VAJRA-MUSTI
By Kuseru
Entrance Requirements: No Attribute or Alignment restrictions.
Skill Cost: 12 Years (10 Years as a Secondary Martial Art Style)
Vajra-Musti, literally "Diamond Fist," is known variously as Malla-Krida, Malla-Yuddha, Mallavidya, Niyuddha-Kride and Pahalwani. It predates military styles in India and is the province of Jethis (or Jyesthimalla, "the best"), a group of professional wrestlers who were a sub-caste of the Modha Brahmins. Known since the 11th century A.D., this style originally started in Modhera in North Gujurat and spread from there to Baroda (Gujurat), Hyderabad (Andra Pradesh), Indore (Madhya Pradesh), Kolhapur (Maharashtra), Konkan (Maharashtra), Lahore (Gujurat), Miraj (Maharashtra), Mysore (Karnataka), Patiala (Punjab), and Rajastan. During the Muslim conquests of the 13th and 14th centuries, further techniques were introduced.
Initial training in the style begins with some students as young as six, though ten to twelve is the norm. Initially, Kundakavartana exercises, consisting of baithaks (squats), callisthenics, dands (cat-stretches or Indian push-ups), tumbling, and yogi (stretching postures) are used to develop stamina and strength. Once sufficient flexibility, stamina, and strength have been developed, Mallasthamba (also known as Sthambhasrama) is introduced, consisting of a set of callisthenic exercises on a standing upright pole, eight to ten inches in diameter, known as a malla-stambh (or sthamba) to develop arm, leg, and upper body strength as well as gripping power. Other exercises are also taught, including Gonitaka (a large stone ring that is lifted and swung in various ways), Jori (swinging of weighted wood clubs), massages, Pramada (swinging of the weighted mace, Gada), five mile runs, swimming, covering the hands in milk and then striking a marble slab, Uhapoharasrama (discussion of tactics & strategy) and careful attention paid to diet. All training is conducted in the Akhada, a square or circular ring some thirty feet across, filled with soft soil.
Ragnasrama refers to the actual grappling techniques of Vajra-Musti. it covers four basic types of grappling, dharanipata (take downs), asura (strikes), nara (locks), and yuddha (throws). Groundwork was introduced by the Muslims. Striking techniques include elbows, knees, kicks, and hand strikes, enhancing the power of hand strikes with a type of knuckle-duster known as a vajramusti or ayudha, typically a horn or ivory fist load which is tied to the hand and has sharp protruding spikes (+2 damage on hand attacks). Locks are applied with arms and legs, sometimes both with particular attention paid to locking the arm wearing the vajramusti as well as the kasuta (strangle pin). Throws include the dhobi paat (shoulder throw), hip throws, baharli, dhak, machli gota, and multani.
Fighters enter a match in a zig-zag, jumping fashion. Northern versions of this style tend to favor high jumps, kicks, and expansive movements. Southern versions favor smaller movements and higher stances, favoring arm moves rather than legs.
Costume: Typical Indian Dress: White cloth dhoti (loose trousers wrapped between the legs). Footwear is sandals.
Stance: Prefer a forward stance, with legs bent and shoulder-width apart. The right hand (wearing the vajramusti) is extended loosely and held at the stomach in a fist.
CHARACTER BONUSES
Add +1 to M.E.
Add +2 to P.S.
Add +1 to P.P.
Add +4 to P.E.
Add +2D4 to S.D.C.
COMBAT SKILLS
Attacks per Melee: 2
Escape Moves: Maintain Balance, Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact.
Attack Moves: Leap.
Basic Defense Moves: Automatic Parry, Dodge, Entangle, Parry.
Advanced Defense Moves: Combination Parry/Lock, Combination Parry/Throw, Power Block/Parry.
Hand Attacks: Punch (Human Fist), Powered Punch (NEW!).
Basic Foot Attacks: Backward Sweep, Drop Kick, Kick Attack, Reverse Turning Kick, Snap Kick, Tripping/Leg Hook.
Jumping Foot Attacks: Jump Kick
Special Attacks: Body Block/Tackle, Critical Body Flip/Throw, Elbow, Hand Throw (NEW!), Hip Throw (NEW!), Joint Throw (NEW!), Knee, Leap Attack, Leg Choke (NEW!), Pickup Throw (NEW!), Pin/Incapacitate, Shoulder Throw (NEW!).
Holds/Locks: Ankle Lock*, Arm Lock, Elbow Lock, Finger Lock, Knee Lock*, Wrist Lock, Hold with Legs (NEW!), Neck Hold/Choke.
Weapon Kata: W.P. Blunt.
Modifiers to Attacks: Critical Strike, Knockout/Stun, Pull Punch.
SKILLS INCLUDED IN TRAINING
Martial Art Powers: Select a total of THREE (3) Martial Art Powers from among Body Hardening Exercises (including Vajra-Musti Body Hardening). If desired, any number of Martial Art Powers can be traded, on a one-for-one basis, for Basic Skill Programs (excluding Physical).
Vajra-Musti Body Hardening Exercises
Baiihak: Bonuses: +1 to P.P.
Dand: Bonuses: +1 to P.P.
Gonitaka: Bonuses: +1 to P.S., +1 to P.E.
Jori: Bonuses: +1 to P.S., W.P. Club, +2 to damage from clubs
Mallasthamba: Bonuses: +1 to P.P., +2 to Maintain Balance
Pramada: Bonuses: +1 to P.E., W.P. Mace, +2 to damage from maces
Languages: Depends on where the character learned the style, roll on the following table:
01-05 Andra Pradesh; speaks Telugu
06-10 Madhya Pradesh; speaks Eastern Hindi
11-15 Karnataka; speaks Kannada
16-20 Punjab; speaks Panjabi
21-25 Rajastan; speaks Rajashtani
26-75 Gujurat; speaks Gujarati
76-00 Maharashtra; speaks Marathi
Cultural: Massage, Tactics
Physical: Aerobics, Dieting, Running, Swimming, Yoga
Weapon Proficiencies: W.P. Blunt
Philosophical Training: Hinduism
If this is your Primary Martial Art then the following other styles can be learned in a shorter time: Bandesh (2 Years), Gatka (9 Years), Kalari Payit (7 Years), Muki (12 Years), Silambam (5 Years), Thang-Ta (2 Years), Thoda (1 Year).
LEVEL ADVANCEMENT BONUSES
1st: +1 to Strike, +1 to Parry, +2 to Damage
2nd: +2 Hold/Lock, +1 Body Flip/Throw (all Throws)
3rd: +1 to Strike, +2 to Parry, +1 to Damage
4th: +1 Attack per Melee
5th: +1 to Body Flip/Throw (all Throws), Knockout/Stun on a Natural 20
6th: +1 Hold/Lock, +2 Body Flip/Throw (all Throws)
7th: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Body Hardening Exercises.
8th: +2 to Strike, +1 to Parry, +1 to Damage
9th: Critical Strike on a Natural 19 or 20
10th: +1 Attack per Melee
11th: +2 Hold/Lock, +1 Body Flip/Throw (all Throws)
12th: Critical Body Flip/Throw (all Throws)
13th: +1 to Strike, Knockout/Stun on a Natural 19 or 20
14th: +1 to Parry, Critical Strike on a Natural 18, 19, or 20
15th: +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Damage
Why Study Vajra-Musti?
Lethal grappling with a variety of other skills, what else needs be said? A terrific, action-oriented martial art. It can be a very effective martial art, but in group situations or against other martial artists, it may fail if the student is not well trained and in prime shape. Plus, any characters who really want to "bulk up" will be pleased with a solid diet of Body Hardening Techniques.