Magic Of The Spirit

Magic of the Spirit

This lore blog is to make an addendum towards this blog as after a rousing discussion with a great friend, I have completely considered a new clear-cut idea of what is aura magic.

The idea I have had with magic is the concept of manipulating energy or forces in the universe to lead to varying effects. Everything else was relatively clear, but aura felt a bit vague. In discussions with a friend, ze had asked me about the idea of soul magic in regard to Jedah since he has a big thing for it in the original Darkstalkers. And well, Jedah does play a big role in Cryas Darkstalkers. First of all, that had me consider the idea of what is a 'soul'. For both Cryas Darkstalkers and Cryas Chronicles, a soul is a cluster of energy that has tightly bonded in a bizarre, unknown manner that can lead to the ability for what we interpret as 'consciousness'. As an analogy, think of atoms: within an atom are particles that help create the atom and make up all different kinds of substances in the universe. Also within them is the potential for an immense amount of energy. Of course, playing recklessly with such stuff can lead to disastrous results.

Magic that uses this spiritual energy involves users weaving carefully through these bonds and siphoning the energy within the soul to use for varying purposes. What I've had as a spark of imagination is this idea: Soul and Aura magic use the same source of energy for their discipline of use. The difference is how they get this spiritual energy. Soul magic involves using the souls of others while Aura is the use of one's own soul. This plays on the idea I already had when it comes to Fire and Ice magic. Those forms of magic both use heat but involve moving heat in different manners to get the desired result. The precedent is there, and I don't like the idea of basically conjuring a new form of energy and just have that magic be the use of this made-up energy with no explanation. Make use of what exists and interpret it based on what I believe.

In essence the use of spiritual energy for magic exists in both realities, but the difference is generally more prevalent. Soul magic is without a doubt the most common form of spiritual manipulation in the Cryas Darkstalkers mythos, while Aura is prevalent in the Cryas Chronicles mythos. But both forms are capable in each.

With this epiphany, I do need to consider some ideas for Cryas Chronicles with this new knowledge. Soul magic is possible in it, but... the idea of souls is not a very prevailing concept that is widely accepted. That mythos is not as supernaturally crazy as what can go down in the Cryas Darkstalkers mythos. If Soul magic exists, and perhaps there are those who can use it, it would likely have a different name and such. Just differences in ideas and culture. Oooo, this is quite exciting! 😆

Made an adjustment regarding Wind element. Water, Terra, and Wind all use gravity.

Fundamentals of Magi Artes and Magic

In Cryas Chronicles (and to an extent Cryas Darkstalkers), magic has been a phenomenon that has prevailed for many eons in countless civilizations across the realms of the universe. Many cultures have described, observed, documented, and spread their own understanding of this peculiar ability that many lifeforms have been able to perform. In the purest understanding, magic is the ability for one to manipulate many forms of energy and the forces in the universe to heed their commands. Some cultures saw this as this work of supernatural forces beyond their understanding while others came to see these abilities with a rational, open mind worth time to study and truly understand. As the eons marched on and people discovered different forms of magic, 'disciplines' or 'elementals' of these artes were understood. While they go by different names, for the sake of you dear reader, here they are in a way you can understand: Fire, Ice, Water, Terra, Lightning, Wind, Dark, Light, Ethereal, Aura, and Astral.

One might be curious as to what these disciplines are. Fortunately, what they are and how they work will be presented

Fire and Ice share the same form of energy that is used to cast these artes: Heat energy. Where the difference lies is how the heat is manipulated. Performing fire artes has the user concentrate heat in whatever manner is desired. Ice meanwhile has the caster move heat away rapidly from an area at a need volume for the desired effect. Many forms of fire artes do take on the look of flames in various shapes and size, but the key feature is being able to concentrate that heat properly. Commonly, ice artes involve freezing particles of vapor and air to create ice crystal of various shapes and size for the need effect, though sometimes just the lack of heat to a certain degree can be more than enough. To a degree, both disciplines are intertwined enough to where some manipulators of heat will learn artes from both elementals.

Water, Terra, and Wind all use the force of gravity in order for the needed artes to be performed. At its basics, these artes require the user to both understand how to manipulate gravity and then the property of the desired substance to then move for the wanted effect. The better their understanding of gravity manipulation, the larger quantity and speed at which the substance can be moved. Due to water, the land, and air being all around for users to use, that is how these elementals got their names despite using the same force. However, there is a big difference between moving liquid particles, solids, and gases around. Practicing this is key to use either water, terra, or wind elemental.

Lightning is an elemental that involves the manipulation of electrical energy. Via this discipline, casters can either cause bolts of the largest and fiercest lightning to the smallest sparks of electricity, or even manipulate magnetic fields for whatever use is wanted.

Dark elemental is a peculiar form of magic that involves the manipulation of energy to vibrate. In essence, the creation of sound waves. While sounds are a constant in the lives of those in the universe, the particular soundwaves crafted by dark magi artes tend to involve inducing emotional response from the victim. Sometimes it can be pleasant or sometimes it can instill dread. It is up to the caster to manipulate sound for what they want.

Light magic is the manipulation of electromagnetic radiation in order cast various artes. While light is something we all see and can perceive, manipulators of light can command the various wavelengths of this energy for many applications. From clusters to concentrated rays of energy, the possibilities are endless.

Ethereal and Aura are an interesting pair of elementals as they use exactly the same energy, and both involve using that energy in the same potential ways. However, where the difference lies is how both source their energy, of which is known as spiritual energy. Spiritual energy exists primarily in a 'soul'. A soul is an extremely condensed cluster of energy that has tightly bonded in a bizarre fashion. Due to this occurrence, the energy that combines into these clusters take on special properties. These properties can potentially allow for the phenomenon intelligent life has come to interpret as a 'conscious'. While this energy is forged in by this occurrence, it doesn't have to just exist in a soul. Should something force the bonds that hold a soul together to break, the spiritual energy can scatter. No longer in its cluster, in time the spiritual energy will eventually convert into other forms of energy. It can last longer if it can inhabit other lifeforms, but in time it will lose its properties and breakdown into other forms of energy. While both elementals are capable of making use of this scattered spiritual energy, the primary draw of their abilities is the ability to maneuver through the bonds of a soul and siphon fractions of the immense well of spiritual energy. The key difference is the soul used: Ethereal draws on using the soul's of others while aura draws from the user's own soul for power. The ethereal elemental can use as many souls as needed, but due to each soul bonding in different ways, their wells to draw from need to be understood before they can cast any ethereal artes. Because an aura caster's soul is innately familiar to them, it is significantly easier to draw from this well. However, improper handling of this flow of spiritual energy can potentially be fatal. Either elemental is capable of numerous feats due to the immense amount of energy but can be dangerous is not properly learned.

Astral elemental is regarded as the oldest discipline of magic. The name of the elemental draws inspiration from the thought that all energy from the dawn of time came into existence due to the birth of stars and the cosmos as a whole. Primordial, raw energy that flows everywhere. In time, this energy and the forces of the universe allowed for the realms that would come to be. When astral artes were figured out and understood better, this allowed others to find their way to other forms of manipulating the forces and energies that exist.

Making use of Magi Artes requires one to train themselves to understand the fundamentals of the chosen elemental's discipline of manipulation. Some are only capable of one elemental; others are capable of many forms. Some individuals are natural gifted to use magic, while others require hours upon hours of training to even begin at a basic level, if they are even capable of doing so. As time marched on, people found a desire to regard certain magi artes into what are known as 'tiers'. The idea is to give people a benchmark idea that artes of a higher tier have much better effects or power, but also require better stamina and skill to even use these magi artes. The tiers of Magi Artes as follow:

Tier 1 = Neophyte

Tier 2 = Intermediate

Tier 3 = Master

Tier 4 = Arcane

Tier 5 = Mystic

Tier 6 = Ultima

Magic Artes require knowledge of the arte, stamina, and the knowledge of the needed amount of energy or force required to manipulate. With practice and experience, casters can use artes of any tier more efficiently so long as they understand their limits and the risks with each elemental. Many magi artes do require the user to be still and focus in order to properly manipulate their elemental of choice, which can be risky depending on the urgency of the situation. With that in mind, some casters found a way around this with the use of Arte Reserves. Inducing a Magi Arte into an object, casters can instantly make use of Magi Artes in situations with practically no time wasted on incantations. However, Arte Reserves are limited and thus users must keep in mind how many are still in stock lest they find themselves in a dangerous situation.

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Consider this a revision of this lore blog here:

I'd rather not completely delete this blog for the purpose of looking back on things and... well cause I don't feel like it. 😅

The power of the spirit compels you!

One thing that has always been a constant for me is how those who can use the aura elemental are immune to the corrupting effects of Coriyami. With the fact that I now am going forward with the idea of aura being spiritual energy manipulated from the caster's own soul, how does this provide protection from one of the most feared substances in the Cryas Chronicles mythos?

Corriyami evolved alongside lifeforms on Umbralus and Illumalus. As time passed over aeons, Corriyami evolved to specifically hijack the cells of specific lifeforms, fauna-based lifeforms to be exact. It never evolved to consume spiritual energy. In the simplest way, when one has the ability to use the aura elemental, their body effectively can use their spiritual energy to basically trick the Corriyami. While this doesn't destroy the Corriyami, it does allow the individual's own body and immune system to fight back against the Corriyami. The Corriyami is basically unaware of what is going on and is destroyed by the immune system or eventually passed through the body.

Lore Bits: Of samurai and bees

Have had some thoughts lately about two different characters and wish to now share with ya'll what I have crafted for Cryas Darkstalkers lore within this installment of Lore Bits. Today's focus will be on the cursed samurai, Bishamon and the demon bee, Q-Bee.

Bishamon:

Born on January 18th, 1673, during the Edo Period of Japan in the northern region of what would become the Aomori Prefecture.

'Bishamon' is actually not his name. This samurai's true name is Zenbē (善兵衛).

Being a samurai, he was part of a clan. His clan was know as the Tsugaru Clan (津軽氏)

Thus, his full name would be Zenbē Tsugaru (津軽 善兵衛, Tsugaru Zenbē).

He would eventually marry a woman who went by the name, Orin (オリン).

An accomplished and skillful warrior, he was well respected as a force of nature on the battlefield with his tactics, keen eyes, and mastery of his arsenal. Despite many battles, he had managed to live quite a long life by the standards of Japanese at the time. However, a life-changing event would occur in 1722 when he was age 49.

The enemy of his clan, the Nanbu Clan, were making their way into Tsugaru territory, seeking to conquer.

Initially, Zenbē's clan had sent the younger blood to fight. Despite some initial success, the tides were turning in favor for the Nanbu. As word of the ever-snowballing losses for the Tsugaru kept coming in, Zenbē grew worried for not only his people, but especially Orin.

One night, he had a dream where the voice of two spirits sought to provide him with the answer he needed. Upon waking up, he went to the location without telling anyone where he was heading.

Trekking up a mountain, Zenbē happened on the ruins of a monastery. Within, as told by the spirits in his dream, he came upon an armor and blade. While the armor looked intimidating and something within him felt uneasy, the promise of becoming an unstoppable warrior who could save his clan from ruin clouded his judgement. Aware of his age and too worried for his wife and people, he donned the armor and blade.

Immediately, the demonic influence of the pair, Hannya and Kien, began taking hold of Zenbē. With the promise of battle, they initially allowed Zenbē to keep control. Going into a battle that was going on, the Nanbu forces were slaughtered by Zenbē as their arrows couldn't stop him and their weapons bounced off him.

However, after the battle was won, Hannya and Kien would take control. Turning on his fellow Tsugaru kin, the demonic kinnies began a murderous rampage to quench their thirst for blood and souls. Seeing what he was doing, Zenbē desperately tried to regain control, but was powerless.

In time as they slowly began their spree of terror, Zenbē would begin to have his mind be clouded by the kinnies. However, one key moment would allow him to almost regain control.

When Zenbē came across a familiar building, he happened upon his wife. In the fog of his mind, he realized what was going on and tried to stop as his memories of Orin were coming to the forefront of his mind. However, he would kill his wife. As the pair were about to consume her soul, Zenbē's sheer rage and grief allowed him to regain control. However, it would not last as the kinnies, in a last-ditch effort for survival, sought to quell their host. Promising him that they would keep her safe within, allowing the two to stay together. This allowed them to regain control. Hannya and Kien would not seek to double cross on their word, only to make sure that an outburst like that would not happen again.

Upon coming across a temple and seeing inscriptions about the deity, Bishamon, the kinnies sought to rename their host to Bishamon. Their idea was to strike fear into the mortals with the idea that this god of war now walks among them, seeking only for their blood and souls.

This rampage would go on across Japan and eventually make way into China from 1722 till 1807.

After an intense battle with the demon of the east, Hsien-Ko and Mei-Ling unknowingly freed Zenbē and Orin from their imprisonment after defeating 'Bishamon'.

Despite effort by Hsien-Ko to break the kinnies by sheer force and Mei-Ling using her Xiānshù arts to banish them, nothing either sister did worked.

Hannya and Kien, per an idea by Zenbē, would be sealed in a tomb among the eerie, volcanic landscape of Mount Osore. With the idea in place, Mei-Ling was able to at least place many talismans upon the kinnies to quell their ability to seek a new host.

Upon making way to Japan and traveling to Mount Osore, a tomb at the highest, most dangerous peak was dug up. The sealed Hannya and Kien were placed deep within and the tomb was promptly sealed

From then on, Zenbē sought to dedicate the rest of his time to seeking a way to permanently destroy the pair as a way to redeem his soul from the horrors he committed upon the innocent. Orin would stick by him to aid in his goal.

While his wife and the sisters would call him by his true name of Zenbē. he decided that as penance, he would keep the mantle of Bishamon as to not tarnish his clan, nor name, any further that he already did with his foolish decision he made all those years ago.

Before I explain about Q-Bee, I must first explain more about Soul Bees as a species/race in Cryas Darkstalkers.

Soul Bees are a race of lifeforms that evolved from a species of Makaiin bees many eons ago. Makaiin bees were a parasitic, solitary species that sought to infect hosts in order to reproduce. However, a mutation occurred that paved the way for the evolution of Soul Bees of the current day.

Soul Bees are a eusocial race that work together for the good of the hive. Among their structure are three sub-species: D-Bees, P-Bees, and the Q-Bee.

D-Bees:

D-Bees, ranging in heights of 1ft to 2ft play the role of scout, hunter, and gatherer of the hive. They scour the territory in order to gain information to inform the hive. Information is not the only thing they seek as they also hunt down a valuable resource: souls.

If a suitable prey is found, the D-Bee will use their speed, venom, stingers, and claws to kill their prey. They do not seek to confront above their weight class as they must manage their energy output properly.

Once victorious, the D-Bee consumes the body and then gathers the soul to keep safe for transportation to the hive. The soul is kept in a specialized organ in their abdomen.

In the time between scouting and hunting, D-Bees will also seek flowers in order to gain nutrients to help fuel their bodies. This allows them to be pollinators in Makai, allowing for a large variety of flora to grow.

Can live for about a few years.

P-Bees:

P-Bees, standing around 3ft to 4ft, take on a number of roles in the hive, from maintenance, caretakers of the brood, defenders of the hive, and distributors of food supplies.

In their role of maintenance, P-Bees will make repairs and improvements to the hive. They make sure everything is sturdy enough for food storage, a 'nursery' for the brood, and for the Q-Bee. The hive is constructed from a specialized mixture of saliva, pollen resin, natural wax produced by D-Bees, and sediment from the surrounding area. While the outside primarily uses sediment for a tougher structure, the inside for the comb structures used to store the brood and food supplies use the other listed materials to allow for some flexibility, while being strong enough to withstand their weight.

The eggs, larvae, and pupae make up what are known as the brood. These are cared for by the P-Bees as to ensure the population is maintained for the good of the hive. When the Q-Bee has laid her batch of eggs, the P-Bees will gather them and place them in special combs so they can be kept safe till they hatch. From there, they are cleaned and fed by the P-Bees till they eventually become new D-Bees and P-Bees.

Built stronger and sturdier than D-Bees, the P-Bees are capable of defending the hive should a curiously hungry predator seek a meal. They have stingers and claws, but unlike D-Bees, fully have the support of the hive close-by, along with food supplies to keep them energized. P-Bees seek to kill when the hive is threatened. When victorious, the prey, along with fallen P-Bees, are consumed for nourishment. Any souls are given to the Q-Bee.

Gathering the honey produced by the Q-Bee, this substance is stored in specialized combs around the hive. The P-Bees are tasked with feeding the entire hive, making sure everyone gets their share of this highly nutritious substance.

Lifespan of about a few decades.

Q-Bee:

Standing at a titan 8ft to 9ft tall, the Q-Bee is the heart of the hive. She plays an important role in the repopulation of the hive and the reason the species are known as 'Soul Bees'.

When D-Bees comeback with souls or P-Bees manage to defend the hive and get souls out of the endeavor, all souls are given to the Q-Bee. Ingesting the souls, Q-Bees begin a specialized process in breaking down the soul in order to get at the unfathomable energy within.

While D-Bees and P-Bees can process stray spiritual energy for nourishment, their bodies are not capable of digesting a soul. Any attempt to do so would prove catastrophically fatal. However, the Q-Bee has evolved to not only do this safely, but efficiently.

The vast energy is used to feed the Q-Bee's ravenous need for energy to do several things: produce eggs, fuel her body so she can digest more souls, and create a viscous substance used to feed the hive known as honey. The honey of Soul Bees is packed with an immense of energy and the nutrients P-Bees, D-Bees, and the brood need to survive and thrive.

While the rest of the hive will put their lives on the line, should a powerful threat start to prove too much, the Q-Bee will step in as the final line of defense. Despite her immense size, she is fully capable of flying with great speed and maneuverability.

Beyond her speed, she is equipped with claws, stingers, and venom like her fellow D-Bees and P-Bees. However, these are far more deadly with her sheer size and speed, allowing her to impale and tear with ferocity.

Another trait she has are specialized toxic scales that can be emitted from her wings. These scales can irritate the skin and lungs of victims.

The Q-Bee exoskeleton evolved to be extremely tough.

Using specialized signals via vibrations and pheromones, the Q-Bee can rally and fully control her hive to fight more effectively beyond their instincts.

Unlike the rest of her hive, the Q-Bee is the only one with a fully-fledged soul and thus the capability to think at an intellectual level beyond instinct. This allows her to plan and strategize.

The Q-Bee is the only one capable of speech and thus has the ability to talk with other lifeforms. In general, she can speak the Makaiin tongue to some degree.

Jedah managed to make contact with a Soul Bee hive millenia ago. He was curious about the ability of the Q-Bee to so easily reduced souls to tangible sources of nourishment. In studying her, he gained a better understanding of souls and thus his own being and ability to manipulate spiritual energy.

In return for allowing his studies, he granted them protection and a steady source of 'food' to maintain the hive.

When the time comes for the end of the Q-Bee's life, a signal is given to D-Bees to seek a suitable host. Prepping them with more honey than usual, D-Bees seek to find a competent host and bring them back to the hive alive. Once one is brought back, the host is paralyzed via a special venom. From there, the Q-Bee emerges to pierce the host and insert a special larva inside their still living body of the victim. From there, the Q-Bee dies. The body of the victim serves as an incubator and food source of the quickly growing larva. Once ready, the still growing Q-Bee will emerge from her incubator. The hive will then seek to care for the new Q-Bee till she has fully reached maturity within a few days of rapid growth and change. From there, she will then care for her hive and assume her role.

The soul of the past Q-Bee is used as the first soul to be consumed by the new Q-Bee to begin her role in creating a new brood and food for her hive.

In the chance a Q-Bee dies in combat, the soul of the Q-Bee will influence a P-Bee, likely the strongest, to undergo an extremely quick metamorphosis. While this will cause some of the food supply and fellow P-Bees and D-Bees to be consumed to fuel the transformation, once the P-Bee has transformed enough to become the new Q-Bee, the soul of the deceased Q-Bee will then feed herself to the new Q-Bee to allow for the extreme hunger to be quenched and to quickly get the hive back into healthy order.

Due to her role, the life span of the Q-Bee can be for around a century.

That should do it for this installment. If ya got questions, feel free to ask and I'd be happy to elaborate on some Cryas Darkstalker lore regarding what I talked about. 😎😙

" HEY-HO ! "

HEY-HO!!! 🥹💙💙💙

Hsien-Ko and Mei-Ling Lore Bits 4

I had made mention of bringing up some new information that came to mind during my research. And now, I am ecstatic to share! 😄Brace yourself for not only cool additions to their lore, but some Mandarin Chinese script here and there. 🧧

The Igyou Tenshin no Jutsu (いぎょう-てんしん-の-じゅつ) was the name of the art used by their mother and them in the original lore. However, that name is Japanese. After finally getting a translation of this skill (Change Oneself to a Strange Form Technique) then finding a way to translate that into Mandarin, I finally have a name for the art in Cryas Darkstalkers!

異形變形術 (Yìxíng Biànxíng Shù) is the new official name of the art. In English, it means Irregular Shape Change Skill. Also for fun, the simplified script for ya'll: 异形变形术

Jiangshi can enter into a state known as 狂暴 (kuángbào). Basically, translating to 'frenzy', this is a state where a jiangshi is driven into an unpredictably violent rampage for Qì if they have gone too long without feeding.

Hsien-Ko is no different in terms of the requirements to enter kuángbào. However, as she still possesses a conscious, unlike most jiangshi that come into existence. When in frenzy, her body forces her mind to be locked deep away as the desire for Qì takes over.

Even if Qì is obtained, the frenzied Hsien-Ko would still go on a rampage as with her mind locked away, Mei-Ling can't influence Hsien-Ko. The only way to stop her is for Mei-Ling to reattach in her talisman form and bring back Hsien-Ko.

As she is also a jiangshi by nature of the Yìxíng Biànxíng Shù, Mei-Ling does require Qì. However, she doesn't enter into kuángbào via a hunger for Qì. Only via sufficiently strong magic interference can cause her to go frenzy.

When Mei-Ling does get hungry for Qì, she tends to get lethargic and irritable.

Mei-Ling can transform into a form known as 護身符 (hùshēnfú). With her role as 'the mind', she has to help regulate the flow of Qì in Hsien-Ko to allow 'the body' to function at full power while also having control of said power.

While the term hùshēnfú basically translates to amulet/talisman, the specific form she takes on is joss paper, 金紙.

金紙 (jīnzhǐ) translates to 'golden paper. The texture of her form is that of coarse bamboo paper, the traditional material for joss paper. Interestingly, the golden color is a signifier of being an offering for deities.

The script on her form translates to 'keep this on your body to keep you safe'.

While in her talisman form, Mei-Ling has a special enchantment on her granted by the Yìxíng Biànxíng Shù. This enchantment is known as 奇異守護 (Qíyì Shǒuhù).

Qíyì Shǒuhù, or Strange Protection, allows her to be able to perform her function as 'the mind' by granting her hùshēnfú form total immunity from practically any form of magic. The only real way to 'damage' her is to physically break her talisman form to force her back to her true form. Ripping, shredding, and cutting the form are the best ways.

Even when her form is attacked by physical means, Mei-Ling's true form doesn't suffer actual harm. However, she can't change back for some time as her Qì needs to reconstruct the form internally. This can not only leave her vulnerable to genuine harm but means that Hsien-Ko can't be at full strength for the time being.

Mei-Ling did attempt to reverse engineer the Qíyì Shǒuhù to provide Hsien-Ko with this form of protection. Years of tinkering, she eventually had to stop by the pleads of Hsien-Ko.

Despite the fruitless endeavor, her trying to figure out this enchantment did help her eventually craft one for Hsien-Ko that allowed for the phasing of her body through clothing, along with manipulation of it. Something that would be applied to the clothes that she would make for Hsien-Ko in the future.

轉生術 (Zhuǎnshēng Shù) is the final art taught to Xiānshùshī who have been recognized with the title of Shīfu. Translating to 'Reincarnation Skill', Zhuǎnshēng Shù is said to allow the caster's soul to be able to safely depart for the afterlife.

Because the Yìxíng Biànxíng Shù transformed them both to jiangshi, their souls have been tethered to their bodies as a fuel source to allow them to continue living and replace the metabolic functions of their bodies.

The sisters are incapable of passing on via natural causes. The only ways the sisters can truly die is either being killed or allowing their bodies to fully consume their souls. The first option is not a way that either sister wishes to die and the later would lead to their erasure. A true death in a way.

The Zhuǎnshēng Shù is the only means that allows the sisters to pass away peacefully. Once they save their mother and have a final conversation with her after awakening from a long coma, Mingxia bestows not only the mirror and necklace back as a gift to her daughters, but also the knowledge of the Zhuǎnshēng Shù to recognize them both as Shīfu.

As mentioned above, the Yìxíng Biànxíng Shù turned Hsien-Ko in the body of a jiangshi and Mei-Ling into the mind of a jiangshi. The rest of this Lore Bits shall be dedicated to what the Yìxíng Biànxíng Shù did to Hsien-Ko, to Mei-Ling, and to both. First, to both:

Metabolic functions ceased in both sisters. For all intents and purposes, they are dead.

Qì is required to not only satiate their bodies, but to allow for limited bodily functions, like their digestive systems, movement, and brain function.

Neither sister needs to breathe oxygen.

Innately, both sisters are granted the ability known as Qì Absorption. This art is executed by a focused deep breath that allows for spiritual energy to flow from the target into their bodies.

Both have a high tolerance for temperature variance. The only way they can feel hot or cold is via extremes of either.

They possess a sensitivity to the presence of living beings and of stray spiritual energy.

Both have the ability to walk on air for brief periods of time.

They age physically very slowly.

Food can be eaten, and liquids can be drunk and processed by their digestive systems. The energy obtained from this can be used, but since their bodies require Qì to make their digestive systems work in the first place, this can't be a substitute for consumption of Qì, only slow it down.

As for how Hsien-Ko is specifically affected:

Sunlight debuffs Hsien-ko, specifically during the times when the sun is up directly in the sky. The reason for this is that the amount of energy from direct sunlight disturbs the imbalance of Qì she suffers innately from.

Thankfully she is not harmed by the rays of light, but she can feel its effects on her.

Unlike when she was human, Hsien-Ko is incapable of properly controlling her Qì.

Thanks to the innate imbalance of Qì flow in her, Hsien-Ko requires the consumption of more Qì compared to Mei-Ling.

Being 'the body', Hsien-Ko possesses a healing factor. The more Qì she has in reserves, the better her regenerative abilities are.

Despite the lack of full control of her Qì, Hsien-Ko innately has greater physical strength than she could ever achieve with Qì control as a human.

Hsien-Ko's nails have the ability to grow to 152cm (5ft). They are very durable and can be used to slash or pierce particularly vulnerable targets.

Hsien-Ko's body can easily contort into very unnatural poses and directions.

Oddly, her tongue can extend her tongue by 92cm or roughly 3ft.

While the best way to consume Qì is via Qì Absorption, Hsien-Ko can also sap Qì via physical contact. But this is less efficient.

Hsien-Ko cannot enter REM sleep naturally. In fact, she hardly needs to sleep. While initially seen as cool, Hsien-Ko desperately wanted to experience sleep, especially during the times she must be in the coffin. With help from Mei-Ling, she found ways to be able to rest.

The only way Hsien-Ko can enter REM sleep is via talismans crafted by Mei-Ling with the enchantment to allow it.

As mentioned above, Hsien-Ko can enter kuángbào via a hunger for Qì. However, she also can enter the state via being too far away from Mei-Ling for too long or via a disturbance to her Qì at an extreme caliber.

If not in kuángbào, should any talisman be placed on Hsien-Ko, she will be left paralyzed. However, if commands written in Manchu or Chinese scripts are on the talismans, she will be forced to obey the commands against her will.

The only commands she will not obey are ones that bring harm to Mei-Ling, her 'mind' to her 'body'.

Hsien-Ko undergoes the most physical changes to her form. Her skin is now a shade of light blue. Her eyes are that of a golden yellow. Her hair color is now a deep blue violet color, along with a wilder style.

Moss does grow on Hsien-Ko. However, she does strive to get rid of it when grows sufficiently on her body.

Finally, how Mei-Ling was affected:

Unlike Hsien-Ko, Mei-Ling didn't experience many physical changes. Her hair changed style and color to of a more umber shade rather than her original near dark brown color. Her eyes changed to that of a brilliant jade green.

The only giveaway that Mei-Ling is not human to the average individual is her lack of body heat.

Mei-Ling in her talisman form can possess other individuals, the ability of control varying.

Being 'the mind', Mei-Ling has a deep sensitivity to Hsien-Ko's thoughts and emotions.

When she sleeps, often enough she will suffer nightmares, ranging from reliving the night her mother sacrificed herself to the time her frenzied sister nearly killed her.

However, some nightmares are the perspective of Hsien-Ko's fears and memories.

Not only does she serve to stabilize Hsien-Ko's Qì, but also her emotional state as to ensure Hsien-Ko can serve her function in combat. A negative filter in a way.

While she can and does strive to work through this, there are times where she will breakdown and require comfort from Hsien-Ko. In turn, Hsien-Ko does her best to maintain a cheerful mood that is born from her being in a good headspace and not because Mei-Ling had to absorb some of the brunt of her emotions. Plus, to also make her big sister feel better. 🥹

After being comforted, Mei-Ling generally is capable of experiencing pleasant dreams. Assuring both sisters are in a great mood.

Mei-Ling generally sleeps for about 7 hours.

That should end this Lore Bits. Quite a lot to go through, but finally happy to get this out! 😎 Hope you enjoy learning about Hsien-Ko and Mei-Ling of Cryas Darkstalkers. 😊