Chi Magic

[garrowolf]

I've decided to start working on a Chi magic power for my Nexus D20 game. Basically it would cover all the chi based abilities from Martial Arts traditions and legends. This power would only work in a minimum of a low mana environment so it can be more powerful then a totally realistic setting.

I'm trying to find some good ideas that supplement the martial arts system, not replace it. So something besides extra damage. Ideally it would give the Martial Artist more options.

Any ideas?

 

[ValhallaGH]

Take a look at some of the abilities of the SRD Monk. Peruse the Tome of Battle: Book of Nine Swords, for some inspiration. Watch various Chinese wuxu movies (lots of subtitles, but it will be worthwhile). Some common tricks are: unstoppable one-touch-kill techniques, inability to be flanked, short-range flight, harmlessly snatching projectiles out of the air, shock-waves that have various cone effects, various single-target energy blasts (raw chi, elemental spheres, air blasts, etc), using totally harmless objects (paper clip equivalents) as deadly weapons, resistance to aging, ability to withstand phenomenal forces, ability to strike through any object, and a few others.

Good luck.

 

[garrowolf]

Sounds good so far. Any other ideas?

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

After Magic of Incarnum was released, I started drafting up Incarnum versions of a variety of classes because, to me, it had a certain resonance with Chi-type abilities of myth & legend.

I had outlined structures for Incarnum versions several OA classes- favoring the 3.5 updated versions seen in Dragon #317 as my starting point- when 4Ed was announced. That, coupled with the utter lack of support (or love) that MoI got, kind of took the wind out of that project's sails.

As mentioned before, you might also try using Book of 9 Swords as a guide. Personally, I don't like the book, but it could be useful for such a project.

If you're really adventurous, you could even meld some aspects of Bo9S and MoI for your Chi-classes.

 

[garrowolf]

I don't have Magic of Incarnum. What is the system like?

 

[garrowolf]

Okay this is some of the ideas I have so far



[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Chi Magic (Low Mana)[/FONT]






[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Defensive Chi [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] Toughness increase [/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Willpower increase[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Pressure Points [/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]New Vital Points Strikes (immediate, delayed)[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Movement[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] Traceless Walk – Your walk leaves no trace[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] Water Run – You slap your feet in a way that keeps you from actually entering the water[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] Ninja Leaping [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] Lightly falling [/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Chi Blasts – Standard power blast damage [/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Healing [/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Transmitted strike – Hit so that your strike moves through an object without damaging that object [/FONT]

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

I don't have Magic of Incarnum. What is the system like?

The terminology is a bit thick to wade through, and it is generally considered to be lower-powered than other "magic" systems.

But it is quite flavorful.

 

[jefgorbach]

pass thru damage/effect based on the trick of hitting the top board to break the bottom of the stack without damaging the intervening space/boards ... something like a dimension-door(fist/kick only) to attack <here> but melee damage <over there>.

 

[garrowolf]

That's what I mean by transmitted strike