Tranquil Mind: Custom LotW External

TRANQUIL MIND
External Kung Fu
Flexible, Staff

Qualities:
The path of the Tranquil Mind is said to have been first codified by Buddhist Monks in a foreign land, who transcribed the practices taught by the guardian of a holy sanctuary.  While both the name of the guardian, the sanctuary, and the monastery have been lost to time, the Tranquil Mind endures, being passed from sympathetic sifu to tortured pupil.

In a strange way, the path is one of healing rather than force.  While ancient wisdom holds that desire is the cause of all evil in the world, many victims fear for how they might be judged should they simply abandon it.  To ascend Samsara requires acceptance and responsibility, not denial, and that is what gives a practitioner of the Tranquil Mind their strength.  Through introspective meditation, travel, and time, the practitioner comes to terms with their mortality and potential impotence in the face of such a big world.  They understand their limitations, and then accept them.  A member of the Tranquil Mind does not flinch from a punch or kick, nor do they let hardship or setbacks dissuade them from their purpose.  After all, pain too must pass.  The changes sought through the Tranquil Path are far less fleeting.

Laughs: The Tranquil Mind laughs at any who attempts to manipulate or overpower it.  Such individuals hold no hope of victory, for they attempt to bargain with an empty hand.  Those who are constantly in a rush to accomplish things will also find that it is far easier to fight from the calm eye of the storm than by throwing yourself into the winds of the hurricane.

Fears: The Tranquil Mind fears those who gain strength through skill, despite what flaws they possess.  While Strength alone is hardly frightening, skilled application will break even the strongest barriers.  A man who stumbles over his own feet in a desperate bid to finish his business in time will, die himself incomplete, but one who accepts the rush and is unperturbed by it will accomplish far more than they originally set out to do.

Statistics:
Speed +0
Footwork +5
Strike +10
Damage +5
Block +5
Toughness +10


Techniques:

Deep Breaths, Steady Heartbeats (5)
	Your mind's peace has spread to your body, preventing overreaction to trauma.  Cuts do not bleed, muscles do not tighten, tendons do not inflame.
	-This style's Toughness bonus increases to +15

Strike Without Consideration (5)
	The strikes of a disciple of the Tranquil Mind are guided by a thing far greater than concern for their physical well-being.  Muscles strain to their limits and bones are pushed near to breaking with every attack you make.
	-This  Style's Damage bonus increases to +10

Strength in Accepted Weaknesses (6)
	Enemies may attempt to penetrate holes in your guard, to pick at uncertainty in your mind.  This doesn't bother you overmuch, every successful attack is only successful once.
	-When you gain a Wound Condition, this style's Block increases to +15 until the end of the scene.

Mind/Body Split (2)
	Strikes that should have struck you down seem to have no effect.  Blood stains your clothes, but you do not falter.  The student knows that this body is transient, and it will one day return to the earth and spring forth anew.
	-You may treat your total chi as 1 higher for the purposes of determining your Chi Threshold.

Mind/Body Union (2) (requires Mind/Body Split)
	Strikes that should have devastated flesh, blood, and organs seem to slide away from their intended target.  Attacks that are yet more deadly follow, but you continue to move forward step by step.  The teacher knows that even the mind must one day pass on, just as surely as it will last forever.
	-You may treat your total chi as 1 higher for the purposes of determining your Chi Threshold. (This stacks with the effect of Mind/Body Split.)