[center][size=29][color=#FFC200]Kuei-jin Application[/color][/size][/center]
[color=#FFC200][b]Character Name:[/b][/color] Qingxi Xinyue
[color=#FFC200][b]Concept:[/b][/color] Underworld Guardian
[color=#FFC200][b]Nature:[/b][/color] Idealist
[color=#FFC200][b]P'o Nature:[/b][/color] The Bandit
[color=#FFC200][b]Demeanor:[/b][/color] Chameleon
[color=#FFC200][b]Dharma:[/b][/color] The Song of the Shadow
[color=#FFC200][b]Balance:[/b][/color] Yin
[color=#FFC200][b]Direction:[/b][/color] West
[color=#FFC200][b]Wu:[/b][/color] Qingxi
[color=#FFC200][b]Wu Direction:[/b][/color] East
[color=#FFC200][b]Court:[/b][/color] Western Jade Shadow
[color=#FFC200][b]Merits:[/b][/color]
Hyper Body (3pt. Merit): Your body is more resilient to damage, gain an additional Bruised Health Level.
Natural Aptitude (3pt. Merit): You are a true Samurai, you possess incredible melee skills!
Natural Aptitude (Continued): Treat your Melee rating as if it was 1 higher, [Cost: New: 1, Current: (Current-1) x 3].

[color=#FFC200][b]Flaws:[/b][/color]
Cast No Reflection (1pt. Flaw): Your reflection has been consumed by the Yama Kings as they chewed your soul.
Hatred (3pt. Flaw): You really fucking hate Ventrue Kin-jins. Barbarians with the audacity to think they are better than others.
Hunted Like a Dog (3pt. Flaw): You made a bold rivalry with the Sabbat after obliterating a San Francisco Bishop.
[color=#FFC200][b]Backgrounds:[/b][/color]

[color=#FFC200][b]Additional Abilities:[/b][/color] [abilities]

[color=#FFC200][b]Background Story:[/b][/color] [background story]
(Story has to contain at least 800-1000 words, and portray the Prelude guidelines stated in page 96 of the KOTE corebook).


[The following part is required only when making a Kuei-jin character for the first time]

[color=#FFC200][b]1. Explain in your own words who and what are the Kuei-jin and how they differ from Kin-jin physically, socially, mentally, and supernaturally.[/b][/color]
Kuei-jin, supernatural beings known as Cathayans, have an intriguing origin involving the Second Breath, a process that will be further elucidated in section 3. Unlike the Kindred, the Cathayans have never been sired and are not burdened by an ancient curse imposed upon them by some Western vampire. Instead, they tear the barrier that separates them from the mortal realm by clawing through it with sheer force. As they break the wall they reunite with their Hun, the aspect of the soul that anchors their deceased body.

Notably, Kuei-jin and Kin-jin can exhibit significant physical differences. The appearance of a Kuei-jin varies greatly depending on their Yin/Yang rating and imbalances. Socially, Kuei-jin share similarities with the Sabbat in terms of organization. They form groups known as Wu, akin to undead families, and when multiple Wu in an area choose to collaborate, they often establish a court.

Regarding mental disparities, there is minimal variation between the two groups. However, there is a distinction in their internal manifestations of their supernatural nature. While the Kin-jin possess inner beasts, the Kuei-jin harbor an actual inner demon called a Yama King, which poses a significantly greater threat.

[color=#FFC200][b]2. Explain who are the Wan Xian, how they were created, and why. In your answer explain about the Wan Kuei.[/b][/color]
The Wan Xian, selected individuals from the mortal world in the Middle Kingdom, were brought into existence by the Ebon Dragon and the Scarlet Queen as a response to the abandonment of duty by the Yama Kings, who had become corrupted and hungry. These exceptional individuals were chosen as the best of the best, with the purpose of safeguarding humans from the Yama Kings.

Initially, the Yama Kings were defeated and began to realize the need for humility. They understood that in order to achieve victory, they had to corrupt the Wan Xian from within. The Yama Kings whispered to the Wan Xian, conveying that Chi could not only be derived from natural sources but also obtained from living beings. Initially, the Wan Xian relied on consuming Chi from their adversaries, but as they fed more, their hunger intensified.

At a certain point, the Wan Xian deviated from their divine duties and fell from grace, transforming into the very beings they were created to protect humanity against. They ceased to be known as the Wan Xian, the Ten Thousand Immortals, and instead became the Wan Kuei, the Ten Thousand Demons. In response to their transgressions, The August Personage of Jade punished them by stripping away their ability to draw Chi from natural sources. The August Personage turned their back on the Middle Kingdom, yet the Ebon Dragon and the Scarlet Queen left behind clues for potential redemption.

[color=#FFC200][b]3. Explain the Second Breath and what are the requirements for it to happen.[/b][/color]
The Second Breath refers to a postmortem process that certain mortal souls may undergo. In this process, the rational aspect of the soul, known as the Hun, acts as a guiding light for the deceased body. Meanwhile, the P'o soul is consigned to the Yomi World, where it endures eternal torment as recompense for the karmic debt accrued during the mortal's lifetime. However, the occurrence of the Second Breath relies on the awakening of the P'o soul.

In the context of the game, the awakening of the P'o soul is limited to mortals with a Humanity rating of 5 and below, or individuals who have experienced a truly tragic demise that triggered the awakening of their P'o during the moment of death. It is important to note that the P'o soul must possess sufficient strength to overcome the Yomi World and break through the barrier that separates the realms, ultimately reuniting with the Hun. Upon successful completion of this process, the Kuei-jin emerges from its resting place, typically in the form of a Chih-mei.

[color=#FFC200][b]4. Explain what is Hun and P'o, and what is Yin and Yang.[/b][/color]
As previously mentioned, the Hun represents the rational and honorable aspect of the soul, while the P'o embodies the untamed and primal side of the soul. The awakening of the P'o in mortals occurs only under unfortunate circumstances. On the other hand, Yin and Yang are distinct concepts for a Kuei-jin.

Yin and Yang are the Chi Virtues that characterize a Kuei-jin. Yin symbolizes the cold, passive, dark, feminine, pessimistic, and static aspects of the Kuei-jin, while Yang represents the warm, active, light, masculine, optimistic, and dynamic aspects. Both Yin and Yang are necessary to maintain harmony, although many Kuei-jin tend to lean towards one of the two virtues. Similarly, the Hun and P'o can also exhibit a gravitational pull towards one aspect over the other. Generally, the inclination of a Kuei-jin is influenced by their Dharma, although this is not always the case. Nevertheless, imbalances within these aspects can have serious repercussions and are generally undesirable.

[color=#FFC200][b]5. Explain elaborately what are Dharmas, what do they mean, and how it can affect one's status in the Middle Kingdom.[/b][/color]
Dharma can be likened to the "Path of Enlightenment" followed by the Western Kindred. However, Dharma in the context of Kuei-jin not only affects their morality but also plays a crucial role in their journey to repay their accumulated Karmic debt, a process that can span centuries or even milenias. The closer a Kuei-jin gets to mastering their Dharma, the greater their strength becomes.

Kuei-jin with a Dharma rating of 0 are typically referred to as Chih-mei. They are flesh-eating Kuei-jin who can only sustain themselves through cannibalism. Alternatively, those with a Dharma rating of 0 may be Hin, Kuei-jin who are still undergoing rigorous training to integrate into Kuei-jin society.

Dharma ratings of 1-3 represent Disciples, young Kuei-jin in their "Running Monkeys" stage. During this phase, they remain preoccupied with mortal affairs and have yet to fully detach from their previous existence.

Kuei-jin with Dharma ratings of 4-5 are known as Jina. They are formidable individuals with considerable experience, possessing significant powers and skills.

A Dharma rating of 6 or higher can lead to the status of Mandarin. Mandarins serve as second-in-command to the Ancestor of the Court and hold the authority to appoint an Ancestor.

Attaining a Dharma rating of 7 or higher grants the title of Ancestor. Ancestors hold a position similar to that of a Prince in the Camarilla.

Dharma ratings of 9-10 are considered Bodhisattva/Arhat, reflecting the highest levels of enlightenment and spiritual attainment.

[color=#FFC200][b]6. Explain about the Shadow, Fire, Wave, and Wa Natures.[/b][/color]
Wa Nature represents the normal state of a Kuei-jin, where they are not under any extreme effects and retain full control over themselves.

Wave Nature, on the other hand, is a state characterized by extreme fear, comparable to the Rötschreck exhibited by barbaric Kin-jin. It is a state where the Kuei-jin's fear overwhelms them, potentially leading to irrational actions.

Fire Nature is akin to the frenzy observed in barbaric Kin-jin. It manifests as an uncontrollable surge of aggression and impulsiveness, similar to the Frenzy experienced by Western vampires.

Shadow Nature, however, presents a more ominous situation. In this state, the Kuei-jin's P'o, the savage aspect of their soul, takes complete control over the Kuei-jin's body. This extreme form of Frenzy drives the Kuei-jin to commit unspeakable acts, often resulting in severe consequences. Among all the natures, this state is the most feared by Kuei-jin due to its potential for catastrophic outcomes.

[color=#FFC200][b]7. Explain what is Yomi.[/b][/color]
The Yomi world, commonly referred to as the Abyss, is a realm characterized by its vastness and countless distinct realms contained within it. Each realm within the Yomi is unique in its own way. However, they all share one common aspect: they are under the dominion of the Yama Kings, who inhabit this dreadful place.

The Yomi world is composed of both Yin and Yang energies, yet it transcends the boundaries of these opposing forces. It can be likened to a black hole from which very little escapes. Anything that enters the Yomi is fated to endure eternal suffering, trapped within its unforgiving grasp.

[color=#FFC200][b]8. Explain What are Dragon Nests.[/b][/color]

[color=#FFC200][b]9. Explain elaborately about the Wheel of Ages and its phases.[/b][/color]

[color=#FFC200][b]10. Explain what is Chih-Mei, Re, and Running Monkeys.[/b][/color]

[color=#FFC200][b]11. Explain what are Wu's and what are Courts.[/b][/color]

[color=#FFC200][b]12. Explain elaborately about The Great Principle and how it is viewed in the Fifth Age.[/b][/color]

[color=#FFC200][b]13. How much Willpower do Kuei-jin must at least start with and how do they achieve it?[/b][/color][/color]