Legends of the Draak-Kin: 云玉 (Jade Cloud)

In this week's Patreon special, we present 云玉, known in foreign lands as Jade Cloud. One of the Seven Elders at the time of Golden Treasure: The Great Green, it was one of the mightiest and wisest of the Draak-Kin People in that age, and arguably any age. All Kin south of the Mongolian steppes and north of Australia looked to it for guidance, and it mentored many beings, including humans, influencing global culture beyond the dusk of the Draak-Kin.

In its early life, Jade Cloud showed an unusual interest in the world of plants, even for a member of the Emerald Clan. It was observed singing to trees and plants and seeming to have conversations with them, which marked it as a bit of an oddball among other Kin. The few who mistook this for weakness or madness, however, were quickly proven wrong when defeated by it in challenges; its mind was strong and flexible, and its body was reinforced by nutritional technologies which it discovered in its deep research into the world of plants.

Using herbs, tinctures, teas and more, Jade Cloud could heighten its senses, sharpen its mind, empower its body, heal itself, and poison its enemies. Over time, its profound understanding of nature led Jade Cloud to become a true master of herbology, and it instructed not only other Kin but even non-Kin in the art. Dwarf "zalel", "mushroom ambrosia", came from a recipe by Jade Cloud, and a certain human sage-king was said to have learned many botanical secrets under its instruction.

Jade Cloud earned its place as an Elder in the year 3527 BCE. Blaze, a powerful Onyx Elder who was renowned as the mightiest warrior among the Kin for a time, finally succumbed to madness in that year, and its powers, used countless times in defense of the natural order, became twisted and horrific. Several Kin died trying to end the death-rampage of Blaze. Jade Cloud, however, used its mastery to end the rampage, curing Blaze of its madness with the use of a single herb. Once Blaze regained its right mind, it requested a final death, which Jade Cloud granted painlessly with another herb. It was universally agreed among the Kin that Jade Cloud should take Blaze's place as one of the Seven, and it served in the role with distinction.

As an Elder, it was renowned for its mastery of natural lore as well as its mercy. While it did not hesitate to take lives for natural or practical reasons, it chose violence only when necessary, and spoke alongside Darktooth in defense of Allmother not being purged along with the rest of the Crystal Clan in the wake of the Second Tragedy. It was Jade Cloud's word which finally swayed Many-Times-Burned and the other elders present.

Jade Cloud summarized its philosophy in a combination of mind-glyphs which could be loosely translated as "no boundaries". To Jade Cloud, the entire universe was a single, united animal, and all living beings, including itself, were simply tiny cells in that vast body. Any conflict between two beings was simply a surface moment; deep down, all things served the same great entity of which we are all a part. It was known to care deeply about even the smallest beings in certain cases, while showing utter disregard for large and powerful beings at other times. Since it saw all things as one, Jade Cloud was exceedingly generous for a Kin, giving forth valuable treasures to others simply because they needed them. (One of these treasures, through a strange series of events, ended up in Japan as one of the Three Imperial Regalia.) Still, Jade Cloud did keep a splendid hoard, and sometimes even engaged in what could be called creative art. Some of the ornate Shang-era bronzework patterns were partially inspired by Jade Cloud's designs.

By the time of the Grand Moot, Jade Cloud rarely had to act on its own behalf; it had fostered such loyalty, as well as such oneness with the environment, that its will extended outwards effortlessly. Any seeking to harm it were undone one way or another before they could get close, and without Jade Cloud thinking about it. In the end, Jade Cloud refused either to leave the Earth with Darktooth or to join the Purge. It simply ignored the turmoil, and even Many-Times-Burned, who could annihilate mountains, did not dare to force it to participate. Nor could it join Allmother's cause and sacrifice itself to save humanity; it loved not only humans and Kin, but all things equally.

In addition to its wisdom and unfathomable knowledge of botany, Jade Cloud was also known among the Kin for its great sense of humor. It would make thought-jests which its audience might not understand the true meaning of for years, and then, when understood, would incapacitate them with laughter or joy. It tended to mock open conflict, seeing it as a mark of the foolish and ignorant, famously likening it to eating one's own tail when delicious meat had been laid out in front of one. The phrase "tail-eating" has become a common one in Draak-Kin mindspeak, alluding to conflict which accomplishes nothing.

The end of Jade Cloud was not recorded. Perhaps it quietly succumbed to old age. Perhaps it became one with the land and its spirit lives on in its beloved lair at 张家界 (Zhangjiajie, in modern Hunan province). Perhaps it used its knowledge to survive and remains somehow today, quietly guarding the Earth. Some of its thoughts, ideas and herbal technologies have been preserved within the Taoist tradition, and continue to influence humanity in the latter age. It would, however, be neither pleased nor displeased by this, content with any vagary of fate.

The incredible fan art of Jade Cloud at its lair receiving ganoderma tributes from a Woodstrider chief and a Spearbill sage was done by the immensely talented LuciaDracon. A full-sized version of the painting is available for download with this post. Use it as you will, but honor them and their talent whenever you do so.

Look for more hidden lore regarding great Kin of times past in the months to come.

-L