by Eloy Lasanta (Kindred of the East | Resources)
The nature of the human spirit is fragile, indeed. Even the most virtuous spirit can be defiled by temptation. The most noble of spirits can be crushed under the foot of defeat. Too many things in a human’s life can affect their spirit. This, too, is true about their deaths.
In this article, I will be going over the basic concept of the Yulan-jin, as well as some of my own colorful adages that may make integrating them into your campaigns or playing much easier on everyone involved. In other words, this is my rundown. Not everything here is canon, but it’s the way I run it. Shall we begin? Ok.
A Yulan-jin is a member of the hungry dead, just as any of the others. However, their spirits are so weak that they cannot hold on to their physical form for long. If they are suffer the Little Death at any time they will leave their body, an experience they call the Ripping, and end up in a new one with a bit of amnesia. It sucks and I’m sure you’re asking yourself...
These poor, unfortunate souls (to steal a line from Disney) take the brunt of their disadvantages from the Kuei-jin state. Yulan-jin usually die in the most horrifying ways imaginable, in situations that would break a normal person’s spirit to nothing. Having discovered the terrifying knowledge that you were the cause of the ultimate shame or death of your own family is one good one. Many Yulan-jin were also the victims of the powerful Disciplines of the Kuei-jin in their mortal days, some of which have the ability to flay a person’s soul. It could happen after they arrive in hell as well, if they are especially affected by the torture the 1000 Hells can put a soul through.
No matter the numerous reasons there are behind this condition, those afflicted feel everything stronger. The winds of Yomi cut them much deeper, the sting of the demon guard’s whip sheds a bit more blood, their spirit is weak and everyone in Hell knows it. They often become the favorite "playthings" for the demons and servants of the Yama Kings, who amuse themselves with their torture like burning an ant with a magnifying glass.
The soul just doesn’t have the power to fight back.
Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it), they don’t have the power to stay for long either. The scars that Yomi carves into the soul leaves its very being unstable in the eyes of Heaven. This, not because of the Po’s cunning or strength, is the common reason why Yulan-jin return to the Middle Kingdom at all; because they are too weak to stay anywhere for too long, even Hell. Although, there are still other souls, just like a Yulan-jin’s, that simply wither and fade.
Those Yulan-jin lucky enough to escape hell and not vanish due to sheer weakness return from Yomi the same way other Kuei-jin do. They inhabit their own body and become chih-mei, ravenous creatures bent on devouring the precious chi of any around them. But capturing them is a chore in itself.
To pin a chih-mei in a corner is to call it’s Demon Chi into the situation, making it faster and meaner then before. In these sort of situations, "putting down" the beast is safer than trying to take it unharmed. For a normal Kuei-jin, this simply knocks him out temporarily until he can be trained correctly. For a Yulan-jin, however, meeting the Little Death means moving his predatory spirit to another dead body to inhabit and begin their rampage again. This can go on for weeks, and in many cases does just that. Until they are able to bring it in safely, it travels all around the Middle Kingdom massacring everything in sight. Whenever the chih-mei wranglers realize what they face, they get out the bats and it’s clobbering time (since your spirit does not leave your body if you’re just knocked out).
Teaching a Yulan-jin is not that different than another Kuei-jin student. They choose their own path and follow it to the best of their abilities. However, the things teachers must do to instruct their pupils in their Dharma can go beyond simple koans and onto physical and mental torture in some cases. This is where things get messy.
The Path of 1000 Whispers is the most common among the Yulan-jin. However, their lives don’t only end with the gaining of enlightenment, but also if fatal mishaps occur. Often times, when they return to the Middle Kingdom in their new body, they must start a new life, since the amnesia has set in deeply. The Rootless Trees have a tendency to be very sporadic in their lives, but the Yulan-jin make it an art form. So much, as a matter of fact, that they are often referred to as the Floating Trees; not only do they have no roots, but they do not even have gravity holding them in their place.
Followers of the Way of the Resplendent Crane can find a feeling of peace within the confines of the laws they are provided. They learn their place in the world and their history and can use special rites to structure themselves in the Way. If a Yulan-jin forgets these laws after the Ripping, he would bring much shame on his mentor, incurring the wrath of many. The path of the Shining Ice Guardian brings its good and bad points, but is the second best choice.
The Thrashing Dragons, likewise, are a good choice for those who have suffered the curse of the Yulan-jin. Striving to live as much as possible is already a goal for so many of them, holding on to their bodies by a thread. There are many Yulan-jin who stay indoors all the time, scared to go into the world for fear of losing their life yet again. The Laughing Rainbows, however, are those Yulan-jin who grab life by the balls and squeeze as hard as they can, daring it to come for them.
The Quiet Song also calls to some Yulan-jin, urging them to stay in the shadows and speak only when asked something they can answer with a koan. However, the Song of the Shadow teaches to be devoid of Emotion as well. This is one of the hardest things possible for the Yulan-jin. Imagine what it would feel like, physically, spiritually and mentally, to have your spirit ripped from your body, then clawing into another body. Is this something that can be easily ignored with the Cold Mind? Hell no! Hence, some Yulan-jin attempt this path, usually finding out that it is not the way for those with no real control of themselves.
And possibly the worst and most traumatizing Dharma for a Yulan-jin to take is the Howl of the Devil-Tiger. Yes, it is the worst thing imaginable for a Yulan-jin to subject himself to constant fights, where he meets the little death in regular intervals. Most can’t even make it through their koa without changing their minds and choosing another Dharma. The ones that do try to achieve some sort of power within the Devil-Tigers will usually end up meeting Final Death and returning to Yomi, permanently.
The Yulan-jin are also drawn to the Spirit of the Living Earth Dharma and, as a Veil, can serve the spirits as well as any other Kuei-jin. But the other heretical Dharmas can only hold onto a Yulan-jin for so long. They will be crushed as Rising Phoenix the moment they lose their original body and try to convince their family that the stranger in front of them is really daddy. Not remembering your worshippers really effects a Godling’s control.
Tempests and Scorpion Eaters, likewise, are just as excitable as Devil-Tigers making it an unwise choice in Dharma.
No matter the choice in Dharma, the Yulan-jin are never truly accepted by their peers. They are different, they are weak and, as such, they are not respected by most other Kuei-jin. They consider themselves family, linked by their spiritual condition, placing the Yulan- in their name to signify their personality (ex: Yulan-Li Rong, Yulan-Anjing, etc).
The Yulan-jin have also developed their own sects, called Soul Circles. Each circle also provides one additional way for the Yulan-jin to keep his body. Joining a Soul Circle is quite easy, yet it will last for the rest of their existence. The process of a Yulan-jin’s induction involves the branding of his soul with a rite. This character, written in the oldest Kuei-jin language, Kaja, is visible only if the Yulan-jin is in spirit form away from his body or to those who use Obligation. Your affiliation cannot be changed, so choose well, but these Soul Circles are purely optional. A Yulan-jin can deny them all, but will be subject to normal rules. Below are examples, but each Storyteller is encouraged to create others to compliment his own personal world.
This circle of Yulan-jin have made peace with their condition and seek to unravel it. They realize that their state is a result of chaos in their past-life, of a weakness they still carry with them from their living days and that must be erased. This is the youngest sect of Yulan-jin, yet it has gathered quite a following since it’s founding in 1928 in Shanghai.
From research in the great libraries of Chongqing to Spirit Journeys lasting decades at a time, the Wu Ling Luan have found that Chaos is the answer to Chaos. They have found that they can quench their spirits thirst for stability by causing madness around themselves. Obviously, there are few Whispers or followers of the Quiet Song who align themselves with these crazy men.
Protection: As long as the Yulan-jin is temporarily imbalanced, they may spend chi to resist the Ripping. For every chi spent, they receive one die on a roll Difficulty 9. If the Yulan-jin scores 2 or more successes, they are able to hold onto their body. Only chi exceeding their chi virtues can be spent in this way.
Weakness: The Character will seek to throw things out of balance and must spend a Willpower point to resist for a scene.
The Family of Life prides itself on experiencing life. They can then use this infusion of life to keep their spirits from coming apart. They attempt to fill their un-lives with so much life that it mirrors the worst binges by the Thrashing Dragons (who they are a favorite amongst). This infusion of life into their bodies fills the cracks in their souls, helping them resist the Ripping. They meet twice a month in depraved orgies and inspired gatherings, debating on the causes of their condition, as well as the nature of life itself.
Protection: As long as the Yulan-jin is Yang Imbalanced, they may resist the Ripping. They receive one die for every dot of permanent Yang chi to resist at a Difficulty of 9. If the Yulan-jin scores 1 or more successes, they are able to hold onto their body.
Weakness: The Yulan-jin becomes Yin deficient. They are never able to hold more Yin than their permanent rating and must spend double the Yin needed in any use, even to raise your corpse each night (ex: Ghost Sight would cost 2 Yin to use)
This Soul Circle seek to fill themselves with the forces of Yin to achieve their balanced spirit. This can be done by protecting ghosts or their families, but also by devouring them. Yulan-jin Bone Flowers revel in this circle, as it helps them along their chosen path quite well with little need to stray from either their dharma or their "family". This circle however can turn others into corpse eating lunatics. But look at the bright side. They won’t leave their death-ridden body behind, will they?
Protection: As long as the Yulan-jin is Yin Imbalanced, they can resist the Ripping. They receive one die for every dot of permanent Yin chi to resist at a Difficulty of 9. If the Yulan-jin scores 1 or more successes, they are able to hold onto their body.
Weakness: The Yulan-jin becomes Yang deficient. They are never able to hold more Yang than their permanent rating and must spend double the Yang needed in any use, even to raise your corpse each night (ex: Life Sight would cost 2 Yin to use).
To make sure you aren’t ripped from your body, you need to be well protected. A Kevlar jacket is a good way to do it, because you can still die if there are enough bullets shot at you, right? If you can’t get a hold of any physical armor, find yourself a wise man and get some spiritual protection. There are many applications of jade, as well as special rites, to improve your ability to resist being fatally wounded. Of course, if all else fails, you can invest in the teachings of Iron Mountain; however, giving into your demon is never a good idea. Make sure you have a handle on your P’o with Cultivation or a really high Hun before taking this route.
A good way to find out who you are when you reawaken in your new body is to invest some time into learning the discipline Obligation. It allows you to look into others souls finding out their deepest darkest secrets, but the most importantly, it allows you to do the same to yourself. It is only finding out about yourself second hand, but it’s better than nothing.
Another way to keep tabs on your business, no matter what body you’re on, is to create an online identity. Make sure you commit it to memory as much as possible, since you only take the most important memories with you to your next body. Remembering your user name and password above all else, you can create a database that will have all your important knowledge about yourself in it. Bank accounts (yes, you can get rich going through a few lives in a short time) and names of friends and family members (that you would want to help console) are examples of some information you can store and save for a later time.
Now, I know that I have made it seem like the Yulan-jin probably switches bodies every other day. But quite the opposite is true. Depending on your lifestyle, you can survive years without having to worry about the Ripping. However, to be useful in any group, you’ll have to take chances and one of those chances could lead you to the Little Death.
I hope that you all enjoyed my take on the Yulan-jin. They had all of a few paragraphs devoted to them in Canon and I just though they needed more. As always, hit me up on my e-mail with any comments, suggests, complaints, etc. Peace out!
