East Asian RPM [Thaumatology/RPM]

AlexanderHowl · 02-26-2021, 07:14 PM

I was curious how one represent East Asian RPM? I was thinking about using Alchemy (Taoist), Ritual Magic (Taoist), and ten Paths. Eight of the Paths would each be associated with one of the Bagua, one would be the Path of Chi (roughly equivalent to the Path of Magic), and one would be the Path of the Tao (roughly equivalent to the Path of Nonexistence). While I think that would work, I was wondering if anyone had any other suggestions?

Varyon · 02-26-2021, 07:30 PM

From what I understand about the Tao (which I'll readily admit is very little), I'd say it's pretty much the polar opposite of Nonexistence. Seeing as everything is encompassed within the Tao, I guess if you use Nonexistence as some sort of "do anything" catch-all I can sorta see where you're coming from, but the fact Nonexistence is "balanced" by making every failure a critical failure doesn't really fit either.

If you do want a catch-all Path of Tao, an option might be to require the character be proficient in all other Paths (as all is encompassed within the Tao), and Path of Tao cannot be higher than the lowest of your other Path skills. The advantage to using Path of Tao over its constituent Paths would be the lack of penalties for 3+ Paths in one ritual (as you're just using one Path, Path of Tao) and not needing to double-up on Greater Effects when transitioning from one Path to the next (I can't speak to the Bagua, but under classic RPM Flesh to Stone requires Greater Transform Body and Greater Transform Matter, while Path of Tao would only require Greater Transform Tao).

AlexanderHowl · 02-26-2021, 07:53 PM

The Tao which can be explained is not the Tao. The Tao holds everything, possible and impossible, which is why it is similar to the Path of Nonexistence. That which is possible is contained in the other nine Paths, so the Path of Tao would include the impossible.

02-26-2021, 07:14 PM	#1
AlexanderHowl Join Date: Feb 2016	East Asian RPM [Thaumatology/RPM] I was curious how one represent East Asian RPM? I was thinking about using Alchemy (Taoist), Ritual Magic (Taoist), and ten Paths. Eight of the Paths would each be associated with one of the Bagua, one would be the Path of Chi (roughly equivalent to the Path of Magic), and one would be the Path of the Tao (roughly equivalent to the Path of Nonexistence). While I think that would work, I was wondering if anyone had any other suggestions?

02-26-2021, 07:30 PM	#2
Varyon Join Date: Jun 2013	Re: East Asian RPM [Thaumatology/RPM] From what I understand about the Tao (which I'll readily admit is very little), I'd say it's pretty much the polar opposite of Nonexistence. Seeing as everything is encompassed within the Tao, I guess if you use Nonexistence as some sort of "do anything" catch-all I can sorta see where you're coming from, but the fact Nonexistence is "balanced" by making every failure a critical failure doesn't really fit either. If you do want a catch-all Path of Tao, an option might be to require the character be proficient in all other Paths (as all is encompassed within the Tao), and Path of Tao cannot be higher than the lowest of your other Path skills. The advantage to using Path of Tao over its constituent Paths would be the lack of penalties for 3+ Paths in one ritual (as you're just using one Path, Path of Tao) and not needing to double-up on Greater Effects when transitioning from one Path to the next (I can't speak to the Bagua, but under classic RPM Flesh to Stone requires Greater Transform Body and Greater Transform Matter, while Path of Tao would only require Greater Transform Tao). __________________ GURPS Overhaul

02-26-2021, 07:53 PM	#3
AlexanderHowl Join Date: Feb 2016	Re: East Asian RPM [Thaumatology/RPM] The Tao which can be explained is not the Tao. The Tao holds everything, possible and impossible, which is why it is similar to the Path of Nonexistence. That which is possible is contained in the other nine Paths, so the Path of Tao would include the impossible.