Custom Blood Magic: Path

The Terracotta Army is a collection of life-sized clay sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China. These sculptures were buried with the emperor in 210–209 BCE to protect him in the afterlife. The army consists of infantry, cavalry, chariots, and officers, with each soldier having unique facial features and details, reflecting the craftsmanship of the time. The discovery of the Terracotta Army in 1974 near Xi'an, China, is one of the most significant archaeological finds in history, offering insights into ancient Chinese military practices and artistry.

Mortal Eastern Necromancers were actually the cause of the initial Terracotta Army; they created the army to protect the first Emperor of China Qin Shi Huang in the afterlife. Vampiric Eastern Necromancers like the Li Weng after the discovery of the Terracotta Army in 1974 picked up the ability to do so with a bit of ingenuity and research into the old ways.

Creation of the body requires Crafts: Terracotta or Clay (Specialization: Terracotta) and Science: Human Anatomy or Medicine. At the bare minimum.

Storytellers are suggested to create NPC wraith sheets for those made with this path, or to work in conjunction with the player to do so that tempers/arcanoi are laid out in an official manner.

All Terracotta soldiers are considered supernatural creatures for all attempts to employ Disciplines, Thaumaturgy, or other supernatural powers on them.

To create a Terracotta soldier, in addition to crafting the soldier you must make a series of challenges. For willing wraiths you need to spend a vitae and throw 2 simple tests, and win or tie at the time of casting this path of Necromancy. If you lose any of the tests you immediately must throw another, if you lose that test the Shadow/Specter takes over and immediately attacks you. Static Difficulty is 10+ the level of the power being used. For unwilling wraiths you must win a contested social challenge against the wraith you are trying to imbue into the statue, followed by the other required tests.

Levels 1-2 will start to deform when confronted by non-supernaturals. Level 3 if confronted by a non-supernatural must win a static chop, otherwise it will start to deform. Levels 4-5 will retain their shape.

Social traits of each statue can be increased by your rating in your Crafts: Terracotta or Clay (Specialization: Terracotta) abilities. However levels 1-2 cannot initiate a social challenge but may defend against if the social traits are modified via crafts with appearance traits.

• Èrděng Bīng (Private):
At first, the necromancer can only imbue the terracotta soldier with simple, nearly mindless wraiths. These soldiers can perform simple, repetitive tasks such as digging, sweeping, pulling and carrying. Èrděng Bīng cannot fight.

System: These soldiers are the most basic and the body is usually shoddily created, usually Wraith Slaves are put in these. Those of this level cannot employ arcanoi or pathos, they only can follow the creators direction in very basic and menial tasks. They have 6 Physical traits, 0 Social traits, and 3 Mentals. They only have 5 health levels. And no abilities.

•• Xiàshi (Corporal):
A more skilled necromancer can produce soldiers with greater intelligence and usefulness. Xiàshi can perform moderately complex tasks that require some small degree of common sense.

System: At this level their traits are raised, to 9 Physical, 0 Social and 6 mental. They also have 2 basic non combat abilities to be chosen with ST Discretion that cannot be raised past the first dot of the ability. They may have one basic arcanoi that again is not combat related, but still only have 5 health levels.

••• Shàngshi (Sergeant):
At this level, the necromancer can produce soldiers with simulated minds that work quickly enough to handle combat. A soldier created with this level of mastery does not have to be an actual guard, but is a common application.

System: At this Level, their traits are as follows. 12 Physical, 3 Social, 6 Mental, 4 abilities of which can be combat related and cannot exceed more than 2 dots in the ability and 10 health levels. The arcanoi available to them is dependent on the wraith placed inside the body. However it may not exceed the basic levels. They may employ 4 basic arcanoi.

•••• Shàngwèi (Captain):
A truly skilled necromancer can create formidable soldiers - powerful terracotta soldiers more skilled than many humans. Such soldiers can command lesser soldiers, and perform complex tasks without supervision.

System: At this Level, their traits are as follows. 15 Physical, 6 Social, 9 Mental. They may have a spread of up to 9 abilities up to the third dot. They may employ 6 basic arcanoi that the wraiths possess and up to two intermediate arcanoi.

••••• Èrjí Shàngjiàng (General):
The pinnacle of what a masterful necromancer can do with the Terracotta Army, the Èrjí Shàngjiàng is the peak of the path. These are the most intricate and if made well enough can even fool normal humans and other supernaturals into thinking it’s a living breathing creature. The Èrjí Shàngjiàng also is highly intelligent and has the personality of the wraith who is residing in it. They work with the necromancer in aiding in whatever they need.

System: At this Level their traits are as follows. 18 Physical, 9 Social, 12 Mental. They may have a spread of up to 15 abilities up to the third dot, 5 of the abilities can go to the 5th dot. They have full access to the Arcanoi and Tempers on their sheet.
(As outlined the wraith used should be made by the Staff and Player working together).