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Maho

Maho can be learned by bushi and courtiers alike (although the act of doing so is largely forbidden), and can be used regardless of one’s Insight rank. However, they require for blood to be spilled by the caster or a willing or helpless being. The amount of blood spilled is equal to twice the spell’s Mastery level. Conversely, the caster may spill additional blood in order to gain Raises : one Raise per increment of double the spell’s Mastery level in spilt blood. As an additional drawback, the caster gains points of Shadowlands Taint equal to one less than the spell’s Mastery Level (with a minimum of 1).

Mastery Level 1

Bleeding [CR]

  • Ring/Mastery: Fire 1
  • Range: 50’
  • Area of Effect: One target person/creature
  • Duration: Indefinite
  • Raises: Damage (+1 Wound of bleeding per Raise), Targets (+1 target per Raise)

This spell inflicts a malignant kansen on a wounded person. The target of the spell must be already injured (suffering from at least 1 Wound) in order for this spell to be effective. The spell causes the injury to begin bleeding, inflicting 1 Wound per Round at the start of the victim’s Turn. This effect continues every Round, indefinitely, unless the injury is bandaged with a successful Medicine (Wound Treatment) / Intelligence roll at TN 20. Magically healing the target to full Wounds will also end the bleeding.

Blood Rite [CR]

  • Ring/Mastery: Earth 1
  • Range: Touch
  • Area of Effect: One target person/creature
  • Duration: 10 minutes
  • Raises: Duration (+2 minutes per Raise), Special (heals an extra +1k0 per Raise)

A deceptive spell which allows many maho-tsukai to masquerade as noble priests, healing the injured. This spell convinces the kansen to fl ow into the target, stimulating his flesh to heal and knit itself closed, and stimulating his body to feats of physical prowess. The target immediately heals 1k1 Wounds, and for the duration of the spell one of his physical Traits (chosen by the caster) is treated as one Rank higher. (This can award a temporary increase in Wounds if it causes the target’s Earth Ring to increase, but the Wounds will drop back to normal when the spell expires, and this may result in the death of the target if he has taken sufficient injury.) However, there is a cruel price for this assistance from the kansen: the target of the spell immediately gains 1k1 points of Shadowlands Taint.

Blood and Darkness [CR]

  • Ring/Mastery: Air 1
  • Range: Centered on caster . .
  • Area of Effect: 30’ radius
  • Duration: 10 rounds
  • Raises: Area (5’ additional radius per Raise), Duration (+2 rounds per Raise)

This spell plunges the air around the caster into an unnatural visual obscurement, either pitch black or dark blood red as the caster desires, as the kansen literally block the vision of everyone in the area of effect. Everyone who enters or remains within the spell’s area of effect, except for the caster, is considered to be Blind until they move out of the area of effect. The caster can see normally : the kansen recognize their master and do not block his vision. The zone of obscurement does not move once it is created. Magical effects or Shadowlands powers that overcome blindness can see through the obfuscation, but otherwise there is no way to overcome the effect until the spell expires.

Disrupt the Limb [CR]

  • Ring/Mastery: Water 1
  • Range: 50’
  • Area of Effect: One target person’s limb
  • Duration: 10 rounds
  • Raises: Duration (+2 rounds per Raise), Range (+10’ per Raise)

This curse causes the muscles of a target limb (an arm or leg of the caster’s choice) to be afflicted with pain, weakness, and tremors for the duration of the spell. All rolls for physical actions taken with that limb for the duration of the spell suffer a +15 TN penalty. In addition, if the target limb is a leg, the victim is considered to be under the effects of the Lame Disadvantage for the duration of the spell.

Heart of the Damned [EoE]

  • Ring/Mastery: Earth 1
  • Range: Touch
  • Area of Effect: Caster
  • Duration: Instantaneous
  • Raises: None

A foul necromantic ritual, first practiced by Iuchiban himself, this spell calls on the strength of the dead to enhance the living. The caster must touch a recently-dead human corpse (dead within the last day) when casting the spell. The corpse shrivels and rots away as the caster draws on its essence, reddish-black energy flowing out of the dead body and into the caster. The caster heals 2k2 Wounds and regains 1 Rank in any Ring or Trait which has been reduced below its normal level.

Inspire Fear [CR]

  • Ring/Mastery: Air 1
  • Range: 50’
  • Area of Effect: One target person
  • Duration: 1 hour
  • Raises: Duration (+10 minutes per Raise), Range (+10’ per Raise), Targets (+1 target per Raise)

This maho spell causes the target person to gain a Phobia of the caster’s choice. For the duration of the spell, the victim is considered to have a 3-Point Phobia (as per the Disadvantage) of a nature chosen by the caster. maho-tsukai frequently use this spell to make their victims afraid of their weapons or allies, to make shugenja afraid of their spell-scrolls, and other cruel tricks.

Legacy of the Dark One [CR]

  • Ring/Mastery: Air 1
  • Range: 100’
  • Area of Effect: One target person/creature
  • Duration: 5 rounds
  • Raises: Duration (+1 round per Raise), Targets (+1 target per Raise), Special (1 additional Void point per 2 Raises)

This subtle maho spell causes distracting kansen to cluster around the target, disrupting his connection to the true Void. The target immediately loses one Void point, and cannot regain it for the duration of the spell.

Purge the Weak [EoE]

  • Ring/Mastery: Earth 1
  • Range: 50’
  • Area of Effect: Food and water for up to 5 people
  • Duration: Permanent
  • Raises: Range (20’ per Raise), Area of Effect (supplies for 1 additional person per Raise)

This unpleasant curse ruins food and drink, rendering it foul, diseased, and inedible. The effects of the spell are obvious : food becomes rotten, water turns foul and discolored, and so forth. The food and water lose all nutritional value and anyone who eats or drinks must roll Stamina at TN 20 or become severely ill, suffering a -3k0 penalty to all Skill, Trait, and Spell Casting rolls. The illness is incurable with medical treatment and will last for two weeks unless magically cured.

Sinful Dreams [CR]

  • Ring/Mastery: Air 1
  • Range: 300’
  • Area of Effect: One target intelligent creature
  • Duration: 1 hour
  • Raises: Range (+50’ per Raise), Special (1 additional Free Raise awarded per 2 Raises)

This subtle and sinister spell causes the target to experience dreams of committing dark, sinful, and dishonorable acts. It can only be cast on a person who is either sleeping or in a situation where they could easily fall asleep (resting, meditating, etc). The caster need not know exactly where the target is located. So long as the target is within the spell’s range, the spell will succeed. Due to the impact of these disturbing and distracting dreams, the victim of this spell becomes vulnerable to future manipulation by the caster. For the next 24 hours after the spell concludes, the caster gains a Free Raise on all Temptation and Intimidation rolls against the victim. The caster may Raise on the spell to increase the number of Free Raises awarded.

Suck the Marrow [EoE]

  • Ring/Mastery: Earth 1
  • Range: Touch
  • Area of Effect: One target creature
  • Duration: 1 day
  • Raises: Duration (+1 day per 2 Raises), Range (change to 50’ for 2 Raises)

This unpleasant curse impedes the victim’s ability to heal and recover from injury and sickness. The victim becomes pale and weak, exuding an unpleasant body odor, and is unable to heal Wounds normally or from applications of the Medicine skill. The victim also is unable to recover from illnesses or poisons, and suffers a -2k0 penalty to any roll made to resist the effects of a poison or disease. Magical healing can still affect the target normally.

Summon Undead Champion [CR]

  • Ring/Mastery: Earth 1
  • Range: 100’
  • Area of Effect: One humanoid corpse
  • Duration: 1 hour
  • Raises: Duration (+1 hour per two Raises), Range (+20’ per Raise), Targets (+1 corpse per Raise)

This spell is used by maho-tsukai to quickly bring forth undead warriors to protect themselves or slaughter their enemies. It must be cast on a corpse which is within the spell’s range ; it cannot target a living creature. The corpse will be animated by a kansen, rising up and serving the caster as best it can. Mechanically, the animated corpse is considered a zombie (as per the Book of Void, page 331). It obeys any simple commands (such as “kill them” or “wait here”) from the maho-tsukai who summoned it. Complex or conditional orders cannot be understood, and the zombie will simply stand and wait until it is given an order simple enough to understand. Once created, it can move freely beyond the spell’s initial range. If the zombie is beheaded or destroyed, it will not re-animate unless the spell is cast again. At the end of the spell’s duration, the kansen will depart and the undead creature will collapse to the ground, becoming nothing more than a corpse.

Symbol of Blood [EoE]

  • Ring/Mastery: Water 1 (Wards)
  • Range: Touch
  • Area of Effect: 30’ radius
  • Duration: 12 hours
  • Raises: Area of Effect (+5’ per Raise), Duration (+2 hours per Raise)

This spell inscribes a sinister ward onto a flat surface. The caster writes the ward in the blood he spill to cast the spell, and once inscribed the ward cannot be destroyed except by physically destroying the surface on which it is written. The ward causes its victims’ blood to become sluggish and cold. Anyone other than the caster who enters the area of effect suffers a -2k0 penalty to all physical Actions. The effect only applies while they are within the area of effect, and does not stack with other Symbols of Blood.

Ward of Divine Peace [EoE]

  • Ring/Mastery: Air 1 (Wards)
  • Range: Touch
  • Area of Effect: 50’ radius
  • Duration: 8 hours
  • Raises: Area of Effect (+10’ radius per Raise)

This spell is favored by Bloodspeaker cell leaders, who use it to maintain psychological dominance over their followers. The spell’s name is an ironic joke within the cult’s ranks. The spell creates a false aura of calm and well-being that lasts for several hours. This makes it difficult for them to focus their attention or resist appeals from others. Anyone who is within the spell’s area of effect, or who enters it while the spell is in effect, suffers a -1k0 penalty to all Skill and Trait rolls that use Awareness or Willpower. This penalty lasts until the end of the spell’s duration, but does not stack with itself.

Written in Blood [CR]

  • Ring/Mastery: Fire 1
  • Range: Touch
  • Area of Effect: One message (up to ten words)
  • Duration: 1 week
  • Raises: Duration (+1 day per Raise), Special (+3 words per Raise)

Maho-tsukai use this spell to leave hidden messages, either to communicate with each other or to intimidate others. The message is written in blood onto any fl at surface, and may be up to ten words long (Raises can be taken to lengthen the message). When the message is completed, the blood will sink into the surface and disappear, reappearing later when a condition set by the caster is fulfilled. Conditions for the message’s reappearance can be as simple or as complex as the caster might desire, so long as they are conditions the kansen can reasonably perceive (GM’s judgment). Until the message reappears, it is physically undetectable, although spells such as Sense or By the Light of the Moon will detect something magically concealed in the surface. If the spell’s duration expires without the trigger-event taking place, the hidden blood will reappear without forming the
message.

Mastery Level 2

Caress of Fu Leng [CR]

  • Ring/Mastery: Earth 2
  • Range: 50’
  • Area of Effect: One target object
  • Duration: Instantaneous
  • Raises: Range (+10’ per Raise)

This spell summons dark kansen to consume and destroy the substance most inimical to them : jade. The caster may target any one jade item, weapon, or object within the spell’s range (he must be able to see it). The jade is instantly corrupted, its blessed properties annihilated by an overwhelming saturation of Taint. Only a foul black slime is left behind. This spell cannot affect an awakened nemuranai (magical relic) that contains jade.

Curse of the Clan [EoE]

  • Ring/Mastery: Air 2
  • Range: 50’
  • Area of Effect: One target samurai
  • Duration: 1 month
  • Raises: Duration (+10 days per Raise)

This subtle curse causes a samurai to manifest his clan’s most stereotypical and notorious behavior. For example, a Crab might become more crude, intolerant, and ruthlessly pragmatic, while a Phoenix might become more arrogant and obsessed with magical power. The changes are significant but not overwhelming, and the victim of the spell will try to rationalize and justify his behavior. If a PC is targeted with this spell the GM should present the situation as a role-playing challenge rather than dictating how the character is played.

Curse of the Kansen [EoE]

  • Ring/Mastery: Air 2
  • Range: 50’
  • Area of Effect: One target creature
  • Duration: 8 hours
  • Raises: Range (+10’ per Raise), Duration (+1 hour per Raise)

This curse subtly attracts hostile kansen to harass the target. The spell’s victim begins hearing constant whispers inside his head, voices urging him to sinful and corrupt behavior. The continual distraction causes him to suffer a -1k0 penalty to all Courtier, Etiquette, and Sincerity rolls. If he is rolling to resist the Temptation Skill, the penalty is -2k0 instead. (This effect stacks with the maho spell Sinful Dreams.) If the optional Honor Roll rule is in effect, the victim of this spell also suffers a penalty of -1k0 to Honor Rolls.

Curse of the Unblinking Eye [CR]

  • Ring/Mastery: Air 2
  • Range: 100’
  • Area of Effect: One target creature
  • Duration: 2 days
  • Raises: Duration (+1 day per 2 Raises, maximum of 7 days duration), Targets (+1 target per 2 Raises)

This spell curses the target with the attentions of malignant Air kansen who prevent him from sleeping. For the duration of the spell, the victim cannot sleep, and thus cannot recover Void points or spell slots from rest. Further, for each day the victim goes without sleep, he must make a Raw Stamina roll at a TN equal to 5 + (5x number of nights without sleep) or suffer the effects of being Fatigued.

Curse of Weakness [CR]

  • Ring/Mastery: Water 2
  • Range: 50’
  • Area of Effect: One target person or creature
  • Duration: 10 rounds
  • Raises: Duration (+2 rounds per Raise), Range (+10’ per Raise), Targets (+1 target per 2 Raises)

A more powerful form of the spell Disrupt Limb, this spell inflicts an overwhelming barrage of angry Water kansen on the target. The kansen flow through his body, inflicting headache, weakness, fatigue, and muscle tremors. For the duration of the spell, he is at a +10 TN penalty to all physical and mental activities that require Skill or Trait rolls. (This includes Spell Casting rolls.) He also suffers a -10 penalty to his Armor TN, as the debilitation makes it difficult for him to dodge blows.

Dark Wings [EoE]

  • Ring/Mastery: Water 2 (Maho)
  • Range: Self
  • Area of Effect: Caster
  • Duration: 10 minutes
  • Raises: Duration (+2 minutes per Raise)

The caster sprouts monstrous wings from his back, resembling those of a bat or other such creature. For the duration of the spell the caster can fly, and is considered to have Swift 3 while flying.

Drain the Soul [CR]

  • Ring/Mastery: Earth 2
  • Range: 50’
  • Area of Effect: One target person/creature
  • Duration: 10 minutes
  • Raises: Duration (+2 minutes per Raise), Range (+10’ per Raise), Targets (+1 target per Raise), Special (+1 Stamina rank per 2 Raises)

This spell causes malignant Earth kansen to afflict the target, draining away his natural Earth and leaving him weak and sickly. For the duration of the spell, the victim’s Stamina rank is reduced by 1 (to a minimum of 1). This can cause the victim’s Earth Ring to temporarily drop, reducing his Wound Ranks and making him more vulnerable to injury.

Eternal Unrest

  • Ring/Mastery: Earth 2 (Maho)
  • Range: Touch
  • Area of Effect: Target corpse
  • Duration: 1 month
  • Raises: Area of Effect (+1 corpse per Raise), Special (-10 minutes casting time per Raise)

As masters of necromancy, the Chuda often find themselves in need of corpses for their spells and techniques. This ritual is designed to ensure such corpses are always available, regardless of circumstances. It normally requires one hour to complete, although it can be shortened (with Raises) to a minimum of ten minutes. You may target a maximum number of corpses equal to your Taint Rank. At the spell’s conclusion the targeted corpses are prepared for use. At any later time within the spell’s duration you may take a Complex Action and expend an Earth spell slot to instantly summon the prepared corpses to your location. Chuda Necromancers are particularly fond of using this spell to summon forth corpses for use with their insidious Technique.

Gift of the Maker [EoE]

  • Ring/Mastery: Fire 2
  • Range: Self or Touch
  • Area of Effect: One target creature (can be the caster)
  • Duration: 1 hour
  • Raises: Duration (+30 minutes per Raise)

The caster summons the power of Jigoku, temporarily granting the blessings of the Taint. Most Bloodspeakers rationalize this spell’s effects by claiming it is evoking power from within themselves. The caster (or another person touched by the caster) gains a Greater Shadowlands Power of his choice for the duration of the spell.

Pain [CR]

  • Ring/Mastery: Earth 2
  • Range: 30’
  • Area of Effect: One target creature
  • Duration: 1 round
  • Raises: Duration (+1 Round per Raises), Range (+5’ per Raise), Targets (+1 target per 2 Raises)

This spell wracks the target with intense physical pain, shooting up and down the limbs and through the torso. The target falls Prone, helpless with pain, and cannot act on his next Turn. In addition, the target must make a Willpower Trait Roll at TN 20 to avoid crying aloud in pain, which could cause a loss of Honor and/or Glory.

Puppet Master [CR]

  • Ring/Mastery: Fire 2
  • Range: 100’
  • Area of Effect: One target undead creature
  • Duration: 4 hours
  • Raises: Duration (+2 hours per Raise), Range (+20’ per Raise), Targets (+1 undead creature per Raise)

This spell allows a maho-tsukai to exert his will against any undead creatures in the area, taking control of them and forcing them to obey his will. If the spell targets a mindless uncontrolled creature such as a zombie, the caster takes control of it automatically. If the spell targets a free-willed undead creature such as a pennaggalon, the caster must succeed in a Contested Willpower roll against the creature. Likewise, if the spell targets an undead creature controlled by someone else (another maho-tsukai, Oni lord, etc), the caster must succeed in a Contested Willpower roll against the controller. Once controlled, the undead will obey the caster’s commands for the duration of the spell, subject to the limits of the creature’s intelligence. Zombies will typically only be able to comprehend the most basic of orders (“kill him”, etc). At the end of the spell’s duration, the undead either revert to the control of their previous master (if they had one) or become free-willed once more.

Spreading the Darkness [CR]

  • Ring/Mastery: Earth 2
  • Range: 30’
  • Area of Effect: Two target persons
  • Duration: Permanent
  • Raises: Range (+10’ per Raise)

This sinister curse is employed by maho-tsukai both to control their own Taint and to spread the gift of Jigoku to others. The spell targets two people, at least one of which must have the Shadowlands Taint. The spell causes some of this Taint to leave that creature and transfer to the other, the kansen gleefully carrying the gift of Jigoku from one creature to the other. The maximum number of Taint points which can be moved in this manner is equal to the caster’s Earth + Insight Rank ; however, it can never remove the last point of Taint from the target. (Once the Taint has its grip on someone, it is supremely unwilling to let go.) If the person receiving the Taint is an unwilling target, the caster must succeed in a Contested Willpower roll against the target, or the spell fails.

Mastery Level 3

Armor of Obsidian [CR]

  • Ring/Mastery: Fire 3
  • Range: Touch
  • Area of Effect: One target person or creature (can be caster)
  • Duration: 10 minutes or until used
  • Raises: Duration (+5 minutes per Raise), Special (absorb one additional spell per 2 Raises)

This spell wreaths the target in an invisible shield of kansen. If the target is struck or affected by a spell with the Jade keyword, the kansen intercede and negate the spell’s effect. This is quite spectacular, as the target is briefly wreathed in a cloud of black, soundless fire which visibly absorbs and consumes the spell. The magical armor normally only works once, although a skilled maho-tsukai can make it strong enough to withstand multiple spells.

Dancing with demons [EoE]

  • Ring/Mastery: Air 3 (Maho)
  • Range: 500’
  • Area of Effect: Self or one target creature
  • Duration: 24 hours
  • Raises: Duration (+6 hours per Raise)

A ritual spell first used by the notorious Doji Nashiko, this spell is also employed by many other maho-tsukai, and has found its way into the repertoire of several Bloodspeaker Cult cells. The spell is a ritual and requires the caster to dance for at least an hour (rolling Perform: Dance / Awareness at TN 25) while casting ; if the dance is interrupted or the Skill roll is unsuccessful, the spell fails. However, if the spell succeeds, the caster may choose either to gain a Physical or Mental Advantage for the duration of the spell, or inflict a Physical or Mental Disadvantage on another person within range for the duration of the spell. (The caster need not be able to see the target so long as he is within range.) The maximum Experience Point value of an Advantage or Disadvantage created by the spell is equal to the caster’s Air + Insight Rank + Taint Rank, if any. This spell cannot make extreme physical changes to the target, such as removing limbs or organs (e.g. it cannot inflict Disadvantages like Missing Eye). The GM should exercise intelligent judgment in considering its effects.

Death beyond Life [CR]

  • Ring/Mastery: Earth 3
  • Range: Touch
  • Area of Effect: One target person
  • Duration: 24 hours
  • Raises: Duration (+24 hours per Raise)

This spell is among the most secret spells employed by the leaders of the Bloodspeaker cult, and is quite rare among maho-tsukai outside of that elite group. It allows the caster to literally cheat death, for himself or another person. The spell must be cast on its target while still alive, and its protective effect normally lasts 24 hours, although skilled spellcasters can extend it. If the target dies within the duration of the spell, powerful kansen will carry his soul away, preventing it from passing on to Meido for judgment. Exactly eight hours after death, they will bring back the soul and re-infuse it into the body, and the target rises from the dead at the Down Wound Rank. Returning from the dead in this way inflicts a full Rank of Taint on the target, due to his soul having been in the care of kansen for eight hours. This blasphemous resurrection will work as long as the target’s corpse is still intact ; even if limbs have been lost or the head severed, the body will reassemble itself when the kansen return. The only way to prevent the resurrection is to scatter the body parts or burn the corpse to ashes.

Essence of Undeath [CR]

  • Ring/Mastery: Earth 3
  • Range: 50’
  • Area of Effect: One humanoid corpse
  • Duration: Indefinite
  • Raises: Range (+20’ per Raise), Targets (+1 target per 3 Raises)

A more powerful form of undead summoning, this spell animates a dead corpse into an undead warrior. Unlike the minor, temporary zombies created by “Summon Undead Champion”, this spell binds a kansen into a dead body, creating a powerful Tainted revenant which serves the caster to the best of its ability. The revenant will last indefinitely (until destroyed), and the Taint infusing its body prevents it from decaying further. It cannot speak, but can understand and obey any verbal command. It will serve the maho-tsukai who summoned it until it is physically destroyed.

Hate’s Heart [CR]

  • Ring/Mastery: Air 3
  • Range: 50’
  • Area of Effect: One target creature
  • Duration: 3 rounds
  • Raises: Duration (+1 round per 2 Raises), Range (+10’ per Raise)

The target of this spell is infused with Air kansen which cause him to suffer a sudden, violent, murderous rage against whoever he is looking at or speaking with when the spell takes effect. (Cunning maho-tsukai usually cast this spell from concealment, to avoid the risk that the rage might be directed against them.) For the duration of the spell, the victim will be consumed with murderous, uncontrollable rage, unable to think of anything but killing this person. He will immediately attack the object of his hatred to the very best of his ability. At the start of each Turn, the victim may roll his Honor at TN 30 to control the rage for that Round. The victim will only be able to take Free and Simple Actions during that Round, since so much of his energy is dedicated to controlling the anger.

Mists of Fear [EoE]

  • Ring/Mastery: Air 3 (Illusion)
  • Range: 50’
  • Area of Effect: One target creature
  • Duration: Instantaneous
  • Raises: Special (increase Fear effect strength by 1 per Raise)

This spell summons forth a potent illusion of whatever the target fears most in the world. The illusion is present for only a few moments and can only be perceived by the target, who must roll against a Fear 5 effect. If the target suffers from a Phobia the spell will also activate its effects.

Summon Oni [CR]

  • Ring/Mastery: Earth 3
  • Range: 50’
  • Area of Effect: One summoned oni
  • Duration: Indefinite
  • Raises: Special (+1k0 per Raise to the Willpower roll to control the oni), Special (more powerful oni, GM’s discretion)

Among the most hazardous spells in the maho-tsukai’s repertoire, this spell summons forth an oni from Jigoku. The oni appears anywhere the caster desires within the range of the spell, and must immediately be given a name – either the caster’s own name or the name of another person closely connected to the caster (a close friend, immediate blood relative, or someone who owes the caster their life) – or it will simply depart back to Jigoku. A name, however, anchors the oni into Ningen-do and allows it to remain within the mortal realm.
Once the caster has given the oni a name he must engage in a Contested Willpower roll against it. If the caster gave the oni his own name, he gains a +3k2 bonus to this roll. The caster may also Raise when casting Summon Oni to gain additional unkept dice on this roll. The GM should determine the Willpower of the oni : the more powerful the oni, the higher its Willpower. If the caster wins the roll, the oni will obey his commands (at least for now). If the oni wins the roll, however, it is free of control and typically runs amok until it is destroyed.
Naming an oni is a perilous business, for the oni will try to steal the name away and thereby gain full autonomy and the ability to remain in the mortal realm. Such creatures become Oni Lords, monstrously powerful, able to spawn lesser but still potent copies of themselves. Thus summoned oni will typically not immediately attack the persons who gave them names, seeking instead to leave them alive until they can steal the names completely.
Any person who shares their name with an oni will acquire an Oni Mark, a small discoloration on the skin. Every day the bearer of an Oni Mark must make an Earth roll to resist gaining the Shadowlands Taint as the connection to the oni corrupts them (see the Taint rules for more details). Each week they must make another Contested Willpower Roll, similar to the first, against the oni in order to avoid surrendering their name to it. The oni gains +1k1 to this roll for each Rank of Shadowlands Taint the Mark has inflicted on its bearer. If the name-bearer is the same person who summoned the oni, he continues to gain the +3k2 bonus to the roll, plus any bonuses from Raises on the original spell.
If the oni ever wins this roll it steals the victim’s name and becomes an Oni Lord, freeing itself from any control by its summoner (even if that person is different from the one with the Oni Mark). The now-nameless victim of the Oni Mark becomes a slave of the oni and must obey its commands. If the oni is destroyed or otherwise banished back to Jigoku, it loses its connection to the person with its name and the Oni Mark disappears.

Symbol of the Bloodspeaker [EoE]

  • Ring/Mastery: Air 3 (Wards)
  • Range: Touch
  • Area of Effect: 50’ radius
  • Duration: 12 hours
  • Raises: None

The Bloodspeaker Cult uses this spell to protect their meeting places against unwanted intrusion. The symbol must be inscribed into a flat surface (wall, floor, etc) when it is cast. The moment anyone who is not a loyal member of the Bloodspeaker Cult enters the symbol’s radius, the symbol glows a bright sickly green and the intruder is bathed in eerie green flames, inflicting 4k3 damage. The symbol can discharge any number of times against different targets, but each target can only be affected once within the duration of the spell.

Mastery Level 4

Burning Blood [EoE]

  • Ring/Mastery: Fire 4
  • Range: 50’
  • Area of Effect: One target creature
  • Duration: Instantaneous
  • Raises: Damage (+1k0 per Raise), Range (+10’ per

Raise), Targets (+1 target per 3 Raises)
This horrible spell infuses the target’s bloodstream with angry Fire kansen, causing his blood to superheat and boil through his skin, emerging as a cloud of reddish vapor. The target suffers Wounds with a DR equal to his Fire, and must roll Willpower at TN 20 or fall Prone due to the unbearable pain. Whether or not the target falls prone, he is considered to be Fatigued on his next two Turns, due to the debilitating effect of the boiling blood.

Chains of Jigoku [CR]

  • Ring/Mastery: Earth 4
  • Range: 50’
  • Area of Effect: One creature or person
  • Duration: 10 minutes
  • Raises: Duration (+5 minutes per Raise), Range (+10’ per Raise), Special (+1k0 per Raise to caster’s roll to contain the prisoner)

A dark counterpoint to the binding spells practiced by Earth shugenja, this spell summons the kansen to bind and trap living creatures (it cannot affect the undead). When the spell is cast, manacles of dark, rusty iron burst from the ground and ensnare the target, trapping him and holding him in place. The target is rendered immobile and helpless, unable to take any physical actions other than to try to break free (although he can still speak). The victim can only break free by making a Contested Roll of his Strength against the Earth of the maho-tsukai who cast the spell. (The caster may take Raises to gain additional unkept dice on this roll.) When the spell expires, the manacles melt away into a disgusting black ooze.

No Pure Breaths [CR]

  • Ring/Mastery: Air 4
  • Range: 100’
  • Area of Effect: One target creature
  • Duration: Instantaneous (but see below)
  • Raises: Damage (+1k0 per Raise), Range (+20’ per Raise), Targets (+1 target per 2 Raises)

One of the more fearsome maho spells, No Pure Breaths instantly turns the air inside the target’s lungs to Tainted kansen which violently erupt out of the body, ravaging the lungs and airways, leaving the victim bleeding from the nose, mouth, and ears. The spell has a DR equal to the victim’s Air Ring in kept dice, but in addition, the effects of the spell leave the lungs and throat so ravaged that breathing itself becomes intensely painful. The victim suffers a continuous +10 TN penalty to all actions. This effect cannot be ended naturally, even if the damage is healed ; however, any kind of magical healing spell, Kiho, or other supernatural healing effect will restore the lungs and end the TN penalty.

Stealing the Soul [CR]

  • Ring/Mastery: Earth 4
  • Range: 1 mile
  • Area of Effect: One target person
  • Duration: 1 day
  • Raises: Special (+1 additional Rank of Trait drain per 2 Raises)

Unlike most maho spells, this one can be cast as a ritual, allowing multiple casters to participate. The Bloodspeaker Cult is especially infamous for using this spell to weaken and cripple their enemies. In order to cast this spell, the maho-tsukai must possess some kind of fetish or token of the intended target : a lock of hair, drop of blood, a personal item, etc.
The spell inflicts a hostile and predatory kansen on the target, forcibly draining away his mental or physical abilities. The victim loses 1 Rank from a Trait of the caster’s choice. Additional Ranks may be drained by taking Raises, but the Trait cannot be reduced below Rank 1. For each additional maho-tsukai participating in the spell, an additional Trait can be drained by the same amount. If this spell reduces the target’s Earth Ring, it will also lower his Wounds at each Rank, possibly resulting in death if he
has already suffered damage.

Tomb of Earth [EoE]

  • Ring/Mastery: Earth 4
  • Range: 50’
  • Area of Effect: One target creature
  • Duration: Conditional (see below)
  • Raises: Damage (+1k0 to damage per Raise)

This spell is a perverse inversion of the elemental spell Tomb of Jade. Instead of targeting those with the Taint, it targets those who are pure of soul : the spell cannot affect anyone who has at least one full Rank of Taint. The victim of Tomb of Earth is held immobile as he begins turning to stone, beginning with the skin and working its way inward. Each Round (including the Round the spell is cast) on the caster’s Turn, the caster makes an Opposed Roll of his Insight / Earth against the target’s Insight / Air. If the caster wins, the target remains immobilized by the spell (unable to take Actions of any kind) and suffers 2k2 damage. If the target wins, the spell’s effects end. If the target is killed by the spell, he is turned completely to stone, which crumbles to dust within 24 hours.

Truth is a Scourge [CR]

  • Ring/Mastery: Air 4
  • Range: 50’
  • Area of Effect: One target person
  • Duration: 10 minutes
  • Raises: Duration (+2 minutes per Raise), Range (+10’ per Raise), Targets (+1 per Raise)

One of the more subtle and psychologically destructive spells in the maho-tsukai’s arsenal, this spell causes a kansen to distort the target’s thoughts, making it impossible for him to lie. Regardless of what he might intend to say, the target of this spell will find himself telling the truth, no matter how damaging that truth might be to himself, his family and lord, or his Clan. In fact, he will find himself blurting out any dangerous or damaging secrets he possesses. In order to conceal the truth while under the effects of this spell, the target must make a Willpower roll at TN 30.

Mastery Level 5

Blood Armor [EoE]

  • Ring/Mastery: Earth 5 (Defense)
  • Range: 50’
  • Area of Effect: Caster and one target creature
  • Duration: 3 Rounds
  • Raises: Duration (+1 Round per 2 Raises)

This is an extremely vicious defensive spell which high-ranking Bloodspeaker leaders frequently use to defend themselves. When the spell is cast, the maho-tsukai chooses one living target within range. For the duration of the spell, any time the caster suffers Wounds from any source, he only takes 25% of the damage rolled (rounded down). The target of the spell takes the other 75% (rounded up). Casting this spell does not produce any obvious visual effect, but each time the spell shifts damage to the target, the caster glows with unholy reddish-black energy, while appropriate injuries (burns, cuts, etc) spontaneously appear on the target. This spell works on all Wound damage, even from spells like Jade Strike that normally could not hurt the target.

Fierce Blood of the Earth

  • Ring/Mastery: Earth 5
  • Range: Touch
  • Area of Effect: Caster
  • Duration: Instantaneous
  • Raises: Duration (+6 hours per 2 Raises)

A hideous and blasphemous spell that many Bloodspeakers use to artificially extend their lifespans. The caster touches one living being, who must be either willing or physically helpless (securely bound, asleep, or unconscious). The caster must make an Opposed Earth Roll against an unwilling victim. If the spell is successful, the maho-tsukai consumes the victim’s life force, killing him instantly. In return, the caster heals all physical injuries, regrows any missing limbs or organs, and extends his life by one year. Although this spell has no obvious or immediate side-effects, using it repeatedly will have a price : the maho-tsukai will acquire a desiccated, almost mummified appearance, making his true nature increasingly difficult to conceal.

Possession [CR]

  • Ring/Mastery: Air 5
  • Range: 100’
  • Area of Effect: One target person
  • Duration: 1 day
  • Raises: Duration (+1 day per 2 Raises), Range (+25’ per Raise), Special (+1k0 on Contested Willpower Roll per Raise)

This fearsome spell allows the maho-tsukai to take direct possession of another person, forcing his soul into the victim’s body and controlling it like a puppet. The caster must know the name of his chosen victim and must also have either a drop of blood or a piece of hair from the target. Once the spell is cast, the maho-tsukai must make a Contested Willpower Roll against the target. (The caster may take Raises to gain unkept dice on this roll.) If the target wins the roll, the possession fails, and the caster suffers 2k1 Wounds as the angry kansen lash back at the one who summoned them. If the caster wins the roll, he takes complete possession of the victim’s body and may use it as he sees fit. He does not, however, gain any of the possessed body’s memories, knowledge, or instincts. In mechanical terms, the possessed body has its own physical Traits and Advantages but has the mental Traits, mental/spiritual Advantages, School Techniques, and Skills of the possessing maho-tsukai. The spell’s victim experiences what is happening to him in an eerie, dream-like manner. When the spell’s duration ends, the caster’s soul returns to his own body, and the victim regains control of himself and must face the consequences of what he did while possessed. While the possession lasts, the caster’s body is in a comatose state. He can end the possession early and return to his own body at will. If the possessed body is killed, he will immediately return to his own body. If his own body is killed while he possesses another, he will have no place to return when the spell expires and will thus die the moment the spell’s duration ends.

Strength of Darkness [CR]

  • Ring/Mastery: Fire 5
  • Range: Personal / Touch
  • Area of Effect: One target person
  • Duration: 10 rounds
  • Raises: Duration (+1 Round per Raise), Special (+1 Rank to one physical Trait for every 2 Raises)

This spell infuses the body of the target with the power of the Taint, unnaturally enhancing his physical prowess for a short time, allowing him to perform superhuman feats of speed, strength, and stamina. The recipient of the spell gains +1 Rank to his Earth Ring and his other three physical Traits for the duration of the spell. (The caster may Raise to increase the Traits, but the Earth Ring cannot be increased further.) He also gains the ability to see through any sort of visual impairment : fog, smoke, or even complete darkness. The physical evidence of this magical enhancement is obvious and grotesque : the target’s flesh swells and bulges unnaturally and his eyes turn blood-red. This spell increases the target’s Wounds per Rank to match his enhanced Earth Rank. When the spell expires and the Earth Ring drops back to normal, the target’s Wounds also return to normal levels. This can result in death if he has suffered serious damage while under the spell’s effects.

Touch of Death [CR]

  • Ring/Mastery: Earth 5
  • Range: 50’
  • Area of Effect: One target creature
  • Duration: Instantaneous
  • Raises: Range (+10’ per Raise), Targets (+1 target per 2 Raises)

The most dreaded of all maho spells, the Touch of Death ages, blackens, and blights the target. Skin and flesh shrivel and
blacken, hair turns gray and falls out, and shattering pains wrack the body. The victim physically ages by 10 years, and suffers 7k7 Wounds. The wounds can be healed normally, but the aging cannot be reversed. A character unfortunate enough to be hit by this spell multiple times (and survive) will be left elderly and decrepit.

Mastery Level 6

Take the Body [EoE]

  • Ring/Mastery: Air 6
  • Range: 500’
  • Area of Effect: Caster and one target person
  • Duration: Permanent
  • Raises: Range (+500’ per Raise), Special (cast as a single Simple Action with 4 Raises)

This spell is, to the best of anyone’s knowledge, known only to two people : Iuchiban and Yajinden. They have guarded its secrets carefully and so far no other maho-tsukai has ever exhibited its power. The spell allows the caster to literally “leap” his soul into the body of another person within range, instantly and permanently taking their body as his own. The caster must succeed in a Contested Willpower roll against the victim, and if the victim wins, the caster is hurled back into his current body. (The victim will be very much aware that he just fought off some kind of terrible all-consuming power.) The spell does not normally cause the souls to “switch”: the abandoned body simply falls dead. The fate of the original soul is unknown, and some Rokugani believe it may actually be destroyed, a truly horrific and blasphemous act. There are some reports of powerful Lost or maho-tsukai being able to switch into the other body rather than be destroyed, but these tales are not confirmed.
The occupied body retains its physical Traits and physical Advantages and Disadvantages, but instantly acquires the mental Traits and Void of the caster, along with all of the caster’s Skills and any Mental or Spiritual Advantages and Disadvantages the caster may have. (Social Advantages or Disadvantages may or may not persist ; the GM should adjudicate such situations.) If the maho-tsukai remains within the same body for an extended period of time (six months or more) it will gradually change to physically resemble the caster’s original physical form, changing Rings, Traits, and Advantages as appropriate.