KotE

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1. #1Kuei-jinselective

   Keys: Wan Kuei, Cathayan, Hungry Dead, Kuei-jin

   Kuei-jin are the vampires of East and Southeast Asia, the karmically cursed outcasts dwelling on the Middle Kingdom's fringes. Their physical bodies are powered by mystical energy and that energy serves to heal them. Kuei-jin use chi. Depending on the type of chi used, a Kuei-jin's body will have different attributes – ranging from a low-energy corpse like state, to a feverish state close enough to life that they can create new life. Kuei-jin are effectively unliving chi batteries; they need and hunger for chi the same way that the Kindred hunger for blood, and they need no other sustenance, although they take more pleasure from food and sex than the damned do. With the right chi, Kuei-jin can even withstand the sun for a short period of time.

2. #2Second Breathselective

   Keys: Second Breath

   The Second Breath is the process during which a soul returns from Yomi and reclaims a dead body, becoming a Kuei-jin. The newly created Kuei-jin then awakens as a chih-mei, a flesh-eating monstrosity in thrall of its inner demon.

3. #3Courtselective

   Keys: Court

   A Courts is the Kuei-Jin governing body in a region. The five ancestral courts were divided in turns into five august courts, themselves divided into Wu.

4. #4Yomi Wanselective

   Keys: Thousand Hells, Yomi Wan

   Yomi Wan is an artificial spiritual dimension created by the Yama Kings from a combination of the spirit worlds of the Yang World and the Yin World, to serve as their headquarters. This dimension is a crazy-quilt domain; each Yama King claims some space as their own personal Hell.

5. #5Yama Kingselective

   Keys: Yama King

   Yama King is a generic term employed by the Kuei-jin referring to various malignant spirit beings that rule over the Thousand Hells. They are fallen servants of the August Personage of Jade who, discovering that chi could be extracted from human souls through torture, adopted such techniques to extract that energy.

6. #6Chiselective

   Keys: Chi

   Chi is a term used in the Middle Kingdom to describe the stuff of life itself, the vital energy that drives the universe. The Kuei-jin process chi internally, absorbing it from various energies of life (blood, breath, their surroundings) in order to animate their bodies.

7. #7P'oselective

   Keys: P'o

   It is the lower soul of a creature.

8. #8Dharmaselective

   Keys: Dharma

   For the Kuei-jin, a Dharma is a path to enlightenment which allows them to transcend their bestial natures and holds out hope for enlightenment and rejoining the Karmic cycle. As demonic creatures, enlightenment is far harder for Kuei-Jin, and the path to wisdom can take millennia.

9. #9Howl of the Devil Tigerselective

   Keys: Searing Winds, Howl of the Devil Tiger

   It is one of the acknowledged Dharmas of the P'o. The followers of this path are not demon-worshippers. They want to become devils. And that is a far greater purpose than servitude. These vampires epitomize sadomasochism; they enjoy tormenting other creatures mentally, emotionally and physically, but revel in the same treatment, too. Each tear is a new lesson, each cry a vision of truth.

10. #10Song of the Shadowselective

    Keys: Bone Flowers, Song of the Shadow

    It is the Dharma of Yin. Aware of their immortality, these Kuei-jin share a thirst for discovery. From libraries and mass media, they gather stories about the living world; from the spirits they collect memories and news. To bind the two together the vampires record their insights in works of art or scholarship.

11. #11Way of the Resplendent Craneselective

    Keys: Way of the Resplendent Crane, Shining Ice Guardians

    It is the Dharma of Hun. Resplendent Cranes see suffering flow from imperfection. If enlightened rulers can set examples — and laws—for their people, those people should prosper. The key lies in the purity of the lawmakers; if the leaders are enlightened, their laws carry Heaven's blessings. To alleviate their shame, the vampires must serve as the Correctors of Heaven, as enforcers and exemplars of the Harmonious Way.

12. #12Dance of the Thrashing Dragonselective

    Keys: Dance of the Thrashing Dragon

    It is the Dharma of Yang. Shunning society's restrictions, they explore life's lush infinities through martial arts and Tantric practices. Since life assumes ten thousand forms, most Thrashing Dragons master shapeshifting arts. The Thrashing Dragon way is highly animistic. Thrashing Dragons are also known for their willingness to involve others in their lives. Life is not a solitary game - it requires lovers and rivals and romance and danger, if it is to keep the Thrashing Dragon on edge and awake.

13. #13Path of a Thousand Whispersselective

    Keys: Rootless Trees, Path of a Thousand Whispers

    This Dharma seeks to attain enlightenment by experiencing many lives and thus gaining many insight. Its is dedicated to Balance. The Whispering Way is the rarest of Dharmas, and with good reason: It's the hardest to maintain. Kuei-jin are neither balanced nor temperate. Every few years, vampire suffers a ritual "death," is buried, and returns as a new person. During this burial, the vampire enters a long trance, during which she meditates on the lessons of her past life.

14. #14Spirit of the Living Earthselective

    Keys: Cerulean Veils, Kin of Izanami, Spirit of the Living Earth

    It is a heretical Dharma. It emphasizes both Yin and Yang. Cerulean Veil draws on shintoistic and various animistic traditions. Introspective and insightful, the Cerulean Veils hold that all actions have consequences within the realms of spirit and that each deed can insult or please a certain kind of spirit. Each action has a proper form and every of the myriads of rules the spirits adhere to has a reason. The Spirit of the Living Earth has been labelled heretic because they have no qualms about trafficking with demons and other tainted spirits- as they are still spirits. The Cerulean Veils believe that, as any spirit can be coerced, charmed or forced to do what a practitioner wants, if the right preparations are taken. Kin of Izanami is a japanese variant, believed to be descended from goddess Izanami.

15. #15Face of the Godsselective

    Keys: Face of the Gods, The Celestial Nail

    It is one of the heretical Dharmas. It concerns itself with Hun and P'o. They crave validation from other Dharmas, despite seeing them as pretenders and fools. The lack of bodhisattvas within the tribe, however, leads to the unfortunate situation that the Tribe is not taken seriously by other Dharmas that follow the Fivefold Way. The Divine Faces themselves, irritated that these newcomers should dictate their behaviour.

16. #16Flame of the Rising Phoenixselective

    Keys: Flame of the Rising Phoenix, Diamond Serpents

    It is one of the heretical Dharmas. It concerns itself with Yang and Hun. They see the Second Breath as a continuation of their previous existence, no more new than the passage from childhood to adulthood or adulthood to old age. Although they see and experience things most people will never understand, like the great change in body and spirit, they essentially remain the same individual. The typical Rising Phoenix is, for a time, a bastion of hope and compassion; driven to regain mortality. The Flame is deemed heretic because of their rejection of the Heavenly Mandate. Instead of believing they have returned to serve Heaven under a new purpose, the Phoenixes instead propagate that their return is the result of karmic imbalance.

17. #17Seekers of the Inward Wayselective

    Keys: Seekers of the Inward Way

    It is one of the heretical Dharmas. It concerns itself with Balance. Knowing the painful tearing of the conflicting natures of their kind all too well, the Seekers search for the calm in the center of the chaos within them. They crystallize enlightenment through the principles of negation. No one truth leads to enlightenment; illumination throws shadows that bring understanding. By watching the synergy of opposing forces, the Tempests learn what lies outside of those forces. The Seekers are deemed heretics because they regard the hells, the Yama Kings and the Wheel of Ages as illusions to overcome. Seekers do not share the feelings of superiority the Asian cultures allegedly possess.

18. #18Scorpion Eatersselective

    Keys: Scorpion Eaters

    It is one of the heretical Dharma. It was developed by Kuei-jin who had to feed on tainted Chi to survive. They cannot use regular Shintai and instead use the Bile Shintai. The Scorpion Eaters solely rely on their P'o, barely staying above the level of Chih-mei and unable to advance further. While every other Dharma allows for enlightenment and escape from the state as an undead, the Scorpion Eaters have no such aspirations. All that matters for them is to survive the next moment. Scorpion interaction is primarily based on mutual benefit. Once a Scorpion has exhausted the use of an ally, that "friendship" usually ends right then and there. Sometimes desperate loneliness brings together those unwilling to face the bleak nights by themselves, in codependent and sometimes abusive relationships. Everything said above is the modern version of this dharma, its actually was an anti-dharma movement that destroyed the biggest Chinese court. Older version now is known as Revolutionaries.

19. #19Akumaselective

    Keys: Akuma

    The Akuma are individuals who have abandoned virtue and have cast their lot in with the Yama Kings.

20. #20Disciplineselective

    Keys: Discipline

    Kuei-jin Disciplines are based on elemental forces corresponding to supernatural Virtues in the Kuei-jin's body and the Chi stored in the vampire's body.

21. #21Beast Shintaiselective

    Keys: Beast Shintai

    It is one of the Shintai arts. It channels the P'o to to allow him to dominate, control, or make use of the beasts of the field.

22. #22Blood Shintaiselective

    Keys: Blood Shintai

    It is one of the Shintai arts. It allow to manipulate own blood.

23. #23Bone Shintaiselective

    Keys: Bone Shintai

    It is one of the Shintai Discipline. It allows to alter own bone structure for various benefits.

24. #24Flesh Shintaiselective

    Keys: Flesh Shintai

    Flesh Shintai allows a Kuei-jin to channel Yang energy through the medium of its corpse in order to augment and transform it.

25. #25Jade Shintaiselective

    Keys: Jade Shintai

    It is one of the Shintai Discipline. Vampire becomes a conduit for the ambient Chi flows of the elements around. In this state, the vampire gains properties similar to jade itself, which is reputed in legend to act as a "soul substance."

26. #26Ghost-Flame Shintaiselective

    Keys: Ghost-Flame Shintai

    It is one of the Shintai Discipline. A vampire learns to handle the searing pain involved in channeling the Chi energy through her body. Ghost-Flames are not real flames, instead they are spiritual fires fueled by chi. Its color and properties are determined by the chi used to fuel it.

27. #27Smoke Shintaiselective

    Keys: Smoke Shintai

    It is a Discipline that allows the Kuei-jin to manipulate smoke to cause a variety of effects. The Kuei-jin use the powers of this Shintai to misdirect, conceal, and obfuscate.

28. #28Storm Shintaiselective

    Keys: Storm Shintai

    It is a Discipline that allows the Kuei-jin to manipulate elements related to storms.

29. #29Equilibriumselective

    Keys: Equilibrium

    Masters of Equilibrium commonly concern themselves with maintaining proper Chi balance in their systems; conversely, though, Equilibrium can be used to create grotesque Chi imbalances in individuals who displease the user. Most abilities require physical contact between the user and his target.

30. #30Feng Shuiselective

    Keys: Feng Shui

    Feng Shui is an ancient geomantic art that specializes in the proper and auspicious alignment of buildings, graves, and interiors, in accordance with heavenly emanations and earthly configurations, allowing the Chi to flow freely in order to harmonize individuals with their surrounding environment.

31. #31Tapestryselective

    Keys: Tapestry

    With the art of Tapestry, a Kuei-jin can manipulate the Ley lines that flow beneath the Middle Kingdom. Through practice of Tapestry, the vampire attunes himself to Yin and Yang forces in the wind, water, and soil, then manipulates those forces for a variety of efforts.

32. #32Chi'iu Muhselective

    Keys: Chi'iu Muh, Dragon Pearl

    It is a curious Discipline of the Kuei-jin that draws its power from a Third Eye that emulates the Dragon Sages from ages past. Chi'iu Muh is an unique Discipline in the regard that its powers shift according to the soul part that is dominant at the time of usage. While the Hun can mend souls and heal wounds, the P'o ravages souls and can even devour them.

33. #33Cultivationselective

    Keys: Cultivation

    Cultivation is a Soul Discipline that allows a Kuei-jin to "cultivate" his P'o. To a master of Cultivation, the P'o is just another family member – an unruly one that must occasionally be disciplined, but a useful member nonetheless.

34. #34Internalizeselective

    Keys: Internalize

    Internalize is a Kuei-jin Discipline that focuses on control over the dual state of their souls.

35. #35Mibashamselective

    Keys: Mibasham

    Mibasham is an extremely esoteric Discipline of the Kuei-jin. This discipline allows to stare right into kuei-jin's souls and study them.

36. #36Obligationselective

    Keys: Obligation

    Obligation is a Soul Discipline that allows a Kuei-jin to exert control over others. Obligation can not affect a being with a higher Dharma or Hun rating than the user possesses.

37. #37Black Windselective

    Keys: Black Wind

    Black Wind is a Demon Art. The user channels his P'o to enhance his speed. Essentially, Black Wind is a focused frenzy.

38. #38Demon Shintaiselective

    Keys: Demon Shintai

    The Demon Shintai allows a Kuei-jin to manifest his Inner Demon, transforming his flesh to resemble the servants of Yomi Wan. This Discipline is occasionally taught by evil spirits in exchange for the character's service in the material world. Each Demon form is unique and depends on the P'o of the user, with the user gaining more demonic attributes as their level of mastery increases.

39. #39Hellweavingselective

    Keys: Hellweaving

    These abilities represent gifts of power to select Kuei-jin from the Yama Kings and other demonic entities. Typically these powers involve terror, corruption, infusing the Kuei-jin's body with powerful Yomi energy. Each one requires a sacrifice by the Kuei-jin whenever it is used to whichever Yomi entity granted him the power. These sacrifices range from simple gold or incense to the Kuei-jin’s personal Chi or the performance of some service.

40. #40Iron Mountainselective

    Keys: Iron Mountain

    It is a Demon Art of the Kuei-jin. The user channels his P'o to protect himself against damage. The Demon revels in pain, even its own; by drawing from its strength and rage, Kuei-jin practitioners of this Discipline ignore or resist injury, even from magic, fire, and sunlight.

41. #41Kiaiselective

    Keys: Kiai

    Kiai is a Demon Discipline that channels the wrath of the Demon through the voice.

42. #42Prayer-Eatingselective

    Keys: Prayer-Eating

    It is a Discipline commonly associated with Face of the Gods Dharma. Prayer-Eating operates on the principle that a god is connected to her worshipers. Through the development of this Discipline, the Kuei-jin learns to extend her spiritual influence into those who pay her homage.

43. #43Inward Wayselective

    Keys: Inward Way

    The Discipline of the Inward Way is all about controlling the four imbalanced Virtues at the heart of the constantly whirling tempest within. A true master of the Inward Way manipulates her Yin and Yang Chi as well as her Hun and P'o with equal facility, and is always in complete control of her internal balance.

44. #44Tempest of Inward Focusselective

    Keys: Tempest of Inward Focus

    Originally a movement-based meditation technique, it has been redefined as a combat discipline by Seekers who refuse the persecution from the Quincunx. As a result, some elements are borrowed from mortal martial arts, like Tai Chi.

45. #45Balefire Shintaiselective

    Keys: Balefire Shintai

    Balefire Shintai is one of the Bile Shintai Discipline. Balefire Shintai is feared for the massive corruption it can unleash, warping local chi and even whole dragon nests.

46. #46Decay Shintaiselective

    Keys: Decay Shintai

    It is one of the Bile Shintai Discipline. It allows manipulation of toxins from own corpse.

47. #47Disease Shintaiselective

    Keys: Disease Shintai

    It is one of the Bile Shintai Disciplines that allows to cause various diseases by touch.

48. #48Bodhisattvaselective

    Keys: Bodhisattva

    Bodhisattvas are Kuei-jin that have reached the final stages of their chosen Dharmas. These enlightened Kuei-Jin have removed themselves from the larger world, from political and social interaction, and are usually content to live the unlife of an ascetic.

49. #49Mandarinselective

    Keys: Mandarin

    Advisors or ministers, they have a greater degree of responsibility in court affairs.

50. #50Ancestorselective

    Keys: Ancestor

    Elected by mandarins to govern a city or region. The rough equivalent of a western prince or baron.

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