Qi (氣), often translated as life force, vital energy, or breath of the cosmos, is the single most important concept in the world of Murim. It is not merely a mystical power or a convenient energy source. It is the fundamental substance of existence, the invisible thread weaving together heaven, earth, and all living things. To understand Qi is to understand the Murim world itself.
In Western fantasy, magic is often cast outward, channeling arcane forces through spells, rituals, or divine blessings. In Murim, power comes not from external miracles but from the cultivation of Qi — the refinement of one’s own essence until it harmonizes with the greater forces of the universe. A true martial artist does not bend the world to their will; they become part of its rhythm and strike in tune with heaven and earth.
Internal Qi is the life force cultivated within the body. It flows through a network of meridians, invisible channels that carry energy to every organ, muscle, and nerve. A skilled cultivator learns to direct this flow with breathing patterns, meditative focus, and precise martial postures.
Role in Combat: Internal Qi fuels martial techniques — from strengthening muscles beyond human limits to sending force through a weapon strike. Shaolin monks may use it to harden their skin against blades, while Wudang disciples redirect an opponent’s strike by guiding their Qi along the enemy’s meridians.
Role in Survival: It allows cultivators to endure hunger, heal wounds faster, and resist poisons. A Tangmen assassin, for example, may circulate Internal Qi to isolate venom in their bloodstream until an antidote can be prepared.
Role in Growth: Internal Qi is what cultivators refine during meditation, slowly condensing into denser, purer forms as they ascend cultivation stages.
Mechanically in D&D terms:
Internal Qi = the player’s Qi Pool (resource points).
Spent to activate martial techniques, empower strikes, or resist damage.
Internal Qi maximum scales with Constitution + Wisdom (reflecting body + mind).
External Qi is the energy of nature itself. It is the breath of mountains, the flow of rivers, the crackle of fire, the weight of earth, and the stillness of the void. While Internal Qi belongs to the individual, External Qi belongs to the cosmos, and cultivators draw upon it by harmonizing their dantian with the environment.
Role in Combat: A Wudang swordsman may channel the wind’s Qi to make his blade dance with unstoppable grace. An Emei disciple may draw upon moonlight and serenity to strengthen her meditation-based strikes.
Role in Exploration: Cultivators can sense disturbances in natural Qi flows — the corrupted miasma of demonic beasts, the lingering killing intent of ancient battlefields, or the auspicious Qi surrounding sacred grounds.
Role in Growth: Higher levels of cultivation require external resonance. To reach Soul Ascension, one must not only refine their inner Qi but also synchronize with heaven and earth’s rhythm.
Mechanically in D&D terms:
External Qi = Environmental Modifier.
In areas of strong fire Qi (volcanoes, forges), fire techniques cost less Qi or deal more damage.
In corrupted lands, External Qi may cause debuffs (disadvantage on cultivation rolls, increased risk of Qi deviation).
To fully comprehend Qi, cultivators divide it into three interrelated aspects:
Jing (Essence): The body’s raw vitality — blood, marrow, and physical strength. Without Jing, there is no life. Cultivators refine Jing to strengthen their bones, muscles, and resilience. (Mechanically: tied to HP, CON saves, physical growth.)
Qi (Energy Proper): The active force flowing through meridians, empowering strikes and techniques. Cultivators refine Qi into purer forms, eventually condensing it into cores. (Mechanically: Qi Pool, technique activation, spell-like resource.)
Shen (Spirit): The mind, will, and consciousness. Shen governs clarity, resistance to illusions, and mastery of inner demons. Without Shen, Qi becomes unstable. (Mechanically: WIS saves, insight, advantage on resisting corruption.)
Together, Jing, Qi, Shen form the trinity of cultivation. A cultivator must balance all three — a strong body without spirit becomes a brute; a strong spirit without essence burns out like a candle.
Qi is not reserved only for martial heroes. In Murim, it shapes every layer of society:
Farmers bless their crops by aligning their labor with the flow of seasonal Qi.
Physicians diagnose illnesses as blockages of Qi in the body’s meridians.
Blacksmiths forge legendary blades in forges where the fire Qi of the earth is strongest.
Musicians at Scholar’s Academy use sound waves as vessels for Qi, crafting melodies that heal or harm.
Thus, even non-cultivators respect Qi as the unseen law of existence, just as gravity is respected in the real world.
Meridians: Invisible energy pathways within the body. Martial techniques often strike specific meridian points (acupuncture) to disrupt or enhance Qi flow.
Dantian: The core reservoir of Qi, located below the navel. Cultivators refine Qi here before circulating it outward.
Nodes & Gates: Key points in the meridians that must be opened through breakthroughs. Failing to open them cleanly can cripple a cultivator or cause Qi deviation.
Mechanically:
Meridians = “skill trees.” Unlocking a meridian gate = gaining a new ability.
Dantian expansion = level-up milestone (more Qi Pool capacity).
Every cultivator’s Qi eventually takes on the flavor of their Dao — their personal philosophy or chosen path.
A sword cultivator’s Qi may feel sharp, cold, and inevitable.
A healer’s Qi may flow warm and nurturing, strengthening allies.
A Tangmen assassin’s Qi may carry a toxic sharpness, invisible until it strikes.
This makes Qi not only a resource but a signature, unique to each character. In-game, it lets the DM describe combat as more than dice rolls:
“You feel the suffocating shadow of his Qi pressing down, your movements sluggish as if your body itself fears him.”
“Her Qi radiates like sunlight, steady and pure, cleansing the battlefield of corruption.”
Not all Qi is pure. In the darker corners of the world:
Poison Qi: Tangmen and Wanderer’s Valley cultivate toxins into their Qi, deadly but dangerous to themselves if mishandled.
Demonic Qi: Drawn from hatred, blood, and resentment. Powerful, but it corrodes the user’s Shen over time.
Heavenly Qi: Rare, pure flows of energy found in sacred sites, often guarded by spirit beasts.
Mechanically:
Corrupted Qi may give bonus damage but increases the risk of Qi deviation.
Pure Qi may give healing, defensive bonuses, or advantage on breakthrough rolls.
Qi Pool: Resource points (like Ki). Start with 2–3 at Lv. 1, gain more per level. Max = 20 + modifiers.
Techniques: Work like spells. Each costs 1–10 Qi depending on strength.
Cultivation Rolls: On leveling, roll WIS/CON save vs. DC (10 + level). Failure = Qi deviation (lose HP, temporary debuff, or gain flaw).
Environmental Qi: DM assigns a Qi type to locations. Using aligned techniques costs –1 Qi, misaligned costs +1 Qi.
Qi Sense: All cultivators can make Perception (WIS) checks to sense Qi flows, corruption, or killing intent.
Qi defines:
Combat: Techniques, weapons, survival.
Culture: Medicine, farming, forging, arts.
Story: Rivalries between sects aren’t just political but philosophical — whose Dao is closer to heaven’s truth?
Progression: Levels aren’t abstract XP, but tangible breakthroughs of Qi mastery.
Atmosphere: Qi makes the world feel alive. Mountains breathe, rivers pulse, battlefields remember.
Without Qi, the Murim world collapses into a mundane setting. With Qi, every strike, every meditation, every decision is tied into a grand tapestry that mirrors the very laws of existence.