MartialArts/IaijatsuStyle
Iaijatsu Style
By MidKnight
Background
Iaijatsu Style is only compatible with Slashing Swords or paired swords (Slashing and Short, a daisho) or Artifact Daiklaves that are used as a pair (Hooked Daiklaves of Dual Prowess, Fire Dragon Twin Swords)
Charms
Extension of Body Technique</b>
<b>Cost: 2 motes Duration: Instant Type: Reflexive Min. Martial Arts: 2 Min. Essence: 1 Prereqs: None
A student walking the Iaijatsu Style first learns the sword is an extension of his own body. To never be caught unarmed the student is taught how to draw his blade in the blink of an eye and be prepared for battle. Essence guides the character's arm to his sword and pulls it free for use, adding the weapon's Speed rating to his initiative total in the turn the cost was paid. The player must declare they are using this charm before any combat rolls, but may come after Initiative has been rolled.
Flashing Steel Defense</b>
<b>Cost: 4 motes Duration: One Turn / Instant Type: Reflexive Min. Martial Arts: 3 Min. Essence: 1 Prereqs: Extension of Body Technique
As the student progresses he learns that defense is often more important than offense in a duel between swordsmen. In the turn this charm is invoked the character infuses his blade with Essence and lightens it considerably to deflect incoming strikes. She may add her Martial Arts rating to a single parry attempt. In addition, if the character has attacked already she may invoke this Charm to allow her to Parry with a pool equal to her Martial Arts rating once per attack.
Iaijatsu Form</b>
<b>Cost: 5 motes Duration: One Scene Type: Simple Min. Martial Arts: 4 Min. Essence: 2 Prereqs: Flashing Steel Defense
The Exalt prepares himself for battle, calming his mind for clarity and centering himself to act quickly. For the scene he may add his Martial Arts rating to his initiative and soak Lethal damage with his full Stamina. His strikes glow with Essence, adding his Permanent Essence score to damage done with his weapon. Also, if using paired swords the character can default to a Cascading Parry as his action for the turn. Characters cannot use more than one Martial Arts Form-type Charm at a time.
Brilliant Twin Blades Prana</b>
<b>Cost: 3 motes Duration: Instant Type: Extra Action Min. Martial Arts: 5 Min. Essence: 2 Prereqs: Iaijatsu Form
Allowing Essence to engulf his blade the Exalt finds he attacks with an almost preternatural speed and awareness making a number of extra attacks at the same opponent at half his Martial Arts rating (round down). In addition his accuracy increases by a number of dice equal to the difference between his Initiative and the opponent he is attacking.
Dual-Hand Blocking Stance</b>
<b>Cost: 4 motes Duration: One Turn Type: Reflexive Min. Martial Arts: 5 Min. Essence: 2 Prereqs: Iaijatsu Form
The character drops into a defensive stance while Essence guides his eyes to where his swords need to be. In the turn which this charm is invoked the character can abort to a Cascading Parry, eliminating his offhand penalty if wielding paired swords or even using the scabbard of his weapon. The character's pool starts at his Dex + Martial Arts + the combined defense rating of his swords (or +2 for scabbard use) + the character's Permanent Essence rating and decreases by 1 for every successful parry.
Protecting Blade Technique</b>
<b>Cost: 5 motes, 1 Willpower Duration: Instant Type: Supplemental Min. Martial Arts: 5 Min. Essence: 2 Prereqs: Iaijatsu Form
While swords most often take one's life it can also protect such and others. When the character invokes this Charm Essence buffers the edge from cutting flesh, but easily bypasses armor, striking the opponent with the full force of the blow. The character's attack does Bashing damage instead of Lethal and ignores the target's armor for purposes of soak. The blow forces the target back a number of yards equal to damage done and has his initiative reduced by the Martial Arts rating of the character on the next turn only. Subsequent uses may knock the target back farther, but only lowers initiative the first turn after it is used.
Swift Hidden Blade Strike</b>
<b>Cost: 7 motes Duration: One Turn Type: Reflexive Min. Martial Arts: 5 Min. Essence: 3 Prereqs: Brilliant Twin Blades Prana, Dual-Hand Blocking Stance, Protecting Blade Technique
As the Exalt nears mastery of Iaijatsu he learns a sword drawn from the sheathe can attack with a much greater power than simply wielded towards an enemy, that an element of surprise can turn the tide of a battle easily. Such knowledge also confers the ability to use the surprise in defense, striking out to parry an attack before it connects. In the turn in which this Charm is used the character automatically goes first, ignoring any wound penalties suffered while striking, adding his Martial Arts rating to the attack. If used in this way the player must announce that he is using this Charm after Initiative is rolled. If used as a parry it allows the character the same bonuses as attacking, if the attack is completely negated the player can roll for Damage against the target, using the number of successes parried as the base for the pool.This Charm can only be used in turns where the character's blade is sheathed on initiative, it takes one turn to resheathe a blade used in this way.
Wind Cutting Prana</b>
<b>Cost: 5 motes Duration: Instant Type: Supplemental Min. Martial Arts: 5 Min. Essence: 3 Prereqs: Swift Hidden Blade Strike
The character finds his strikes quickened with Essence when he invokes this charm, the strikes coming so fast the force carries to opponents at a distance, offering some protection against archers and the like who would prefer not to battle with swords. The Exalt can make a ranged attack at a distance equal to five times his Martial Arts rating in yards. The player's blade slicing the air creates the force behind this attack, but is limited, after fifteen yards the damage of the attack is reduced by 1, at twenty by 2 and at twenty-five by 3. Each increment of five yards beyond that reduces such by another 1. This attack cannot be parried, but may be dodged by the target. Striking at a target too far away can completely negate any damage it would do, but could prove to be beneficial if striking branches off trees or support ropes or poles.
Blade of the Sun's Glory</b>
<b>Cost: 9 motes, 1 Willpower Duration: One Turn Type: Reflexive Min. Martial Arts: 5 Min. Essence: 3 Prereqs: Wind Cutting Prana
A master of Iaijatsu becomes a formidable opponent indeed, his strikes flash quicker than the eye can see, his defense seems nigh unshakable. In brief, fleeting moments the Exalt appears to simultaneously be before his opponent and yet behind him to strike the best, his sword quick enough to intercept blows nearly before they are made. In the turn which this charm is activated the character adds his Martial Arts rating to his Initiative and all attacks and parries made against any number of opponents. Penalties for multiple actions are at -1 (if only making two attacks then -1 to first roll, -2 to second and so forth) so long as they are attacks and/or parries while fighting. Any attacks or parries count successes twice for determining totals either to negate or for damage.
(And before Ikselam can say it, 'if it requires swords it's Melee, not MA' ;) -MidKnight)
