Dr. Francis Daniel, fourth dan ki-akido black belt, was the leading researcher of physical adepts until his untimely death in 2030, and his findings continue to have impact in the 2060's, though more current and elaborate theories have developed to account for the various manifestations of adept powers, and the expanding concept of adepts in general.

Perhaps Daniel's most enduring legacy is his thesis, "Reflections on the Somatic Way," published to the public at large after his death. While of a pragmatic mindset and academic nature found Daniel's magical theory heavily influenced by the hermetic structure, it is the personal insights of this remarkable martial artist which stand out in the text.

Daniel was not a warrior adept. His pursuit of ki-akido was at first based on exercise and as a performance art at tournaments; the development of his powers was initially an unconscious process heightening his natural abilities. Daniel's extended study and training provoked his interest in the spiritual philosophy of the martial arts, the study and contemplation of the physical and mental discipline. It was during this time he viewed his abilities critically, and be dint of expermentation, research, and training learned to control the advent and power of the abilities. Daniel's death was a true tragedy, for it seemed he had, through initiation, introspection and interviews with a number of mystics, martial artists and historians begun to suspect and understand the nature of adept abilities that extended away from mere augmentations of the body or of physical talents...abilities that would not be properly catalouged and research for decades after his death.

One of the minor themes of Daniel's thesis focused on the "Path" that adepts must follow to hone their abilities. While Daniels noted infinite flexibility of adepts, he likewise noted a common "focus" among various adepts, a sort of conceptual ideal or purpose for their abilities without which an adept seemed to suffer. Daniel suggested forming "Schools" following the general model of a martial arts academy, wherein students with a common "focus" or "path" would simutaneously learn the skills and background that they would need with the powers most appropriate to it. Daniel hoped that this disciplined and standardized approach would allow physical adepts to compete evenly in martial arts tournaments, while providing a means to properly spread the philosophy and spiritual ideals he found central to his own development.

Fast forward to the formation of Tir Tairngire. As soon as the first elves came of age, they tended to stick together against the sometimes dangerous attentions of the human majority. Racism and distrust formed across most of the world, and young groups of elves stuck together for companionship and protection. When the formation of the Tirs were announced, a number of these groups literally leaped at the chance to be somewhere they could belong.

Some weren't so lucky. The initial founders of the Mes ti'Meraerth ke'Tolo were, depending on whom you ask, either rejected from Tir Tairngire or never let into the country in the first place. They combined a deep need for protection in their new home (what would become Tarislar) and a desperate desire to be part of "authentic Elven culture." They combined the general philosophies of Francis Daniels with the somewhat distorted teachings they managed to glean from Tir elves...resulting in a surprisingly efficient, if unorthodox, school-cum-social club for promising adepts around the poorer sections of Seattle.

Although somewhat xenophobic, the Mes ti'Merearth Ke'Tolo admits all metahumans. Possibly part of the reason the Tir still refuses them admission.

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The concept of a "School" is rare in the Awakened world, but not unheard of. Students who participate in this prototype of the Ways that adepts follow are typically more balanced and knowledgable than their counterparts, but likewise somewhat predictable and set in their ways. On the other hand, an adept who is a member of a school never lacks for training in their adept powers, skills, and metamagical techniques; if they advance far enough they might even set the curriculum.

A school requires the characters to learn and maintain certain skills, and develop powers in a certain order. Characters in a school cannot learn powers out of order, or even initiate or gain more power points unless they "break" with the school or find another teacher. A character is proven ready for greater powers and training by advancing their skills to a certain level, and then performing a test of some sort with the skill to prove proficiency. All costs for training are subsumed by the school, but at higher levels the student must devote a portion of their time to training new students.

Schools are fond of duelling in all forms, as the powers and skills of the students are normally roughly equal, and any surprising moves or abilities quickly become apparent. Francis Daniel himself was a proponent of magical supremacy duels among sorcerors (provided no permanent damage to magical ability occurred), and of conjuring contests among conjurors.

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The Mes ti'Meraerth ke'Tolo
Initially, this school was a direct outgrowth of Francis Daniel's own abiltieis, focusing on the increase of natural abilities, the senses, akido, and spirital philosophy. As it developed, the elven founders incorporated the newly introduced texts on Sperethiel and Carromeleg, and expanded the concept of enhanced senses to account for a more "mystical" approach in line with their idea of the Elven ideal. The current curriculum of the school includes an initial training period and three Circles of advanced training. Non-adept students may train until they reach the Initial levels of skill, but will not be admitted to partake of further training.

Initial Stage
Initial training focuses on awareness of and protection from magic.

Initial Powers:
Astral Perception
Empathic Sense
Magic Sense
Iron Will (2)
Spell Shroud (4)
True Sight (4)

Initial Skills:
Carromeleg: 3
Sperethiel: 3 (R/W: 3)
Magic Background: 3
Martial Arts: 3

First Circle
To pass into the first circle, the student must obtain the initial skill values, and undergo a threefold ordeal set by the teachers under controlled conditions. Typically involving physical combat, then astral combat, and then combat with a spirit. After this test, they must swear an Oath and join the First Circle initiatory group, then initiate one grade (the Oath counts as an ordeal for purposes of initiation.) This circle focuses on overcoming astral barriers.

First Circle Powers:
Smashing Blow

First Circle Metamagics:
Masking

First Circle Skills:
Carromeleg: 6 (Ground Fighting, Focus Strength, Kick Attack)
Sperethiel: 5 (R/W: 5)
Magic Background: 5
Martial Arts: 5
Survival:3

Second Circle
When ready, the student submits to a second three-fold test, typically facing a paranormal creature in combat, and then an oral exam where the student is forced to defend their view of magic or being an adept, and finally a vision quest with a friendly shaman of the Sinsearch tribe. After this, the student may initiate again (treat the Vision Quest as an ordeal.)

Second Circle Powers:
Killing Hands (M)

Second Circle Metamagics:
Centering

Second Circle Skills:
Athletics: 3
Carromeleg: 6 (Ground Fighting, Focus Strength, Kick Attack)
Centering:3
Katas: 3
Sperethiel: 5 (R/W: 5)
Magic Background: 5
Martial Arts: 5
Stealth:3
Survival:3

Third Circle
To be inducted in the Third Circle, an initiate must prove themselves against three adepts of rival schools, and dedicate at least one day a week to teaching students and supporting the school. The third circle focuses on protection, the use of adept-powered martial arts as a defense against supernatural threats rather than mere brute force.

Third Circle Powers:
Counterstrike (2)
Killing Hands (S) <Geas: Only in self defense or defense of others, never offensive>

Third Circle Metamagic:
Sensing

Third Circle Skills:
Athletics: 5
Biotech: 4
Carromeleg: 8 (Ground Fighting, Focus Strength, Kick Attack, Kip-Up)
Centering: 4
Katas: 4
Sperethiel: 5 (R/W: 5)
Magic Background: 6
Martial Arts: 5
Stealth: 5
Survival: 4

Rumors of higher Circles abound.

*long, loud, sustained applause*

As usual you are breathtaking, AH.

By the way, for the unenlightened, what does the title of the School mean, and in what language? (I'm assuming there is deeper meaning somewhere)

Ye gods was I tired and long-winded writing this...oh, Mes ti'Meraerth ke'Tolo? Sperethiel for "Path of the Spirit Warrior."

Bloody good, AH.

One technical question - you list both Carromeleg and Martial Arts are prerequisites for entry into the school - is that meant to intend a separate martial art, or could you (for example) have 6 ranks of Carromeleg?

I meant the Knowledge skill "Martial Arts." Y'know, basic philosophy, different styles, etc.

No-o...with this particular knowledge skill, a bit of one-on-one experience and teaching is necessary, methinks. Not all knowledge skills are strictly book learning. Some might find it advantageous to know the guy that just took down the troll in three kicks was using ninjitsu, f'instance.

AH has a point. In historical Chinese kung-fu, many of the schools made intensive study of other schools in order to learn their weaknesses (paving the way, incidentally, for more dodgy kick-flicks than you can shake a tonfa at ). Even today, being able to identify someone's style, even in basic terms, can make all the difference.

There are only three maybe four "styles". Ones that rely primarily on punching, or kicking, or grappling. There are very few that really have a rounded approach.

At AH.

In this case, a school corresponds to a set progression of powers, skills, and metamagical techniques...basically a model that an adept follows. Some schools might possess particular tricks (combinations of powers and maneuvers), unique metamagic techniques or adept powers, rare maneuvers, etc. to add flavor. Those who manage to complete the curriculum (i.e. advance through all the presented grades, gain all the requisite powers, techniques and skills) can go their own way, or create a new level for the school. Of course, adepts can break from a school whenever they want, but if caught they forego the benefits of the school (them's the breaks.)

The Mes ti'Meraerth ke'Tolo was just an example. You could have a lone sensei, the last remaining master of an almost unknown Haitian knife-fighting art instructing pupils in his school; and you could have the Art Institute of Atlanta teach a curriculum on adept cooking with emphasis on "Flavors of the South" and Enhanced Senses (Smell, Taste).

As well as maneuvers and skills, yes. Ideally, each school likewise has an ideal aspect...for the Mes ti'MEraerth ke'Tolo, there's the pronounced tendancy toward being "Elven" and sensing and dealing with the astral.

The point with maneuvers is that you might learn maneuvers in a different order in different schools...Shaolin kung fu might teach Focus Will first while Southern Praying Mantis kung fu might teach Kick Attack first. As the chances of learning every kung fu maneuver is small for the average character, there may well be some maneuvers not taught in the school at all, because their curriculum doesn;t go up that high.

That was my point. If your learning Shaolin KF then all schools of Shaolin KF should be teaching the same things at the same time. If your learning Southern Preying Mantis then you will obviously be learning somethings and not others and points of commonality may be learned at different times. Having studied three types of MA I was amazed (when younger) how much the beginnings are all verrrrrryyy similar.

Thanos

Well, that would be "Improved Ability (Throwing)" and Centering (Seduction).

No, but can you give a better reason why he ends up with the Playboy centerfold at the end?

He has Kinesics.

Centering(Recipes) - The Way of the Cookbook
Everything has a recipe, even violence. 1 part muscle, 1 part brain and 2 parts aggression. Stir well, leave to marinate, add salt and chillis, served chilled.

"Is like funerals, everyone goes home and has sex, yes?"

LOL. Yes!

Thanos

Which brings us to the Sex Addi, er, Adept; whose primary power is Flexibility.

So... AH... Circles?

Been getting you daily dose of vitimine Earthdawn lately?

Nope. Can't imagine how you'd guess.

Freaking Awesome!!!

Cheers


QM

Nice.

I'll just save this and use it for an NPC and PC in my group. This is just what I needed for Orlando, actually. Thanks for sharing, Ancient.

Somebody round up the posse, there's a necromancer 'round here somewheres!

(Still, cool background stuffs.)

Yeah, those damn Thread Necromancers... you never know when they are going to show up...

Keep the Faith

I'd like the initial School write-up better if it didn't remind me of how much I hate the out-of-wack skill level descriptors, and skill level caps in general. These skill level requirements would lead to an awful lot of "best of the best of the best, better than world class, ZOMG awesome" level martial artists hanging out in the same place, not even counting Adept abilities.

Going by SR4's glass ceiling policy, yes. By SR3 terms, 8 is good, but not exceptional.

Gone for a few days, and it's amazing what will come back to haunt you...

Such is the nature of Zombies.