The Ghost/Enlightened Armatures Style

Enlightened Armatures Style is perhaps the most flexible and Alterable style anywhere in existence. In fact some have argued that the style is not actually a single style but rather a collection of related styles. Debate, and fighting, continues to rage over the subject across the octet whenever several adherents of this style's several variations come together.

History of Enlightened Armatures Style

Of the Celestial Martial Arts developed in Autochthonia EAS is the oldest of all, having come into existence along side Salwart Iron Hero Style. Developed through guided visions from the Divine Minsters EAS is in a way the missing Alchemical Hero Style, working with the natural aptitudes of Alchemcials to allow them to become paragons of their chosen attributes. This style has dozens of variants and sub schools and is practiced in every nation of of the octet as well as the silent nation of the Adamant cities and the four rogue states of Hokuva, Erlik, Loran, and Xexas.

Each nation of the octet claims that Enlightened Armatures Style was first developed among their own people and then spread to the rest of the octet from there. They all are wrong. The truth of the matter is that each of the eight nations developed the style independently, it's early practitioners guided by visions from the divine minsters. This however only accounts for the base tree of the style, the 20 known variants of the style each were in fact developed by one nation or another and still see use primarily in the nations that created them, as are the three unknown variants practiced in Erlik and Hokuva

Inception

The Exact mechanisms by which the first exalted were created are shrouded in myth, allegory, and state sponsored revisionism, as well as the simple wearing away of evidence from over 3000 years of history, but what is known to the practitioners of each national variant of EAS is that those they led began to receive visions from the divine ministers inspiring them to formulate a martial art that Extoled and reinforced their personal virtues. These Eight national styles were the first versions of EAS to come into existence and are common among the Exalted of each nation to this day.

Yugash

To Yugash came a style based on the swift and sudden attack and hiding your intentions behind a smiling face, where boldness and daring were cardinal virtues and you never admitted defeat till after you had already been killed. Elements of this style would become the basis of the Moonsilver and Oil variants in later years, which would in turn recombine and altar to form Loran's National Style.

Nurad

In Nurad a style defined but the hard hit and honorable challenge, also marked by more adaptable and extensive use of weapons, grew and prospered for a time. It's precepts would later come to influence the Orichalcum and Lightning variants of the style.

Sova

Sova built itself a muse of iron and fire, a style emphasizing conservative movements and tenacious fighting combine with sudden strikes and honor above all. It's tenets would go on to inspire the Jade and Steel variants of the style. It is perhaps a sad note which has led to Sova's decline that their own style is not so much favored any more within Sova's armed forces, the various caste styles having largely supplanted it.

Estasia

Estasia's national style does not take it's cues from any of the castes nor the elements, but rather from the martial dream of it's founder. It is a style built for war, where courage and indomitable will are paramount and the utility of the ability is all important. Estasia's style is considered a state secret even today, and only their exalted champions pass it down from one sifu to the next. Though unknown to the people of Estasia or anywhere else Erlik's national style is loosely based on the framework of Estasia's style, though corrupted almost beyond recognition.

Claslat

From Claslat came an ideal of expansion and development, where both lies and intelligence are tools of battle and the fast and unexpected strike is the core of the style's ethos. This style is often seen as deficient by the practitioners of the other styles as it has little staying power in a fight unless the student is quite advanced in it's abilities. However it has great potential in the hands of a skilled user for far more than combat and this has made it one of the few national styles which is widespread among the octet. This style's spiritual successors include the Starmettal variant and the Steam variant.

Kamak

Among the Kamakie evolved a style that is not based so much on the emulation of their founder's caste as his leadership in dealing with the Gods and Elementals of Autchthonia and providing for his people. It emphasizes leading by example and working for the benefit of those close to you and your fellow countrymen. The Style is largely based not around any of the castes or the virtues but instead around the elements most important to Kamak, Steam, Metal, and Lightning. It has as such influenced the all three of those elemental styles.

Jarish

Jarish's style is also peculiar, in that it emphasizes no less than 3 castes of exalt as it's models of virtue: Moonsilver, Orichalcum, and Soulsteel. As such it is the most varied style, taking a balanced approach to the abilities and vertues it favors, with each student finding their own path to enlightenment. As might be imagined Jarish's style had significant influence on the caste styles of the three caste's it emulates.

Gulak

Gulak did not develop a national style until some years after the others, though it too created it's style independently. Alone of the eight it's style is not based on it's founder but rather one of her legates who was created later. Why this is is unknown but what is clear is that the divine minsters felt that while Thutot was a worthy leader and champion it was Destructive Vindicated Exarch who should form the basis of Gulak's signature martial art. This style emphasizes sticking to your guns and always being steadfast in the face of adversity while adapting to changing conditions rapidly. It in large part forms the basis of the Soulsteel and Smoke variants of EAS.

Mutation and Proliferation

The First Mutations of the styles came when students began to train in the schools of other nations hoping to master different forms of their art. In some cases they did in fact master different forms, while in others they found that their confused mishmash of styles prevented them from ever achieving full understanding of any style at all. However those who developed new styles of fighting often went on to found dojos training others in the new style they had discovered and so the new styles spread. The end result has been a proliferation of styles based on other precepts than those of the founding styles.

The Six Unknown Variants

Erlik

Erlik's Variant of the SIHS should not work. It defies the known conventions for how a SIHS variant should be designed. Why this is and how it is possible is a mystery but it is theorized that it has something to do with the cumulative dissonance of the city of ten thousand blasphemies.

The SIHS Charm Tree

Tier 5: Capstone

Erlik

The base Charms of Erlik's signature variant are as follows: 1: Smoke, 2: Appearance, Manipulation, 3: Soulsteel, 4: Conviction, and Valor.