MartialArts/SixMethodsStyle
Transcending the Limit
Cost: 2 motes Duration: One Scene Type: Simple Min. Ability: 2 Min Essence: 1 Prereqs: None
A natural martial artist is able to exert himself in ways beyond normal understanding. By understanding his natural capabilities and applying his knowledge, the martial artist may go beyond his normal physical abilities. For a cost of 2 motes, the martial artist my boost any one of his physical attributes by one level. This charm may be stacked or used to increase multiple attributes, and may allow stats to rise above 5, but the total bonus given through use of this charm may not exceed half of the users Martial Arts score (rounded down).
Path of the Higher Authority
Cost: 4 motes Duration: One Scene Type: Simple Min. Ability: 2 Min Essence: 2 Prereqs: Transcending the Limit
The versatility of a well-trained martial artist applies not only to physical feats, but also to any goal he sets his mind to. For the remainder of the scene, the martial artist may add his martial arts skill to all actions that fall underneath a definite goal. The object of the character's focus must be fairly narrow and immediately attainable; "Make lots of money," or "Overthrow Lord Crimson's rule," would not be legal goals, but "Make sure this buyer pays top dollar for these goods," or "Slay Lord Crimson," would. If this charm is used in combat, the character is considered to be unaware of any attacks launched against her from any source besides the object of her focus.
Six Methods Form
Cost: 6 motes Duration: One Scene Type: Simple Min. Ability: 3 Min Essence: 2 Prereqs: Path of the Higher Authority
Unlike most other martial arts styles, the 6 Methods Form has no distinct stance, nor any trademark body movements. Assuming the “stance” of the 6 Methods Form, one appears completely prone, not ready to attack or defend, but in truth capable of moving and striking or evading at any time. The user may use any charm he knows reflexively (though if the charm is of the “simple” type, it still counts as his dice action for the round, and it does not allow for multiple charms to be used in the same turn without a Combo). Also, against any enemy with a Perception + Essence < the user’s Martial Arts, all attacks count as surprise attacks. As with all other form charms, this charm is incompatible with the use of armor and may not be used at the same time as any other “form”-type charm.
Iron Mass Stance
Cost: 3 motes, 1 Willpower Duration: One Turn Type: Simple Min. Ability: 4 Min Essence: 2 Prereqs: Six Methods Form
The martial artist hardens their entire body to mimic the strength of iron. For the rest of the turn, he adds his Martial Arts + Essence to his soak, and may soak lethal damage with his entire soak pool. In addition, any mundane weapons that deal blows against the martial artist run a chance of breaking. If attack against the martial artist is made with a mundane weapon and is soaked completely, roll the number of extra successes made on the attack roll, with a difficulty equal to the martial artist's Essence. If the roll fails, the weapon is broken. This charm is incompatible with the use of armor.
Fluttering Paper Motion
Cost: 5 Motes, 1 Willpower Duration: One Turn Type: Simple Min. Ability: 5 Min Essence: 3 Prereqs: Iron Mass Stance
From the incredible weight of iron to the lightness of a single paper, the martial artist is able to move as if he were simply drifting on the wind. By concentrating on his opponents’ movements, the martial artist may dodge, without need for a roll, all incoming attacks that he is aware of.
Firing Fingers Technique
Cost: 6 motes, 1 Willpower Duration: Instant Type: Supplemental Min. Ability: 3 Min Essence: 3 Prereqs: Six Methods Form
Concentrating all his fighting ability into a single point on his own body, the martial artist is capable of inflicting incredible damage upon his opponents. The martial artist makes a barehanded attack, using a single finger, which punches straight through his enemy’s defenses. The attack is made as normal, but ignores all non-magical soak.
Raging Storm Kick
Cost: 6 Motes Duration: Instant Type: Simple Min. Ability: 4 Min Essence: 3 Prereqs: Firing Fingers Technique
The martial artist makes a mighty kick, destroying not only the body of his enemy, but the area in which he fights as well. This is a standard kicking attack, but any objects within the attacker’s essence in yards are demolished as well. All inanimate objects within range are targeted by the attack, and get no soak against it. Any living creature within range in unaffected, but may have to quickly evade falling debris if walls or the like start collapsing around them.
Soaring Moon Step
Cost: 2 motes Duration: One Turn Type: Reflexive Min. Ability: 4 Min Essence: 2 Prereqs: Six Methods Form
Using powerfully trained legs, the martial artist leaps high into the air, leaving his enemies behind him, then landing as he sees fit. The martial artist jumps straight into the air, to three times his normal vertical jumping distance, and may land anywhere within Essence x2 yards of his starting point at the end of the turn. If he chooses to land behind an enemy, he gains all the benefits of attacking from behind on the next turn, assuming he wins initiative. While in the air, the martial artist may not dodge or parry, and though most enemies cannot reach him, if he is hit, he immediately falls back to his starting point.
Space Shaving Movement
Cost: 6 motes Duration: Instant Type: Reflexive Min. Ability: 5 Min Essence: 2 Prereqs: Soaring Moon Step
Moving faster than the eye can see, the martial artist instantly closes the distance between himself and his opponent, disappearing and then reappearing directly in front of him. When attacked, the martial artist may make a reflexive dodge roll. If it succeeds, the martial artist may immediately make a counter-attack. This charm may not be used against another counter-attack, but other counter-attack charms are explicitly permitted to be usable against this one.
Heavenly Brotherhood Meditation
Cost: 4 motes + 1 Willpower + 2 motes per ally Duration: One Scene Type: Simple Min. Ability: 5 Min Essence: 4 Prereqs: Fluttering Paper Motion, Raging Storm Kick, Space Shaving Movement
Masters of the 6 Methods are not feared for their powerful techniques (though those are certainly worthy of inspiring fear), but for the sympathy between each other that all who have studied the arts deepest secrets have obtained. Through use of their perfect teamwork, masters of the 6 Methods are capable of overcoming any obstacle. For the remainder of the scene, all characters using this charm may divide their ability dice pools in any way they see fit, and may change the distribution at the beginning of every turn. However, there are certain limitations. First, a character using Heavenly Brotherhood Meditation may not lend out any of his abilities below so that his own level is less than 1. Second, a character must have at least 1 dot in an ability in order to gain more dice from his allies.
Comments
There's a lot of ripping-off going on here, and I figger I better 'fess up to all of it. The idea for this style is taken directly from the manga series One Piece, with the "Six Methods" (those charms after the form and before the apex) being taken directly from the techniques a certain group uses (with the names being appropriately jazzed up in the style of Exalted Charms), and the others simply reflecting other skills said same group demonstrated. Also, in order to specifically define the way Path of the Higher Authority works, I appropriated a bit of description from a certain Fire Aspect Hearthstone from Ikselam. I hope this is taken as the sincerest form of flattery, as that's how it's meant. Outside from that, I'd simply like to know what people think of the ideas presented here in general, whether good or bad, I'm curious to learn people's opinions. - DonQuijote
- This is a cool martial art. I like the set up. It is simple without being to powerful as a lot of martial arts charm tree's can become. I would also like to add a request for a form. Mutsu. I saw this anime called Shura No Toki. The main character "cloud", forget what his name was actually, just that it meant cloud, used a martial art form called Mutsu which was designed to fight armed opponents. The series had some really cool fight scenes. Anyways .. if you could. Savare
