Daimo

Daimo is the name given to the groups of reclusive monks that live in fortified monasteries far from the rest of the people living in Kyotese towns and cities. Their beliefs and practices are well known, but there is an equal amount of mystery surrounding them. Daimo are made up entirely of volunteers. Many Kyotese (and some foreigners) make the trek to the remote monasteries around the country seeking to join their ranks and live by their philosophy of harmony and peacekeeping. Upon reaching these sanctums, pilgrims are tested harshly in combat and the majority fail. Those that succeed will remain at the monastery for perhaps years or decades before next leaving.   Daimo train in both battle and diplomacy. A daimo at the peak of their studies is worth 10 men in combat. Many kyotese lords have sought to bring some of the greatest monks in the various orders into their service, but daimo monks are not samurai - they serve only the orders interests.   During their studies, trainee monks may leave the monastery to gain firsthand knowledge and wisdom of the outside world. These missions are often arranged by the temple abbott with specific goals in mind. Perhaps almost 50 members of different daimo monasteries roam Pallas after the kingdom collapsed.  

The Ten Masteries

The mysteries of Ki will perhaps never be understood to even the highest achieving daimo monk. The way in which it manifests itself is sometimes legendary, as it happens with the Ten Masteries. Long ago, the ten original monk masters entered the wilderness to explore the power of ki by meeting legendary beasts of the wild: five tests of strength and five tests of humility came from each of these monks, some of whom sought understanding, and others greater skill and power. Each left the wilderness as Masters of Ki - their prowess burned upon their skin in living tattoos as the creatures of legend bestowed them with their sacred gifts.   The ten masteries, and their respective masters, have changed throughout the ages, but have nevertheless persisted. In their effort to claim powers from the essence of the primeval world, the masters have earned their titles, but they have done so for life. At the end of their lives, the power transfered from them to their most worthy successor - new bearers of the living tattoos and heirs to the masteries. So it has been for generations, and all daimo know of the ten masters.   However, the masteries are known to be obtainable in only one other way... through the defeat and subsequent killing of the master, at which point, their mastery transfers to their assailant. While there have been several records of masters throughout time requesting that their students best and end their lives in the interest of advancing the masteries, there are also records of more devious murders to gain their power. The most recent record was that of Dong Zhe, a miscreant monk who battled and killed the Master of Ravens in single combat before fleeing to Pallas with his newfound mastery.   Since obtaining the ancient powers, the ten masters of the primal ki have created individual schools within the Daimo to teach willing students their sacred technique. Each focuses on a particular style of martial arts derived from the original master and their power.