Teflonshugenja/MantisStyleRevised
Grnegsnspm is responsible for the bulk of the new flavor and structure of the Revised Style.
The Mantis style of martial arts is based off of observations pertaining to the simple elegance of the Preying Mantis. Many practitioners of this style believe in having an outward calm that remains even during the most heated of combats. This is not to say that all practitioners have gotten rid of their passions, merely that they do not show such things to adversaries in an attempt to unnerve them. The style draws not only on the combat abilities but also on the stillness of the mantis. Many masters of the style have been said to stand quietly on a branch for days in meditation. It is also believed that killing your opponent is only a last resort and many martial artists of this style espouse restraint in combat, if not outright pacifism. The calm and meditative nature of the style has led many to believe they are easily beaten but there are few as aware or as quick to react as the masters of the mantis style.
Leaping Mantis Technique</b>
<b>Cost:2 motes Duration: Instant Type: Reflexive Minimum Martial Arts: 2 Minimum Essence: 1 Prerequisite Charms: None
The character, literally, springs into, or out of, combat with the speed and agility of a mantis. Using their own momentum or that off the attackers, the martial artist is able to leap to safety or to a different opponent. When activated, any successful dodge or parry may be followed by a leap in any direction equal to the characters MA score in yards. If the attacker has no ranged attack to reach them or movement remaining to cover the distance, the martial artist is safe from harm. The motes for this charm do not have to be paid until after the defensive roll.
Iron Claw Parry</b>
<b>Cost:3 motes Duration: Instant Type: Reflexive Minimum Martial Arts: 3 Minimum Essence: 1 Prerequisite Charms: Leaping Mantis Technique
The character imitates the defensive posture of the mantis. The Exalt may add his MA score to all parry attempts this turn, either with a weapon or unarmed, and may block lethal attacks unarmed.
Mantis Form</b>
<b>Cost:5 motes Duration: Instant Type: Simple Minimum Martial Arts: 4 Minimum Essence: 2 Prerequisite Charms: Iron Claw Parry
The character is able to assume the stance of the mantis, both deadly and defensive; able to watch his adversaries with unnerving calm. The character adds his MA score to his initiative and his lethal and bashing soak. In addition he may block lethal attacks unarmed. The character may hold his action without penalty, allowing him to wait for the opportune moment to strike. The character may decide whether or not his attacks do lethal or bashing damage. A character may use only one Form-type Charm at any given time.
Blade Grasping Method</b>
<b>Cost:3 motes Duration: Instant Type: Reflexive Minimum Martial Arts: 4 Minimum Essence: 2 Prerequisite Charms: Mantis Form
The student of Mantis Style learns that all things are not equal in combat. Through knowledge of one's own weaknesses, the student gains knowledge of how to strip another of their strengths. The Exalt may make a reflexive parry at their full Dex + MA pool. If the parry is successful, the character may make an immediate counterattack to place the attacker in a clinch, with any extra success from the parry counting as extra attack dice when trying to initiate the hold.
Steel Embrace of the Hungry Mantis</b>
<b>Cost:3 motes Duration: Instant Type: Supplemental Minimum Martial Arts: 4 Minimum Essence: 2 Prerequisite Charms: Blade Grasping Method
When in a clinch, the practioner of Mantis may completely bypass his opponents defenses. The Exalt may add his Essence in dice to any attempt to initaite or maintain a clinch. If the character chooses to do damage, double his extra successes for the purposes of determining raw damage.
Weakness of the Body Attack</b>
<b>Cost:3 motes Duration: Instant Type: Supplemental Minimum Martial Arts: 5 Minimum Essence: 2 Prerequisite Charms: Steel Embrace of the Hungry Mantis
The student finally learns how to immobilize their target without damaging them or putting themselves in danger. The Exalt makes an attack as normal using Dex + MA and rolling any damage. However, the attack does not deal damage but, for every die of damage dealt after soak, the victim suffers a -1 die penalty to all rolls for the remainder of the scene, to a maximum of -5, in addition to any wound penalties suffered. This attack can be done multiple times on the same enemy in order to try and gain more success; however, its effects are not cumulative. This attack is affective against both automata and the undead.
Blissful Ignorance Stance</b>
<b>Cost:4 motes Duration: One turn Type: Reflexive Minimum Martial Arts: 4 Minimum Essence: 2 Prerequisite Charms: Mantis Form
The martial artist adopts a pose that suggests he is lost in thought and/or not paying attention to what is going on. This causes him to become an easily sought target. However, the Exalt is not as oblivious as it seems. Any opponent facing the martial artist must make a Temperance roll at difficulty 2 or attempt to attack the Exalt immediately upon his entering the stance. If a foe is facing more than one martial artist using this charm, he may choose whom to attack. Once attacked, the Exalt gains an immediate counterattack at his full Dex + MA pool and drops out of the stance. The Exalt may defend the attack as normal. If the Exalt is not attacked or attacks first, he immediately drops out of the stance. Blissful Ignorance Stance must be activated before initiative is rolled.
Essence Contemplation Meditation</b>
<b>Cost:3 motes, 1 Willpower Duration: One Scene Type: Simple Minimum Martial Arts: 4 Minimum Essence: 3 Prerequisite Charms: Blissful Ignorance Stance
Through contemplation of essence flows, a student of Mantis style is able to understand and, sometimes, redirect the flows of essence from other Exalts. Whenever a charm requiring essence expenditure is used against the martial artist, the Exalt may roll a number of dice equal to his Temperance. For every success, the Exalt regains a mote of essence. The essence gained through this charm cannot exceed the amount spent on the opposing charm. This does not affect charms that are already in use, such as a persistant defense. A charm is considered "used against" a character if it would directly hamper them either offensively or defensively - attacks, Charms and Sorceries directed at the Martial Artist or encompassing him in their effect with the intent to harm him qualify; a Charm-enhanced bowshot that cuts the rope suspending a ten-ton boulder above him does not.
Mantis Among Leaves Prana</b>
<b>Cost:7 motes, 1 Willpower Duration: One Scene Type: Simple Minimum Martial Arts: 5 Minimum Essence: 3 Prerequisite Charms: Essence Contemplation Meditation
The martial artist adopts the style of the mantis and its ability to blend in with its background. As long as the character is hiding or moving slowly, they gain automatic successes to their Stealth rolls equal to their permanent Essence. When used during a combat situation, opponents find it difficult to focus on the Exalt and tend to have trouble hitting them. Those who attempt to attack the character at range have their difficulty to hit raised by the character's MA while those in hand-to-hand combat find their difficulty raised by the characters permanent Essence.
Essence Grappling Method</b>
<b>Cost:10 motes, 1 Willpower Duration: Until Broken Type: Simple Minimum Martial Arts: 5 Minimum Essence: 3 Prerequisite Charms: Mantis Among Leaves Prana, Weakness of the Body Attack
The master of Mantis style knows the failings of the body and the flows of essence in creation. He becomes aware that all things in creation move with the tides of essence and that grappling with a physical body is no more difficult than grappling with the essence around them to an enlightened mind. The martial artist may make a normal clinch attack against an opponent. However, if the attack succeeds, instead of holding them physically, he is able to grapple with their very essence. The martial artists anima reaches out and seems to envelop the other character. Both characters are then unable to use charms or channel essence for any reason, for the remainder of the scene or until the clinch is broken. This does not affect motes committed to an artifact weapon nor will it prevent the use of persistant charms. A character being Essence Grappled may attempt to break free as from a normal clinch but rolls his Wits + Occult or MA. This can be resisted by a similar roll from the martial artist. If the player is incapacitated or distracted from his foe, the effects of this charm will end immediately.
