MartialArts/LionsPrideStyle
Lion's Pride Style
By Thinker
Background
This demanding Martial Arts Style requires extreme mastery of oneself and one's Essence to a degree that is nearly impossible for anyone besides a Solar Exalted to manage. At the height of the First Age, it was only practiced by the Solar Exalted and a few scattered Sidereal Prodigies who still practice it today. Abyssal Exalted could muster the control of their Essence needed for such a Charm, however lacking in tutors it would be difficult to imagine how they would do so.
As this Martial Arts Style extends beyond the normal styles practiced by even the Celestial Exalted, it has a separate experience point cost per Charm table listed below to reflect its strength and difficulty;
Solar / Abyssal Exalted - 10 (8 if Martial Arts are Favored)\\ Sidereal Exalted - 15 (12 if Martial Arts are Favored)\\ Terrestrial and Lunar Exalted - 20 (15 if Martial Arts are Favored)
Terrestrial Exalted attempting to learn this art would require an entirely new form of training, to learn it, one even more grueling than that taken by the Immaculates, one that does not currently exist.
Sidereal and Lunar Exalted wishing to pursue the Lion Pride Style Martial Arts, must first complete a grueling trial of physical, mental and spiritual exertion designed to attune their Essence to the immense power of this style by the ancient Dawn Caste solars who taught it to the Sidereal in the First Age. This training period requires five years to complete and in the process they learn the two Charms detailed below (Required for any non Solar or Abyssal who attempts to learn this art or any other Martial Arts style at this level to even begin upon the path). In the Second Age only the Sidereal still possess the knowledge of this training system, and even though Solars need not master the two initial Charms, they would still need a Sidereal tutor to learn the style itself, though they may self teach beyond the Form Charm.
Rushing Sun Block</b>
<b>Cost: 5 Motes Duration: Instant Type: Reflexive Min. Martial Arts: 2 Min. Essence: 1 Prereqs: None
This Charm allows the Exalt to double their Dexterity + Martial Arts dice pool for the purpose of a single Martial Arts parry. It does not allow them to exceed the normal dice adder limits for their Exalted type however.
Mirror Deflects the Light</b>
<b>Cost: 2 Motes Duration: Instant Type: Reflexive Min. Martial Arts: 2 Min. Essence: 2 Prereqs: Rushing Sun Block
This Charm allows the Exalt to take a parry at their full Dexterity + Martial Arts dice pool against a single attack they are aware of. This is a standard Martial Arts parry in all ways and may be supplemented normally in a combo.
Lion's Pride Style focuses on enormous resiliency, vicious attacks, and the ability to lead and inspire other combatants to a degree that defies mortal explanation. A member of the Dawn Caste who has mastered this Style leading his Circle into combat becomes an almost unstoppable force.
Charms
Golden Hide Attitude</b>
<b>Cost: 3 Motes Duration: One Scene Type: Reflexive Min. Martial Arts: 2 Min. Essence: 1 Prereqs: None
The Exalt using this Charm may add their Stamina + Martial Arts to their bashing soak for the rest of the scene, by toughening their flesh like the thick hide and bulging muscles of a legendary lion.
Unbreakable Bones Meditation</b>
<b>Cost:4 Motes, 1 Willpower Duration: One Scene Type: Reflexive Min. Martial Arts: 3 Min. Essence: 2 Prereqs: Golden Hide Attitude
By using this Charm, the Exalt sinks Essence deep into their body reinforcing and toughening it. For the rest of the Scene they may use their full bashing soak to soak lethal attacks. This Charm is not compatible with armor.
Lion Pride Form</b>
<b>Cost:5 motes, 1 willpower Duration: One Scene Type: Simple Min. Martial Arts: 4 Min. Essence: 2 Prereqs: Unbreakable Bones Meditation
This powerful Charm is the core of the Lion Pride style, anyone aside from a Solar or Abyssal Exalted attempting to raise this Charm must make a Dexterity + Martial Arts roll to successfully perform the Kata needed to shape its Essence. If the Character is a Sidereal Exalted this roll is difficulty 1, a Lunar Exalted 2, and a Dragon-Blooded 3. Once enacted the Lion Pride Form has the following effects; It adds the characters Martial Arts to their Bashing Soak, Initiative and all combat dice pools.
Additionally it adds their characters Martial Arts to the combat dice pools of any ally within Essence x 2 yards of themselves. The characters attacks while under the effects of this Charm may be lethal or bashing at their option either while bare-handed or armed. Additional they may parry Lethal damage with their bare hands. This Charm is not compatible with Armor. While fighting in this style the Exalt holds themselves with the majestic stance of a lion on the prowl ready and able to overcome all opposition.
Only one Form-Type Charm can be active on a character at a time if another Form-Type Charm is activated while the character is under the effects of the Lion's Pride Form, this Charm is immediately negated and replaced by this Form.
Lionic Roar Assault</b>
<b>Cost:3 motes, 1 willpower Duration: Instant Type: Simple Min. Martial Arts: 4 Min. Essence: 3 Prereqs: Lion Pride Form
The Exalt roars with the force of an entire pride of lions at once. The sound is so terrible as to shake the resolve of any enemy who hears it clearly. The Exalt rolls their Strength + Martial Arts and anyone within Essence x 10 yards whose Essence is lower than the number of successes scored is shaken, and looses a number of dice on all combat dice pools equal to the Exalt using this Charm's Essence for the rest of the scene. Abyssal Exalted and other creatures of darkness are considered to have half their normal Essence scores for purposes of this Charm. No mundane means of blocking or negating noise will prevent this Charm, and magical means are only effective if created by a character with higher Essence than the Exalt using this Charm.
Bone Breaking Shout</b>
<b>Cost:6 Motes Duration: Instant Type: Simple Min. Martial Arts: 5 Min. Essence: 3 Prereqs: Lionic Roar Assault
Focusing the terrible power of the Lionic Roar Assault onto a single target the Exalt attempts to shatter their bones through the shear force of their voice. This attack is resolved by a normal Dexterity + Martial Arts attack roll that cannot be dodged or blocked. The perfect defenses of the Abyssal or Solar Exalted (Seven Shadow Evasion, etc) are proof against this attack as they are proof against all others. This attack does base damage of the Exalts Essence + Additional attack successes and ignores armor. No mundane means of blocking or negating noise will prevent this Charm, and magical means are only effective if created by a character with higher Essence than the Exalt using this Charm.
Confidence Encouraging Roar</b>
<b>Cost:7 Motes, 1 willpower Duration: Essence Turns Type: Simple Min. Martial Arts: 5 Min. Essence: 4 Prereqs: Bone Breaking Yell
The Exalt gives a deep bellowing yell that inspires a strong feeling of confidence and strength in their allies, and themselves. While this Charm is in effect the character and any ally who was within 10 yards when they activated it, gains a number of automatic successes on any attack roll equal to the characters Essence score. Their allies need not remain within 10 yards once the Charm has been enacted to retain its effects, and allies moving into the 10 yard radius once it is enacted do not gain the benefits. Multiple activations of this Charm do not stack but may extend the duration or include new allies in the effect.
Weapon Snatching Swat</b>
<b>Cost:3 motes Duration: Instant Type: Reflexive Min. Martial Arts: 5 Min. Essence: 2 Prereqs: Lion Pride Form
The Exalt attempts to swat an attacking weapon out of the hands of the attacker, in order to deflect the attack. The Exalt rolls their normal Dexterity + Martial Arts parry dice pool (The parry is provided by the Charm) and so long as they score at least three more successes on their parry than they opponent did on their attack, the not only is the attack prevented but the Exalt has taken their opponents weapon with a free hand. If they do not wish to hold the weapon or do not have a free hand then they may reflexively throw it up to Strength + Martial Arts yards away as part of the parry instead, in a direction of their choice. Furthermore if the weapon is magical, their opponent must make an Essence + Relevant Combat Ability roll with a difficulty equal to the Exalt using this Charm's Essence. If failed their attunement to the weapon is shattered by the force of this Charm.
Lashing Claw Cascade</b>
<b>Cost:5 motes, 1 willpower Duration: One Scene Type: Reflexive Min. Martial Arts: 5 Min. Essence: 3 Prereqs: Weapon Snatching Swat
Adopting the weary stance of a Lion cornered the Exalt prepares themselves to make their opponent bleed for each and every step of ground they gain. Once under the effects of this Charm the Exalt may make an immediate counterattack against any hand-to-hand directed at them for the rest of the scene. They may add their Martial Arts as bonus dice to this counterattack and any additional successes on their last defense dice pool should they parry or dodge it. These bonuses are a normal Charm bonus and cannot exceed the bonus allowed by the characters Exalted type. However any additional dice that would have been added to the attack roll but are not for this reason are added to the raw damage of the attack instead as like the lion the characters blows are both vicious and wicked.
Prowling Cat Assault</b>
<b>Cost:10 motes, 1 willpower Duration: One Scene Type: Simple Min. Martial Arts: 5 Min. Essence: 4 Prereqs: Lashing Claw Cascade, Bone Breaking Shout
Tapping into the primal nature of the Lion's Pride Style the character brings forth the expression of its rage and power. For the rest of the scene, the character ignores attacks completely that deal less damage than their soak. They may add their Martial Arts to their Initiative and parry dice pools, and may make a number of free Martial Arts attacks each Turn, equal to their Essence score.
Lion Pride Combat</b>
<b>Cost:10 motes, 1 willpower Duration: One Scene Type: Simple Min. Martial Arts: 5 Min. Essence: 5 Prereqs: Prowling Cat Assault, Confidence Encouraging Roar
Exuding power and confidence, while using their Essence to bolster their companions, the Exalt gives part of his power to any who will follow him into battle. Any character that is an ally or follower of the Exalt using this Charm who is within Essence x 10 yards, gains a free combat action each Turn. This can be split as normal, or used to attack (with any ability) or take a Full Dodge. The character themselves does not gain this benefit.
