestry leading up. Gated off from external entry by high-standing Plumwood and constructed as a regular family dwelling, it is a far more laidback location to be in, bearing no more than three buildings all acting as living quarters. There is little fanciness to the location in favor of bearing a comforting, traditional nature to it. The interior of the location is where 'riches' and 'infinite xia' are said to reside, but none have ever thoroughly traversed the location to know for certain.

Heirarchy

Head: Self-explanatory. The head of the Cho family, Cho Yu-Jin, handles most communications with businesses & families. Handles who gets to become a part of the Cho themselves, as well as learn the organization's arts.
Familial Lieutenant: Conducts affairs with the Cho Head. Occasionally handles promotions and business with affiliates.
Tranquil Blade: The titular rank that everyone wants to achieve. It is proof that you are an expert on-field and have survived several expeditions and garnered the experience & talent to continue doing such or guiding novices.
Guide: Guides are the vanguard of every Expedition. As their name implies they determine where the group goes and generally what the group does. Among all of the ranks they are the highest paid, and most likely to know of the specialized training done by the Tranquil Blades, as well as how to instruct newbies on it.
Scout: Self-explanatory by the role's title. They occasionally go ahead of their group to discern nearby troubles and potential routes. Their awareness and general on-field knowledge make them highly sought after, with those bearing the appropriate qualifiers for this role typically being freshly recruited.
Member of the Band: Lowest position in the Tranquil Blades. They attend Expeditions and are granted pay. Some trusted members are given formal training from the Cho.

Code

"We are brethren upon every expedition. Not even a jade xia is worth backstabbing your blood."
"Trust one another on fronts where blood and flesh are at risk of being lost. We are stronger than any foe when we stand together."
"The name of Tranquil Blade comes first; Cho comes last."
"Know when a bout is necessary, but do not fear it."

Relations

Den of Stalkers (HATE): Runs into the assassins inadvertently. It seldom ends well for either side.
Lu (High): Adventure!
Minamoto (Like): They do not perturb them.
Park (Neutral): Usually take away 'new blood' from the Projector's Guild, but the Cho pay handsomely for it.
Projector's Guild (High): Most newer Kido specialists tend to transfer over to this group after learning enough if they feel that remaining within the guild is too lax.

Benefits

Access to the 'Needlepoint Art' if trusted enough as a member.
General geographical knowledge.
High risk for high pay.
First-come-first-serve access to loot.
Access to and repair of equipment.
Bonus development speed as a character via. surviving expeditions. Bonus death points as a DR via. dying on them.