What Are Kiho?
Monks hail from all walks of life. Samurai, peasants, even lowly eta are invited to follow the path of Shinsei, but the path is not easy. Shintao monasteries practice a rigorous program of training and tedious menial labor for novices, meant to weed out the lazy and curious. Some would-be initiates return with tales of bizarre and pointless tasks, such as fetching buckets of water from a river five miles away when a nearby stream would have done just as well, moving large piles of rocks to the other side of the courtyard only to then move them back, or peeling the bark from trees with their bare hands. Most peasants who join the Brotherhood happily return to work the fields after the first week. A monk player character is assumed to be one of the rare few that not only has survived the initial training process, but has triumphed, gaining a sliver of enlightenment in the form of kiho. Kiho are similar to spells, for each falls under the domain of a particular element. Unlike spells, kiho do not use scrolls, but draw upon the monkÕs own elements and natural skill.

Kiho can most easily be defined as two parts martial arts and one part magic. Each kiho symbolizes a step in the dance of the elements, a small piece in the puzzle of creation. Though many of these spectacular feats can be explained by mental discipline or athletic ability, some are completely inexplicable. In an attempt by the scribes of the Brotherhood to clarify the strange powers they possess, kiho have been classified into four categories: Mushin, Aiki, Kharmic, and Zanshin.

Mushin
The term mushin means "thought without thought" and is suggestive of the rigorous, repetitious kata practice these kiho demand. Mushin kiho depend upon physical contact, practiced to the point where action no longer requires thought. Unless the kiho says otherwise, all are delivered via unarmed attacks. Only one mushin kiho may be used with each attack.

Many, but not all, mushin require subtle strikes upon the bodyÕs nerve centers; these strikes are known as atemi. Atemi often do no damage; most atemi are delivered by a single fingertip. Clever monks can use these techniques without initiating combat. Unfortunately, armor covers many of the vital nerve areas necessary for atemi. An opponent gains double the TN bonus normally provided by armor against any atemi-based kiho. A character with the Atemi skill can make additional (not free) Raises equal to his Atemi skill on all Atemi attacks.

Aiki
The meaning of the word is as ephemeral as the art itself, but "united life force" is the closest translation. These are the most passive and defensive of kiho, depending upon deep meditation and strictly regulated patterns of consciousness. The monk bonds his chi to the power of a particular element, adjusting the flow of energy through his body and mind, altering his abilities and natural defenses dramatically. Many aiki bear terrible drawbacks as well, so it is recommended that they be used carefully, if at all.

A monk may only use one aiki at a time. Activating an aiki or switching from one aiki to another requires either fifteen minutes of meditation or a single action and expenditure of one Void Point.

Kharmic
Kharma is perhaps the most powerful force in Shintao philosophy. The kharmic wheel spins, distributing every soul its due, and returning every action to its point of origin. Kharmic kiho draw upon a bit of this power and are among the most potent kiho. Unfortunately, each kharmic has a specific trigger, and these kiho have no effect unless their trigger occurs. A monk may only have one kharmic kiho active at a time, and can switch from one to another via fifteen minutes of meditation or a single action accompanied by spending one Void Point.

Zanshin
The term zanshin is abstract, roughly translating to "supreme awareness." Zanshin kiho defy explanation. Any kiho that does not fit neatly into one of the other three groups is a product of zanshin. Zanshin kiho produce incredible effects, comparable only to magic. Only the most skilled and enlightened monks can master the arts of zanshin, and even they seldom understand how their powers function. There are no limitations to how many zanshin a monk may have active at one time, though most require expenditure of Void in order to be used.