Secret Sects of the Akashic Brotherhood

by Emrey Barnes

The Akashic Brotherhood Tradition book for Mage: The Ascension is now available. A lot has gone into the book, but we couldn't fit everything. Here's some supplementary material on our martial mage friends. It comes from the author of the supplement and has the Mage line developer's stamp of approval.

Each man belongs to a style which claims to possess truth to the exclusion of all other styles. These styles become institutes with their explanations of the "Way," dissecting and isolating the harmony of firmness and gentleness, establishing rhythmic forms as the particular state of their techniques.
- Bruce Lee, "Tao of Jeet Kune Do"

The teachings of the Akashic Brotherhood are broken into four distinct Sects that each focus on the strengths of an individual's Avatar. Learning the basics of an individual Style of Do takes two to five years; initiates must complete this phase of training before being released from their mentors' direct control.

Throughout history, the Orange Robes have been seekers of peace and knowledge and form the largest contingent of the Brotherhood. This Sect tends to reside within the walls of the various Xiudaoyuan (Chantries). Members of the Scales of the Dragon Sect, the Brotherhood's foot soldiers in the Ascension War, make up the second largest contingent. Members of the Yogi Sect manipulate their bodies and the spirit world by exercising intense rituals of self-denial. Through this they learn oneness with their innerselves. Members of the Blue Skin Sect are the rarest and most protected of the Akashic ranks; the Brotherhood considers those following this path of Do to be the most likely to achieve Ascension.

Each Sect has its own specialty maneuvers and rotes that are taught only to Doists of that Style. Each specializes in refining certain Abilities and Attributes as well. Each Sect has secret hand signs in addition to those used by the Brotherhood as a whole, and the Sects often withhold knowledge of their mystick teachings from each other.

Similarities between Orange Robes and the Scales of the Dragon

Both the Orange Robes and the Scales of the Dragon depend on the existence of the material realm. Initiates of both groups learn awareness of the physical world [Alertness] and their physical bodies [Medicine]. Orange Robes produce results by internal use of Chi, while the Scales of the Dragon instill their influence through physical, external efforts backed by Ki.

During the ongoing process of bodily purification, the initiate learns that everything around her has hidden weaknesses [Sphere of Entropy] that can lead to that Pattern's unraveling.

The Practices of Orange Robes

Seek to stabilize and harmonize the world, for it is what makes us. If we wish to be at peace, so should be the world. If we wish to be free, we must free the world of constraining preconceived perceptions.
- Vibansumitra

The Orange Robes work to increase an individual's cognitive abilities [Mental Attributes, especially Intelligence] through reading philosophies and sutras and meditating upon the thought patterns that direct the actions of others [Manipulation]. They seek the answer to the ultimate question of the Cosmic All: "Why?"

Orange Robes explore the world by defining circumstances and their effects. These students understand the necessity of social interaction and how it can lead to conclusions [Investigation] and control [Expression, Etiquette] of nearly anything in the physical realm. By understanding how a series of events causes individuals to react, the Orange Robes learn how to become one with their environment and thus blend into their surroundings [Stealth, Arcane].

Hand positioning and meditative stances (sitting, standing and walking) [Meditation] augment the Orange Robes' ability to unleash the powers of the Mind Sphere. Thus, the initiate learns to mold the minds of others. As it is necessary to defend the Xiudaoyuan and Sleepers, Orange Robes learn how to bend hatred and evil back into the mind that projects them. Doing so, however, is greatly discouraged.

Weapons, techniques and training help the mind find peace within itself and allow the Doist to release energies through Patterns other than her own. They also come in handy when less enlightened visitors come calling. This Style of Do enables the Doist to redirect the force of her enemies [Spheres of Force and Entropy]. Orange Robe sensei merely allow their enemies to defeat themselves.

Teachings of the Scales of the Dragon

The Scales of the Dragon study body-hardening rites, known as "katas," to increase their physical strength [increasing initiates' Physical Attributes and combat Abilities]. Students are taught that the human musculature can achieve maximum potential through exacting postures. Motions of the arms and legs added to torsional momentum can also focus powerful strength into action [Willpower], and the yielding nature of the physical form can be accessed to absorb a tremendous impact [Dodge]. Awareness of the body [Medicine, Athletics] leads to the Doist's ability to inflict damage by applying force [Brawl, Do, Strength] to an opponent's body in an efficient manner. This impact can be used to disarm, paralyze or kill. Martial training continues into weapon forms [Melee].

Do of the Scales allows the initiate to gain a sense of distance between herself and her opponent and teaches that distance is, in actuality, no distance. This [Correspondence Magick] is the primary field of the Scales' mystick study, though many choose to ignore it for the more formidable branches of destruction [Spheres of Entropy and Force].

Dragon Scale sensei realize that the best way to defeat an opponent is to avoid him altogether; when one must battle evil, however, one must do so without constraint and to the death.

Similarities of Yogi and Blue Skins

Obstacles can be overcome; sometimes they take a blind leap of faith.
- Cheng Sa, "The Avenging Woodcutter"

Yogic and Blue Skin Do Styles directly link the initiate to fields of study left hidden to most of humanity. Training of the mind [Sphere of Mind] and purification of the body [often through Meditation] are essential, as the initiate can easily be driven insane by the reality-manipulating powers of magick.

Both Styles of Do teach the initiate to delve into the higher forms of spirituality and knowledge of the other worlds [Spirit Sphere]. The Doist must be pure; spirits are easily offended by physical beings. One must remain calm and polite when dealing with beings from the Celestial Realms. Initiates study many sutras in order to learn the secrets of the unseen [Enigmas, Cosmology, Occult]. Through training, the Doist gains insight [Awareness] into the primal nature of the Cosmic All.

Yogi and Blue Skins tend to dedicate staves, pipes, fans, fly-whisks and other seemingly nonoffensive items as their (unique) weapon foci. To them, the "weapon" effects the flow of the Cosmic All through living beings [Sphere of Life], instead of manipulating the physical world as do Scales of the Dragon and Orange Robes.

Yogi Teachings

All things ride upon an underlying current. Nothing is fixed. All things ride upon the tide. It happens. Fight it not.
Knowledges specifically designed around the spirit world are known as Yogic studies. Interaction with other people [Social Attributes] is very important; many Do maneuvers taught to Yogi involve highly unorthodox and alarming activities. Sharpening the mind [Mental Attributes] also becomes essential; the Doist must learn to come to grips with an entirely nonhuman method of dealing with existence.

Yogi learn how plants harness spiritual energies that can be useful to humanity [Herbology, Medicine]. They study the sutras [Cosmology, Enigmas, Occult] to learn how manipulation of the environment occurs outside of the boundaries of the physical realm. Studies of supernatural life-forms [various Lores] that find their way into the Akashic Record are often written by Yogi.

Akashic Yogi comprehend reality in a cyclic fashion [Sphere of Time] rather than in a linear one. Do maneuvers used to link the Stylist into the currents of time tie into the other walking meditations. The Stylist learns to "grip frames of reference" and manipulate them. This also helps the Doist to understand his own Drahma and that of others.

The true master of the Yogi knows that all conflicts arise from the battling of supernatural and divine forces on a higher plane of existence. The Yogi knows that in order to beat an opponent, he must align himself with the entity in that other existence that is capable of defeating the opposing supernatural force.

Blue Skin Teachings

Those who link into the intrinsic internal energies of the body and the Cosmic All, sometimes called Ki or Chi [Quintessence], are known as Blue Skins. The very nature of the Blue Skins is to become the archetype. This requires the Doist to perfect her being [All Attributes] to achieve a supernal state and to directly link into her inner self [Avatar]. By being strong in body, mind and social interaction, the Blue Skin learns to understand and manipulate the Realm and her own Drahma.

The Doist must be alert [Alertness] and contemplative [Meditation] and must understand the limits of the human body [Medicine]. She must understand the limits of her self and her environment before attempting to use magick; the power of the Cosmic All can tear the human form [Pattern] to ribbons if the All is accessed improperly.

Blue Skins learn to manipulate the intrinsic internal natures of Matter and Life. Only the Oracles are said to be able to perceive Patterns, but the Blue Skin initiate's mind gains perception of them. Because Blue Skins strive to achieve a direct link to the Pure Ones [Ascension] and their inner selves [Avatar, Arete], their Style is the most elusive of Do techniques to master.

Many Blue Skins become disillusioned and disgusted when they learn that their Drahma tends to deteriorate the physical realm. Their connection to physical existence, into which they put so much effort, therefore decays. A true Blue Skin sensei knows that all conflicts are different aspects of the Pure Ones exerting themselves against each other.

Rotes Inherited from the Sects

The following are rotes that have been passed down or have migrated from the four Sects discussed here. These rotes are available to any Akashic brother, but a teacher privy to such learnings may have to be sought to understand them.

Bronze Body (*** Life, * Mind, ** Prime)

The Dragon Scale Master Li T'eih practiced many forms of body strengthening and weapon deflection. Early in his Awakened state, Li learned how to avoid damage from attacks by angling his body and tensing certain muscles. Li trained for years before the ultimate state of this form was achieved.

[The Doist increases the density of her skin while concentrating on and reacting to the actions of her attackers. Specify the number of successes for duration of Bronze Body before rolling for the magick Effect itself. Remember that such improvement (i.e., the duration of the Effect) is only temporary. Bronze Body increases the difficulty of a single opponent's attack rolls by one per success. The Doist can apply this effect against multiple targets by dividing the successes between each attacker (two against the first and one against the second, for example).]

Four-headed Defender (*** Life, ** Prime, * Mind, * Correspondence)

Ancient writings in the Akashic Record tell of a horde of Nephandi that threatened to fight its way through the Gauntlet to destroy the Temple of Inner Truth. Rivhaya, a Dragon Scale, set himself in the center of the Xiudaoyuan's Node and initiated this rote. Rivhaya sprouted three additional heads, two extra arms and two additional legs. Each head looked toward a cardinal point of the compass. The four hands took turns passing Rivhaya's weapon back and forth about his body. Rivhaya's face also contorted to give the Nephandi a false sense of security. Large fangs sprouted from his mouths, from both upper and lower jaws. His skin turned a bright red and his tongues a brilliant blue. Smoke rolled from his eight nostrils in thunderous clouds. In battle, Rivhaya scuttled about in a whirling manner, his four weapons attacking his most deadly opponents. His four heads kept him constantly alert so that no one was ever able to approach him unawares.

[Prime and Life modify the mage's body, fueling the larger Pattern with Quintessence. Mind and Correspondence allow all heads to coordinate the body's actions. Four successes enable the Stylist to concentrate on information gained through four sets of eyes.]

Summoning Walk of the Enlightenment (***** Prime)

While crossing the forested mountains of Tibet for days without food or water, Blue Skin Brother Chang Ming came upon an Oracle performing a walking meditation. Silently, Ming stepped behind the Oracle and traced his footsteps; Chang Ming's mind was quick enough to make a mental map of the path for future record. The resulting Tome and those copied from it teach the way of the Summoning Walk of Enlightenment. By studying the record, the Doist learns to link his Avatar to the fast-sweeping currents of the Prime. However, Chang Ming was not ready for the depth of power that his newfound Style brought him. Ho Chow Fan, a Euthanatos mage, crumpled him to a mass of quivering flesh with the Bone Twisting Palm. Fortunately, with Chang Ming's last act of magick, he destroyed his copy of the Tome and kept it from falling into the hands of the Euthanatos.

[The Doist's Avatar fills with Quintessence, recharging his supply. The mage gains Quintessence at a rate of one per success.]

Walk through Walls (*** Matter, *** Life, * Mind)

Oracles of the Blue Skins have long held meetings in secret chambers and have used this rote to enter those sacred and holy shrines. Legend has it that the greatest and most powerful Node points accessed by the Brotherhood Xiudaoyuan (Chantries) are also hidden. Many of these sites are long lost, given the Brotherhood's wish to keep them secret but to a chosen few. This rote is rarely taught and only to the most trusted of students.

[This rote allows the Stylist to walk through walls by disassociating her body from the physical relation of a wall or other solid object. When this process is complete, the Doist can walk through walls without leaving a trace. The Doist calls upon the amazing concentration of the mind to keep her alert to situations that are just beyond barriers passed through.]

Weightless Walk (* Mind, * Correspondence, * Matter)

Chu Kwei, an Orange Robe, developed a Light Body technique to walk over surfaces with concealed weak points. Kwei was unable to make himself weightless, but could locate areas with good traction that would support his weight.

[Divide the number of successes achieved between multitasking and range of perception. Correspondence and Matter perception detect and determine the structural integrity and traction of surfaces. The mage memorizes the locations of "safe spots" within the range of his senses.]