Jiao-Kong
"Life often poses many great questions, the only one you need to answer is the one about yourself" - Sun Wukong
Sun Wukong, the Monkey King
The mythical "Monkey King", Sun Wukong is the immortal king/deity of the Jiao-Kong. He is revered and seen as a great leader and caretaker to his people, one who led them into the light of sentience. It is said that Sun Wukong was born from a magic stone that sits atop the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit, a sacred and ancient place at the entrance of the Yingu Valley in northern Melrhine. As a young child Wukong was scared and lonely, but a group of macaques found him and took him in as their own. As he grew he would eventually leave to seek adventure in the world, but forever grateful of their kindness - a debt he would never forget. He found himself wandering the world, seeking fortune and knowledge from any he can convince to teach him. He eventually found a teacher, Tsu Zang, the Jade Tiger. The tiger was the gatekeeper to the gods' realm and was a master of martial combat - Kung Fu. Wukong trained under Tsu Zang for many years and learned how to meditate and fight as a true balanced warrior. Eventually even the Jade Tiger could not surpass the clever monkey in combat and he bowed to his grace. Sun Wukong would grow old after many years of adventure and realized what he desired most again - family. He seeked to return the kindness given to him by the macaques that saved him years ago and he did so by seeking counsel with the gods.
The prideful gods saw a monkey and nothing more, but amused by Wukong's charming speech they agreed on an impossible task for him - if he succeeded they would let him be a god and let him do as he sees fit for his family. The clever Wukong took on the task and passed each trial with the astominemt of the gods, tricking and outwitting them each time. The gods had no choice but to grant Sun Wukong his promised immortality and kingdom - Sun Wukong rejoiced. The monkeys that took him in as a child grew into his image and gained sentience, they were the Jiao-Kong - his family and people. Wukong was excited and took them to his home, the valley of the Flowers and Fruit. But as they enter the valley from the mountain he was born from, Sun Wukong's excitement turned into to terror: he saw his people turned to stone statues as they entered they valley. The outraged and prideful gods tricked Sun Wukong and trapped him in the very mountain which birthed him, along with his people - a fitting punishment for tricking the gods in their eyes. With nothing but his head sticking out from atop the mountain, Sun Wukong sat still for millennia, watching his subjects of stone around him, silent and unmoving.
For eons they sat still; Sun Wukong held his head in despair knowing none could find him in the hidden valley to help. But on a fateful day his hopes soared again, his friend and old teacher, Tsu Zang had heard about the injustice his masters had brought upon Sun Wukong and scoured the world looking for him. He freed Sun Wukong and his people and promised to serve him instead as gatekeeper to his kingdom. To this day the kingdom of the monkey king stands - hidden in the misty valley and its people proud.
The prideful gods saw a monkey and nothing more, but amused by Wukong's charming speech they agreed on an impossible task for him - if he succeeded they would let him be a god and let him do as he sees fit for his family. The clever Wukong took on the task and passed each trial with the astominemt of the gods, tricking and outwitting them each time. The gods had no choice but to grant Sun Wukong his promised immortality and kingdom - Sun Wukong rejoiced. The monkeys that took him in as a child grew into his image and gained sentience, they were the Jiao-Kong - his family and people. Wukong was excited and took them to his home, the valley of the Flowers and Fruit. But as they enter the valley from the mountain he was born from, Sun Wukong's excitement turned into to terror: he saw his people turned to stone statues as they entered they valley. The outraged and prideful gods tricked Sun Wukong and trapped him in the very mountain which birthed him, along with his people - a fitting punishment for tricking the gods in their eyes. With nothing but his head sticking out from atop the mountain, Sun Wukong sat still for millennia, watching his subjects of stone around him, silent and unmoving.
For eons they sat still; Sun Wukong held his head in despair knowing none could find him in the hidden valley to help. But on a fateful day his hopes soared again, his friend and old teacher, Tsu Zang had heard about the injustice his masters had brought upon Sun Wukong and scoured the world looking for him. He freed Sun Wukong and his people and promised to serve him instead as gatekeeper to his kingdom. To this day the kingdom of the monkey king stands - hidden in the misty valley and its people proud.
Philosophical and Mischievous
The teachings of Sun Wukong and Tsu Zang are told to all Jiao-Kong youth and their lessons taken to heart. The Jiao-Kong follow in their king's footsteps and try to balance themselves between Yin and Yang, between negative and positive energies. To them, Yin is mischievous or cunning actions, used to outwit rivals or enemies, but never to harm more than what was done to yourself. Yin should be used lightheartedly, and should never cause more suffering than what was done already. Yang is positive energy that should be used for redeeming actions and altruism, to help your community and others who truly need it. Balance is the key and finding it may take a lifetime for some, after all they are still mortal. Additionally, Jiao-Kong were the first to discover alchemy and try to seek out its many secrets still, coveting the ones they find, in hopes of finding their own immortality as well one day.
Many Jiao-Kong carry a philosophical approach to many obstacles they face and will reflect on them to make the right decisions in the future. Jiao-Kong are lighthearted people and try to find humor and joy in almost anything they do, even if its mundane or perhaps even a little morbid. They are a free-spirited people with a rich and colorful culture of food, festivals, meditation and great many stories. Although, they may come off as prideful or their mischievous nature might go too far sometimes and get them into more trouble than they bargained for.
Many Jiao-Kong carry a philosophical approach to many obstacles they face and will reflect on them to make the right decisions in the future. Jiao-Kong are lighthearted people and try to find humor and joy in almost anything they do, even if its mundane or perhaps even a little morbid. They are a free-spirited people with a rich and colorful culture of food, festivals, meditation and great many stories. Although, they may come off as prideful or their mischievous nature might go too far sometimes and get them into more trouble than they bargained for.
Physical Traits
- Age - Jiao-Kong on average live to be about 100 to 120 years old.
- Speed - Jiao-Kong base walking speed is 30 feet.
- Size - Jiao-Kong males stand at around 5 foot 6 inches or so, with females being a few inches shorter. They have agile and robust figures. Their size is medium.
- Complexion - Jiao-Kong look similar to macaques and have primate looking faces, with flat noses and larger ears and canines. Excluding their faces Jiao-kong are mostly covered in fur which can vary in shades. Most Jiao-Kong are either white or silver furred, but many are also black, red, blond, burgundy, tan, brown or gray.
- Eye Color - Jiao-Kong have slightly glowing eyes and their eye color can vary greatly. Almost any color is possible but some more common colors are brown, black (glowing white), hazel, green, yellow and crimson.
D&D Race Stats - Jiao-Kong
- +2 Dexterity, +1 Wisdom
- Philosophical - Jiao-Kong love to debate the greater questions of the world and universe and use their wisdom to influence others. Whenever you make a Persuasion, History or Religion check, you can add your Wisdom modifier (minimum of 1) to the total.
- Mischievous - Gain proficiency in one of the following skills: Performance, Acrobatics or Sleight of Hand.
- Tea and Alchemy - Every Jiao-Kong is taught two things as a child: basic alchemy and brewing a cup of tea. Gain proficiency with either Alchemist's supplies or Brewer's supplies.
- Arboreal Physique - Your superb balance and dexterous physique gives you a natural affinity to climb trees and almost anything. You gain a climbing speed of 25 feet.
- Prehensile Tail - Your strong and flexible tail grants you some extra nimbleness in combat. You gain a second bonus action that can only be used to make the Attack action with your tail. This action can only be made unarmed or with a Light weapon and is considered an offhand attack. The tail otherwise functions as a free hand with DM discretion as to what that means.
- Languages - Jiao-Kong can speak, read and write in Common and Jiaonese.