Buddhist monks in Dungeon Fantasy

[Astromancer]

Originally Posted by b-dog

I just sort of see the illusion as something obscuring the true nature of reality. It is true that the Buddhist monk should progress to higher and higher levels of enlightenment. With simple deceptions and magical illusions being overcome at low levels while the laws of reality themselves being able to be overcome at higher levels of enlightenment.

This is solid, much to admire here.

[Tom H.]

The interesting thing about our world is that reality and illusion can be hard to separate.

When people believe things that aren't "true" it can affect their behavior. A person's behavior can then affect things more substantial such as relationships and ultimately the physical world.

Maybe even those changes are not real, but they have a real impact on people and things that haven't escaped that illusion yet.

[b-dog]

The ship sailed into Chalong Bay after a long journey across the world. It is here that the rumors of great wealth and adventure originated and the ship carried wanderers and adventurers along with the trade materials. It came from the cold European lands and the new port contrasted from these lands with the hot sun overhead and the turquoise and aquamarine waters below. As the ship came to the port the green of the jungles seemed to vibrate with an energy.

The adventurers disembarked while the traders hauled their goods from the ship. This was the island of Phuket in the mythical lands of Siam. The land of the great warriors who know the art of Muy Thai. The streets were filled with venders selling wares; from curries to satay to durians and mangosteens. Lemongrass and spices fill the air. Bars line the streets and other travelers are drinking and carousing.

In the air is an energy, soft and subtle. Not a hard power, but a power that yields. Many adventures come to Siam in hopes of plunder and riches, these are hard men like warriors and wizards who wield great power. They hope to subdue the land and claim it for themselves. But most never do, after they gain their wealth and experience their adventures, they change. The power that defeats them is the kindness of the local people. It seeps into their hearts and then into their souls. Most never leave and often they convert, for this is the land of Buddha.

[Tom H.]

Immersive, sounds like the beginning of a good story. :-)

[b-dog]

Originally Posted by Tom H.

Immersive, sounds like the beginning of a good story. :-)

I have been making my home rule GURPS book called Dungeon Fantasy: The Eightfold Path. I am organizing the Buddhist powers into the eight Buddhist practices; right view, right resolve, right speech, right conduct, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right samadhi. I sort of use a Mage the Ascension magic with low power levels for general powers but there are rotes that are bought up at high levels so that well known powers are like DF spells while general powers that are improvised take a long time to do or they are cast at low levels and are not reliable.

[Tom H.]

B-dog, you have such an eclectic mix of elements to your games:

From eschewing the traditional fantasy genre; to wanting more powerful, sadistic D&D like demons; to pursuing Buddhist virtues.

Need I remind anyone again of one of the arguably funniest posts by b-dog:
From a thread debating the tone of Dungeon Fantasy.