I Chih

Entice the Flesh
Alchemies: Lin Tan 2
Balance: Yang
Base: Nurture Elemental Soul
Description: A tactic often employed by Nyan seeking an easy lure (or lay), this spell simply "turns on" the target to sexual desires for the hsien in question.
System: Magnitude of Change is required up to level 3. Continuance determines how long the subject stays "enchanted" lustfully with the hsien. Circumstance 4 may be used to insure any other cannot sway the subject for the duration (such as the target's wife, another shen using similar entrancing powers, et cetera). Alternatively, Circumstance can be used to cause the target to be enticed by another person. The benefactor (maybe...) of this receives -1 difficulty to all seduction rolls per Magnitude of Change level taken (maximum of -3 difficulty) for the duration of the I Chih.

Eye of Yi
Alchemies: Tieh Tan 2
Balance: Yang
Base: Nurture Elemental Soul
Description: This I Chih increases the hsien's own ability to see himself to the truth -- the ability to strike true. The magic seems to only work for ranged weapons rather than martial arts or melee combat. Traditionally, this I Chih was cast before taking aim with a bow or crossbow; some modernized Shinma have adapted it to firearms use. It is named, of course, after the great Archer, Yi, whose arrows destroyed the reign of terror the Wan Kuei held over Zhongguo millennia ago.
System: Continuance is not needed for this effect and indeed cannot be used -- the attack aided by this I Chih must be done within 5 turns of its casting. The hsien may add Accuracy dice to his Firearms or Archery (or even Throwing/Athletics, at the Storyteller's option) roll with this I Chih. For every additional Accuracy die the hsien wishes to use, he must declare one success for the roll. The Shinma will then have deadly accuracy on the next attack with that weapon, though it must be cast again for each shot. Harm cannot be used, nor may Abundance -- one shot only!

Tricks of Nature
Alchemies: Any but Nei Tan at Level 2
Balance: Yin
Base: Diminish Elemental Soul

Description: Many of the Shinma often employ trickery in their daily work, especially the clever hirayanu. This I Chih is the king of tricks, for with it the changeling may create an illusion limited only by his imagination and the propensity of the element in question. This illusion spell works by causing the target's perceptions of a certain material to contort and twist to the point where he may even hallucinate things that aren't even there! While difficult to master, it is worth the experimentation and most hsien have a great deal of fun using this magic. Even Chu-ih-yu can grudgingly admit to the spell's effectiveness. Any Wu Tan but Nei Tan may be used to this end, depending on the element to be affected. Trees can be made to appear to be tall and gloomy with Lin Tan. With more effort, Shui Tan can be used to make the target believe the air has been sucked out of the room, leaving him to (believe) suffocation. Note that only illusions dealing with the Elemental Alchemy in question may be affected, though Cohort I Chih are possible for even more complex illusions. These illusions are as audible, visual, and even tactile as the hsien wishes (and is possible as far as the elemental is concerned; rock will grind but not crackle, as fire would).
System: Magnitude of Change 5 is the base requirement of this I Chih. Continuance will cause the illusion to last longer. Abundance can be used to expand the illusion to more elemental subjects. Domain may be used to control the area of the illusion's effect. And, unlike most other I Chih at this level, Harm may be used. However, it is extremely limited. The Harm comes from the subject believing any illusory damage is real. Firstly, each Harm modifier taken only counts to one die of damage (hence, Harm 4 is 4 dice of damage, not 8). Secondly, it can be resisted with a straight Willpower roll (difficulty 6). Thirdly, the damage is bashing, not aggravated or even lethal.

Armor of the Celestial Servant
Alchemies: Di Tan 3, Lin Tan 3, or Tieh Tan 3
Balance: Yin
Base: Elemental Form
Description: This useful I Chih creates a physical layer of elemental shielding over the Shinma's body. He may choose to cover himself entirely in a steely, stony, or wooden carapace or just choice parts of his body. Either way, the effect is the same and will be quite obvious. However, the magical armor has greater strength when the Shinma is in Wani; many Chu-ih-yu use this I Chih to become all but impervious to harm in battle. Artistic Shinma often create attractive or enigmatic designs on their body armor as well, personalizing their war-like appearance.
System: Magnitude of Form 1 is required to cover the hsien's entire body. Continuance controls how long the hsien can keep the armor up in either Hotei or Wani. Changing from Hotei to Wani does not ruin this effect; the armor changes with the hsien. For every die of armor (like the standard Armor as listed in the corebook) declared, two successes must be achieved. Dexterity penalties will apply depending on how much Armor dice the hsien takes. Regardless of Alchemy used, the effect is the same, and the armor is just as hardy. However, chemically the hsien may be more or less vulnerable to certain attacks (note that in the case of Lin Tan, the armor is supple but sturdy living wood, and thus not particularly flammable like dead wood is). The real benefit comes in the following effects, however. In Hotei, the hsien becomes capable of soaking lethal damage with her Stamina score (and the armor dice can add to that; Armor dice can also be used to soak most forms of aggravated damage also). In Wani, the hsien can soak almost any form of aggravated damage with her Stamina dice pool (armor added)!

Breath of Life
Alchemies: Lin Tan 2 or Lin Tan 3
Balance: Yang
Base: Nurture Elemental Soul or Elemental Form
Description: Calling upon the connection between Wood Alchemy and growth, life, and healing, the hsien learns how to heal her fragile human vessel without expending grotesque amounts of Yugen. At this level, the Shinma is unfortunately limited to healing only herself. Many Shinma brew herbal concoctions or potions to drink when casting this I Chih.
System: With the Lin Tan 2 version, the hsien can only heal herself and only of bashing damage. With Lin Tan 3, the hsien can heal herself of lethal damage and others of bashing damage. Aggravated damage or healing others must wait to the higher ranks of Wood Alchemy. Only one modifier can apply -- Harm. Abundance may not be employed. Use this modifier not to determine damage dice but how many dice the hsien has to roll to determine her healing factor. After casting the I Chih successfully, roll the number of dice determined by the Harm modifier. Each success restores one Health Level lost to bashing or lethal damage. Better than spending one Yugen per wound!