Philosophy of the Jade Empire: Way of the Closed Fist

View Philosophy of the Jade Empire, Part 2: Way of the Open Palm

Philosophers in the Jade Empire have defined two opposing moral paths: the Way of the Open Palm and the Way of the Closed Fist. These paths do not necessarily represent good or evil but instead define an individual's actions in relation to harmony with society, the world, and oneself.

The Way of the Closed Fist is not based entirely upon doing violence, despite its name. Individuals following this path may be quicker to resort to violence than others, but a trained warrior can wound just as easily with the open hand as he can with the closed fist. The Way of the Closed Fist is a philosophy of doing whatever it takes to further one's station, regardless of the consequences this has on the world at large.

People in the Jade Empire believe in two main moral concepts: harmony and discord. The concept of harmony is often misunderstood as "good," but in essence, harmony is to live according to one's place in the world. On the other hand, discord, often confused with "evil," is to defy one's own station and to reach out for something greater than one deserves. A soldier fighting to protect his home is acting out of harmony, while a man stealing from the rich to give to the poor is working with discord in his soul.

The Way of the Closed Fist

While the Way of the Closed Fist isn't necessarily evil, its followers tend to take its tenets in that direction. The Way of the Closed Fist teaches that strength is power, that power is desirable, and that all things bow to those who know what they want. The Closed Fist is not concerned with consequences or with balance; personal station means nothing to one who would murder friends and family to reach his heart's desire.

Following the Way of the Closed Fist has its rewards. The core philosophy leads many to far greater things than they would have gained by quietly observing their station, simply because people who follow this path have no problem reaching out and taking what they want. Many people in positions of power in the Empire are there because they reached for that power and grabbed it before someone else could do the same. Warriors willing to reach beyond their station may even learn esoteric fighting styles such as Hidden Fist, which gives discordant warriors the ability to draw the life from their opponents and use it to strengthen themselves.

Philosophers caution those who seek to follow the discordant path, for among other things it tends to place one among others who follow this path. Like the serpent eating its own tail, the Way of the Closed Fist will lead its followers to few real allies and even fewer true friends.

Followers of the Discordant Path

Gao the Lesser: The son of a wealthy merchant, Gao the Lesser (as compared to his far more respected father, Gao the Greater) has studied for most of his life at the martial arts school in the remote village of Two Rivers. Despite the teachings of the venerable Master Li, Gao has taken it upon himself to learn the tenets of the Closed Fist and has begun to see the teachings of the school as outdated and pedantic. He has even trained with his father's paid mercenaries to learn fighting styles outlawed in the sleepy little school, risking expulsion. Gao's personal power and arrogance are such, however, that expulsion would hardly sway him from his path.

Iron Soldier: It's no secret that Iron Soldier, one of the most famous fighters in the Imperial Arena, follows the low path, though few would say so to his face. A former Imperial Army soldier, this brash warrior takes pride in "seeing the truth" that there are no real altruists in this world and that being true to the discord he causes makes him that much stronger. If altruism is a lie, then strength is the only true salvation.

The Lotus Assassins: While their role is to maintain order and enact the will of the Emperor, many fear that the Lotus Assassins reach beyond their station as they complete their job. Many whisper of strange sorcerers among the monks of the order, and rumors swirl that recent disappearances in the Empire can be traced back to the Assassins themselves. Perhaps in their zeal to carry out the Emperor's wishes, the Lotus Assassins willingly sacrifice their own inner harmony and take the darkened road.

Death's Hand: The mask of the shadowy leader of the Lotus Assassins is the first image that occurs when one thinks of the Way of the Closed Fist. One of the Emperor's closest advisors, his rise to power is a complete mystery, but his methods are not. While many in the Empire fear the Emperor's trust of Death's Hand, few would dare speak their concerns out loud. When Death's Hand and the Lotus Assassins are concerned, the shadows have ears.