Revision as of 01:17, 6 April 2010

The Fivefold Way of Serenity

by OhJames (also check out The Fivefold Way of Battles Style, by David. It's awesome and inspired this.)

While some may conjecture that Mars herself created the Fivefold Way of Battles, none would be so crass as to advocate Venus as the originator of this style. The practitioners of the Fivefold Way of Serenity know their hearts better than anyone, and they know that Venus would not muster the time or the effort to create a sprawling martial art like this. Instead, many stylists pay homage to Yaogin, Bearer of the Lapis Ewer. He is considered somewhat more composed than his former Celestial lover, and is often given credit for the style’s invention.

As with the Fivefold Way of Battles, practitioners of this style are common, yet masters are rare, for the Way of Serenity is just as arduous as its more martial counterpart. However, in the precincts of the Cerulean Lute, what few masters there are can be found at their ease, drinking fine wine or smoking heavenly opium, when not on duty in Creation.

Substyles

As the Way of Battles is tied to the Crimson Panoply of Victory, so is the Way of Serenity tied to its own astrological house. There is a key difference in how the Way of Serenity exploits this connection, however, due to the primarily non-combative nature of the Cerulean Lute of Harmony’s Charms. Instead of allowing increased comboability, mastery of the Way of Serenity’s substyles instead grants auspicious blessings from the Lute’s constellations. These blessings can be assumed at any time, for the commitment of three motes of Essence, which remain unavailable until the blessing is allowed to lapse. Each blessing increases the efficiency of its substyle’s Charms, as well as the efficiency of the corresponding Sidereal Charms. However, the blessings count as astrological effects and can therefore not affect any being whose destiny is written in places other than the Loom of Fate (this includes, but is not limited to, Abyssals, Alchemicals, demons, Infernals, and raksha).

The Ewer: Upon a character’s first activation of the Greater Tantra of the Ewer, she is bathed in sky-blue stardust. This substance pours down from heaven for a full scene, sparkling brightly and prettily against the character’s skin and clothing. The blessing takes effect, free of cost. At the end of the scene, should she commit the requisite Essence, the stardust coalesces into a delicate flower, tucked behind the character’s ear or tucked under her lapel. Otherwise, it dissipates in a rush of wind. All Sidereal Dodge Charms cost one less mote of Essence for the duration of this blessing, although the cost cannot be reduced below one in this manner. In addition, all Dodge rolls made in an effort to reach or defend the character’s beloved have their target numbers reduced by one.
The Lovers: Upon a character’s first activation of the Greater Tantra of the Lovers, she is bathed in lambent blue stardust. This substance pours down from heaven for a full scene, sparkling darkly and threateningly against the character’s skin and clothing. The blessing takes effect, free of cost. At the end of the scene, should she commit the requisite Essence, the stardust flies to a spot on her body, where it coalesces into a cut, love bite, or broken manacle. Otherwise, it dissipates in a rush of wind. All Sidereal Socialize Charms cost one less mote of Essence for the duration of the blessing, although the cost cannot be reduced below one in this manner. In addition, all Socialize rolls made in an effort to either ingratiate oneself with a captor or beguile another into captivity have their target numbers reduced by one.
The Musician: Upon a character’s first activation of the Greater Tantra of the Musician, she is bathed in stardust the color of fine blue jade. This substance pours down from heaven for a full scene, sparkling manically against the character’s skin and clothing. The blessing takes effect, free of cost. At the end of the scene, should she commit the requisite Essence, the stardust coalesces into a small musical instrument, such as a flute or hand drum, hanging from the character’s belt or pack. Otherwise, it dissipates in a rush of wind. All Sidereal Performance Charms cost one less mote of Essence for the duration of the blessing, although the cost cannot be reduced below one in this manner. In addition, all Performance rolls made in an effort to convince others to loosen their inhibitions have their target numbers reduced by one.
The Peacock: Upon a character’s first activation of the Greater Tantra of the Peacock, she is bathed in cold blue stardust. This substance pours down from heaven for a full scene, sparkling magnificently against the character’s skin and clothing. The blessing takes effect, free of cost. At the end of the scene, should she commit the requisite Essence, the stardust coalesces into some fine accoutrement, such as a fan, brooch, or sash, that stands out beautifully, no matter the wardrobe that accompanies it. Otherwise, it dissipates in a rush of wind. All Sidereal Craft Charms cost one less mote of Essence for the duration of the blessing, although the cost cannot be reduced below one in this manner. In addition, all Craft rolls made in an effort to create something impressive for a prospective ally have their target numbers reduced by one.
The Pillar: Upon a character’s first activation of the Greater Tantra of the Pillar, she is bathed in sapphire blue stardust. This substance pours down from heaven for a full scene, sparkling comfortingly against the character’s skin and clothing. The blessing takes effect, free of cost. At the end of the scene, should she commit the requisite Essence, the stardust coalesces into a wedding band resting on the character’s finger. Otherwise, it dissipates in a rush of wind. All Sidereal Linguistics Charms cost one less mote of Essence for the duration of the blessing, although the cost cannot be reduced below one in this manner. In addition, all Linguistics rolls made in an effort to promote stability have their target numbers reduced by one.

Charms

Tantra-Type Charms
The Charms of Serenity are not as rigid as those of Battles; instead of Stances, its stylists perform languid Tantras. A Tantra is similar to a Stance, but, rather than being a Reflexive Charm that cannot be activated prior to one’s initiative, they are Supplemental Charms that must be used to aid a Dexterity + Athletics action. Should the acrobatic maneuver be executed correctly, the Tantra takes effect for ten turns, plus a number of turns equal to the successes gained on the Dexterity + Athletics roll. A Tantra forces living Essence through the martial artist’s body, empowering her without the need of support; the Essence spent to power a Tantra is not considered committed. In addition, Tantra-type Charms cannot be comboed, under any circumstances.

Weapons & Armor
The Fivefold Way of Serenity and its substyles do not allow weapons or armor of any sort.

Consideration and Evasion Approach

Cost: None
Duration: Permanent
Type: Special
Minimum Martial Arts: 2
Minimum Essence: 1
Prerequisite Charms: None

The first lesson one learns during those tentative steps at the beginning of the Fivefold Way of Serenity is simple: all creatures deserve some measure of happiness in their lifetimes. Utilizing this lesson allows a Joybringer to benefit from her concern for all Creation to help ensure the continued serenity of all parties in a combat. Upon learning this Charm, a martial artist may channel Compassion on all dodges and Martial Arts parries.

The Substyles
Upon learning the Consideration and Evasion Approach, the martial artist may begin to learn Charms from the five substyles.

MartialArts/FivefoldWayofSerenityStyle/TheEwer
MartialArts/FivefoldWayofSerenityStyle/TheLovers
MartialArts/FivefoldWayofSerenityStyle/TheMusician
MartialArts/FivefoldWayofSerenityStyle/ThePeacock
MartialArts/FivefoldWayofSerenityStyle/ThePillar

Fivefold Way of Serenity Form

Cost: 5 motes
Duration: One Scene
Type: Simple
Minimum Martial Arts: 4
Minimum Essence: 2
Prerequisite Charms: two Lesser Tantras

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Pinnacle Charm

Cost: 
Duration: 
Type: 
Minimum Martial Arts: 
Minimum Essence: 
Prerequisite Charms: two Greater Tantras

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Comments

Um, nine turns plus successes is equivalent to your duration, but, uh, with half the math done already. - willows

Well, yeah, but I was trying to emulate the oWoD rule of "you need one success to hit, but if you get more than that necessary one, you get extra dice." Also 10+ is a nicer number than 9+. But I don't know. With me, it's just aesthetic (kind of), but does it relly matter? -- OhJames

Then make it 10 + successes, it's more elegant than throwing in an extra step. ;) - David.

If it'll make you two happy, I'll change it. But what do you think of the mechanic? -- OhJames

Going by what you've got right now, I think it's solid. Just be sure to balance those Charms with the fact that the Essence isn't committed in mind. That detail alone makes your Tantras more flexible, in certain ways, than my Stances. - David.

Which was, to some extent, precisely the point. -- OhJames

Um, like, why were you emulating oWoD, man? (; Exalted is its own thing. Anyway, I think the basic idea is really intriguing and cool, and I'm looking forward to eeing the rest of this; I always find your Charms to be pleasantly surprising. - willows