Ki Attacks

[ozdevil]

a topic that hasnt been shown here is Ki attacks.
Ki is the inner energy everyone has and can be used for destructive, defensive or movement purposes.
if someone has control of their ki they will be stronger, faster and have the ability to fly and use incredible energy attacks, the rules for these attacks is they can all be blocked or absorbed

[The Librarian]

I will agree with you that Ki is useful, and in the realm of CC and TK it's true potential is largely untapped. There is a good reason for this though.

Most people using Ki are characters based off of Naruto and DBZ and when they are outside of an RP specialized to that setting they are usually seen as kind of tacky.

In a broader sense, Ki could probably be said to be a separate section of magic, manipulating the energy in yourself to effect the energy outside of yourself.

[Theorian]

Ki is basically the output of physical energy to manipulate forces while psionics and magic are mental. Theorian uses a higher form of Ki in several of his attacks, but for the most part people think Ki = DBZ or Naruto, yes. Ki has many interesting endeavours though, from strengthening one's abilities, to using it to produce varied effects. Sometimes Ki is associated with Chi and borderlines magic. But Chi is a mental, and Ki is physical.

[Kain]

Actually, Theorian is wrong in his comparitive description of Ch'i and Ki. Historically, the two are ,more often than not, considered pretty much the same thing. Qi [which the derivatives Ch'i and Ki sprang from] is simply a principle of physical "activity" within things--living and non-living alike. The rigid seperation of "metal" and "physical" associated with the simple respelling of a word to fit the language is very inaccurate. Rather, Qi may be seen by some as a unification of both the mind AND body [in equilibrium] in order to set the stage four a flourishing reaction of the energy within. Though, the concept of Qi, as made apparent in many contexts, strongly suggests that Qi happens in nature, as mentioned before, from things that possess no mind. Qi was believed to be all around--grass, trees, rocks, water--it's simply the BASE physical energy early Asians reflected which rationalized things. Especially things pertaining to the five sences. As such, Qi is physical, for the most part, and stays that way as but a physical energy which flows. The effects of Qi observed may indeed be manipulated by one [changing it's course of flow] or it's flow may be seen in everyday life [as with Qi being observed in a more "mundane" manner].

[Kain]

Please, Theorian, explain to me how such a simple concept could differ so much just by what language it's translated into. It's not like this is some complicated aspect which is recorded in an equally complicated text--so much so that the three actually become something different? Does the variations of the spelling of the word "rock", as constituted around the globe, change the meaning of what a rock really is? No. Same principle applies here--just because the spelling is different, it doesn't change that ALL of the concepts are ONE. Please, Theorian, don't waltz in and proclaim someone elses research inferior to yours just because you're the one who's too stubborn to stray from what you deem as "correct". Please check your sources. Thanks.

[The Librarian]

A good source for understanding Ki/chi/qi in characters is to study t'ai chi. It teaches you to feel and manipulate the flows of energy in your own body. There is a great book called T'ai Chi classics which walks you through the steps and principles of learning the art. The main principle is condensing the energy into one's bones before using it.

Another place to look is Buddhist meditation.

[Draken]

I dont think Ki is magic I think that it is being able to control your Inner energy also known as Chi, I am in martial arts and controling your Chi is a big part of controling your movements and strength

[The Librarian]

Jun 15, 2008 19:59:48 GMT -7 Draken said:

I dont think Ki is magic I think that it is being able to control your Inner energy also known as Chi, I am in martial arts and controling your Chi is a big part of controling your movements and strength

I was talking from the standpoint of a person that has been in martial arts, has read up on meditation and similar things as well as new age teachings. Granted you may or may not believe everything you read but new age teachings have alot similarities to teachings on Chi.

[Draken]

I know this I meditate for a half an hour twice a day, it helps control your Chi level and storage, chi storage is crucial to having a balaced Chi.

[ozdevil]

OMG O.O i made such an argument

[mitsui]

Not really. Ki can be interpreted for MANY MANY different things. Whether you take Martial Arts, study it from left to right, there is no REAL definition of it and what it's capable of doing, but there are 'viewpoints' and 'observations' and such.

I'll take my character for example. It is based from the 'Naruto' series. Many people look at the anime and go 'that's not what happens'. In reality, it can happen. Intense training is a must, but it is possible. (The minor stuff, anyway. Creating clones and shit is going to the extreme.) Naruto doesn't depict it in the wrong manner persay, but it just takes the basic teachings and expands upon it.

The same can be said about 'Dragonball Z'. They aren't depicting it in the wrong way, but they are taking something that is very basic and expanding upon it.

In my personal view, Ki/Qi/Mana/Chakra are the energies that reside within a person. It could sort of fall under the category of 'Biokinesis', but not entirely. The energies are what allow a person to perform un-natural techniques, along with adrenaline, of course. The energies can be manisfested in any form that is wanted or willed, but it training prior to the extreme usage is mandatory.

As for the 'it can be absorbed and defended' argument, I'd say that is false. Again, my view isn't the correct view but it is how I see it; Ki/Chi/Qi/Mana/Chakra isn't the same for everybody. I wouldn't have the same inner energies as someone else would and as such--- it wouldn't be wise to absorb the energy because you wouldn't be entirely sure it'll revert into a potent, or un-active state. Now if it were absorbed by any other means, it can't be helped but as far as defending goes, that can be true.

I would elaborate more on my thinking of the subject, but I've got a headache and it'd be a lot. Some other time, perhaps.

[Fenris]

ki or chi can be used in a variety of ways, and there are actual instances of it being used IRL. Not to the extent of a "saiyan" of course however when a martial artist is about to perform a "Break" on a piece of cement, Human anatomy would pretty much make that impossible, however chi is the energy and momentum of the body, and when one strikes a block of cement there not really hitting it with force, but letting the force travel "through" the block, the energy going through the block is actually what breaks it, since the force of it is actually traveling "through" and breaking apart the brick from the inside essentially weakening the density. AKA Iron hand.

[baane]

May 26, 2008 12:38:31 GMT -7 @Theorian said:

Ki is basically the output of physical energy to manipulate forces while psionics and magic are mental.

Why would Ki not be magic? They're both supernatural forces. There's more than one type of magic, and not all of them are mental. The three which are readily accepted as a base-line in most RP systems are Arcane, Divine, and Psionic. Most people feel that anything outside of Arcane does not qualify as magic, and this confuses me.

The only argument against Ki being magic I can see being pitched is whether you would consider it a natural or supernatural force. Even then that argument is shaky because it can be argued that magic itself is a natural force in any context where it actually exists.

I'll admit that I'm slightly biased because my main character is theoretically supposed to be a sort of antimagic character and it's just difficult to play when all of a sudden people scream "My magic isn't magic, so there." At first I was willing to let them explain, but after seeing so many arguments that typically can be summed up as "It's not magic because it's not like what I think they do in Harry Potter." I just gave up

[The Librarian]

Sept 20, 2008 22:37:21 GMT -7 baane said:

I'll admit that I'm slightly biased because my main character is theoretically supposed to be a sort of antimagic character and it's just difficult to play when all of a sudden people scream "My magic isn't magic, so there." At first I was willing to let them explain, but after seeing so many arguments that typically can be summed up as "It's not magic because it's not like what I think they do in Harry Potter." I just gave up

My view as it pertains to RP is that any kind of heightened energy manipulation through force of will, mental ability, etc is magic no matter what other name it may be known by. That basic of a view simplifies things alot. Most mutant/super hero powers are deemed magic in this view as well unless there is a really good explanation as to why.

Just saying that I'm a mutant so I can shoot a laser out of my eyes is not a good enough reason. Give me a somewhat decent genetic explanation as to why it would work without heightened energy manipulation and I might go with you.

[mitsui]

I always considered 'ki' as magic, for the simple fact that whenever it's manipulated, it has a supernatural effect.

But that could be just me. *Shrugs*