As ever, the answer is probably "we can't really know," but I'm curious to know how people interpret the use of mudra in RP.
The lorebook describes mudra with the following:
"Known as "mudra," the ritual hand gestures that allow a ninja to harness mystical energies can be considered the simplified components of more complicated incantations. By manipulating the aether present in heaven (ten), earth (chi), and man (jin), and further combining their effects in predetermined sequences, the shinobi is capable of manifesting an impressive array of arcane phenomena."
They are said to manifest their power through the "weaving of signs." On the face of it this seems to break the established rules of magic in that it doesn't seem to require a focus in the same way that conjury does when it draws on the elements, or thaumaturgy does to concentrate the latent aether of the self, and yet for a discipline that only flirts with the arcane some of the techniques seem ridiculously powerful when compared to the common schools. And they hail from a land less suffuse with aether, no less.
How do people like to see mudra techniques treated? Are they strictly limited to what we see in the game mechanics? Can you scale down a Katon to light a campfire? Can you summon a gust of air to blow out a candle? How much control is implied?
The description above, if I'm reading it correctly, seems to suggest that the handsigns are a shortcut and that they might have originated as a more complex ritual. Is there scope for a character who performs similar, slower ritual movements to manipulate the same energies without a magical focus?
What gives?
The lorebook describes mudra with the following:
"Known as "mudra," the ritual hand gestures that allow a ninja to harness mystical energies can be considered the simplified components of more complicated incantations. By manipulating the aether present in heaven (ten), earth (chi), and man (jin), and further combining their effects in predetermined sequences, the shinobi is capable of manifesting an impressive array of arcane phenomena."
They are said to manifest their power through the "weaving of signs." On the face of it this seems to break the established rules of magic in that it doesn't seem to require a focus in the same way that conjury does when it draws on the elements, or thaumaturgy does to concentrate the latent aether of the self, and yet for a discipline that only flirts with the arcane some of the techniques seem ridiculously powerful when compared to the common schools. And they hail from a land less suffuse with aether, no less.
How do people like to see mudra techniques treated? Are they strictly limited to what we see in the game mechanics? Can you scale down a Katon to light a campfire? Can you summon a gust of air to blow out a candle? How much control is implied?
The description above, if I'm reading it correctly, seems to suggest that the handsigns are a shortcut and that they might have originated as a more complex ritual. Is there scope for a character who performs similar, slower ritual movements to manipulate the same energies without a magical focus?
What gives?
