Monks of Shimura

 

History:

     Long before there were Lightsabers, there were Jedi.  After the invention of those graceful weapons, Jedi began to lose sight of what the Force was all about the fall into the Dark trap of technology, or so the revered Master Kambei Shimura thought.  The Knighthood was beginning to rely too much on ‘convenient’ technology.  That is not the way of life; the way of the Force.  Jedi after Jedi took up the Lightsaber and left for the stars and the adventures they contained.  A Jedi craves not these things.  Disgusted at the behavior of his fellow Jedi, Shimura broke away from the Academy with a handful of devoted students and established a temple on the sixth moon of the third planet of the Nikus system.  There he taught his disciples the true gifts of the Force: perfection through inner peace, compassion, contemplation, and ironically tolerance.

     Millennia passed and student after student joined the Brotherhood and learned the teachings of Shimura and the way of Ka, the religious philosophy of the Monks.  Similar to Zen, Ka teaches the inner spirituality of life and the soul.  Everything is provided by the Force, there is little need for cold, unfeeling mechanisms.

     During the Emperor’s great purge, the Temple of Shimura was located by Dark Lord Vader and torn asunder.  Few of the Brotherhood were able to escape and spread across and spread across the galaxy like seeds.  Today, with the Empire removed, these remaining skilled Monks are established their own Temples in remote systems to pass on what they have learned.

 

Beliefs/Lifestyle:

1)           Avoid the use of unnecessary technology.  “There is nothing that technology may provide that the Force cannot.  Why artificially radiate food when nature provides fire?  Why ride aback metal creatures when the wind can send you across sea just as surely?  Technology is quick and easy.  These are traits of the Dark Side.  Life should be neither.”  Although it is true that nothing can be provided by science that the Force cannot, very few Jedi have been able to step across worlds.  The modern Brotherhood it is in the spirit of Ka to except one’s limitations.  The Monks will avoid most technology whenever possible but will reluctantly use other forms when needed.  A Shimuran Monk would never accept cybernetic replacements or enhancements, nor are they likely to associate with droids.

2)           The ways of Shimura is Ka.  All answers may be found in its techniques.  Ka is the foundation of all Shimura’s teachings.  When a student is first accepted into the Brotherhood, he begins learning Ka.  First simple koans and history and later develop the physical disciplines.  In line with the Brotherhood’s beliefs, the process is not quick or easy…it takes several years of hard work and devotion.

3)           Follow the Jedi Code.  Although the Knighthood has allowed technology to cloud their judgment, the Shimuran Monks still believe in the Code.

4)           Tolerate the misgivings of others.  Shimuran Monks are not retro, anti-technology fundamentalists.  They do not attack technological centers or those who choose to use technology, nor do they harass commuters at the starport with pamphlets damning them for their ways of life.  They simply have a different outlook on life.  If asked, they will tell a koan of enlightenment.  If sought out, they will teach their beliefs.  The Monks do not hate the Jedi; in fact, they feel sorrow for their fallen brothers and would do anything to help bring them back to the Light.

 

The Art of Ka:

     The Monks of Shimura are best known for their mastery of Ka, their proto-martial arts.  Practice of Ka strengthens the mind, body, and soul.  Masters of this art are capable of incredible feats.  Through Ka, Shimuran contemplatives seek perfection and enlightenment, and with it, they stand powerfully against all who would threaten the sanctity of their Temples.  Ka can be broken down into three parts: Skill, Martial Arts, and the Force powers.  Those who are not Force-sensitive may join the Brotherhood and learn the first two aspects of Ka but not the third.

 

     Skill: Ka Lore

     Time Taken:  One Round to One Day

     Description:  This Knowledge based skill represents the philosophical teachings of Ka.  Through development of this skill, the Monks intimately learn the foundations of the Force and the universe as well as the pre-Lightsaber Jedi Knighthood.

 

     Martial Art:  Ka Combat

     Prerequisites:  Brawling of D, Brawling Parry of 4D, Dexterity of 3D, Ambidexterity

     +2D Brawling & Parry versus those with no Martial Arts training

     +1D versus those with other training than Ka

     Return Melee Attack:  used against an opponent striking with a Brawling attack or Melee weapon, the Monk redirects the energy of the attack back into the attacker.  Roll Brawling Parry, with Ka bonuses when needed, versus attacker’s strike roll +10.  If successful, the attacker hits himself for full damage.  A failure means the Monk is struck; this maneuver counts as one action and cannot be used with a dodge.

     Notes:  Ka Combat is not a skill but a special ability.  If a player learns the martial arts aspect of Ka, he may add the bonuses above and use the ‘return attack’ maneuver.

 

     Force powers: Ka and Empower Self

     See the section on powers for more information about these Shimuran exclusive powers.

 

Shimuran Template:

   Dexterity 3D+2                     Knowledge 3D             Mechanical 2D

   Perception 2D+2                   Strength 2D+2             Technical 2D

   Control 1D                          Sense 1D

  Skills:

     Willpower, Brawling, Brawling Parry, Ka Lore

  Special Abilities:

     Ka Combat, Ambidexterity

  Recommended powers:

    Ka and all it’s required powers, healing and meditative powers, force bolt, Force Shield

 

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