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Active Members:
Shizun: None
Hin: None
Chin-mei: None
Rank Unknown: None

Inactive Members:

The Spirit of the Living Earth holds that creation itself is a spiritual entity compromised of various other smaller spirits that exist everywhere around in the Material World within their own realms. The material world itself is a vaporous illusion, one that parts to reveal the true power of spirit beyond. Only by propitiating these spirits can one expect their aid and compliance, and eventually, enlightenment and salvation by turning into a spirit themselves. Yin and Yang drawn together from the basis of all energy and all life, and so the Veils use these energies to develop their spirituality in hopes of moving beyond the pathetic thiefly existence of the Kuei-jin.

Culturally, the Cerulean Veil draws on shintoistic and various animistic traditions. Introspective and insightful, the Cerulean Veils hold that all actions have consequences within the realms of spirit and that each deed can insult or please a certain kind of spirit. Each action has a proper form and every of the myriads of rules the spirits adhere to has a reason. For that reason, they seem odd to the ceremonial court of the Quincunx, their words and actions dictated by the strange inhabitants of the Mirror Lands. Among mortals, the Cerulean Veils are careful and dignified. They do not indulge in food, drink or sex; indeed, as most mortals lack the capacity to deal with spirits at all, most Veils consider them transitory and of limited importance. Only when the spirits direct do the Veils break from their ordered routine to interact with the evanescent world. Since each soul is unique, reason the Veils, every individuals must have a similarly unique road to enlightenment. Thus, each Cerulean Veil discovers the proper way to expand her own spirit, whether alike or different from her mentor’s.

The Spirit of the Living Earth has been labelled heretic because they have no qualms about trafficking with demons and other tainted spirits- as they are still spirits. The Cerulean Veils believe that, as any spirit can be coerced, charmed or forced to do what a practitioner wants, if the right preparations are taken, they can command Yomi Wan's servants without being harmed. Their anachronistic ways and disdain of the pompous Courts of the Kuei-jin do the rest and most Cerulean Veils have been declared Akuma by the Ancestors.

Training
Elaborate ritual and ceremony accompanies induction into this Dharma. Each initiate undergoes a special rebirth before taking on the smallest of duties. Daily chants, mantras and purifications must be learned, and executed with precision. As a result, there are few Kuei-jin out there that actually practice the Dharma - the complex forms that please the spirits are taxing to learn and execute. Many of the rituals involve trips into the Yin and Yang worlds for direct audiences with their patrons.

Weakness
Steeped in tradition and bound to rituals and prayers for seemingly trivial occurrences, the path of the Spirit of the Living Earth is difficult and easy to fall from, as the Veils are often severely limited about what they can and can’t do. If they dare to neglect the rituals, the wrath of their spirit patrons can be assured. Furthermore, by studying the habits of a particular Veil, it is often possible to see how the particular Kuei-jin conducts her unlife, and to find a means of using or destroying it.

Omens and Symbols
This lists the most important symbols and omens of the Dharma that are sometimes integrated into their homes and temples. Bodhisattvas frequently manifest such signs whenever they appear. The symbols are: Shrines and statuettes, tea ceremonies, torii arches, sacred groves and ponds, parades

Affiliations
The elements connected to the Way. Most followers style their dress, behavior and practices after the elements they revere, and they employ samples of these materials in their meditations and rites. The affiliations of the Spirit of the Living Earth are as follows: the Mirror Lands, the colour blue and the west direction.

Tenets
Each Way has eight tenets to guide its lessons and philosophy. To pursue one's purpose, one must follow these precepts as closely as possible. The tenets of the Veils are:

1. Obey the will of the spirits
2. Perform the proper ceremonies to remain pure
3. Shun the defiled
4. Thread across the Earth to absorb its full glory
5. Pass wisdom to others freely
6. Help others to surpass the shortcomings of the flesh
7. Renew your thanks and commitment to enlightenment each day
8. Observe your taboos rigidly, that you may overcome your curse

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Active Members:
Shizun: Shén Guāng
Hin: Xin Yan
Chin-mei: None
Rank Unknown: None

Inactive Members:

The history of this Dharma is actually divided into the much older Indian tradition of the Celestial Tribe, and the heretic visions of the mad poet O. According to both Dharmas, twin souls are more than cleaved demons. Instead, the Hun and the P'o are remembrances of a divine state once achieved. Cast back into human form for a lifetime, the Godlings return from death as blessed immortals, gifted with superlative powers but also with infinite desire. To return to the godhead, one must find the seat of divine power—and this means mediating between the lusts of divine passion and the awareness of incipient omnipotence. Calling upon the universal energies of Yin and Yang, the Godlings shape the universe around themselves, seeking to hone their forms back into the sublime. Both expressions of this Dharma are classified as heresies by the Quincunx and hunted without mercy.

The Celestial Tribe
The Celestial Tribe is far older than the Quincunx, and may even predate the mortal birth of the Grand Arhat Xue—that is, if you believe what these heretics say. Those that side with orthodox teachings often scoff at the latter idea (though they grudgingly admit the heresy existed before the formation of the Five August Courts). The Godlings of India tell a story of Sita, who was exiled by her husband, the solar prince Rama, for rumored perfidy. Despite her innocence, Sita accepted her husband's orders and lived as a hermit for a long time. Each night, she prayed to the gods and eventually, the god Narayan answered her. Asking what he could do to ease her suffering, she asked that her children should become beloved by the gods. In time, Sita's children became a mighty brood and built palaces for her mother. The gods, however, came to see these new beings as a threat to their rule and asked Yama to kill them. But Death wasn't able to locate Sita and her children didn't stay dead, reanimated by their own virtue throughout the shackles of reincarnation. When the first of the Indian Wan Kuei, Shiva-Ohm, became aware of his state as a child of Sita and assembled others like him to avenge his mother and make Heaven see the error of letting Sita suffer by storming it and retaking their rightful place as denied gods, the current practices of the Tribe were formed.

The Celestial Tribe is - in its core structures – very similar to the authorities of the Quincunx. They crave validation from other Dharmas, despite seeing them as pretenders and fools, and before the political upheavals from the Week of Nightmares, a tenuous treaty with the Infinite Thunders Court existed against the Ravnos rakshasas that struggled against the Cathayans. The lack of bodhisattvas within the tribe, however, leads to the unfortunate situation that the Tribe is not taken seriously by other Dharmas that follow the Fivefold Way. The Divine Faces themselves, irritated that these newcomers should dictate their behaviour when they are oblivious to their true nature, are trying to find a way to produce a bodhisattva or similar enlightened spokesman, but, as they tell that the most powerful members of the tribe, like Shiva-Ohm, seclude themselves before their ascension to divinity, no reliable way exists within their structures to actually achieve this state of enlightenment. This has resulted in much discontent among followers of the Dharma, and experimentation on how to reach this state of enlightenment has undergone some dangerous vacillations, with some Kuei-jin trying to mimic the Kin-jin practice of Diablerie.

The Celestial Tribe also has no real eschatology comparable to the Quincunx within the Final Nights. Granted, the Eye of Demon Emperor is surely a bad omen, but not a sign of the end of the world. Nevertheless, the supernatural situation on the subcontinent is stressed and many cults of Godlings take more apocalyptic undertones to draw more followers.

The Celestial Nail
The other variant of this Dharma originates in the writings of O, a mad poet who had great insights into the spirit worlds. In his work, the Celestial Nail, O alleged that the true nature of the Wan Kuei was that of imprisoned gods and that all the trappings of their heaven-mandates society served only the purpose of distracting them from their divine nature.

The followers of the Celestial Nail are more often than not selfish creatures that hunger for attention and admiration. The arts of Prayer-Eating grant them this satisfaction and more than a few have become dangerously close to be coerced by the Yama Kings to join them fully.

Training
Indoctrination of a new follower of the Dharma comes when an existing Godling takes it upon himself to reveal the truth of divinity to another. The Divine Faces favor philosophical and occult knowledge, mastering the energies of their transient bodies. Courtly graces and etiquette are also taught, as the Godlings must properly attend to their mortal followers.

Weakness
Arrogance and whimsy mark the Godlings. Convinced of their superlative destiny, they find the notion of living as cursed beings repugnant. Followers of other Dharmas are seen as deluded mystics who miss the opportunity for true greatness, so no small amount of friction results. When a Divine Face feels generous, bounty flows from his hands; when enraged, though, his godly wrath tumbles down ally and enemy alike. For this reason, few trust or willingly associate with the followers of this Dharma. Other Kuei-jin even secretly fear that the Godlings may be right.

Auspicious Omens and Symbols
This lists the most important symbols and omens of the Dharma that are sometimes integrated into their homes and temples. The symbols are: Temple ceremonies, stands of burning incense and candles, shooting stars.

Affiliations
The Heavenly realms, the color violet, and the south direction.

The Tenets
Develop your divine nature
Expand both godly and demonic consciousness
Accept the venerations of mortals, but answer their prayers in return
Harness Chi to bring back divinity to your divine form.
Act according to the tenets of your Godly Voice, and your Godly Desires shall be fulfilled.
Visit the Heavens to remember what you have lost.
Practice ritual and tradition to empower your own essence
Commune with the spirits; learn of their messages from Heaven

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Active Members:
Shizun: Akari
Hin: None
Chin-mei: None
Rank Unknown: None

Inactive Members:

The followers of the Rising Phoenix trace themselves back to Kataragama, an Indian Kuei-jin who aided in the defeat of the Yama King Ravana. Kataragama had rejected the five orthodox Dharmas of the Kuei-jin, instead choosing to return to his mortal family, aiding them in their turmoil and protecting them from harm. They see the Second Breath as a continuation of their previous existence, no more new than the passage from childhood to adulthood or adulthood to old age. Although they see and experience things most people will never understand, like the great change in body and spirit, they essentially remain the same individual. The typical Rising Phoenix is, for a time, a bastion of hope and compassion; driven to regain mortality, they revel in the feelings and senses of their once-living days. The Flame of the Rising Phoenix believes humanity is the source of all wisdom and Heaven's crowning achievement. Kuei-jin should welcome human virtues and qualities, which is why Phoenixes return to their mortal lives. Their friends and families help them maintain a connection with their own humanity, although the danger of Shadow soul and the urgings of the P'o often lead to tragic endings.

The Flame of the Rising Phoenix is deemed heretic by the Quincunx because of their rejection of the Heavenly Mandate. Instead of believing they have returned to serve Heaven under a new purpose, the Phoenixes instead propagate that their return is the result of karmic imbalance. It is a second chance to redeem oneself and set the karmic scales right. They see the August courts as prideful and vain, denying their human origins and instead claiming the heritage of long-forgotten half-gods, forsaking those they should protect in the process. Before the rise of the Red Star, the Quincunx had decided that they would live and let live within the Infinite Thunder Courts, as long as they would combat the Kin-jin, but now, as the Demon Emperor seems to ascend, the Ancestors lash out against every potential Akuma before he turns down to Soul commerce.

Training
Rising Phoenixes don’t have a typical training regimen, probably due to the lack of true bodhisattvas on this path. Most develop their insight and mysticism, in order to get in touch with their needs and drives and find out where they went front in life. Ancestor veneration is common as well, as the Rising Phoenixes seek wisdom from old relatives.

Weakness
Few Kuei-jin ever achieve great age or status while following this Dharmic path, vanishing without any trace. Because of this, they lack Bodhisattvas, who could represent them before the more ancient members of the August Courts. Their second lives are also marked with tragedy, as the hunger, the constant whisperings of the P'o and their own Chi imbalance more than often destroys what they cherish, leaving them more alone than ever before.

Symbols and Omens
This lists the most important symbols and omens of the Dharma that are sometimes integrated into their homes and temples. The symbols are: Birds of paradise, clear skies, celebrations of birth, spinning tops and kites

Affiliations
Mankind, the colour gold and the east direction

Tenets
The tenets of the Phoenixes are:

1. Return to the world from which you came
2. Repay your debts of your human life
3. Help others find the unique value of Humanity
4. Fight the demon and deny monstrosity
5. Live not with extremes or balance, but simply well
6. Wake the sleeper who shuns experience.
7. Never deny the joys and sorrows of the living.
8. Return to your mortal ways and seek your human state

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Active Members:
Shizun: Feiyu
Hin: None
Chin-mei: None
Rank Unknown: None

Inactive Members:

Knowing the painful tearing of the conflicting natures of their kind all too well, the Seekers search for the calm in the center of the chaos within them. They crystallize enlightenment through the principles of negation. Every carefully placed element becomes part of a circle; the circle holds all of creation. No one truth leads to enlightenment; illumination throws shadows that bring understanding. By watching the synergy of opposing forces, the Tempests learn what lies outside of those forces. Yin flows into Yang and twin souls war, but in the spaces between them, the Tempests find solace within the Tao, the all-encompassing centre. According to Dharmic doctrine, this truth was discovered by Chuang-tzu, a disciple of Lao-tzu who became a Kuei-jin and managed to overcome the fabrications of the five August Courts.

This isn't to say that Tempests are dilettantes without dedication. Spirits and men are opposite sides of the same world. Shadow and wind compete for dominance, but both teach important lessons. Instead of focusing on any of the elemental powers of the Kuei-jin, Seekers turn their attentions to arts that move mind and soul. Finding the center point from which all of creation is visible certainly taxes endurance. Anyone who brings a new perspective or an opposing philosophy, whether human, spirit, or vampire, may be an instructor. Indeed, Tempests strive to master many arts at once, since only the highest excellence brings full knowledge. However, a practitioner of the Inward Focus always moves deliberately, seeking to internalize every component of study completely (along with its complements and opposites) before moving on. Thus, the Seekers manifest skill and knowledge in many fields and endeavors, but only the true ancient ever become adept.

The Seekers are deemed heretics because they regard the hells, the Yama Kings and the Wheel of Ages as illusions to overcome, as pieces cloaking the Tao that they will eventually transcend when they achieve oneness with the Tao. As a result, the Seekers do not share the feelings of superiority the Asian cultures allegedly possess, as many Kuei-jin Ancestors (and Bodhisattvas) believe. The seekers reckognize the growing spiritual problems, but believe them to be part of a self-fulfilling prophecy of the Quincunx, not the result of a natural cycle. If the Quincunx believe in the inevitability of a Sixth Age, it will inevitably come to pass. Their persecution by the August Courts has embittered many Tempests who have begun to fight back, sometimes turning to the Yama Kings for gaining the means to wage their battles, consolidating the picture of the heretic many Kuei-jin have in mind when they think of the Dharmas not part of the August Courts.

Divisions and Sects
The Tempests are divided into two interpretations.

The Danh Tú are the older interpretation, who originate in the Scarlet Phoenix Court of the Fourth Age. They are more scholary, shunning violence except as a last resort. Instead, they choose to educate others about their beliefs and show them the error of the illusions they live.

The Aks (Urdu for Hate), in contrast, are Tempests that have decided to no longer be persecuted and fight back. They are warrior-monks at best and marauding bandits at worst. Open to foreigners, many have dalliances with the Kin-jin, adding further weight to the accusations of being akuma.

Training
Moderation is the watchword of the Tempests: Tightly bound and controlled, they indulge in all experiences, but drink deeply of none. Some outsiders consider such dalliances shallow, but the Seekers know that any excess leads eventually to weakness and, thence, to corruption, as exemplified by the fall of the Wan Xian due to their lust for Chi. Yin and Yang Chi are tried to be balanced against each other, with meditation and physical exertion alike.

Weakness
While this moderation serves its purpose, the Seekers often find themselves indecisive or wanting in conviction. Instead of embracing change and extremes, the Tempests fight for stability and tranquility -- but at the cost of true inspiration. This lack of dynamism is one of the main reasons Tempests seem to be primitive and behind others, because they choose to not get involved. Playing off opposing energies prevents mastery of any one force. Without focus and drive, the Seekers won't evolve.

Omens and Symbols
This lists the most important symbols and omens of the Dharma that are sometimes integrated into their homes and temples. Bodhisattvas frequently manifest such signs whenever they appear. The symbols are: Cyclones, mandalas, spiral helixes, exploding fireworks, ripples in water

Affiliations
The material world, the color gray, and the center point direction.

Tenets
The tenets of the Seekers are:

1. Pull all things near and make them part of yourself
2. Balance the needs and desires on all poles, that they may strive against each other.
3. Never stray from the core of your nature
4. Realize the potential to learn from all people
5. Remember the lessons of the past; apply them to the future
6. Be consistent in your rewards and punishments
7. Teach others the virtues of peace and moderation
8. Bring harmony to the spirit worlds through balancing the living realms