Madoshi (mah-doh-shee)

“Those who wield the Breath of Life have an honored place in society. They, through observation of the Virtues, are able to obtain a place among the scholar-gentry. The very fact that they have been blessed with the ability to wield the Breath itself is just more evidence that they are on the path of the Superior Being.”

Sage, Tong Zhao-zi

Career

Qualifications

A vast majority of the Madoshi are scholars in their own rights. Many of them have taken, and passed, the Imperial Examinations. Therefore, education is one of the most important qualifiers for joining the ranks of the Madoshi. A student has to prove themselves capable of learning, and retaining, information, capable of solving complex problems and equations, rote memorization, and, of course, the capacity to wield and channel the Breath of Life. 

Career Progression

The Madoshi follow the same Twelve-Rank System which The Imperial Bureaucracy follows. Which stands to reason since they helped to implement it into the bureaucracy in the first place.

Payment & Reimbursement

Since so many of the Madoshi are ensconced in the Imperial Bureaucracy, they all receive a graded, government stipend. The same as ordinary civil servants. Most of those within the bureaucracy, of course, make their fortunes within the various academies and think-tanks, such as the elite Hanlin Academy working directly for the Imperial Seats.

Other Benefits

The overall perception of Madoshi within the world is positive. Even if they are not, Madoshi are often perceived by the common people to be a part of the scholar-gentry which increases their status within the eyes of the average person. Many people will treat a known mage-scholar with a deference bordering on obsequiousness.

Perception

Purpose

Madoshi are the standard magic-users of the empire. While priests and other mystical occupations do exist, the Madoshi are considered to be the primary wielders of Qi.

Social Status

Most of the time, the Madoshi are perceived positively by the residents of the empire. They are considerd to be the magical gentry of the world, and are often treated as such even if they do not officially belong to the exalted ranks of the scholar-gentry as members of the Bureaucracy.

History

The true origins of the Qi-wielders are lost to the Ages, but may have their origins in the tribal, and folk, practices of the early peoples of the world. Popular myth holds that the first, true wielders of the Breath of Life were the founders of House Balei, the so-called Eight Thunders who established the eight schools of magic within the Lands of Blossom Rain. This popular myth holds that, during the Age of the Bushi in the Warring States period, the founders of the great house were celebrating a victory over another army in a peach orchard when they were struck out of a blue sky by Raijin's bolts. These lightning bolts had a supposed satori-like effect upon the men and women gathered in the orchard that day. It is said that on that day they perceived the Tao, itself, and inferred how to wield its power in the world. 
From then on, these clan founders became known as the Eight Thunders (Ba Lei), and reaped holy terror on any battlefield they strode with their advanced understanding of magical principles. During the tenuous peace-time near the end of the Age of the Bushi, they began founding schools to train others in their arts based upon the Eight Mystical Schools of Thought that each founder learned. So by the time of the Kami Daisensō, the newly-minted Modaoshi were well prepared to meet the armies of chaos with magical death and destruction. 
Since the Great Kami War, and the nominal ending of the civil wars, House Balei's teachings have spread beyond the clan, and even beyond their home province to encompass much of the Middle Empire with schools existing from one end of the empire to the other. Their teachings have become the standard across the imperial realm and laid the foundations not just for the mystical side of the Imperial Exams, but helped with the foundations of the normal exams, as well.

Operations

Tools

By far, the most commonplace tool within the Madoshi's arsenal is the Fulu. This is a paper talisman upon which the Madoshi transcribes their spellwork in a specific script in order to nearly instantaneously cast them when needed. During ritual work, they use many more materials, such as bells, gongs, mirrors, candles, incense, and other material components, as well as ritual prayer, and mudras in order to enact their spells.

Materials

Paper lingfu, inksticks, inkstone, writing brushes, as well as many of the ritual components listed in the previous section.

Workplace

The ideal workplace for a Madoshi is their study. This study usually contains a large library of bound books, paper and bamboo scrolls, and tablets, a writing desk, an altar, and a meditation zone. Most ideally, it is away from the hustle and bustle of the outside world to allow the magic-user to concentrate on study, spellwork, or meditation.

Provided Services

Nearly any mystical working one could think of is provided by the Madoshi.

Dangers & Hazards

There are always possible hazards and safety concerns when one deals with the fundamental energies of creation, itself.

Alternative Names

Modaoshi, Shushi (Dayang), Ilbechin (Khel), Phu-thuy [fu-twi] (elven), Mabeobsa (dwarven), Qi-wielder, Mage-scholar, Magi-gentry

Type

Arcane

Demand

Considered to be an elite occupation

Legality

Since many of the Madoshi are also a part of the Imperial Bureaucracy, they are firmly on the legal side of the fence.

Other Associated professions

• Wudaoshi

Related Locations

• Imperial Lands
• Jungles of the Snake People
• Lands of Blossom Rain

Used By

• Hanlin Academy
• House Balei
• The Imperial Bureaucracy

Madoshi Level Progression

The Madoshi is the Taoist sorcerer of the empire. Using their mental acuity and the mystical might of the Tao, itself, to cast their magic. Madoshi gain the following at Lesser First Rank:


Health Points: +4 Health Points.
Face: +4
Arts: Madoshi gain one point and are adept in the Kotodama and Rites Arts. Madoshi also gain one point in each of the following Arts: Meditate, Calligraphy, and Alchemy.

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Rank	Attacks	Abilties
First Lesser	1	Ritual Casting, Beisong
First Greater	1	Dynamic Casting
Second Lesser	1	Second Grade Madoshi Spells: The Madoshi now has access to the Second Grade spells of the Madoshi.
Second Greater	1	Beisong.
Third Lesser	1	Third Grade Madoshi Spells: The Madoshi now has access to the Third Grade spells of the Madoshi.
Third Greater	2	-
Fourth Lesser	2	Fourth Grade Madoshi Spells: The Madoshi now has access to the Fourth Grade spells of the Madoshi.
Fourth Greater	2	Beisong.
Fifth Lesser	2	Fifth Grade Madoshi Spells: The Madoshi now has access to the Fifth Grade spells of the Madoshi.
Fifth Greater	2	-
Sixth Lesser	2	Sixth Grade Madoshi Spells: The Madoshi now has access to the Sixth Grade spells of the Madoshi.
Sixth Greater	2	Beisong.
		Ritual Casting: starting at the Lesser First Rank, the Madoshi learn and cast magic primarily through rituals which allow them to connect with, and channel, the Positive and Negative energies of the Tao. They carry with them a Book of Rites which holds the proper rituals, formulae, and other esoteric ingredients needed to form the connection and channel the energies for their spells. They may cast any Madoshi spell of appropriate rank at any time, provided they are cast as rituals, and can pay the requisite Qi cost. Madoshi may spend time crafting these rituals onto paper charms called lingfu. Once these spells are engraved into the paper, they become fulu. In order to create fulu, the Madoshi must pay half the Qi cost for the spell up front, and the second half when the spell is actually cast. This allows the caster to use their spells on the fly provided they have enough talismans and Qi in order to do so. The effects of the spell last in the fulu for a number of days equal to the caster's Kotodama rating. Another way of doing this is through the use of medicines and potions. Alchemical compounds which trap the mystical energies and intent of the magi-scholar within the ingredients used to duplicate the effects of their spells. Medicines and potions are more difficult to craft and require all the Qi required by the spell + 2 to be paid upfront. The effects of the spell last in the potion or medicine for a number of weeks equal to the caster's Kotodama rating.
		Beisong: starting at Lesser First Rank, the Madoshi may choose three beisong spells. Beisong are small spells that the Madoshi knows by rote and may cast them at any time for little, to no, cost in Qi and no fulu cost. At every other Greater Rank thereafter (Greater Second, Greater Fourth, etc), the Madoshi may choose one spell of the lower grade which they use often to become a beisong.
		Dynamic Casting: starting at Greater First Rank, the Madoshi, like the other mystical occupations, may cast their magic on the fly through Dynamic Casting without a prepared spell. However, because their nominal casting is so rigid and ritualized, they have a more difficult time weaving magic on the fly. Anytime a Madoshi attempts to use Dynamic Casting, a +2 difficulty is added to the base cost of the spell.