Kiho

### Definition

Kiho are philosophical and spiritual techniques for aligning one’s inner strength – Focus – to that of the wider cosmos. This allows seekers of enlightenment and bushido to act in harmony with the universe’s natural course. Kiho use the element of Void. Kiho are used for yourself in combat.

### General Rules

The die used for Kiho techniques starts at a d4. This number increases to a d6, d8, d10, and d12 with your level in mind (level 6 = d6, level 8 = d8, etc).

Kiho are taught by masters of the Void such as the monks of Dragon and Phoenix. The requirements are generally as follows but may be different in special circumstances.

Rank 1: Level (3), Days of Training (5), Koku (1)

Rank 2: Level (4), Days of Training (15), Koku (5)

Rank 3: Level (6), Days of Training (20), Koku (10)

Rank 4: Level (8), Days of Training (30), Koku (25)

Rank 5: Level (10), Days of Training (60), Koku (100)

### Balancing Guidelines and Philosophy

1. Kiho are the "Mind over Matter" abilities in Kozakura. It is a way to use Focus to buff yourself or allies.
2. Kiho should be an accessible choice for all players. The variation between players will be in which Kiho they choose to learn and utilize in combat.
3. Setting and story take precedence when creating new kiho. If a kiho does not make sense in the setting of Kozakura, it is changed until it does, or is re-written.
4. If one kiho is stronger than the others by a small margin, the other kiho should be buffed instead of the one kiho being nerfed.

## **Rank 1 Kiho – Character Level 4**

**Rank 1 Void Kiho | *Kokyū* | Centering Breath**

When you make an ability check or attack, you may spend 1 Focus to create the following effect:

* *You prepare your body and mind by envisioning your success and putting it into practice.* Gain 1d4 to your ability check or attack roll.

**Rank 1 Void Kiho | *Itami* | Pain of Body**

When you become the target of an enemy attack or ability that you can see, you may spend 1 Focus to create the following effect:

* *You harden your body preparing for the pain to come.* Roll two Kiho die and gain that amount of temporary hit points. This ability may be used on yourself only once per round.

**Rank 1 Void Kiho | *Maindo* | Pain of Mind**

When you roll a saving throw against an effect you can see or predict, you may spend 1 Focus to create the following effect:

* *You harden your mind in resistance against imminent danger.* You may roll a Kiho die and add it to your saving throw.

## **Personal Rank 2 Kiho – Character Level 5**

**Rank 2 Void Kiho | *Tesuto* | Testing Wind**

When you (Wolf) make an initiative check, you may spend 2 Focus to create the following effect:

* Choose an opponent in the conflict. You choose a damage type and learn whether the opponent is resistant to that damage type. You then learn one of your opponent’s weaknesses (of their choice). If your opponent has no listed weaknesses, you create a physical weakness in your target until the start of their turn.

**Rank 2 Void Kiho | *Hagemashi* | Encouraging Spark**

When you (Mike) make an initiative check, you may spend 2 Focus to create the following effect:

* Choose another character in the combat and a damage type. Until the end of that character’s next turn, they have advantage on actions that attempt to deal that type of damage and that character’s targets have disadvantage on saving throws to avoid that type of damage dealt by that character.

**Rank 2 Void Kiho | *Nagare* | Flow of Battle**

When you (Aayadin) make an initiative check, you may spend 2 Focus to create the following effect:

* You smoothly direct your allies into battle positions. After the surprise round, you may rearrange your initiative order.

**Rank 2 Void Kiho | *Kakuji* | Surety of Stone**

When you (Bastion) make an initiative check, you may spend 2 Focus to create the following effect:

* *You support your ally in the way of protection and encouragement.* Choose another character in the combat. Until the end of that character’s first turn in combat, it benefits from +2 AC and if it would have disadvantage on any roll, it does not have disadvantage.

**Rank 2 Void Kiho | *Meikai* | Clarity of Mind**

When you (Milosh) make an initiative check, you may spend 2 Focus to create the following effect:

* *The start of the river influences the end. You predict the course of events for a short period of time.* Roll two d20 at the start of combat. You may use them to replace any roll made by allies or enemies during the current combat encounter.

**Rank 2 Void Kiho | *Ashiba* | Fleet Footed**

When you (Winky) make an initiative check, you may spend 2 Focus to create the following effect:

* *You guide your allies through example and your knowledge of terrain and nature.* For the first round of combat, you and your allies ignore penalties from difficult terrain and gain 50% extra movement speed.