Nihil: Unambitious actions performed with the bare minimum effort. Those who do not make decisions for themselves and leave their fates in the hands of others are most likely to be empowered by this Ideal. It is often mistaken as an unaligned Ideal that is easy to follow, though people simply trying to take a shortcut to power will have difficulty claiming it. It is impossible to develop techniques from Nihil, as that requires enough independent thought to desire a specialization.
Selflessness: Compassionate, self-sacrificing actions with the sole intention of aiding others. Warriors of Generosity are rare, with doctors and charity workers being more likely to align with the Ideal. Fighters that do gain this power rarely survive for long, as they are often driven to take great risks for the sake of their allies. It is known as “Charity” by the Divine Empire, and is one of the more widely known paths to follow. Techniques formed from Generosity are often very conditional, only activating when people’s lives are at risk and providing benefits to anyone but the user.
Ambition: Driven, heavily motivated actions pushing the user forward towards a single objective. Cultivators of Ambition are extremely focused individuals, dedicating themselves not to a creed or community but to some great achievement. They tend to train solely in their chosen discipline, rarely improving themselves in ways that do not further their goals. Known as “Cultivation” by the Divine Empire, its users are respected and feared in equal measure. Ambition techniques are very precise, allowing their users to pursue their dreams with efficiency.
Selfishness: Obstinate, self-motivated actions made without care for those around oneself. Though not always evil, its users can be expected to never act in ways that risk themselves without possible gain. Politicians and warlords are its most common adherents, though it can also be found in those that reject societal obligations. The Divine Empire has renamed it “Rulership” as a way to mask the true nature of its more successful leading figures. Its techniques are overwhelming, meant to present their users as absolute forces.
Solidarity: Community driven actions that treat oneself as a part of a whole. Though often found in popular leaders, its users tend to perceive themselves as servants of the people who follow them. They dedicate themselves to strengthening their chosen communities, neither degrading themselves nor becoming superior to anyone. Being born by the greatest military leaders of the Divine Empire, it has become known as “Preservation.” Solidarity techniques aid in organizing and strengthening other people, rarely benefiting the user directly.
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Creativity: Absurd and unconventional actions that ignore common sense in exchange for personal expression. The most famed users of Creativity are known for their bizarre fighting styles, using weapons that spit in the face of effective martial arts. It is theorized that eccentric artists and storytellers use the same power, though the techniques they use are unknown. Many do not believe Creativity is a real Ideal, given the absurdity of its famed users. Creativity techniques follow no consistent patterns, and sometimes border on domain magics.
Curiosity: Inquisitive actions made to gain greater understanding of the world. Though warriors of Curiosity are rare, the most well regarded scholars all made use of its techniques. Still, to trailblaze towards unknown lands is dangerous work, and many explorers have found its power useful. Known as “Discovery” by the Divine Empire, it is mostly associated with those who “discovered” and conquered new lands for the growing humanity. Techniques of Curiosity grant insights into the world, whether it being other people’s abilities or the uses for unknown items.
Hatred: Wrathful actions, oftentimes focused on a single person or party. It is difficult to maintain Hatred throughout an entire lifetime, as it tends to fade once one’s vendetta has been settled. Of course, it is difficult to leave a life of vengeance behind, and its users will often be drawn into other conflicts with decreasing justifiability. Almost universally reviled, cultivators of Hatred must hide the source of their power or risk being ostracized. Hatred techniques are most effective against the target of the user’s revilement, being rather useless against others.
Passion: Excessive and glamorous actions made out of a love for the world and/or the people in it. Cultivators of Passion rarely have any overarching goals, and pursue their life’s calling out of sheer enjoyment. While often frivolous and detached from reality, their dedication to their craft and personal connections is undeniable. They usually receive mixed receptions, both respected for their boldness and disdained for lack of restraint. Techniques of Passion allow one to bring out the best in the world, enhancing aspects of it in ways that align with the user’s obsessions.
Fear: Xenophobic, retaliatory actions made from the irrational revilement of a group or aspect of the world. It is difficult if not impossible to cultivate Fear, as no one would intentionally identify as someone who acts without good reason. Those cultivators that do not isolate themselves from the world act as fear mongers and extremists, driving others to take comfort in bigotry. Disappointingly, its users seem to be showing up more and more as people become aware of the wider world around them. Fear techniques are often defensive in nature, warding the user from danger or lashing out at those who are perceived as threats.
