Fourfold Path

"*In our victory Jianghu flourished, like a phoenix reborn anew. No more are our people raided by the savage tribes of Yurhira or exhorted by the tradesmen of Herizu. We've braved countless wars and we've lived each time to see the next generation better off. For we follow the Fourtold Path, the way of the selfless and the exalted.*"
―Chengshe Zui, the 32nd Elected of Jianghu
The Fourfold Path is the Constitution of Sheng and a philosophy, established some time after the Emperor rose to power in Jianghu. Their symbol is the Phoenix. Giza the Craftsman, a native of the Blue Isles, was the legendary builder who was said to have lead the construction projects on the Four Towers, each one roughly six hundred feet in height and built on the borders of Jianghu's territory.

The towers act as a place of study as well as key locations for Jianghu's forces, with the Fourfold Army being the continent's official military. A child of each noble family's generation must be sent there to train and study for six years.

## Beliefs

"*In family, we find purpose. In honor, we find guidance. In judgement, we find wisdom. In spirit, we find strength.*"
―The Fourfold CodeMuch of the teachings are attributed to the life of the Emperor. The writings come from three sources, Ruanshe Hou, a commander

The Fourfold Path is the philosophy based in the continent of Sheng. Based on four principles that the Emperor said to uphold and follow in his life, those on the Fourfold Path attempt to mimic the wisdom given in these teachings, for they too can trod the Fourfold path and be made something better than they were before.

The Fourfold Path has four pillars. Each of them have a large shrine in the the four corners of the continent of Sheng, and many go on a pilgrimage to visit at least one of these shrines in their lifetime. Monks of the Fourfold Path must journey to all four to complete their training. This practice is disregarded in Agartha, mainly because of the great difficulty to reach Sheng from Agartha.

* The Pillar of Family: Family is one of the greatest motivators a person can uphold, the desire for companionship, for children, for love is strong in most everyone. It is the desire to protect them, provide for them, and to see them become a success that gives us purpose. By upholding this pillar, your family will be prosperous.
* The Pillar of Honor: Honor in action and word is a strong basis for guidance on the world. Conducting yourself with honor; be it a business deal, honoring your promises, or speaking truth. Following an honorable path will bring rewards to you, guidance in a way to live your life without guilt and dishonor. An honorable life is a just life.
* The Pillar of Judgement: Judgement for while it refers to judgement on those of ill repute, also refers to judgement of actions, thinking before acting you will find wisdom in your course.
* The Pillar of Spirit: This pillar gives you strength, often when you are at your weakest, you will be able to pull upon a wellspring of strength deep within you, to continue onwards. Even at the bleakest, if you keep your spirit up, you may find the strength to finish your task.

The Fourfold path can be divided into two different ranking structures, the Army which normally follows the Fourfold path, and the Monks of the Fourfold, who act as guides and teachers of the path.

Monks of the Fourfold path shave their heads as a sign of devotion, spend most of their time in meditation on the precepts of the Fourfold path, many monks focusing only on one pillar over the other, although the higher ranks tend to focus on all of the pillars as a whole, just as the Emperor does. As the temple has sprung up partially from the remnants of the Emperor’s original army of conquest, the fourfold maintain numerous martial traditions, mainly martial arts and fighting with staves, spades, and other simple weapons. During the day, monks can be found in ranks practicing the numerous katas and forms that have been passed down for over a thousand years.

A monk takes numerous vows as they advance up the ranks of the path. A monk starts with a vow of poverty, not maintaining wealth beyond their basic equipment and gear. The next vow will be the vow of sustenance, the monk forsaking food and drink outside of rice, fish, and water.

Fourfold Monks Ranks

* Initiate: One who has not taken the full vows of a Fourfold Monk.
* Monk: One who has taken their vows to the Temple of the Fourfold, it is upon taking these vows that the monk will shave their head.
* Enlightened: One who has taken on additional vows as they progress, showing that they have more knowledge and foresight on the path.
* Immaculate: One who has meditated on the fourfold path for numerous years, and seen as a master of the path
* Paragon: The nominal head of the order, each is elected among the Immaculate’s as the one who shall lead the faith.

Monks in Agartha typically only reach the rank of the Enlightened, before traveling to Sheng to do their pilgrimage and to join the Immaculates in the main temple in Jianghu.

Temples of the Fourfold sometimes share space with the Fourfold Army, combining a Temples Dojo space with the practice areas of the army.

## Constitution of Sheng

The Constitution of Sheng is a set of laws that The Elected and the Feudal Lords are unable to change. The head scholars of The Illuminated have the duty of ensuring that these laws are abided, through an unanimous vote of a motion for the dismissal of an Elected occurs. While there have been multiple dismissal attempts, only one has passed, when Xiong Heng, the 63rd Elected, declared war on the Province of the Amber Mountains of Yurhira in 1156AC. After a failed assassination attempt, the clan was raided and executed without permission. The infamous outlaw Juong of the Grey Sword claimed one of his men were responsible shortly after.

High ranking of the Fourfold Path often act as enforcers of the law, and may sometimes preside over a trial as judge to revolve matters of dispute. All provinces within the Continent of Sheng must follow the constitution regardless of their local laws.

1.) All citizens age twenty-eight or older, with the exception of convicted criminals, are eligible to vote on legislation proposed by the ruling Lord. If sixty percent or more vote against the law, it will not pass.

2.) The laws of a province should be documented and available for public viewing. An enforcer of the law should only arrest someone if they're in violation of the written law.

3.) A prisoner must be fed at least one bowl of rice and a jug of clean water a day. Prison conditions should be adequate for living.

4.) Taxation rates cannot be raised or lowered by a Feudal Lord without permission directly from The Elected.

5.) An act of war against another province is unlawful unless the terms are justified to preserve the honor of the clan, requiring permission from The Anointed General of the Fourfold Army.