DHAMPYR SHIH

By Jeremy Streeter (arcgaden@aol.com)

Author's Notes

Dhampyr Shih are half-vampire demon hunters based on concepts in Kindred of the East and Demon Hunter X. Some of the following terms and rules may require some explanation from these books.

Introduction

One of the greatest things that sets the Kindred of the East (Kuei-Jin) apart from their Western counterparts is the fact that they can reproduce on occasion. Their Children are called Dhampyr, and considered Half-Vampire. From this breed of cursed beings and humanity comes a greater potential threat to the Kindred community than ever before. As the Eastern and Western worlds collide, the Dhampyr, being Human, move West. More over, they do not fear the night; they are like their parents and often live within it. With that curse comes a destiny, and with that destiny comes a choice. There are but two choices: to be a willing servant to one's family or to be resentful of one's own identity and revolt and become a Demon Hunter, a Shih. In this we will fully explore the Dhampyr as both a Servant to her Kuei-Jin Master, and as a Shih Demon Hunter.

Dhampyr as Kuei-Jin Servants in a Wu

In many respects, a Dhampyr is relatively close to the Western Kindreds' Revenant Families. In this they are obedient and submissive to the Kuei-Jin's whims and often will serve for an entire lifetime. The Dhampyr's life is neither complex nor simple. There are always a lot of political choices included in serving an Undead Master, as well as proper etiquette. If any excitement ever occurs, its between that Kuei-Jin's Wu and another Kuei-Jin's Wu. Dhampyr's are likely to be nothing more than foot soldiers and near helpless pawns in the ensuing battles that could occur. For those of strong will, this is a detestable life style. In fact for almost any human being, revolt is going to be a natural reaction to a Kuei-Jin Master, especially an unfair one.

Dhampyr as Shih demon hunters in the Middle Kingdom (eastern cultures)

Nearly an inevitable state, many Dhampyr will eventually revolt and many will either die or turn to the Shih for training and help. In going to the Shih and becoming a Shih, the Dhampyr sacrifices her entire former life. As well, she dedicates herself to everything about the Shih. In its own way, being a Shih is just as limiting as being a Dhampyr servant to a Kuei-Jin. There is the solitude Shih all eventually endure, and this alone can tear any weak willed individual apart. Many considerations need to be made when entering into the world as a Shih, but especially as Dhampyr Shih. In the Eastern World it will be more easily accepted by the Shih society -- they will be less likely to blame a Dhampyr for her condition of being partially damned.

Dhampyr as Shih demon hunters in the western world

In the western world, Dhampyr lead a most dangerous life, as if they ever display their abilities, they may soon be hunted, by both kindred and western hunters. At the same time, while being hunted they can most easily hide. No western hunter will hunt for a vampire in broad daylight, (unless it's underground), nor will any vampire. Blessed with the ability to use kindred disciplines like ghouls and a long life without significant deterioration, a Dhampyr has many advantages over Western Hunters and Western Vampires. Dhampyrs may use western kindred disciplines as well as eastern disciplines, Chi Powers (Qiao), and human numina.

A Word on Dhampyrs

As Dhampyrs pass puberty, their aging cycle siginificantly slows down and many Dhampyr look like they're in the their twenties when they hit fifty years old. Unlike their cursed parent they do not have the desire for life force sustenance and can merely heal more quickly. Dhampyr are not susceptible to Shadow Nature and may use Demon Shintai Disciplines without fear of their P'o. However without the desire for life force, Dhampyr still have the unique ability, (the method of which is dependent on their humanity rating), to consume another individual's life force for sustenance to feed their power in a time of need. This same power gives them the weakness of Fire Nature and Wave Nature. A handful of Dhampyrs are told to have disappeared into the Western World and lead long, normal lives.

Character Creation

Note: Use the Character Sheets from the Demon Hunter X Sourcebook.

Dhampyr may choose from a wide selection of concepts, however for simplicity sake I am limiting them to Shih.

Dhampyr Shih need to distribute dots into three categories: Physical, Social, and Mental. (8/6/3)

Distribute into your categories: Talents, Skills, and Knowledges. (21/12/5) No Ability may be raised higher than 3 with these initial dots. All Shih must have at least a score of 4 or higher in Occult, Melee, Martial Arts and Dodge, and at least 2 in Firearms and Survival. As you can see, Shih are very adept in combat and often higher dot scores are suggested for many of these abilities.

Dhampyr Shih have 4 dots and 3 dots automatically in Mentor.

As all normal humans, Dhampyr Shih have an initial dot in all the Virtues: Conscience, Self Control, and Courage. 7 dots are given to distribute amongst the Virtues.

Humanity: Self Control + Conscience
Willpower: Courage
Yin Chi: Self Control
Yang Chi: Courage

Dhampyr Shih begin the game with a dot in the following Chi Powers (Qiao):
• Qiao of the Mu Kung
• Qiao of the I Shen
• Qiao of the Yu An

Dhampyr Shih begin the game with a dot in one of the following Disciplines, additionally they have an extra dot to use on Disciplines at their discretion:

• Jade Shintai (Stabilize one's Chi to the Earth and the Universe)
• Flame Shintai (Turn Chi to Kinetic Energies)
• Equilibrium (Internal Balancing of Yin and Yang Chi)
• Yang Prana (Powering of Yang Chi in the body)
• Yin Prana (Powering of Yin Chi in the body)
• Tapestry (Manipulating Chi around you to your whims)
• Chi'iu Muh (Using the sixth sense through Chi)
• Internalize (Focus Chi internally for incredible results physically)
• Black Wind (Speedy movement with increased senses for a deadly combo)
• Demon Shintai (Bringing forth the Demon in oneself) (Dhampyr call this fighting fire with fire)
• Western Disciplines (Sometimes Dhampyr learn some Western Disicplines)

There are many Merits and Flaws a Dhampyr is entitled; however most of them are at the discretion of the ST. Flaws and Merits are highly suggested for character development and balance.

Dhampyr Shih have 21 Freebie Points to spend on Attributes, Abilities, Backgrounds, Chi Powers (Qiao), Disciplines, Willpower, Humanity, Virtues, Mortal Numina, etc.

Freebie Point Costs

Trait	Cost
Attribute	5
Ability	2
Background	1
Virtue	2
Humanity	2
Willpower	1
P'o	4
Qiao	6
Eastern Discipline	7
Western Discipline	8
Human Numina	10

Dhampyr Unique Rules

Dhampyr may consume Chi (Life Force) like their parent Kuei-Jin; however the lust for the Chi is not the same between the two. Dhampyr will consume Chi as a method of attack and aggression and they do not need or desire to consume it. Kuei-Jin have a lust, insatiable during their unlife, for the Chi. The way that the Dhampyr and Kuei-Jin consume Chi is the same. Dhampyr consume Chi based on their Humanity Rating.

Humanity	Chi Consumption Method
1 to 3 dots	Consuming Flesh
4 to 6 dots	Consuming Blood
7 to 8 dots	Consuming Breath
9 to 10 dots	Consuming by Touch

Normally Dhampyr restore two Chi dots a day due to accelerated healing from being half Kuei-Jin. During restoral, the lower of the two Chi's will restore until they are near balance where the restoral of Chi will swap between the Yin and Yang. Dhampyr tend to consume others' Chi as a last resort.

Dhampyr use Yin and Yang Chi like Western Kindred use their Blood for their Disciplines. As well, Dhampyr use their P'o rating as a supply for their Demon Arts as well as their Normal Disciplines. At a disadvantage to other supernaturals because they cannot easily use a multitude of supernatural powers quickly whereas many others are able to do so.

Dhampyr begin with a P'o a dot less than their initial Willpower Rating. As Dhampyr are not affected by Demon Nature unlike their Kuei-Jin parents, they must work on harnessing the P'o and increasing it on their own. The P'o rating may never surpass the Willpower Rating.