Difference between revisions of "ChayShan"

'''ChayShan''' is a manifestation of [[Investiture]] on [[Sel]].

[[Shuden]] claims that ChayShan is simply a way to focus a warrior's mind and body before battle{{book ref|Elantris|17}}, but he later uses it while fighting [[Dakhor]] monks{{book ref|Elantris|61}}. ChayShan is practiced via a meditative martial arts style that appears to focus on speeding up motions and gaining power from them,{{annotation ref|Elantris|chapter=17|link=annotation-elantris-chapter-17}} which then appears to draw upon the [[Dor]]. As all the Investitures[[Investiture]]s on [[Sel]] are form-based,{{book ref|aol|part=ars}} it is quite possible that the different forms and moves of the ChayShan are what determine what powers a practitioner is using. So far, the only known user of ChayShan is [[JinDo]],{{book ref|Elantris|17}} so it is likely that this magic system can only be used by people who are of that race.

A person using ChayShan moves their body in specific circular patterns, slowly gaining in speed.{{book ref|Elantris|17}} The person continuously keeps their hands and legs moving. They move as though they are "struggling against some unseen force" with their muscles tensed. The leaps and arm motions of ChayShan seem similar to a dance. When the Dor is actually being accessed, a dim glow is visible in the wake of the motions of the limbs of the practitioner.{{book ref|Elantris|61}} If a person using ChayShan loses focus, they lose access to the Dor and must start over.

One of the abilities granted by ChayShan is an enormous amount of strength.{{book ref|Elantris|61}} Someone performing ChayShan is capable of breaking the ribs of a [[Dakhor]] monk and hitting one in the head so hard that the spine breaks. When viewed in context of the fact that the Dakhor monks' bones are so incredibly strong that it took [[Kiin]] multiple strokes to hack through them with his axe,{{book ref|Elantris|58}} the strength of someone using ChayShan becomes even more impressive. Another ability that may be granted is vision without the use of one's eyes, as Shuden performs all of his motions in battle with his eyes closed.{{book ref|Elantris|61}}