Wu jen (pronounced: /wuːdʒɛn/ woo-jen[6]), also called wu-jen,[4] were wielders of mysterious powers, similar to wizards.[7] In T'u Lung, they were called Fang-hsiang Shih, which translated to "master of recipes".[8]
Culture[]
They used the spirit forces, elements, and the powers of nature. Usually living in the wilderness as hermits and anchorites, they purified their minds and bodies in order to make contact with assorted natural and supernatural powers in the world around them.[7]
Benefits[]
Wu jen spoke the languages of Tengu and Oni. Their dealings with these creatures granted the wu jen favor in most circumstances.[7]
One of the benefits that wu jen had was the ability to use ki to cast lesser spells at full potency. In addition, when they learned all the spells of one element that they were able to, their spells of that element became harder to dodge and easier to hit with.[7]
Unlike other wizards they could use any weapon, but still could not use armor or shields. While most wu jen had the five elements (Earth, Fire, Metal, Water, and Wood), some replaced Metal with Nature instead.[4] Though they might remember less spells, they did not need to prepare them, instead simply remembering their scriptures and casting these spells at will.[7]
They could also enter a yogic trance that is similar to an elf trance, giving them the benefits of a sleep without the penalty to their awareness.[4] They could also increase their physical power for a short duration at the cost of their health.[4]
They could also act faster than most others, and increase their potency with one of the elements, but did require a spellbook.[4] They could also gain more knowledge and could recognize spells of their elements easier.[7]
Hindrances[]
Wu jen had taboos that became more plentiful as they increased in power. These included not eating meat; not making daily offerings to the spirits; not being able to bathe, cut their hair, or touch a dead body; not sit facing a certain direction, and more.[7]
While some wu jen could combine their schools, but focused on one, some others could cast from only their own school.[4] However, they also took damage when casting stronger spells, and only received half of all magical healing.[4]
Notable Wu Jen[]
Appendix[]
Appearances[]
Novels & Short Stories
The Veiled Dragon
See Also[]
Further Reading[]
- David "Zeb" Cook (May 1996). “Campaign Classics: Wu-jen: the Oriental mage revisited”. In Pierce Watters ed. Dragon #229 (TSR, Inc.), pp. 54–58.
- Eytan Bernstein (2007-05-09). Eastern Classes. Class Chronicles. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2018-03-24. Retrieved on 2016-05-21.
References[]
- ↑ Mike Pondsmith, Jay Batista, Rick Swan, John Nephew, Deborah Christian (1988). Kara-Tur: The Eastern Realms (Volume I). (TSR, Inc), p. 16. ISBN 0-88038-608-8.
- ↑ James Wyatt (October 2001). Oriental Adventures (3rd edition). (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 30–32. ISBN 0-7869-2015-7.
- ↑ Richard Baker (November 2004). Complete Arcane. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 14–16. ISBN 0-7869-3435-2.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 David "Zeb" Cook (May 1996). “Campaign Classics: Wu-jen: the Oriental mage revisited”. In Pierce Watters ed. Dragon #229 (TSR, Inc.), pp. 55–58.
- ↑ Gary Gygax, David Cook, and François Marcela-Froideval (1985). Oriental Adventures. (TSR, Inc), pp. 14, 24–26. ISBN 0-8803-8099-3.
- ↑ James Wyatt (October 2001). Oriental Adventures (3rd edition). (Wizards of the Coast), p. 251. ISBN 0-7869-2015-7.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 Gary Gygax, David Cook, and François Marcela-Froideval (1985). Oriental Adventures. (TSR, Inc), pp. 24–26. ISBN 0-8803-8099-3.
- ↑ Mike Pondsmith, Jay Batista, Rick Swan, John Nephew, Deborah Christian (1988). Kara-Tur: The Eastern Realms (Volume I). (TSR, Inc), p. 53. ISBN 0-88038-608-8.