Post by Shinigami on Jan 21, 2005 3:17:20 GMT -5
I may have started the whole Technique discussion, but I'm sure not carrying it on very well...
Anyway, after a not-so-brief hiatus, I've come up with some minor additions to the topic. My initial description of techniques was vague, and it will still be vague until I have things set perfectly in my mind, but the current course may be slightly errant.
Yes, the techniques are martial in nature, and yes, there are combinations involved, but that's not the total premise I had in my mind. The current iteration in my mind follows something akin to this:
There is a skill known as "Techniques," a cross-class ability for every class(except possibly for a prestige class specializing in such for future plans to worry about.)
There are basic Techniques that absolutely every school knows, aforementioned by Aeos, including the stances.
There are four stances, as well as four Martial Styles that follow those stances. Forward stance is Karate, a very power-oriented style meant to solidify oneself. Back stance is Kung Fu, far more fluid and mobile. Kumite stance is Muy Thai, a style that places great emphasis on mid-range sparring. Finally, grappling stance is Judo/Wrestling, a separate but equal form of Martial arts.
The four Martial Styles will have(hopefully near future) specific techniques that require certain levels of the skill Technique in that Style to be able to perform, such as a jumping side kick(+10 foot range melee combat action) or solarplexus strike(opponent is stunned for one round, like Stunning Fist).
Each Martial Style MAY have branch schools, such as Tai Chi or Shaolin Monk training as an offshoot of Kung Fu. A branch school is still gained through increasing the Technique skill, but the major Martial Style does not increase. New levels in the new school are now counted, so a person may be Technique level 6, Martial Style Karate level 3, Martial Style Kung Fu level 2, Kung Fu school Tai Chi level 1(for the purposes of learning abilities. All martial arts, in some way or another, benefit each other through cross-training.)
The branch schools are specialized versions of their parent Styles. They will have more powerful, more versatile, or possibly more varied techniques than their parent schools. This would be the first step that counterattacks and mid-attack dodges would be possible to attain.
These branch schools will also have school-specific stances, which will not have any benefits other than their parent Style's benefits, but are required for any and all techniques used in that style. There may be feats created for cross-school applications, maybe even cross-Style applications for techniques used in succession(<<not combination, necessarily).
In addition to the four Martial Styles, there will be four Elemental Styles(used in great force on each of the four Elemental Planes). These Elemental Styles require martial training, therefore also have all the basic Techniques and basic stances, but the similarity ends there.
The Elemental Styles require charging for each technique past the basics, perhaps one round per power level of the technique. After the charging time, the prepared attack may be performed any time within the encounter. Only one attack may be charging or charged at one time.
Finally, in addition to the Martial and Elemental Styles, there are the Metaphysical/Paraphysical Styles of Illusion, Alteration, Misdirection and Destruction. These Styles' origins have been lost to the ages; it has been theorized that they were either created by master Magicians who imbued their retainers with incredible gifts, or perhaps were the fighting styles of the Gods themselves. Only a select few, who have ___insert special requirement here, it's 2 in the morning.___ can learn these techniques. They are not normal fighting styles, therefore do not have the basic techniques or stances inherent to the other two forms of Styles.
The Metaphysical/Paraphysical Styles have hand positions, much like Naruto hand signs. Each Style has its own hand positions, therefore can be distinguished from each other.
Illusion is an influence on the target's mind, forcing them to believe that there is a monster in front of them, or that there are twenty-three foes instead of one, or even so far as to force them to believe they are being injured, and so are.
Alteration is the alteration(duh) of the user's body, either allowing them VERY short flight, making blades out of fingers, or warping from place to place in a short distance during battle.
Misdirection is the ability to strike somewhere, i.e. the forearm, and make the strike impact elsewhere, i.e. the face. It is a simple concept at first, but can be modified greatly. Distance strikes from 100 feet away, being hit and redirecting the damage back to the attacker, etc.
Destruction is just that, the use of force to make things not exist anymore. From waves of energy to "counterspells" to WallBreakers(tm), Destruction makes things go bye-bye.
Well, that's as much as my tired brain can come up with right now, I will now fall comatose.
Anyway, after a not-so-brief hiatus, I've come up with some minor additions to the topic. My initial description of techniques was vague, and it will still be vague until I have things set perfectly in my mind, but the current course may be slightly errant.
Yes, the techniques are martial in nature, and yes, there are combinations involved, but that's not the total premise I had in my mind. The current iteration in my mind follows something akin to this:
There is a skill known as "Techniques," a cross-class ability for every class(except possibly for a prestige class specializing in such for future plans to worry about.)
There are basic Techniques that absolutely every school knows, aforementioned by Aeos, including the stances.
There are four stances, as well as four Martial Styles that follow those stances. Forward stance is Karate, a very power-oriented style meant to solidify oneself. Back stance is Kung Fu, far more fluid and mobile. Kumite stance is Muy Thai, a style that places great emphasis on mid-range sparring. Finally, grappling stance is Judo/Wrestling, a separate but equal form of Martial arts.
The four Martial Styles will have(hopefully near future) specific techniques that require certain levels of the skill Technique in that Style to be able to perform, such as a jumping side kick(+10 foot range melee combat action) or solarplexus strike(opponent is stunned for one round, like Stunning Fist).
Each Martial Style MAY have branch schools, such as Tai Chi or Shaolin Monk training as an offshoot of Kung Fu. A branch school is still gained through increasing the Technique skill, but the major Martial Style does not increase. New levels in the new school are now counted, so a person may be Technique level 6, Martial Style Karate level 3, Martial Style Kung Fu level 2, Kung Fu school Tai Chi level 1(for the purposes of learning abilities. All martial arts, in some way or another, benefit each other through cross-training.)
The branch schools are specialized versions of their parent Styles. They will have more powerful, more versatile, or possibly more varied techniques than their parent schools. This would be the first step that counterattacks and mid-attack dodges would be possible to attain.
These branch schools will also have school-specific stances, which will not have any benefits other than their parent Style's benefits, but are required for any and all techniques used in that style. There may be feats created for cross-school applications, maybe even cross-Style applications for techniques used in succession(<<not combination, necessarily).
In addition to the four Martial Styles, there will be four Elemental Styles(used in great force on each of the four Elemental Planes). These Elemental Styles require martial training, therefore also have all the basic Techniques and basic stances, but the similarity ends there.
The Elemental Styles require charging for each technique past the basics, perhaps one round per power level of the technique. After the charging time, the prepared attack may be performed any time within the encounter. Only one attack may be charging or charged at one time.
Finally, in addition to the Martial and Elemental Styles, there are the Metaphysical/Paraphysical Styles of Illusion, Alteration, Misdirection and Destruction. These Styles' origins have been lost to the ages; it has been theorized that they were either created by master Magicians who imbued their retainers with incredible gifts, or perhaps were the fighting styles of the Gods themselves. Only a select few, who have ___insert special requirement here, it's 2 in the morning.___ can learn these techniques. They are not normal fighting styles, therefore do not have the basic techniques or stances inherent to the other two forms of Styles.
The Metaphysical/Paraphysical Styles have hand positions, much like Naruto hand signs. Each Style has its own hand positions, therefore can be distinguished from each other.
Illusion is an influence on the target's mind, forcing them to believe that there is a monster in front of them, or that there are twenty-three foes instead of one, or even so far as to force them to believe they are being injured, and so are.
Alteration is the alteration(duh) of the user's body, either allowing them VERY short flight, making blades out of fingers, or warping from place to place in a short distance during battle.
Misdirection is the ability to strike somewhere, i.e. the forearm, and make the strike impact elsewhere, i.e. the face. It is a simple concept at first, but can be modified greatly. Distance strikes from 100 feet away, being hit and redirecting the damage back to the attacker, etc.
Destruction is just that, the use of force to make things not exist anymore. From waves of energy to "counterspells" to WallBreakers(tm), Destruction makes things go bye-bye.
Well, that's as much as my tired brain can come up with right now, I will now fall comatose.
