THE CUP OVERFLOWS
Learning martial arts requires years of training. Becoming a chi master takes even longer, and requires a teacher known as a sifu. The mentor teaches the student how
to channel mystical energy into her body and use it to enhance her martial prowess. A sifu might be the head of a renowned martial arts school or a wandering wise
man most mistake for a saddletramp. Most of the sifu’s students “graduate” as competent martial artists; only a few learn to master their chi. The key for these rare
few is embracing a deep spiritual philosophy, finding harmony with nature and the world, and most importantly, the ability to channel power from the Hunting Grounds
without an intermediary such as a demon or nature spirit.
PLAYING A CHI MASTER
Would-be chi masters must take the Martial Artist Edge (see Savage Worlds) to reflect the physical aspect of their training. The Arcane Background (Chi Master) Edge covers the mystical side of things. The role of a chi master is to bring peace and harmony to the world. Sometimes that might require a quiet word or a shining example.
Other times, the only way to settle a situation might be sudden and relentless violence. Even here most chi masters prefer to use nonlethal attacks so that the defeated may learn a lesson—”The dead do not learn,” one sifu has said. Heroic chi masters back up their companions, fight for human rights and dignity, and never shirk their duty when confronting the horrors of the Reckoning. Evil chi masters seek to bring order to chaos by gathering like-minded martial artists and eliminating anyone who stands in the way of whatever it is they desire.
TRAPPINGS
Chi masters’ powers are generally perceived
as being part of the fighter’s martial arts
style rather than “magic,” but those who
know better always realize arcane energy is
involved. Intricate forms, rapid strikes, and
special breathing techniques can all focus the
chi and funnel arcane energy.
CHI MASTER EDGES
Though it’s not a requirement, chi masters
should strongly consider the Chi Edge
from Savage Worlds to augment their
abilities as well.
SUPERIOR KUNG FU
REQUIREMENTS: Novice, Spirit d6+, Arcane Background
(Chi Master), Fighting d8+
Through years of concentrated study
under his wizened teacher, your hero has
mastered several styles or stances that make
up her particular practice of kung fu.
Choose one of the options below the first
time you take this Edge, and another each
additional time you take it.
As a free action at the start of her turn, she
can assume any one of the styles she’s taken
below. The benefits of the style remain in
place until she changes to a different one.
- DRUNKEN STYLE: The fighter weaves around like she’s out of her tree on firewater, making her moves hard to follow or predict due to her staggering gait. Opponents subtract 2 from attack rolls to hit her, but her Pace is reduced by 2 (she may still run).
- EAGLE CLAW: The warrior holds her hands like claws, then strikes quickly and viciously at the enemy like a pecking raptor. This gives her unarmed Fighting attacks AP 4, and it’s considered a Heavy Weapon! This ability is critical for those chi masters who find themselves pitted against heavily armored foes, like Dr. Hellstromme’s metal automatons!
- MANTIS: A mantis student holds her hands like hooks, moving from mesmerizing calm to startling strikes in a terrifying instant. Once per round, anyone who fails a Fighting attack against the martial artist is Distracted or Vulnerable (martial artist’s choice). This is particularly effective when combined with the Counterattack Edge.
- MONKEY: The hero shakes her limbs like a primate, contorting and twisting in odd ways that throw off surrounding foes. The martial artist gains +2 Parry, rapidly slapping and blocking away his foes’ strikes. She may also make an Athletics Test against all adjacent foes as a single action. Each one resists separately.
- SHUAI CHAO: This form emphasizes light grappling techniques followed by throws or strikes. Once per round, when a foe fails a Fighting attack against the martial artist, she may make a grapple attempt as a free action (see Grappling in Savage Worlds).
- TAN TUI: The chi master focuses her attack into a powerful snap kick—increasing her unarmed combat damage for one Fighting attack per round by one die type. If the attack causes the foe to be Shaken or Wounded, he’s also knocked back 1d4” with success, or 1d4+2” with a raise. With a successful Athletics roll, she can also rise from being prone without costing her the usual 2” of movement.
- WING CHUN: Wing Chun focuses on fast blocks and flexibility against attacks, like bamboo before a storm. This gives the warrior +1 Parry and subtracts 2 from any melee damage she takes while using this style.
CELESTIAL KUNG FU
REQUIREMENTS: Veteran, Spirit d8+, Superior
Kung Fu, Fighting d10+
More options become available to a
martial artist as she masters the mystical and
physical aspects of her art.
A hero with this Edge gains an additional
style from Superior Kung Fu and may
assume two styles at once using either or both
options as she sees fit. She may change one
or both as a free action at the start of her turn.
