Latest revision as of 23:33, 8 June 2010

Ever-Vigilant Soldier Style

A Terrestrial Martial Art by DeadManSeven.

Introduction

A samurai-flavoured style, taking cues from iaijutsu. The pinnacle was unintentionally inspired by the climactic battle from Revenge of the Sith (fitting, really, since one of the inspirations for Jedi were samurai of classic films), but I'm sure you can think of a whole bunch of films this Charm has appeared in.

Background

This Style was developed with similar intentions to Five-Dragon Style; while nowhere near as widespread, it still sees some use among soldiers of rank and Dragon-Blooded who do not believe in the hiring of bodyguards. The style's focus on swift reaction to ambush has given it some popularity among particularly ruthless socialites, who wish to cultivate the image that assassination attempts are futile.

While being taught this style, students are trained to fight both unarmed and with a slashing sword (for attacks) and short sword (for parries). All the Charms in this style are compatible with armour. This style is Earth-aspected.

Charms

Rapid Battle-    Wary Soldier
Ready Stance       Attitude
        \           /
         Motions  of
          Precision
              |
       Anticipation of
       Graceless Blows       
              |
        Ever-Vigilant
        Soldier  Form
       /             \`
Strike of the      Unbalanced
Thousand-Fold        Blades
    Sword            Method
         \          /
          Honourable
           Duelist
           Conduct

(For a non-ASCII Charm tree, click here.)

Cost: 1 mote

Duration: Instant

Type: Reflexive

Minimum Martial Arts: 3

Minimum Essence: 1

Prerequisites: none

A soldier must be ready to spring into action at any time. From any position, she moves fluidly into a combat-ready posture. Through the use of this Charm, the martial artist may draw her weapon and use it to attack or defend in one fluid motion. Even if she is unarmed, this Charm will allow her to engage in battle from awkward positions, such as lying prone or in a meditative pose.

Cost: 2 motes

Duration: One Turn

Type: Reflexive

Minimum Martial Arts: 2

Minimum Essence: 1

Prerequisites: none

Aware of her surroundings and potential locations of ambush, the martial artist learns to guard herself against surprise attacks. Any attacks the character was unaware of while Wary Soldier Attitude is active do not gain flanking or back attack bonuses (if applicable).

Cost: 2 motes

Duration: Instant

Type: Reflexive

Minimum Martial Arts: 3

Minimum Essence: 2

Prerequisites: Rapid Battle-Ready Stance, Wary Soldier Attitude

The Ever-Vigilant Soldier's reflexes are far greater than those of her enemies; her training allows her to react with lightning speed. This Charm must be used before initiative is rolled for the turn. The character does not roll initiative; instead, she adds 10 to her initiative.

Cost: 3 motes

Duration: Instant

Type: Reflexive

Minimum Martial Arts: 4

Minimum Essence: 2

Prerequisites: Motions Of Precision

Attacks aimed at the martial artist seem clumsy and awkward in comparison to her graceful defences. She moves without thought, knocking aside blows from all directions. The character may reflexively parry an attack with a dice pool of [Essence + Defence] dice. This Charm cannot be used more times in a single turn than the character's Martial Arts rating.

Cost: 5 motes

Duration: One Scene

Type: Simple

Minimum Martial Arts: 4

Minimum Essence: 3

Prerequisites: Anticipation of Graceless Blows

The martial artist's stoic appearance does not give away her combat prowess. She acts with efficiency of motion when attacked, fending off assailants and returning gracefully to her calm stance.

While this Charm is active, the character adds her Essence in dice to all parry attempts, and increases her base initiative by her Essence rating. She may also parry lethal attacks barehanded without a stunt.

This is a Martial Arts Form Charm. Only one Form Charm may be active at any time.

Cost: 4 motes

Duration: Instant

Type: Supplemental

Minimum Martial Arts: 5

Minimum Essence: 3

Prerequisites: Ever-Vigilant Soldier Form

The Ever-Vigilant Soldier is perfectly accurate in her attacks, aiming blows with such precision as to land them between the gaps in her enemy's armour. Attacks supplemented with this Charm become piercing.

Cost: 4 motes, 1 Willpower

Duration: Instant

Type: Supplemental

Minimum Martial Arts: 5

Minimum Essence: 3

Prerequisites: Ever-Vigilant Soldier Form

The signature weapons of the Ever-Vigilant Soldier Style are so chosen to allow the martial artist a powerful offence and a swift defence. However, with sufficient mastery, she does not need to rely on her weapons to follow this method of combat. This Charm can be used when the character parries; if the parry is successful, she immediately follows through with a counter-attack using her Martial Arts rating (plus any relevant specialties).

Cost: 8 motes, 1 Willpower

Duration: Varies

Type: Simple

Minimum Martial Arts: 5

Minimum Essence: 4

Prerequisites: Strike of the Thousand-Fold Sword, Unbalanced Blades Method

The role of the Ever-Vigilant Soldier is an honourable one, and with mastery of the style comes the ability to extend this honour to her enemies. She is able to initiate a duel with one of her foes, and neither her allies nor her enemies may involve themselves. Although beings of higher power can attempt to interfere through exertion, the duel only ends when one participant submits to the other.

The character chooses a single opponent, who must be aware of the character's presence, and spends the motes to activate this Charm. The two are then locked in combat: stray missiles glance off armour, attempted attacks from outsiders fall short, debris scatters about the duelists' feet without causing them harm. Only extreme changes in the combat environment - such as collapsing buildings or exploding volcanos - will cause the duelists to take evasive action, though they will resume combat once the danger has passed.

Spectators may actively attempt to stop the duel, but their attempts are futile until they succeed on an Essence roll (difficulty of the martial artist's Essence). This does not apply to spectators with an Essence rating equal to or higher than the combined Essence of the two duelists, who can attempt to stop the duel without the need for a roll. If a third party attacks, restrains, defends, or otherwise interferes with one of the duelists, the Charm ends, as the duel has ceased to be balanced and honourable. Without outside interference, the duel may only be stopped when one party either surrenders to the other, or is slain; the motes cannot be uncommitted to cease the Charm.

Comments

VERY nice... I definately like it, but I would think that beings with an essence trait higher then the combined essence of both combatants would be able to stop the duel. ~ Haku

That's not a bad idea. So, if you've got two DBs dueling (MAist at Ess 4, opponent at Ess 3), then anyone at Essence 7+ can step in automatically, while those below 7 have to roll and get 4+ successes? Or do you mean something else? - DeadManSeven

That's what I meant. After all, charms don't usually affect those with a higher essence rating then its user. Keyword being usually. - Haku

I'll add in the changes now. Good suggestion. - DeadManSeven

Excellent. Of course, it also brings up questions of what happens when you try to duel an exalt with a higher essence then you... ^_^;;; - Haku

You get served, I guess. :) I dunno, it might be viable to use against some guy who's combat style involves a large group - you hold off the leader while your buddies take out the extras. A Zenith and his hundred Tiger Warriors or an Ivory Horde stylist would be a good targets. - DeadManSeven

The Form reads more like a Celestial-level Form Charm than a Terrestrial one, I think. - David.

I dunno, compared to Forms like Snake, Violet Bier, and Ebon Shadow, it's certainly less powerful. All it's helping you do is parry, and not really that well: you get to parry lethal barehanded (you can do that with a stunt), you get your Essence in extra dice to parries (not reflexive parries, mind), and you can ruin your enemy's weapons (unless it's an Artifact, which most Exalts worth their salt will have). You'll cut swaths through mortal soldiers, but those cheating Solars with their persistant effects shouldn't be the only ones that can do that. :) - DeadManSeven

My beef is mostly with the weapon-breaking. Also, compare it to other Terrestrial-level Forms. Five-Dragon Form boosts Strength and Dexterity for a few limited purposes and adds soak. Crimson Pentacle Blade Form adds Essence in dice to MA rolls. Jade Mountain Form increases Strength, Stamina, and soak, but cuts Dex by one and halves your movement. (If I'm mistaken about any of these, correct me - I'm working from memory) Weapon-breaking, even if it fails against artifact weapons, is generally more appropriate as an instant effect, I think. I recommend +Ess to parries, the ability to parry lethal barehanded, and +Ess to initiative. - David.

+Ess init. is keeping a bit more with the style, actually. Consider this used. Thanks! - DeadManSeven

So DeadManSeven, do you mind if I draw inspiration from some of these for my Celestial Iaijutsu style? ~ BrigandRansom , who thought that the first battle in "Sanjuro" was one of the best examples of an Exalted Versus a bunch of extras EVAR =)

Nope, go right ahead. I'm actually surprised there isn't a more samurai-based style written up in canon. - DeadManSeven