Kawsay ("ka-say")

Kawsay (pronounced "ka-say") is a technique that can be used to harness the various life energies found in all living things. All living creatures, from sapient fey, beasts, dragons, and bugs to even simple creatures and monsters, can utilize Kawsay.
All classes utilize Kawsay to advance, their levels.
This energy can be harnessed by adventurers in Hanaq to enhance their physical and mental abilities beyond the average limitations of the body. Specific applications of Kawsay are called "Techs". When combined with the 4 traditions of magic and alchemy, Kawsay can be used to make a limitless number of creative fighting styles.
While individuals can tap into any aspect of Kawsay without prior knowledge, learning about the different elements speeds up the process. It is common for individuals to have a natural affinity for one type of Kawsay, with another type being relatively easier to learn, a third type requiring more extensive training, and the final type being exceptionally challenging to master without significant dedication. This natural predisposition often corresponds to an individual's greatest weakness, emphasizing the need for specialized training to overcome limitations.

Air Kawsay

Air Kawsay bestows the ability to become weightless and free, granting tremendous speed at the expense of physical strength. It also attunes the user to perceiving the subtle vibrations of waves. This aspect of Kawsay is associated with the lungs as its pressure center.
Associated Stat: DEX, WIS

Air Kawsay Techs

Some common Air Kawsay Techs include:

• Move at such high speeds that one appears as a streak to onlookers. This technique is known as "Blur"
• Perform extraordinary jumps, covering absurd distances effortlessly.
• Perceive, speak, and understand words at an accelerated rate.
• Enhance agility and nimbleness, sacrificing strength in the process.
• Enhanced perception, hearing heartbeats, hearing excessively long distances
• Extremely proficient Air Kawsay users can predict movements or danger seconds before they happen as if it's a precognition

Water Kawsay

Water Kawsay enables manipulation of any form of current, whether it is encountered externally by touch or flows within one's own body. Through meditation, relaxation, and stretching exercises, practitioners develop control over this aspect of Kawsay. The focus point for Water Kawsay lies within the stomach and kidneys.
Associated Stats: DEX, CON

Water Kawsay Techs

Some common Water Kawsay Techs include:

• Redirect energy flows and currents to alter their direction or absorb their impact.
• Catch projectiles, such as bullets, through precise manipulation of currents.
• Exhibit extreme flexibility and contortion abilities.
• Stabilize emotions and achieve emotional balance.
• Manipulate energy pools within the body for various purposes.
• Temporarily paralyze opponents by blocking vital life pathways through targeted strikes at pressure points.

Fire Kawsay

Fire Kawsay grants the power to intensify the heat within one's body. Training for Fire Kawsay involves observation exercises, studying, sparring, facing adversity, and refusing to give up under extreme pressure. The focus point for Fire Kawsay lies within the brain and crown.
Associated Stats: INT, CHA, WIS

Fire Kawsay Techs

Some common Fire Kawsay Techs include:

• Accelerated thinking, known as "Burn State"
• Read words and cast spells faster, even lengthy spells comprising thousands of words.
• Propel force-multiplied projectiles.
• Develop resistance to energy-based attacks.
• Enhance disease resistance and utilize heat energy to eliminate pathogens, such as viruses, bacteria, and cancer cells.

Ground Kawsay

Ground Kawsay focuses on enhancing physical strength and endurance by increasing the potential force exerted. Individuals develop Ground Kawsay through traditional weight training. The focus point for Ground Kawsay lies within the limbs and pelvis.
Associated Stats: STR, CON

Ground Kawsay Techs

Some common Ground Kawsay Techs include:

• Sustain extended periods of physical exertion and injury without fatigue
• Solidify flesh and bone to the point that it's harder than metal
• Densify body parts to make oneself heavier, allowing individuals to exhibit strength far beyond what someone their size could exhibit

Combination Attacks

By skillfully combining different types of Kawsay, adventurers can unleash devastating combination attacks. The possibilities for combination attacks are limited only by the imagination and ingenuity of the wielder. When paired with magic, the possibilities are endless.

Air-Ground Kawsay Blitz

A technique that goes by several names ("Rush", "Martial Assault", "Blur Strike"), the Air-Ground Blitz is a versatile and common attack for martial fighters for lighting-fast assault.
Using Air Kawsay, a Kawsay user achieves unparalleled speed, closing the distance between themselves and their opponent in the blink of an eye. Just as their opponent braces for impact, the user swiftly switches to Ground Kawsay and attacks. The result is a devastating strike that delivers an unexpected and overwhelming blow to their opponent.

Air-Fire Kawsay Bullet Time

Often called "Thief Speed", the combination of Air and Fire Kawsay grants practitioners exceptional perception and reaction speed. By utilizing Air Kawsay's heightened senses and Fire Kawsay's accelerated thinking, they can anticipate and perceive the trajectory of bullets in near-real-time. With this enhanced awareness, they can effortlessly dodge incoming projectiles, even bullets fired at high velocities. This combination attack showcases the incredible defensive capabilities and reflexes of the wielder.

Force Multiplication

A favorite among gun-men and archers, this technique combines Water and Fire Kawsay. By applying this technique to projectiles, such as bullets or arrows, individuals can unleash devastating attacks that rival the impact of advanced weaponry or explosives, even in a setting limited to flintlock technology.

Air Slashing

By combining Air and Water Kawsay, a Kawsay user can Slash the air in such a way that it creates a projectile in the form of a compressed 'blade' of air

Kawsay Sensing

In addition to the elemental aspects of Kawsay, individuals in Hanaq can undergo proper training to develop Kawsay Sensing. This ability allows them to predict the affinity and proficiency of others in utilizing Kawsay. Kawsay Sensing operates on a scale from 1 to 20, with each level corresponding to the power and mastery of Kawsay, akin to levels in the PF2 role-playing system.