The Five Immaculate Dragons

Daana’d, Immaculate Dragon of Water

Arbiter of the Immaculate Complaint

Capricious and rebellious was Daana’d, the Immaculate of Water, a maiden from the Far West. Although many claim that their arrogant refusal to obey is in emulation of this Immaculate Dragon, the rebellious ways of Daana’d were not the result of such blind vanity. Rather, Daana’d understood the need within each being to be wholly sufficient within itself. She bowed her head to none, for those who wished her to do a thing were not enlightened until they did a thing themselves. Likewise, she did not seek for others to do things on her behalf, for she was the very embodiment of capability.

Although the Anathema sought to lure her into their thrall, she spurned them, eschewing the seductions they laid before her. She turned aside all offers of power and wealth, asking what followers of Daana’d call the Question of Virtue: “If I did not gain these things on my own virtue, do they have worth?” In all cases, the answer is a resounding No.

When the Anathema were thrown down, it was Daana’d who swam to the bottom of the deepest sea to lock away the gate to the Underworld, preventing them from returning to trouble the world of man. Her followers teach that, in this action, she taught true freedom: the freedom of dependence upon the cycle of death and rebirth to enlighten one. Instead, the freedom-loving and self-sufficient seeker might find their enlightenment here and now.

Daana’ds mon is the Crashing Wave That Swallows, symbolic of the plunge one must take in accepting full responsibility for oneself, without reliance on others.

The Unmanly Babbler

The Antithesis of Daana’d is the Unmanly Babbler. The Unmanly Babbler depends on others to do everything for him and finds his worth only in the praise of others. He cannot solve his own problems, and he whines until others do it for him. He cannot see that the true answer to every problem lies in his own Essence.

Emulating Daana’d

Mortals seek in Daana’d the inspiration for self-sufficiency. They understand that this is not selfishness—those in need are not ignored. In fact, the truly enlightened seeker tries to inspire others to self-sufficiency, aiding them where they are weak, that they may depend on themselves in the future.

Dragon-Blooded who truly follow Daana’d understand that all of the riches in the world are nothing before the ability to do for oneself. Those who truly seek to embody her Essence should work toward self-sufficiency as complete as possible. Daana’d’s teachings are considered vital for Water-aspected Dragon-Blooded to overcome their faults, for their elemental nature inclines them toward dependence on social interaction and chains of command.

Hesiesh, Immaculate Dragon of Fire

Reciter of Loud Hymns and Efficacious Prayers

Though none ever saw Hesiesh use his mighty control of burning Essence, few who gazed upon his brilliant face could doubt the power contained within his frame. Like the paper of a lantern cover that is too close to the burning wick, the body of Hesiesh seemed as though it might ignite at any moment from the power within him.

Calm and reserved was Hesiesh, who understood that the proper flow of Essence should be continued in all things. Therefore, he never wasted his own personal power and was careful to render up the proper prayers to the Celestial Bureaucracy, that mortal Essence might be transubstantiated into divine power, all according to the intention of Creation.

The Anathema sought to lure Hesiesh into a battle frenzy, into exhausting his volatile Essence, but Hesiesh refused to take their clumsy bait. He battled according to the strength of his own limbs and the sharpness of his mind. When the battle was done and the Anathema lay as corpses waiting for the fall of night to rise up, confident that their foes had exhausted all of their Essence, only then did Hesiesh unleash his power, burning their bodies to pure, white ash.

Hesiesh’s mon is the Three Candles Lighting Darkness, symbolic of the sudden flare of power and enlightenment that comes from the timely application of proper resources and behavior.

The Illiberal Churl

The Antithesis of Hesiesh is the Illiberal Churl, who observes tradition because it is expected of him. The Illiberal Churl does not see the Essence at the heart of hallowed ways. He retains himself out of deep selfishness, rather than restraint.

Emulating Hesiesh

Mortals seek in Hesiesh the inspiration of tradition and an understanding of the past, though not a slavish devotion to old ways. They seek only genuine contemplation of these methods, adhering to them because they save time and energy. Tradition becomes tradition because it works. Followers of Hesiesh uphold tradition and precedent and are the ones most involved in the Immaculate Order’s catechism.

Dragon-Blooded who truly follow Hesiesh understand that in tradition lies success. Innovation for innovation’s sake is simply vain. Honoring those who came before and maintaining tradition is key to such devotees. Hesiesh’s teachings are considered vital for Fire-aspected Dragon-Blooded, for their fiery Essence inclines them toward swift action and personal vainglory. In the hallowed, reverent traditions and solemn contemplation of Hesiesh are Fire Aspects enlightened.

Mela, Immaculate Dragon of Air

Petitioner of Clouds Accordant to the Call of Battle

The eldest of the Immaculate Dragons, called Resplendent in Perfection, Mela was a mighty warrior. Strong in body, mind, spirit and Essence, Mela taught those around her to settle for no less than personal perfection. A warrior-savant without peer, Mela was the very embodiment of glory.

Mela was never content to rest on her laurels, always seeking greater and greater tests for herself. She accepted that glory was the due of the successful and skilled, but she did not seek accolades, for they were ultimately empty. Accolades did not stand between Mela and the Anathema in the dusk of the First Age—only her perfection did.

Mela’s battles with the Anathema were many and well lauded. She oft arrived at the forefront of a storm, driving aside the puling, corruptive fires of the Anathema and blanketing the battlefield in cold, pure mists and wind. To Mela, victory was the natural course of events to those who strove the greatest. What foe could hope to equal the challenges that a truly righteous heroine might lay before herself?

Mela’s mon is the Transcendent Fan of the Five Winds, a reminder that, while nature brings wind, those who are strong and cunning may bring it for themselves.

The Sickly Whore

The Antithesis of Mela is the Sickly Whore, who is beauteous and glorious to behold, but who uses that glory for the degradation of self and others. The Sickly Whore collects the accolades that are the favors of her many lovers, allowing the world to use her for pleasure in return for cheap, empty baubles.

Emulating Mela

Mortals seek in Mela the drive towards perfection. Mela, who taught men how to wield Essence even though they were not Exalted, believed that in the pursuit of perfection in this lifetime, a man might better prepare his spirit for the time between lives. Mela’s teachings allow men to understand that virtuous action and striving toward perfection give them leave to claim a place closer to the Dragons themselves in the next incarnation.

Dragon-Blooded who truly follow Mela understand that glory is hollow and fleeting, and only in the perfection of oneself and one’s Essence is lasting enlightenment found. The teachings of Mela are considered valuable to Air-aspected Dragon-Blooded, whose mercurial Essence lends to them an air of either extreme focus in one area or useless dilettantism. Going halfway in either direction is unacceptable. The Dragon-Blooded Host should aspire toward perfection in all things.

Pasiap, Immaculate Dragon of Earth

He Who Illuminates Both Worlds with Majesty and Power

The great warrior Pasiap was a pillar of strength in the war against the Anathema. Never did he turn from the field in fear, nor did he succumb to the Anathema’s taunts with fury. In all instances, it was said that Pasiap had only to place himself so that his back was to the Imperial Mountain, and it was clear to all who saw him that he stood at the Center of All Creation: unmovable, resolute, strong and enduring.

Pasiap taught his followers that there was no difference between the Essence of the self and the Essence of Creation. Did not the Exalted and gods draw into themselves the power of the dragon lines? Control of one’s Essence led to control of the Essence around one. Likewise, in shaping the things of the world, the shaper was himself shaped.

Time and again the Anathema tried to destroy Pasiap. When he proved too mighty, they instead threw down those things he had created, in hopes of driving him to anger or despair. The Immaculate Texts say that he but smiled and thanked his foes for the chance to build again. When the wars against the Anathema drew to a close, Pasiap remained incarnate to teach men the ways of controlling the Essence of the earth. He is considered the father of geomancy, where once that art was the sole province of the Exalted and the Anathema.

Pasiap’s mon is the Omphalos Triumphant, the symbol of the Imperial Mountain, the center upon which all of creation is balanced, the spoke between Heaven and the lands of mortals, reminding the Dragon-Blooded that they, too, must act to join the propriety of Heaven with the realities of Creation.

The Ostentatious Peasant

The Antithesis of Pasiap is the Ostentatious Peasant, who does not understand that the true glory in fine possessions is not the having of them, but in the making. The solid, honest work ethic evades the Ostentatious Peasant, who sees only the riches of those around him without seeing the hard work they have put into acquiring them. The Ostentatious Peasant sees only the rewards of hard work, rather than the enlightenment that is effort’s true reward.

Emulating Pasiap

In Pasiap, mortals find that the reward for hard work isn’t luxury—it is the enlightenment of a job done well and with care. Architects and builders revere Pasiap, whose gift to them is the knowledge that, with every brick they lay and every wall they stand, the sweat of their brow has firmed their tread on the path to enlightenment.

Dragon-Blooded who truly follow Pasiap understand that the wealth of the Great Houses is nothing if it does not reflect the hard work and dedication of those who possess it. The wealthy are to be admired, but only if what they have reflects their resolute effort. Earth-aspected Dragon-Blooded are often taught to curb their Essence-driven pride and focus on things of the material world that are the bane of those who would be enlightened. But rather than eschewing it, they are reminded that it should stand for something. Wealth and respect are the natural result of hard work, nothing more.

Sextes Jylis, Immaculate Dragon of Wood

He Who Hath Strewn Much Grass

Compassionate Sextes Jylis was loved by all the people of Creation. Kind and unwilling to see those around him suffer, Sextes Jylis could not bear the pain caused by the Anathema. Sextes Jylis is the responsible healer, who bears great knowledge and the potential to do great harm. Yet, he is willing to do a small, immediate harm to prevent a greater one, and thus, Sextes Jylis, Beloved of Creation, raised his bow against the Anathema.

It was not in war, but in the peace that followed, that the followers of Sextes Jylis take their inspiration in his story. The Immaculate of Wood wandered Creation after the destruction of the Anathema, rebuilding toppled mountains and setting fallen trees aright. To the wounded, he brought relief of pain and healing, and to destroyed fields, he spread clean, new grass.

Though the Anathema sought to corrupt Sextes Jylis into using his powers irresponsibly, he could not be tempted. He knew that the rash use of the great and terrible power that was his legacy could bring disaster and ruin, and he dedicated himself to uplifting Creation. The Anathema could not understand his ways, and so failed.

Sextes Jylis’ mon is the Leaf Upraised in Vigor, the emblem of growth, renewal and life, symbolic of the first plants to arise from the shattered fields of battle.

The Inconsiderate Horseman

The Antithesis of Sextes Jylis is the Inconsiderate Horseman, who is neglectful and short-sighted. This horseman does not take the time to go around the field he encounters, instead trampling it under his mount’s hooves simply because he is in a hurry and has the power to do so.

Emulating Sextes Jylis

Mortals seek in Sextes Jylis the inspiration for mindful action and compassion. To take rash action is to risk trampling the fine things of life and to risk harming those who have done nothing to deserve it. In mindful action, a job may take a little longer for one man, perhaps, but if it brings joy to two, then surely that is a wiser investment.

Dragon-Blooded who truly follow Sextes Jylis understand that compassion is the source of happiness, both to those who give it and those who receive it, but it must be tempered by responsible forethought. The teachings of Sextes Jylis are considered valuable to Wood-aspected Dragon-Blooded, for whom the verdant Essence of their aspect lures them into either the fulfillment of needs immediately and rashly or moves them to crippling pity for living things around them. Enlightenment comes through balance.