Shintai
Shintai, a Japanese word meaning "god body," refers to those Disciplines in which Kuei-jin learn to focus Chi energy through their physical forms. History
The shintai are ancient techniques that have disseminated throughout Kuei-jin society since the Wan Xian fell from grace. Although similar in some respects to such Kindred Disciplines as Protean and Vicissitude, the shintai are much more meticulous and systematically studied. Most Kuei-jin view mastery of a shintai as demonstrating a corresponding understanding of the Chi principles, and thus a significant step toward mastery of self and reaching Hundred Clouds.
Forms
The Kuei-jin of the Quincunx use eight forms of Shintai. Five draw their power from the classical five elements of the Middle Kingdom, whereas the other three are of newer origin.
The five classical are:
- Blood Shintai, analogous to Water
- Bone Shintai, analogous to Metal
- Jade Shintai, analogous to Earth
- Ghost-Flame Shintai, analogous to Fire
- Flesh Shintai, analogous to Wood
- Flower Shintai, analogous to Air
The three others are:
- Smoke Shintai
- Beast Shintai
- Storm Shintai
A different form of Shintai is the Demon Shintai, which allows the Kuei-jin to manifest their P'o and gain a demonic visage.
The Scorpion Eaters, due to their consumption of Tainted Chi, have developed their own Shintai arts, called Bile Shintai, which are perverted forms of the five elemental forms other Kuei-jin use.
In the Fourth Age, the Shintai were known as the Godbodies, and they still channeled purer, less corrupted forms of the elements.
