House Rules
I Chih
Specifics by Level
These rules are just specific notes or rules about I Chih, per level.
* The Prodigal Tongue
Commune with the Element
Players should note that when communing with an elemental object or site, the hsien will actually emit sounds -- and the element will make noise in return. For example, to commune with a tree, the character may emulate the sounds of wisping breeze through leaves and branches, while communicating with a metal plank may get creaks and squeaks. The hsien need not be a professional mimic: the magic takes care of this noise for the character. That should just be carried in mind, since other people passing by may find the situation weird (and not silent, although such conversations can be quiet).
On the other hand, the hsien can converse secretly with another hsien using the same I Chih. This functions as a useful if odd secret code language. Of course, nearby elements will hear and possibly remember what the hsien say to each other (and another hsien communing with the elements may find out later what was discussed!).
** Command Elemental Vassals
Exorcise/Summon Elemental Spirit
Note that elemental spirits in the Western Umbra behave and think very differently than those found in the East. Furthermore, they owe the Celestial Bureaucracy and the hsien as its agents no loyalty whatsoever. Raw elements in the physical world don't know any better. But the elemental spirits will not always obey the hsien. In some cases, they don't even exist as classic elemental spirits at all. In the West, the classic elements are earth, wind, fire, and water. There are no wood or metal elementals in the West -- at least not as the Shinma understand them!
So if in a Western environment, the hsien should roll at +2 difficulty when casting this particular I Chih. However, regardless of their geographical location, if the cultural identity of the hsien's environment is Asian, this penalty does not apply. So in Little Asia, there is no difficulties. In the rest of Kansas City, however...
*** Raiment of the Elements
Elemental Form
Though it doesn't say, silk garments also transform harmlessly with the hsien when casting this I Chih, just as with the Path of the Elements spell.
**** Awaken the Elements
Move Elements
Without that extra success called, the element can only be moved about at a walking pace. Used as an attack, this is easily dodged (difficulty 4). The extra success raises the difficulty to dodge the flying elemental object a standard 6.
***** Master the Elements; Throne of Jade
Exchange Properties and Transmute Element
When Harm is used with either I Chih, add halve the standard dice to the total (round down). Thus, with Harm 3, the character rolls 9 dice of damage. This reflects the fundamental and terrifying level by which the hsien can (and probably is) effecting an attack. For example, turning a pool of quick sand in which a man is trapped into solid rock with Di Tan 5 (which would be quite cruel!) would instantly crush him...and not even 6 dice of aggravated damage could reflect that. The Storyteller may assume that without the Harm modifier, regardless of the nature of the I Chih, any targets in the area are unharmed by the spell. In the quick sand case, without adding Harm, the quick sand solidifies entirely except around the trapped victim -- probably saving his life.
