The difference between qi/ chi/ ki and stamina

[NotaNuffian]

As stated, you can take reference from Naruto, wuxia/ xianxia or whatever.

I have come into the understanding that I cannot differentiate between the two as both feels interchangeable from time to time and yet on occasions they are separated.

So far I have not locate anything with google, but I would like to just post this question out first.

In the case of wuxia, be it from KR or CN, it is quantified by time like 40 years of ki in body, this is due to the cultivator doing some breathing exercise and managed to accumulate ki (?). It can also be granted through drugs, stolen from others and as the plot demands it. My question here is, is it the blue (mana) bar then, not the green (stamina) bar?

Ps. Found something.
https://www.reddit.com/r/dbz/comments/79idgn

 

[Deleted member 19066]

Each author has some vaguely different explanation of how it works... but it is usually lots of broken logic due to... you know... stories.

But in stories I have read, people use Ki to do "magic" and stuff, and this ki needs to be absorbed actively, like ALL the time but doesn't really regenerate by resting. It's only when a person starts refining the body and opens their meridians, or spirit root or liquefy their inner dan or whatever the flavour of the month is that the cultivator gets ki passively or they get so much so quickly it doesn't matter.

Also, ki and true ki, are different things, and true ki is usually the one people use time units on.

E.G
Absorbe KI for heaven and earth -> use the ki make True ki
use xx years of True ki to open Meridians
now can store more true ki and get lots more qi quickly
turn more ki to more true ki, and liquefy it
form foundation -> gold dan etc etc

Endless grind.
This is cultivation to immorality, in Xianxia

Wuxia ki is slightly different. But ki is usually not like a muscle that recovers, it's absorbed from "breathing", mediating being "one with heaven and earth"/ "truth" etc etc

Naruto uses chakra that is more like stamina, that people just generate and recovers passively.

Still, fiction varies.

SO to answer

My question here is, is it the blue (mana) bar then, not the green (stamina) bar?

Ki/qi , non regen mana bar
True Ki/qi, experience bar
Chakra, special skill bar, independent stamina and Mana

 

[CheertheDead]

From all the manga and novels that I read, they all tried to create this universal special energy to tie all their plots together.

You can call it chakra, ki, mana, energy (as in Yu yu hakusho) or any other obscure names. They functioned almost the same to each other.

_ These thing are consumed to use the magic of the verse
_ This thing is stamina itself if not a large part of stamina
_ When someone depleted their chakra, ki, mana, energy bar they are exhausted which is common sight in many manga.

In the other post, when I told you that you need to be able to define these things and how they would react in order to mash multiple systems together, this is what I mean.

Me, for example, completely remove the fact that these special thingy can interact with the physical world all together to avoid an entire new kind of loopholes in the systems when multiple of these special energy did similar thing without way to tell their difference.

If someone deplete their ki bar but still have the mana bar and the spirit bar would they still be able to do something?

I am unsure if you read it but my first fiction (or fanfiction to be precise) on this site (just the glossary should have enough detail) was my take on mashing multiple systems into a world.

 

[Kilolo]

in literal translation, qi/chi means "life force". and yes, unlike magic, it's actually something that exist in real life.
so to simplify it in an incorrect way, you can say using too much qi as burst attack would depleting your lifespan really fast and thus makes you aged to become an old man faster.

but yeah, the whole thing is might be just a jargon or a placebo. because qigong (the art of learning to flow your inner qi) is basically just to control your blood flow circulation and breathing. (I said this because I'm not a master of qigong myself, but I know some IRL friends who learned those)

so yeah, Qi is not mana or stamina. it's the health point.

 

[CheertheDead]

It seems I had deleted a part in my glossary so this is the general summary.

The laws of Physics is what decide how everything in the universe interacts with each other.

Magic is
_ the phenomenon that violated the laws of Physics
_ a system created by a consciousness
_ being installed into the universe by a consciousness (intentionally) or being integrated naturally when a universe is formed (unintentionally)
_ being used to make local or universal change that will not cause cascade effect due to causation. Example, moving a planet from this place to another place requires the introduction of external force but this can cause effect to the universe in the far future. Magic is the cheat code that the Creators used to avoid such scenario assuring ceteris paribus (all things held constant).
_ Magic of one system may (heavy emphasis on “may”) not affect the magic of another system

Magic currency (or Currency for short) is what is consumed in order to initiate the magic. They are known in other fictions as mana, soul point, chakra, spirit point, chi, ki… The general rules for currency are, but not limited to:
_ Not interacting with the physical world in any sense. Which means the absence or presence of the currency does not cause any effect on the physical world. Caster exhausting their own currency will not be exhausted physically or die.
_ Does not necessarily needed in a magic system as there are magic systems that do not need to consume the Currency to initiate since they didn’t have one in the first place.

Magic can create two kinds of effect as a result of initiating the magic, physical effect and magical effect.

Physical effect is as the name implied a physical thing. A magic that create a physical light, for example, will make a ray of light that:
_ travel at the speed of light
_ reflected by mirror
_ illuminate darkness
_ blocked by wall, dust, fog…
_ etc.

A magical effect, however, is not a physical thing. Using a magic that creates magical light will make a light that:
_ can or cannot travel at the speed of light
_ can or cannot be reflected by mirror
_ can or cannot illuminate darkness
_ can or can not be blocked by wall, dust, fog…
etc.

The property of the magical light (in the example above) or of magical effect (in general) depended on how they were programmed by the caster during the initiation.

Furthermore, since magical effect is something magical, it can be dispelled by dispel magic or something similar. Physical effect, however, can not be affected by these dispel magics.

Lastly, these thing i mentioned are omniversal properties of Magic Systems. Thus, there are many systems in the local multiverses (and the omniverse). Each has their own currency, some lacks a currency, some have more than 1 currency. Some limit the usage of magic by charge and/or cooldown instead of Currency. They have their own way of interacting with other systems. Some are limited to their original universe. Some expand beyond a large group of multiverses and are dubbed primal systems.

For more specific systems that i am using, you can check the glossary of my fanfic.

 

[NotaNuffian]

It seems I had deleted a part in my glossary so this is the general summary.

Thanks.

I was perplexed as I go through the glossary and thought that I was supposed to look at the magic systems.

Summoning Fusion: An ambitious Fanfiction (discontinued)

'The only two speculations we can come up with are either the entire world sank except us... or our nation has been transported to some unknown area.' ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 'Caroline... he is a summoned human' ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 'I believe honesty and truthfulness to be...

www.scribblehub.com

 

[AliceShiki]

Qi/Chi/Ki/Chakra are basically sources of magical powers. It's not really any different from Mana, unless you want it to be, then it will be because you decided it is different.

Stamina is just how much you can do straining physical activities before getting tired... You can also make it the source of magical powers though, making it take the function of Qi/Chi/Ki/Chakra/Mana on top of its default function... Or you can not do it, up to you.

So really, don't worry too much about it. You can even coin a new term for the source of your magical power if you want. Go wild.

 

[greyblob]

stamina is a physical attribute that any living being possesses. you can do whatever you want with this, but imo it's best to not include it if you're adding both mana and chi.
both chi and mana are 'supernatural'. the most common configuration is usually:
chi for fighters and martial arts (melee).
mana for casters and support classes (ranged)

 

[CheertheDead]

Thanks.

I was perplexed as I go through the glossary and thought that I was supposed to look at the magic systems.

Summoning Fusion: An ambitious Fanfiction (discontinued)

'The only two speculations we can come up with are either the entire world sank except us... or our nation has been transported to some unknown area.' ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 'Caroline... he is a summoned human' ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 'I believe honesty and truthfulness to be...

www.scribblehub.com

My bad. Didn’t remember if I got that thing set up or not.

Well, I think the part I posted is a better section. It was my generalization of a huge portion of magic system.

In short, a magic system use a currency as the cost to activate. This currency doesn’t necessarily need to be a magical thing like mana or anything. I believe you hear about sacrifice magic or blood magic before. These thing use life and blood as the currency. Thus, there is no shortage on what you can use. The thing is we both understand what is blood and life. We all understand what blood and life can and can not do. If you can define mana and ki in a similar manner, then you got your foundation.

You are free to draw up whatever magic you want but what I said about these is to ensure you encounter no loophole in your plot. Assigning too many functions or overlapping function for mana/ki/chakra will cause more headache for you later on.

 

[InceTagn]

I think that the explanation in the legendary mechanic is the best.

Every system, mage, pugilist, mechanic, psychic, esper use its own forms of energy.
Energy is necessary to activate your skill.
When you lack energy, you can start using your stamina.
And when you empty your stamina you start using your health.
When you don't have health anymore you die.

So you just need to feel any concepts( ki, qi, chi, mana) behind these game stat.

Exp
Stamina
Health
Energy

 

[SternenklarenRitter]

I figure stamina is purely the physical strength and resiliance of muscle and oxygen capacity of blood. Ki typically resembles a spiritual energy taken from outside, but utilized by the physical body rather than the mind or soul. Mana in contrast is usually said to be controlled by the mind. The result is either empowering the body (immortality, sturdiness, superstrength, poison resist, etc.) or by wielding it is a way similar to one would a physical weapon (physically igniting ki in your hand then throwing it as fireballs is really no different than a molotov coctail). Few stories have both mana and ki, which I suspect is because they are too similar, having only minor differences in their application.

 

[Echimera]

Ki is actually really strange in the way it is usually used.
In a way it's mana used for spells, but it's also part of a leveling system where it serves as XP, with the size of the mana pool being a determining factor for the level.

Add to that that both leveling and specific techniques grant permanent long term buffs to the physical stats and one of the most basic used of mana is in training these permanent boosting techniques as well as temporary buffs.

Cultivation is strange, is what I'm saying.

 

[NotaNuffian]

stamina is a physical attribute that any living being possesses. you can do whatever you want with this, but imo it's best to not include it if you're adding both mana and chi.
both chi and mana are 'supernatural'. the most common configuration is usually:
chi for fighters and martial arts (melee).
mana for casters and support classes (ranged)

This is the problem with me using someone else's template and forcefully insert onto my own.

The worse part is that my idea wasn't properly fleshed out, resulting in cracks here and there.

I used World's Best Martial Artist's base for my power set. A normal human is made up of three main components, lifeforce that forms into organs, bones and muscles, blood force (I lack a better term) for the standard movement, ATP and it can be seen as the more volatile version of lifeforce. Mental force (yup) for consciousness and nervous system response, so the trinity is literally Health, Stamina and Mind. The reason why mana isn't one of the main trinity is because I view it as an alternative source of energy like Stamina and maybe even Health and Mind is required to manipulate the foreign energy as conpared to Stamina which is inborn.

Then out of nowhere, I decided to use the standard Warrior and Mage system and sprinkle with Sword of Coming class system of Pure Pugilist and Cultivator.

So long story short, I believe that due to the kerfuffle of TCM, I am banging my head hard on the desk with differentiating stamina and qi because my MC's uniqueness. Going through my notes again, I think that past me had rolled them all into a ball. Which caused a ton of confusion as I failed to take into account of normies who did not learn breathing techniques and therefore, still has an average amount of stamina compared to a Martial Warrior level which allows the warrior to do deadlifts ten times their mass.

Also, I had been leaning to hard on the Superhuman scale, too much unexplained constraints.

Doing a rewrite.

 

[greyblob]

This is the problem with me using someone else's template and forcefully insert onto my own.

The worse part is that my idea wasn't properly fleshed out, resulting in cracks here and there.

I used World's Best Martial Artist's base for my power set. A normal human is made up of three main components, lifeforce that forms into organs, bones and muscles, blood force (I lack a better term) for the standard movement, ATP and it can be seen as the more volatile version of lifeforce. Mental force (yup) for consciousness and nervous system response, so the trinity is literally Health, Stamina and Mind. The reason why mana isn't one of the main trinity is because I view it as an alternative source of energy like Stamina and maybe even Health and Mind is required to manipulate the foreign energy as conpared to Stamina which is inborn.

Then out of nowhere, I decided to use the standard Warrior and Mage system and sprinkle with Sword of Coming class system of Pure Pugilist and Cultivator.

So long story short, I believe that due to the kerfuffle of TCM, I am banging my head hard on the desk with differentiating stamina and qi because my MC's uniqueness. Going through my notes again, I think that past me had rolled them all into a ball. Which caused a ton of confusion as I failed to take into account of normies who did not learn breathing techniques and therefore, still has an average amount of stamina compared to a Martial Warrior level which allows the warrior to do deadlifts ten times their mass.

Also, I had been leaning to hard on the Superhuman scale, too much unexplained constraints.

Doing a rewrite.

honestly I don't have the patience (or mental capacity) to make something this complex. you're playing with five variables, which is unnecessary.
why not dumb it down a bit:
stamina > physical capabilities (trained through cardio and weightlifting)
chi/ki > trained through breathing techniques, meditation(?), eating a 1000 y/o legendary black root, etc..

mana is optional
intellect is implied
muscle mass and bone density are also implied

 

[NotaNuffian]

honestly I don't have the patience (or mental capacity) to make something this complex. you're playing with five variables, which is unnecessary.
why not dumb it down a bit:
stamina > physical capabilities (trained through cardio and weightlifting)
chi/ki > trained through breathing techniques, meditation(?), eating a 1000 y/o legendary black root, etc..

mana is optional
intellect is implied
muscle mass and bone density are also implied

I tried to flesh it out. I tried.

I want to cry in a corner but I already cried.

The worst part is that my ideas aren't original and I see authors out there doing a better job, ie Sylver Seeker is doing a fine job of body mutilation and star sucking power, Omnipresent God of War is with heavy mutation, flesh manipulation and solid meat beating session and Plague Doctor and Diary to become God are both excellent references to odd organs and the study of evolution.

Fml.

 

[greyblob]

I tried to flesh it out. I tried.

I want to cry in a corner but I already cried.

The worst part is that my ideas aren't original and I see authors out there doing a better job, ie Sylver Seeker is doing a fine job of body mutilation and star sucking power, Omnipresent God of War is with heavy mutation, flesh manipulation and solid meat beating session and Plague Doctor and Diary to become God are both excellent references to odd organs and the study of evolution.

Fml.

well maybe if you published what you write, you'd get feedback and improve. that's what everyone does

 

[NotaNuffian]

well maybe if you published what you write, you'd get feedback and improve. that's what everyone does

Yep, the woes of writing and not posting.

I am doing a rewrite as of now and posting after I get the first five chapters ready.

 

[greyblob]

Yep, the woes of writing and not posting.

I am doing a rewrite as of now and posting after I get the first five chapters ready.

fuck me finally. tag me when you do. also, I wasnt kidding, that's how you polish stuff. you build something up and poke as many holes as you can. you patch what you can or rebuild completely until you have something that cannot be poked. big authors do it with beta, or even alpha, readers

 

[Alfir]

Qi is the denomination or specification of what kind of energy flows in you, this is according to my observation on numerous CN novels I read. Simply put, it is energy you cultivate, plain and simple.
Meanwhile, Ki appeals mostly to an individual's senses like Black Clover's example. Asta and Yami can literally tap on their sixth sense, and theoretically may be able to detect killing intent. In some mangas, this is also true and the same as Black Star from Soul Eater.

Comparing this two, I have reached the conclusion that qi is more of mystical nature while ki is more of martial nature.

Lastly, there is chi. Chi is how we spell qi, which is being misinterpreted as being dissimilar from qi given Street Fighter's example of Chun Li using chi. Delving deep into oriental medicine, you'll realize that qi and chi are just the same. They are synonyms, but if you compare them to CN fictional works, the meaning of qi becomes more convoluted because of the different variations of how they describe qi... There is an essence qi, yang, yin, blood essence, etcetera.

According to traditional Chinese medicine when it comes to the definition of qi "In English qi (also known as chi) is usually translated as “vital life force,” but qi goes beyond that simple translation. According to Classical Chinese Philosophy, qi is the force that makes up and binds together all things in the universe."