Eskrima
By Kuseru
Entrance Requirements: No Attribute or Alignment restrictions.
Skill Cost: 9 Years (7 Years as a Secondary Martial Art Style).

Eskrima was developed as streamlined, simplified way to teach people to fight Spanish invaders. Since weapons were outlawed during the Spanish rule in the 16^th century, the original martial art of the Philippines, Kali went underground. To help combat the invaders, the Filipinos adapted the Spanish method of fencing to Kali to create new styles such as Eskrima. Eskrima is considered a "soldier's art".

Eskrima is a comprehensive fighting art employing both weaponry and empty-hand techniques. In fact, the latter are a direct outgrowth of the former, which is why Eskrima students learn weapon techniques before learning empty hands. This distinction is one of the hallmarks of Eskrima, a distinction rooted in the exigencies of street realism.

Empty hand techniques are derived from weapon movements. First the weapons are learned, then the empty-handed applications are shown. Eskrima is a weapon art which teaches empty hand techniques based on weapon movements.

Eskrima is associated with the Cebuanos of the Central Visayans. Training for Eskrima can be found in the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, and North America.

Costume: Unknown, similar to the Kung Fu uniform.
Stance: None.
CHARACTER BONUSES
Add +2 P.P.
Add +2 P.E.
Add +5 S.D.C.
COMBAT SKILLS
Attacks per Melee: 3
Escape Moves: Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, Maintain Balance.
Attack Moves: None.
Basic Defensive Moves: Parry, Dodge, Automatic Parry.
Advanced Defenses: Circular Parry, Power Block/Parry, Combination Parry/Attack.
Hand Attacks: Punch, Backfist (The character twists his torso to extend his fist into a target to the rear. He may also bring his fist straight up over his shoulder or down past his thigh to strike close targets to the rear without changing facing direction. Damage is 1D6.), Knife Hand, Palm Strike
Basic Foot Attacks: Snap Kick, Tripping/Leg Hooks, Kick Attack.
Jumping Foot Attacks: None.
Special Attacks: Death Blow , Knee, Elbow, Combination Grab/Strike.
Holds/Locks: None.
Weapon Katas: Pick two of the following forms:
Espada y Daga: W.P. Paired--Short Stick or W.P. Kris(sword) & Dagger.
Solo Baston: W.P. Short Stick or W.P. Kris(sword) .
Doble Baston: W.P. Short Stick -Paired or W.P. Kris(sword)-Paired, Scissor Choke: uses the short sticks to choke a person squeezing them together in a motion similar to that of a pair of scissors (1D6 S.D.C.+2D4 HP/melee).
Solo Daga: W.P. Knife.
Doble Daga: W.P. Knife-Paired.
Modifiers to Attack: Critical Strike.
SKILLS INCLUDED IN TRAINING
Martial Art Powers: Select a total of One (1) Power from among Body Hardening or Martial Art Techniques, or two more Weapon Katas. Powers may be traded one for one for basic skill programs excluding physical.
Languages: English, Cebuano, Visayan, and Spanish.
Weapon Proficiencies: W.P. Paired--Short Stick or W.P. Kris(sword) & Dagger, W.P. Short Stick, W.P. Kris(sword), W.P. Short Stick -Paired, W.P. Kris(sword)-Paired, W.P. Knife, W.P. Knife-Paired.
Philosophical Training: None.
If this is your Primary Martial Art then the following other styles can be learned in a shorter time: Arnis (3 Years).
LEVEL ADVANCEMENT BONUSES
1st: +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, +2 to Maintain Balance, Critical Strike from Behind.
2nd: +2 to Strike, +1 to Parry/Dodge.
3rd: +1 Attack Per Melee, +1 to Damage.
4th: Gains Disarm as an Attack or Defense.
5th: Select One (1) Martial Art Power from Body Hardening or Martial Art Techniques, or a new Kali Weapon Kata.
6th: +1 to Initiative, Critical Strike on a Natural 19 or 20.
7th: +2 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, +1 to Maintain Balance.
8th: +1 to Strike, +1 to Parry/Dodge.
9th: Body Flip/Throw does 2D6 Damage.
10th: Select One (1) Martial Art Power from Body Hardening or Martial Art Techniques, or a new Kali Weapon Kata.
11th: +1 Attack Per Melee, +1 to Damage.
12th: +1 to Initiative, Death Blow on a Natural 20.
13th: +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, +1 to Maintain Balance.
14th: +1 to Strike, +2 to Parry/Dodge.
15th: Select One (1) Martial Art Power from Body Hardening or Martial Art Techniques.
Why Study Eskrima?
A deadly martial art that is well rounded in everything, from kicks, strikes, and grappling, to weapon skills.