[✗] [Magic][Hou-Zi] Héping de Yíshú, The Art of Peace

[Recklez 45]

 

 Origins of the Art of Peace.

 

Spoiler

 

The Hou-Zi are known for their viciousness in battle and tenacious ways that made them such a formidable enemy, and a force to be reckoned with. But after two crushing defeats some of the

Hou-Zi had decided that a life of war wasn’t for them. After having scurried into the dense jungles of Asul some of the Hou-Zi were lost and needed a new leader to follow. Ofcourse, smaller tribes formed. Because there were is intelligence, there is society. These tribes weren’t of much significance, but they all lived their own way and followed their own believes. A Hou-Zi by the name of Zhei Héping decided that the way forwards was what the very elves stowed upon them, mercy. A way of peace, of mercy and of values. Zhei Héping was the first Hou-Zi who begun to teach himself and his followers about the Héping de Yíshú, The Art of Peace.

 

Zhei Héping taught his people to meditate, taught his people to preserve and taught his people that all life is precious. He was a wise Hou-Zi, but he was not a leader. He was simply a teacher. A master that one could learn from untill they set out on their own journeys and find their own way.

Zhei Héping continued to meditate and bring virtue to his people that now loyally followed him and his art. He began teaching his followers how to fight with a weapon that could not kill, but could definetly hurt; Gãnzhè chídùn, the blunted cane. A large cane which was blunt on both sides. Mainly used to incapitate opponents if nescassery, but never to kill. And so Hépìng de Wúshù was born. The Martial arts of Peace.

 

As time passed, and Zhei became more involved into his own arts. He began to feel more connected with himself, and his surroundings. He could feel when people were sick by simply touching them, and he could sense his own strenght rising. But why? Zhei did not understand how this change was occuring, so he kept meditating. His mind, will and fortitude all became stronger. Zhei went through the process which is now commonly known as the ‘ascendence’. A process where ones body and spirit become one. One is connected with their spirit. Out of body expierences while meditating, feeling ilness in your body instead of waiting for symptoms, sudden newfound strenght that far reached above the boundries that one could ever dream of. Zhei expierenced all of these sudden changes. Zhei felt connected to his spirit, but no understanding as of why. Zhei continued to practice the new ways, strenghtening his body and his spirit, all the while never losing his important values. He believed that this new way of living, finding peace and harmony is what gave him his powers.

 

Zhei showed his people what had become of him and washed away the doubts any of his people had in him. The start of a new life for the Hou-Zi that followed their teacher, their prophet, their Lãoshi. And this was the birth of Hépìng de Wúshù, the Art of Peace.

 

 

 

What is the Art of Peace?

 

 

It is simply put a martial arts created to fight opponents in a way where you can be certain that the only intention while fighting is defending yourself and incapitating your opponents to make sure they cannot harm any further. A martial arts focused on self defense. The values of those who follow this art are very harmonious. They believe that all life is precious, killing someone would be like giving away your very own spirit. They believe everything happens in a circle. For example, a Hou-Zi showed mercy upon one of his own kin after having been attacked by him. The Hou-Zi will believe that sometime in the future that very man will come back to safe him in return.

 

The Art of Peace is all about personal values that unlock the inner spirit and transform it to mold together with the physical body. This is a long process that is achieved by meditating and practicing the Art of Peace. Doubts will lead to an unsteady mind, and an unsteady mind can’t become one with their spirit. The moment a student becomes fully one with his spirit, he ‘ascends’. This process is called the Ascendence. This is when the student begins to expierence out of body expierences when meditating. Their body seems more fluent as they are not carrying the weight of their spirit no more as it works in perfect harmony with the body. As they train their spirit, they begin to be able to draw power from it. This happens because a link between the individual and Metzli is connected, causing them to be able to draw power from Metzli for the first time, unbeknowst. Physically they become stronger as their hits and punches are delivered by both the spiritual and physical body. A student that becomes one with his spirit is also able to keep his physical body more healthy, as he can use his spiritual body to mend his physical body. This means a student can rejuvinate his body while meditating. Cuts, bruising and infections are able to be regenerated with enough meditation and focus. Fatal wounds that can’t be healed by the body itself can’t be healed by the spirit either. The student simply guides his spirit to aid his body to heal, he can’t make his spirit mend him any more then his body already could.

 

As the student trains his body and becomes stronger physically and spiritually, he will eventually be able to perform a full body spiritual take over. The physical body is the main body as it present to the senses on this world. Atleast, most senses. Though with a full body take over, the spiritual body takes that place instead, becoming the main body for a short period of time. This conjures a great amount of power for the student. A body without boundries of physical muscles and drawbacks. Though it drains the spirit. Strenght, agility and reflexes all increase greatly for a short amount of time while they are in this state. Masters of the Art of Peace can even sense other people their spirits. A master of the Art of Peace can even cause someones spirit to be dazed and disrupted by punched and jabs. Disrupting the natural flow of someones spirit causes the victim to be dazed and confused. Usually this even causes victims to throw up due to how unwell their body feels. This is used to tire out the opponent faster then it usually would.

 

Though this power doesn't come from no where. Due to the Hou-Zi being favored by Metzli, they began to worship their diety more after the fall of their immortal king. Favored by her,  she's the direct power that fuels their spirits. One could regenerate their own spirit, but that would take years. Instead during meditation the practitioners draw power from Metzli instead to fuel their spirit once more. And what would take years now takes a few hours of meditating. Metzli's power is fast and unimaginable, and one couldn't even grasp the idea of how much power they can actually gain. But! The spirit has a limit. Almost like a battery, there is only so much power that can be stored at one time. This battery is continuesly expanded by harsh physical training, deep meditation and endurance.

 

 

Meditating.

 

 

What exactly is meditating? Meditating is a state of mental silence or rest, where our attention is aware but not engrossed in thinking. Aware of everything around us but not activily thinking about anything. It sounds quite easy, but it is incredibly difficult to stop yourself from thinking completely and simply letting your mind rest. It is the equivalent of sleeping, though you are still awake. You can snap out of meditation at any moment. Meditating is the way to draw power from Metzli and fuel the spirit once more. Due to the nature of this act, Metzli can connect with the person that meditates. Even though she doesn't like to meddle with common practitioners, there is indeed a link between the practitioner and Metzli. Though this link unfortunatly only goes one way. One isn't able to call upon Metzli while meditating, as the mind is supposed to be in a state of mental silence.

 

Spiritual regeneration.

 

 

The spirit is able to heal the physical body by helping it regenerate. The body can’t simply regenerate a deep gash, internal bleeding or serrated skin. The spirit aids the body in its natural regenerating of the body, but things that the body can’t physically regenerate itself won’t suddenly be able to be healed by the spirit. A strong practitioner of the art of peace will even be able to guide his spirit to help the anti-bodies within the body to fight infection and therefor cleanse infections that would otherwise be considered someones death. Spiritual regeneration can only occur when meditating and simply speeds the natural process up. Alot of wounds, nasty wounds and infections still take a decent amount of time to heal. From about three to four weeks down to a couple of days.

 

 

Spiritual unity.

 

 

When a student goes through his Ascendence, he first has to fully understand the principles and believes of the Art of Peace. One must fully think, without a doubt that all life is precious. Only then one can become united with their spirit. The way the spirit is actually used once the body and spirit are united is quite simple. A person isn’t able to control his spirit since the spirit lives alongside of the physical body. Though one is able to draw power from their own spirit. Any regular person’s spirit has no power, and so there is no power to draw from it. A practicioner of the Art of Peace had already been training his body, mind and spirit for years.

 

The spirit itself doesn’t know the same boundries as the physical body. The physical body is controlled by muscles, which you can grow and strenghten to a certain extend, but it always has it drawbacks. A big bulky body becomes slow. And a trained, slender body isn’t as strong as the bigger body. Bodies can’t grow indefinetly, and there will be a point where one cannot become stronger. The spiritual body doesn’t have this drawback. The spiritual body has no boundries as too how powerfull it can become, but it is frail. The spirit weakens alot faster then the physical body does.

 

The spiritual body works together with the physical body. A single punch from the physical body is now not only one body, but two bodies. So it basically hits twice as hard. The spiritual body can become even stronger then the physical body. So suddenly a single punch that should simply make a man stumble or just groan in pain now sends him flying back three meters and knock him right down onto his behind. It is all about the spirit and the body working together in unison. Though using your spirit in everyday battle is costing for the spirit aswell as it is for the physical body. This is why practitioners of the art meditate plenty. To keep their spirits healthy and harmonious.

 

Once someone reaches spiritual unity, they are blessed by Metzli herself, she doesn't unlock the spirit for that person but she simply values him and grands him the ability to draw from her power. The key here is that, someone that has become in unity with their spirit has already learned the vast amount of rules, morals and ways of living that the Art of Peace have to offer.  Metzli is a fair, but cruel diety. And so she doesn't think twice from withdrawing her blessing from anyone that dares to betray their own morals. 

 

 

Full spiritual body take over.

 

 

This is what sets a master apart from its student. A full spiritual body take over is a dangerous manevour that is usually only used in situations where the user has no other options. A student is forced to use this ability to fight his master in a one on one honorable spar to show that he is ready to teach other students. Usually after this occurence the student won’t feel his spirit for atleast a week, as if it has dissapeared. The spirit is always there, inside of the students body. But it is drained from it’s power and needs to be fueled by proper meditation and rest.

 

What happens during a full spiritual body take over is when the spiritual body replaces the physical body instead. Since the spirit is always inside the body, it’ll become the other way around. The spirit will expand out of the body and become visible in a blue transluscent smoke. This makes it so the unbound potentional of the spirit is unleashed. No weight, no boundries of strenght and hyper-increased reflexes. The physical form is still physically present and able to be harmed. A full body take over is incredibly stressing on the spirit and isn’t able to be controlled for a long period of time. After the full body take over is finished, the spirit will nestle itself back into the physical body. Once again, this process is incredibly straining for both the spiritual and physical body and would leave the user to be unable to fight anymore afterwards.

 

 

The ‘Untethering’.

 

 

One of the most sacred believes of the Art of Peace is that all life is precious. This is mostly refered to as human life, intelligent life. Practitioners of the Art of Peace still hunt animals to provide for themselves, hunting out of sport would be considered a disgusting ideal. Though what happens if a student who has ascended made a mistake and is let down the wrong path? Have compassion for your friends, foes and equals. Bestow mercy upon all, and preserve life at all costs.

 

If a student or master acts outside of these values and kills another living being, their spirit will break it’s unison with the physical body. This process is called the ‘Untethering’. It is an excruciating expierence that most Hou-Zi wouldn’t even survive. The spirit tears itself away from the physical body in a process that takes hours. The constant feeling of your entire body being cut in the smalles of little pieces. Constantly and relentless. Once this process is complete, the spirit will lay dormant inside of the physical body, never to be called upon again.

 

Metzli is directly the cause of this, a betrayal of your own values is a disgusting ideal to the Diety and therefor she withdraws her blessing!

 

 

Tier progression

 

 

Tier one : A student has first ascended after years of meditation and work. He has accepted his life as peacefull wanderers of his world without any doubt. He believes all life is more then just precious and is always worth saving. His spirit has become one with his mind and body. He will begin feeling more connected to the world around him, his meditations make him feel stronger and more rejuvinated.

 

Tier two : The student has been practicing and meditating more. Growing both his body and spirit in unison. The student begins to learn how to use his spirit in harmony with his body. His physical body is supported by his spiritual body in combat. The physical body becomes more sturdy and blows become strengtened.

 

Tier three : The student further learns how to work in unison with his spirit. A student is now able to heal cuts and bruises while meditating. He is also starting to learn how to make his physical body lighter and more agile by using the gracefullness of his spirit. The student is at the point where he is almost one with his spirit and knows how to fully work in harmony with his spirit.

 

Tier four : The student has fully become one with his spirit and can use most of its potentional to benefit himself. The student will also begin to learn how to let certain parts of his body be taken over by his spirit. Usually starting with the arms or legs. Once a student can succesfully let his arms be taken over by his spirit and perform a formidable battle against his master in this state. The student is promoted to master.

 

Tier five : The master continues to strengthen his physical body and spiritual body. The master will be able to cleanse infected wounds and stop certain bleeding by letting the body heal itself while meditating. The master is soon able to perform a full body spiritual take over, letting his entire spiritual body take over his physical form in combat. The master will also be able to sense the spirit of other people, and is able to daze the spirits of others with his punches and strikes, being able to directly change the flow of someones spirit. Results are usually feeling very dazed, woozy and nauseous.

 

 

Red Lines : –

 

 

You can not kill! It is the most obvious rule to follow. Killing someone will cause your spirit to untether and lose all your abilities forever. It will also cause you to be outcasted from the society as they preach peace, and do not condone killers.

 

The spirit works as a battery. One can fuel it while meditating but once it is empty there is no power to gain anymore.

 

The practitioners praise and worship Metzli because it is the diety that created them. But they think the power that they handle comes from within themselves, even though the recharging of their spirit energy is fully linked to the blessing of Metzli.

 

If you have killed in the past, you can still practice the Art of Peace.

 

Regenerating doesn’t work for injuries that the own body can’t heal itself!

 

Regenerating doesn’t work against poison, virusses or diseases that the body couldn’t fight against itself!

 

Being harmed while in your Full spiritual body take over will cause incredibly damage to the physical body. A cut off arm? The spirit of your arm is cut off aswell, and so it can not be healed, not even by the monks. A gash in your thigh? Expect a nasty scar as the spirit is cut in that place aswell.

 

Meditating is crucial. The physical body rests by sleeping and the spiritual body rests by meditating. It is crucial to meditate a few hours per day so that the spirit doesn’t become restless. Not meditating enough will have the exact same effects as not sleeping enough.

 

 

OOC Notes :

I contacted the original writer of the Hou-Zi lore and asked if I could help in anyway. This is the outcome of that, completely written by me and looked over by Leo. This is in no means meant to push the Hou-Zi to become a playable race but simply written out of excitement and curiosity for the Hou-Zi. I had lots of enjoyment writing this piece and I hope you had the same enjoyment reading it!

[manicfairy 178]

i just want to play a hou'zi, but i also want this accepted

full suport +1

[Gladuos 857]

First off, I've always liked the archetype of 'monk' in your typical fantasy RPGs like D&D, so I would really love for something like this to be a thing. I had intended on writing something exactly like this myself, but I never got around to it.

 

Although this originates with the Hou-Zi, it's meant to be a magic playable by any race, yes?

 

This seems very similar to the Conduits of Enlightenment lore created by booklight, maybe you could figure out how it could be made related to it? The conduits are described as a method of achieving powerful lucid dreams in meditation by linking the soul and mind as one. Essentially being able to enter your own soul with your mind and exploring it like its own universe.

 

Finally, what magics would this be compatible with, if any?

[Recklez 45]

@Gladuos

 

This indeed originates with the Hou-Zi, and is taught by the Hou-Zi. Other races will be able to learn the Art of Peace from the Hou-Zi themselves indeed.

 

I'll message Booklight and get a little debate going on how the two relate to eachother. Perhaps i'll add the explanation later!

 

And unfortunatly, none. Magic, in all its forms is volatile, atleast that is how the pracitioners of the Art of Peace describe it. Volatile things have unexpected outcomes and therefor it isn't wise to use any type of magic. It is all about morals and personal values and therefor someone who follows the rules of the Art wouldn't be searching for any exterior power in other types of magic. If that makes any sense?

[KBR 1484]

Just now, Gladuos said:

First off, I've always liked the archetype of 'monk' in your typical fantasy RPGs like D&D, so I would really love for something like this to be a thing. I had intended on writing something exactly like this myself, but I never got around to it.

 

Although this originates with the Hou-Zi, it's meant to be a magic playable by any race, yes?

 

This seems very similar to the Conduits of Enlightenment lore created by booklight, maybe you could figure out how it could be made related to it? The conduits are described as a method of achieving powerful lucid dreams in meditation by linking the soul and mind as one. Essentially being able to enter your own soul with your mind and exploring it like its own universe.

 

Finally, what magics would this be compatible with, if any?

Just to back up what Recklez said for the first question, it will likely be possible for others to learn, for why wouldn't it be. Though the Hou-Zi will only let the most worthy descendants into their temple. 

[Man of Respect 5430]

GIVE US PLAYABLE HOU-ZIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

[WuHanXianShi14 0]

I give this lore my blessing :)

[__WaterFox__ 631]

I had been trying to write like this for a long time, so glad someone could do it +1

[manicfairy 178]

20 minutes ago, Man of respect said:

GIVE US PLAYABLE HOU-ZIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

 

[KBR 1484]

Just now, 2___2 said:

 

Unfortunately unlikely 

[manicfairy 178]

Just now, KBR said:

Unfortunately unlikely 

because of you know who

[candlite 77]

1 hour ago, Recklez said:

His spirit has become one with his mind and body. He will begin feeling more connected to the world around him, his meditations make him feel stronger and more rejuvinated.

 

This is the equivalent of a newly attuned druid, give or take a few voices from that. And I enjoy the effort put into this, but it needs to be able to be different than already existing magics.

[WuHanXianShi14 0]

Just now, Musicoid said:

 

This is the equivalent of a newly attuned druid, give or take a few voices from that. And I enjoy the effort put into this, but it needs to be able to be different than already existing magics.

This magic has nothing in common with druidism except that thin comparison you drew, and even then it's not the same thing. The art of peace has people feel the sort of flow or chi of the universe (traditional chinese style) while druids are literally hearing voices of nature stuff.

[Mabah 156]

52 minutes ago, Man of respect said:

GIVE US PLAYABLE HOU-ZIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

 

[HedgeHug 2045]

I must apologize, but I cannot read this lore and leave it be. There are simply too many points where I think it is just plain wrong... I'd like you to consider the following:

 

2 hours ago, Recklez said:

It is simply put a martial arts

Then why list it as a magic lore?

 

2 hours ago, Recklez said:

Art of Peace?

 

2 hours ago, Recklez said:

a martial arts created to fight opponents in a way where they will not be harmed severely and definetly not killed.

Maybe call it "The art of only harming a little bit" ? The concept of Peace is that of passiveness.

 

2 hours ago, Recklez said:

The spiritual body works together with the physical body. A single punch from the physical body is now not only one body, but two bodies. So it basically hits twice as hard.

This is where I think the main problem is... you do not understand that the Physical body and the Spiritual body are one to begin with. I get the idea that you can somehow 'open up' to your inner self but this is no valid source for such power.

 

Every magic has a source of power, especially deitic. What you depict here is what a lutauman can do, only without the use of an external power source? Then why would we have shamanism in the first place if we can simly empower our own spirits to begin with?

 

Also things like this:

2 hours ago, Recklez said:

A spirit can be knocked out of someones body to make them fall unconcious, but their spirit can’t actually be harmed.

Its called Dying... and it involves the spirit and body being separated. The spirit from here enters the soulstream where it can either go back (monk heal) or to one of two afterlife realms. Shamans evade this by putting down a mana anchor in their body when they visit the spirit realms (where their spirit leaves their body to visit the spiritual planes)

 

 

2 hours ago, Recklez said:

A person isn’t able to control his spirit, it is not a tool or something you can draw power from. It can simply enhance your own physical being at first.

Then where does this power come from? if you cannot draw power from your own spirit, then where does the enhancement come from?

 

2 hours ago, Recklez said:

The spirit aids the body in its natural regenerating of the body, but things that the body can’t physically regenerate itself won’t suddenly be able to be healed by the spirit.

Druids need two, I repeat, TWO AENGULS to accomplish this and more. I say this and more because I know there is emphasis put on that its limited. But again. Wat power, drawn from where, offers for this enhanced regeneration? Natural regeneration already comes from ones self... there needs to be a source to this power.

 

I would be fine with this being accepted, only if it is not listed as an actual magic. Only if a valid source for this power is given can it be a proper magic. Until then I cal bollocks. You cannot simply say the magic comes 'from within' as this is way to vague and general, meaning all that live and have a spirit can do this! Either install a deity that explains all this... or keep it to its roots of a martial arts. It being a cultural piece of lore and not Magical.