Guan Bei, the Prince of Virtue

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Only wisdom and virtue can truly win men's devotion. Through such ideals shall I serve in the name of the Guan!
~ Guan Bei ~

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The famed and benevolent ruler, Guan Bei, was the young and charismatic Vassal King over the Mu commandery, wielder of the Lu Crown, cousin to the emperor, Guan Guan, and sworn brother to both Kuo Yu and Gan Fei. He was a celebrated man who prioritized the well-being and peace of the people, as well as the continued reign of his family's lineage, the Guan dynasty. Bei was a kind, humble, and fraternal philanthropist.

Emperor's Younger Cousin

Born into the imperial family within Jiangjiang in 96 PC, Guan Bei was the eleven-year younger cousin to Guan Guan, the future heir to the imperial throne. He took martial weapons training under his father, Guan Feng, while his scholarly education was handled by the Imperial Advisor, Chen Fan, Bei's assigned imperial guardian.
Despite being warned many times, Bei made a habit out of sneaking off to other places in the city outside the imperial palace. This often led him to the poorer ends where he would see the common people and how they were dressed compared to himself. Throughout these occasions, Bei developed a fondness for the peasantry out of sympathy and made connections and helped where he could.

Extermination of the Ma Clan

During Bei's early years, the Ma family had been the continual clan of the Mu commandery in the north who had passed the Vassal King from one heir to the next. However, for just as long as the family had ruled, the steppes and plains had been terrorized by the undying faction, the Tufei Bandits, who held a mountainous history of raiding and pillaging.

In an unprecedented and organized effort by the bandits, at this time led by the Bandit of Grass, Jo Tu, the bandits led a grand attack on the commandery's capital, Qintong out of subterfuge. Fighting the commandery's forces, the bandits drove their way into the streets and pillaged to their heart's content. In addition, the Vassal King, Ma Rui, along with every man, woman, and child of the clan were executed.
The stench of death rose high from Qintong on that day, and those who survived wept bitterly, even as Jo Tu continued to occupy the city.

Campaign to Mu

With the tragedy that befell the Mu commandery, when word of it reached the imperial courts, plans to retaliate were immediately put into place. A large force of warriors were summoned, and Bei's father was honored with the title, General of the North, the chief commander of the forces. The then emperor, Guan Wu, Feng's brother, commanded him to relieve the bandits of the city and take over as the region's new Vassal King. Guan Bei and his mother, Lady Sa, stayed behind to await the end of the fighting.
However, during Guan Feng's siege of Qintong against Jo Tu, though the bandits were repelled from the city and sent fleeing back into the steppes, Feng was ambushed by the bandit and other cohorts in the streets and killed. The remainder of Feng's forces secured Qintong and restored its peace.
When news of this was brought back to Jiangjiang, Bei sobbed uncontrollably with his mother while the court eunuchs decided on what to do in Feng's absence, for they believed Bei to still be too young to assume any kind of rulership. But, as soon as Lady Sa heard rumors of such indecision, she came before the emperor and bade he grant her son the title. Out of fraternal love, Guan Wu was convinced, and he ceased such talk throughout all the courts.

Vassal King of Mu

Guan Bei, Lady Sa, and their household of servants and officiaries migrated north as Bei was demonstrated as Mu's next Vassal King, granted its historic and symbolic Lu Crown in the year 44 PC. Though Bei showed promise and compassion as his rule began, many were not tolerant he was the choice. Despite Bei's age as an elf, many portrayed him like a teenage human, and because of his youth, there were those who refused to acknowledge Bei's title and authority.
Months into Bei's reign, a force from the surrounding settlements around Qintong organized itself and marched on the palace of the city with the intent to depose Bei. Leading this force was the small gnomish governor of Taishi, Pang Wang. Bei tried to speak out against such actions and dissuade such violence from occurring, but nobody listened, and he grew fearful.

Kuo Yu and Gan Fei

But, at the palace gates, two men confronted Wang and his force. One was a towering man with a black beard that stretched to the floor. The other was a burly dwarf who wore a large jug on his back. The first was Kuo Yu, and the second Gan Fei.
Wielding great weapons of their own, they denounced Wang's actions and spoke in favor of Bei. They said, "Cretan! Do you not yet know where our lord comes from and the things he has done? Even when he was younger, he fed the poor and clothed the naked within the imperial capital. He won the hearts of many through selflessness and virtue. He is a man of a contrite heart and humble mind! Now, standing older before us, how much more might he provide for us here, farther north?"
Wang was infuriated and wished to fight, but no one following him could muster the courage to take on either Yu or Fei, so after many discarded their loyalty and fled, Wang lost heart and surrendered himself.
Pang Wang, Kuo Yu, Gan Fei, and a slew of others were brought before Bei to be judged. When he saw Yu and Fei, he flung his arms around them and cried for joy, for Bei had seen the entire ordeal. He spoke to Wang and the other dissidents with polite speech that won their ears. He promised to release them and forgive their actions in exchange for their won trust and allegiance in him as their Vassal King, to which many — including Wang — cried, "Such mercy!"
Then, they were given gifts and sent on their way, and the conflict ended.

Oath in the Cherry Fields

To Kuo Yu and Gan Fei, Bei rewarded them for their actions and feasted with them for several nights, and the three grew very close to each other. "My end would have come that afternoon if not for you two!" Bei had laughed. His thanks for them never ended, for he had managed to win the hearts of the entire commandery, which now praised his name for his mercy and kindness.
One day, as another way to thank them, Bei invited them out to go hunting with him in the Yingtian. An entourage of guards followed with them that day. They rejoiced with every kill, and Bei regarded their martial skill highly, saying, "Such familiarity! I could never hope to aspire!"

Near evening, Kuo Yu approached the two with a freshly slain Mu Crane. He said, "For only days have we known each other. But closer have we grown than siblings who've known the other for a lifetime. Though not by blood, I can no longer see days where you two are absent. I propose an oath of brotherhood between us all. Together, we will live, fight, and die as one, none one second sooner or later than the next. The blood of this crane shall serve perfectly to seal such a bond."
Guan Bei and Gan Fei were moved by such an idea, for they shared the same sentiments.

Together, the three of them agreed, and from within the Cherry Fields of Qintong, they swore a brother's oath before each other. Of the three, Bei was the eldest, then Kuo Yu the second, and finally Gan Fei the youngest. Kuo Yu was posthumously honored as the Faguan of Caima a year later, and Gan Fei the governor of Changbi a year after that.

Ambush on Tufei Road

In the year 170 AC, famine began to strike all across the Mu commandery. Servants and administrators pondered on what could be done to alleviate this, then Guan Bei spoke, "To our east in Jin is Liu Kin, its Vassal King and long descendant of Liu Suo, husband of Guan Yishe's second daughter, Guanli. While her older brother Guan Lao ruled as emperor after Yishe's death, she bore the children that have ruled as Jin's Vassal Kings since the dynasty's inception. We are distant cousins by blood, so I shall send with an entourage to request aid. My hope is for him to accept out of fraternal love."

His advisors agreed, so Bei had a royal caravan prepared. With him was Lady Sa and other servants of the household, along with Kuo Yu and Gan Fei, whom Bei had requested join him. "We will be travelling by the Tufeidao. I can think of no better warriors to protect us all should we come under attack." Bei had reasoned.
It set out east for the city of Wuliao in Jin, where Liu Kin reigned. But early into the fifth day in the open steppes, a multitude of horsemen appeared and attacked. The bandits were led by Jo Tu's successor, Kai Nu, also named the Kodiak of

Tufei. Kuo Yu and Gan Fei fought valiantly, but Kai Nu's numbers overwhelmed the caravan. In the midst of the fighting, Lady Sa was even captured and taken away.
Guan Bei and everyone else might surely have died that day. But, lo! a gleaming fighter appeared before Bei and fought off his and his brother's attackers with a long spear that shone just as bright as he did in the sun. His skin shone like silvery scales and his face was that of a dragon.

He flew across the battlefield with wings set upon his back, swinging left and right as he went. Bei and the whole caravan were rescued as the bandits who survived fled into the hills. Afterward, the dragonborn hero came and knelt before Guan Bei in honor. But, Bei waved off such honorifics, saying the opposite should be occurring.
The man was Shu Yun, a dragonborn from Hardu in the south. He said, "I had heard about the low provender in Mu and that you were coming to seek reprieve from King Kin. Though I am of low

birth, I feared the danger you'd run into and raced here as fast as I could." Guan Bei honored Shu Yun to the highest degree for his heroics.
But, then Bei was overcome with fear. Yu and Fei asked the matter, and Bei cried, "My mother, Lady Sa! She is still gone, taken by those barbarians!"
"Do not fear, my lord!" Shu Yun shouted courageously. "Before the day is even out, she will be returned to you!" Then, before anyone could answer him, Shu Yun flew off in pursuit of Kai Nu. He intercepted them and fought his way through their numbers on his own. None could stand before him. Not even falling to Nu himself, Yun rescued the bound Lady Sa and returned her to the caravan. The sun had not even touched the horizon when he was done.
Everyone astounded. "An even greater fighter than I!" Gan Fei laughed. Guan Bei had Shu Yun rewarded for his great act, but he turned it all down. "Such strength and such humility," Bei gasped, "such a chance encounter cannot be overlooked! Might you join us and lend your strength?"
"If you find worth in my meagerness, I shall not turn down your wish." Then on, Shu Yun accompanied Bei wherever he went, for his fighting spirit was great, and his silvery spear sharp. Thanks to Yun, the caravan met with Liu Kin, and he and Bei shared various feasts, agreeing to establish new mutual trade to balance and off-set the famine overtaking the land.
A month later, while Bei and his brothers were resting in the shade of the palace, Kuo Yu remarked, "Elder brother, in the previous king, Ma Rui's reign, he had for himself a Champion, La Kia, just like the other commanderies. But, Mu has not had one since Kia was killed protecting his king. I have never seen a fighter like Yun, and I believe it heaven's will such a title fall to him."
Bei agreed, and subsequently honored Shu Yun with the title, Champion of Mu; Yun accepted the rank after three offers. He was celebrated in the streets of Qintong, for all had heard of him saving Guan Bei on the Tufeidao.

Death of the Emperor

The years passed, but despite mediating the famine, corruption, plagues, and other scares continued to slowly grow through Dachi like a disease. Nobles and the higher class became more debauched and used their wealth for selfish gain, starving the land. By 180 AC, Guan Bei and those in Mu were among the only rulers and administrators who maintained resources and the people's well being, so much that Bei even decreed Mu a refuge for those terrorized by the hurt of the land. Families from all over Dachi flocked to Mu in these times.
By 184 AC, Bei's older cousin, Guan Guan, the son of Guan Wu, had reigned as emperor for 187 years since his father's death. Bei was distraught over his cousin, for he didn't know what could lead the emperor to mismanage the land to such degree.
But, the heart of the issue was corruption within the imperial courts and the eunuchs. It was corruption that spelled the end of the emperor, who died during an insurrection led by the manipulative tyrant, Dong Bao. The news of this broke Bei, and he wept for days; his cousin was gone, and he feared the dynasty's end was assured.

Ring of Shenghuo

During one night, however, Guan Bei, in tears, was praying to the heavens of the night sky. He held the symbols for Shui, Tilesh, and Sirakya, honoring the serpents whom Guan Lao had honored, and he held the symbol Bahamut, whom Guan Yishe had honored. "Hear my prayer!" Bei shouted. "My heart aches and my will is destroyed! Order has left and chaos has come to take its place. I fear the reign of Tilesh has begun, for corruption chokes every corner of the land. Bring peace! Bring refuge! Bring a return to balance! To the prosperity my ancestors once enjoyed!"
Bei cried in silence for a long time. Then, a star in the sky bore itself and appeared before him. It descended towards him and took the shape of a long serpent. It shone bright white and spoke to Bei. "Look upon me, and know I am here. Just as I appeared before your ancestor long ago, I appear before you now as well. Evil has encroached and darkness has arrived. Many shall suffer and injustice shall rule for a time. But, the rings which were once given your ancestor are now scattered. Lead in my name, Bahamut, as one of them falls into your hands this night. Lead so that you may regather them all, and thus bring order back to the land as you once knew."
Then, in awe, Bei watched a ring emerge from out of the dragon and float into his right palm. It was the Ring of Shenghuo, one of the ten imperial rings. Finally, the dragon soared back into the sky and became a speck of light that joined with the stars.
"I shall honor the Dragon of Order as Yishe did long ago!" Bei answered. "Through me, the Guan will be restored and live on!"

Guan Bei rules as the Vassal King of Mu, possessing the Lu Crown and the Ring of Shenghuo. He is the last of the direct descendants of the Guan family, and knowing chaos is falling on the land, seeks to reunite the rings and restore the Guan as its next emperor. The people of Mu still cheer Bei's name and adore him as their leader, and he is championed by the Dragon of Order himself, a grand blessing for when he chooses to bring about the Guan Heavenstate.

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In my lord's hands I entrust my life. In my hands he entrusts my spear.
~ Shu Yun ~

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Alignment

Lawful Good

Species

Elf

Ethnicity

Dachian

Year of Birth

96 PC

Parents

Guan Feng, Man of Glaives

Aligned Organization

Guan Dynasty