It has been one generation since the Tiger General's Rebellion, when a well-known general rebelled against what he believed to be a corrupt state and attempted to overthrow the Zhang Dynasty. Though he was well-supported during his battle to claim the throne, he lost crucial supporters in the Forbidden Palace and was eventually defeated by the emperor's loyal generals.The emperor, who had been the victim of a deadly poison during an attempted coup d'état at the Forbidden Palace, died ten years after the end of the rebellion and passed the title of the Son of Heaven to his eighth son, who would become known as Emperor Xuanzong. His wife, Empress Wang, made an intelligent companion who aided him in his political decisions and policies. The country flourished and prospered, healing from the political, environmental, and financial damage originating from the Tiger General's Rebellion.Unfortunately, the empress lost favor because she could not give the emperor a son. He became enamored of one of his concubines, who was both beautiful and clever. Originally of lowly birth, her newfound status as the emperor's favorite gave her the power to elevate her family's status, as well as bring her brother to the imperial court. Consort Yang's brother eventually became the chancellor at his sister's insistence; the emperor, who could refuse Consort Yang nothing, granted her everything from natural warm-spring pools for bathing, to political positions for her family.However, Chancellor Yang was corrupt and jealous of anyone who could challenge his power. This included the powerful and charismatic military commander, General Lu. Chancellor Yang incited a rebellion by having friends and family of General Lu assassinated. Again, China falls into chaos. Many people in the Imperial Court blame Consort Yang, who they accuse of bewitching the emperor and bringing ruin to the Middle Kingdom.Persons of Interest
Emperor Xuanzong, the Son of Heaven [NPC] - The Chinese emperor; he has been caught in the middle of the conflict between Chancellor Yang, the brother of his favorite concubine, and General Lu, a powerful military commander. In desperation, he suggests that he and the Imperial Court flee to Jiannan [Southern Sword City]. They are to leave the Forbidden Palace in seven days.
Consort Yang [NPC] - The current favorite of the emperor. She is as beautiful as she is clever, and has in recent years schemed to increase the power and prestige of her own family. There are hushed whispers and rumors that she is to blame for the current state of affairs in the kingdom.
Chancellor Yang [NPC] - The brother of Consort Yang. He gained the position of chancellor through his sister's connections to the emperor. He is a corrupt political official who is also keenly aware of those who may threaten his position. He antagonized General Lu into rebellion by ordering the assassinations of the military commander's friends and family. Fearing judgment, he now plots to have the emperor and his children assassinated so that he can absolve himself of his crimes and turn his attentions to his opponent, General Lu.
General Lu [NPC] - A powerful and charismatic military commander who commands armies in three regions. He has steadily gained momentum in his rebellion, in which he calls for the removal of Chancellor Yang from office and a trial examining his crimes against the country. He, along with many others, blame Consort Yang for the current state of affairs.
The Roles
*Charismatic Adviser - This member of the Imperial Court is thought highly of. Under certain situations, his/her vote weighs more heavily than everyone else's.
- Special: This is a special ability that activates only in tie-breaker situations in the day phase. It does not affect the player's other special abilities, if any.
- Note: If the Charismatic Adviser is lynched or killed by the Loyalists, the next Charismatic Adviser will be chosen by popular vote in the next Day Phase, before the lynch vote.
Yang Loyalists (3) - During their time in the Imperial Court, both Chancellor Yang and Consort Yang have managed to win over officials of the Imperial Court through bribery, or through seduction. While most of their loyal followers have been captured by the Imperial Guard for treason against the Emperor, a small number remain who intend to elevate the Yang family to the highest echelons of political power.
- Special: Once per turn (night), the Yang loyalists can eliminate one member of the Imperial Court.
- Goal: Kill all the key officials within the Court, including the Emperor and his most intelligent advisers. One of the Yang Loyalists must survive in order for them to win the game.
Minister of the Treasury (1) - The most respected and trusted member of the imperial bureaucracy is also the most feared, for it is this minister who may have the greatest amount of power in the Imperial Court. Fortunately for the Loyalists, the Minister is susceptible to the lure of gold... but in return, will have a promise of survival after he is bribed.
- Special: This player will arrange a misunderstanding that will cause the Minister of the Royal Archives to receive incorrect information about his target - that is, a Loyalist will appear to be innocent (Imperial Court), while a member of the imperial court will appear to be a Loyalist.
- Special: Unlike the Minister of the Royal Archives, he can only do this once per game, as rumors of his corruption could lead to his disgrace and beheading.
- Special: The Minister of the Treasury's survival/death does not affect the Loyalists, and he is not privy to the identities of the Loyalists or their discussions. The Loyalists do not know who the Minister of the Treasury is.
- Goal: This is a self-interested player interested only in his or her own survival. This player is immune to elimination by the Loyalists during the night phase after using the special ability, but is not immune to lynching during the day phase.
Imperial Court (5) - The officials of the Imperial Court firmly believe that Chancellor Yang and his sister, Consort Yang, are to blame for the current rebellion. For the good of the country, they seek to root out the Court of Yang loyalists in order to convince the emperor to remove the siblings from power and return peace to the kingdom.
- Special: Once per turn (day), the remaining members of the Court (including the Yang Loyalists) can choose to lynch a suspected Yang loyalist from among themselves with a majority vote.
- Goal: Root out the Yang loyalists, and in doing so eliminate Chancellor and Consort Yang's support within the Imperial Court.
The Vermilion General (1) - One of the Four Great Generals, he is named after the southern Chinese constellation. His loyalty cannot be questioned: he leads the Imperial Guards, and swore his loyalty to Emperor Xuanzong long ago.
- Special: The General can protect one other player from the Yang Loyalists once each night. He can choose to protect himself. He cannot protect anyone from the lynch vote.
- Special: If the General chooses to protect a member of the imperial court and he is targeted by the Yang loyalists during the night phase, s/he will die, but will grievously injure the Loyalists. As a result, the Loyalists will lose the ability to eliminate someone during the next night phase.
- Special: If the General chooses to protect him- or herself, and is targeted by the Loyalists during the Night Phase, the attack will be foiled and the General survives. The Loyalists will not lose a turn.
- Goal: Root out the Yang loyalists, and in doing so eliminate Chancellor and Consort Yang's support within the Imperial Court.
Minister of the Royal Archives (1) - The head of the royal archives is a low-paying but respectable position within the Court. He is relatively poor compared to the rest of the Court, but he is proud of his position and his knowledge.
- Special: Once per night, this player can determine if a member of the Imperial Court is a Yang loyalist.
- Goal: Root out the Yang loyalists, and in doing so eliminate Chancellor and Consort Yang's support within the Imperial Court.