VarazesMortalMartialArts/TarnishedEagleStyle

Tarnished Eagle Style

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This is a style taught in the Scavenger Lands.

Background

Practitioners of Tarnished Eagle Style aim to emulate the bird that flies high in the skies of the Scavenger Lands. The style is an old one, handed down from generation to generation, maybe as far back as the First Age.

Training

There are no formal schools that teach the Tarnished Eagle style, but it is well known amongst the Scavenger Lands. Persons wishing to learn it usually do so in one-on-one training with those masters in the Scavenger Lands.

Weapons and Armor

Tarnished Eagles eschew both weapons and armor. They fight unarmed.

Effects

Twisting Strike</b>

<b>Type: Technique
Min. Martial Arts: 2
Prereqs: None

The Tarnished Eagle writhes, twists, and turns to reach its prey, foiling all efforts at defense. Similarly, the adept must learn to twist and turn to frustrate the defenses of his foes. By raising the difficulty of her attack by one, she reduces her enemy's parry or dodge pool by two.

Descending Blow</b>

<b>Type: Technique
Min. Martial Arts: 2
Prereqs: Twisting Strike

The Tarnished Eagle attacks from above, swooping down on its prey from the sky. The adept seeks to emulate its graceful descent and terrible blow. The character can leap into the air and strike downwards, like a descending dragon. With a successful Dexterity + Athletics check, she gains one extra damage die.

Eagle's Sharp Eyes</b>

<b>Type: Bonus
Min. Martial Arts: 3
Prereqs: Descending Blow

The Tarnished Eagle can sight its prey from high in the sky, and hurtle downwards with pinpoint accuracy to snap it up. The adept, too, must be able to see and strike effortlessly and with unerring precision. The accuracy of all her unarmed strikes is +1.

Eagle's Stout Heart</b>

<b>Cost: 1 Willpower
Duration: Instant
Type: Reflexive
Min. Martial Arts: 3
Prereqs: Eagle's Sharp Eyes

The adept has internalized the will of the Tarnished Eagle. A proud eagle fears nothing, swooping down from above, and so must she also. Whenever she has to pass a Valor check to overcome fear, this charm causes her to automatically succeed.

Blooded Claws</b>

<b>Type: Technique
Min. Martial Arts: 4
Prereqs: Eagle's Sharp Eyes

One strike from the claws of the Tarnished Eagle is enough to defeat all but the largest of her prey. The adept's strikes must be as hard and sharp as the eagle's. By raising the difficulty of her attack by two, she now deals lethal damage with unarmed attacks (not clinches).

Eagle's Taut Hide</b>

<b>Type: Bonus
Min. Martial Arts: 4
Prereqs: Eagle's Stout Heart

The Tarnished Eagle is impervious to the shock of its landing, the writhing and death throes of its prey, and the lacerations of the wind. The adept may now soak lethal damage with half her stamina.

Inexorable Strike</b>

<b>Cost: 1 Willpower
Duration: Instant
Type: Reflexive
Min. Martial Arts: 5
Prereqs: Blooded Claws, Eagle's Taut Hide

The final lesson of the Tarnished Eagle is that the intense attack of an eagle, once unleashed, cannot be stopped. The adept strikes out with tremendous force and precision, faster than most dodges and breaking through any attempt to block. When attacking, the character's attack may not be blocked or dodged without a charm or stunt.

Comments

Inexorable Strike seems extremely powerful for a mortal ability; a PERFECT attack for 1 willpower? I would suggest that it can't be defended against WITHOUT a charm, rather then works against everything but a perfect defense.
~ Haku

In retrospect, I agree. It's been changed. Thanks for the input. - Varazes

Interesting stuff. I will note that Eagle's Stout Heart is kinda redundant since spending Willpower to negate fear is built into the system already. - Moxiane