A Fu Lion (also known as a T'ien Kou, Fu Guardian or a Shisa) is a bygone creature.
Overview[]
Fu Lion[]
Watchdogs of order and civility, these lesser dragons are charged by the Celestial Bureaucracy to safeguard holy sites and protect the virtuous. These stocky creatures resemble a cross between a lion, a dog and a dragon, with a thick mane, menacing eyes and razor-sharp teeth. Despite their frightening appearance, Fu Lions are quite intelligent and exceedingly polite. During the Mythic Ages, Fu Lions would stand guard over the entrances of temples, including those of the Akashic Brotherhood, as well as the libraries and courts of the Wu Lung and the hsien.
As time passed, many of the temples and courts fell or were abandoned, and the mages grew ever rarer. Those Fu Lions who remain in the material world often seek out libraries or temples to protect, quietly standing vigil (and growing slightly depressed for lack of people to talk to). Others look for mage Chantries to attach themselves to. The Hermetic Chantry in Hong Kong has had a Fu Lion guardian since the 1880s. A few have found service with the hengeyokai Beast Courts or with the hsien. Others have chosen to seek their fate outside of the Middle Kingdom.
T'ien Kou[]
The T'ien Kou, or Celestial Temple Dogs, are fiercely loyal traditional guardians and protectors of sacred sites. They also aid individuals who are virtuous, honorable and worthy. These servants of the Celestial Bureaucracy follow the edicts of the Eastern Umbral Court, and defend their culture's centers of learning and knowledge. Many visit Kun Lun when they're not wandering the Heavenly Kingdom of Jade, consorting with the leaders of the Magickal Bureaucracy.
Image[]
Gold in color, T'ien Kou have puggish, doglike faces, lion's manes, powerful and muscular bodies, caninelike paws that end in sharp claws and beautiful flowing tails. The are comparable in size to horses.
Traits[]
The following Traits represent the typical Fu Lion who has found a role guarding a Chantry or temple.
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- Closely related to the Fu Lions are the Fu Guardians, the Shisa and the Wu Lung's T'ien Kou companions.
- Changeling also has chimerical spirit Fu Dogs from Land of Eight Million Dreams.
- All of these are based on Chinese guardian lions.
References[]
- MTAs: Book of Crafts, p. 137
- WOD: The Bygone Bestiary, p. 30
- MTAs: Dragons of the East, p. 96-97
- MTAs: Gods & Monsters, p. 115-116
