LUA (EXCLUSIVE)
By Kuseru
Entrance Requirements: No Attribute or Alignment Restrictions.
Skill Cost: 20 Years
Lua, the Hawaiian art of bone breaking is translated as "dislocation of joints," "hard and soft," "life and death" or the number two. Originally this style of grappling evolved from the lomilomi massages given to boat paddlers. By the 15th century, twelve different schools, each with its own specialty attacks based on animal forms, had developed. In the 19th century this style was restricted to the royal family of Hawaii and was considered illegal for anyone else to practice. Recently, the style has begun to spread somewhat, with the opening of a school in southern California.
The principal focus of Lua is the breaking and dislocation of joints, with over 300 techniques for the breaking of bones, with or without weapons. Both armed, with wooden weapons, and unarmed techniques are taught. Attacks include elbow strikes, hand strikes, joint-breaking, kicks, locks, and throws. Blocking an incoming strike and following up with the appropriate attack is the standard pattern of Lua combat. Some practitioners were known to ambush victims in order to test their bone-breaking skills, and thus earned a reputation as being pilau (savages).
Also involved in Lua is the use of internal energy, mana, essentially the same as Chi. 'Olohe-lua, or masters of the style, were said to have a number of special abilities, including hypnotism and telepathy.
Costume: None.
Stance: Low knee bends, feet more than shoulder-width apart. Hands out-stretched in an open position.
CHARACTER BONUSES
Add +5 to Chi
Add +1 to M.E.
Add +2 to P.S.
Add +2D6 to S.D.C.
COMBAT SKILLS
Attacks per Melee: 4
Escape Moves: Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact.
Attack Moves: None.
Basic Defense Moves: Automatic Parry, Dodge, Parry.
Advanced Defense Moves: Breakfall, Combination Parry/Attack, Power Block/Parry.
Hand Attacks: Strike (Punch), Knife Hand, Fore-Knuckle Fist, Power Punch.
Basic Foot Attacks: Backward Sweep, Kick Attack, Reverse Turning Kick, Snap Kick.
Jumping Foot Attacks: Spear Kick (Jump Kick).
Special Attacks: Death Strike, Elbow, Hand Throw (New!), Hip Throw (New!), Joint Throw (New!), Paralysis Attack, Shoulder Throw (New!).
Holds/Locks: Elbow Break, Elbow Lock, Finger Break, Finger Lock, Wrist Break, Wrist Lock.
Weapon Kata (Pick Five): W.P. Hoe (Polearm), W.P. Hoe Lei-o-mano (Polearm), W.P. Ihe (Spear), W.P. Ka'ane (Demon Snare), W.P. Ko'oko'o (Staff), W.P. Ku'eku'e Lima Lei-o-mano (Fist Load), W.P. La'au Palau (Club), W.P. Ma'a/ka-ala (Sling), W.P. Maka Pâhoa (Forked), W.P. Newa (Club), W.P. Pahi (Knife), W.P. Pâhoa (Knife?), W.P. Pâhoa Ko'oko'o (Trident), W.P. Pololu (Spear).
Modifiers to Attacks: Critical Strike, Critical Strike from Behind.
SKILLS INCLUDED IN TRAINING
Martial Art Powers: Select a total of TWO (2) Martial Art Powers from among Atemi, Chi Mastery, and Lua Martial Art Techniques.
Lua Martial Art Techniques (In addition to the combat styles listed below, Kosshijutsu and Koppojutsu are both available to this style)
Crab Style: Adds the following martial art techniques: Choke, Crab Pinch (Gou Grip), Crab Throat Pinch (One Handed Choke)
Dolphin Style: Adds the following martial art techniques: Backhand, Dolphin Palm Strike (Lau), Dolphin Nerve Strike (Fingertip Attack), Dolphin Block (Combination Dodge/Attack)
Eagle Style: Adds the following martial art techniques: Power Elbow (NEW!), Eagle Block, Eagle Strike (Eagle Claw Hand), Eagle Grab (Tsai Grip)
Hawk Style: Adds the following martial art techniques: Hawk Beak (Crane Fist), Hawk Strike (Leap Attack), Hawk Block (Disarm)
Moray Eel Style: Adds the following martial art techniques: Moray Eel Strike (Fingertip Attack), Moray Eel Evasion (Multiple Dodge), Moray Eel Bite (Knockout/Stun, occurs on a Natural 18, 19, or 20)
Mountain Pig Style: Adds the following martial art techniques: Mountain Pig Throw (Combination Joint Break/Throw), Mountain Pig Kick (Stomp), Knee, Drop Kick
Ocelot/Cat Style: Adds the following martial art techniques: Ocelot Palm Strike (Rotary Palm Strike), Ocelot Sweep (Sweep Kick), Tripping/Leg Hook, Ocelot Claw (Claw Hand)
Octopus Style: Adds the following martial art techniques: Octopus Block (Circular Parry), Octopus Strike (Power Punch), Octopus Poke (Hook at Eyes)
Owl Style: Adds the following martial art techniques: Owl Beak (Chuk), Owl Strike (Gou Strike), Owl Dodge (Automatic Dodge)
Shark Style: Adds the following martial art techniques: Shark Strike (Thumb Drive Fist), Shark Block (Combination Dodge/Thumb Drive Fist (NEW!)), Shark Bite (Gore)
Tiger Style: Adds the following martial art techniques: Tiger Claw (Black Tiger Claw Strike), Tiger Paw (Negative Gou), Tiger Dodge (Leap Dodge)
Languages: Hawaiian
Cultural: Massage
Weapon Proficiencies: W.P. Hoe (Polearm), W.P. Hoe Lei-o-mano (Polearm), W.P. Ihe (Spear), W.P. Ka'ane (Demon Snare), W.P. Ko'oko'o (Staff), W.P. Ku'eku'e Lima Lei-o-mano (Fist Load), W.P. La'au Palau (Club), W.P. Ma'a/ka-ala (Sling), W.P. Maka Pâhoa (Forked), W.P. Newa (Club), W.P. Pahi (Knife), W.P. Pâhoa (Knife?), W.P. Pâhoa Ko'oko'o (Trident), W.P. Pololu (Spear).
Philosophical Training: None.
If this is your Primary Martial Art then the following other styles can be learned in a shorter time: Chito Ryu (3 Years), Gensei Ryu (3 Years), Goju Ryu (3 Years), Isshin Ryu (4 Years), Kajukenbo (4 Years), Kodokan Judo (4 Years), Okinawa Kenpo (4 Years), Ryukyu Kenpo (7 Years), Sankukai (4 Years), Shito Ryu (3 Years), Shorei Ryu (3 Years), Shorin Ryu (4 Years), Shorinji Kenpo (4 Years), Shorinji Ryu Karate (4 Years), Shotokan (4 Years), Shukokai (3 Years), Uechi Ryu (4 Years), Wado Ryu (5 Years).
LEVEL ADVANCEMENT BONUSES
1st: +2 to Joint Locks, +1 to Body Flip/Throw (all Throws)
2nd: +1 to Strike, +2 to Damage
3rd: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Atemi, Lua Martial Art Techniques, or Weapon Kata.
4th: +2 to Parry/Dodge, +1 to Joint Locks
5th: +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Damage
6th: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Chi Mastery or Zenjorike.
7th: +2 to Joint Locks, +1 to Body Flip/Throw (all Throws)
8th: +2 to Parry/Dodge, +1 to Strike
9th: +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Joint Locks
10th: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Atemi, Lua Martial Art Techniques, or Weapon Kata.
11th: Add +5 to Chi, +2 to Body Flip/Throw (all Throws)
12th: +1 to Damage, Critical Strike on a Natural 19 or 20
13th: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Chi Mastery or Zenjorike.
14th: +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Strike
15th: Death Strike on a Natural 20
Why Study Lua?
A very complete style, it offers attacks at every range of combat, and also teaches both weapon skills and good unarmed moves. Although it can be used quite effectively at any range, it is truly fearsome when used in grappling range. Any opponent falling under an attack risks permanent maiming. A very well-rounded form that tries to have a bit of everything, from kicks to weapon skills, to internal training.