Kuan Yu (Sunlight, Agathocacological, Intermediate, Minor God)
Kuan Yu is sometimes referred to as the Chinsungese God of War (or,
perhaps, one of many such gods of war), but he is more properly
considered the God of Martial Values (courage, strength, endurance,
loyalty, etc). He was originally mortal, and sold bean curd in his
youth. Through many adventures and such, he gained numerous allies
(including Chiao Kuan and Huai Nan Tsu). He was said to have appeared
over a battle in the 100's AAF, where his appearance turned the tide of
the battle against the barbarians.
Kuan Yu (and by inference, his priests) acts as the governor and
protector of the people, primarily acting as a judge. People may come to
his temple with their complaings, and in response, his equerry (Shou-
ts'ang) is send to pass sentence on the injuring party. Occasionally,
Kuan Yu requests that another god deal with the problem.
For a fee and a small, burnt offering to Kuan Yu, his Priests will
preside over a divination using numbered runestones.
Grade I:
BOLSTERCOURAGE CHARM
Time: 1 AT Other Heka Costs:
Area: 1 creature R&D: Nil
Distance: Touch Other: Nil
E/F/M: By means of this quick Casting, the priest of Kuan Yu can enhance
the courage of a warrior or fellow follower of Kuan Yu. The subject will
feel more courageous (although not to the point of being foolhardy). In
practical terms, the courage conferred will give a bonus of +10 to a
check against fear.
PORTENT OF NUMBERS RITUAL
Time: 1 AT Other Heka Costs:
Area: 0 R&D: Nil
Distance: Touch Other: Nil
E/F/M: This short ritual, which commences with the burning of an offering
suitable to Kuan Yu, will reveal small snippets of information regarding
the future, although typically in a manner that will become clear with
hindsight and meditation. (Suggestion for JM's: don't give *anything*
away with this -- suitable surreal imagery and babbling are most
appropriate, something that seems vaguely appropriate to the adventure's
probable course.)
Grade II:
BALANCE OF JUDGEMENT RITUAL
Time: 1 AT Other Heka Costs:
Area: 1 subject R&D: Nil
Distance: Touch Other: Nil
E/F/M: This Ritual, performed by Kuan Yu's Priests only at a complaint of
minor nature by a proper follower, will result in a suitable judgement
upon one party. Should the petitioner be found to be unjust and improper
in placing the complaint, he shall be stricken, else the person
complained against shall be so stricken. The judgement shall be hailed
by a vision of Shou-ts'ang the next time the victim dreams, and an
appropriate penalty or malaise shall be laid upon him until suitable
reparations are made.
HEIGHTEN ENDURANCE FORMULA
Time: 1 hour per 10 STEEP Other Heka Costs:
Area: 1 creature R&D: Nil
Distance: Touch Other: 1:1 add'l STEEP
E/F/M: By means of this Casting, the Priest conveys an effect increasing
the subject's capability of enduring adversity. The subject will gain
the Endurance K/S Area at one STEEP per 10 STEEP of Priestcraeft
possessed by the Priest, or if Endurance is already possessed, at a like
bonus. Endurance may then be increased by one STEEP per additional point
of Heka spent, but the total effective STEEP may not exceed the
Priestcraeft STEEP possessed by the caster. The altered Endurance STEEP
does not convey additional Heka generation, but all other effects of the
K/S Area remain.
Grade III:
INCREASED LOYALTY RITUAL
Time: Variable Other Heka Costs:
Area: 1 subject per 10 STEEP R&D: Nil
Distance: 1 rod per 10 STEEP Other: Nil
E/F/M: By means of this ritual, which must last at least 1 AT, plus 1 BT
per subject being affected, the Priest is able to increase the loyalty of
the subjects to their cause. The exact effects are variable, but the
shakiest of loyalties will become strong, and strong loyalty will become
incorruptible. The primary use of this ritual is to encourage the
loyalty of a band of warriors prior to battle. However, it has been
known to work strangely upon persons with extremely strong (even
fanatical) loyalty opposite to the cause being exhorted, as it will
reinforce their fanatical loyalty and not the desired one.
Grade IV:
KUAN YU'S STRENGTH CHARM
Time: 1 BT Other Heka Costs:
Area: 1 subject R&D: Nil
Distance: 1 rod Other: 25:1 add'l BT
E/F/M: This Casting confers the favor and strength of Kuan Yu upon its
recipient, in the form of a bonus of 1 to each PMCap, PMPow, and PMSpd
for every 5 STEEP possessed by the Priest, including a like addition to
the PM Category and P TRAIT, all of which vanish upon the expiration of
the Casting. The duration of the Casting may be extended by an
additional BT for every 25 additional Heka spent.
Grade V:
BATTLETURN CANTRIP
Time: 1 AT per 10 STEEP Other Heka Costs:
Area: up to 1 subject per STEEP R&D: Nil
Distance: 1 rod per STEEP Other: Nil
E/F/M: Priests of Kuan Yu are particularly careful in using this Cantrip,
for while it confers great favor upon its recipients, it may only be used
in the most dire of situations, when the tide of battle must be turned,
or it shall result in the defeat of Kuan Yu's interests. The effects are
an immediate removal of 3D6 points of P damage, a bonus of 10 STEEP to
all Combat K/S Areas, and the erasing of Dazing or fatigue for the
recipients. The Priest may control which creatures (to a maximum of 1
per STEEP of Priestcraeft possessed) are so affected.
All effects are lost upon the expiration of the Casting, and the
duration may not be extended by any non-Supernatural or Entital means.
The abuse of this Casting (i.e. using it regularly, or in relatively
dangerous but not dire circumstances) will result in a like penalty (3D6
points of P damage, a loss of 10 STEEP in all Combat K/S Areas, and all
desired recipients will be Dazed until the Casting wears off (at which
point only those wounded beyond Wound Level will stay Dazed).
This is a quick break from Greco-Roman research and development,
undertaken because one of my players is playing a war-priest of Kuan Yu
in my current campaign. Hopefully, the information will also prove of
use in other people's play.
Mike Phillips
[m s phil] at [birds.wm.edu]