MANDALA SORCERY -- 15 points

This is a one-time cost paid in addition to the cost for normal Sorcery;
it is essentially a "boutique" Sorcery, as mentioned in the Powers Reform.
This is Mandala-backed, chi-based sorcery, and is only available to
Mandala initiates. Spells involving life force, nature and the elements
are especially effective when backed by the Mandala. 

The "elements" in this case includes the weather (which is useful by
itself) as well as the more symbolic elements, from the Western elements
(fire, earth, air, water and spirit) to the Chinese elements (water, wood,
fire, earth and metal). In particular, healing using the element of
"spirit" under the Western system, or "earth" under the Chinese system (as
the balancing element in the cycle of elements), can allow a Mandala
sorcerer, with time and preparation, to heal or at least ease the effects
of mental illness. In fact, with its chi-based approach, mental healing
and physical healing often go hand-in-hand with Mandala Sorcery... 

MANDALA IMPRINT -- 50 points

In order to gain the Mandala imprint, one must dance the Mandala, rumored
to be located in a mountainous location known only to the Empress and
Emperor. Dancing the complex, ever-changing Mandala is not simply a matter
of "reaching the center", like it is for the Pattern, but *understanding*
the Mandala's form and function, while simultaneously *experiencing* it. 
The would-be initiate traverses the three-dimensional (or more) construct
by touching certain points in the ever-changing pattern. The initiate
dances the Mandala, enganging in a sort of movement-based meditation,
until they reach a mystical epiphany, coming to a deep, intuitive
undersanding of how the Mandala works. How long this takes is a function
of Psyche and Endurance (both must be of Amber level or higher), though as
long the character is of the right blood, they will have an epiphany
eventually. If there is a large difference between the character's Psyche
and Endurance, there may be some difficulty, in terms of how long the
would-be initiate must dance. (And regardless of statistics, those who are
not of the right blood will find their dance does not end...) 

The powers gained after that epiphany are:

Harmony with the Tao. By standing and watching someone performing a task
for an hour and meditating upon the Tao (or the Mandala itself), a person
with a Mandala imprint can become an expert at that skill, by getting a
feel for the Tao of the task. Only skills that don't cost points (no
Sorcery, for example) are learnable in this fashion. 

Correspondence Point. The Mandala initiate contemplates the Mandala for at
least five minutes (total concentration, three times as long with
distractions), and comes to the realization that all space is an illusion.
In that moment, they can choose to appear anywhere. Only the Mandala
initiate can travel in this fashion. This is like Pattern Travel, from p.
45 of the core rulebook, but weaker. 

Mandala Sight. By calling the Mandala to mind, one can use it as a sensory
lens. In this way one can sense Great Powers, Trump, or Magic. It also
allows one to sense the life-force of a living being, gaining a general
idea of its health. This is approximately equivalent to Logrus Sight, from
p. 48 of the core rulebook, except there are no 'tendrils' involved. 

Mandala Spell Storage. One can use the Mandala as a "rack" for storing
spells. This always takes at least ten minutes, plus the normal spell
casting time, to find the most harmonious place to hang the spell. The
spell will eventually disappear into the folds of the Mandala, never to be
seen again, within days or weeks. This is equivalent to Logrus Spell
Storage from p. 48 of the core rulebook. 

Blood Blessing. The idea of calling a curse down upon a person,
diminishing both the person cursed and the person cursing, is antithetical
to the concepts the Mandala was created with. It is impossible for a
Mandala initiate to Blood Curse someone in the name of the Mandala, tho
they can, of course, do it in the name of another Great Power they are
connected to. (This may, however, cause a disruption in their relation to
Mandala, as they have lost the Way. In extreme cases, they may pay for the
Blood Curse by losing part of their Mandala imprint!) They can, however,
choose to bring bad karma upon themselves in return for bringing good
karma elsewhere -- the opposite of a Blood Curse, a Blood Blessing, is
possible with the Mandala. One must spend points for the Blessing, like
one would for a Blood Curse. 

ADVANCED MANDALA IMPRINT -- 100 points

The Tao of Sorcery. If you have basic Sorcery (or better) the cost for AMI
is discounted by 15 points. If you have Conjuration the cost is discounted
by 20 points. Basic Sorcery and Conjuration are bestowed if not already
paid for. 

Correspondence Point. This is the same as above, only the initiate can
bring up to 5 people along; as a side effect, they get to share in the
epiphany. (Not that it does them any good unless they have a Mandala
imprint.) The initiate can also transfer herself (only) after
concentrating only half the normal amount of time. 

Mandala Lens. This is a combination of Correspondence Point and Mandala
Sight, allowing one to view things from a distance. It is functionally
equivalent to Looking Through the Pattern Lens, see p. 43-44 of the core
rulebook. 

Perfect Harmony. The character is in such perfect Harmony with the Tao,
their health and luck are improved, and their tranquility is apparent to
all. The initiate heals wounds as quickly as a Shapeshifter (see p.52 of
the core rulebook), or, if already a Shapeshifter, twice as fast. They
also require half as much food and water as normal. 

Also, the initiate is in such harmony with their environment, that they
only need to think of a thing, and it tends to come to pass. The line
between them and their environment has become blurred. In terms of game
effect, his is exactly the same as Using Pattern to Affect Probability
(core rulebook, p.42), only it requires no concentration for minor shifts
(larger shifts still require some concentration), and it is much more
effective -- events as unlikely as having only having a 50% chance of
happening can be made to happen. [This makes a certain scene out of
"Rosencranz and Gildenstern are Dead" especially easy to re-create.]

The character's air of tranquility is so powerful that even the beasts of
the field recognize it -- animals will not attack the character unless
they attack first. (Within Mandala-based Shadow, all non-sapients count as
'animals'. In other Shadows, it is up to the GM or the owner of the GP
whether, say, griffins count as 'animals'.) Even when angry, the character
has a noticeable air of ease and tranquility -- how this affects
sentients, if at all, is up to the person running them. Some people may be
impressed, but many -- most notably Amberites -- will not be. [Note that
is an *air* of tranquility -- actual tranquility is something else
entirely. As pointed out to me earlier, the two Creators are hardly
tranquil -- but I'm assuming they were *thinking* of peace and tranquility
while creating the Mandala, so it shows *somehow*.]

The Five Arts. A Mandala initiate has an intuitive sense of patterns, and
what patterns are strong and flexible, and what patterns are weak and
rigid, no matter now intricate those patterns may be. This means that in
any craft skill the initiate might have, the initiate is good at designing
strong, well-made items -- an architect would be good at making strong
buildings, a potter would produce vases that were less fragile than
normal, and so on. 

This ability ranges into the area of personal health, as well. Not only
can a Mandala initiate get an excellent idea of a person's health with the
Mandala Lens, an Advanced Mandala initiate can also gain an intuitive
sense as to precisely what needs to be done to return a person to perfect
health. Actually restoring the person to health requires medical skill
(accomplished in half the usual time using this power), Mandala Sorcery,
or, if the initiate so chooses, she can focus their life energy into a
person and heal them. (For minor ailments, such as the flu, this is simply
exhausting. For major ailments, such as Chaos cancer or Abyss cancer,
points may be required -- the worse the ailment, the more points required
to heal it. If the initiate has Mandala Sorcery, it may cost less points
to heal the person, but may still require points, and certainly requires
time and energy to prepare the spell.) Some diseases may even turn out to
be incurable, though the initiate may gain some clues as to potential
treatments. 

It also means that the Mandala initiate can take a look at a military
situation, and decide what the strongest, most unbreakable defense is. In
game terms, a Mandala initiate gains a flat bonus of 25 points to their
Command score in defensive military situations ONLY. The force does not
have be immobile or "dug in", tho it helps -- there can be patrols, and so
on -- but it must be defending something the Mandala initiate already
controls militarily. (One can't decide that one is "defending" an
unconquered enemy town -- one has to capture it, without the bonus,
first.)  The bonus is only for repulsing an attacker -- even
counterattacking causes the bonus to disappear. Attackers do include,
however, treachery from within, tho such attacks are often so effective
that the bonus won't help.

EXALTED MANDALA INITIATE -- 150 points

The Tao of Sorcery. If you have power backing to Sorcery (i.e. Mandala
Sorcery) the cost is discounted by 15 points. Power backing to Sorcery is
included at this level. 

Correspondence Point. The initiate can now take up to 20 people along.
Also, if only transporting one's self, the initiate can archive the
epiphany nearly instantly, after a mere moment's concentration. 

Mandala Lens. Someone can be located anywhere in shadow (unless they're
shielded). 

Perfect Harmony. The initiate heals twice as fast as before, and needs
only water to survive, drawing sustenance from the chi in the air. Also,
highly unlikely events -- those with about a 30% chance of happening --
can be made to happen. Animals will not attack even if attacked, but they
will flee. Taking advantage of this to attack is generally bad karma,
however, and the initiate may find the Mandala punishes them later. 

Five Arts. The defense bonus is now 50 points to Command, and the initiate
can heal worse diseases for half the points as before, as well as gaining
the ability to heal some diseases previously thought impossible. Abyss
madness can even be soothed through Mandala sorcery. 

MASTER MANDALA INITIATE -- 200 points

The Tao of Sorcery. Jewel powers are included at this level. If you have
paid for a Jewel imprint, that cost is a discount. 

Correspondence Point. The initiate can now share his vision with 50
people, moving them as well. Smaller amounts of people can be moved while
spending less time concentrating. 

Perfect Harmony. The initiate now heals nearly instantly, though doing so
is still tiring. Food and water are no longer needed to survive, and most
poisons and drugs can be slowed, except for Meresha, though conscious
effort is required. The manipulation of probability had reached a point
where is the the equivalent of modifying the Shadow, see Altering the
Rules on p. 44 of the core rulebook.  Shadow dwellers and shadows may be
made more real. Animals will placidly ignore anything the initiate does to
them, though abusing this may result in harsh retaliation by Mandala
itself, possibly even losing this blessing permanently. The initiate also
has an intuitive sense as to what plants are edible and which are
poisonous, as well as which have healing properties. 

Five Arts. The defense bonus is now 75 points. Most diseases, even the
newest and/or most extreme, can be healed at this level, given enough
time, energy, and/or points. 

GRAND MASTER MANDALA INITIATE -- 250 Points

Correspondence Point. The initiate can now share his vision with 200
people, moving them with her. Lesser numbers can often be moved instantly.
Also, the character can view a distant item with the Mandala Lens, and
swipe it, moving it to the Grand Master's current location. 

Perfect Harmony. Basic Shapeshifting is a discount for this level of
Mandala -- if the Master is not already a Shapeshifter, they are one now.
The character shapeshifts twice as fast as a normal shapeshifter.
Inhibiting substances and toxins can be slowed down (including Meresha). A
single dose can be ejected from the body faster than an antidote could
work. This is not effective against a continued dosage of Meresha, though
conscious effort is not required. Animals will actively seek to aid the
character -- he may not command them, but if they see he is in trouble,
they will aid him as much as possible. The Grand Master can also, with
effort, heal someone by laying hands on them. (If the initiate has
Advanced Shape Shift, they can Shape Shift Others with merely a Psyche
advantage, without having to totally dominate them.) 

Five Arts. The defense bonus is now 100 points. In addition to being able
to heal nearly any disease, the Grand Master can cause a dead soul to
reincarnate on the spot, creating an infant that is genetically the child
of Mordred and Cat but with the soul of the dead individual named. This
assumes the soul is not imprisoned somehow (or already reborn) and may
cost heavily in terms of time, energy, and/or points. (Also, at the GM's
option, the soul may not want to reincarnate in Mandala. If so, it won't.)