The Yue Court (Part 1) - The Royal Family (Patreon)

The King of Yue

The King of Yue, or the Paragon of Blades, is a hereditary royal title attributed to the rulers of the Land of Blades who claim ancestry to the great hero and liberator of the land, Xing (known as King Yuchang). Presently, there have been fourteen recorded kings - all belonging to Yuchang’s bloodline known as the Yue Dynasty. The ruler of the Land of Blades oversees all of the land’s affairs from their seat in Old Dragon's Nest, a natural stronghold at the base of Paradise Mountain in the White Valley.

The symbol of the King of Yue was originally a magical staff crafted during the Great War Under Heaven out of peach tree wood and heavenly jade (see A Brief History of the Land of Blades). However, concerned about its enticing power corrupting his line, the inaugural King Yuchang ordered it split into pieces that would be entrusted to the greatest martial arts orders of the land. After that, his sword - Zhanlu, the Noble Shadow - became the marker of the supreme leader of the Land of Blades that was passed down to their worthy successors (the Crown Prince or Princess of the Azure Lowlands or the High Queen of Blades) chosen by the sword.

King Yichen, Paragon of Blades

The current reigning King of Yue, King Yichen is a benevolent monarch known for his devotion to the traditions of old and the people of his domain. Under his rule, the Land of Blades has not entered any major conflicts and maintains warm relations with its neighbours. Some members of his court view his conservative approach to politics as a hinderance to the Yue Dynasty’s growth.

Appearance: Regal, dignified.

Voice: Clear, light, and pleasant.

Morality: Seen as a capable and decisive Monarch who holds a deep respect for tradition.

Motivations: The continuation of his dynasty.

Secrets: King Yichen's health is in decline.

The Crown Prince or Princess of the Azure Lowlands

The Crown Prince of the Azure Lowlands is the noble title granted to the heir apparent to the throne of the Land of Blades. According to ancient traditions, the Crown Prince directly governs the Azure Lowlands, an important principality to the south of the White Valley - the location of the seat of the dynasty. Presiding over the Azure Lowlands has traditionally been seen as a way to develop the necessary qualities to be worthy of wielding the sentient blade Zhanlu, the Noble Shadow, and thus ascend to the throne in Old Dragon’s Nest.

Weiqi, Crown Prince of the Azure Lowlands

Weiqi, the Crown Prince of the Yue Dynasty is spoiled and well-educated noble who, in the eyes of his father, lacks the moral character required to become the King of Yue. A self-indulgent noble, Weiqi frequently throws lavish parties for wealthy merchants and has amassed a vast social network beyond the Yue Dynasty's political borders. Although his power is vastly inferior to that of his father's within the Land of Blades, but his influence within international trade is very strong.

Appearance: Slim physique, elegant clothing that blends local traditions with foreign jewelry.

Voice: Prone to dramatic changes in tone when angered.

Morality: Greedy and uncompromising - makes bold claims. Does not act with the interest of the people.

Motivations: Separatist goals. Yearns for power and seeks to undermine his father's hegemony so that he may rule the Azure Lowlands as an independent kingdom.

Secrets: Weiqi has begun making deals with foreign powers and has gone so far as to commission the minting of his own currency for foreign trade.

The Queen of Yue

The queen regent of the Land of Blades is also known as the King’s Consort. Capable rulers in their own right, numerous King’s Consorts have been chosen by Zhanlu, the Noble Shadow - the symbol of the ruler of the Land of Blades - to inherit the thrown in place of the Crown Prince or Princess. To the people of Yue, a queen regnant who wields the Noble Shadow (the symbol of leadership of the Land of Blades) is bestowed the title of High Queen of Blades.

Yanmei, King’s Consort

Yanmei is the queen regent of the Land of Blades and the mother of Weiqi, the Crown Prince of the Azure Lowlands. She is the heir apparent to the throne - as the Noble Shadow, the sword of the king, has chosen her to succeed King Yichen as High Queen of Blades. Passionate about the literary arts, Yanmei maintains one of the largest private libraries in the Land of Blades, with documents dating back to Age of Mortals and Gods.

Appearance: Charismatic, wears elegant clothing, long grey hair

Voice: Strong, unwavering

Morality: Virtuous and noble. Yanmei is famed for her dedication to the Land of Blades and the well-being of the people.

Motivations: Well-studied in the violent history of the land, Yanmei hopes that her domain will never again see chaos like the Great War Under Heaven.

Secrets: Distrusts her son Weiqi, the Crown Prince, due to his ambitions. She has secretly ordered the Tranquil Silk Guard to temper his ambitions through  sabotage.