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 sect in particular is their rigorous ascetic training, on par with anything a martial disciple experiences. Spiritual training is the ultimate goal, 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.
- Disciple. You have a sponsor within the monastery or you were taken in as an orphan. You are not supposed to leave the monastery without supervision, but not all temples enforce this rule. Once of age you must either formally take the vows and become a priest or leave the organization.
- Priest. Must be Adept or Rank 10+. You have taken your vows and become a full member of the foundation. You may sponsor disciples and are expected to perform rituals and duties around the temples.
- Abbot. Must be Remarkable or Rank 13+. As an Abbot 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 sect. Instead the monks believe in application of force to help ease suffering. This is intrinsically opposed to the Outsider's teachings, but the Outsider also eschews 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 suffering is an inevitable byproduct of keeping control. The monks are dangerously heedless of politics, and pretend they 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: Righteous Text, Free Shields, Horse Nation.
- Enemies: Evil Cults and Demons.
Structure
The Foundation Stone follows the Outsider's tradition of monasteries led by an "Abbot", and protected by "Guardians". Guardians tend to be experienced monks dedicated to the protection of the temple, but sometimes they are figurative spirits or literal monsters. 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 by sex, but not by species.
- 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 Guardians 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 nun 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 (or always once you are a priest) you are expected to adhere to two vows: Give up meat and wine, and remain celibate. Of the two, only celibacy is widely enforced. There are also vows to eschew material wealth (you gain the Poor fault) and pacifism (you gain the Peaceful fault) but these are widely considered 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. Such villains are imprisoned, or their tendons are destroyed so they can't use the techniques for evil again.
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.
| Attack | Tier | Keywords | Dice | Blue/Red |
| Scattering Beads | 2 | Blast, Short, Return, Focus: Burst 5 | 5dE | Hits / Stun |
| The Outsider's Rod | 3 | Rod, Relic: Parried opponent must check endurance. | 9dE | Grit / Stun |
| Asset | Tier | Keywords |
| Bronze Sheath | 2 | Armor 3, Relic: Gain a bonus and Block against magic. |
| Engulfing Mantle | 2 | Armor 2, Relic: Reach 4, Focus: Block 1 attack (no check). |
| Funeral Bell | 2 | Relic: Snap, undead must make spirit with penalty or turn to mimic your action. |
| Infinite Harmony Chant | 3 | Ritual: All who hear must make sense with penalty or do nothing. |
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
- Become High Abbot. The current High Abbot is old and losing touch. Someday he will step down (or die)...will that finally be your moment?
- Destroy the Foundation Stone. A popular saying within the temples is that one crooked stone compromises the wall. The High Abbot is obsessed with visions that the temple will fall at the hands of a former student.
- Find a lost Outsider Sutra. It is said that unknown scrolls with the Outsider's more advanced teachings may have survived the calamity.
- Meet the Immortal Monkey. The Outsider's first Guardian was a godlike ape, and the martial training of the Foundation Stone traces back to this being. If it still lives, what wonders could it teach?
- Pass the Test of 16 Chambers. The 16 Chambers are referred to in several Outsider scrolls, but no one knows exactly what all 16 trials are, or what reward is bestowed upon a monk who can complete all of them.
- Lead the Rebellion against the Tigers. Regardless of who is in charge, the Empire has always been hard on the people. It's about time someone did something about it.
- Rule the Valiant Societies. The Foundation Stone could wrest control of the Valiant Societies from the Righteous Text sages, leading the entire martial world into a new era of humble service.
Notable Members
- Chief Abbot
- Recruits
See Also
Version 2.5.2
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