rules as I discussed them with Sandy (and which
Sandy later expanded to something useful). These
were playtested to some extent at least.
Mystic Philosophy
All mystics have a [Mystic Philosophy] ability. The name depends on the school , e.g. Unrealization (Mashunasan), Perfect Stilness (Enrono).
Disciplines
As per the official rules, this is one physical ability, one mental ability and a virtue. The balance requirement applies to the disciplines _and_ the mystic philosophy.
General powers
The mental discipline gives the mystic superb concentration and focus. This can be used to augment _any_ other ability. Only one ability can be augmented at the time and when the mystic switches focus and uses another ability, the augment is lost.
The time spent preparing with the mental discipline limits the augment possible:
Time Max. augment
1 minute +1 1 hour +2 1 day +3 1 week +4
Immunities
As the mystic progresses he becomes increasingly immune to external influence. At w1 in the mystic philosophy the mystic no longer needs clothes and shelter for protection (modesty is anoher thing). At w2, the mystic no longer needs sleep, food or drink. At w3, the mystic stops aging.
Orthodox specialties
An orthodox mystic can use his mystic philosophy to refute the external world (as per the Refute ability).
For each w the orthodox mystic has in the mystic philosophy, all opponents receive a -1 handicap in all contests against the mystic.
Manifest specialties
A manifest mystic (like a martial artist) can use magical effects with abilities he has mastered. The mystic must have at least 1w in both the mystic philosophy and the ability. Each magical effect is learned separately. Different schools teach different effects. This is where the eagle talons and the lightning bolt ridem fit in.
But, using these magical effects entangles the mystic with he material world which is not good for mystic progress. As soon as the manifets mystic has used a magic effect, he cannot increase his mystic philosophy with Hero Points until he has done purifications.
This is an extended contest of the mystic philosophy against a basic difficulty which is the same as the mystic's own mystic philosophy target number. For each use of a magic effect the difficulty is increased by 1. So, if Alam Kam, the martial artist has Sons of the Bolt Martial Art 12w and has used magical effects at six occasions he must win a contest against 18w.
If the mystic wins a minor victory or better, he is purified and can once again increase his mystic philosophy. If he suffers a major defeat or worse, he fails and loses 1 point in mystic philosophy for a major defeat, 2 points for a complete defeat. With all other results, the purification fails, but has no long-term negative effects.
The purification takes one week to perform.
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