Revision as of 00:07, 13 May 2008

Best Of The Wiki: Martial Arts

Round Two... FIGHT!

VOTING IS NOW CLOSED

Congratulations to everyone who got a Martial Art into the top ten. And thanks to all those who took time to vote.

Get the PDF from my website: http://www.voidstate.com/rpg/

Voidstate

The Winners

1. MartialArts/ArgentScorpionOfOppositionStyle - by FourWillowsWeeping (32 points)
2. MartialArts/ThousandWoundsGearStyle by Scrollreader (22 points)
3. MartialArts/HouseOfJourneysStyle by Quendalon (19 points)
4. MartialArts/MothandBonfireStyle - Oneironaut (18 points)
5. MartialArts/RoilingVernalTempestStyle - By FourWillowsWeeping (17 points)
6. MartialArts/WhiteCraneStyle - By Quendalon (17 points)
7. MartialArts/RipplingQuicksilverStyle - By Quendalon (15 points)
8. Five Falling Butterflies Style - By DeathBySurfeit (14 points)
9. MartialArts/UnrelentingAutomatonStyle by Argent(14 points)
   
10. MartialArts/BlossomingCherryTreeStyle - By Haku (13 points)

Runners-Up

(for tracking purposes)

1. MartialArts/BurningScytheStyle - By Nephilpal (12 points)
2. MartialArts/RagDollStyle By IceShade, Kraken, Etrangere, GoldenH, Andrix (12 points)
   
3. MartialArts/EverVigilantSoldierStyle - by DeadManSeven (10 points)
   
4. MartialArts/WorldlyHarlotStyle - By Haku (9 points)
   
5. MartialArts/SunStyle - By DualMegami (9 points)
   
6. CelestialMartialArts/CelestialCourtesanStyle - By Haku (8 points)
   
7. MartialArts/LeopardStyle by TheScreenJockey (7 points)
   
8. MartialArts/SpiritFoxStyle by Madu (7 points)
   
9. MartialArts/GrassSpider - By tk421 on rpg.net (6 points)
   
10. MartialArtsRelay/LucentGuardianintheNightSky by too many to list (5 points)
    
11. MartialArts/MercifulBearStyle by Seiraryu (5 points)
    
12. MartialArts/GhostDragonStyle by Telgar (5 points)
    
13. Whispering Dragon Style - By Mailanka (5 points)
    
14. MartialArts/BladeStyle by Shantak (4 points)
    
15. MartialArts/FlowingOrbAndTempestStyle by Falcon (4 points) (
    
16. MartialArts/ResplendentCraneStyle by teflonshugenja (3 points)
    
17. MartialArts/UnityThroughHarmonyAndConflictStyle by Telgar (3 points)
    
18. MartialArts/BladeofHeavenStyle by Haku (3 points)
    
19. MartialArts/HungryRaptorStyle by IsawaBrian (2 points)
    
20. MartialArts/AutumnWindSongStyle by Grandmasta (2 points)
    
21. MartialArts/IrresistiblyTemptedGamblerStyle - By DeadManSeven (2 points)
    
22. MartialArts/WhirlingLunaticStyle by OhJames (2 points)
    
23. MartialArts/PeacockStyle by Jabberwocky (1 point)
    
24. MartialArts/CeruleanLuteofHarmonyStyle1 by Joseph D. Carriker, Jr. and Mel Wong (1 point)
    

Disqualified

1. MartialArts/FivefoldWayofBattlesStyle - by David. (15 points)

• This style wasn't finished in time. Sorry David.

Titles

Here is the list of titles. Just stick your name under your favorite title. Add a suggestion if you want(please do, pretty please)

• Martial Arts from the Exalted Wiki

• Wiki Style: Martial Arts from the Exalted Wiki

• Form & Finesse: The Best of the Exalted Wiki's Martial Arts

• Arts & Antics: The Best of the Exalted Wiki's Martial Arts

• Coils & Katas : The Best of the Exalted Wiki's Martial Arts

• Coils, Cascades & Katas: The Best of the Exalted Wiki's Martial Arts

• Practice & Perfection : The Best of the Exalted Wiki's Martial Arts

• Mastery & Meditation: The Best of the Exalted Wiki's Martial Arts

• Sutras & Sifus: The Best of the Exalted Wiki's Martial Arts
  • Voidstate
  • nikink
  • Ambisinister

• The Tenfold Scrolls of Most Incomparable Tactics
  • Argent

• Growing the Perfected Lotus
  • Wordman

• 25 Lotus Petals
  • Scrollreader
  • Resplendence
  • Haku
  • MetalFatigue

• Fighting with Style
  • Stanoje

Martial Arts Already In the PDF

For reference, the MAs already in the PDF are:

• MartialArts/AmberHawkInFlamesStyle
• MartialArts/AshenCalenderofSetesh
• MartialArts/BraveDragonStyle
• MartialArts/CrimsonTempleStyle
• MartialArts/CrimsonThicketOfBambooStyle
• MartialArts/DiamondWeaveOfDestinyStyle
• MartialArts/FearsomeBarghestStyle
• MartialArts/HouseOfEndingsStyle
• MartialArts/JadeFanStyle
• MartialArts/MonkeyStyle2
• MartialArts/PersimmonOceanOfJoyStyle
• CharmRelay/Sorrow aka "Black Mourner Style"
• MartialArts/SpiderStyle2
• MartialArts/TreadingOnDiamondsStyle
• MartialArts/WolfAndRavenStyles

Conversion

Hey, so, now that Ex2's out, I'm thinking about converting these to 2nd Edition rules. Who's up for it? - willows

I say you do one better, and create a second publication of new styles for the new Edition. Anyone can convert charms, but it's much more difficult--and therefore, valuable--to create an entire tree from scratch. -- Ketrus

Either sounds great for me! I've been looking to rework Five Falling Butterflies Style for some time, and second edition has given me some great new ideas for martial arts Charms. I'd certainly like to take part...DeathBySurfeit

Ketrus, have you looked at the styles and tried to convert any? I do not think it as easy as you seem to, nor do I think that "more difficult" is the same as "more valuable". In fact, I would think that, if there are people in the world who are using these styles and switching editions, they'd appreciate converted styles a lot more than totally new ones. - willows

I concur with Willows. Converted would be more useful at this point. I haven't read Ex2 yet, so I can't help unfortunately, but once I have I would love to help. It should be fairly straightforward shouldn't it? I guess different costings would be fiddly... nikink

I've been trying to convert a few of these styles myself, for use in my current chronicle. I've got to say, it's not easy. Rafilar

Funny thing about this is that I've done a conversion for Blossoming Cherry Tree to 2e. Without knowing about this thread. Check it out here - # MartialArts/BlossomingCherryTreeStyle2E ^_^

Discussion

[http://www.voidstate.com/temp/trees/ Here are the trees] - I'd really appreciate it if anyone could check I haven't messed up at all. - Voidstate

On /ThousandWoundsGearStyle, it should be "Wounds" not "Wound" (and "Razors" not "Razor") for consistency. --MF

Done it. Voidstate

Actually, you missed "Many Wounds Meditation." --MF

Actually, Voidstate is right. The charm refers to the style name, but is not limited by it. - Scrollreader

To have a Charm named "Many Wound Meditation" in a style named "Thousand Wounds Gear" is jarring to my ear, but you're the boss. --MF

Looking over the rest of the trees, they all look good at this point. I particularly like the fan thing you did in 5 Falling Butterflies. - willows

Me too, me too! It's very becoming...DeathBySurfeit

The Brave Dragon diagram has an error; Leaping Dragon Fist doesn't require Concentration-Disrupting Taunting Technique, and Courageous Self-Sacrifice Method requires Legendary Taunt. _Ikselam

Fixed! - Voidstate

I replied to your question re: the Unrelenting Automaton tree on RPGnet, but I thought I�d pitch in here as well - I corrected the prereqs, so the post-Form trees should be symmetrical now. - Argent

Landscape cover concept. I made the best I could of the landscape format and pieces of Melissa Uran's cover. Bah, landscape format... What's next, diagonal format? *grumble* Resplendence

That looks great, Resplendence, thanks. = Voidstate

Thanks. I'll tweak it a bit more and change the name if necessary. When do you need it finished? Resplendence

I'm aiming to have the pages done for the end of this week. Could you have it by then?

Hopefully. My Windows stopped working yesterday and I've been trying to save my data and maybe the hassle of a reinstall. If the world doesn't hate me I'll have it before Friday. Resplendence

I've been re-laying out the original Martial Arts this week (I'm an inveterate tinkerer), so Friday is fine. - Voidstate

OK, cover is tweaked and finished. It can be found at the same URL as above. What resolution do you want it in for the PDF? Resplendence

It looks beautiful, Voidstate, Not quite what I had in mind for its 'tree' formation... but it really does look nice. ^_^

Also, the cover looks nice. Next go around, we'll need to call it something grand... say... "Eternal Lotus Petals" or some such... or 'countless'... ^_-
Haku

Thanks - Voidstate

OK, the trees are done. Next I'll begin on the pages. Which reminds me, if anyone has any art I could use, now would be a good time to send it over, in B&W preferably. You can post a link here of email me at rpg AT voidstate DOT com. - Voidstate

Here's one picture that you can use wherever it feels appropriate. I'm sitting down this afternoon to try and do some that are specifically matched to styles. Are you putting all 25 in the new document, or only the new 10? - willows

I've got a few as well that you can use with no worries. They're old, yes... but you can use as you wish, as long as you credit them to me (Bombadil Goh aka Baka Mazoku aka Haku) somewhere in the pdf.
Want some of this?, Your kung fu is weak, Calling on the power of the earth, super stunt pose!.
~Haku

WoW, great pics willows & Haku. As for how many I'll use, it'll depend on the page layout but I expect I'll include less pieces than there are styles. After all, people are going to have to print this out at home and I don't want to bump the page count up too much. Still, keep em coming as having a selection will help me be able to fit them into different size spaces. If possible if you're scanning them afresh, could you do it at at least 150 dpi. Ta. -- Voidstate

Whoa, I spotted an error in the text of /ArgentScorpionOfOppositionStyle. If you're still working on the text, please incorporate it! - willows

Urk. I have already layed out ASoO. What has changed? - Voidstate

It's a parenthetical statement added to the Decorum. It's not actually essential, just, like, the perfectionist in me talking.I believe the statement in question is, (all techniques with Essence prerequisite 4 or greater) added right after "from this point onward". - willows

Righy-oh. That's changed.

For anyone interested, I have now finished formatting anf laying out the martial arts. I just need to add art to some of them, check for orphans/widows and layout problems and put the cover in and it'll be finsihed. So far Resplendence, Phaide, Haku and Willows have all sent art over. If anyone else would like their pics included (and obviously to be credited for them), please send them to fergus AT voidstate DOT com within the next day or two. - Voidstate

Uk! There was voting? I missed it. Why does no one go way out of their way and cyber-stalk me to ensure that I find out about these things?  :-) - Quendalon

Bah. Quit wingeing. You already have three in the top ten. If you'd voted too, it would have just been mean. :p - Voidstate

Also, if you ever get a chance to fix the errors in the Crimson Thicket prerequisites, I'd be grateful. Totally my fault that they were there in the first place. I just love seeing my work presented so cleanly (thank you!), and so the errors make me grit my teeth. - Quendalon

These are the newer version. I think they should be right now (and a bit nicer to look at) - Student Techniques & MasterTechniques - Voidstate

Perfect! Thank you. - Quendalon

IT'S FINISHED! Thank you so much to everyone who wrote all these martial arts, and to those who took the time to vote. Thanks to Haku, Phaide, Willows and especially Resplendence for the art contibutions. I'm posting the link here for a day or so to give wikizens a chance to check through for errors or just to give general feedback. Then I'll post the link over on the WW forums and RPG.net.

So what you waiting for?

Voidstate

Hmm. Every time I try to download it, I get an error message from Acrobat. It might be just my shitty office comp, though; does anyone else experience this? - Argent

Nope, worked for me with Acrobat 7. : Resplendence

You need 7 because of the clickable links I think. - Voidstate

Great work! Some comments and nitpicks on the design and layout (because I'm anal that way - bear with me):

Cover: I like your changes overall, but the title is too hard too read. The knobbly field closest to the text should be of some other color, IMO. The effect looks nice though.

Thanks. I'll try the nobbly field in red tomorrow at work. It actually looked a lot clearer on my LCD monitor at work than on the one I have here at home. - Voidstate

Looks much better now. Resplendence

Illustrations: Ah, they really do make the text flow and look better. My guy-about-to-kick picture could've been masked better (never though of that, but I could've given you a transparent PSD) and the guy with two swords is blurry from low resolution. I didn't know you'd use it, or I would've dug up the sketch and rescanned it for you. I wish I had time to slap soem quick shading and tones on my other sketches. Without that or good inking they look kinda flat...

If you have a better resolution copy of the Immaculate with 2 swords that'd be great. Also, I will replace the current pics with shaded ones if you are willing to shade them. The shaded guy with the crane on his chest does stand out much better then the others. - Voidstate

Let's do that for next edition, shall we? I don't have the time now. :) Resplendence

Typography: The automatic kerning stretches some words very thin when they flow around some of the pictures. You could've tweaked them by hand or used automatic hyphenation, which in my experience help with this problem. The typefaces and formatting are all greatly improved, although the Charm titles look a bit strange, with uneven letter sizes in some places. I tcould be the font though.

WIll give that a go. As for the charm titles, it's the font. You'll notice that the mis-sizing disappears if you view it at 100% or print it. Serves me right for using free truetype fonts. I wish I could find the one that actually matches what WW use. - Voidstate

Resplendence

I know it throws off the beautiful fivefold symmetry, but White Crane is a Celestial art, not Terrestrial. - Quendalon

Noooo! My beautiful page numbers and index! - Voidstate

Diamond Weave style, Reality-Hardening Pattern: Looks like you got carried away with a search-and-replace. The word "cost" got bolded, capitalized, and followed by a colon and tab in three places in the charm text. - Q

Thanks for the catches... I knew there'd be some mistakes in there somewhere. WIll change them tomorrow. Anyone else see anything wrong?. - Voidstate

White Crane style: The last two words in the Plumage of White Jade charm text got rolled into the charm title for Feather Skims the Waters. Conversely, the 'The' in the charm title of The Faultless Heavenly Crane got rolled into the charm text at the end of Crane Awaits the Tiger. - Q

Void, when do you think that this will be all done and on your website??? DragoonDrake

Ignore me, I am stupid. DragoonDrake

Right - made all those fixes/changes. If no-one sees anything more that needs changing, I'll release the PDF later today. Also, Argent Scorpion of opposition looks a little bare, being so long without a picture. Anyone dare to take up the challenge of illustrating a martial artist with two tridents in one hand and grappling hook/seven section staff combination weapon in the other? - Voidstate

Here's the finished version - hopefully typo and error free. :D

Thanks again to everyone who helped out by contributing or voting. - Voidstate

Love your work! Thankyou so much for your efforts. - nikink

Using XP Pro SP2, Firefox 1.0.4 and Acrobat 7, just clicking on the link above gives me an error message, though I can view the PDF just fine if I save it to disk first. Perhaps a bad interaction with the Google link redirection? --MF

Can you read it in a browser if you paste the URL directly into the address bar? http://www.voidstate.com/rpg/25_Lotus_Petals_-_Exalted_Wiki_Martial_Arts_-_v1.pdf - Voidstate

Hmm. No. So it's not Google's fault. Updating to Acrobat 7.0.2 didn't help either. BTW, looks like you never fixed the error Quendalon pointed out, with "cost" being capitalized, boldfaced, and followed by a colon and a tab in three different places where it shouldn't. --MF

There's now an updated version, including a more thorough copyright disclaimer. Thanks Conrad.

==

There we go, all fixed up ~ haku who would like to have a lynch mob started up, please.

Just saw this, shows how much attention I pay! The pdf is very good I like it, well done to all involved. Eldmar