From the Far East: The Legend of the Shaolin Temple ... and about the Wudang Mountains & it's Martial Arts (Kenna's Tale).

For many it is only a Legend.

... but I know that it is more than that, that it is in fact the Reality.

In the far east, in Kara-Tur - on the continent of Wa, in the Henan province - there's the Temple of Martial Arts from which all of Martial Arts took roots.

It's name is Shaolin, which means: 'Young Forest'.

As the history tells, in past, the monks of Shaolin were in so poor physical shape, that they kept falling asleep during their meditations.

Then, the monk named Bodhidharma (also known as Daruma), came and gave them physical exercises lessons so their bodies could be in-shape.

Over the centuries, these physical exercises evolved into fighting methods, into martial arts.

This was only practical, as there banditry was abound.

-=- Bodhidharma. -=-


Now considered one of Enlightened Ones, Bodhidharma is famous all over the east, and a little in the west as well.

When I was practicing the Katana Way in Kozakura - island in the Kara-Tur - teachers there introduced me to Bodhidharma's meditation school, called: 'Zen'.

It's important to have calm mind during combat, to have calm mind in every of life's situations.

Also, I think that it's worth to mention about the Wudang Mountains, that are competition to the Shaolin, Martial-Arts-wise.

The Wudang martial arts tradition is linked to the Wudang Mountains and the figure of Zhang Sanfeng, the Taoist hermit, who is said to have developed his martial arts after studying at Shaolin.

Shaolin is known for its emphasis on external, or 'hard' styles, emphasizing strength, speed, and powerful techniques. Wudang, on the other hand, is known for its internal, or 'soft' styles, focusing on balance, harmony, and the cultivation of internal energy (Qi). But this distinction is false to certain extent, as - for example - Shaolin also has a bit of the energy work practices, called the: 'Qi Gong' lessons.

-- Kenna, 6th Dan Weaponmistress of the Katana Sword, always in training.

6th Dan Kendo (Kenna's Tale).

I've been through some ordeals recently, did some exploration, trained heavily... even died and came back thanks to Peltarch's Clergy's Divine Magick.

Usually when one dies and comes back via Divine Magick, one is weakened. But in my case, it gave me motivation for training and recovery.

Going back from fugue plane (outworlds antechamber) cost me 40 000 gold pieces and put strain on my spirit and soul.

But then I've trained and even fought Fire Giants with Jonty (Dwarven Shieldbearer) and David (Human Assassin and Scout).

Judging by my own observations of my qualities, I've met requirements for 6th Dan in the Way of the Katana Sword, in Kendo.

So here I am, back alive and kicking, stronger than ever before.

-- Kenna, 6th Dan Weaponmistress of the Katana Sword, always in training.

--
(( Out of Character: For Martial Arts & Ranks: click to see. ))

Dwarven Equipment (Kenna's Tale).

I was enjoying a bardic performance in the Dancing Mermaid of Peltarch, and then - at performance's finale - bard offered listeners a hint, a hint of adventure and treasures, to be found somewhere in Narfell.

'On the way to darkened places, where only the strangest do dwell, where Dwarves seek the most hideous of faces to slay, where the profane seeking exile where no-one can not find them finds their end without very much style.'

Curious, I went to Kuo-Toa lands and then to the Ettin Caves.

There I did find some vile foes and treasures of Dwarven making. Dispatched the Ettins to the fugue and took the spoils, then carried these to Norwick, to Dwarven Hold, to return the items to their legitimate owners.

-=- Dwarven equipment found. -=-

Schools & Meditations (Kenna's Tale).

-=- Sitting in the Zazen position as one Meditates. -=-

-=- Sitting on heels, without kneeling. -=-


In the Kara-Tur (lands to the far east) there are faiths based on the Cult of the Ancestors, and paths that lead to the Enlightenment (Enlightenment is the Full Development of one's Mind).

Both are very popular and have quite the nubers of practicioneers.

Since the first Enlightened One in our Era, many ways leading to Enlightenment were discovered, and many Schools appeared, each with different methods leading to the same goal (the Enlightenment).

Among the many paths leading to Enlightenment, the most popular are two:
- Tantric practices, based on Identification with the Teacher, and on Meditations in the Lotus or Half-Lotus positions,
- Sutra practices, based on studying the Enlightening Lore and on Meditations in the Zazen position.

There are also 'lesser' Schools that lead to the lesser form of the Enlightenment, called: 'Liberation'. After the Liberation (from one's suffering), one can develop the Mind further and reach the Enlightenment anyway. Even in the Tantric and Sutra Schools, one reaches Liberation first, before reaching the Enlightenment. It's said that the fastest Way to Enlightenment is Tantra, then Sutra... with 'lesser' Schools being considering easiest but the most time-consuming of the Ways.

Many mistake the Zazen sitting position with kneeling, but in fact it's sitting on one's heels, not the kneeling as is practiced in Religions of Faith during their prayers.

I was introduced mostly to the Sutras and the Zazen meditations, in the School called: 'Zen'.

Meditation turns the theoretical lore one learns, into the experiences felt. Meditation brings out calmness, peace, serenity and focus to one's life path. In my case, it allows me to stay calm, brave and focused in fight. It also encourages me to be more peaceful.

When I worship deities as Tempus, Kenji or Red Knight, I become more fierce. Faith makes me hostile, and meditation makes me peaceful.

When one has body and mind trained, prepared for combat, the fights resemble the chess game. One observes the opponent, makes decisions, and speaks Mantras in Mind. Then the body follows, automatically executing the maneuvers and strikes. Repetitions of techniques trains one's Body, Meditation trains one's Mind.

And - of course - studying the Sutra texts and doing the Meditations leads me to the Enlightenment, but that will happen probably in future lives (we believe in Reincarnations). Meanwhile it's still beneficial, as it makes me a better warrior.

-- Kenna, Spiritual Warrioress, Always in Training.

Will to Live (Kenna's Tale).

Recently, I've adventured with my old dwarven friend, with Jonty Glyndywr. We did check areas on Narfell's outskirts, near the Dead Horse Inn by the town of Kront.

We have slayed beasts and bandits, and found some interresting equipment. Part of it we kept, rest we did sell.

I've put my hands on interresting amulet, that - after some tinkering - got some powerful properties of increasing wearer's Willpower, especially one's Will to Live. I've found it in some scary beast's stomach.

Will to Live is put to test when one faces abilities such as 'Touch of Death', in Kara-Tur (far east) known as: 'Dim Mak', and around here, in Narfell, known as: 'Quivering palm'. It also helps against powerful Death Magic, such as the spell called: 'Finger of Death'.

If one's Will to Live is high, and when one tries to resist death hard enough, one can survive such attacks.

My Mind and Willpower were - unfortunately - fairly weak despite my martial arts training and meditations, so I've tried a 'workaround'.

Used items to enhance my Willpower, to reforge a Weakness into the Strength. But there's limit on how far one can get with items... I think that I've met my limit, already there.

-- Kenna, Martial Artist & Katana Sword Weapon Master - always in Training.

Expensive Footwear for Combat (Kenna's Tale).

Recently Kenton Seth, powerful wizard, eldricht knight and fighter, advertised expensive and rarely found item available in his shop.

Curious, I went to check.

Found strongly enchanted boots, enchanted with protection magick - the item that I needed the most at this moment.

After the Katana Sword that I have - named: 'Jitsugetsu no Ken' ('Sword of Sun and Moon') - it's best piece of equipment in my possessions so far^*.

The boots look quite nice as well, as one could expect from so expensive item.

Price was reasonable, even if high - 200 000 gp.

Bought the boots, should be useful in most types of combat (won't help against some of spells), in any team or when alone.

Now my bank account is almost empty.

-- Kenna, Katana Weaponmaster, always in Training.

--
^* (( Out of Character information: Boots offer Dodge Armour Class bonus, and Dodge AC is best type of AC, as it stacks with any same or other AC bonuses. Details on: Dodge Bonus on NWN Wiki )).