View source for Celestial (Greyhawk Action)

{{greyhawk action}}{{tocright}}{{wip}}
<!-- Content-->
Celestials are a race of humans living to the east of the Dry Steppes and only connected to the Flanaess by tenuous caravan routes.

== Attributes and Schticks ==
'''Body:''' 5-10 <br>
'''Mind:''' 5-10 <br>
'''Reflexes:''' 5-10  <br>
'''Move:''' 5
{{:Endurance Hunter (Action)}}
{{:Hybrid Race (Action)}}
{{ : Obsession (Action) | Obsession}}
{{:Throwback (Action)}}

== Description ==
''Fantasy Chinese''.
The Celestial Empire, home to the Celestial race of humans, lies to the west of the Dry Steppes and was only connected to the Flanaess by tenuous caravan routes.
This changed with the opening of sea routes across the Pearl Sea, and today a small trickle of people and goods pass between the Celestial Empire and the central Flaness.

=== Appearance ===
Shorter than the average Oerdian or Suel and commonly with an epicanthic fold, dark brown eyes, and tan skin.
Because of the emphasis on the color yellow in the Celestial Empire, Celestials are often said to have yellow skin, which is an exaggeration but also a compliment as yellow is the imperial color.

=== Role ===
Celestial people are very industrious and devoted to learning and skill. Any task worth doing is worth doing well.
The Celestial Empire is a merciless meritocracy, where those that fail are left in positions of little power and esteem.
There are numerous esoteric schools that teach all manner of odd skills and power, and these schools are fiercely competitive. This makes it hard, but far from impossible, to learn the secrets of several schools, so Celestials tend to stick to the teachings and groups they have been brought up in.

=== Politics ===
The Celestial Empire was at one time directly governed by [[Angels_(Action_Creatures)|Angels]], who rebelled against the previous Dragon Empire in the same spot. 
Every year, people who display the traits of [[Angels_(Action_Creatures)|Angels]] are rounded up and put into schools to teach them Celestial classics and ethos. The best of these students become mandarins, the ruling class, and make up the highest ranks of the bureaucracy of the Celestial Empire.  

Many of these children never display supernatural traits, or display traits of an unwanted nature. Unless their parents have influence enough to gain their child back, such children are made into eunuchs and, together with officials punished for their failure, make up a second power block within the bureaucracy, often acting directly under the emperor or a governor or king. 

But there are also other bloodlines that are considered prestigious, mostly that of the Dragons that ruled in the past. Members of this bloodline often become military men and mages, and make up both the greatest heroes and villains of celestial history.
The respect for learning makes celestial revere elders, and those in power are often elderly or under the influence of older advisors.

=== Integration ===
Somewhat judgmental of the perceived inferiority of other races, individual Celestials who travel in foreign lands often stay a bit aloof. This is especially true if they are of a special bloodline.
Celestials in any number tend to form their own communities, which can become ghettos. 
Still, the industriousness and forthrightness of Celestials make them popular and liked among other peoples.

=== Family ===
The family patterns among Celestials vary by social class.
Celestials that display gifted bloodlines are heavily courted, and can have their pick of mates, with rich men keeping a harem.
Ordinary Celestial live in monogamous families, often under the thumb of the groom's parents and especially the mother-in-law. 

=== Vices ===
Celestials have a very pragmatic view of vice.
To a rich celestial without responsibilities, basically anything is permitted.
What trouble Celestials is not vice per se, but when indulging in vices makes a person neglect other responsibilities.
Considering how hard-working Celestials are, when they do take a break from work, it is no great surprise that they party hard when they finally do take a break. 

==== Power Use ====
The major traditions are alchemy, daoism, kung fu, and Wuxia, but the many schools of the Celestial Empire insure that there are many and varied users of power. Almost every school has some relation to the three great traditions, but this relationship can be negative or even hostile.

'''Celestial alchemy
, also known as Celestial medicine, is ultimately a way to personal perfection and eternal life. Acupuncture, herbalism, meditation, astrology, and geomancy are common methods employed. The most learned and most prestigious of the major traditions, alchemy is related to [[Magic_(Action_Powers_Form)|Magic]] and the mandarin chass.

'''Daoism
or folk medicine is a tradition deeply rooted in tradition and belief in gods and spirits. Often envisioned as a path, daoist seeks a balance between conflicting forces. By knowing ones place in the universe, a daoist can spread this balance and lead the word to perfection. Associated with the emperor and the eunuch caste and the [[Spiritual_(Action_Powers_Form)|Spiritual]] form.

''' Kung Fu
is the most common of Celestial magic traditions. 
Kung fu uses intense practice of both martial and civic skills to bring out the inner power of students in the control of [[Chi_(Action_Powers_Form)|Chi]].

''' Wuxia
Numerous supernatural creatures have left their mark on the Celestial people, and when put under stress, some of them display fantastic powers. These Wuxia, or "flying people" use [[Gifts_(Action_Powers_Form)|Gifts]] to become great heroes or villains, often in opposition to the other traditions. 

== Pantheon ==
While numerous gods and spirits are honored as a part of Daoism, few gods are universally honored in the great realm.  Daoism puts an emphasis on living in harmony with the entire spiritual world, not with individual deities.