Post by Tomahawk on Jan 14, 2005 12:50:30 GMT
Onmyo-do
The school of magic known as Onmyo-do (Literally, “The Way of Light and Darkness”) comes from the orient, and is a mystical science based on oriental astrology, the almanac, I-Ching, various other methods of fortune-telling, and the mysticism of Taoism. Historically, Onmyo-do has had a more-than-significant impact on the rituals of modern-day religions such as Shinto and Japanese Buddhism. Core to this school of mystical thought is the manipulation of Ki or Chi energies, which is primarily the source of the Onmyo-Shi’s (Magic wielder’s) power.
The most famous and most powerful historical Onmyo-shi was a man named Abe-no-Seimei, (921-1005). History records that he made the plans for many imperial buildings using his knowledge of Onmyo-Do, and he was also a renowned astronomer and a calendar maker. Legends say that Seimei was skilled in divination powers, based on astrology, the calendar, and direction. He could foresee disasters and report to the emperor. Legends also say that he mastered twelve Shikigami , familiars of Onmyo-shi . There are numerous legends that he conquered the monsters in Kyoto, particularly demons known as Oni.
The main “thrust” of Onmyo-do is in divinatory or detecting-type spells and effects, and practitioners from this school receive a +1CS when using these spells (even if learned from someone from a different school), and likewise impose a –1CS penalty on those magic wielders attempting to detect or divine things about them through magical means. Onmyo-shi also have the unique ability to summon forth spirits known as Shikigami, which are used either as Familiars, or as the source for their other, non-divinatory powers or spells. Onmyo-Shi can also work their mystical arts through subtle manipulation of Chi energies. Characters of the Onmyo-do school of magic should designate which, if any, of their spells or powers are Chi- based as opposed to magic based. (a simple P for Personal Energies, U for Universal energies, D for Dimensional energies, or C or Chi for Chi, if the optional Chi rules and system are being used.). Onmyo-do can also choose to expend their Chi instead of their Health for casting spells using Personal energies, however Chi expended in this manner can only be recovered with a full night’s rest, and not through any of the short-cut methods available (meditation, for example).
In Onmyo-Do philosophy, everything in the cosmos is divided up into an empirical system, and is comprised both of Yin and Yang energies, further divided and categorized according to the 5 Elements of Fire, Water, Earth, Metal, and Wood. Some may argue that Onmyo-do is an off-shoot of the Nature School of Magic; this may well be the case, but like the Druidic and Faerie Schools of magic, it too has become quite specialized over the millennia. Onmyo-Do is considered a “Gray” or “Neutral” school of magic, with individual Onmyo-Shi determining for themselves by-and-large their own code of “right” and “wrong”.
Onmyo-Shi who only have access to Personal Energies are likely to find themselves quite limited, as this school works more with Universal energies than perhaps any other school of magic. Any Dimensional or Entreaty spells would call upon the myriad of deities found within the Chinese and Japanese pantheons, or on particularly powerful demonic Oni entities (who will no doubt require some sort of service for being called upon). If the Optional Chi powers for Martial Arts are being used, any of these should also be available for Onmyo-do magicians to use. For those not using those optional rules and system, consider Chi simply to be Personal or Universal energies.
The major drawback of this school of magic comes in their centuries-long enmity with certain demonic forces such as Oni. These oriental demons, as well as other hostile spirits, will never pass up an opportunity to create trouble for an Onmyo-Shi, and wielders of the mystic arts from this school must always be on the lookout for these troublemakers.
The school of magic known as Onmyo-do (Literally, “The Way of Light and Darkness”) comes from the orient, and is a mystical science based on oriental astrology, the almanac, I-Ching, various other methods of fortune-telling, and the mysticism of Taoism. Historically, Onmyo-do has had a more-than-significant impact on the rituals of modern-day religions such as Shinto and Japanese Buddhism. Core to this school of mystical thought is the manipulation of Ki or Chi energies, which is primarily the source of the Onmyo-Shi’s (Magic wielder’s) power.
The most famous and most powerful historical Onmyo-shi was a man named Abe-no-Seimei, (921-1005). History records that he made the plans for many imperial buildings using his knowledge of Onmyo-Do, and he was also a renowned astronomer and a calendar maker. Legends say that Seimei was skilled in divination powers, based on astrology, the calendar, and direction. He could foresee disasters and report to the emperor. Legends also say that he mastered twelve Shikigami , familiars of Onmyo-shi . There are numerous legends that he conquered the monsters in Kyoto, particularly demons known as Oni.
The main “thrust” of Onmyo-do is in divinatory or detecting-type spells and effects, and practitioners from this school receive a +1CS when using these spells (even if learned from someone from a different school), and likewise impose a –1CS penalty on those magic wielders attempting to detect or divine things about them through magical means. Onmyo-shi also have the unique ability to summon forth spirits known as Shikigami, which are used either as Familiars, or as the source for their other, non-divinatory powers or spells. Onmyo-Shi can also work their mystical arts through subtle manipulation of Chi energies. Characters of the Onmyo-do school of magic should designate which, if any, of their spells or powers are Chi- based as opposed to magic based. (a simple P for Personal Energies, U for Universal energies, D for Dimensional energies, or C or Chi for Chi, if the optional Chi rules and system are being used.). Onmyo-do can also choose to expend their Chi instead of their Health for casting spells using Personal energies, however Chi expended in this manner can only be recovered with a full night’s rest, and not through any of the short-cut methods available (meditation, for example).
In Onmyo-Do philosophy, everything in the cosmos is divided up into an empirical system, and is comprised both of Yin and Yang energies, further divided and categorized according to the 5 Elements of Fire, Water, Earth, Metal, and Wood. Some may argue that Onmyo-do is an off-shoot of the Nature School of Magic; this may well be the case, but like the Druidic and Faerie Schools of magic, it too has become quite specialized over the millennia. Onmyo-Do is considered a “Gray” or “Neutral” school of magic, with individual Onmyo-Shi determining for themselves by-and-large their own code of “right” and “wrong”.
Onmyo-Shi who only have access to Personal Energies are likely to find themselves quite limited, as this school works more with Universal energies than perhaps any other school of magic. Any Dimensional or Entreaty spells would call upon the myriad of deities found within the Chinese and Japanese pantheons, or on particularly powerful demonic Oni entities (who will no doubt require some sort of service for being called upon). If the Optional Chi powers for Martial Arts are being used, any of these should also be available for Onmyo-do magicians to use. For those not using those optional rules and system, consider Chi simply to be Personal or Universal energies.
The major drawback of this school of magic comes in their centuries-long enmity with certain demonic forces such as Oni. These oriental demons, as well as other hostile spirits, will never pass up an opportunity to create trouble for an Onmyo-Shi, and wielders of the mystic arts from this school must always be on the lookout for these troublemakers.