Wanmei

## Information

### Holy Cities

Ōdo (Birthplace of Gakuichi Fūshi), Kuqiang (birthplace of Guoke, and Tianzhong (Location of the Imperial Academy of Wanmei)

**Wanmei** (Pronounced wahn-MAY) is the first of the three major philosophies to come out of the Wood Elven culture. Initially established by the scholar Gakuichi Fūshi out of a desire to combat the Elven predisposition for unhindered pleasure-seeking, Wanmei is a systematized sanctification of proper and just social relations, correct rites and rituals, the pursuit of knowledge, and the cultivation of virtues to ensure a balanced and harmonious society. It emphasizes the virtues of Ren (benevolence and compassion), Yi (Righteousness and justice), Li (Proper rites and rituals), Zhi (knowledge), and Xin (Integrity and moral strength). In its original Wood Elven environment, the extent of these virtues is left intentionally nebulous and undefined.

Though it did not become the predominant philosophy in its nation of origin, Wanmei became an integral part of religio-political thought within the EHD cultural sphere due to the actions of the famous traveling debater and scholar Huoju Guoke who frequented the Wood Elven realms. It was also he who expounded and wrote down formulas on what the Wanmei virtues entailed, where they were to be employed, as well as many of the proper rites and rituals and how they were to be constructed. If Gakuiochi Fuushi gave Wanmei flesh, it is said, then Huoju Guoke gave it bone. He also would go on to formulate the importance and necessity of the Five Relationships:

* Ruler to Subject
* Husband to Wife
* Older sibling to Younger sibling
* Parent to Child
* Friend to Friend

In the span of only a few centuries it was almost universally adopted by the kings and emperors of the area later to be called the Empire of the Heavenly Dragon. This was primarily because it could be used to justify the rigidly hierarchical political states that already existed. Early rulers noticed that the espousal and dispersion of Wanmei resulted in far fewer revolts and insurrections, and thus made the job of governance much easier. Unfortunately, some of these same early emperors also swiftly learned that Wanmei could just as easily justify a heavenly-mandated deposing.

Contemporarily, Wanmei has become so ingrained into popular consciousness in the EHD that most peasants know it by the name of, “just the way things are.” The burghers and civil servants as, “the thing you have to learn to advance in society.” And the Emperors as, "the thing that keeps people from rebelling." The most vivacious study of Wanmei comes from the reformist schools inside of the academic realms of philosophy, folkloristics, and anthropology, but their influence tends to end at the university gates. Still other scholars - those with more nationalist, nativist, and pro-dragonborn-superiority leanings - actively seek to remove and condemn the parasitic strains of Wanmei thought leaching off what they believe to be “Pure Zhongren” ideology. Though mostly as impotent as the reformist scholars, the Zhongren-purist scholars are currently gaining some traction within wider circles. And especially amongst the settled, aristocratic dragonborn families.

Players who select a Wanmei school of thought are encouraged to pay close attention to the "correct" way of doing whatever they may be doing, acting benevolently and magnanimously whenever they can, observing closely the proper balance of their social relationships, and always seeking to further their knowledge of both the natural and social worlds.

## Paths of the Eternal Student

### Sage Path

**Alignment:** Lawful Good

**Domains:** Virtue and Nature

The Sage Path is followed by those for whom the Wanmei virtue of “benevolence” or “Ren” speaks most strongly. While they try to bear in mind the other facets of Wanmei ethics, followers of the Sage Path seek first to perfect their own character through acts of kindness and generosity, that they may have a clean mind to perfect the other five. Adherents of the Sage Path seek to be known as a person of great wisdom, an individual that others might seek out to answer their moral quandaries.

### Sovereign Path

**Alignment:** Lawful Good

**Domains:** Order and Protection

The Sovereign Path is followed by those for whom the Wanmei virtue of “Righteousness” or “Yi” speaks most strongly. Followers of this path see the opportunity to improve themselves and the world around them through the practice of wise and measured justice, loyalty to those above them, and benevolence and understanding to those below them. Those on the Sovereign Path seek to be known as wise judges, statesmen, and leaders, who lead by example rather than coercion.

### Diviner Path

**Alignment:** Lawful Good

**Domains:** Divine, Light, and Grave

The Diviner Path is followed by those for whom the Wanmei virtue of “Proper Rite” or “Li” speaks most strongly. Stated simply, the Diviner seeks to perform all actions and ceremonies in their divinely perfect and correct form, and to uncover these perfections wherever they may still remain un-illuminated. When the Diviner has seen to it that all funerals, weddings, and ceremonies are performed in the correct manner and at the correct time, and that all gates, walls, and portals are in their proper place, they have achieved their success.

### Scholar Path

**Alignment:** Lawful Good

**Domains:** Knowledge, Arcana, and Night

The Scholar Path is followed by those for whom the Wanmei virtue of “Knowledge” or “Zhi” speaks most strongly. Comprehending, synthesizing, and correctly applying information and knowledge is critical for a follower of this path. After all, there is nothing more dangerous than a well-intentioned but ignorant fool. The pursuit of knowledge is itself a virtue, and in the eyes of the Scholar, the only true path to failure is to become complacent in one's knowledge.

### Gentleperson Path

**Alignment:** Lawful Good

**Domains:** Forge, Life, and City

The Gentleperson Path is followed by those for whom the Wanmei virtue of “Integrity” or “Xin” speaks most strongly. Not everyone has such lofty aims as becoming a renowned sage or great leader; followers of the Gentleperson Path regard the application of moral uprightness, filial piety, and honesty into everyday interactions as constituting what most people realistically can and should strive for. When the Gentleperson is loved as both parent and progeny, as a dutiful and attentive spouse, as an honest and caring friend and sibling, and as a loyal subject to their ruler, they are practicing the essence of Wanmei and their environment will be in harmony.

### Warrior Path

**Alignment:** Lawful Neutral

**Domains:** War and Death

Though ultimately a sign of un-virtuous rulers and a disloyal populous, war is nonetheless an inevitability in our world. Though not necessarily leading to perfection of character, a warrior who adopts the Warrior Path is still accorded a deal of respect in their place as a preserver of the harmony that the virtuous paths are contingent upon. The follower of the Warrior Path feels joy not in mindless slaughter, but in the correct and skillful use of strategy and tactic, in the application of self-discipline on themselves and their actions, and in the bonds of loyalty they share between leader and led.

### Dog Path

**Alignment:** Lawful Evil

**Domains:** Trickery, Luck, and Tempest

The Dog Path is said to be followed by those brought up in the surroundings of upstanding followers of Wanmei who subsequently turned their back on it. Typically its “followers” are simply apostates towards whom the term is being levied as an insult. Nonetheless, there are some for whom the term’s original use fits: individuals who, for whatever their reasons may be, desire to deliberately perform their protest of the Wanmei ethics through their own actions. They exemplify this path by making practitioners of Wanmei and the rigid life structure to which they adhere seem foolish. The more so if they succeed by fortuitousness and serendipity rather than by superior virtue.