Seven Sages - SinaiMUCK Mutant Chronicles Mishima Background
The Seven Sages and the Martial Arts
Of the four original Merchant Corporations (Cybertronic not included in this elite group), Mishima is the least influenced by the Brotherhood. This originated back in the time of the Neronian Heresy and the Age of the Six Cardinals, when the Brotherhood was split in a six-way schism over a matter of debate of ascension to the Cardinalship.
During this period, there were seven philosophers known as the Seven Sages, who brought their teachings to the samurai class of the Mishima Corporation. Some historians hold them to be great Enlightened Ones, others believe them to be renegade Mystics, and yet others (particularly those of the Brotherhood) believe them to be Heretics sent by the Darkness. These Seven Sages taught that the Brotherhood did not have a monopoly on wisdom, and that all men could be taught the Art. They taught their version of the Art in secret schools to members of the samurai class. This became a blend of ancient martial arts and mystical powers, focused on enhancing the user's own physical and mental abilities rather than affecting the outside environment in overt ways.
While these teachings appealed to the corporate elite - the samurai - the working class still by and large held to the teachings of the Brotherhood, split as it may be. Several uprisings (considered to be Brotherhood-inspired) amongst the workers were crushed, and in the fallout, seeds of distrust between Mishima and the Brotherhood were planted, and the workers were disarmed and reduced to their present state as peasantry in the service of the corporation.
By the time that the Schism ended, the teachings of the Seven Sages had become deeply entrenched in Mishiman society. Mishima could not ignore the power of the newly unified Brotherhood, and the Brotherhood's goal of unifying the Megacorporations against the Darkness could not allow it to discount Mishima entirely. An uneasy truce was reached between the Cardinal and the Mishiman Overlord, and several of the more obviously Heretical schools were purged, and a Brotherhood advisor was allowed to give counsel to the Overlord on issues concerning the Darkness. In return, the Brotherhood tolerates the Mishiman way of life.
The Seven Sages
The teachings of the Seven Sages are greatly revered in Mishiman society, and the less-educated among the commoners even pray to them as gods. Their pictures and statues can be found in almost every Mishiman home, of any class. The original sages were:
Yuroji, the First Sage: Yuroji was a Mishiman-born Brotherhood Mystic who was sickened by the violence perpetrated by the rivals to the Cardinalship during the time of the Neronian Schism, and resolved to find a new path. He approached the Overlord of that time and offered to teach him and his samurai the secrets of combat. He helped formulate the basic doctrines of the Way, and also helped the Mishima Corporation to find elements of its ancient pre-Exodus identity. He is commonly represented as a gaunt, ascetic man, in long black Brotherhood robes, with a halo of light around his head.
Kanji, Sage of Unlimited Good Fortune: Kanji was another renegade Brotherhood Mystic who became one of Yuroji's first disciples in the Way. He was regarded as an eloquent speaker who worked to spread the word of the Way and sway many to his teachings. It is also held that everyone who crossed his path was lucky. He is commonly represented as a smiling fat man with a glowing halo around his head.
Yorama, Sage of Battle: Yorama was the first Samurai disciple of the Way to achieve enlightenment. In his lifetime, he was a great warrior who perfected the combat techniques which are still in common use today. In battle, he was invincible. More than anyone else, he saw to it that the Samurai became followers of the Way, and he is considered the epitomy of Samurai values. He is depicted as a giant Samurai with a red halo around his head.
Nomura, Sage of Prosperity: Nomura was a merchant who became a follower of the Way, and became quite wealthy ... but then swore off material wealth and gave all of his belongings to the Overlord. He is seen as a patron of sorts to merchants and administrators - and to gamblers as well. He is depicted as a bearded man with a scale in one hand, and a jewel in the other.
Yizo, Sage of Wisdom: Yizo was a great philosopher who advocated a return to the ancient values of complete loyalty and obedience to one's liege lord. She is depicted as a high-browed woman garbed in traditional Samurai dress, with a double halo about her shaved head.
Marama, Sage of Harmony: Marama was a sage who laid the groundwork for harmony with the home, advocating complete obedience to one's parents, and teaching that the family is of utmost importance. She is depicted as a tranquilly smiling woman of middle years in green robes, with a halo about her head.
Toronaga, Sage of Justice: Toronaga was a rogue Inquisitor who was the first Demon Hunter, and who hunted down the Dark Cultists who had slaughtered her family. She formed the Order of the Demon Hunters, and developed many of its techniques that are still used to this day. She is depicted as a towering woman fully encased in black Demon Hunter armor.
Ki Powers
Followers of the Way follow many different schools that teach a mixture of the martial arts and mystic techniques. These mystic techniques center on focusing one's inner power, referred to as "Ki" or "Chi", in order to perform superhuman feats. In game terms, "Ki Powers" don't represent anything more than an excuse for a character to have remarkably high Agility and fighting skills, and to add a little more color to the details of just what school of the martial arts a Mishiman character might have studied under. While these abilities are at least to some degree mystical, this doesn't translate into anything in game terms beyond exceptional physical attributes.
Schools of the Martial Arts
The following is a listing of martial arts schools that teach the Way. Certain "powers" are listed for each school - These are techniques taught by this particular school. Some schools are at war with others. Commoners will be persecuted if it is found out that they are studying martial arts (with the exceptions of certain schools specifically designated). A Mishiman PC that has a background with one of these schools may earn a few enemies in the process.
The powers listed are those that are listed in the Mishima sourcebook. Some of them sound fairly potent. For the same of completeness, I'm listing them all here, but for my particular campaign, it should be assumed that they aren't quite as wondrous as they sound. (In my personal opinion, someone went overboard when writing the Mishima book. Originally, the Brotherhood's claim to fame was its use of the Art. By the time all the sourcebooks came out, it seems that just about everybody had an excuse to use the Art in some form.) These "techniques" are listed more for the purpose of "color", and my descriptions of them have been watered down significantly from the actual sourcebook rules. Some martial artists in the Mutant Chronicles universe do indeed possess fairly supernatural powers, but this will be beyond the scope of what PCs will have access to.
Blademaster: This school was founded during the Great Rebellion by the Samurai Narita. It has become the most common and popular martial arts school amongst the ruling class. Every Mishiman Lord employs a Blademaster. Only Samurai may join this school.
Techniques: Kenjitsu; Nomura's Quickened Step; Iajitsu; Yorama's Deflecting Hands; The Toad's Great Leap; Yizo's Prescience
Celestial Path: The Celestial Path teaches its followers self-restraint, self-control and pacifism. Its followers are meant only to fight in self-defense and then only when attacked. This makes it a favored technique among more law abiding Commoners who probably don't want to draw attention to themselves anyway.
Techniques: Hands of Stone; The Mongoose's Artful Dodge; Nomura's Quickened Step; Ki Self Healing; Dragon Spirit; Yizo's Prescience
Dark Mystics: Dark Mystics are Heretics. Many are drawn into these schools, believing that they will be taught unusual Ki techniques. By the time they learn differently, they are full-fledged Heretics.
Deathbringer: The Deathbringer school is taught only to members of the Shadow Walker cult. It teaches stealth, swift killing and evasion.
Techniques: Catsight; The Chamelon's Camouflage; Deathblow; The Crow's Piercing Glance; The Mongoose's Artful Dodge; The Bat's Sonar Sense; Teleport; Strike From Beyond the Grave
Dragon Boxer: The Dragon Boxers are the most famous of all the Martial Arts schools. They meet in secret dojos within the Mishiman realms under the patronage of the Black Dragon Triad. They have a fearsome reputation as brawlers and fist fighters. They teach only Commoners. Many of their members go on to become enforcers for the Triads. They are the sworn enemies of the Storm Warrior school.
Techniques: Hooded Viper Style; Hands of Stone; The Monkey's Foot; Toronaga's Raging Might; Morama's Perfect Balance; Dragon Spirit; The Toad's Great Leap
Gray Mystics: Gray Mystics study the more esoteric uses of Ki Powers. They are famed as scholars and sages. They will teach anybody, Commoner or Samurai, and are one of the few schools where Commoners will not be subject to persecution. Instead, they must swear allegiance to their local liege Lord. Gray mystics have a great reputation as sages and scholars.
Techniques: Yizo's Prescience; Yuroji's True Sight; Ki Self Healing; Cleanse Poison; Aura of Mystical Resistance; Teleport; Supreme Concentration
Hunting Tiger: The way of the Hunting Tiger teaches its followers to attack swiftly, stealthily and only when necessary. It relies on speed, agility and fast strikes. Samurai practicing this schol use it with the sword. Commoners learn to use this in unarmed combat - but are still subject to persecution if they are found out. It is commonly taught by wandering masters.
Techniques: Kenjitsu; Marama's Perfect Balance; Catsight; The Monkey's Foot; The Chameleon's Camouflage; The Toad's Great Leap; The Rhino's Impregnable Skin
Storm Warrior: The Storm Warrior school concentrates on pure combat. It teaches that the best form of defense is attack, and that only the strong survive. Its followers are renowned for their brutality in warfare. Both Samurai and Commoners are taught in this school, though Commoners are subject to persecution if found out. This school is the bitter enemy of the Dragon Boxers.
Techniques: Hooded Viper Style; Deathblow; The Crow's Piercing Glance; The Cobra's Venomous Strike; Adamantium Will; Weapon Link; The Rhino's Impregnable Skin
Tattooed Man: The Tattooed Man school is open only to members of the Triads. It teaches its followers how to stalk and slay their victims with all manner of weapons. Its members are famous for their use of psychoactive tattoos which they can make visible when they are dispatching their victims.
Techniques: Hooded Viper Style; Flying Viper Style; Catsight; Kanji's Lucky Sense; Deathblow; Strike From Beyond the Grave; The Rhino's Impregnable Skin
White Mystics: The White Mystics were once a group of renegade Mystics who taught their Art to any who qualified. Little is known of this group, except that they are held to be practitioners of the Art without any ties to the Brotherhood, and that they teach Commoners. This makes them none too popular with either the Inquisition or the Samurai.
Ki Techniques
The following are listings of Ki Powers from the Mishima sourcebook, with an attempt to describe them in terms of Sinai abilities and powers. It should be noted that while there are many samurai who are members of the various martial arts schools, it is only a relative few who actually possess any of the more remarkable Ki techniques to any appreciable degree.
Adamantium Will: This represents the ability to ignore pain.
2 - Toughness: Resilient, not easily knocked unconscious
Aura of Mystical Resistance: The martial artist is trained to maximize his ability to resist mystical influence from the Art or the Dark Symmetry.
1+ -- Spell Resistance
The Bat's Sonar Sense: Practitioners of this technique learn to fight in pitch black darkness, relying only on their sense of hearing.
Catsight: Purportedly, practitioners of this technique can see in near darkness.
The Chameleon's Skin: Purportedly, masters of this technique can virtually turn invisible if they are standing still.
1+ -- Stealth
Cleanse Poison: Purportedly, masters of this technique can purify their bodies of any poison. However, a more naturalistic explanation may be in order, as part of the training involves taking very small amounts of poison in controlled concentrations over long periods of time, thus building up immunity.
1 - Resistance to a select group of poisons
The Cobra's Venomous Strike: This involves focusing all one's energy into one's fist, and then striking with incredible force.
(window-dressing for unarmed combat skill)
The Crow's Piercing Glance: Masters of this technique focus on finding weak spots in an opponent's armor or other defenses.
(window-dressing for unarmed combat skill)
Deathblow: Masters of this technique focus their Ki power into making their next blow a fatal one.
(window-dressing for unarmed combat skill)
Dragon Spirit: Masters of this technique are highly resistant to temperature extremes.
1 - Resistant to Heat
Flying Viper Style: Masters of this style are trained to use a pistol or sub-machine gun in each hand.
1 - Ambidextrous
Hands of Stone: Masters of this style are adept at parrying attacks with their bare hands.
(window-dressing for a specialty in Defense in combat.)
Hooded Viper Style: Masters of this style are trained to use two weapons or both fists simultaneously in close combat.
1 - Ambidextrous
Iajitsu: This is the skill of drawing a scabbarded weapon and attacking with it in a single action.
(window dressing for fighting skills in melee weapons)
Kanji's Lucky Sense: Supposedly, masters of this technique are preternaturally alert, and able to sense danger before it happens.
Kenjitsu: This is the deadly Mishiman art of sword fighting.
(window dressing for fighting skills in melee weapons)
Ki Self Healing: Purportedly, masters of this technique can encourage their bodies to heal more quickly. On a more naturalistic level, they are more resilient at ignoring pain.
2 - Toughness
Lightsleep: Masters of this technique are quick to wake up when danger comes.
1 - Reduced Need for Sleep
Marama's Perfect Balance: Masters of this technique have perfect control over their balance.
2 - Agility
The Mongoose's Dodge: Masters of this technique are exceptionally agile and able to avoid attacks.
2 - Agility and/or Specialty in Defense
The Mongoose's Artful Dodge: Basically, a fancier version of the above.
The Monkey's Foot: Masters of this technique specialize in acrobatic maneuvers requiring great agility.
2 - Agility
Nomura's Quickened Step: Masters of this technique specialize in running swiftly.
1+ - Running
The Rhino's Impregnable Skin: Masters of this technique have toughened their body to the point where they seem nearly impervious to pain.
2 - Toughness
Shadow Walk: According to legend, masters of the Shadow Walker cult can use this power to teleport by simply walking into a shadow ... and emerging somewhere else, stepping out of another shadow.
Strike From Beyond the Grave: Masters of this technique purportedly can keep on fighting even after they've taken enough damage to be killed, so that they can avenge themselves before finally dropping - quite dead - when the battle has ended.
Supreme Concentration: Masters of this technique are able to clear their minds of any distractions, and focus entirely on a task.
Suspended Animation: A master of this technique can basically "play possum", entering a state of near-suspended animation, seeming by all appearances to be dead.
Teleport: Purportedly, certain great masters of the martial arts can actually teleport from one position to another. Whether or not this is true is a matter of argument, and only especially secret societies (such as the Shadow Walker cult) purport to teach this technique.
The Toad's Great Leap: Masters of this technique focus their energies into making mighty leaps.
2 - Agility
Toronaga's Raging Might: Masters of this technique focus their Ki into a mighty rage, becoming unstoppable in battle, and possessed of superhuman strength.
(window dressing for unarmed combat ability)
Weapon Link: Masters of this technique form a special bond with a chosen close combat weapon, inflicting more damage when using that weapon.
(window dressing for having a Specialty in a particular weapon type)
Yizo's Prescience: Masters of this technique learn to keep calm in the midst of adversity, and keep aware of their surroundings despite distractions.
Yorama's Deflecting Hands: Masters of this technique purportedly can swat aside projectiles flung or shot at them.
(window dressing for Agility or a specialty in Defense)
Yuroji's True Sight: Masters of this technique are able to see through magical illusions.
1+ - Spell Resistance
Warzone, Mutant Chronicles, and all characters and entities
and representations thereof from the Mutant Chronicles and Warzone games are
copyright Target Games SE. The information presented here has been modified from the material presented in the Mutant Chronicles RPG, and should not be considered representative of the quality of any of Target Games SE's products, nor should this be considered a challenge to any trademarks.