Zhufu

The Zhufu, meaning "Blessed," are a group of races tracing their sapience back to Zhufu Long, the Blessed Dragon, who they believe to have granted them their intelligence.

Races
The Zhufu identity encompasses three races.

Xiongren
Humanoid bears.

Huren
Humanoid tigers.

Shuren
Humanoid rats.

Faith
Two main schools of thought have formed over the Zhufu's long, diverse history.

Kongjia
The most widespread school of thought in the Empire, Kongjia has provided the foundational principles of every dynasty and state since the first Yeisheng received Zhufu Long's blessing. Kongjia is a collection of the teachings and philosophy of Kong Zu, one of the founders of the Blessed Empire. Kong Zu taught the importance of filial piety, ritualism, and organization in both personal and stately matters.

Across the realm, Kongjia temples, called Schools, are places of reverence for Kong Zu, as well as other sages and scholars from across Zhufu history.

Yeitao
Traditional Zhufu religion. While the teachings of Kong Zu were gaining traction in Jinjing province, in the wild lands of Nanzhang and Guhong, an alternative school of thought was forming, based largely on communal living, generosity, inner peace, and harmony with nature.

Despite Kongjia becoming the most widespread philosophy, Yeitao continues to propagate in the poorer, more desolate parts of the Empire, with many claiming some connection to both ways of thought. Yeiren Monks are a common sight in all parts of the empire, living ascetic lives in monasteries, as hermits, or as nomads, and providing aid to the smallfolk wherever they go.

In response to the recent corruption and mistreatment of commoners, many Yeiren monks led a popular uprising against the Yuan dynasty called the White Wave Rebellion. Though the rebellion has since been put down, many monks still face persecution, and the government has begun to outlaw some Yeitao practices in response.