The Manual of Yi
Qiao
Qiao of the Tianming Eryu
This unusual Qiao requires a more scholarly bent than most modern Shih can afford. It is a relic from ancient times, but those who learn its secrets find them most applicable and useful in the tedium of day-to-day hunts. The Bridge of Fate-Whispers brings the Shih into contact with understanding the forces of Destiny and joss, and even an oracular potential worthy of the greatest seers. The learning of this Qiao involves the Secondary Knowledge of Divination listed in Land of Eight Million Dreams (or alternatively, the Secondary Skill, Portents, found in Kindred of the East). Storytellers may restrict development of this Bridge to match development in that mundane Ability. I.e., the character cannot achieve the fifth step of Whispering Fate til he masters a Scholar's level (5 dots) in Divination. In many ways, the Qiao and Ability compliment the other.
* Fortune-telling
The first level of this Qiao teaches the hunter to recognize simple omens in the stars and ambience. Combining astrological readings with geomantic searches, fairly accurate mystical conclusions may be determined. These omens always pertain solely to the Shih and his life.
System: Spend 1 Yin Chi and roll Perception+Divination (difficulty 7). The Storyteller has complete say over what the hunter may determine and is encouraged to make the omens vague and enigmatic.
** Seer's Eye
Dragon lines are the veins and arteries of the universe. They flow chi from one place to another. With the proper powers, many shen can actually ride them to Dragon Nest locations. Though traveling dragon lines is beyond the capacity of the Shih, they may make use of them in a different way. After identifying local dragon lines, the hunter may tap her awareness into the flow of energy and gain sensory access to their destinations. Thus are Shih able to spy on and monitor unwarded Dragon Nests. Of course, most Dragon Nests are warded. However, the Shih can also view anything nearby the dragon line's physically-corresponding location. What the Shih observes in this way grants visual, audio, and olfactory input.
System: The Shih spends 1 Yang Chi and rolls Wits+Divination (difficulty 8). Each success grants the hunter one turn of detailed observation on any corresponding location within five yards range of the dragon line. Although this seems limited, remember how much shen traffic such areas receive. Indeed, the shen naturally gravitate to dragon lines -- call it serendipity.
*** Breath of Chi
Chi -- the life-force -- is the most dynamic force in the universe. Its power is such that it leaves impressions in the material world. Chi'n ta refer to this as Resonance. Recognizing the strength of various chi flows in an area and making physical contact with the identified focus, a hunter may glean great information from these psychic impressions.
System: The Shih spends 2 Yang Chi and rolls Intelligence+Divination (difficulty 8). Each success grants the hunter more clarified details on a psychic reading of a place or thing. What the hunter learns is entirely up to the Storyteller, though rest assured that skillful use of this step makes the ultimate detective ability.
**** Summon Joss
This step of the Bridge grants the Shih to cast the bones to help determine the outcome of any plans or events. If Heaven smiles on the Shih's activities, joss blesses the warrior. If Heaven frowns, joss curses the warrior's enemies. If Heaven scowls, the curse is passed to the bungling Shih. This step is risky but usually offers great reward.
System: Spend 2 Yin Chi and roll Wits+Divination (difficulty 9). Each success will grant one automatic success that the Shih can use on any roll once during the current Story, or take away one success (as if a botch) from an enemy -- or the Shih. To determine how the summoned joss plays out, roll 1d10. If 6-10 is rolled, the Shih gains the blessing. A roll of 2-5 curses the Shih's foe (only one if he currently has several), while 1 curses the Shih! A botch on the Divination roll also curses the Shih.
***** Whispering Fate
The ultimate skill for portents, the Shih can read the most likely future for himself or anyone related to him (in the current Story). The hunter is so attuned to how the skein of chi energies and web of fate interplay that he can read them as one. Though the input garnered from this step is often enigmatic, it is always useful and insightful.
System: An expenditure of 2 Willpower, 2 Yin Chi, and 2 Yang Chi is required. No roll is normally needed, though the hunter must meditate in a peaceful environment for at least an hour. The Storyteller may also allow a Perception+Enigmas roll to help sort out a complicated vision. Whatever is envisioned, the information is far more relevant and useful than that gained by Fortune-telling. The Storyteller will definite exactly what the character learns.
