The oldest and most influential faction in the city, The Red Deer Court started as a Kuei-Jin enclave in the 1850s when the young Shufen Gao brought her followers to the city from mainland China following her own banishment from the Golden Courts. After carving a space for her and her Wu, Shufen formed the Red Deer Court under the guardian nushi of the Red Deer. Shufen practices the Song of the Shadow dharma, and is known as a just, yet ruthless, protector of her Court. She is a matriarch who is both feared and loved by her people.

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The central seat of the Red Deer Court’s power lies in the Red Deer Temple, located in Chinatown near Grant Avenue. This temple acts as both a source of revenue for the Court via tourism, blessings, and donations, but also as the site of many meetings and important discussions involving both above and underground business. Shufen lives above the temple and also operates an orphanage on the grounds to care for children in the community. However, this orphanage is more than it seems - the children are there first and foremost to be vessels for new Kuei-Jin born into the world. Not all of them are chosen as vessels, but that is their primary purpose. It is considered a great honor in the temple to be chosen in this way.

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Shufen owns a number of properties in Chinatown, which acts as her territory. Almost every business that operates within the area is either owned by her or under her protection, and in exchange for this protection, they pay dues via donations to the Temple. Nothing happens in her territory without her knowing about it. All of her properties are connected by underground tunnels, allowing the sun-averse Kuei-Jin to move completely underground during daylight hours. The Red Deer Court also owns and operates the Lurong Butchery, a butcher shop that provides the Kuei-Jin of the city with the chi they need to stay animated via body parts and blood, should they choose to utilize it. This chi is procured by Shufen's heir, Yazhu Gao, who patrols Chinatown by night and keeps the area safe by taking out anyone who threatens the peace and safety of the territory.

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In 1906, a devastating earthquake nearly destroyed Chinatown and decimated the Red Deer Court. Due to hard work from Shufen and her allies, the area was rebuilt stronger and better than ever, and firmly solidified Shufen as an influential figure within the politics of the city. The court  is particularly averse to the House of Gold and the establishment of Dante Costello as Prince, as they do not take kindly to the Kindred moving so close to their territory.