The Court of the Ebon Flame
New Rites
Polishing the Dragon's Scales:
Chi Rites
Additional Rules: Though the knowledge of feng shui is not necessary to perform these Rites, take note that the components of the Chi Rites are almost always rare, expensive, and/or dangerous to obtain.
Bonding of the Honorable Nushi's Favor
(Level Four Rite)
Many Wu that are formally created also carry the favor of a guardian spirit of either the Yang or Yin realm. Known as the nushi or nat, this spirit simply doesn't appear out of thin air. This rite must be first enacted under formal circumstance. When the ritualist begins, he must first call the spirit desired. If interested, the spirit will respond immediately. The ritualist (usually a Mandarin of the Court) speaks on the behalf of the Wu. He speaks of the Wu's assigned priorities and its Direction. Each member must then introduce herself to the spirit and describe how she intends to further the goals of the Wu. At this time, if still interested, the spirit will describe what goals it would like to attain, and will mention any gifts and bans it may bestow upon the Wu. The Wu all swear to uphold their end of the bargain and the spirit allows the ritualist to bind it spiritually to the Wu.
System: The ritemaster rolls Charisma+Occult (difficulty of the local Wall) and spends a point of the appropriate type of Chi. Other offerings may be necessary as well, depending entirely on the spirit to be summoned. If successful, each member of the Wu then rolls Charisma+Rituals (difficulty of the spirit's Gnosis). If each member succeeds, the spirit will allow itself to become bound to the Wu with the additional expenditure of a point of Chi from all participants in the Rite. The spirit is considered to have a guanxi rating towards the Wu at whole, not to each individual member (the rating is 5 + the ritualist's Charisma - [the spirit's Rage or Yin rating, whichever is higher]).
Rite of the Red Bridge
(Level Seven Rite)
One of the most secreted Rites known to the Wan Kuei, most Ancestors have totally destroyed this Rite from all records to avoid discovery by younger, ambitious, and unscrupulous Kuei-jin. They fear the potential danger of its misuse, and rightfully so. For this Rite opens a gateway to none other than one of the Yomi realms. And like any portal, access from either side always remains possible. This Rite was originally reserved for emergency use only. There were rare times when a Kuei-jin had to enter one of the forbidden Hells for some honorable and bold mission. Obviously, most who dared to use this Rite never returned; many of those who did returned as corrupted akuma. There were times when that was the intention of the ritualist all along. Some Ancestors reserve this Rite in memory for the coming Age of Sorrow. Some would like to bring the battle for Heaven to the gates of Hell. Regardless of the desired outcome for this Rite, the risk is always extremely dangerous to the mind, body, and soul.
System: The ritualist must sacrifice one person (the nature of that person is left to the ritualist's whims), and spends 3 points of Demon Chi. With the blood of the victim, the vampires paints kaja ideograms representing the desired destination - the specific Yomi realm - and chants a demonic mantra (there are many in the Book of the Iron Bridge deemed appropriate for this purpose). These ideograms are to be painted on a natural stone edifice of at least ten yards in diameter. She then rolls Manipulation+Occult (difficulty of the local Wall). With success, a dragon line leading straight into the desired Yomi realm is opened to the ritualist. At this time, the portal poses little threat to the ritualist or the world in general. It is still a one way road. The would-be traveler steps onto the dragon line and is instantly transported into the desired Hell. When she arrives, she must make two important rolls. Firstly, she rolls her Hun (difficulty 7). Each success grants her one hour before she succumbs to the lethal ambiance of the demonic energies of the Yomi realm (i.e., suffers Final Death). Secondly, the Kuei-jin must make a check for Shadow Soul (the difficulty is two higher than normal). Succeeding in these rolls does not protect the Kuei-jin from the realm's numerous and most dangerous inhabitants.
Returning via the establish dragon line is not only the easiest way to escape the Hell, it's probably the only way. She faces the place where she entered the Hell, rolls Manipulation+Occult again (difficulty 8), and steps through. Fortunately, the portal on the Hell's side of the gate remains undetectable to all of the hellish inhabitants until the Kuei-jin passes back through. At that time, should any demon witness her exit, they can follow her and come into the Middle Kingdom to wreak havoc. Some Yama Kings may be cunning enough to discover the invading Kuei-jin, let her go about her business, and then when she goes to leave the way she came, sending an invading army of Yomi after her along the same dragon line! Upon return, the Kuei-jin has only one chance to close the gate before any shadowing Yomi can enter as well. This requires a Wits+Rituals roll (difficulty 8).
Traveling the Inner Paths:
Individual Rites
Additional Rules: Take note that Individual Rites are much like Social Rites. However, the performance of these Rites, while following the understanding of the ritualistic degree of the Wan Kuei to a certain level, are often tempered with a personal flavor and style. This is not frowned upon, and it is, in fact, expected - just so long as the performance isn't horribly Westernized in nature and offers respect to the Thousand Corpse Families.
Passing of the Court
(Level One Rite)
Heimin are becoming an all too common occurrence in the Middle Kingdom. Concerned that many heimin are actually akuma posing as these wandering vagabonds, many Ancestors have invoked the necessity of this Rite. Always required according to the Great Principle, most elders demand that all heimin perform this Rite before gaining free entrance into their Courts' realms. More than a matter of propriety, the elders view this Rite as a measure of protection against traveling akuma. The Quincunx and the Clans of the Sun enforce this Rite more than any other Court system. So although heimin may consider themselves finally free of the cluttering and vapid society of the Wan Kuei, failure to perform this Rite may cause the heimin to end up imprisoned in a Mandarin's dungeon or worse. Most heimin, before performing the Way of the Lone Walker, are taught this Rite.
System: The heimin must seek out the local Court's Ancestor, though in many cities one of the Mandarins will do. The Kuei-jin goes before this elder and humbly requests permission to travel freely through the realm of the Court's jurisdiction and control. She must explain why she came and what she plans to do. According to the Fivefold Way, the elder may not question her motives or insult the integrity of the heimin, even if these Court-less vagabonds are assumed to be without honor. However, this meeting permits the elder to employ whatever powers are at his disposal (Evaluate, for instance) upon the heimin, presumably to determine if she is actually akuma. This Rite requires a straightforward Charisma + Rituals roll (difficulty 5). Only 1 success is needed; a failure will cause at best a neutral reaction from the elder, while a botch will most certainly bring the Court's wrath down upon the heimin.
Recognizing the Dharmic Progression
(Level Three Rite)
A Kuei-jin would perform this Rite whenever she attains the next step along her Dharmic path. Though the methods of this Rite differ according to the vampire's sect, the point of performing the Rite remains the same. Laughing Rainbows may call upon their brethren and engage in a wild orgy while Shining Ice Guardians refrain from prideful commensuration and meditate upon the Way to recognize that spark of satori.
System: This Rite must be performed immediately (same night) after a Dharmic point is acquired. The character engages in a ceremony, sometimes alone and sometimes with others. The character rolls Perception + her Dharmic Virtue at a target number equal to her P'o + 1 (maximum 10). Success grants the character a future benefit along her Dharmic seekings. The next time she rolls to gain a Dharma point upon an Auspicious Occasion, she may subtract one from the difficulty of her roll for the Dharmic Virtue. This does not apply, however, if a Dharma roll is being made in the case of diao. Furthermore, if the roll for this Auspicious Occasion succeeds or fails, the benefit of this Rite is lost. The Rite may be performed again, however, the next time the character acquires a point of Dharma. If the roll for this Rite is botched, the character must immediately check for Shadow Soul.
Reception of the Enlightened
(Level Five Rite)
There come times when an Ancestor or otherwise high-level Court official must seek out one of the Bodhisattva for their wisdom and aid. This Rite is performed when the vampire comes into contact with the enlightened ancient. Designed to resemble an ancient tea ceremony, even in times of dire emergency, few Bodhisattva will even acknowledge a less enlightened Wan Kuei without this ritualism. The Great Principle, they teach, applies even to the ancients, and it is the right way of doing things. And if it is the right way, it is the only way.
System: The Kuei-jin must first locate the Bodhisattva with which he wishes to speak. Upon meeting, the vampire kneels before the ancient and recites the ancient speech of introduction, including his name, title, and purpose. If the Bodhisattva is willing to speak with the younger Kuei-jin, he will give permission for the vampire to proceed with the intricate and precise tea ceremony. This requires a Charisma + Performance roll (difficulty 7) and 3 successes must be obtained.
The Path of Duty:
Social Rites
Additional Rules: While the mystical benefits of enacting these Rites are few, remember that the Social Rites are central parts of Kuei-jin society. Only the most barbaric Courts would ignore these customs.
Unity of the Harmonious Corpse Family
(Level Two Rite)
This special Rite may only be used once per any given Wu. However, it is a potent ritual despite its simplicity. It allows a Wu to become closer and more watchful of one another, thus promoting longer unity and more efficient teamwork.
System: This is one of the few ways guanxi bonds between Wu-mates may be increased beyond their initial ratings. However, it only works under certain circumstances. One, the Wu must conform to the harmonious construction according to the Ki Chuan, i.e., one member from each of the five Directions. Also, more than two members of any given Dharma is considered disharmonious and will render this Rite ineffective. The Wu must have been created formally, via the proper Rite overseen by a Mandarin. Finally, the Wu must survive together for one full year. On the night after the one year anniversary (and only on this night!), this Rite may be performed. Each member sacrifices a point of permanent Willpower (it can be regained through experience points as usual) and the Ritemaster rolls Charisma + Rituals (difficulty 6). If this roll succeeds, the guanxi ratings of each member increases by 3 (maximum score of 10). Note again that this Rite may only be performed if all of these conditions are met, and failure or succeed, it may never be attempted again.
