A while ago I remarked that The Rebel Faction's history, status, characters, and events resembled the popular "Three Kingdoms" period of Ancient China. Since then, my interest in the time period has grown, and the more I learn the more I believe the connections are all the more real. In fact, even things that happened by chance still seem to mirror each other, and so for entertainment and perhaps discussion, I will list my findings.
Firstly, the cast of characters.
There are, as the title suggests, three kingdoms - Shu, Wei, and Wu.
Shu - The Galactic Coalition
Shu was a kingdom built out of protest by a small group of war-heroes who sought to restor the former glory of the Han Dynasty. They opposed the villainous emperors of Wei, and had many famous heroes in their ranks. Lead by a brave (but somewhat foolhardy) king who championed the rights and dignity of the people, Shu was seen as the time period's "Good Guys". They were also noticeably smaller than Wei.
The Galactic Coalition has obvious parallels - founded by the surviving good-guy leaders in the period after Endgame and the Imperial hegemony, for the purpose of restoring the former glory of the Republic. They oppose the villainous emperors of The New Order, and have many well-known characters and Jedi in their ranks. They are most certainly led by a brave and definetly foolhardy being, and claim the title of "Good Guys" - that title being non-exclusive to them, of course, but certainly befitting them as well as others. We are, of course, noticeably less mighty than the New Order.
Liu Bei - Regrad
Liu Bei was the virtuous king of Shu. A veteran of war with great charisma, he envisioned a return to the noble days of the Han and ending the chaos and civil war that the other, pettier warlords had started for their own ends. Regrad too is a war veteran with a vision that centers about the restoration of justice in the land. Both had loyal friends, but both were hot-headed and tended to get caught up in their actions and make rash decisions.
Zhuge Liang - Viryn Quell
Zhuge Liang was Liu Bei's chief strategist and voice of wisdom. He kept Liu Bei from acting rashly and assisted him in his great endeavours - much like how Viryn Quell, as Minister of Ethics and a good friend of Regrads', advises the Prime Minister and keeps him in line. Also, Zhuge Liang was famous for joining Liu Bei after the young Liu visited him three times where he had been hiding out to spread his wisdom, showing that Liu Bei could possess great patience and courtesy. Viryn Quell joined Regrad and the Coalition after Regrad's agents sought him out so that he could personally meet the author who had been spreading such brilliant observations, showing responsibility and respect.
Yue Ying - Miette
Yue Ying was not known for her beauty, but instead for her wisdom and knowledge. As such, she was the perfect match for Zhuge Liang, who shared her love of discovery. Although Viryn and Miette aren't quite the same pair as those two were, they are a similar in that Viryn and Miette are not friends because of any physical attraction (her being an android, and Viryn... well, Viryn being a character made by Gash, whose characters aren't generally known for studliness.) but because they work well together. Yue Ying was also known as more fun-loving than her often serious husband, and Viryn and Miette exist on opposite scales of the fun-loving meter, where Viryn is somewhere in a land without fun and Miette exists in a constant state of preprogrammed glee.
Guan Yu - Joren Logan
Guan Yu, Liu Bei, and Zhang Fei swore an oath of brotherhood before setting out on their quest to found Shu, making them three of the most powerful and most united men in the kingdom. Guan Yu was known as a mighty god of war, dispassionate, and controlled, as Joren is known to be. Guan Yu also had his own province to look after, and Joren has the Commonwealth.
Guan Ping - Mahk
Guan Ping was Guan Yu's adopted son, and was loyal to death for his father. The two travelled everywhere together and fought hard against all enemies. Mahk is similar, the loyal bodyguard and friend of Joren, protecting him with his life.
Zhang Fei - Jan Dondana
Guan Yu, Liu Bei, and Zhang Fei swore an oath of brotherhood before setting out on their quest to found Shu, much like how the surviving New Rebellion, the Azguards, and the Mon Calamari came together to found the Coalition. Zhang Fei was one of the most fearsome warriors in the land - certainly, Jan is known for being just as brave and rebellious as he. Jan Dondana could certainly be called one of the top three most powerful leaders in the Coalition, as Zhang Fei was, and both of them distinguished themselves fighting in the North.
Zhao Yun - Frakutsk
Zhao Yun was a simple type - he believed in virtue, justice, and serving those who would bring it to the world. He was also one of the most fearsome warriors in all the land, and fought for peace in the future. Though Frakutsk has not been tested as often as a warrior, being a Jedi makes him fiercer in single combat than most in the Coalition, and his commitment to peace and justice make him a strong match. Zhao Yun served and trained under several masters before going straight into service with Shu and staying with it from then on, much as Frakutsk has (quite commendably) done.
Jiang Wei - Halof Kerld
Jian Wei originally served Wei, but was turned early on in battle. Kerld originally was forced to serve the Empire, and engineered his own defection. They were (are) both passionate leaders and warriors who dedicated themselves to keeping unity amongst their allies, and were (are) known for impeccable strategy and virtue.
Huang Zhong - Ferguson Mumphs
Huang Zhong was an old officer who'd served in many armies, but was drawn to Shu by the thought of finally serving an army that was noble. He was wise and wiley, using cunning strategy and his experience to keep his enemy on their toes. He was one of the most powerful generals of Shu, and respected for this fact. Ferguson Mumphs is an old man who leads the Coalition's intelligence services - and as such, uses all of his own cunning strategy and experience. The two accomplished many similar things, like discovering enemies and acting as a vanguard for the main army.
Wei Yan - Yolem
Wei Yan was an engine of destruction, a warrior who lead by example and a poor grasp of even basic language skills. What he lacked in speech functions he made up in awe-inspiring violence, allowing him to lead armies purely from the front. Yolem is an Azguard General who isn't known for brilliant strategy or tactics, but instead great strength, both personally and of his Azguard forces. Both were a strategists' nightmare, as neither listened to orders when lost in the opportunity for battle.
Marth Meer - Ma Chao
The final stage to the creation of Shu was Liu Bei defeating his former ally Liu Zhang and taking Cheng Du - this completed the final addition to what would be called Shu. The final stage to the creation of the Coalition was the Coalition adding their former ally the Soveringty into their government, finishing the foundations of what would be called the New Coalition. However, when Liu Bei took Cheng Du, Liu Zhang's greatest warrior was the fearsome and fearless Ma Chao, a cold and ruthless warrior. Ingenious strategy turned this warrior, and he joined Liu Bei, signaling the death of Liu Zhang's hope for victory. This is fairly similar to how Marth Meer - the cold and ruthless Soveringty commander - became part of the Coalition after his Liu Zhang (Griff) fled.
Wei - The New Order
Wei was founded by a power-hungry warrior who toppled the weak Han Dynasty during the chaos of civil war and - claiming themselves a new dynasty altogether - established the largest and most powerful kingdom, spreading from the old Imperial capital. The leaders of Wei were iron-fisted tyrants who held on to power tightly and treated anyone in their path with cruelty. It was the first Emperor's hunt for the heroes of Shu that would eventually lead them to fleeing the capital and establishing Shu against him.
The Empire is called the New Order, just like how Wei was the new Dynasty to replace the dying Han. The Empire is also known for it's cruelty, and it was spawned when the Emperor seized the capital and chased out the surviving good-guys - much like Wei.
Cao Cao - Darth Exceron
The Emperor who started it all, he seized the capital and founded Wei, but is mostly known for his battles before the establishment of his Empire. He died before seeing it come fully into being, much like Regent Exercon's mysterious dissapearance. The Regent picked up the pieces after the fall of the first Emperor, which is very similar to how Cao cao moved in after the mad tyrant Dong Zhuo was deposed by an alliance of rebellious feudal lords.
Cao Pi - Daemun Hyfe
Cao Pi was the second Emperor of Wei, and Hyfe is the second Emperor of the New Order - but the similarities don't end there. Cao Pi was a sadistic and cruel man who slipped slowly into a cold, violent madness. He maintained his iron grip on power through incredible skill and a healthy paranoia - especially of Sima Yi, his strategist. Work that one out.
Sima Yi - Simon Kaine
No doubts there.Sima Yi was one the most cunning strategists who constantly fell in and out of favour with the Imperial Court of Wei - many suspected him of plotting to seize power for himself, so despite his great skill he was constantly being turned away. The turning point for this was when Zhuge Liang of Shu came close to conquering Wei, forcing Wei to give Sima Yi as much power as he needed. Wether he defeated Zhuge Liang is debatable, as the strategist died of natural causes very shortly into the campaign, but he soon proved everyone right by using his power to usurp Cao Pi and establish his own Imperial line and doctrine that would go on to rule all of China.
He is, in fact, staggeringly similar to Simon Kaine. Both were military men who acted humble on the outside but plotted great things on the inside. Both overcame powerful political rivals, and if you've read the "Of Endings" series, both eventually overthrew the second Emperor and took control of the Empire.
Zhen Ji - Drayson
Cao Pi's wife and just as cruel as he was, she possessed great power in Wei and was of a military mind as well -she actually fell in love with Cao Pi after he massacared her personal guards. She was cold, calculating, and her father was killed by the Empire after the Han Dynasty abandoned him. Well, Drayon is cold and cruel, her father was killed when the Republic collapsed around him, and she joined the Empire after her new masters were slaughtered. Also, I bet the Imperial halls of power are full of "She's Hyfe's spoils of war *wink wink*" insinuations and gossip. If they aren't, well, I don't know what's wrong with the Empire these days.
Cao Ren - Telan Desari
Cao Ren was a nobleman of Wei who served with a somewhat self-important honour and a disdain for those who claimed to be virtuous. He was a fearsome general and commanded some of the best armies of Wei, but was sometimes limited by his tough personality. Neverhtless, commended by almost all who faced him as a worthy and skilled opponant. Telan, as well, is a noble who has been with the Empire for a long time - who is well trained, experienced, and a high-ranked commander of the Empire.
Zhang He - Kraken
Possibly a little cruel to call Kraken this. Zhang He fought a great deal against Shu, and was a violent, warlike man who also enjoyed the finer things in life. Not a perfect match personality-wise, but Kraken too enjoys fine dining, governorship, and war against all enemies.
Xiahou Dun - Zell
Though not as foul-mouthed, Xiahou Dun served for a long period of Wei's history, at the right hand of Wei's founder and then the right hand of the second Emperor. He was experienced, having fought in every major battle, and advised his lessers (of which there were many) on how to act. Zell, too, has seen a great deal of his Empire's history, and is as much of a voice of experience as he was.
Xu Shu - Ku'un
Xu Shu originally served Liu Bei as a wise and trusted strategist, but when Cao Cao kidnapped his mother, Xu Shu was forced to serve Wei. Ku'un was formerly a Coalition admiral, before his homeworld of Abregado'Rae switched sides, forcing him too to join the Empire. Both achieved very little under their new masters, for their heart wasn't in it.
Wu - The Black Dragon Empire
The Kingdom of Wu was founded in a relatively distant area, although it was large. It was ruled by the Sun family, a tigh-knit group of family members who saw their land as a family possession and primarily concerned themselves with family honour and power. They were not by nature cruel - although some were and some were not, the primary motivation for each member of the Sun family and their extended family of friends and servants was their honour and family status. Also, they spent a great deal of time being angry at Shu, because Shu held the province of Jing - an area that the Sun family felt was rightfully theirs.
The Black Dragon Empire rules a region with recognized boundaries that they feel is theirs, and intrusions into it are personal offences. Although they are not by necessity evil, they do do evil things in the service of the ruling caste, or religion, or whatever they call it (the Taj Daemun guy). What is more important than good or evil, right or wrong, or any such concepts to the Black Dragons is their own social order and the devotion they put into it - like the Sun family, this caste of leaders is more important than baser issues about morality. Also, they spend a great deal of time being angry at the Coalition, because the Coalition holds space in their "Neutral Zone" - an area the Dragons feel is rightfully theirs.
Sun Jian - Taj Daemun
Sun jian and the Taj were both targets of worship by the leading family of their respective realms - Sun Jian was the patriarch of the family who may not have lived to see Wu founded, still influenced it greatly through his children, while the Taj is seen as a god amongst the Daemun, and worshipped as such. Neither of them really directly personally contributed to the rise of their nations, but they were the inspiration and often the foundation.
Sun Ce - Heir Raktus
Sun Ce was known as the 'Little Conqueror' after his lightning fast aquisition of the Central Plains. He actually began life not in the service of his kingdom of Wu, for he had yet to found it. Instead, he led a rogue army left him by his father. He soon used what influence he had to seize the plains and became famous. Heir Raktus also began life before the founding of his Empire, and was the one to establish it with his quick conquest of territory that would become the Black Dragon Empire. Both were soon taken out of events, however - Sun Ce died mysteriously, and Heir Raktus went inactive. They both married, although I'd say Sun Ce had an easier time with Da Qiao than Heir Raktus had with Jade.
Da Qiao - Jade
Self-explanitory. Jade married Heir Raktus, and Da Qiao married Sun Ce. Both were apparently strong willed and had... marital problems. Should probably just leave that one and move on.
Gan Ning - Kyric Zen
Gan Ning was a famous pirate and warrior who loved fighting and hated inactivity. He cared little for good or evil, just enemies and allies - he became best friends with the son of one of the generals he killed, because to him all that mattered was who he was fighting today. Kyric Zen certainly matches him, both in the Farfalen that he brought to the Dragons (equating the pirates brought by Gan Ning), and the affinity for war and bloodshed.
Sun Quan - General Grevious
After the passing of Sun Ce, Sun Quan became the leader of Wu, and lead with a cold, calculating mind. He was a fierce warrior and sometimes downright cold in his tactics, but nevertheless was an effective leader and seized a great deal of territory for Wu. Grevious is much the same, as the most powerful member of the Black Dragon Empire right now and an accomplished warlord and conqueror. Both were cold and calculating when they needed to be, and both had their eye on Shu/GC territory within their "Sphere of Influence".
Taishi Ci - Sully Arne
Taishi Ci served one of China's feudal lords before he was conquered and deposed by the Wu, not unlike how Essex served a king with counsel and wisdom before that king's deposement in Dragon space. Both decided to change sides rather than face death, and both skyrocketed to high places of trust in their empires. The difference is only in how they accomplished their goals - Taishi Ci was a powerful warrior and gained repute through tactical skill, while Essex is more of a cunning politician and gained power through much larger plans and plots. Both were trusted by the top leaders of their nation but not many others.
Firstly, the cast of characters.
There are, as the title suggests, three kingdoms - Shu, Wei, and Wu.
Shu - The Galactic Coalition
Shu was a kingdom built out of protest by a small group of war-heroes who sought to restor the former glory of the Han Dynasty. They opposed the villainous emperors of Wei, and had many famous heroes in their ranks. Lead by a brave (but somewhat foolhardy) king who championed the rights and dignity of the people, Shu was seen as the time period's "Good Guys". They were also noticeably smaller than Wei.
The Galactic Coalition has obvious parallels - founded by the surviving good-guy leaders in the period after Endgame and the Imperial hegemony, for the purpose of restoring the former glory of the Republic. They oppose the villainous emperors of The New Order, and have many well-known characters and Jedi in their ranks. They are most certainly led by a brave and definetly foolhardy being, and claim the title of "Good Guys" - that title being non-exclusive to them, of course, but certainly befitting them as well as others. We are, of course, noticeably less mighty than the New Order.
Liu Bei - Regrad
Liu Bei was the virtuous king of Shu. A veteran of war with great charisma, he envisioned a return to the noble days of the Han and ending the chaos and civil war that the other, pettier warlords had started for their own ends. Regrad too is a war veteran with a vision that centers about the restoration of justice in the land. Both had loyal friends, but both were hot-headed and tended to get caught up in their actions and make rash decisions.
Zhuge Liang - Viryn Quell
Zhuge Liang was Liu Bei's chief strategist and voice of wisdom. He kept Liu Bei from acting rashly and assisted him in his great endeavours - much like how Viryn Quell, as Minister of Ethics and a good friend of Regrads', advises the Prime Minister and keeps him in line. Also, Zhuge Liang was famous for joining Liu Bei after the young Liu visited him three times where he had been hiding out to spread his wisdom, showing that Liu Bei could possess great patience and courtesy. Viryn Quell joined Regrad and the Coalition after Regrad's agents sought him out so that he could personally meet the author who had been spreading such brilliant observations, showing responsibility and respect.
Yue Ying - Miette
Yue Ying was not known for her beauty, but instead for her wisdom and knowledge. As such, she was the perfect match for Zhuge Liang, who shared her love of discovery. Although Viryn and Miette aren't quite the same pair as those two were, they are a similar in that Viryn and Miette are not friends because of any physical attraction (her being an android, and Viryn... well, Viryn being a character made by Gash, whose characters aren't generally known for studliness.) but because they work well together. Yue Ying was also known as more fun-loving than her often serious husband, and Viryn and Miette exist on opposite scales of the fun-loving meter, where Viryn is somewhere in a land without fun and Miette exists in a constant state of preprogrammed glee.
Guan Yu - Joren Logan
Guan Yu, Liu Bei, and Zhang Fei swore an oath of brotherhood before setting out on their quest to found Shu, making them three of the most powerful and most united men in the kingdom. Guan Yu was known as a mighty god of war, dispassionate, and controlled, as Joren is known to be. Guan Yu also had his own province to look after, and Joren has the Commonwealth.
Guan Ping - Mahk
Guan Ping was Guan Yu's adopted son, and was loyal to death for his father. The two travelled everywhere together and fought hard against all enemies. Mahk is similar, the loyal bodyguard and friend of Joren, protecting him with his life.
Zhang Fei - Jan Dondana
Guan Yu, Liu Bei, and Zhang Fei swore an oath of brotherhood before setting out on their quest to found Shu, much like how the surviving New Rebellion, the Azguards, and the Mon Calamari came together to found the Coalition. Zhang Fei was one of the most fearsome warriors in the land - certainly, Jan is known for being just as brave and rebellious as he. Jan Dondana could certainly be called one of the top three most powerful leaders in the Coalition, as Zhang Fei was, and both of them distinguished themselves fighting in the North.
Zhao Yun - Frakutsk
Zhao Yun was a simple type - he believed in virtue, justice, and serving those who would bring it to the world. He was also one of the most fearsome warriors in all the land, and fought for peace in the future. Though Frakutsk has not been tested as often as a warrior, being a Jedi makes him fiercer in single combat than most in the Coalition, and his commitment to peace and justice make him a strong match. Zhao Yun served and trained under several masters before going straight into service with Shu and staying with it from then on, much as Frakutsk has (quite commendably) done.
Jiang Wei - Halof Kerld
Jian Wei originally served Wei, but was turned early on in battle. Kerld originally was forced to serve the Empire, and engineered his own defection. They were (are) both passionate leaders and warriors who dedicated themselves to keeping unity amongst their allies, and were (are) known for impeccable strategy and virtue.
Huang Zhong - Ferguson Mumphs
Huang Zhong was an old officer who'd served in many armies, but was drawn to Shu by the thought of finally serving an army that was noble. He was wise and wiley, using cunning strategy and his experience to keep his enemy on their toes. He was one of the most powerful generals of Shu, and respected for this fact. Ferguson Mumphs is an old man who leads the Coalition's intelligence services - and as such, uses all of his own cunning strategy and experience. The two accomplished many similar things, like discovering enemies and acting as a vanguard for the main army.
Wei Yan - Yolem
Wei Yan was an engine of destruction, a warrior who lead by example and a poor grasp of even basic language skills. What he lacked in speech functions he made up in awe-inspiring violence, allowing him to lead armies purely from the front. Yolem is an Azguard General who isn't known for brilliant strategy or tactics, but instead great strength, both personally and of his Azguard forces. Both were a strategists' nightmare, as neither listened to orders when lost in the opportunity for battle.
Marth Meer - Ma Chao
The final stage to the creation of Shu was Liu Bei defeating his former ally Liu Zhang and taking Cheng Du - this completed the final addition to what would be called Shu. The final stage to the creation of the Coalition was the Coalition adding their former ally the Soveringty into their government, finishing the foundations of what would be called the New Coalition. However, when Liu Bei took Cheng Du, Liu Zhang's greatest warrior was the fearsome and fearless Ma Chao, a cold and ruthless warrior. Ingenious strategy turned this warrior, and he joined Liu Bei, signaling the death of Liu Zhang's hope for victory. This is fairly similar to how Marth Meer - the cold and ruthless Soveringty commander - became part of the Coalition after his Liu Zhang (Griff) fled.
Wei - The New Order
Wei was founded by a power-hungry warrior who toppled the weak Han Dynasty during the chaos of civil war and - claiming themselves a new dynasty altogether - established the largest and most powerful kingdom, spreading from the old Imperial capital. The leaders of Wei were iron-fisted tyrants who held on to power tightly and treated anyone in their path with cruelty. It was the first Emperor's hunt for the heroes of Shu that would eventually lead them to fleeing the capital and establishing Shu against him.
The Empire is called the New Order, just like how Wei was the new Dynasty to replace the dying Han. The Empire is also known for it's cruelty, and it was spawned when the Emperor seized the capital and chased out the surviving good-guys - much like Wei.
Cao Cao - Darth Exceron
The Emperor who started it all, he seized the capital and founded Wei, but is mostly known for his battles before the establishment of his Empire. He died before seeing it come fully into being, much like Regent Exercon's mysterious dissapearance. The Regent picked up the pieces after the fall of the first Emperor, which is very similar to how Cao cao moved in after the mad tyrant Dong Zhuo was deposed by an alliance of rebellious feudal lords.
Cao Pi - Daemun Hyfe
Cao Pi was the second Emperor of Wei, and Hyfe is the second Emperor of the New Order - but the similarities don't end there. Cao Pi was a sadistic and cruel man who slipped slowly into a cold, violent madness. He maintained his iron grip on power through incredible skill and a healthy paranoia - especially of Sima Yi, his strategist. Work that one out.
Sima Yi - Simon Kaine
No doubts there.Sima Yi was one the most cunning strategists who constantly fell in and out of favour with the Imperial Court of Wei - many suspected him of plotting to seize power for himself, so despite his great skill he was constantly being turned away. The turning point for this was when Zhuge Liang of Shu came close to conquering Wei, forcing Wei to give Sima Yi as much power as he needed. Wether he defeated Zhuge Liang is debatable, as the strategist died of natural causes very shortly into the campaign, but he soon proved everyone right by using his power to usurp Cao Pi and establish his own Imperial line and doctrine that would go on to rule all of China.
He is, in fact, staggeringly similar to Simon Kaine. Both were military men who acted humble on the outside but plotted great things on the inside. Both overcame powerful political rivals, and if you've read the "Of Endings" series, both eventually overthrew the second Emperor and took control of the Empire.
Zhen Ji - Drayson
Cao Pi's wife and just as cruel as he was, she possessed great power in Wei and was of a military mind as well -she actually fell in love with Cao Pi after he massacared her personal guards. She was cold, calculating, and her father was killed by the Empire after the Han Dynasty abandoned him. Well, Drayon is cold and cruel, her father was killed when the Republic collapsed around him, and she joined the Empire after her new masters were slaughtered. Also, I bet the Imperial halls of power are full of "She's Hyfe's spoils of war *wink wink*" insinuations and gossip. If they aren't, well, I don't know what's wrong with the Empire these days.
Cao Ren - Telan Desari
Cao Ren was a nobleman of Wei who served with a somewhat self-important honour and a disdain for those who claimed to be virtuous. He was a fearsome general and commanded some of the best armies of Wei, but was sometimes limited by his tough personality. Neverhtless, commended by almost all who faced him as a worthy and skilled opponant. Telan, as well, is a noble who has been with the Empire for a long time - who is well trained, experienced, and a high-ranked commander of the Empire.
Zhang He - Kraken
Possibly a little cruel to call Kraken this. Zhang He fought a great deal against Shu, and was a violent, warlike man who also enjoyed the finer things in life. Not a perfect match personality-wise, but Kraken too enjoys fine dining, governorship, and war against all enemies.
Xiahou Dun - Zell
Though not as foul-mouthed, Xiahou Dun served for a long period of Wei's history, at the right hand of Wei's founder and then the right hand of the second Emperor. He was experienced, having fought in every major battle, and advised his lessers (of which there were many) on how to act. Zell, too, has seen a great deal of his Empire's history, and is as much of a voice of experience as he was.
Xu Shu - Ku'un
Xu Shu originally served Liu Bei as a wise and trusted strategist, but when Cao Cao kidnapped his mother, Xu Shu was forced to serve Wei. Ku'un was formerly a Coalition admiral, before his homeworld of Abregado'Rae switched sides, forcing him too to join the Empire. Both achieved very little under their new masters, for their heart wasn't in it.
Wu - The Black Dragon Empire
The Kingdom of Wu was founded in a relatively distant area, although it was large. It was ruled by the Sun family, a tigh-knit group of family members who saw their land as a family possession and primarily concerned themselves with family honour and power. They were not by nature cruel - although some were and some were not, the primary motivation for each member of the Sun family and their extended family of friends and servants was their honour and family status. Also, they spent a great deal of time being angry at Shu, because Shu held the province of Jing - an area that the Sun family felt was rightfully theirs.
The Black Dragon Empire rules a region with recognized boundaries that they feel is theirs, and intrusions into it are personal offences. Although they are not by necessity evil, they do do evil things in the service of the ruling caste, or religion, or whatever they call it (the Taj Daemun guy). What is more important than good or evil, right or wrong, or any such concepts to the Black Dragons is their own social order and the devotion they put into it - like the Sun family, this caste of leaders is more important than baser issues about morality. Also, they spend a great deal of time being angry at the Coalition, because the Coalition holds space in their "Neutral Zone" - an area the Dragons feel is rightfully theirs.
Sun Jian - Taj Daemun
Sun jian and the Taj were both targets of worship by the leading family of their respective realms - Sun Jian was the patriarch of the family who may not have lived to see Wu founded, still influenced it greatly through his children, while the Taj is seen as a god amongst the Daemun, and worshipped as such. Neither of them really directly personally contributed to the rise of their nations, but they were the inspiration and often the foundation.
Sun Ce - Heir Raktus
Sun Ce was known as the 'Little Conqueror' after his lightning fast aquisition of the Central Plains. He actually began life not in the service of his kingdom of Wu, for he had yet to found it. Instead, he led a rogue army left him by his father. He soon used what influence he had to seize the plains and became famous. Heir Raktus also began life before the founding of his Empire, and was the one to establish it with his quick conquest of territory that would become the Black Dragon Empire. Both were soon taken out of events, however - Sun Ce died mysteriously, and Heir Raktus went inactive. They both married, although I'd say Sun Ce had an easier time with Da Qiao than Heir Raktus had with Jade.
Da Qiao - Jade
Self-explanitory. Jade married Heir Raktus, and Da Qiao married Sun Ce. Both were apparently strong willed and had... marital problems. Should probably just leave that one and move on.
Gan Ning - Kyric Zen
Gan Ning was a famous pirate and warrior who loved fighting and hated inactivity. He cared little for good or evil, just enemies and allies - he became best friends with the son of one of the generals he killed, because to him all that mattered was who he was fighting today. Kyric Zen certainly matches him, both in the Farfalen that he brought to the Dragons (equating the pirates brought by Gan Ning), and the affinity for war and bloodshed.
Sun Quan - General Grevious
After the passing of Sun Ce, Sun Quan became the leader of Wu, and lead with a cold, calculating mind. He was a fierce warrior and sometimes downright cold in his tactics, but nevertheless was an effective leader and seized a great deal of territory for Wu. Grevious is much the same, as the most powerful member of the Black Dragon Empire right now and an accomplished warlord and conqueror. Both were cold and calculating when they needed to be, and both had their eye on Shu/GC territory within their "Sphere of Influence".
Taishi Ci - Sully Arne
Taishi Ci served one of China's feudal lords before he was conquered and deposed by the Wu, not unlike how Essex served a king with counsel and wisdom before that king's deposement in Dragon space. Both decided to change sides rather than face death, and both skyrocketed to high places of trust in their empires. The difference is only in how they accomplished their goals - Taishi Ci was a powerful warrior and gained repute through tactical skill, while Essex is more of a cunning politician and gained power through much larger plans and plots. Both were trusted by the top leaders of their nation but not many others.
