Leaving his Yin half behind, Yang James arrived inside their makeshift armory/shooting range, carrying a sack of 11 and a half stone talismans in one hand and a bottle of Ki Replenishment Pills in the other. He then got busy working through the talismans, taking time to test each one in as much detail as this room allowed.
Perhaps it was the ck of his Yin half that made him angry in response to the disappointment he felt as he went down the list.
Each talisman had slightly different properties, now that they were tangible. Whether this was from their removal, or some other principal was unknown. Instead of magic powers on demand, now each one had a Ki cost, and while this cost varied it was far more than he could currently produce. This meant the Replenishment Pills he brought along were needed with each talisman's testing and the amount he could absorb from each pill was half of normal. Even with the slight decrease in cost given by the Tiger Talisman the time it took was almost double what he had intended.
But as the diligent Yang half, he still made his way through each one.
Talisman properties: The Twelve Talismans are octagonal stones with a depiction of a zodiac animal carved on their faces. Each depiction has a unique color, the assumed meaning behind these colors should be irrelevant compared to the association between the power and animal. Upon activation, these depictions glow, with some either sinking into the palm or no particur change.
Each talisman is about the size of a golf ball and fits perfectly in the palm of a human hand.They make a nice ccking sound when stored in a bag together.Now that they have been removed from their original work each talisman consumes an amount of Ki to use. This amount varies by the ability and how far it is being stretched.
But for a set of zodiac powers their kinda me. And over half of them were, in Yang James’ opinion; ckluster. Starting from the first:
Dragon:
Spoiler
[colpse]The first talisman I tried was The Dragon Talisman, as it performs in the show, after activation it sinks into the palm and releases fireballs.
During my first try, this release didn't occur. After taking one of the Replenishment Pills, I was able to release a fireball with a steep cost. The resulting Fireballs are variable in size, ranging from hand-sized to a handful of inches in diameter, and grows depending on how much Ki is put into it.
Due to this consumption even with a second pill in my mouth during activation, I can get about 2 mid-sized fireballs out before I run out of Ki, and it becomes worthless.
Furthermore, the fireball directly spawns from the talisman, and after its formation it is noncontrolble, being unched forward in a straight line.
Final Score: 2/10 – Not very effective.
Ki Consumption: High/Very High
Snake:
Spoiler
[colpse]The Snake Talisman after activation, doesn't sink into palm and has a continuous cost based on duration, but the consumption isn't too bad.
I am unsure what to say about it, the Snake Talisman is less effective than the Invisibility Cloak and you remain detectable through a variety of methods, X-rays, and Thermal vision. (The thermal goggles I stored in here came in handy)
Using the goblin tied up at the far end of the range as a test subject, he seemed perfectly capable of seeing me. Once I was far enough away and stood just far enough away at its periphery, it no longer noticed me. Once this condition was met, he had a hard time spotting me even while looking directly at me. But it wasn't that he couldn't see me, (perhaps the talisman had some mental effect?) He remained aware of my presence but was unable to see me.
If I approached too close or he tried hard enough he would eventually spot me. I don't know if this says more about Goblin vision or the talisman's power.
Final Score: 6/10 – (Somewhat effective, depending on circumstance and opponent).
Ki Consumption: Continuous, Moderate – Likely needs more than I have to improve effectiveness.
Rabbit:
Spoiler
[colpse]The next disappointment was the Rabbit. The Talisman sinks into your palm upon activation, to prevent you from dropping it by accident and can be activated multiple times in a row, for as long as your Ki or your legs can hold.
Its ability was “Super Speed” but in reality, it's less super speed and more fast travel from point A to B.
Think of it like, “I want to go over there”. Then after the talisman actives, you find yourself moving in that direction. The problem is in long distances, you recognize that you’re moving and once it’s over, your legs feel like jelly.
This is a shooting range, so the room is pretty wide, but it's not big enough to test out the limits of the ability. I think it's somewhere around 60-100 MPH, about as fast as a car. The only real benefit is the low Ki Consumption.
Can also be used to speed up objects (No idea how to activate this effect).
Final Score: 6/10 – Not good. Acceptable (I need a speedometer to check).
Ki Consumption: Low – Its consumption might be based on distance rather than speed. My limited Ki capacity is likely interfering with the results.
Rooster:
Spoiler
[colpse]Returning to the Rooster Talisman, I tried it out again. Functionally, it was the same as the st time I tried it out, this time I had more basic Ki to test it with.
With full Primordial Energy and a Replenishment Pill, I was able to float (without moving) for a good fiveish minutes even with my halved capacity.
But I might have to give that to the cycle that naturally regenerates Primordial Energy (even though its capacity is halved). Primordial Energy appears to be two or three times more effective than basic Ki.
As for the talisman, the levitation effect is from using Telekinesis on yourself. Using it on objects wasn't too hard, with the limit being as many items as you could compartmentalize at a time. Once set in your memory, while the talisman is activated the objects will remain floating until moved or you run out of Ki.
Despite this, I have to say it's weaker than Spin and Diamonic which can both be used to perform levitation without a cost even with their limits.
Some issues came with the Rooster Talisman that neither of the rings suffered from. When the levitated items reach a certain weight, after around 100 lbs, the cost of keeping things suspended doubles. Keeping multiple items also increased the cost. And the speed of levitation is a brisk pace at best.
(Don’t get me started on trying to lift a car. It might be possible if I was whole and had full Ki and a bottle’s worth of pills in my mouth.)
Final Score: 5/10 – It gets the job done but the rings are better.
(Note: because you are using Telekinesis through the talisman itself, you’re not exactly performing it psychically).
Ki Consumption: Continuous, Varies.
(Combo): Rooster + Rabbit: Combining the Rooster and Rabbit Talismans allows for faster telekinetic flight. Consumption increases as does flight speed and it’s not too great due to the Rabbit's movement. With both talismans activated, you're burning the candle at both ends. And if you're using this effect on an item rather than yourself, you better be ready to catch it.
Score: 8/10 – I can do the same thing using Spin but without the problems that come with the weightlessness or the Rabbit's movement effect. It might be worth trying to combine Spin with the Rabbit Talisman instead.
Ki Consumption: Continuous, Moderate – Very High
Pig:
Spoiler
[colpse]I'm not too sure about the Pig Talisman. While it keeps its odd ability to shoot beams from the user's eyes as its main ability, it also gives two other lesser effects, night vision and the ability to ‘See the Invisible’.
While I can’t quite determine the specifics of Seeing the Invisible, I can say that adding Ki to my eyes should do the same. However, in practice, doing so crudely results in the eye popping.
As for the beams, they are a kinetic bst of heat meaning they are both a physical and heat-based attack. They are almost identical to the beams unched through Influence.
While the talisman cks a charge period, the eye irritation that comes with shooting these beams is no joke, and they cost more Ki than they should. The amount of Ki put in also affects the resulting bsts.
As for the night vision, everything's in bck and white so, “Meh”.
Final Score: TBD – Not good, not bad. Current: 5/10 – (Why does the pig shoot sers?) (What does ‘See the Invisible’ mean?)
Ki Consumption: High
(Combo): Dragon + Pig: Combining the Dragon and Pig Talismans, has one of two effects. Firstly, instead of beams, you shoot fireballs from the eyes instead of kinetic bsts. Alternatively, a ser beam can be unched from the hand with the Dragon Talisman embedded in the palm. Of the two the ser is more controlble and doesn't burn your eyes. In all, this combination is not great as it combines the worst aspects of the two.
Score: 1/10 – Watch where you're looking.
Ki Consumption: Ridiculous
Ox:
Spoiler
[colpse]The simplest talisman is the Ox. Held in the hand it applies super strength to the user, so long as the talisman is supplied with Ki.
On its face, it is pretty useful, though there aren't too many guns here that I could use to test the limits of the added strength (they have been quite light for a while now). Since it doesn't sink into the palm upon activation you're left doing most tasks one-handed.
While the talisman is useful, an item like the Golden Gauntlets from Ocarina of Time would be more effective as they don’t waste Ki. Multiplying strength by 100 (though they would likely be less useful in the real world).
Final Score: 5/10 – Super Strength but with a (Ki) cost.
Ki Consumption: Low – Likely increased with weight
(Combo): Rooster + OX: Combining the Ox and Rooster talismans decreases the Rooster's cost, but this reduction only halves the cost of the Rooster and doesn't make up for the Rooster's cking speed.
Score: 7/10 – A full combo of Rabbit + Rooster + Ox is necessary for telekinesis equivalent to Spin and Diamonic. But this combo is impossible without the addition of the Tiger Talisman. Not just to reduce the cost but to assist in the activation of three talismans at a time. Due to only having half the Tiger Talisman this test remains in theory.
Monkey:
Spoiler
[colpse]Two words: “Animal Shapeshifting.”
Shoots a beam of energy at a target that transforms it into an animal, this works not just on living things but inanimate objects as well. Living things turn into animals directly while non-living objects take on their shape. Having a specific animal in mind directs the transformation.
While limited, certain aspects of these transformations are immediately apparent, colored vision being a pretty major difference, as is binocur vision.
Also, do not try to touch your fingers with wings.
Final Score: 8/10 – Great (I turned myself into a monkey, the funniest thing I’ve seen). Requires further testing to see how far the ‘animal’ setting is enforced. If Aliens work, then this one might get within the top 3. However, it might not be effective on beings of significant power.
Ki Consumption: Decently low per shot.
Note: if Talisman is lost; Cry.
(Combo): Rooster + Monkey: There is no special combination effect just using the Monkey to turn into a bird to lower the cost of flight.
Score: 7/10—This is surprisingly effective. However, the bird you turn into needs to be big enough to hold the Rooster Talisman.
Ki Consumption: Continuous, Moderate – Slight reduction due to decreased weight.
Then there were two talismans that I could not get to work.
Rat:
Spoiler
[colpse]In function, the Rat Talisman would be the strongest of the 12, that is if I had anywhere near the Ki required to activate it. In essence, the Rat Talisman grants an object animation – Life.
And if the object is something like a figurine of Superman or any character with powers, not only does it copy their personalities, but it also appears to copy their abilities. Making an exact replica. However, their material will remain as it was before animation.
But for some reason, due to either a ck of Ki or for some other reason, I am unable to activate the talisman despite my best efforts.
Final Score: TBD – (I wonder if it works on other inanimate objects. If I used it on a gun, would it be responsible for firing?)
Ki Consumption: N/A
Sheep:
Spoiler
[colpse]The Sheep Talisman's ability is Astral Projection, separating your soul from your body and if your soul happens to enter someone else’s body, it grants complete possession of the target.
Unless the targets can somehow fight you with just their soul, they have no way to stop you. However, it would be a terrible option against someone who can seal your soul or fight back. But otherwise very powerful.
Additionally, allows the disembodied Astral Projection/Soul to travel through a target's dreams.
The only problem, I can't get it to work. (It's because I'm only the Yang half isn't it!?)
Final Score: TBD – (How long does your body st without your soul?)
Ki Consumption: N/A
Dog:
Spoiler
[colpse]In the series, the Dog Talisman was probably the strongest of the set. Granting invulnerability and minor Immortality/Rejuvenation, and while not granting eternal youth, it does grant ‘youthful energy’. (I can't feel any difference from this effect. Maybe if Yin used it, there might be an effect.)
In reality, instead of Immortality, it should be called Stasis. To put it simply instead of granting Immortality the Dog Talisman preserves the moment of activation on the user and the activation cost was all the Ki I could muster. Even the burn-off that normally released after taking a pill was consumed in its activation.
With the effect activated, cuts on my hands would heal as quickly as they were made. Once the effect ended, I took another Ki Replenishment Pill before activating it again. This time the cuts did not heal. Spshing my hand with a healing potion the cuts reappeared once its healing effect ended.
This leads me to believe that its effect is something more along the lines of Stasis or Stagnation. (I don't think this dog can learn new tricks).
Final Score: 6/10 – While its effect seems good, it likely limits growth if used continuously. I couldn't even regain Ki after its activation after consuming a pill. But if I get to a certain point perhaps it could allow for infinite Ki due to its restoration ability.
Ki Consumption: All of it.
Horse:
Spoiler
[colpse]“As healthy as a horse” or so the saying goes. The Horse Talisman heals any injury or sickness afflicting the user and can be used to mend damaged objects. However, the cost is proportional to the damage healed, with its cure-all ability.
The Horse Talisman is an item I’ve been searching for with the ability to cure disease, illness, and poison in the blink of an eye. I can probably extract antibodies for various things. The only problem would be the need for direct exposure.
Unlike the Dog Talisman, wounds glow while they heal, and the process seems more natural.
The only thing of note between the two is the Ki cost. Since potions can be used to heal, these effects don't seem that great. But it might trump potions, due to them deteriorating in the real world.
Final Score: 9.5/10 – Interferes with the whole blood manipution ability, defeating the whole purpose. Also, I have no idea how this functions with the cellur instability principle.
Ki Consumption: Moderate – Very High (based on wounds)
(Combo): Horse + Dog: Combining the Horse and the Dog Talismans achieves the intended Immortal effect. And while technically Immortal, you won’t age or get sick, and any wounds you receive (If you receive any at all) will heal almost instantly. The issue here lies in the Ki cost which is far too high for me to even test. But I can theorize.
My main theory regarding these two would be their instability that necessitates the use of the Tiger Talisman. Without its stabilization, the Dog’s stasis effect will continuously apply wounds acquired before its activation while the Horse effect tries to heal you. Additionally, the pair do nothing to fix age, but as long as they are used while in a healthy state, they would likely prevent cellur degradation. The only issue from there is keeping the effect active permanently.
Score: Immortal?/10
Tiger:
Spoiler
[colpse]Tiger Talisman, its standard ability is to divide the user's Yin and Yang halves into two separate doppelgangers between the two split pieces. Once the pieces are rejoined so too will the doppelgangers be reunited.
Besides this ability, the Tiger Talisman has two other effects when used in conjunction with the other 11.
While held during the activation of another talisman, it cuts the cost to a marginal degree. Since I only have half, I can't tell if having the full talisman would be that drastic but a 5-10% cut on activation cost isn't bad when each one costs me most of my Ki pool.
When held while combining the effects of two or more Talismans, the Tiger smooths out the effects and prevents conflicts and issues that occur when multiple talismans are activated at a time. In a specific case, it stops the combination of the Pig & Dragon Talismans from destroying your eyes.
The only gring fw with the Tiger Talisman was its main ability to divide its users. With both halves retaining their half nature, this not only halved the Ki pool but even reduced total energy production. To top it off, its total effectiveness in reducing consumption from the other talismans was reduced. This resulted in my stint here testing the talismans going from a half-hour trip to a full hour and some change.
As the Yang half, I can only bme myself for not thinking about this possibility.
Final Score: 9/10
Ki Consumption: 1 unit of Primordial Energy.
With all the Talismans checked it was time to get out of here. Holding out my arm the Silverscreen approached, "I wonder how Yin did while I was working."
END
Spoilerkidmonkey94
Fun Fact: The Cabbage Man from Avatar the Last Airbender is the voice of Jackie in Adventures.
[colpse]
