[Basic] Skill of the week: Esoteric Medicine

[johndallman]

Esoteric Medicine is the Per/H skill of medicine based on mystical or esoteric ideas, rather than scientific biology. This is an example of GURPS' science-centred world view, but it isn't hard to turn the dials and make this skill the replacement for Physician. Below TL5, Physician doesn't exist, and Esoteric Medicine is used although that doesn't necessarily mean it works well. It does always provide First Aid/TL, since that doesn't vary (much) between schools of medicine. The only default is Per-6, and there are no listed modifiers, although equipment and/or Physiology modifiers could be reasonable for some schools of Esoteric Medicine. If there's more than one school that works, they should be distinct specialisations. Pharmacy (Herbal) is often used in combination with this skill.

Dungeon Fantasy makes considerable use of Esoteric Medicine, with (Holy), (Druidic) and (Chi) specialisations. This seems to be using it as "the skills of practical and effective medicine, without claiming the world of DF has scientific biology", which is a longstanding fantasy trope. Fantasy-Tech 1 has more things to do with it, and Low-Tech has realistic applications. Martial Arts has material on Chi-based forms, and Monster Hunters has quite a lot of modern-day uses. As usual, PU3 and PU7 have examples that include this skill. Powers suggests Esoteric Medicine for "healing" crippled powers, and for use in place of IQ for the Healing power, and Enhanced Senses suggests how sensory abilities can boost the skill. Supers has it as the skill for understanding Chi powers in general. The Thaumatology series has many applications for it and Chinese Elemental Powers has a lot on the (Taoist) specialisation. And you can make Zombies with it, of course.

I've never used Esoteric Medicine in a game, but it's something I'd like to try. A setting with Alchemy, and Esoteric Medicine (Paracelsian), but without overt spell-casting sounds focused enough to be interesting.

What have you done with Esoteric Medicine?