Bartitsu
By Ray Bull <mailto:[email protected]>
Bartitsu is the creation of William Barton-Wright, an English engineer whose travels around the world fueled his interest in the arts of self defense. Barton-Wright was born in India, educated in Germany and France and traveled to Spain Portugal, Egypt, and Japan as part of his occupation. In 1899 upon his return to England he began combining Savate, Boxing, Wrestling, Fencing, and Jujutsu in new ways and formulated them into a method of self defense that he called Bartitsu. Bartitsu became a small fad for a number of years, even the legendary Sherlock Holmes was said to have studied it, but unfortunately it died out. Ironically, the Bartitisu fad was replaced with a Jujutsu boom the was led by the two Japanese Jujutsu teachers that William Barton-Wright had brought to England to help popularize his new art. Bartitsu uses the footwork and kicks of Savate to deal with attackers at long range. Moves into the footwork and punches of Boxing for combat range confrontations. Finally using the locks and holds of Wrestling and Jujutsu for defense at grappling distance.

The only school of Bartitsu can be found in London, England. Admission is limited to the members of the Bartitsu Conservation Society, which arose after Barton-Wright's death in 1950. Dedicated to preserving this eclectic art, the Society has a long, drawn-out initiation process that helps to weed out those who are not truly interested in this unique art.

Entrance Requirements: Must be "spoken for" by a current member of the Bartitsu Conservation Society.
Skill Cost: 5 Years (Exclusive)
Costume: A standard Judo Gi if practicing, if not, a conservative suit
Stance: Strong side forward, standing in a natural stance, hands held at chin height.
CHARACTER BONUSES
Add +1 to P.P.
Add +1 to P.E.
Add +1 to Spd.
Add +10 to S.D.C.
COMBAT SKILLS
Attacks per Melee: 2
Escape Moves: Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, Maintain Balance
Basic Defense Moves: Dodge, Parry, Automatic Parry
Advanced Defenses: Disarm, Multiple Dodge, Combination Parry/Attack, Counterthrow (New! Special! After the Bartitsu stylist has been thrown by an opponent, he holds on and rides the throw to a point where he can throw the person who threw him.)
Hand Attacks: Strike (Punch), Hook Punch, Uppercut
Basic Foot Attacks: Kick Attack, Snap Kick, Trip/Leghook
Special Attacks: Elbow, Knee, Deathblow, Bodyblock/Tackle, Joint Throw, Pickup, Hand Throw
Weapon Katas: W.P. Cane
Holds/Locks: Arm Hold, Leg Hold, Body Hold, Neck Hold, Wrist Lock, Ankle Lock
Modifiers to Attacks: Pull Punch, Knockout/Stun, Critical Strike, Knockout/Stun from Behind, Critical Strike from Behind
SKILLS INCLUDED IN TRAINING
Martial Art Powers: You may select a total of 3 from among Body Hardening Exercises, Martial Arts Techniques, and Special Katas.
Languages: The Queen's English
Cultural: Tea Drinking
Weapon: W.P. Cane
Philosophical Training: None

If this is your Primary Martial Arts Style then the following other styles can be learned in a shorter time. Savate (4 years), Jujutsu (4 years), Wrestling (5 years), Boxing (2 years)
LEVEL ADVANCEMENT BONUSES
Level 1: +1 to Parry/Dodge, +2 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, Critical Strike or Knockout/Stun from Behind
Level 2: +1 to Damage, +1 to Maintain Balance
Level 3: +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact
Level 4: +1 to Strike, Critical Strike on a Natural 18+
Level 5: +1 to Maintain Balance, +1 to Parry/Dodge
Level 6: +1 to Disarm, Select one (1) Martial Arts Power from Body Hardening Exercises, Martial Arts Techniques, or Special Katas
Level 7: +1 Attack per Melee, +2 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact
Level 8: +1 to Damage, Knockout/Stun on a Natural 19+
Level 9: +1 to Parry/Dodge, +1 to Maintain Balance
Level 10: +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Bodyflip/Throw (Bodyflip/Throw now does 2d6 damage instead of 1d6.)
Level 11: +2 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, Select one (1) Martial Arts Power from Body Hardening Exercises, Martial Arts Techniques, or Special Katas
Level 12: +1 to Strike, +1 to Disarm
Level 13: +1 to Parry/Dodge, +1 to Maintain Balance
Level 14: +1 Attack per Melee, Deathblow on a Natural 20
Level 15: +1 to Damage, Select one (1) Martial Arts Power from Body Hardening Exercises, Martial Arts Techniques, or Special Katas
Why Study Bartitsu?
An effective, if rather dated, form of self defense that works well at long, combat, and grappling ranges and also works against multiple opponents. The only weakness is the lack of mystical Chi skills