Directions -KOTE
North
Their color is black, and their number is 6. Vampires of the north are stereotypically viewed as cold, logical, just and heartless. They are often, though not always, attuned to Yin. North vampires are charged with maintaining the traditions of the Kuei-jin — and with passing sentence on individuals who transgress. North vampires act as the magistrates and judges of their kind, by investigating and arbitrating disputes; woe betide the mortal or shen who violates a north’s laws.
The wind that blows from the north is cold and bitter. It is sharp and stings deep on weakened flesh. Water turns to ice and the earth grows hard to avoid its kiss. Kuei-jin with northern direction are unwavering students of law and order. Impervious to emotions and able to withstand the weakness of spirit in others, but never to accept it, they thrive on adversity.
Strong headed or stubborn, the north does not accept defeat. Northern Kuei-jin set their goals high and attain them with honor and precision. One who spent most of his mortal life denying the structure of authority may find himself in the Second Breath being expected to not only support the laws, but to uphold them — even if he has yet to learn them all. The northern direction is straight and narrow, accepting no deviations from its purpose. It is steep and unforgiving and its child must be strong as well. But it is also lonely. The world fears the northern Kuei-jin. Secluded by their belief in tradition, Kuei-jin of the north direction see change as a threat. Honor is paramount. Justice is God. Laws are to be obeyed. Those who break them are to be punished. There must be order.
Kuei-jin of northern direction are expected to carry out the judicial duties of the court. From the lowly Steward of the Mist Serpent to the esteemed Minister of White Jade at Midnight, all north-aligned Kuei-jin must be impartial in their steadfast natures. Emotions cannot enter into their decisions, even when sentencing another Kuei-jin to the Final Death. To simply keep their emotions to themselves, behind austere and officious facades. They honor their courts with their resolve and have a deep and abiding love for stability and tradition. Failure is disgraceful and a Kuei-jin of the north never gives up; only by overcoming adversity can one strive for enlightenment. It is with the north that the elders of the courts place their trust.
The favored color of the north is black. Black is solid and stable, not casual. It is the sign of seriousness. A figure in black gains notice and respect. There is no joy in wearing it, nor pride. Black is the absence of all other color. As such, the robes of office always contain black. With their passion for law and their penchant for order, north-aligned vampires have little use for frivolity or garish color.
South
Their color is red, and their number is 7. Vampires of the south are the dynamos keeping the Wheel of Ages in motion. Ever changeable, never predictable, a vampire of the south often finds herself at odds with the more traditional members of her society. Although their fellows often consider them insufferable, south aspected Cathayans are tolerated for their formidable intellects and fighting prowess. They are the Kuei-jin’s creators — and destroyers. A “Firebird’s” temper often gets her into trouble, but just as often extracts her from it. From the southern realms comes warm air and promises of rebirth. There is also a price for the new un-life, though — as always, the old must give way to the new. Nature creates in its womb massive powers of Heaven and Earth. The ground must thaw for things to grow. Warm winds also bring rain and storms, thunder and lightning. The wind of the south is a tempest of creation, and the Kuei-jin of the south is no different. The air around her is warm and inviting, but also dangerous.
Kuei-jin of the south direction are comfortable with their new un-lives. They accept their existence, but recognize the need for change. They provide insights to the elders. They give advice on adversity. Easily bored and constantly searching for newer, more exciting activities, the south-oriented Kuei-jin breed excellence through conflict, by discarding the old ways to make room for newer, better paths. Although ambition is definitive to their character, they do not make good leaders; the constant demands of change and growth cast aside forms and structures of ruler-ship and hierarchy. South-aligned Kuei-jin are more likely to be in positions of change. Conquest is the nature of the southern wind — destroying that which has no purpose, ushering in the new ways — but these vampires are forever on the horizon, seeking new places to bring change. Mystery and excitement are the passion of vampires of the south direction. These vampires exult in the differences between people, places and ideologies, taking those elements that are pleasing and active, burying the detritus of useless matter. Conflict inevitably follows in the wake of such actions. Cutting loose the chaff of society, the southern winds bring uncomfortable but necessary chaos, so that new forms may rise.
Scarlet splashes color the southern wind. Blood is red. Fire’s embers glow red. Red is movement and the need to be in motion. Anger and passion are elements of southern winds, and lust and rage give rise to revolution. For this reason the southern directions adorn themselves with tokens of their commitment to motion; decorations and clothing prominently speak of flames that purify and renew.
Center
Their color is yellow, and their number is 5. The vampires at the center of the Great Wheel are, metaphorically speaking, the soul of their society. They explore their own nature, and also help others find a place in the great tapestry of the universe. Vampires of the center often assist in inducting new Kuei-jin into the larger society, through some withdraw altogether, preferring personal quests into the wilderness or the spirit worlds.
In the eye of the hurricane there is calm. The winds are quiet and there is an oasis that can soothe the tempests that swirl through the Middle Kingdom. All forces circle around the calm center and in that one place there is peace. Those who follow the center direction are the anchors to the society of the Kuei-jin. They are the ones who gather the wayward and bring them home, teaching and supporting those who are newly returned into unlife, supplying information and understanding to those whose demon threatens to destroy them. Center aspected Kuei-jin uphold the virtue of Balance. Respected and understood by all others, compassionate to the ways of other directions, they are the mothers and fathers to the children of darkness.
At the center there is also the greatest responsibility: holding tight to keep the others from flying apart. The pressures are strong and not without their price. Children of the center are expected not to have needs or desires for themselves. Their duty is for the good of the court. They must strive to maintain harmony. Sacrifice is not a question; it is an obligation. If the center loses its grip, all of Kuei-jin society would be rent asunder. As the Sun calls to the plants, or as gold catches the eye, the center child wears yellow as a beacon to the court around them. Warmth to those who are cold and light to those in darkness they wear their golden adornments as a symbol of what is required of them.
West
Their color is white, and their number is 9. Vampires of the west, so say the sages, maintain ties to the dead and the worlds beyond. Even other Kuei-jin find them bizarre and somewhat alien. It is the job of West aspected vampires to carry out the dictates of the mandarins, and they do so with merciless precision — but it is also their responsibility to interpret and carry out the spirits’ wishes in the Middle Kingdom. These Kuei-jin are often punishers or executioners, but they also serve as sorcerers and messengers.
Death is the world of the Kuei-jin. Of the directions, those of the west are closest to the dead. The spirits of those who have passed on whisper into the ears of the western child. Dancing with the dead clouds in their minds, they are feared by, and distant from, the other Kuei-jin. Although made separate by their own design or by the fears of the others, the western faces do not walk alone. The west wind constantly carries the voices of the spirits. Whatever the cause, the path of the West is mysterious. The sun sets in the west and it is there that the kingdom of the dead begins.
The west aspect often leads into rectifying wrongs. While the Kuei-jin of the north pass sentence and weigh justice, the west vampires are the executioners. They must listen to the voices of those who have not returned. They also guide the court to its destiny to fulfill the tasks that are required of them by the dead. Memories and broken promises are presented to these Kuei-jin, which they relay to the court. By learning from the wisdom of the ancient dead, the Kuei-jin of the west exercise restraint and terror in equal measure. White is the favored color of the west because it symbolizes the spirit. Clear and clean of guilt and impurities, white is as innocent as only those newly born can be. Often the western child wears robes of white or a simple white scarf. Additionally, white is the color of mourning in many Asian countries — no coincidence; the Kuei-jin of the western direction do not hesitate to show the ties between white color and spirituality.
East
Their color is blue, and their number is 8. Vampires aspected to the east are the “harvesters” — the farmer caste of the Kuei-jin. It is their responsibility to move among the mortal herds by night, ensuring that all is harmonious. Of all vampires, ones of the east tend to be most comfortable with their former species and most capable of guiding — or manipulating — mortals “for their own good.” They are also the Kuei-jin most likely to try to return to their old lives — typically with tragic results. The sun rises in the east, signifying the beginning of the new day. A new life and a rebirth comes with each rise of the sun. The Kuei-jin of the east are, thus, anchored to the world of the living and to the powers of creation. Of all the hungry dead, they are the most comfortable with mortals. Many Kuei-jin of the eastern direction continue to live among mortals, guiding and watching over them. The vibrant Chi of the living is to be treasured and guarded; the Kuei-jin of the east live in the midst of the ebb and flow of life, taking what they will and feeling again the sensations lost with their heartbeats.
Mingling among mortals, a Kuei-jin forms attachments. They may be descendants, lineage or a loved one left behind. Some form relationships that remind them of their mortal passions and while others merely consider the living as pets or playthings. But it remains constant that they remain close to those who are able to walk in the light. The eastern aspect draws its followers back to the flame of life like moths. Of course, tragedy often follows in this wake; the Demon makes sure that the Kuei-jin fights and kills the beloved. Still, this doesn’t stop many Cathayans from trying to recapture the lives they once lived, if only vicariously. The role of the eastern Kuei-jin is to walk among the mortals. They gather and guide them. Unlike the Cainite of the West, the Kuei-jin do not follow the rules of the Masquerade for fear of destruction. It suits their nature to be unknown to the mortals, all the easier to dwell among them. These Kuei-jin are the shepherds that watch over the sheep. Of their fellow Kuei-jin, those of the eastern direction often have the most compassion and the most humane demeanor.
The favored color of the east is blue. Memory of the world denied to them in this new existence, blue is symbolic of the sunlight sky. Both water and sky, the essences of freedom, have always been presented by the color blue.
