Flameseeker: The Clan

The Flameseeker Clan
A major clan in the lands near the imperial capital within the Spirit Realm. They are a clan united by shared ideals, which are as follows:

In order to master the art of cultivation, you must know yourself. However, who you are is not a constant. Like a flame, your identity shifts between shapes over time, but always burns fiercely. Master yourself, but retain the flexibility to embrace your new self as you change. Uphold ideals of courage, determination, and acceptance.

While the Clan does not exclusively use fire techniques, they do tend to incorporate at least some form of fire qi into their styles. The clan numbers about 3,000 members.

Yanjing
Cities in the Spirit Realm are quite different from those in the Mortal Realm. There are far fewer cultivators than mortal humans, but with the abilities afforded by master cultivators, it's easy to build and maintain a glamorous city even with a small population. The Flame Capital, Yanjing, is a small but beautiful city of shining crimson spires that the Flameseeker Clan calls home. Its citizens want for little, since every one of its inhabitants is at least a low-level cultivator.

Gardening
Gardening is an important ritual among Flameseekers. Every member of the clan is given a personal garden to maintain as they advance through the ranks. Plants are quite vulnerable to fire, so keeping a healthy garden is a show of self-restraint, control of power, and appreciation for the fragility and value of life. The plants grown there can be used for food, elixir ingredients, or strictly aesthetic value at your own discretion.

The Ranks
It is a universal truth among cultivator clans that there are seven ranks between mortal and immortal. As you cultivate qi and become stronger, your dantian will grow until it's swollen with power. Finally, once you cross the threshold, it will overflow with qi, then constrict and reinforce itself. Each time it does, your body and spirit will grow dramatically stronger.

Every sect has their own names for the seven ranks, but among Flameseekers, your progression is:

• Cinder
• Spark
• Candle
• Torch
• Lantern
• Pyre
• Solar

Each rank can be found in scarcer numbers than the last. There are only three Solars within the clan.

Forms of Address
A straightforward rule is this: Using people's names is familiar, using people's titles is formal. It is impolite to be familiar with people above your rank. The bigger the gap, the more important it is to express your respect.

That being said, the Flameseeker clan is a bit more lax than most. Gao Yan, the clan leader, insists that peoplel address her however they want, but there's still something to be said for maintaining formality, especially between disciple and master and when representatives of other clans are present.

Here's some terms and rules:

• Esteemed - A useful word to put in front of any title to boost it a little. Esteemed Brother, Esteemed Master, et cetera. Never required, but never unwelcome.
• First among Flames - the title for the clan leader, Gao Yan. Under other leaders, this was a necessary form of address, but Gao Yan insists she's fine with whatever. Most people still do use it.
• Elder - a term of respect for those who have been with the clan for a long time, usually those who have stepped down from active cultivation in their old age. A must for addressing Feng Ji.
• Brother/Sister/Sibling - used for those equal to you or one rank higher. Has a lot of flexibility - make it Esteemed Brother for a bit more respect, use it as a prefix to a name for something a little more familiar.
• Master - To be used with the person who is teaching you the ways of the clan. Either your initial instructor or someone who has taken you in as a disciple.
• This One - a very formal way to refer to yourself. Best used when FAR out of your depth.
• Actual Names - reserved for people you know well. Also enemies, since you don't have any obligation to be respectful to them.