Sects
Schools and factions that shape the Jianghu.
Shaolin
Temple of martial scripture and the Divine Staff. Male disciples only—monks and lay practitioners—walking one of three paths: Monk, War, or Common.
Wudang
Sacred Taoist mountain, equal to Shaolin. Sword and brush paths born of Zhang Sanfeng—internal force and swift combat.
Beggar Sect
Largest and most famous sect in the Jianghu. Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms, Dog-Beating Cane—fist and cane paths; righteousness and solidarity.
Emei
Mount Emei, founded by Righteous Palm. Balance of Shaolin and Wudang—sword branch heals and supports, zither branch strikes with mantra and melody.
Tang Clan
Tang Manor in Sichuan—generations of craft. Secret weapons, firearms, gunpowder. Neutral; they keep to their own world.
Yang Family
Ancestral home near Bianjing, legacy of Yang Ye. Spear and bow on horseback—border guards of the Great Song against the Liao.
Five Poisons
Miao borderlands, Golden Poison Emperor. Two branches: parasites and poison creatures, or corpse-raising Wickman—attack and control.
Chui Yan
Founded by dancing women in the Tang. Female disciples only—dance arts only. Exiled to the west; few friends, many admirers.
Ming Sect
Persian-born faith of light. Branded demon sect by the court—in truth they seek to save the world. Saber path, fire that never goes out.