Xia: Specialised Skills

Xia: Main Page -> Xia: Specialised Skills

"Xia heroes come and go - courtiers, scholars, warriors... they fade into the litany of names that fill the unread books of history. To be remembered, a man must be something more."

Introduction

This page works a bit differently than most category pages. There are no Lore Sheets for specialised skills - instead, each skill is its own separate and unrelated kung fu secret. This page suggests some Specialised Skills you might want to consider, and describes what they allow you to do.

The List!

Calligraphy

Most Xia heroes can write - that takes only a minimal level of education which while being beyond many peasants is simply learnt by even the slowest witted of Xia.

Calligraphy, though, is something else. Each character can be written in a multitude of ways, and the techniques used in painting a character are reflective of the inner chi of the writer. Is it any wonder that men of such strength of Chi as the Xia have the potential to be the greatest of calligraphers?

Calligraphy is a noble skill, and one which is greatly respected by scholars and high society. One who is a great calligrapher will often be assumed to be a great scholar and masterful soul as well.

Calligraphy is at its heart about aesthetics, it is true, but it has "practical" applications in the kung fu world as well. An expert calligrapher can look at the work of another, and instantly analyse the strength of his chi and much more. In game terms, this means analysing someones writing can tell you their trigrams and what kung fu secrets they have. You can even justify learning (or rather stealing) someone's kung fu secrets by watching them while they paint calligraphy.

Chef

Any housewife can cook, but to be a Chef is more impressive.

With this specialised skill you are educated in the classical combinations of flavours, in culinary presentation and in a multitude of cooking techniques. You also go beyond this, with the ability to create innovative and imaginative new dishes, and are recognised as being one of the greatest chefs in the realm. A grand chef is sure to find favour in the highest of courts, and often will be able to use promises of epicurean delights as a lever for social manipulation.

There is even a rare Magic form centred around the chef skills - Wok of the Ascendant Chef. Let's face it, that's the reason you want this skill.

Gamecraft

Ordinary folk play games for fun. Ordinary folk favour games of chance, games which are easy to learn and which have low complexity.

Masters of gamecraft play games because they seek to excel. They see gamecraft as a form of meditation, a technique for sharpening the Shen and as a means to express their Inner Chi. They play games of strategy (chess is a clear favourite), and seek to unravel the complexities that evolve from simple and elegant rules.

A Xia skilled in Gamecraft will inevitably defeat the untrained in the game of their choice, even if their Mental Trait is weaker.

Gamecraft is a means of improving the Shen, so it is possible for an expert gamesman to cultivate Inner Masteries of Shen from his studies, or even deduce Shen Secrets from introspection and practice.

Intrigue

Any Xia hero that can engage in social conflict can talk his way to the top, but taking this specialised skill suggests that politics and powerplays are second nature to your character, and that he actively pursues a career of influence accrual.

A Xia with this specialised skill is assumed to know major political figures on a first name basis, and likewise be recognised by them. He will likely have contacts in any Middle Kingdom court.

Importantly, if you have this skill then you can justify purchasing many Major Edges with XP... you can simply declare that your long laid plans have come to fruition, and influence has flowed towards you.

Musicianship

China has a rich variety of unique [musical instruments], though mastery of them is that a Xia will normally pursue. Those that do, of course, follow the principle of kung fu to ensure that they are true masters of music, and virtuosos within the field. No Xia is ever mediocre!

Xia trained in music will find that they can entertain peasants and emperors alike, and thus are welcome everywhere for their skills. They will also find peace and chi balance within their music, and often their musical wisdom leads them to cultivate their Inner Masteries. There is even a rare semi-magical wushu fighting art centred around music - Guqin Cuts The Air, whose practitioners can cut enemies in half with nothing but soundwaves!

Great Chi Power and Martial Arts aside, music has its own value. When so many Xia are forces of destruction and disruption in the Middle Kingdom, who can fail to appreciate one who brings harmonious and peaceful music into the realm?

Warcraft

Any Xia hero can (and often will) take command of armies and troops, but only a few are dedicated generals and masters of battle.

A Xia with Warcraft is presumed to be au fait with military manoeuvres and strategies, and have at least a passing knowledge of tactics. Likewise, a Xia with Warcraft is recognised as such. The Emperor isn't likely to place a Celestial Legion of Ten Thousand Swords at the command of just any man, but if that man is a recognised and lauded general, then there is little doubt that the Emperor will not only approve, but probably actively seek him out for appointment!

Also, the Lore Sheet Xia: Art of War cannot be accessed without training in this specialised skill.

Weaponcrafting

It is argued my some that a good swordmaker is worth a hundred warriors. What value, then, should we place on the Xia hero who is also a weaponsmith without peer?

This specialised skill covers weapon crafting of all sorts, from the bowyering and fletchery to swordsmithy and armoury. All materials can be worked with, as the Xia understands that the process is more about capturing the lines of chi and working towards an ideal of killing perfection than it is about mere crafting or simple technique.

A Xia trained in weaponcrafting can turn out ordinary weapons at a rate far faster than any ordinary smith, but also can put his mind to a task and forge weapons of quality as well. In game terms, having a weaponcrafter in the party is pretty much a carte blanche for the Xia and his allies to freely spend XP on Quality Items.

The weaponcrafter is not just about crafting weapons, however! As with most excellencies, it is possible to achieve Inner Masteries through study and practice of the principles of this skill, and the warrior mind of a Xia may even intuit certain Wushu Secrets simply by examining a martial artist's sword!

Credits

This page created by Asklepios.