Lost Sutras

Lost sutras are scriptures of the Buddhist faith Lost sutras are scriptures of the Buddhist faith that expound on the nature of Enlightenment, that expound on the nature of Enlightenment, and the hidden powers of the universe. and the hidden powers of the universe.

Some sutras are lost because their teachings Some sutras are lost because their teachings are heretical, against the standard teachings of are heretical, against the standard teachings of the Shen Xia order. Some are confusing, so the the Shen Xia order. Some are confusing, so the Masters ordered them hidden, to avoid leading Masters ordered them hidden, to avoid leading impressionable young Disciples astray. And impressionable young Disciples astray. And some are written by hermits, far away from the some are written by hermits, far away from the Temple itself.

Temple itself.

Each Lost Sutra has a die rating, from 1d4 to Each Lost Sutra has a die rating, from 1d4 to 1d20. Anyone that finds and reads a Lost Sutra 1d20. Anyone that finds and reads a Lost Sutra from start to finish gains a one-time, from start to finish gains a one-time, permanent Merit bonus equal to the die rating permanent Merit bonus equal to the die rating of the sutra.

of the sutra.

Most Lost Sutras are books of wood pulp or Most Lost Sutras are books of wood pulp or rice paper, but they can be anything. The Sutra rice paper, but they can be anything. The Sutra of the Unfolding Dream is said to be of the Unfolding Dream is said to be circulating New Hong Kong on a heavily- circulating New Hong Kong on a heavily- encrypted computer disk, while the Perfect encrypted computer disk, while the Perfect Vajra Sutra is tattooed on the back of a tea Vajra Sutra is tattooed on the back of a tea shop girl in the Starport District.

shop girl in the Starport District.

Sutras are highly sought after by demons and Sutras are highly sought after by demons and followers of the Path of Delusion, because followers of the Path of Delusion, because they're a quicker, easier way to Enlightenment they're a quicker, easier way to Enlightenment than meditating and practicing austerities. than meditating and practicing austerities.

Oathbound

You swore to accomplish something or fulfill some quest, and nothing will stop you. Maybe you took an oath to serve and protect some corporate flunky, or to deliver a message to someone long lost, but your oath is lasting and binding.

Benefit: Gain 2 Qi when you make progress on

your quest.

Drawback: Lose 3 Merit when you're unable to

pursue your oath for more than 24 hours.

Order

You like it when there are nice clear laws in place, and everyone follows the rules. Without rules, where would we be?

Benefit: Gain 2 Qi when you force others to

follow the rules, even pointless ones.

Drawback: Lose 3 Merit when subordinates rebel

against the laws you lay down or point out.

Pedagogy

They're all wrong! You'll teach them! Whether they want to learn or not!

Benefit: Gain 2 Qi when you impart valuable

knowledge to others.

Drawback: Lose 3 Merit when your instruction isn't helpful to the audience.

Perfection

They say that nothing beneath the Heavens is perfect, but have they tried? They say that your obsession is ridiculous, but you'll show them. Any day now.

Benefit: Gain 2 Qi when you strive to make

something perfect some rules, some craft, some; relationship.

Drawback: Lose 3 Merit when you fail in an

obvious way to achieve perfection.

Regret

Your home is in the past, among the broken loves and the hurtful words. Bitter, but you're chained to this place, and you just keep returning, to explore that old pain.

Benefit: Gain 2 Qi when you are reminded, or

remind yourself, of your failures.

Drawback: Lose 3 Merit when you wallow in

self-pity and remorse when there are valuable things to do now.

Romance

You seek the truth of your existence in the eyes of someone else. The looking is fun, but you've yet to find the one, just other lost seekers.

Benefit: Gain 2 Qi when you find comfort in

someone else's arms.

Drawback: Lose 3 Merit when a pointless,

shallow relationship falls apart and feelings are hurt.

Secrets

So many things to know, things that others hoard in the darkness. It takes time to winnow out the secrets, but sometimes there's a nugget, a gem all too; rarely.

Benefit: Gain 2 Qi when you discover an

important secret, that aids you in your Journey.

Drawback: Lose 3 Merit when a secret takes great

effort to find, but doesn't help you at all.

Thrills

You love to feel the blood pumping through your veins when you pull off some daring feat! Sometimes, though, it ends up pumping out of your veins ...

Benefit: Gain 2 Qi when you risk your life, for

any reason.

Drawback: Lose 3 Merit when you suffer greatly

for the sake of a little adrenaline.

Vanity

Looks aren't everything, you say, but you're a liar. You don't want to be thought of as shallow, but you can't help feeling every moment is better when you look gorgeous.

Benefit: Gain 2 Qi when you look your best, and

others notice.

Drawback: Lose 3 Merit when are seen at your

worst, and feel shame and horror at yourself.

Vengeance

Something broke deep inside you when you saw your loved one, lying punctured, in pieces. You'll live on until you can return the favor, but you doubt you'll ever be whole again.

Benefit: Gain 2 Qi when you hurt someone that

hurt you or a loved one.

Drawback: Lose 3 Merit when your attempts at

Wealth

The wealthy rise above, to live in the skytowers, or even just to sit on makeshift thrones in the dingy warehouses below. In your idle moments, you wonder how many you've stepped on to get this far but most; of the time, you don't care.

Benefit: Gain 2 Qi when you earn a large amount

of money.

Drawback: Lose 3 Merit when others suffer so

you may prosper.

Truths

As one follows the Path to Enlightenment, they collect Truths.

Truths provide siddhis, spiritual powers, far beyond the power of mere fighting. Truths are tied to the hidden nature of reality. Traditions, teachings, wushu training, and the like help one survive and gain followers and teach, but they don't provide Truth.

When a Disciple gains 10 Merit, they learn a new Truth.

Truths offer a wide variety of benefits, and if the player can think of new uses for a Truth, Destiny is encouraged to allow it, and assign appropriate game mechanics to that use. Other Truths are possible as well, beyond the ones listed here.

A master cannot lose their knowledge of Truths, even when they lose Merit. However, using Truths to commit sins is an even graver crime than just using one's hands and mind. Any loss of Merit caused by misues of Truths is doubled.

In document Kill the Buddha RPG (Page 39-41)