Ancestors

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[Clans (Male-Based, Ancestor Beasts)

• Men join Clans by surviving the dangerous Touch of an Ancestor Beast, which grants the first Awakening.
• Clans vary by Beast, granting offensive and physically dominant abilities based on their lineage (e.g., Primate = strength, Bat = flight).
• The number of marked members, success in battle, territorial prosperity, and offspring strengthen the Beast.
• Clans can be:
  • Dark – Expand by conquest and killing rivals
  • Light – Grow through expansion and prosperity
• Tournaments are public competitions used to showcase power, abilities, brotherhood, and recruit new members.
• Once marked by a Clan, allegiance is permanent.]

[Gardens (Female-Based, Ancestor Roots)

• Women join Gardens, spiritual sisterhoods tied to Ancestor Roots that grant plant-based abilities emphasizing healing, growth, defense, beauty, and construction.
• Joining is safe but exclusive: only women selected by existing Garden members may undergo Awakening.
• Garden power strengthens by growing and cultivating plants related to their Ancestor Root, not through violence or conquest.
• Each Garden values different qualities (discipline, intuition, artistry), and hosts elegant Gatherings called garden parties to evaluate potential initiates.
• Once marked by a Garden, allegiance is permanent.]

[Foundations of the World

• Spiritual Power is the cornerstone of human potential. It comes through bonding with ancient entities — either animalistic Ancestor Beasts (for men) or botanical Ancestor Roots (for women).
• Spirit Levels measure an individual’s awakening and growth:
  • Bronze – Enhanced physicality, no special abilities
  • Silver – Emergence of beginner abilities
  • Gold – Major powers manifest, along with beast/plant traits
  • Platinum – Rare pinnacle; deep communion with the Beast or Root]

[An Ancestor Beast draws its strength from the vitality of its clan. The stronger a clan is, the stronger its ancestor beast is. The more powerful an ancestor beast is will allow it to help its clan more through awakenings, guidance, and spirit energy.

An Ancestor Beast’s power is directly tied to three core sources:

• Membership: The more individuals who join and are marked by the Beast, the stronger it becomes. Each new soul adds weight to its presence.
• Territorial Prosperity: Flourishing, well-governed territory nourishes the Beast’s essence. When the clan brings growth, stability, and development to its lands, the Beast thrives.
• Lineage: When marked members have children, those children are born with the clan’s mark already upon them — a spiritual inheritance that deepens the Beast’s roots. These blood-born heirs are seen as sacred bonds, living proof of the clan’s enduring future.

But the balance is fragile. An Ancestor Beast grows weaker when its lands fall into ruin or conflict, or when its marked followers die. Grief, loss, and decline take a toll not just on the clan, but on the Beast itself.

So long as even one marked member remains, an Ancestor Beast cannot truly die. But if the last follower falls, the Beast doesn’t vanish — it becomes something lesser: a fading spirit, vulnerable to being consumed by stronger Ancestor Beasts. In such rare and brutal cases, fragments of its essence may be absorbed, lost, or reshaped entirely by its conqueror.]

[While many clans manage to coexist peacefully, tension is never far beneath the surface. Conflicts often emerge when multiple clans vie for control of the same territory or compete to attract new members. Expansion isn’t just about land — it’s about influence, visibility, and survival.

To showcase their strength and unity, clans frequently host public tournaments. These competitions serve as both spectacle and strategy: a chance to demonstrate their members’ abilities, discipline, and brotherhood in front of unaligned onlookers. For common folk, such events are a rare glimpse into the power of Awakening. For the clans, they’re a high-stakes performance — a chance to win prestige, recruit new members, or settle rivalries without war.]

[Technologically, this world is in a transitional era. Electricity exists, but only in its most basic forms such as lightbulbs, radios, and public telephone boxes. There are no computers, cellphones, televisions, or advanced digital systems. People have not yet learned to fly; airplanes don’t exist. Instead, travel across regions and clan territories is handled by steam-powered trains. Guns do not exist. The most common arms are cold weapons such as swords, daggers, polearms, staffs, and other melee instruments, many inspired by martial arts traditions. Martial artists are trained not only in combat, but in discipline, morality, and even how to navigate romantic relationships. Clans are brotherhoods, Gardens are Sisterhoods. Both strive to make indivuals powerful while giving them a second family, teaching them how to navigate the world, and progress.]

[While most Clans cultivate strength and numbers, Gardens pursue harmony, legacy, and intention. Their power — drawn from nurturing their Ancestor Root — grows steadily and abundantly as long as their sacred plants flourish. Because of this natural ease of growth, Gardens are far more selective about who they allow into their ranks.

Unlike Clans, which often encourage many men to attempt the Rite (despite the high mortality rate of the first Awakening), Gardens are cautious and deliberate. They don’t need large numbers — they need the right women. Leadership may judge a potential member not only by skill or spirit sensitivity, but by mindset, temperament, or alignment with the Root's values. Some Gardens value discipline and composure; others seek curiosity, tenderness, or resilience.

If a woman is accepted into a Garden, she will undergo her first Awakening — but unlike the Clans’ dangerous Touch, this transformation is never fatal. The Ancestor Root bonds gently, encouraging the spirit to bloom rather than endure a violent test. The woman always survives. Her growth is seen as something cultivated, not conquered.

In short:

• Clans are open to many, but the price of entry is survival. Men who attempt the Touch risk death but may be welcomed freely if they’re willing.
• Gardens are closed to most, but the path is relatively safe. Women cannot join without strict approval, but if accepted, they always survive their first Awakening.]

[Dynasties

• When a Clan and a Garden formally unite, they form a Dynasty.
• Their Beast and Root merge into a single spirit, allowing men to use Garden abilities and women to wield Clan powers.
• Dynasties are the ultimate spiritual alliance — powerful, permanent, and indivisible.]

[Oak Garden Ancestor Root: Oak Root Territory: Deep forests, sun-dappled groves, and ancient valleys rich with soil and spirit Base: The Grovehold, a sanctuary grown into and around the world’s oldest living oak — equal parts shrine, archive, and shield

The Oak Garden is the embodiment of endurance, memory, and stability. Its members do not seek battle, but they are the first to stand when protection is needed. They are healers, builders, and patient sentinels — women who speak less often, but shape the future when they do.

Garden Abilities:

• Living Bastion – Can grow towering walls, domes, or sanctuaries from the earth and oakseed to protect others or create healing spaces
• Barkskin – Toughens the user’s body with bark-like plating for defense; visually striking but primarily reactive, not combative
• Memoryroot – Stores moments, feelings, or wisdom inside sacred acorns; these can be replanted to pass knowledge or emotionally stabilize allies
• Rootbound Zone – Temporarily anchors an area in calming energy, reducing aggression, increasing focus, and slowing invaders
• Verdant Mending – can regrow tissue, muscle, and bone enough to heal major wounds or replace lost limbs by drawing nutrients from the soil and surrounding plant life]

[Reptile Clan Territory: Swamplands, riverbanks, and humid wetlands Base: A partially submerged stronghold of stone, moss, and sunken archways — built to cool the blood and hide in plain sight.

They tend to be harsh in personality, with strong convictions and a willingness to be cruel even to allies. They don't demand physical strength, the demand strength of will and the ability to endure pain or adversity without losing conviction. They dont care if a person is smart, crazy, big, or small as long as they are resilient like their will is armored with scales.

Their Ancestor Beast grants them traits drawn from snakes, lizards, and crocodilians.

When reptile clan members reach the gold spirit level, they present traits that come out only when using their spirit energy such as forked tongues, sharp teeth, claws, or some level of scales. They may develop all of these traits or just a few. The most common trait that often become permanently visible is scales.

Clan Abilities:

• Retractable claws, bone-hard and razor-sharp
• Temporary scale armor that hardens under threat
• Natural immunity to most venoms and poisons
• Venom spit with blinding or paralyzing effects
• Skin-based camouflage that blends perfectly with surroundings
• Transformative jaws resembling a crocodile's, capable of bone-crushing force

Deadly reptiles sych as constrictors, monitors, or vipers are raised as pets.]

[Monkey Clan Territory: Dense forests and tangled highlands Base: Suspended villages woven through towering canopies, joined by bridges, ropeways, and living wood

Bodies: They often have slim toned bodies perfect for flexibility and agile movement, but some develop stronger builds similar to powerful apes.

They tend to be free spirited, risk takers with brave hearts. They range from playful and endearing to bold and cocky. They value freedom and strength to stand out. They don't require their members be perfect, in fact they encourage individuality. However, they teach that everyone is unique but should use their individual strengths to help each other grow stronger.

When Monkey clan members reach the gold spirit level, they present monkey traits that come out only when using their spirit energy such as prehensile tails, and fur. Some may develop Monkey feet that can function as a second set of hands and remain permanently changed regardless of the use of spirit energy. They may develop all of these traits or just a few. The most common being a tail.

Clan Abilities:

• Iron grip capable of bending metal or crushing stone
• Brute strength that rivals beasts many times their size
• Enhanced reflexes, often beyond human perception
• Rapid healing and accelerated recovery from wounds
• Near-perfect balance, even on narrow or swaying surfaces
• Monumental leaping ability that allows rooftop-to-rooftop travel

They raise monkeys as companions, pets.

[Rose Garden Ancestor Root: Rose Root Territory: Walled courtyards, ornamental hedges, and cultivated terraces often nestled within or near populated settlements Base: A sprawling sanctuary known as The Thorn Enclave, known for its perfumed air, living archways, and strict inner circles

The Rose Garden blends beauty with brutal precision. Their members are elegant, disciplined, and politically sharp — admired in courts and feared in conflict. Their power stems from contrast: the delicate bloom paired with the hidden thorn. Among all Gardens, they’re often considered the most hierarchical and selective.

Garden Abilities:

• Thorn projection: can sprout and launch sharp, bloodletting thorns from skin
• Vine entrapment: summons vines that can be manipulated from a distance to build, bind or lash
• Aromatic manipulation: uses floral scents to influence or disorient
• Petal cloak: manifests a swirling barrier of petals for defense or evasion
• Floral regeneration: heals wounds by blooming small roses across injured skin that mend and close tissue]

[Bat Clan Territory: Cavernous ranges, cliffside dwellings, and deep hollows where sunlight is scarce Base: A vast cathedral of caves, echoing with whispers, hung with shrines and silent sentinels

Bodies: They tend to have tall bodies with long limbs. Often their wings make them imposing or intimidating figures.

They value nuance and intelligent action. They believe a decision between mercy and cruelty should come down to what is just and what is wise. They don't encourage senseless violence but they don't encourage blind charity. They seek to be good, and wise, but are not afraid to take action if necessary. Of course upholding perfect principles isn't easy, so some members may have egos, be more violent, be more charitable, or be more charismatic. They have ideals the strive for, but they aren't perfect. What matters most to them is trying to be just and wise when possible.

When Bat clan members reach the gold spirit level, they often present traits that come out only when using their spirit energy such as large bat ears and fangs. They also develop large powerful leathery wings that fold against their back when not in use but are always visible regardless of whether they use spirit energy. Their skin may also become dark, reaching either a blood-red color, black, or gray tones. They may develop all of these traits or just a few. The most common development being wings.

Clan Abilities:

• Echolocation that paints the world without sight
• Functional flight for those who develop wings
• Blood drain — a technique that transfers energy or stamina through by drinking another person's warm blood
• Sonic screech capable of staggering or disabling enemies in a focused cone
• Dangerous claws for climbing and slashing in close quarters

Most members form bonds with single bats — scouts, companions, familiars. Masters, however, can call forth entire swarms, forming living clouds of wings and eyes, able to scout, protect, or swarm in coordinated attack.]

[Blossom Garden Ancestor Root: Blossom Root Territory: Coastal hills, open plains, or high mountain plateaus — anywhere the wind can scatter seed and bloom Base: Petalspire, a tiered settlement of hanging gardens, wind towers, and floating flora suspended by spiritual currents

The Blossom Garden is light-footed, expressive, and highly adaptive. Members are known for fluid movement, emotional honesty, and dreamlike techniques. They prize spontaneity, artistic self-expression, and spiritual honesty whether it leads to simplicity or madness, authenticity is key.

Garden Abilities:

• Petalstep: allows momentary weightlessness or midair redirection like drifting blossoms
• Bloomflash: causes leaves or petals to suddenly burst with beautiful color and light like confetti or fireworks
• Spore empathy: emits soothing pollen that can calm aggression or heighten rage
• Floral replication: can create temporary life-like clones made of flower petals, useful as distractions or decoys]