List of Jade Empire characters

The following list is a collection of prominent characters from the award winning video game Jade Empire by Bioware.

Dawn Star

"Voiced by Kim Mai Guest"

History

Sky is a self-proclaimed 'wandering spirit.' Early in his childhood, he decided not to be shackled down to laws of society and went where he pleased. Although a friendly person, he was not above petty robbery in order to make a living. On his travels, he became acquainted with a woman who lived in the same style as he did and they decided to travel together, going where the wind took them and doing as they pleased. They eventually married and had a child.

Vengeance

Sky's wife died in childbirth, but their baby survived. Although he mourned his wife, he looked upon his new daughter, Pinmei, as a gift and decided to settle down into a more stable life to raise her. When Pinmei was five, she was captured by slavers from Sky's farm near the town of Tien's Landing. Sky was away on business at the time, and when he returned he desperately followed her tracks until he found her body on the roadside. According to Sky, Pinmei was always a fighter; the slavers probably considered her too much trouble and killed her. Sky's quest for vengeance lead him to discover that the man responsible for the slaving operation was the influential and shady businessman Gao the Greater. Sky tracked Gao to a pirate island, where he met the student and discovered that Gao the Greater had dealings with the Lotus Assassins. The student eventually fought with and killed Gao the Greater, finally allowing Sky to have his revenge. Afterwards, Sky decided to travel with the student; he believed that their group would attract the attention of the Lotus Assassins and give him the opportunity to further exact revenge for his murdered daughter.

During the siege of Dirge, Death's Hand approaches Sky and offers to bring Pinmei back from the dead. Sky feigns agreement in order to trap Death's Hand, but only tells the student about this just as his plan is about to go into effect, fearing that Death's Hand would approach the others. His plan succeeds, eliminating Death's Hand's entourage and allowing the player to defeat Death's Hand.

Wild Flower

"Voiced by Nicky Pugh"

History

Life has not been too kind to Hou. In his youth he was a master of the rare martial style Drunken Master, which is only useful when large quantities of wine have been consumed. After working his way to the top, the toll on his body soon left him unable to fight and he became destitute. Three years of cleaning creature cages later, his promoter offered him a generous contract. Instantly signing it, Hou managed to get his way back to the top, yet his celebration was short-lived when the promoter revealed to him the small print of the contract - he had to marry the promoter's niece. She had plans for Hou herself, and repeatedly commanded him to stop fighting and drinking. Eventually, she spiked his drink before a fight and he was badly beaten. The next day Hou woke up and reluctantly agreed to give up his livelihood, and instead become a Bun Master.

Before traveling with the student, Hou was kidnapped by the cannibals that had taken over the Pilgrim's Rest Inn. Since he was too skinny to eat, they decided to keep him around in an effort to make the inn seem more 'normal' to the few individuals who made it to the inn. These unlucky souls were quickly taken and either transformed or eaten. While traveling around the Jade Empire, Hou is repeatedly reminded of his wife, and he expects she has destroyed the Imperial City looking for him. He also has collected some rare turtle eggs - an insulting gift in the Jade Empire - for his coming anniversary, but he offers them to the student in one variation of a story quest.

Kang the Mad

"Voiced by Paul Eiding"

History

The Black Whirlwind got his name due to the fact that he has single handedly defeated entire armies. His father was an abusive drunkard, and when he fought and killed his father one night, he was disowned by his mother. He spent the next few years begging until he found work as a mercenary. His affinity for wine, a short temper, and his eagerness to kill got him in trouble more than once; there is one famous story in which it is believed he stormed an entire fortress while naked, unarmed, screaming like a madman, and dead drunk. At one point he was engaged, but, after sleeping with his future mother-in-law, he found who he thought was his bride sleeping with another man and killed them both. However, the unfortunate couple was, in fact, his bride's sister and brother-in-law. He later got a job in the Great Southern Forest working for Lord Yun and Spear Catches Leaf, where he meets the student and joins up with the group in order to aid in their struggle to free the Empire.

The Dueling Ring

Before becoming a mercenary, Black Whirlwind and his younger brother Raging Ox were combatants in the Imperial City's dueling ring. The local Guild presence, who demanded the fights fall in their favor approached Whirlwind to throw matches and become part of the Guild. After refusing, his brother was chosen, and soon found himself working for the Guild as an enforcer - much to Whirlwind's discontent. After following his brother one night to convince him to stop, he was confronted by Raging Ox and the Guild boss, Kai Lan the Serpent. In a drunken rage, Whirlwind killed Ox while the Guild boss looked on and laughed. Ashamed by his outburst, Whirlwind left the city, but never forgot what Kai Lan did to him or his brother. Whirlwind is known around the Imperial City for other reasons than being a champion of the Dueling Area and has been suspected of drunken behavior, indecency, violence, and even multiple reports of defecating in public.

*Black Whirlwind is clearly inspired by the character Li Kui from the Chinese novel Water Margin as Li Kui was also known as the Black Whirlwind or Iron Ox.

Death's Hand

A Humble Master

Master Li presents himself as a quiet but capable martial arts master. His deep yet soft voice was often filled with wise counsel. The people of Two Rivers came to respect the man and attributed the small town’s success to his presence.

As the master of the Two Rivers school students knew him for being firm but fair. Ever there to see was the kindness of his nature, even taking in more troubled students such as Gao the Lesser. He was ready and able to protect and save his students from outside peril, such as when he saved Kia Min from a bandit attack. The only discernible anomaly about the man was his prize pupil, who seemed to excel beyond the others, and was subject to some degree of favoritism. This caused some minor animosity and discontent and some that was not so minor from Gao the Lesser.

But the people of Two Rivers, both of the school and of the town, also knew that behind the mortal frame of such a kind old man lay a great power, which they got to glimpse on rare occasions. He once destroyed an entire ship with the use of his Chi energy, and then killed an assassin with a few well-placed moves.

The Glorious Strategist

But all this was just a façade with shadings and half-truths. Master Li was in fact the middle child of the Sun Brothers, Sun Li, and was head of the Imperial Army thusly proclaimed as the Glorious Strategist. At a young age, Li was discovered to have amazing intellect. A particular field that he was peerless in was strategy and planning. Li would carefully lay down his plans, sometimes years in advance, predicting and preparing for events that may lie in the distant future. One of his favorite strategies was playing on the human mind, as he had a psychological insight as to how people would react to his stratagems. For example, when he needed to disappear, he hid in plain sight adopting the persona of the kindly Master Li, knowing that his enemies would be expecting him to be underground raising an army.

As revealed by the spirit of Abbot Song, during the assault on Dirge, Li and Kin attempted to betray their brother and seize the Empire and the power of the Water Dragon. But their plan was sprung too late and the Emperor defeated them both easily. Li fled, leaving his brother to die, and settled in the small town of Two Rivers with a baby, the last spirit monk, and planned his revenge. His latest machinations involved bringing up the child at his school, training him or her, and even including a specific flaw in his or her fighting style that only he could exploit - several others, such as Crimson Khana and Silk Fox, notice it, but are not able to exploit it. Master Li's actions were thus directed to seek vengeance against and overthrow his brother.

But when the appointed time came, all that he had pretended to care about were shown to be disposable tools to him, as a result of his schemes, the town of Two Rivers was laid waste with most of his students killed; he had hoped that this would happen so "there would be nothing holding [the PC] back".

The one contingency Master Li did not foresee was that in that moment, while Sun Hai’s power was still being transferred to Sun Li, the Water Dragon became strong enough to guide the last Spirit Monk’s soul back to life. He somehow sensed this, and resurrected Death's hand from the ruins of the Lotus Assassin fortress (making the interesting remark, "You are too valuable to abandon a second time"). He also mobilized the army and sent it against Dirge, with it arriving the day after his student returned to life and reunited with his or her companions. The army, however, was defeated when Kang the Mad, protected by Silk Fox, destroyed the only bridge leading to Dirge, and the others held off the troops that entered from the air. Death's Hand was sent against the hero, but was defeated.

Sun Li confronted the hero after being cut off from the Water Dragon's power, which he realized was the prize in his struggle, not a means to an end. He expressed his utter callousness, seeing his family as tools and heirs that were useless to a god. Sun Li had more cunning strategies in store for the player; creating demons out of stone with his magic and attempting to use his student's own doubt against him or her. Sun Li then faces the player in single combat and is defeated.

Notes and Trivia

*There is an alternate, and often called Neutral ending, in which the player can willingly surrender to Li and allow themselves to be killed. It is the only one of the three endings in which Li does not perish."

*During the first part of the game there are subtle allusions to indicate that Li may have killed the former master of the Two Rivers School in order to take his place. For instance, there are very few people around who can even remember the former master. One who does is the old man by the beach, but a failing memory means he can not remember how Master Li came to replace his predecessor." Additionally, the master died after the Water Dragon's death.

*One can also tell that Master Li(before he is captured) is planning a takeover of the empire. He allowed Gao the Lesser to know he was the Glorious Strategist, knowing full well that Gao was in contact with the Lotus Assassins, His concern about the players first vision of the Water Dragon, and his story of Dirge is clearly flawed.

Emperor Sun Hai

"Voiced by Armin Shimerman"

Personal History

Sir Roderick was an adventurer for his unnamed country (the Jade Empire equivalent of England). When he was crossing the “glass sea” his ship was thrown off course by storm and he (and possibly his crew though they are never seen) washed up on the shores of the Jade Empire. Sir Roderick made his way through the Jade Empire; having difficulties trying to understand the new land and its customs. One Example of this would be when he was passing through a small village and removed an Essence Gem from its shrine. The Villagers were mortified, but Sir Roderick had no idea what he had done to earn there distaste. “They acted I like relieved myself on a statue to all bloody creation! “ During his travels through the Empire he found several problems with the culture and customs of the foreign land and how “backwards” it was, he had found a new mission to “educate” the Jade Empire.

The Outlander

After traveling the Jade Empire for sometime, Sir Roderick finally made his way to the Imperial City, where he made his way to the Scholars Garden, Sir Roderick thought if he could “educate” the brightest of the Jade Empire they rest of its citizens would fall in line. He went to the Scholar’s Garden and was welcomed but with that welcoming he began to “teach” the Scholars of the Empire. After a few more days, the novelty of someone from across the Glass Sea had worn off; Sir Roderick’s constant lecturing and Social Darwinist-esk attitude towards the Scholars and all those in the Jade Empire (even Emperor Sun Hai) had angered the Minister of Culture. When the Player first visited the “Golden Way” Sir Roderick’s constant criticism of the Jade Empire had even the peasants becoming enraged. So, the Minister of Culture had one of his servants continually insult people on the street until someone responds. Once the player walks buy the servant he will insult the Player; the Player has two reactions both are what the Minister is looking for, If the Player chooses the way of the Open Palm, He or She will rationally ask why the servant is insulting him the Minster will be glad to that someone was able to rationally debate without being distracted by mere insults. With the way of the Closed fist options the player will attempt to physically confront the servant and the Minster will be glad to see that someone is willing to stand up for themselves. (Your alignment does not change for either set of responses. But they more or less can be interpreted as Open Palm and Closet Fist perspectives). If the Player chooses to help the Minster He or She will make there way to the Scholars Garden and be greeted by Sir Roderick beating (or killing) someone in combat by using his over-powered musket dubbed "Mirabelle". The Player will then engage him; in the subsequent dialogue the Player will challenge Sir Roderick to a debate and after a round of Combat. Sir Roderick thinking he is truly superior in both combat and debate (and all aspects) accepts. In the debate the Outlander attacks the Jade Empires lack or territorial expansion, lack of industrialization, use of silver over gold for currency, choice of personal combat over the use of firearms, belief in ghosts and other “irrartional beliefs”, and even clothes. Whether the Player beats Sir Roderick in the debate or not he or she is forced to battle the Outlander. In game-play Sir Roderick’s only means of attack can be quite lethal; Mirabelle is the only ranged weapon style in the game and though you cannot “jump” like you can with all other weapon styles and you move much slower than normal, it’s strength and range more than make up for the lack of mobility. And it’s power-attack does significant damage if it connects on a target. If the Player looses to Sir Roderick than he will kill the Player, saying that you need to “finish a dog when he is down”. If you win however, Sir Roderick will honor the traditions of his country and give the Player one gift the choices being:

*“Fitness for the Upright Gentleman” - A physical technique.
*“Duchess of Ulmsbottom's Rules of Engagement”- A mental technique.
*“Manual of Trepanation”- A spiritual technique.
*“The Silver Tongue”- An Essence Gem (The very same one he took form the shrine in his travels).
*“Mirabelle” - A weapon style. (The only ranged weapon style in the game. Very effective when on higher levels.)

After his defeat Sir Roderick had been significantly humbled and chooses to leave the Scholars Garden for good.

Trivia
*If the Player “sweeps” Sir Roderick in the debate (Getting all the judges on the Player side at once) the Player will find that at the end of the game through the text scroll that Sir Roderick may have sold his prized pantaloons for silver in order to get home and may been killed by the Black Whirlwind. Or he may have returned home a hero.

Gao the Lesser

"Voiced by Nathan Fillion"

Personal History

Gao the Lesser is a fellow student under Master Li. Although he is the son of the corrupted Gao the Greater, Master Li attempted to lead him away from his father's dark path. However, it came to no avail, and Gao the Lesser continued to practice in his dark fighting forms. It is unknown exactly where he learns these forms, but it is implied they were taught to him by his father. Most of the students dislike him, especially Dawn Star, who is the unwilling subject of his infatuation.

Gao the Lesser supposedly follows the Way of the Closed Fist.

Last Acts of a Lesser Man

At the time of the pirate attacks, Gao boasts that he took on the brunt of the enemy force, although everyone knows that he did not do as much as he claimed. Gao resents the player being assigned to enter the Spirit Cave, and challenges him or her; Master Li arranges a duel, but suspects that Gao will not fight honorably. They fight, and after a heated match, the player prevails. Enraged after losing, and desperate to defeat the player Gao unleashes one of his dark styles, a fireball, but Master Li steps in to stop the shameful act, expelling Gao from the school and banning the rest of his family.

While the player is in the Spirit Cave, Gao kidnaps Dawn Star with the help of his father's men. He kills Student Si Pat for attempting to stop him, and frightens a young gate guard into passing out. His men fight with some bandits in the swamp, and Dawn Star breaks free and escapes into a monster-infested cave. Gao pursues her while his men search elsewhere, despite resenting their task. Gao catches up with Dawn Star just as the player arrives, and the player can fight Gao with Dawn Star, Sagacious Zu, or alone. Gao dies, but claims that he kidnapped Dawn Star to save her from the forthcoming attack on Two Rivers.

Grand Inquisitor Jia

"Voiced by ?"

Personal History

Little is known of Grand Inquisitor Jia. Her history before the sacking of Dirge is enigmatic. It is known that Jia was once a member of the ecclesiastic Order Of the Lotus meaning that her duties revolved around the spiritual development of the Emperor. What is known is that in the chaos that followed Sun Hai's usurpation of the Water Dragon's Power Jia not only proved her loyalty to the new order but rose to prominence as second in command of the new Lotus Assassin Order under Death's Hand.

In this position Jia acted to brutally and ruthlessly enforce the will of Death's Hand. In the minds of many Lotus Acolytes, Jia and Death's Hand became almost a single entity. Lotus Acolytes were taught to fear and respect both in equal measure. Jia even went so far as to adopt a similar style of dress including full face mask. So fearsome was her reputation and demeanor that Jia's name is used with the same fearful reverence given to Death's Hand and she is described by some Lotus Assassins as being violent and sadistic. The Last Spirit Monk is repeatedly warned by various people about her dangerously capricious nature and lack of tolerance for even the slightest hint of disrespect. It is reasonable to assume that Jia is the head of the Inquisitor branch of the assassins, Indeed they seem to reflect her determined and ruthless methodology. Working subtly and silently behind the scenes to enforce the emperor's brutality while insuring that all attention and fear was focused directly upon Death's Hand.

Jia follows the Way of the Closed Fist.

The Grand Inquisitor Appears

Jia is first glimpsed in flashback. Jing Woo, a fellow student, describes the woman who directed the Lotus Assassins in their vicious attack on Two Rivers and the School. Later she is seen remonstrating Inquisitor Lim about his delay in returning with the Dragon Amulet fragment found in Old Tien's Landing. She informs her subordinate that she is already aware of the Spirit Monk's activities in the area. Jia coldly speculates about Lim's ability to deal with the situation. She remains a shadowy presence throughout the rest of the Spirit Monk's journey until she confronts the Spirit Monk in the bowels of the Lotus Assassin Fortress.

Jia's Folly

Her tendency to favor some acolytes over others based on their cunning would be her undoing. Upon arriving at the Lotus Assassin Fortress, The Spirit Monk was drawn into the power games of Masters Gang and Shin. By taking advantage of the environment of animosity, the Spirit Monk was able to engineer the death and humiliation of both men allowing the Spirit Monk to not only disrupt and cripple almost the entire Golem army headquartered in the underground complex but to gain evidence directly linking Sun Hai to the activities of the Lotus Assassins.

Jia would meet her end at the hands of the Spirit Monk who killed Jia as she defended the last Dragon Amulet fragment. The Spirit Monk would, however, be unable to stop Jia from summoning Death's Hand to the Fortress.

Lotus Assassin

Lotus Assassin is a fictional paramilitary organization created by Emperor Sun Hai to enforce his will and carry out any of the more brutal tasks he deemed too important to be entrusted to the imperial army. The Lotus Assassins were staffed with fanatically loyal subordinates from the former Order of The Lotus who devoted their lives to the order and its leadership, especially Grand Inquisitor Jia, head of operations in the Imperial City and Death's Hand, the overall head of the organization.

The Assassins were based in the Imperial City in the middle of the Necropolis. Their base of operations being the Tomb that had been reserved for Emperor Sun Hai until his assumption of immortality made a tomb unnecessary. From this base the Lotus Assassins enforced the will of the emperor across the Jade Empire, often to brutal extreme.

Notable missions undertaken by The Lotus Assassins include the Assassinations of the family of Master Li - the Glorious Strategist, the subsequent two decade search for Sun Li as well as the razing of the town of Two Rivers when Sun Li was located and captured there, the search for a fragment of the Dragon Amulet at Tien’s Landing, the search for “The Scourge of the South” their pseudonym for the Last Spirit Monk and the creation of the Golem Army via the killing of slaves.

The Last Spirit Monk destroyed the Lotus Assassin base in the Necropolis while uncovering evidence of Sun Hai true role in their operations.