TAHTEEB
By Kuseru
Entrance Requirements: No Alignment restrictions. Minimum Attributes include a P.S. of 11 and Spd. of 13.
Skill Cost: 11 Years (9 Years as a Secondary Martial Art Style)
Tahteeb, also known as Tahtib and Tehteeb, is an Egyptian dancing and stick fighting style. Five areas of fighting are taught in this form. Horseback fighting with staff, foot fighting with stick and staff, combative dance, social dance, and an imitation of women variant. Blocking and parrying are essential defenses, with striking attacks taking precedence over joint locks. Realistic techniques are blended with flashy maneuvers to create fakes and counters in the style. Footwork is also of import, with charging and circling techniques, particularly "horse stepping" used to confuse an opponent. There are two weapons used in the style: a four foot long stick known variously as Asa, Asaya, or Shoum, and the 12 foot long staff, known as Naboot.
Costume: Arab Winter Wear: An aba (the traditional desert robe, simple and flowing in design. Most abas are monochromatic-- black, brown, and white being favorite colors. The amount and type of embroidery on the edges reflects the relative luxury of the garment; the best abas are trimmed with threads of gold. Some abas may be made of dyed fabric and bright colors, especially those designed for festival days and special occasions. The aba is closed at the waist with a sash and has full, open sleeves.), with a Jellaba (heavy "winter aba," which runs to the ground, is typically less decorative than the aba and is made of wool or felt) worn over it. It is worn with a keffiyeh (headcloth) and an akal (a cord or group of cords designed to hold a keffiyeh snugly to the head. Basic versions are simply hemp cords, but more ornate agals are made of silk, and some are trimmed with semi-precious stones and dusted with gold.).
Stance: Standing upright with head bowed down slightly, eyes half-closed, hands loosely holding the staff, one over the other, over the heart, with the palms pointing inward.
CHARACTER BONUSES
Add +2 to M.E.
Add +3 to M.A.
Add +1 to P.P.
Add +1D6 to S.D.C.
COMBAT SKILLS
Attacks per Melee: 3
Escape Moves: Maintain Balance, Turn with Punch/Fall/Impact.
Attack Moves: Forward Spin, Horse Stepping (New).
Basic Defense Moves: Automatic Parry, Backward Turn, Dodge, Parry.
Advanced Defense Moves: Circular Parry, Combination Parry/Attack, Spinning Evasion
Hand Attacks: Back Hand, Punch (Human Fist), Rotary Palm Strike.
Basic Foot Attacks: Crescent Kick, Kick Attack, Roundhouse Kick, Snap Kick, Wheel Kick.
Jumping Foot Attacks: None.
Special Attacks: Backward Thrust (NEW!), Trip/Leg Hook - Weapon (NEW!).
Holds/Locks: None.
Weapon Kata: W.P. Stick (Blunt), W.P. Staff.
Modifiers to Attacks: Critical Strike, Feint (NEW!), Pull Punch
SKILLS INCLUDED IN TRAINING
Martial Art Powers: None.
Languages: Arabic
Cultural: Dance, Horsemanship
Weapon Proficiencies: W.P. Stick (Blunt), W.P. Staff.
Philosophical Training: None.
If this is your Primary Martial Art then the following other styles can be learned in a shorter time: Canne de Combat (5 Years), Jogo de Pau (7 Years), Sebekka (6 Years), Silambam (5 Years).
LEVEL ADVANCEMENT BONUSES
1st: +1 to Turn, +1 to Spin, +1 to Damage with stick or staff.
2nd: +1 to Strike, +1 to Maintain Balance.
3rd: +1 to Parry/Dodge, +1 to Damage with stick or staff.
4th: +1 Attack per Melee.
5th: +1 to Turn, +1 to Spin, +1 to Damage with stick or staff.
6th: Critical Strike on a Natural 19 or 20.
7th: +1 to Strike, +1 to Maintain Balance, +1 to Damage with stick or staff.
8th: +1 Attack per Melee.
9th: +1 to Parry/Dodge, +1 to Damage with stick or staff.
10th: +1 to Turn, +1 to Spin.
11th: +1 to Strike, +1 to Maintain Balance, +1 to Damage with stick or staff.
12th: +1 Attack per Melee.
13th: +1 to Parry/Dodge, +1 to Damage with stick or staff.
14th: Critical Strike on a Natural 18, 19, or 20.
15th: +1 Attack per Melee.
Why Study Tahteeb?
Capable of dealing with multiple attacks or multiple attackers with equal ease. This style lacks any true spiritual training, which may be loss for some. This style is an extremely deadly art with a weapon. A good all-around style with some nice moves and a solid basis.