Foundation Stone
The Foundation Stone is technically a religious organization whose priests perform marriages, funerals, exorcisms, and lead various meditations and rituals for the masses. But another well known facet of the Foundation Stone in particular is their rigorous ascetic training, on par with anything a martial disciple experiences. Spiritual training is the goal of this training, but combat prowess is a significant byproduct. Due to that prowess the Foundation Stone has been one of the major Valiant Societies for generations. Monastic ceremonial robes are yellow, and most advanced practitioners tend to wear yellow to show their affiliation to the school.
- Rank 1: Initiate. You must have a sponsor within the monastery to be allowed to live and train there. Orphans are sometimes raised as initiates, and once they are of age they have the choice to become monks or reenter the world. In most monasteries imitates are not allowed to leave the grounds unsupervised.
- Rank 2: Priest. You have taken your vows and become a full member of the foundation. You may sponsor initiates and are expected to perform rituals and duties around the temples.
- Rank 3: Abbot or Arhat. You are the head of a temple or monastery, and have a voice in decisions made for the entire foundation.
Unlike the standard worship of the Outsider in the Horse Nation, pacifism isn't a tenet of the Foundation Stone. Instead the monks believe in application of force to help ease suffering. This is intrinsically opposed to the Outsider's teachings, but worshipers of the Outsider eschew the concept of heresy. The monks are popular and deeply embedded into the fabric of society. This represents a problem for any Empire, since sometimes it is necessary to create suffering to keep control. For their part the monks are heedless of politics, and see only people to help and people causing harm. Deep down they believe they are too popular and powerful for the Tiger Dynasty to risk open war, and that hubris may be their undoing.
- Allies: Valiant Societies and the Horse Nation.
- Enemies: Gwuytan Cults and Demons.
Structure
The Foundation Stone follows the Outsider's tradition of monasteries led by an "abbot", and protected by "arhats". Foundation Stone arhats tend to be experienced monks dedicated to the protection of the temple. All abbots defer to the Chief Abbot installed in the Mount Shaw Temple. There are four major temples is Shiyan, and many minor temples. All abbots are technically equal in rank under the chief, but those who preside over larger temples tend to have stronger voices. Temples are segregated, and either all male or all female.
- Mount Shaw Temple. The first Outsider temple founded outside of the Horse Nation. It is built more like a fortress than a temple, and has the fabled Bronze Arhats and hundreds of trained fighting monks to protect it.
- Henan Temple. It's most notable feature is the Pagoda Forest. Each abbot has built a pagoda there (over 200 in all), adding a new level for every notable achievement.
- Yunshi Temple. Yunshi is an all female temple built around a massive waterfall. Yunshi is known for its harsh regiment and a steady influx of women, widows, and orphans seeking a home.
- Juki Temple. Juki arose amidst the urban sprawl of Jansan. Rumors abound that within its well guarded walls are the most secret texts and powerful sutras the order possesses.
Creed
The Foundation Stone is monastic, and while training (and if you a rank 2 or above always) you are expected to adhere to two vows: Give up meat and wine, and remain celibate. There are also vows to eschew material wealth (you gain the Poor fault) and pacifism (you gain the Peaceful fault) but these are optional.
Hope: Convert an opponent into an ally.
Focus: When you suffer hits helping someone else.
Life: Find the cure for a deadly disease.
Focus: Save an opponent from being killed.
Shaving your head is an indication that you have taken the vows, and you must stop shaving if you break them.
- Transgression. The penalties for infractions vary wildly from temple to temple. Under a lax abbot many violations aren't punished at all, but even the harshest abbot will never sentence someone to death. The worst infractions will incur banishment or imprisonment.
- Corruption. The highest crime among the monks is misusing the Foundation Stone techniques to cause suffering rather than alleviate it.
Resources
Each temple or school has training grounds and artifacts that you may gain access to. You also gain the right to participate in or attend any Valiant Societies tournaments being held.
- Techniques
| Attack | Tier | Keywords | Dice | Blue/Red |
| Monk's Spade | 1 | Bulky 2, Mighty, Rod, Smash, Twist | 4dE | Hits / Bleed |
| The Outsider's Rod | 3 | Rod, Relic: Parried opponent must check endurance. | 9dE | Grit / Stun |
| Asset | Tier | Keywords |
| Prayer Beads | 0 | Use: Gain a bonus on refuse checks. |
| Bronze Sheath | 2 | Armor 3, Relic: Gain a bonus and Block against magic. |
Concepts
| Foundation Stone Monk |  | ||
| Recommended Fault | Recommended Goals | ||
| Peaceful | Hope | Serenity | |
| Signature Skill | Key Skill | Notable Skill | |
| Combat | Communication | Rank | |
| Abilities | |||
| Brawl (Forceful Palm, Magic Palm), Grapple (Stone Roots), Hex, Lead (Invigorating Speech), Manipulate, Preach (Earth Magic, Order Magic, True Believer), Rein, Stave (Driving Staff, Spinning Strike), Tough | |||
| Brief Description | |||
| The Foundation Stone monastery is known for its tranquility and rigorous physical training. Monks are a dangerous combination of both, out to protect the downtrodden from monsters within and without. | |||
| Foundation Stone Wanderer |  | ||
| Recommended Fault | Recommended Goals | ||
| Roaming | Adventure | Hope | |
| Signature Skill | Key Skill | Notable Skill | |
| Combat | Agility | Subterfuge | |
| Abilities | |||
| Ambush, Bash (Fierce Onslaught, Oversize Weapon), Brawl (Forceful Palm), Grapple (Stone Roots), Run (Floating Step), Rush, Stave (Driving Staff, Spinning Strike), Tough, Tumble (Acrobatic Dodge) | |||
| Brief Description | |||
| Wanderers are bad monks, or were bad monks. Trained by the Foundation Stone monastery, then loosed upon the martial world without the scruples or discipline of a monk. | |||
Related Destinies
- Find a lost Long Outsider Sutra.
- Pass the Test of 18 Chambers.
Notable Members
- Chief Abbot
- Recruits
See Also
Version 2.5.2
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