Role Playing Heroes: Kai Discipline

Kai - Soul Discipline

Before Kindred of the East (KOE) books were released by White Wolf, the company had published earlier versions of Eastern Vampires, including two Western-style bloodlines: the Gaki and Bushi. These bloodlines went out the window when the KOE books surfaced, but that doesn't mean their disciplines had to. To learn more about the changes, check out White Wolf's KOE FAQ. The Bushi discipline of Kai (not to be confused with the KOE Companion discipline Kiai) is fairly easy to convert, but the Gaki discipline called The Rift was much more difficult. If taken literally the Rift power would allow the vampire using this power to access the Yomi Worlds (the 1,000 Hells that all Kuei-Jin escaped from before their second breath) at level two. I made changes and consider both disciplines to be Soul Arts.

Learning the Soul Discipline of Kai, taught exclusively for centuries by the Kuei-Jin warriors of Japan, allows a Kuei-Jin to focus and control her own inner power. A useful aid for those attempting to advance along their dharmic paths, and for those hoping to become powerful warriors in their own right. Teachers of this discipline often require their would be disciplines swear oaths of allegiance and obedience, so they might serve as honorable samurai for decades to come.

Level 1 � Inner Focus
Practitioners of Kai first learn to control their souls and restrain their P�o. No easy task, but with the expenditure of one Chi (Yin or Yang), a Kuei-Jin may stop the beast from emerging (even after a failed attempt to avoid wave, fire or demon soul). This power works once per night. By restraining the beast, the Kuei-Jin remains able to complete tasks honor demands without interruption.

Level 2 � Focused Strike
By focusing their soul�s might, a Kuei-Jin gains combat abilities far beyond those of common martial artists. For each point of Chi spent, the Kuei-Jin may increase their strength for one strike by two die of aggravated damage. This extends supernatural hardness to the users body, enabling the Kuei-Jin to punch through brick walls without taking any damage. This power does not extend to weapons or armor, it only affects the Kuei-Jin�s body. This can also be used as a defensive technique, but the Kuei-Jin must have the initiative to take a dodge action in order to attempt a focused stance.

Level 3 � Honorable Elixir
Although Kuei-Jin remains unable to create blood bonds as their Western counterparts, a trained Kuei-Jin has an honorable alternative. By infusing a Chi point (in the form of blood) with a point of Willpower and feeding it to another being, that being becomes bound to honor in when dealing with the Kuei-Jin. The target becomes unable to lie, cheat or steal from the Kuei-Jin in any future dealings. Someone honorbound to the Kuei-Jin may attempt to resist the effects of the elixir at the expenditure of willpower points, but a humanity roll must be made to determine if the honorbound suffers any ill effects of his improper actions. This does not force anyone to do anything against their will or act in anyway out of the ordinary, they just cannot lie or betray the Kuei-Jin who created the elixir. Additionally, the chi point does not need to fed directly to the target, it may be mixed into drink or food, but it may be detected by an alertness + perception roll (difficulty 9), in which case the elixir has no effect and causes the target to lose confidence in the Kuei-Jin.

Level 4 � Shield from Fire
The next step in mastering the soul is learning how to protect it. At this level, the Kuei-Jin can actually protect her body and soul from the ravages of fire. At the expense of Chi, the Kuei-Jin may resist all damages inflicted by fire, even Fire Soul (R�tschreck). As this power is invoked, the Kuei-Jin�s body glows with a small but visible red aura. Each point spent equals one turn of invulnerability to fire. The ravages of sunlight can also be warded with this power, but at a hirer cost. The resist the damage penalties of sunlight the Kuei-Jin must spend two Chi points per turn, but must roll to avoid Fire Soul (difficulty 8, this cannot be prevented by Inner Focus).

Level 5 � Daimyo's Law
At this point, a Kuei-Jin has mastered many aspects of his own self-control, and may now extend that control to others. By spending a Chi point and rolling Manipulation + Leadership (difficulty the target�s Willpower), the Kuei-Jin can demand his target perform a single service or task (anything from �steal the ancient sword� to �stab your friend�). As long as this task does not cause direct harm to the target, the target must act on the command until the task is completed. The command can be resisted by non-mortals, provided the target succeeds in a Willpower roll (difficulty 8 for most tasks, difficulty 6 is the task requires the target to commit acts that he has an aversion to, difficulty 5 if the task goes against the target�s nature). If the target has already imbibed the Honorable Elixir, he may only roll half of his allotted Willpower die.

Level 6 � Focused Extension
The Kuei-Jin�s ability to give himself temporary invincibility and power now extends to clothing and weapons. Any clothing or armor worn by the Kuei-Jin automatically gains invincibility for the turn in which this power is invoked with the expenditure of Chi. One Chi point allows the Kuei-Jin to extend his power to any weapon that can be wielded with one hand or projected (arrows, knives, bullets, etc. No explosives). Two Chi points allow the Kuei-Jin to use this power with larger weapons, including those requiring two hands to wield or more than one person (such as a battering ram). An object as large as a stander car or truck can be protected using this power, but at the cost of four points of Chi. Again, this can be used as a defensive technique, but the Kuei-Jin must have the initiative to take a dodge action in order to attempt a focused stance.

Level 7 � Shield of Compassion
With this power, the glowing red shield of the Kuei-Jin extends to about 15 feet in diameter, protecting all within from harm from without. No one may enter or attack the shield with the intention of hurting someone inside of it, although a person already inside may decide to hurt someone else inside. Projectiles and weapons, including fire, cannot pass the shield. The shield costs two Chi points, and lasts for three turns, but can be extended with two more Chi points. Again, sunlight can be warded with this power, but at twice the cost and at the risk of Fire Soul or R�tschreck (difficulty 8, this cannot be prevented by Inner Focus).

Level 8 � Daimyo's Commandment
A much more powerful version of Daimyo�s Law, this power allows a Kuei-Jin to command a single task from anyone who can hear his voice. This power does not supernaturally raise the volume of the voice, but it does work when transmitted live using electronic means (phones, televisions, public address systems, etc.), but is no more impressive than anyone else�s voice when previously recorded. This power costs two Chi points and a Manipulation + Leadership roll at difficulty 8 (9 when transmitted artificially). Once again, as long as this task does not cause direct harm to the target, the target must act on the command until the task is completed. The command can be resisted by non-mortals, provided the target succeeds in a Willpower roll (difficulty 8 for most tasks, difficulty 6 is the task requires the target to commit acts that he has an aversion to, difficulty 5 if the task goes against the target�s nature). Targets having previously imbibed the Honorable Elixir do not suffer any Willpower penalty, and may attempt to resist like anyone else.

Level 9 � Indentured Elixir
Once a Kuei-Jin has achieved this level of discipline mastery, he can blood bind anyone to him with only one drink of Chi and Willpower infused elixir (two points each per person). Only one drink is necessary, and the binding is as permanent as any Western Blood Bind.

Level 10 � Focused Warrior
At the highest level of the Kai discipline, the practicing Kuei-Jin essentially becomes indestructible. Flesh, clothing and hand-held weapons become invincible (this does not include projectiles, nor does it provide other benefits for projectiles), and the user�s attack rolls increase by two aggravated die. This power lasts for an entire scene, but does not make the Kuei-Jin is unbeatable. Being indestructible does not prevent someone from being captured, restrained, banished or affected by non-physical attacks. This power costs four chi points and takes two turns of meditation to activate.
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Kai - Soul Discipline
Before Kindred of the East (KOE) books were released by White Wolf, the company had published earlier versions of Eastern Vampires, including two Western-style bloodlines: the Gaki and Bushi. These bloodlines went out the window when the KOE books surfaced, but that doesn't mean their disciplines had to. To learn more about the changes, check out White Wolf's KOE FAQ. The Bushi discipline of Kai (not to be confused with the KOE Companion discipline Kiai) is fairly easy to convert, but the Gaki discipline called The Rift was much more difficult. If taken literally the Rift power would allow the vampire using this power to access the Yomi Worlds (the 1,000 Hells that all Kuei-Jin escaped from before their second breath) at level two. I made changes and consider both disciplines to be Soul Arts.
Learning the Soul Discipline of Kai, taught exclusively for centuries by the Kuei-Jin warriors of Japan, allows a Kuei-Jin to focus and control her own inner power. A useful aid for those attempting to advance along their dharmic paths, and for those hoping to become powerful warriors in their own right. Teachers of this discipline often require their would be disciplines swear oaths of allegiance and obedience, so they might serve as honorable samurai for decades to come. Level 1 � Inner Focus Practitioners of Kai first learn to control their souls and restrain their P�o. No easy task, but with the expenditure of one Chi (Yin or Yang), a Kuei-Jin may stop the beast from emerging (even after a failed attempt to avoid wave, fire or demon soul). This power works once per night. By restraining the beast, the Kuei-Jin remains able to complete tasks honor demands without interruption. Level 2 � Focused Strike By focusing their soul�s might, a Kuei-Jin gains combat abilities far beyond those of common martial artists. For each point of Chi spent, the Kuei-Jin may increase their strength for one strike by two die of aggravated damage. This extends supernatural hardness to the users body, enabling the Kuei-Jin to punch through brick walls without taking any damage. This power does not extend to weapons or armor, it only affects the Kuei-Jin�s body. This can also be used as a defensive technique, but the Kuei-Jin must have the initiative to take a dodge action in order to attempt a focused stance. Level 3 � Honorable Elixir Although Kuei-Jin remains unable to create blood bonds as their Western counterparts, a trained Kuei-Jin has an honorable alternative. By infusing a Chi point (in the form of blood) with a point of Willpower and feeding it to another being, that being becomes bound to honor in when dealing with the Kuei-Jin. The target becomes unable to lie, cheat or steal from the Kuei-Jin in any future dealings. Someone honorbound to the Kuei-Jin may attempt to resist the effects of the elixir at the expenditure of willpower points, but a humanity roll must be made to determine if the honorbound suffers any ill effects of his improper actions. This does not force anyone to do anything against their will or act in anyway out of the ordinary, they just cannot lie or betray the Kuei-Jin who created the elixir. Additionally, the chi point does not need to fed directly to the target, it may be mixed into drink or food, but it may be detected by an alertness + perception roll (difficulty 9), in which case the elixir has no effect and causes the target to lose confidence in the Kuei-Jin. Level 4 � Shield from Fire The next step in mastering the soul is learning how to protect it. At this level, the Kuei-Jin can actually protect her body and soul from the ravages of fire. At the expense of Chi, the Kuei-Jin may resist all damages inflicted by fire, even Fire Soul (R�tschreck). As this power is invoked, the Kuei-Jin�s body glows with a small but visible red aura. Each point spent equals one turn of invulnerability to fire. The ravages of sunlight can also be warded with this power, but at a hirer cost. The resist the damage penalties of sunlight the Kuei-Jin must spend two Chi points per turn, but must roll to avoid Fire Soul (difficulty 8, this cannot be prevented by Inner Focus). Level 5 � Daimyo's Law At this point, a Kuei-Jin has mastered many aspects of his own self-control, and may now extend that control to others. By spending a Chi point and rolling Manipulation + Leadership (difficulty the target�s Willpower), the Kuei-Jin can demand his target perform a single service or task (anything from �steal the ancient sword� to �stab your friend�). As long as this task does not cause direct harm to the target, the target must act on the command until the task is completed. The command can be resisted by non-mortals, provided the target succeeds in a Willpower roll (difficulty 8 for most tasks, difficulty 6 is the task requires the target to commit acts that he has an aversion to, difficulty 5 if the task goes against the target�s nature). If the target has already imbibed the Honorable Elixir, he may only roll half of his allotted Willpower die. Level 6 � Focused Extension The Kuei-Jin�s ability to give himself temporary invincibility and power now extends to clothing and weapons. Any clothing or armor worn by the Kuei-Jin automatically gains invincibility for the turn in which this power is invoked with the expenditure of Chi. One Chi point allows the Kuei-Jin to extend his power to any weapon that can be wielded with one hand or projected (arrows, knives, bullets, etc. No explosives). Two Chi points allow the Kuei-Jin to use this power with larger weapons, including those requiring two hands to wield or more than one person (such as a battering ram). An object as large as a stander car or truck can be protected using this power, but at the cost of four points of Chi. Again, this can be used as a defensive technique, but the Kuei-Jin must have the initiative to take a dodge action in order to attempt a focused stance. Level 7 � Shield of Compassion With this power, the glowing red shield of the Kuei-Jin extends to about 15 feet in diameter, protecting all within from harm from without. No one may enter or attack the shield with the intention of hurting someone inside of it, although a person already inside may decide to hurt someone else inside. Projectiles and weapons, including fire, cannot pass the shield. The shield costs two Chi points, and lasts for three turns, but can be extended with two more Chi points. Again, sunlight can be warded with this power, but at twice the cost and at the risk of Fire Soul or R�tschreck (difficulty 8, this cannot be prevented by Inner Focus). Level 8 � Daimyo's Commandment A much more powerful version of Daimyo�s Law, this power allows a Kuei-Jin to command a single task from anyone who can hear his voice. This power does not supernaturally raise the volume of the voice, but it does work when transmitted live using electronic means (phones, televisions, public address systems, etc.), but is no more impressive than anyone else�s voice when previously recorded. This power costs two Chi points and a Manipulation + Leadership roll at difficulty 8 (9 when transmitted artificially). Once again, as long as this task does not cause direct harm to the target, the target must act on the command until the task is completed. The command can be resisted by non-mortals, provided the target succeeds in a Willpower roll (difficulty 8 for most tasks, difficulty 6 is the task requires the target to commit acts that he has an aversion to, difficulty 5 if the task goes against the target�s nature). Targets having previously imbibed the Honorable Elixir do not suffer any Willpower penalty, and may attempt to resist like anyone else. Level 9 � Indentured Elixir Once a Kuei-Jin has achieved this level of discipline mastery, he can blood bind anyone to him with only one drink of Chi and Willpower infused elixir (two points each per person). Only one drink is necessary, and the binding is as permanent as any Western Blood Bind. Level 10 � Focused Warrior At the highest level of the Kai discipline, the practicing Kuei-Jin essentially becomes indestructible. Flesh, clothing and hand-held weapons become invincible (this does not include projectiles, nor does it provide other benefits for projectiles), and the user�s attack rolls increase by two aggravated die. This power lasts for an entire scene, but does not make the Kuei-Jin is unbeatable. Being indestructible does not prevent someone from being captured, restrained, banished or affected by non-physical attacks. This power costs four chi points and takes two turns of meditation to activate.