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Discipline
Equilibrium
Tapestry
Yang Prana
Yin Prana
Black Wind
Demon Shintai
Blood Shintai
Bone Shintai
Jade Shintai
Flesh Shintai
Ghost-Flame Shintai
Cultivation
Chi'iu Muh
Internalize
Obligation

Rites
Chi Rites
Individual Rites
Social Rites
Rites of Wind of Water

Just as mortal fang shih can manipulate the Middle Kingdom's Chi forces through geomancy, so can certain erudite Kuei-jin use the Discipline of Tapestry to manipulate dragon lines more directly. Through the practice of Tapestry, the vampire attunes himself to Yin and Yang forces in the wind, water and soil, then manipulate those forces for a variety of effects.

• Spirit Call
The vampire first learns to manipulate the threads of the spirit world. By weaving them in interesting (or annoying) fashion, the vampire can attempt to lure a nearby spirit. In this manner, the spirits of rocks and streams — or the ghosts of the dead — may awaken and answer the vampire's call.
System: The vampire rolls Intelligence + (Yin or Yang) (difficulty of the local Wall). Success attracts a Yin- or Yang-spirit, who will come (at its leisure) to investigate. The spirit is under no obligation to the vampire (who must use other powers to control or even perceive it) and is created by the Storyteller.
If the vampire wants to call a specific spirit, he must know its name and must score three or more successes on the roll; furthermore, the spirit in question must be in a nearby part of the spirit worlds (as determined by the Storyteller).

• • Chi Ward
The vampire may manipulate ambient dragon lines in the area, weakening or strengthening the area's Wall.
System: The vampire rolls Willpower versus a difficulty of the local Wall. Success enables her to raise or lower the local Wall by one for a scene. The wall may never be lowered below 1 and if it is raised to 10, no being in the area may use Chi powers of any sort. Spirits in a vicinity with a Wall rating of 10 must roll Willpower ( difficulty 6 ) or flee the area; in any event, they will be extremely uncomfortable and unable to spend Chi. This power may be used only once per scene.

• • • Chi-Shaping
At this level, the vampire has become more adept in her control over Chi lines. She can weave local dragon lines into various shapes, creating invisible skeins, walls, nets, and even traps of spirit energy, which can have profound effects on the environment.
System: The vampire spends three turns in concentration, expends a point of Chi and rolls Perception + Crats (Chi-shaping) against a difficulty of the local Wall. The effects last for a scene and depend on the number of successes rolled. Only one effect can be chosen (thus, infecting an area with bad joss and weaving a Chi-trap are two separate uses of the Chi-shaping power).
1 success The vampire can shape the area’s Chi flows into loops, whorls, spirals or whatever she desires. In particular, she may use ambient Chi energy to deflect and rechannel Chi attacks aimed at her. The vampire gains one extra die to defend against any Chi-based or magickal projectile aimed directly at her. Such things include, but are not limited to, Ghost-flame and Chi-breath attacks, Forces magick, elemental shapeshifter gifts, Lure of Flames Thaumaturgy, and most rituals that affect the vampire directly.
2 successes The vampire can cause “good” or “bad” emanations of Chi to flow through her construct, which translates into good or bad joss in the immediate area. If attuning someone (typically herself) to good joss, the lucky target can win almost any gambling game attempted. Furthermore, any roll she botches is treated as a normal failure, and she may reroll any “10” results of her die rolls, as if she had a specialty in the task attempted, to garner additional success.
If attuning a specific person to bad joss, the vampire must roll Manipulation + Yin ( difficulty 8 ). Otherwise, the entire area, including the vampire, is affected. If successful, for the remainder of the scene, any roll of “1” or “2” on the part of the victim (or anyone in the area) is treated as a botch. Vampires who cast this effect over an area typically hide and let the bad joss do its work.
Bad joss can be cancelled by good joss and vice versa.
3 successes The vampire can weave traps to catch spirits. To snare a spirit, the vampire must be able to see it. The vampire can then roll Dexterity + Crafts (Chi-shaping) in a resisted roll against the spirit’s Gnosis (difficulty 6 for both rolls). If the vampire scores more successes than the spirit, the trap immobilizes the spirit for a scene or until the spirit agrees to perform a service for the vampire.

• • • • Ride the Dragon
The vampire may tap into a local dragon line and ride its Chi flow, effectively teleporting herself from place to place. Kuei-jin typically use this power to travel from one population center's dragon nest to another. In this manner, Kuei-jin courts can extend their influence over vast geographical areas.
System: The vampire must find an appropriate dragon line (Perception + Chi Virtue, difficulty of the local Wall). This search typically takes a number of minutes equal to the Wall rating. Once one is found, the vampire must then make a Dexterity + (appropriate Chi Virtue) roll ( difficulty 8 ) to center herself over it. Success enables instantaneous teleportation, to a maximum distance governed by the number of successes on the centering roll.
1 success-------500 feet (of less, if desired)
2 successes-----2,500 feet
3 successes-----1 mile
4 successes-----10 miles
5 successes-----100 miles
The successful vampire appears in the designated spot at the beginning of the next turn, and she gains four dice to initiative; she may take her full turn.
A botch deposits the vampire at some random site within a 100-mile radius.

• • • • • Chi Rift
This art allows the vampire to strengthen Yin and Yang lines to such a degree that he opens a portal between the Middle Kingdom and the Fabric of the Yin or Yang World. This portal causes devistating effects on the immediate environment, as raw spiritual energy torrents out of the spirit worlds into the Middle Kingdom. These "storms" of spirit force start out small, but most quickly blossom beyond the vampire's control to become devastating whirlwinds of elemental energy.
This power causes severe stress on both the Middle Kingdom and the spirit worlds. It is not undertaken lightly; reckless use of Chi Rift is clear grounds for severe punishment, by Kuei-jin and enraged spirits alike. Certain akuma are whispered to open rifts to the Yam Kings' Hells via this power, but such uses are inauspicious and we will not speak of them further here.
System: The vampire spends three turns in concentration, expends three points of the appropriate type of Chi, then rolls Intelligence + Rituals (difficulty of the local Wall).
If opening a portal to Yang, the vampire creates a localized Yang-tempest, which the hengeyokai refer to as a Wyldstorm. In the Middle Kingdom, it manifests as a howling typhoon. Spirits of rain, thunder and wind eagerly ride the Wyldstorm from the Yang World into the Middle Kingdom. By speaking to those spirits ( and rolling Manipulation + Rituals, difficulty 8 ), the vampire can direct the activity of the storm to some degree, although this control is by no means perfect; the gods of wind and water are quite fickle.
If opening a portal to Yin, the vampire actually manifests raw Yin energy in the Middle Kingdom and creates a localized Yin-tempest (in wraithly parlance, a Maelstrom) in the Yin World. In the Middle Kingdom, this manifests as a roiling cloud of black energy, shot through with rains of bone and hissing ebony lightning. Ghosts and Yin-spirits of all descriptions ride the tempest’s winds, howling and wrecking havoc. Again, by speaking to the ghosts ( Manipulation + Rituals, difficulty 8 ), the vampire can exercise a modicum of control over the storm.
In any event, material beings trapped in the center of either type of storm take a number of Health Levels per turn equal to 5 – Stamina. Kuei-jin can resist this damage by rolling permanent Yin or Yang (difficulty 7), whichever is appropriate; Kindred can resist the damage with Fortitude.
Both types of storms are extremely perilous for travelers in the spirit worlds. A spirit traveler caught by a spirit storm must roll (Stamina + Chi Virtue, difficulty 9) or be blown off course, hurled into the depths of the Fabric and hopelessly lost.

This Discipline, the counterpart to the Yang Prana, allows the vampire to tap into and manipulate her internal Yin energy. Like Yang Prana, Yin Prana relies on motions and postures to utilize the various powers, but these motions are a far cry from the frenzied katas of the Yang Prana. Yin Prana motions are slow, graceful and deliberate. Nonetheless, as with the Yang Prana, wielders of this Discipline must have relative freedom of movement.

• Shrouded Moon
By concentrating on her Yin energy, then attuning it to the shadows around her, the vampire may become invisible and silent, like a shadow under a new moon. This art is exceedingly useful to Kuei-jin, who use it to sneak up on their pray like the ninja of old.
System: The vampire spend a point of Yin. The vampire must be in an area that provides shadows or concealment. So long as she remains still or moves through shadowy areas no faster than walking speed, she is effectively invisible and inaudible. Beings actively seeking to detect the vampire must have some means of supernatural perception and must successfully roll Perception + Alertness (difficulty of the vampire’s Stealth rating + 4).

• • Yin Mantle
This power is identical to the Yang Mantle power, save that the vampire conjures forth the essence of her Yin.
System: A Yin animus costs one point of Yin to evoke. It provides several benefits.
• By using Ghostsight to sense the Passions of a ghost, then making a Perception + Occult roll, the vampire can attune his mantle to the aura of a ghost. The difficulty of the roll equals the target’s Willpower. If successful, the ghost is attracted to, and favorably inclined toward, the vampire.
• The vampire can also use the mantle to influence other Yin-spirits, provided she can see them. While the animus is active, the vampire can use Social Abilities such as Intimidation or Subterfuge against spirits, rolling against a difficulty of the spirit’s Gnosis + 4.
• Finally, the vampire can attune her mantle to the natural Chi resonances of metal, the element of Yin. A vampire who channels her Yin aura properly gains power over the element.
While holding a metal object, the vampire can channel Yin energy through that object. For one Chi point, a metal object, such as a sword, can be charged with Yin for a scene. So long as the vampire holds the object, it inflicts aggravated damage.
For an extra Chi point, the weapon can be caused to crackle with Yin energy for a turn. While infused with this Yin, the weapon can be used to strike ghosts and spirits, thus inflicting damage directly to their Chi. Alternatively, the vampire can discharge the Yin as a bolt of black lightning, inflicting three dice of aggravated damage to a material target (Dexterity + Melee to aim, normal firearms penalties).

• • • Bone Dance
Through a series of slow, languorous mudras and postures, the vampire focuses her Yin energy into a series of concentrated waves that permeate the surrounding area. All within the area begin to grow lethargic, eventually becoming highly suggestible.
System: The vampire must concentrate for a turn to focus the energies used in the Bone Dance. She then begins the postures of the Dance, spending one Yin point per turn of activation. To perform the Dance successfully, the vampire must roll Stamina + Athletics (difficulty 7). For each success, the Dance must be performed for one turn, cumulatively. Once the vampire reaches the maximum effect desired, the vampire must continue to perform the Bone Dance, but no further Yin need be spent.
1 success/turn--------Victims grow lethargic. All difficulties to enter fire soul are one greater. Mortal victims add + 1 to difficulties of all rolls; shen are unaffected.
2 successes/turns-----Victims grow drowsy and hypnotically suggestible. If using this power on mortal targets, the vampire may lull them into a trancelike state of great suggestibility. The vampire may not command the victims to take aggressive actions, but may request that the victims stand still, allow her to pass, ignore her or otherwise act passively. (“These aren’t the fugitives you’re looking for?” “these aren’t the fugitives we’re looking for.”) Unless the targets succeed in a Willpower roll (difficulty 7), they forget that they ever encountered the vampire.
Shen targets instead grow sluggish, adding +1 to the difficulties of all rolls.
3 successes/turns-----Mortal victims must make a Willpower roll to avoid slumber. Shen grow extremely drowsy, adding +2 to the difficulties of all rolls. A Kindred or Kuei-jin must make a Willpower roll (difficulty 6) to avoid entering torpor for the remainder of the night.

• • • • Eightfold Yin Mantle
The vampire calls forth a crackling black aura of Yin energy, then shapes it into constructs of her desire. Objects created in this manner typically appear to be made of a black icy substance. Clever vampires use this power to conjure all sorts of useful and deadly toys.
System: The vampire spends a variable amount of Yin points, depending on what she wants to do. The vampire can “solidify” the conjured Yin to create various objects. She can create ropes, chains, claws or blades of a black, icy substance. Creating mundane tools costs a point of Yin, while creation of Melee or thrown weapons costs one Yin for a weapon inflicting Str aggravated damage, +1 Yin per additional point of damage the weapon deals. (Firearms may not be created in this manner, though individual Yin-bullets may, with a Wits + Crafts[Gunsmith] roll [difficulty 10].) Tools created from Yin are steel-hard, freezing cold and seem to sap the warmth from beings they touch; shattering ropes, chains and similar items made of Yin requires a Strength of 5 or greater merely to attempt.
The vampire can conjure Yin energy about her as a form of armor, providing one soak die per Yin point spent against Yin-based attacks, attacks from metal objects and attacks from water- or wind-based weapons.
Finally, the vampire can, by spending three Yin points, solidify her very shadow into a quasi-tangible creature. The vampire spends three Yin to give her shadow substance, then makes a P’o roll ( difficulty 8 ) to imbue the creature with the personality of her Demon. The resulting creature is a savage, twisted thing that is best used as an attack dog. A shadow-creature (known as a wayang) has Physical Attributes equal to the vampire’s, inflicts Str aggravated damage (from shadowy claws and teeth), and has a number of Health Levels equal to the vampire’s P’o rating. It can slither up walls and through cracks, and takes damage as if it were the vampire. The wayang remains animate for a number of minutes equal to the vampire’s permanent Yin. If the creature is destroyed, the P’o-spark used to animate the shadow washes over the vampire and prompts an immediate roll to avoid shadow soul.

• • • • • Semblance of the Ebon Dragon
The vampire channels Yin through her corpse to transform her entire body into a cloud of pure Yin energy. In this form, she is completely intangible, although she may travel the roads of the dead and deal with the ghosts of the Dark Kingdom of Jade.
System: Except for the different type of Chi used to activate it, and the fact that the vampire enters the Yin World rather than the Yang World, this power is identical to Semblance of the Scarlet Queen.

Quite simply, this Discipline allows the P'o to manifest itself in the Kuei-jin's body. When this Discipline is activated the character assumes a monstrous form, appearing as nothing less than a demon spirit from the Yomi World.
Characters who assume such forms regularly are often called raksha. This Discipline is occasionally taught by evil spirits, in exchange for the character's service in the material world. Vampires who assume their demon form too often are likely to attract the notice of the Yama Kings.
System: It takes three points of Demon Chi and three turns to transform into the demon form. While the character is in demon form, the character’s Charisma and Appearance drop to zero, but the vampire gains cumulative Physical Attribute bonuses, per the listings below:
•-------------+ 1 Strength, Dexterity, Stamina
• •-----------+ 1 Strength
• • •---------+ 1 Stamina
• • • •-------+ 1 Strength
• • • • •-----+ 1 Dexterity
Additionally, for each dot in the Discipline, the character gains one of the following, as the character advances in the Discipline she may continue to "build" her demon form. Once a feature is selected, it is permanent; the character always assumes the same demon form.
The specifics of a vampire’s demon form are left to the player’s fertile imagination. P’o Natures play a part in the specific transformation; thus, a Demon form might be covered in corded muscle, hairy and tusked, while a Slave form might be laced with scars and obscene tattoos, and a Legalist form might appear as a demonic Yama King.


---• Claws: The character grows claws inflicting Str + 2 aggravated damage.
---• Demon Armor: The demon armor may appear as scales, ornate samurai armor, or anything else, and it gives +1 to soak (may be taken multiple times). Demon armor soaks aggravated damage.
---• Demon Weapon: A mystical weapon appears in the character's hand. Such a weapon blazes with Chi, emits frightful moans, is covered in leering faces, etc. This weapon may be any handheld weapon (no missiles or firearms). Damage is per the weapon type and aggravated.
---• Extra Arms: Two extra arms sprout from the character's torso. The character gains two extra dice when grappling or to simulate multiple attacks.
---• Foulness: The character's demon form is exceedingly unclean: perhaps encrusted in dried blood and pieces of flesh, perhaps surrounded in a mephitic cloud, etc. Any opponents within five feet of the character suffer a one-die penalty to all Dice Pools, unless they are also in Demon Shintai form.
---• Horror: The shintai may afflict humans with effects similar to Delirium. This effect is constant, though if picked twice, it may be turned on and off at will. Humans typically flee with fear.
---• The Host: Fanged, demonic faces sprout from the character's back, torso, and limbs. These faces can inflict automatic aggravated bite damage (Str + 1 aggravated) on grappled opponents.
---• Huge Size: The character gains three Bruised Health Levels. He is between 9 and 12 feet tall, and resembles a Japanese oni or similar demon.
---• Maw: The character's mouth distends and sprouts terrible teeth, perhaps even tusks. The character's bite inflicts Str + 3 aggravated damage.
---• Spikes: The character's body is covered with spikes (or perhaps nails, razors, barb, etc.). The character's body-slams inflict aggravated damage, and an attacker botching a Brawl or Martial Arts roll against the character suffers aggravated damage equal to the attackers own Strength score.
---• Tail: The character grows a tail. This tail is prehensile and can wield weapons; it can also bash opponents (for Strength damage, normal) or perform appropriate martial maneuvers (such as legsweep), provided the character knows the maneuvers.
---For an extra dot, the character may grow a scorpion-stinger capable of injecting poison. This poison is capable of affecting mortals and shen alike. The sting itself inflicts Str + 1 aggravated damage. To inject poison, the character spends Yin Chi on a hit, and for each point spent, the victim takes one die of aggravated damage unless he makes a successful Stamina or Yin roll (difficulty 8; each success negates one die of poison damage).
---• Third Eye: The character sprouts a third eye in the middle of her forehead. This effect is not the Soul Discipline of Chi'iu Muh, but a specific demonic investment. The character gains +1 to all Perception rolls.
---• Wings: Batlike pinions stretch from the character’s back. The character can fly ― clumsily ― at a speed of 25 miles per hour.

The Bone Shintai, the Metal element analog, is a frightening and forbidding art, the subject of speculation even among Kuei-jin. Closely tied to Yin, practitioners of the Bone Shintai use it to augment the corpselike features of their bodies, to become awesome and terrible combatants. Practitioners of the Bone Shintai commonly congregate in small wu of like-minded Kuei-jin, often honing their arts in the sites of strong Yin, such as burial grounds. Although not all practitioners are ch'ing shih, most grow heavily imbalanced to Yin over time. Certainly, Bone students are among the most frightening Kuei-jin to meet in combat.

• Corpse Skin
The student learns how to channel unwholesome Yin energies through his flesh, which becomes pallid and corpselike. While in this state, the vampire is preternaturally resistant to damage, much like a zombie.
System: The vampire must spend at least one point of Yin to evoke this power. While using this power, the difficulties of all the vampire’s Social Dice Pools increase by one. However, for each point of Yin spent, the vampire gains two Bruised Health Levels. Thus, a vampire who spent two points of Yin would gain four Bruised Health Levels, which would all have to be damaged before the vampire would drop to Hurt.
All Chi must be spent upon first activating the power, and a maximum of three Chi may be spent on it. Corpse Skin lasts for an entire scene.

• • White Tiger Corpse
The vampire forces Yin energy into her skin and bone marrow. by doing so, the vampire renders herself transparent and effectively invisible. This power does not affect clothing, weapons or other objects, though the vampire may "bleed" additional Yin onto personal possessions to render them invisible too. Vampires using this power can occasionally be detected by the palpable chill they radiate.
System: This power costs one Yin point to activate and lasts for a scene. By spending an additional Chi point and three turns smearing the liquid Yin onto her possessions, she may turn them invisible.

• • • Bone Obedience
The Bone disciple, through selective manipulation of Chi, can cause his bone structure to calcify and grow like rock crystals. This power allows the diligent student to transform parts of his skeleton into all manner of useful tools.
System: The vampire spends Yin Chi as listed below to manifest the feature desired. Each change takes three turns to produce; the bones slowly “grow” into position.
The following features may be produced:
• Talons (1 Chi): The vampire extrudes bony talons from nails or knuckles. This effect is similar to the Protean power Wolf’s Claws. The talons inflict Str + 2 aggravated damage.
• Bone Blade (2 Chi, 1 Chi/three turns to maintain): The vampire extends a section of his forearm into a two-foot blade of bone. This “sword” may be used to parry attacks and inflicts Str + 3 aggravated damage.
• Visage (2 Chi): The vampire uses Chi to alter his bone structure. This effect allows him to become up to six inches shorter or taller, and to alter his facial features and body type (though not precisely enough to disguise himself as someone else).
• Key (1 Chi): The vampire can form a finger, quite literally, into a skeleton key capable for opening any normal lock. This feature reduces the difficulty of appropriate Security rolls by three.
With the exception of the bone blade, all transformations last for one scene, after which they must be maintained with additional Chi expenditure.

• • • • Five Poison Cloud
The vampire can exhale a breath or cloud of concentrated Yin. This cloud manifests as a mass of freezing black vapor. The cloud seethes with the destructive energies of raw Yin; within the cloud, metal corrodes, flesh rots and plants wither and die.
System: The vampire spends two points of Yin. The cloud swells to fill an area 10 feet by 10 feet. Everyone within the cloud, except the wielder of the power, suffers six dice of aggravated damage.

• • • • • Ch’ing Shih
The vampire may permeate her flesh and bones with Yin. This precipitates a grotesque transformation: The vampire’s flesh turns a sickly gray, while her bones turn jet black. Her skin wrinkles and compresses around her bones. Her fangs grow long and drip venom, and black spikes jut from her back, joints and rib cage. Her entire body glows phosphorecently and sparks with Yin energy. This form is known as a ch’ing shih.
System: To activate the ch’ing shih form requires five turns and five points of Yin Chi. The transformation is automatic, and the effects last for one scene.
All sorts of changes take place in the vampire. First, the vampire’s Appearance drops to zero. The character’s bones fill with Yin-marrow, and she gains near-complete control over her skeletal structure. She can extrude spikes, razored edges or bony barbs. In game terms, she can choose to inflict automatic aggravated damage with any attack, even a body-slam or punch.
She may attack and damage wraiths, Spectres, and other Yin-spirits (though the reverse is also true; she may be attacked as well). She may also feed her flesh and blood to such spirits, providing Chi to them; Yin-spirits who accept this “offering” can use the Chi to replenish their own Chi on a one-for-one basis.
Finally, the vampire may inject a lethal toxin through her claws or fangs. This effect inflicts two Health Levels of aggravated damage per turn to humans or animals and one point per turn to shen, including wraiths. The toxin’s effects last for )6 – victim’s Stamina, minimum 1) turns. Mortals who die from this toxin rise as zombies, under the ch’ing shih’s control, during the following scene. Zombies have the Physical Attributes they possessed during life, but no Mental or Social Attributes. They have three additional Health Levels, but are incapable of healing damage inflicted on them. Each zombie must be fed on Yin point per night, or it withers to dust. At any rate, a zombie rots within one turn of being exposed to sunlight.

The freakish Flesh Shintai is believed to have its roots in the jungles of the Golden Courts, although it has spread throughout the Middle Kingdom. As the Wood element analog, the Flesh Shintai allows a Kuei-jin to channel Yang energy through the medium of her corpse in order to augment and transform it.
Practitioners of this shintai typically group themselves into matriarchal covens. In some areas, vampires with great skill in the Discipline are referred to as penangallan. Penangallan typically attune themselves to Yang energy and, thus, appear to be relatively human --- until they demonstrate the powers inherent to the Discipline. Many penangallan adorn themselves with elaborate tattoos and jewelry, as they enjoy the feeling of metal or ink against flesh.

• Long-Neck
The name of this power is somewhat misleading; the vampire can actually extend either her neck or limbs, sending them slithering over walls and around corners. The skin does not extend with the limb, so onlookers experience the gruesome sight of the vampire's head or digit extending along a stringy thread of viscera and muscle tissue.
System: No roll is needed. The neck or limbs can extend five feet per point of Stamina the vampire possesses, allowing the vampire to bite, strike or grapple at range. The limbs may be attacked anywhere along their length, and decapitation will kill the vampire normally.

• • Detach Limb
This power is one classically associated with the mythical penangallan. The vampire has mastered Chi to such an extent that she may separate a part of her life-force from the main reservoir. In this manner, she may actually detach a part of her body and allow it to act at range.
It is most commonly used to allow the head and guts to separate themselves from the vampire's trunk. Folk legends depict the resulting mass as capable of flight, although such a feat is possible only if the Cathayan possesses the power of Harnessing the Dragon's Breath. Otherwise, the head-mass slithers/crawls along at the character's normal ground speed. It is capable of crawling up walls, ceilings, etc., though its passage leaves a bloody smear.
Limbs may likewise be detached. This function is most commonly reserved for hands; while a vampire is certainly capable of detaching its leg, imbuing it with life and allowing it to hop along under its own power, doing so can prove somewhat useless and rather comical. Detached hands may prove quite useful, though, enabling the vampire to grab an out-of-reach item or strangle a victim at range. Again, unless the vampire has the power of Harnessing the Dragon’s Breath, the hand is limited to scuttling along like a spider.
System: The vampire spends one point of Yang Chi and one turn in concentration. The detached head-mass or appendage is considered a small target (difficulty 7 to hit in Melee, firearms difficulties increased by one). A head-mass is considered to have four Health Levels; a limb, three; a hand, two. In all cases, Physical Attributes and Abilities of the head-mass are considered to be identical to those of the vampire. Chi and both aspects of the soul remain in the head-mass, but the heart does not (the head-mass cannot be staked with either wood or metal, though if the dormant body is staked, the head-mass immediately collapses, paralyzed).
By far, the most common use of the power is the detachment of the head-mass. Under conventional means of locomotion, the head-mass alternately slithers and scuttles along at normal ground speed. Because it is largely boneless, the head-mass may fit into any open area accessible to the skull. It may use its viscera to constrict (Str + 2 normal damage) if it can get a firm grip (e.g., by dropping on a victim from ambush, or one turn after a successful bite). Otherwise, the head-mass may attack by striking (normal Dexterity + Brawl, inflicts standard bite damage).
The body remains dormant and extremely vulnerable. Most vampires take care to surround themselves with retainers, or else they hide their bodies in very secure locales. If the body is destroyed, the head-mass is trapped in its…visceral…state. It can maintain an unlife, of sorts, though it can never gain more than four Health Levels and must spend an extra point of Chi when animating itself (to avoid drying out).
Limbs creep/drag themselves along at half normal ground speed. A limb may remain detached from the body for up to a night; at dawn, the limb ceases to remain animate (and rapidly disintegrates). Limbs may attack (strangle) or grasp objects at a distance, though if the limb is outside the vampire’s line of sight, it may “see” its target only if the vampire is focusing on it via some sort of clairvoyance power.
Special: If the vampire also has the Level Two Cultivation power of Cleave the Demon, the dual souls can be forced into different parts of the vampire’s body. Thus, the vampire could animate her head-mass with her Hun soul, while using the P’o to animate her headless trunk. So long as the head-mass can keep the other body part within line of sight, the body part can “see” and act at no penalty. A body part out of the head-mass’s line of sight is treated as if blind.

• • • Lotus Cloud
By combining internal Chi with drawn breath, the vampire may exhale an opalescent cloud of euphoric Yang energy. All who breathe the vapors become dreamy, giggly and generally incoherent. This power does not affect vampires, spirits or other unliving things, but mortals and shapeshifters are susceptible.
System: The vampire spends a point of Yang Chi, then exhales the cloud. Mortals within the cloud automatically become giddy and highly suggestible, as if experiencing a narcotic drug. Shen may roll Willpower (difficulty 6) to resist, as may certain specially trained mortals (martial arts masters, Shih demon hunters). A narcotized victim can take no aggressive action and is likely to succumb to any pleasurable suggestion. If the victim is aggressively attacked, he defends himself, but at –1 to Dice Pools.
The power’s effects last for one scene.

• • • • Pelesit
The vampire can construct small creatures from his body, detaching them and sending them out on various errands. These creatures are known as pelesit, and they prove exceedingly useful as spies. Pelesit typically appear as grotesque insects or deformed homunculi, though many vampires who master this power decorate their bodies in elaborate, irezumi tattoos, then cause the tattoos themselves to animate at the Cathayan's bidding.
System: The vampire spends a point of Yang Chi and one or more Health Levels to detach a pelesit from the body. For each Health Level the pelesit “borrows,” it has two Health Levels and a Strength and Stamina of 1 (these Traits increase arithmetically as the pelesit is bestowed more of the vampire’s flesh). The creature has a Dexterity of 3, Mental Attributes of 2, a Brawl and Dodge of 2, and can deliver a sharp bite for Str (normal) damage. It travels with a bizarre hopping gait, can climb fairly well and can speak in a shrill, abrasive voice.
The pelesit may remain detached for an entire night, but immediately withers and dies at dawn. If the pelesit returns to the vampire before dawn, it may merge back into the vampire’s body, and the vampire regains the Health Levels bestowed upon the creature. If the pelesit is killed or fails to return, the vampire loses the Health Levels and must heal the resulting damage normally.

• • • • • Ten Thousand Forms
At this level of mastery, the vampire gains near-complete control over her shape. She can appear as nearly any type of person by changing skin, hair and body parameters, and can even sprout wings. She can also appear as an animal, so long as the animal is of roughly the same mass as the vampire.
System: This power costs two points of Yang to activate. The vampire must make a Perception + Athletics roll (difficulty 7). Success enables the vampire to take nearly any humanoid shape she can imagine. For an extra Yang point’s expenditure, the vampire can grow an extra pair of arms or a pair of batlike wings. These accouterments duplicate the effects of the equivalent Demon Shintai powers.
Duplicating a specific person or becoming an animal requires a Perception + Athletics roll (difficulty 9).

This Soul Discipline is widely distrusted, even among the Kuei-jin. Practitioners of Cultivation learn various techniques for communing with and influencing the P'o ― their own and others'. To a master of Cultivation, the P'o is just another family member ― an unruly one that must occasionally be disciplined, but a useful member nonetheless. Indeed, many vampires skilled in Cultivation wear their P'o visage as often as their Hun Archetype.
Although disreputable, practitioners of Cultivation have become a necessary evil in the Fifth Age, particularly with the arrival of the Kin-jin. Given these newcomers' relative unfamiliarity with their Beasts, wielders of Cultivation are able to send them into howling frenzies with relative ease. Unfortunately, given the unpredictable nature of the Cultivation Discipline, its users often suffer the same fate as their victims.

• Scrutinize
The student of Cultivation first learns to attune himself to the urges of the P'o, both in himself and in others. He becomes privy to the dark drives in mortals and shen alike.
System: The vampire spends three turns in meditation (if using the power on himself) or concentration (if using it on others). He then rolls Perception + Hun (difficulty 7).
If using the power to pacify his own P’o, success enables the vampire to add one to the difficulty of his next fire, wave or shadow nature roll. With three or more successes, the vampire can force a “dialogue” with his Demon; the P’o is played either by the Storyteller or a Shadowguide. Naturally, the P’o is balky and recalcitrant, but a clever player might be able to extract some sort of useful information from his character’s dark half, particularly if he steers the conversation in the direction of evil, demons, etc.
If using the power to scan another’s P’o, success enables the vampire to gain insight into the target’s darker urges. If the target has an actual P’o, the vampire learns the approximate (with one or two successes) or exact (with three or more successes) rating of the target’s P’o. He also gains some idea of the target’s P’o Archetype, thereby acquiring useful knowledge for subverting a rival Kuei-jin. If using this power on a Kindred, the vampire gains basic information about the Kindred’s Humanity or Path, Virtues, Derangements and other Traits relating to the state of the Kindred’s soul. If using this power on a mortal, the vampire gains intuitive hints about the target’s vices, dirty secrets and other hidden flaws. In any event, successful use of this power allows the Cathayan to add one die to all Social rolls dealing with appeals to the target’s base nature (bribery, certain types of seduction, etc.).
A botch when using this power enables an instant P’o takeover.

• • Cleave the Demon
The vampire learns how to separate her dual souls, thus clearly demarcating the Hun from the P'o. By doing so, she allows one soul to animate and control her body, while the other hovers nearby. Both souls can act in tandem, allowing the vampire to exercise a variety of useful options. However, the P'o remains its malevolent self and does everything it its power to cause harm and despair.
System: To Cleave the Demon, the vampire must spend a Chi point and two turns in concentration, then roll Willpower ( difficulty 8 ). Success enables the separation to begin. The player must then roll a contest of Hun (difficulty 6) versus P’o (difficulty 6). For each success scored on the Willpower roll, the player may add one die to either the Hun or the P’o Dice Pool.
If the Hun wins or ties, the dual souls separate and the Hun Archetype is in control of the body. If the P’o wins, the souls separate, but the P’o Archetype is in control of the body.
In any event, the remaining soul is pushed out of the Cathayan’s body and hovers nearby in the Mirror Lands. A displaced soul may travel up to 500 feet from its body. While separated, the soul is treated as either a Yin- or Yang-spirit, depending on which type of Chi was used to power the Discipline. If attacked by a spirit entity, the separated soul has Chi and Willpower scores equal to the character’s own. If the soul is Hun, it may use its Hun score as Gnosis; if the soul is P’o, it may use its P’o score as Rage. If reduced to zero Chi, the soul temporarily returns to the Yomi World and the vampire immediately enters torpor.
If threatened, the displaced soul may take refuge in the Cathayan’s body. This maneuver protests it from spirit attacks, but the displaced soul may be pushed out at any time by the dominant soul. Naturally, this situation can be dangerous if the P’o is in control of the body, and can lead to some rather interesting internal negotiations….
While the souls are separated, the vampire may effectively act with both the body and the displaced soul. Each half of the soul can take actions during the turn. So, for example, a vampire who split her P’o from her body could use the Hun-dominated body to perform physical actions or employ Soul Disciplines, while simulatneously sending the P’o to attack spirits (with its Rage) or to scout ahead for trouble.
The two souls retain a telepathic link, and each soul is aware of the other at all times. Both souls have access to the vampire’s basic Chi powers (Lifesight, Ghostsight) and Willpower, though only one soul can use them per turn. The soul in the spirit worlds may automatically see its surroundings, so Cleave the Demon is a good (if dangerous) way to view the nearby spirit world and the begins therein. A soul may be commanded simply to whirl around the body, in a sort of “holding pattern”; while this activity takes place, difficulties of all rolls to sneak up or surprise the vampire increase by two.
The power’s effects last for a single scene.

• • • Lash the Demon
A Cultivator at this level of erudition learns how to prod and goad others' souls, to separate the Hun and P'o and force one or the other to the forefront of consciousness. This power resembles Cleave the Demon, above, but affects other creatures' souls.
System: The vampire must make eye contact to use this power. The vampire spends a Willpower point and rolls Manipulation + Hun (difficulty 6). The victim may resist with Willpower (difficulty 6). If the vampire succeeds, the victim’s Hun and P’o souls separate, but remain in the victim’s body.
What happens next depends on whether the victim has a higher Hun or P’o score. If the victim’s Hun is stronger, he immediately becomes passive and malleable. The victim can take no aggressive action and likely flees if confronted. The victim is highly suggestible and obeys any orders given to him, unless he succeeds on a Willpower roll (difficulty 6); however, these orders cannot include aggressive or self-destructive actions. If attacked, the victim can defend normally, but cannot pursue a fleeing foe.
If the victim’s P’o is stronger, the victim immediately enters fire soul. If the vampire scores three or more successes (after the resisted roll), the P’o takes over the victim’s body. If the power is used on a victim whose P’o is already dominant, the victim becomes confused and listless for a scene.
If the victim’s Hun and P’o are equal, the twin souls immediately go to war. The victim must roll a contest between the Hun and P’o (both at difficulty 6). If the Hun wins or ties, it retains control of the victim’s body and nothing further happens. If the P’o wins, its Archetype takes over the victim’s body.
When a Kuei-jin uses this power on a Kindred, ghoul or other creature with a Beast, the victim immediately frenzies. When a mortal is the target, the victim becomes passive per the rules above, unless his bestial side is strong; in this case, the victim frenzies.

• • • • Yoke the Demon
The Cultivator may psychically reach into her dual soul, pluck the P'o from the Hun and subordinate the internal Demon. A Demon subordinated can be used to intimidate lesser creatures and watch for enemies.
Few things anger a P’o more than use of this power. A Cathayan who routinely employs Yoke the Demon may find herself in great peril the next time the P’o takes charge.
System: To perform the operation, the Cathayan spends a point of Willpower and two turns of concentration, then rolls Dexterity + Empathy ( difficulty 8 ). Success enables the operation to begin. The Cathayan makes a resisted roll of Hun versus P’o (difficulty 6 for both), adding one die to the Hun Dice Pool for each success scored on the Dexterity + Empathy roll. If the Hun wins or ties, it yokes the P’o; if the P’o wins, it automatically takes over the vampire’s body for a scene.
A yoked Demon may not take over the Cathayans body, though the vampire is still vulnerable to fire soul. (If the vampire frenzies, the Hun’s yoke is automatically broken, so the P’o typically does everything in its power to provoke fire soul). While yoked, the P’o may do nothing without the vampire’s permission; however, the vampire may not use Demon Chi or Demon Arts.
The P’o may be used as a “watchdog” and can detect other “demons” within 50 yards by making a successful Perception + Alertness roll (difficulty 7). (Creatures for which this designation applies include Kuei-jin, Kindred, hengeyokai, Spectres, P’o-dominated wraiths, human lunatics, savage spirits and other “wild souls.”) This application cannot pinpoint magically hidden or invisible creatures, but does let the vampire know that such creatures are in the area.
Also, because the seething rage of the Demon is so close to the character’s surface, the vampire exudes a menacing aura; mortals must make Willpower rolls (difficulty 6) to approach or oppose the vampire at all.
This power lasts for a scene.

• • • • • Two Become One
A vampire who achieves this level of Cultivation can partly resolve the dual soul’s dichotomy, as if he were mortal once more. This power can prove inspirational to Cathayans and provide a taste of the Golconda to come; unfortunately, the concomitant overconfidence can send them spiraling into depravity all the quicker.
When this power is used, the vampire’s personality is a combination of the Hun and P’o Archetypes. Although the P’o cannot enforce its will on the character, the player must make sure to roleplay the P’o as well as the Hun.
System: The vampire spends a Willpower point, then rolls Charisma + Empathy ( difficulty 8 ). If successful, the vampire’s Hun and P’o Natures merge for a scene. The vampire is immune to fire, wave and shadow soul, and she may use any of the P’o’s powers or Demon Arts without fear of backlash. Because the vampire effectively has two minds, any opponent attempting to affect her with a mind- or emotion-controlling power must make two separate checks; if either fails, the power does not affect the Cathayan.

The dual soul can be a curse, but Kuei-jin who master Hun and P'o are capable of feats of will far surpassing anything their Kindred rivals can imagine. The Internalize Discipline centers on inner focus and control. Vampires who master it are rare, but capable of channeling their inner strength to perform seemingly impossible tasks. They are among the most controlled of all Kuei-jin.

• No Mind
Through a series of meditative exercises, the vampire empties his Hun of all surface thoughts and gives himself over to direction by the All.
System: The vampire spends a Willpower point to evoke the No Mind, which lasts for a scene. While under the effects of the No Mind exercise, the difficulties of all rolls to read or control the mind of the vampire (including use of Kindred Auspex and Dominate) are increased by two. The difficulty to frenzy also increases by two, but the vampire may not use the Disciplines of Cultivation, Obligation, or Chi’iu Muh chile evoking the No Mind exercise. The aura of a vampire using No Mind is blue-white.

• • Blood Yoga
Engaging in deep meditation, the vampire seeks to banish her ever-present nightmares and recharge her psychic reserves more quickly. Vampires with this power regain their mental focus far more readily than other creatures can.
System: By spending a point of Chi and at least an hour (and sometimes as much as an entire night) in uninterrupted meditation, then successfully rolling Perception + Hun (difficulty 6), the vampire regains a point of Willpower. If the player scores three or more successes on the roll, the vampire regains two points of Willpower.

• • • Distant Death Kata
The Kuei-jin forces herself to inhale while concentrating on a foe within line of sight. She must then hold the breath, focus and exhale while simultaneously executing a flawless strike to the empty air in front of her. If the attack is delivered properly, action and spirit become one, mystically delivering the force of the attack to the target.
System: The Kuei-jin spends one turn inhaling and holding the breath. She then exhales, spends a point of Willpower, and rolls a normal Melee, Martial Arts, or Brawl attack. The attack is made as if the vampire were in close combat with the target (i.e., typically difficulty 6), but three or more successes must be scored (the attack must be perfect, or nearly so). If the vampire succeeds, the target takes damage as if he were actually struck by his distant opponent. The target may not dodge the attack, but may soak normally.

• • • • Iron Soul
The vampire at this level of mastery is a frightening opponent, for he has learned to channel his inner strength into an accomplishment of prodigious acts. Kuei-jin with Iron Soul can perform Herculean feats, make "impossible" shots and otherwise act heroically.
System: The vampire spends three turns in concentration, then rolls Hun (difficulty 9). For each success, the vampire gains an additional automatic success on a Willpower expenditure. Thus, a vampire who scores three successes on the roll may spend a Willpower point to gain four, not one, automatic successes when spending Willpower to accomplish a feat. The Willpower point must be spent on the turn immediately following the Hun roll.
A failed roll causes the vampire to lose a temporary Willpower point, with no successes gained whatsoever. A botch causes the vampire to lose two temporary Willpower points.

• • • • • Harmony with the All
At this level, the vampire can attune her consciousness to the cosmic cycle, temporarily casting back her mind to the unity of the First Age. While using this power, a vampire acts spontaneously and effortlessly, executing tasks perfectly without though or planning.
System: The vampire spends two turns in concentration and two points of Willpower. She must then roll her Dharma rating ( difficulty 8 ). If she succeeds, she attunes herself to the Great Cycle.
For the duration of the scene, the vampire cannot botch, nor can she suffer any environmental or situation penalties applied to Dice Pools or difficulties. She may use a weapon in each hand, attack normally even after suffering crippling damage, defend normally against multiple attackers, climb a slick surface as if it were dry, and so on. She may also use Skills she does not possess, as if they were Talents. So, a vampire with no training in Melee could wield a sword at her basic Dexterity Dice Pool, with no difficulty penalty. The vampire must be physically able to perform whatever task she attempts; for example, a one-armed vampire could not wield a staff.
The vampire gives up her consciousness to the Great Cycle. She resists mind control as if she were employing the lesser No Mind power, and she cannot enter fire or shadow soul (though she may not use Demon Arts or Demon Chi while in the Harmonious state).
Finally, a vampire using Harmony with the All is predisposed to uncanny insights. She cannot be ambushed or surprised (this ability is treated similarly to the Auspex 1 ability of sensing danger), and she may make a Perception roll ( difficulty 8 ) to detect invisible creatures. While in the Harmonious state, the vampire may gain precognitive flashes or “mystic” wisdom relating to the current situation, at the Storyteller’s discretion.