GhostDancer

Dig the black chick!

Terrier-Rottweiler puppies!
 

At last it can be revealed!
 
At last it can be revealed! I took advantage of some free time in ace artist Eric Lofgren's schedule earlier this year to get him to create a beautiful piece of art that I currently intend to use as the cover of Mythic Hero. He took my idea and executed it superbly.

I don't have a finished book. I don't have any specific idea for how I'll publish the book when it is finished. But man, do I have a kick-ass cover.
 

Re: MYTHIC HERO: What Do *You* Want To See?
 
Characters with firm belief in their deities rarely falter. To reflect this, a talent that allows characters with strong beliefs to act ahead of those with similar Dex during a single segment. It could be called faith-based initiative.

Re: MYTHIC HERO: What Do *You* Want To See?
 
I realize it's not nearly as prominent or well-known in Western culture, but as it's a personal favorite of mine I'd be remiss if I didn't make a plea for the inclusion of Mongolian and Turkic mythology. With the connection to Genghis Khan and the Mongol Empire, and with Shamanism as one of the unusual forms worship takes, I think it could be an interesting and different element to contrast with the other religions.
 
The Chicago Press translation of Yves Bonnefoy's Asian Mythologies would be a good source for information, as would Primal Myths by Barbara C. Sproul and maybe The Mythology of Horses: Horse Legend and Lore Throughout the Ages by Gerald and Loretta Hausman. Unfortunately, the probable most comprehensive English translation source on the subject, Walther Heissig's The Religions of Mongolia, is prohibitively expensive (the cheapest used copy I could turn up is about $110), but if it's in the library of a local university it could be a great reference.

Nicely done, GhostDancer!

I defineatly like this one

ILLUMINATED LU
  Val  Char Cost Roll Notes   15              STR              5              12­              Lift 200.0kg; 3d6 [1]   20              DEX              30              13­              OCV:  7/DCV:  7   18              CON              16              13­   15              BODY              10              12­   13              INT              3              12­              PER Roll 12­   11              EGO              2              11­              ECV:  4   15              PRE              5              12­              PRE Attack:  3d6   16              COM              3              12­       5              PD              2              Total:  5 PD (0 rPD)   5              ED              1              Total:  5 ED (0 rED)   4              SPD              10              Phases:  3, 6, 9, 12   7              REC              0   36              END              0   32              STUN              0              Total Characteristic Cost:  89       Movement:              Running:              7"/14"                 Leaping:              13"/26"                 Swimming:              2"/4"       Cost              Powers              END   2              Snake*, Hawk or Crane Stance:  +1 with Block (or *Dodge), Requires a DEX Roll, Costs   END                 Heart ­Focused Breathing, all slots Extra Time (1 Turn (Post­ Segment 12), Only to   Activate, ­3/4), Not Persistent (­1/4)   1              1)  Enhanced Reaction Time:  Lightning Reflexes: +2 DEX to act first with All Actions;   Extra Time (1 Turn (Post ­Segment 12), Only to Activate, ­3/4), Not Persistent (­1/4)   2              2)  Self ­Regulation:  Rapid Healing; Extra Time (1 Turn (Post­ Segment 12), Only to   Activate, ­3/4), Not Persistent (­1/4)   1              3)  Strategic Thinking:  +1 with Tactics; Extra Time (1 Turn (Post­ Segment 12), Only to   Activate, ­3/4), Not Persistent (­1/4)   1              Blink:  Sight Group Flash Defense (3 points); Awareness Based (­1/2), Activation =   DEX Roll  14­ (­1/2), Nonpersistent (­1/4)   5              Ch'i Healing:  Simplified Healing BODY + STUN 1d6; Requires A Chinese Healing   Roll (­1/2), 8 Charges (­1/2)              [8]                 Wu Tang Abilities   7              Cloud­Ascending Ladder:  Leaping +10" (13" forward, 6 1/2" upward); Requires An   Acrobatics Roll (­1/2)              1   5              Dianxue Hand :  Killing Attack ­ Hand­To­Hand 1 point (1/2d6 w/STR), Uncontrolled   (+1/2), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2), Continuous (+1); Gradual Effect (1 Day; ­1 3/4),   Requires A Chinese Healing Roll (­1/2)                               Notes:  Shut off by Chinese Healing.   4              Martial Block              +2              +2              Block, Abort   4              Martial Disarm              ­1              +1              Disarm; 25 STR to Disarm   4              Martial Dodge              ­­              +5              Dodge, Affects All Attacks, Abort   3  Martial Grab ­1 ­1 Grab Two Limbs, 25 STR for holding on   3  Martial Throw  +0 +1 3d6 +v/5, Target Falls   5              Palm Slap / Kick               ­2              +1              7d6 Strike   4              Counterstrike              +2              +2              5d6 Strike, Must Follow Block   5              Heaven and Earth as One: Passing Strike              +1              +0              3d6 +v/5;   FMove   5              Defensive Throw              +2              +2              Abort, Block, Target Falls   4              Taiji Swordplay or Lightning Fist or Rocket Fist; Fast Strike              +2                +0              5d6 Strike   4              Soft Snow Swordplay or Turning Finger Soft Swordplay or Sword Finger: Killing   Strike              ­2              +0              HKA 1d6 +1; S ­ Damage, STUN Only (­0)   2              Weapon Element:  Blades, Staffs                     Talents   3              Environmental Movement (Supreme Balance)                     Skills   3              Acrobatics 13­   3              Stained Clothes Eighteen Falls :  Breakfall 13­   3              Climbing 13­   3              +1 with Martial Maneuvers   3              Deduction 12­   3              Fast Draw Blades 13­   3              Feint 13­   3              Zhenwu Seven Sections Formation :  Tactics 12­   3              Zhenwu Sword Formation :  Teamwork 13­   3              PS: Sifu (Instructor) 12­   3              Stealth 13­   0              Everyman Skills:  AK: Hubei Province, Climbing, Concealment, Language Skill:   Mandarin, PS: Taoist Priest 11­, TF: Riding Animals (Custom Adder)   3              Scholar   4              1)  KS: Chinese Healing 14­   2              2)  KS: Christianity 12­   4              3)  KS: Tai Ch'i Ch'aun 14­   4              4)  KS: Taoism 14­   2              5)  KS: The Martial World 12­   4              6)  KS: Wu Tang Martial Arts 14­       Total Powers & Skill Cost:  130   Total Cost:  219       115+              Disadvantages   5              Distinctive Features:  Large Dragon Tattoo On Left Upper Arm (Easily Concealed;   Noticed and Recognizable; Detectable By Commonly­ Used Senses)   10              Distinctive Features: Tai Ch'i Ch'uan Style:  (Not Concealable; Noticed and   Recognizable; Detectable By Large Group)   10              Distinctive Features: Wu Tang Style:  (Not Concealable; Noticed and Recognizable;   Detectable By Large Group)   5  Hunted Guer (Orphan):  8­ (Less Pow; Harshly Punish)   20  Normal Characteristic Maxima   15              Psychological Limitation:  Loves Best Friend: Dulzuk Blossom (Common; Strong)   10              Psychological Limitation:  Chinese Patriot (Common; Moderate)   10              Psychological Limitation:  Christian (Common; Moderate)   10              Psychological Limitation:  Loves Father and Mother; Siun Kang and Pheonix   (Uncommon; Strong)   5              Psychological Limitation:  Warrior Mentality­ ready to kill to prevent a larger crime.   (Uncommon; Moderate)   5              Reputation:  Defrocked Taoist Priest, Wu Tang Clan Exile, 8­   (5 points unspent)       Total Disadvantage Points:  105       Background/History:  Most Wu Tang Clan members are Taoist priests, as was Young Master   Lu.  Here are his sayings of last year, 1646 AD.       Two Kinds of Wisdom       There are two kinds of wisdom: the practical and the static one. The practical is the wisdom which   helps one doing things. It is a rather short living wisdom because it ceases when time comes. The   static one doesn't help one in doing things and looks like a store of unsold goods. People cherish   the static wisdom and leave or ignore the practical one.       Tao Is the Same       A new start is always a vivid source of intense feelings. Still one should consider what is really   knew or if there's something that he/she could call new. Taoist thinks that there's nothing new   under the sun. Only the ever lasting mixture of yin and yang. In Tao­te ching we are told that at the   very beginning there was a kind of shape without shape. Lao­tzu called this "shape" the Tao. It is   just what I wished to say above. Tao is everywhere the same. If you wish to penetrate its   "movements" just close your eyes and contemplate its essence.       Lost in Tao       Me (Wu from the Northern Sea): Someone told me that he felt like lost in Tao. It was about the   starting point, he said: When you start your Tao experience and how you know that you actually   have a Tao experience? What you think about this?       Mater Lu: There's no way to feel like you are lost in the Tao. Tao is not a country or land or   something alike to feel like you're lost. Tao is like a Father who shows you the way. How could   one feel lost in this? I really don't imagine.       Tao Is not God       Question: I remember I had a problem with my wife and been very affected. I am practicing the   Tao but it didn't help me.       Answer: Tao is not God. One can't ask Tao to behave like God and do things to help one and so   forth. Stop thinking of Tao in terms of a mighty God who can change things and do anything. If   you have problems with your mate or family just keep that state of nondoing and see what is. This   is the way.       Question: Well, I was keeping that state and still there was so much suffering.       Answer: This is because Tao is not God. It doesn't help you with your suffering. Actually it brings   the suffering!       No Tao at All       Mater Lu said: Sometime we know the Tao as the Tao ­ sometimes it seems it vanishes so one can   say: "There's no Tao at all". This is the way of the beginner: knowing that the Tao exists but not   having the perpetual perception of his presence.       Tao Machine...       I once asked Master Lu if going with the Tao doesn't make one feel like he/she is a machine... No   personal will, no desire...   He answered: We are all machines, indeed ­ as we perform various tasks machinelike. Very few   are wise enough to retain what is worth and escape the passing­by.       The Worst       ­ What is the worst thing one can do in following the Path?   ­ Not being with Tao but only thinking of it. This is the worst: talking of Tao but not living it.       Tao, Good and Bad       ­ What is the Tao good for? asked Wu from the Northern Sea. Is it good for food, for ride or   perhaps for fighting enemies?       ­ No, replied the Master of No Concern, it is not good for any food, ride or fighting your enemies.   It is just the Lord of everything, so you shouldn't ask about good and bad.       Beginners and the True Understanding       ­ Is this all that can be said about the Tao? asked someone after reading Tao­te ching.       ­ Yes, replied Master Lu. This is all.       ­ Still I don't understand much and wonder if this is because I am a beginner.       ­ If you think you are a beginner, yes, this is the reason. But if you don't think at all, you may touch   the True Understanding, replied Master Lu.       If Nothing Matters...       ­ If nothing matters in this world, if everything is just passing by, why don't you grab as much as   you can, why don't you travel better and better, and enjoy all this world has to offer? In fact, we   can do anything...       ­ Not exactly, said Master Lu. Just think about the payback ­ you may lose your freedom. And   even if this wouldn't be your case, when you cling to worldly things, you feel astray from your   inner essence and lose gold for the sake of iron.       Master Lu said: For common people Taoists are not Taoists. If they are, then the Taoists are not   Taoists.       Explanation: When the Taoist adept is working in the public sphere he/she is not different from   others, persons that don't follow the Tao. For the common eye the adept doesn't act differently.       Master Lu said: Eyes can't tell the truth.   Explanation: The same as above; you don't have to believe your eyes.       Questions about Tao and Nature       ­ Is Tao nature, or Mother Nature?   ­ Tao is everything natural. But it is not nature itself. Nature is subject of it. Every living thing in   this universe is subject to the Tao.       ­ I mean when one follows Tao is he/she following the simplicity and purity of nature?   ­ Not necessary. Today people living in huge cities are not following nature. But this is also subject   to the Tao. Everything in this universe is subject to the Tao.       ­ Old Taoists used to talk about Tao in connection with water. That is, they said Tao is like water   or one who follows Tao should be like water. What is the meaning of this statement?   ­ Water and Tao have one common feature: they are ever changing phenomena. Being like water   means one have to be changeable like water and thus emulating the Tao.       The Greatest Enemies       The good and bad are the two poles of the human ethics, I know ­ you may call them the core of   humanity. Still there's no greatest enemy for the one who follows the Tao than these two. If you   start your search for the Greatest Lord you may stop also your aim at judging things in relation to   these two principles. But, you may ask me: "What if I loose the guidance of good­bad pair? Who'll   guide me then?" The answer is your final finding: The Tao. He is your guidance. Go straight to   him and ask: "What if I..."?       *****************************************       The name of Lu's home province, Hubei, means "north of the lake", referring to its position north   of Lake Dongting.  Lu's parents, Sien Kang and Sien Pheonix, reside by Lake, making a living by   fishing.  Hubei is often called the "Land of Fish and Rice". It is in easternmost central China.    Important agricultural products in Hubei include cotton, rice, wheat, and tea, while industries   include metallurgy and textiles.  Hubei produces a modest amount of coal.  It is well known for it   mines of fine turquiose and green faustite.       The Shennongjia area is the alleged home of the Yeren, a wild undiscovered red or white giant   hairy hominid that lives in the forested hills.       The people of Hubei are given the uncomplimentary nickname "Nine Headed Birds" by other   Chinese, from a mythological creature said to be very aggressive and hard to kill. "In the sky live   nine­headed birds. On the earth live Hubei people."      Yu's best friend, Dulzuk Blossom is not originally from Hubei.  She is from the venerated Mount   Paek­Tu, and is named for the fruit which is reaped mainly from Paek Tu Mountain region. The   scientific name is VACCINIUM ULIGINOSUM LINNAEUS and this breed grows spontaneously   in the hilly areas 800 meters above sea level.People in the area surrounding Mt. Paek Tu produce   the multiple foodstuffs with the blue berry dulzuck.  It is consumed three times daily for health,   preferably before meals.       Dulzuk Blossom practices Paek­tu martial arts in addition to Wu Tang style.  She is a senior   student of Wu Tang, and several years older than Lu.  She is a sweetheart, especially to Lu, though   she is sometimes almost brutally honest with him.  They are sometimes overprotective of each   other.       Young Master Lao would still be a Taoist preist, if he was discreet about his new Christian faith,   introduced to him by martial artist Jang Dong Gun.  The Good News traveled via long­ established,   well­ mapped routes of trade between China and the Arabian peninsula, employed since at least the   Han Dynasty.  The Bible story had to be related to him eight times before he believed.  Since then,   he became the youngest master healer ever known, and the youngest to learn the Dianxue Hand.       The only documented occasion of Lu using Dianxue Hand was against a rabid bear that he lead   away from a village.       Since Lu refused to hide his light of Christian faith under a bushel, he was defrocked and exiled   from Mount Wu Tang.  Now he must seek practice and improvement elsewhere, and has renamed   himself Illuminated Lu.       Guer (Orphan), a Wu Tang advanced student, seeks Lu to put an end to his betrayal, as he sees it,   of the Wu Tang Clan.  Guer was left at the temple door, a baby in a basket, with no note.  The Wu   Tang Clan is his only family.  As such, he takes Lu's dismissal of Taoism personally.  He   mistakenly believes he is a better fighter than Lu, because he is older and never abandoned the Tao   faith.       Personality/Motivation:  Lu endeavors to follow his understanding of the Ten Commandments,   including refraining from murder and marital infidelity, and especially following the Golden Rule;   Love the Lord your God and love your neighbor as yourself.  As such, he won't hesitate to lie or   kill to prevent a larger crime.  He wants to better himself, so as to better serve others, especially his   loved ones.       Lu has no problem with most Taoist philosophies, but he recanted Taoist deities.        Wu Tang Taoist temples and monasteries have a special association with Xuan Wu (lit. "Dark" or   "Mysterious Warrior"), one of the higher ­ranking Taoist deities and one of the more revered deities   in China. He is revered as a powerful god, able to control the elements and capable of great magic.   He is particularly revered by martial artists and is the patron saint of Hebei, Manchuria, and   Mongolia.       Illuminated Lu has a special respect for Shaolin martial arts, the forbearer of Wu Tang Style.       Quote:  "Do you have any kind of spiritual beliefs?"       Powers/Tactics:  Illuminated Lu is as agile as a mountain goat, able to leap from rock to rock,   ledge to ledge, with no apparent effort.       Lu is adept at heart­ focused breathing.        The heart functions somewhat like a second brain.  It signals the brain more than the brain signals   it.  The heart effects strategic thinking, reaction times, and self ­regulation.  This is improved with   heart ­focused breathing; concentrate on breathing with your heart (previously said to be breathing   from your diaphragm), inhale 5 seconds, exhale 5 seconds.  ­Jim Marshall III, MD       Although the following skills are entirely fictional, from wuxia stories, some are based on actual   martial arts.  Among other things, Lu has been introduced to the following:       Foundation skills:       Shiduanjin (十段錦)   Thirty­ two Styles of Long Fist (三十二勢長拳)   Wudang Long Fist (武當長拳)   Wudang Heart Sutra (武當長拳)   Eight Trigrams Soaring Dragon Palm (八卦遊龍掌)       Armed combat styles:       Divine Gate Thirteen Swords (神門十三劍) sfx; every BODY roll = separate strike.  Ex: Lu rolls 13 BODY vs.   Grandmaster Owl, hitting Owl 13 times.  Owl has one level of Combat Luck, so three of said hits   just graze him, no damage.  Ten strikes get through, doing one BODY each.   Heaven Relying Dragon Slaying Skill (神門十三劍)   Mystical Saber Style (玄虛刀法)   Heaven and Earth as One (天地同壽)   Soft Snow Swordplay (柔雲劍法)   Turning Finger Soft Swordplay (繞指柔劍)   Taiji Swordplay (太極劍)       Unarmed combat styles:       Wuji Mystical Skill Fist (無極玄功拳)   Dianxue Hand (點穴手)   Heaven Shaking Iron Palm (震天鐵掌)   Taiji Fist (太極拳)   Returning Wind Palm (迴風掌)   Great Tablet Smashing Hand (大摔碑手)   Silky Palm (綿掌)   Tiger Claw Ending Hand (虎爪絕戶手)   Tiger Claw Hand (虎爪手)   Stained Clothes Eighteen Falls (沾衣十八跌)       Qinggong:       Cloud ­Ascending Ladder (梯雲縱)       Battle formations:       Zhenwu Seven Sections Formation (真武七截陣)   Zhenwu Sword Formation (真武劍陣)       Inner energy skills:       Wudang Nine Yang Skill (武當九陽功)   Pure Yang Wuji Skill (純陽無極功)       ******************************       As typical for a Tai Ch'i Chuan practioner, Lu likes to start with a Block, or, better yet, Defensive   Throw, followed by a Multiple Powers Attack.       Gear: 1d6K Jien; +1 OCV, STR 7, 5d6 Kuen; +1 OCV; STR 10, +1", soft leather rerebraces and   vambraces 1 DEF; Protects Locations 7­8, banded mail cuirass; Protects Locations 9­13 or Act.   11­, dried dulzuk berries, pine nuts, smoked wuchang fish, yam chips, medic kit, acupuncture   needles, alcohol, herb ­impregnated rice paper bandages, willow bark extract, smelling salts, silk   thread, suture needles, marbles, water flask, scriptures, stationary set, scroll case, 88 cash.       Campaign Use:  Illuminated Lu is a master healer, so skilled that he can cure Dim Mak.  He seeks   to be a new Shaolin student.       Appearance:  Well­ armed pretty boy.  Because he's clearly a teenager, and doesn't brag, he has   yet to be acknowledged for his grand master achievement.

ILLUMINATED LU
  Val  Char Cost Roll Notes   15              STR              5              12­              Lift 200.0kg; 3d6 [1]   20              DEX              30              13­              OCV:  7/DCV:  7   18              CON              16              13­   15              BODY              10              12­   13              INT              3              12­              PER Roll 12­   11              EGO              2              11­              ECV:  4   15              PRE              5              12­              PRE Attack:  3d6   16              COM              3              12­       5              PD              2              Total:  5 PD (0 rPD)   5              ED              1              Total:  5 ED (0 rED)   4              SPD              10              Phases:  3, 6, 9, 12   7              REC              0   36              END              0   32              STUN              0              Total Characteristic Cost:  89       Movement:              Running:              7"/14"                 Leaping:              13"/26"                 Swimming:              2"/4"       Cost              Powers              END   2              Snake*, Hawk or Crane Stance:  +1 with Block (or *Dodge), Requires a DEX Roll, Costs   END                 Heart ­Focused Breathing, all slots Extra Time (1 Turn (Post­ Segment 12), Only to   Activate, ­3/4), Not Persistent (­1/4)   1              1)  Enhanced Reaction Time:  Lightning Reflexes: +2 DEX to act first with All Actions;   Extra Time (1 Turn (Post ­Segment 12), Only to Activate, ­3/4), Not Persistent (­1/4)   2              2)  Self ­Regulation:  Rapid Healing; Extra Time (1 Turn (Post­ Segment 12), Only to   Activate, ­3/4), Not Persistent (­1/4)   1              3)  Strategic Thinking:  +1 with Tactics; Extra Time (1 Turn (Post­ Segment 12), Only to   Activate, ­3/4), Not Persistent (­1/4)   1              Blink:  Sight Group Flash Defense (3 points); Awareness Based (­1/2), Activation =   DEX Roll  14­ (­1/2), Nonpersistent (­1/4)   5              Ch'i Healing:  Simplified Healing BODY + STUN 1d6; Requires A Chinese Healing   Roll (­1/2), 8 Charges (­1/2)              [8]                 Wu Tang Abilities   7              Cloud­Ascending Ladder:  Leaping +10" (13" forward, 6 1/2" upward); Requires An   Acrobatics Roll (­1/2)              1   5              Dianxue Hand :  Killing Attack ­ Hand­To­Hand 1 point (1/2d6 w/STR), Uncontrolled   (+1/2), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2), Continuous (+1); Gradual Effect (1 Day; ­1 3/4),   Requires A Chinese Healing Roll (­1/2)                               Notes:  Shut off by Chinese Healing.   4              Martial Block              +2              +2              Block, Abort   4              Martial Disarm              ­1              +1              Disarm; 25 STR to Disarm   4              Martial Dodge              ­­              +5              Dodge, Affects All Attacks, Abort   3  Martial Grab ­1 ­1 Grab Two Limbs, 25 STR for holding on   3  Martial Throw  +0 +1 3d6 +v/5, Target Falls   5              Palm Slap / Kick               ­2              +1              7d6 Strike   4              Counterstrike              +2              +2              5d6 Strike, Must Follow Block   5              Heaven and Earth as One: Passing Strike              +1              +0              3d6 +v/5;   FMove   5              Defensive Throw              +2              +2              Abort, Block, Target Falls   4              Taiji Swordplay or Lightning Fist or Rocket Fist; Fast Strike              +2                +0              5d6 Strike   4              Soft Snow Swordplay or Turning Finger Soft Swordplay or Sword Finger: Killing   Strike              ­2              +0              HKA 1d6 +1; S ­ Damage, STUN Only (­0)   2              Weapon Element:  Blades, Staffs                     Talents   3              Environmental Movement (Supreme Balance)                     Skills   3              Acrobatics 13­   3              Stained Clothes Eighteen Falls :  Breakfall 13­   3              Climbing 13­   3              +1 with Martial Maneuvers   3              Deduction 12­   3              Fast Draw Blades 13­   3              Feint 13­   3              Zhenwu Seven Sections Formation :  Tactics 12­   3              Zhenwu Sword Formation :  Teamwork 13­   3              PS: Sifu (Instructor) 12­   3              Stealth 13­   0              Everyman Skills:  AK: Hubei Province, Climbing, Concealment, Language Skill:   Mandarin, PS: Taoist Priest 11­, TF: Riding Animals (Custom Adder)   3              Scholar   4              1)  KS: Chinese Healing 14­   2              2)  KS: Christianity 12­   4              3)  KS: Tai Ch'i Ch'aun 14­   4              4)  KS: Taoism 14­   2              5)  KS: The Martial World 12­   4              6)  KS: Wu Tang Martial Arts 14­       Total Powers & Skill Cost:  130   Total Cost:  219       115+              Disadvantages   5              Distinctive Features:  Large Dragon Tattoo On Left Upper Arm (Easily Concealed;   Noticed and Recognizable; Detectable By Commonly­ Used Senses)   10              Distinctive Features: Tai Ch'i Ch'uan Style:  (Not Concealable; Noticed and   Recognizable; Detectable By Large Group)   10              Distinctive Features: Wu Tang Style:  (Not Concealable; Noticed and Recognizable;   Detectable By Large Group)   5  Hunted Guer (Orphan):  8­ (Less Pow; Harshly Punish)   20  Normal Characteristic Maxima   15              Psychological Limitation:  Loves Best Friend: Dulzuk Blossom (Common; Strong)   10              Psychological Limitation:  Chinese Patriot (Common; Moderate)   10              Psychological Limitation:  Christian (Common; Moderate)   10              Psychological Limitation:  Loves Father and Mother; Siun Kang and Pheonix   (Uncommon; Strong)   5              Psychological Limitation:  Warrior Mentality­ ready to kill to prevent a larger crime.   (Uncommon; Moderate)   5              Reputation:  Defrocked Taoist Priest, Wu Tang Clan Exile, 8­   (5 points unspent)       Total Disadvantage Points:  105       Background/History:  Most Wu Tang Clan members are Taoist priests, as was Young Master   Lu.  Here are his sayings of last year, 1646 AD.       Two Kinds of Wisdom       There are two kinds of wisdom: the practical and the static one. The practical is the wisdom which   helps one doing things. It is a rather short living wisdom because it ceases when time comes. The   static one doesn't help one in doing things and looks like a store of unsold goods. People cherish   the static wisdom and leave or ignore the practical one.       Tao Is the Same       A new start is always a vivid source of intense feelings. Still one should consider what is really   knew or if there's something that he/she could call new. Taoist thinks that there's nothing new   under the sun. Only the ever lasting mixture of yin and yang. In Tao­te ching we are told that at the   very beginning there was a kind of shape without shape. Lao­tzu called this "shape" the Tao. It is   just what I wished to say above. Tao is everywhere the same. If you wish to penetrate its   "movements" just close your eyes and contemplate its essence.       Lost in Tao       Me (Wu from the Northern Sea): Someone told me that he felt like lost in Tao. It was about the   starting point, he said: When you start your Tao experience and how you know that you actually   have a Tao experience? What you think about this?       Mater Lu: There's no way to feel like you are lost in the Tao. Tao is not a country or land or   something alike to feel like you're lost. Tao is like a Father who shows you the way. How could   one feel lost in this? I really don't imagine.       Tao Is not God       Question: I remember I had a problem with my wife and been very affected. I am practicing the   Tao but it didn't help me.       Answer: Tao is not God. One can't ask Tao to behave like God and do things to help one and so   forth. Stop thinking of Tao in terms of a mighty God who can change things and do anything. If   you have problems with your mate or family just keep that state of nondoing and see what is. This   is the way.       Question: Well, I was keeping that state and still there was so much suffering.       Answer: This is because Tao is not God. It doesn't help you with your suffering. Actually it brings   the suffering!       No Tao at All       Mater Lu said: Sometime we know the Tao as the Tao ­ sometimes it seems it vanishes so one can   say: "There's no Tao at all". This is the way of the beginner: knowing that the Tao exists but not   having the perpetual perception of his presence.       Tao Machine...       I once asked Master Lu if going with the Tao doesn't make one feel like he/she is a machine... No   personal will, no desire...   He answered: We are all machines, indeed ­ as we perform various tasks machinelike. Very few   are wise enough to retain what is worth and escape the passing­by.       The Worst       ­ What is the worst thing one can do in following the Path?   ­ Not being with Tao but only thinking of it. This is the worst: talking of Tao but not living it.       Tao, Good and Bad       ­ What is the Tao good for? asked Wu from the Northern Sea. Is it good for food, for ride or   perhaps for fighting enemies?       ­ No, replied the Master of No Concern, it is not good for any food, ride or fighting your enemies.   It is just the Lord of everything, so you shouldn't ask about good and bad.       Beginners and the True Understanding       ­ Is this all that can be said about the Tao? asked someone after reading Tao­te ching.       ­ Yes, replied Master Lu. This is all.       ­ Still I don't understand much and wonder if this is because I am a beginner.       ­ If you think you are a beginner, yes, this is the reason. But if you don't think at all, you may touch   the True Understanding, replied Master Lu.       If Nothing Matters...       ­ If nothing matters in this world, if everything is just passing by, why don't you grab as much as   you can, why don't you travel better and better, and enjoy all this world has to offer? In fact, we   can do anything...       ­ Not exactly, said Master Lu. Just think about the payback ­ you may lose your freedom. And   even if this wouldn't be your case, when you cling to worldly things, you feel astray from your   inner essence and lose gold for the sake of iron.       Master Lu said: For common people Taoists are not Taoists. If they are, then the Taoists are not   Taoists.       Explanation: When the Taoist adept is working in the public sphere he/she is not different from   others, persons that don't follow the Tao. For the common eye the adept doesn't act differently.       Master Lu said: Eyes can't tell the truth.   Explanation: The same as above; you don't have to believe your eyes.       Questions about Tao and Nature       ­ Is Tao nature, or Mother Nature?   ­ Tao is everything natural. But it is not nature itself. Nature is subject of it. Every living thing in   this universe is subject to the Tao.       ­ I mean when one follows Tao is he/she following the simplicity and purity of nature?   ­ Not necessary. Today people living in huge cities are not following nature. But this is also subject   to the Tao. Everything in this universe is subject to the Tao.       ­ Old Taoists used to talk about Tao in connection with water. That is, they said Tao is like water   or one who follows Tao should be like water. What is the meaning of this statement?   ­ Water and Tao have one common feature: they are ever changing phenomena. Being like water   means one have to be changeable like water and thus emulating the Tao.       The Greatest Enemies       The good and bad are the two poles of the human ethics, I know ­ you may call them the core of   humanity. Still there's no greatest enemy for the one who follows the Tao than these two. If you   start your search for the Greatest Lord you may stop also your aim at judging things in relation to   these two principles. But, you may ask me: "What if I loose the guidance of good­bad pair? Who'll   guide me then?" The answer is your final finding: The Tao. He is your guidance. Go straight to   him and ask: "What if I..."?       *****************************************       The name of Lu's home province, Hubei, means "north of the lake", referring to its position north   of Lake Dongting.  Lu's parents, Sien Kang and Sien Pheonix, reside by Lake, making a living by   fishing.  Hubei is often called the "Land of Fish and Rice". It is in easternmost central China.    Important agricultural products in Hubei include cotton, rice, wheat, and tea, while industries   include metallurgy and textiles.  Hubei produces a modest amount of coal.  It is well known for it   mines of fine turquiose and green faustite.       The Shennongjia area is the alleged home of the Yeren, a wild undiscovered red or white giant   hairy hominid that lives in the forested hills.       The people of Hubei are given the uncomplimentary nickname "Nine Headed Birds" by other   Chinese, from a mythological creature said to be very aggressive and hard to kill. "In the sky live   nine­headed birds. On the earth live Hubei people."      Yu's best friend, Dulzuk Blossom is not originally from Hubei.  She is from the venerated Mount   Paek­Tu, and is named for the fruit which is reaped mainly from Paek Tu Mountain region. The   scientific name is VACCINIUM ULIGINOSUM LINNAEUS and this breed grows spontaneously   in the hilly areas 800 meters above sea level.People in the area surrounding Mt. Paek Tu produce   the multiple foodstuffs with the blue berry dulzuck.  It is consumed three times daily for health,   preferably before meals.       Dulzuk Blossom practices Paek­tu martial arts in addition to Wu Tang style.  She is a senior   student of Wu Tang, and several years older than Lu.  She is a sweetheart, especially to Lu, though   she is sometimes almost brutally honest with him.  They are sometimes overprotective of each   other.       Young Master Lao would still be a Taoist preist, if he was discreet about his new Christian faith,   introduced to him by martial artist Jang Dong Gun.  The Good News traveled via long­ established,   well­ mapped routes of trade between China and the Arabian peninsula, employed since at least the   Han Dynasty.  The Bible story had to be related to him eight times before he believed.  Since then,   he became the youngest master healer ever known, and the youngest to learn the Dianxue Hand.       The only documented occasion of Lu using Dianxue Hand was against a rabid bear that he lead   away from a village.       Since Lu refused to hide his light of Christian faith under a bushel, he was defrocked and exiled   from Mount Wu Tang.  Now he must seek practice and improvement elsewhere, and has renamed   himself Illuminated Lu.       Guer (Orphan), a Wu Tang advanced student, seeks Lu to put an end to his betrayal, as he sees it,   of the Wu Tang Clan.  Guer was left at the temple door, a baby in a basket, with no note.  The Wu   Tang Clan is his only family.  As such, he takes Lu's dismissal of Taoism personally.  He   mistakenly believes he is a better fighter than Lu, because he is older and never abandoned the Tao   faith.       Personality/Motivation:  Lu endeavors to follow his understanding of the Ten Commandments,   including refraining from murder and marital infidelity, and especially following the Golden Rule;   Love the Lord your God and love your neighbor as yourself.  As such, he won't hesitate to lie or   kill to prevent a larger crime.  He wants to better himself, so as to better serve others, especially his   loved ones.       Lu has no problem with most Taoist philosophies, but he recanted Taoist deities.        Wu Tang Taoist temples and monasteries have a special association with Xuan Wu (lit. "Dark" or   "Mysterious Warrior"), one of the higher ­ranking Taoist deities and one of the more revered deities   in China. He is revered as a powerful god, able to control the elements and capable of great magic.   He is particularly revered by martial artists and is the patron saint of Hebei, Manchuria, and   Mongolia.       Illuminated Lu has a special respect for Shaolin martial arts, the forbearer of Wu Tang Style.       Quote:  "Do you have any kind of spiritual beliefs?"       Powers/Tactics:  Illuminated Lu is as agile as a mountain goat, able to leap from rock to rock,   ledge to ledge, with no apparent effort.       Lu is adept at heart­ focused breathing.        The heart functions somewhat like a second brain.  It signals the brain more than the brain signals   it.  The heart effects strategic thinking, reaction times, and self ­regulation.  This is improved with   heart ­focused breathing; concentrate on breathing with your heart (previously said to be breathing   from your diaphragm), inhale 5 seconds, exhale 5 seconds.  ­Jim Marshall III, MD       Although the following skills are entirely fictional, from wuxia stories, some are based on actual   martial arts.  Among other things, Lu has been introduced to the following:       Foundation skills:       Shiduanjin (十段錦)   Thirty­ two Styles of Long Fist (三十二勢長拳)   Wudang Long Fist (武當長拳)   Wudang Heart Sutra (武當長拳)   Eight Trigrams Soaring Dragon Palm (八卦遊龍掌)       Armed combat styles:       Divine Gate Thirteen Swords (神門十三劍) sfx; every BODY roll = separate strike.  Ex: Lu rolls 13 BODY vs.   Grandmaster Owl, hitting Owl 13 times.  Owl has one level of Combat Luck, so three of said hits   just graze him, no damage.  Ten strikes get through, doing one BODY each.   Heaven Relying Dragon Slaying Skill (神門十三劍)   Mystical Saber Style (玄虛刀法)   Heaven and Earth as One (天地同壽)   Soft Snow Swordplay (柔雲劍法)   Turning Finger Soft Swordplay (繞指柔劍)   Taiji Swordplay (太極劍)       Unarmed combat styles:       Wuji Mystical Skill Fist (無極玄功拳)   Dianxue Hand (點穴手)   Heaven Shaking Iron Palm (震天鐵掌)   Taiji Fist (太極拳)   Returning Wind Palm (迴風掌)   Great Tablet Smashing Hand (大摔碑手)   Silky Palm (綿掌)   Tiger Claw Ending Hand (虎爪絕戶手)   Tiger Claw Hand (虎爪手)   Stained Clothes Eighteen Falls (沾衣十八跌)       Qinggong:       Cloud ­Ascending Ladder (梯雲縱)       Battle formations:       Zhenwu Seven Sections Formation (真武七截陣)   Zhenwu Sword Formation (真武劍陣)       Inner energy skills:       Wudang Nine Yang Skill (武當九陽功)   Pure Yang Wuji Skill (純陽無極功)       ******************************       As typical for a Tai Ch'i Chuan practioner, Lu likes to start with a Block, or, better yet, Defensive   Throw, followed by a Multiple Powers Attack.       Gear: 1d6K Jien; +1 OCV, STR 7, 5d6 Kuen; +1 OCV; STR 10, +1", soft leather rerebraces and   vambraces 1 DEF; Protects Locations 7­8, banded mail cuirass; Protects Locations 9­13 or Act.   11­, dried dulzuk berries, pine nuts, smoked wuchang fish, yam chips, medic kit, acupuncture   needles, alcohol, herb ­impregnated rice paper bandages, willow bark extract, smelling salts, silk   thread, suture needles, marbles, water flask, scriptures, stationary set, scroll case, 88 cash.       Campaign Use:  Illuminated Lu is a master healer, so skilled that he can cure Dim Mak.  He seeks   to be a new Shaolin student.       Appearance:  Well­ armed pretty boy.  Because he's clearly a teenager, and doesn't brag, he has   yet to be acknowledged for his grand master achievement.

Unless the GM is Alan Moore.

I got really lucky and found a copy of the Phillip Jose Farmer Biography of Doc Savage, so thats my current pulp project, then I am going to write up Doc for 5th edition