Gatka
By Hengest
Entrance Requirements: None.
Skill Cost: 12 Years (6 Years as a Secondary Martial Art).

Gatka is a martial art practised in the northern part of India, and is usually associated with the Sikh religion and its followers. The story usually told is that a fencing teacher known as Baba Buddha Ji taught his weapon skills to the fifth Sikh guru, Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji, who then passed this knowledge on to the sixth guru, Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji. The sixth guru, who was a warrior of some renown, then taught the skills to his followers, creating the link between Gatka and Sikhism that remains to this day.
Gatka is based on meditation and the practise of more than 10 different weapons, or shastar. Chief of these weapons, and even worshiped by some as a symbol of God's power on earth, is the sword. Two kinds of sword are used: a large, straight-bladed, double-edged sword called a khanda, and a long, curved, single-edged scimitar referred to as a talwar. Other important weapons are the staff (lathi), the spear (barcha), the knife (kirpan), the push dagger (katar), the mace (gurj) and the battle axe (tabar). Archery skills are also taught, as is the use of the trademark Sikh weapon, the chakra, razor sharp throwing quoits.
All techniques in Gatka are based around one movement, known as the pentra. This is an almost dance-like, cross-stepping motion, which practitioners use constantly to dodge and improve attacking position. Of course, bearing in mind the style's strong religious connections, a teacher will oft remind students that the skills they learn are useless without spiritual development as well, and fighters are encouraged to learn about Sikhism and read the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of the religion.
Gatka teaching can, as you would expect, be found in India but can also be found in most places where there is a large gurdwara, or Sikh temple, such as the UK, Germany, and Singapore.

Costume: Usually traditional robes and turbans; bright colours are particularly favoured.
Stance: None to talk of. Motion is continuous, the fighter constantly moving in the pattern of the pentra.
CHARACTER BONUSES
Add +1 to P.S.
Add +2 to P.P.
Add +1 to P.E.
Add +15 to S.D.C.
COMBAT SKILLS
Attacks per Melee: 3
Escape Moves: Leap, Maintain Balance, Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact.
Attack Moves: Leap.
Basic Defense Moves: Automatic Parry, Dodge, Parry.
Advanced Defense Moves: Circular Parry, Disarm, Multiple Dodge.
Hand Attacks: Palm Strike, Punch (Human Fist).
Foot Attacks: Kick Attack, Snap Kick.
Jumping Foot Attacks: None.
Special Attacks: Body Flip/Throw, Death Blow, Forearm, Leap Attack.
Holds/Locks: Arm Hold, Wrist Lock.
Weapon Kata: W.P. Large Sword, W.P. Staff, W.P. Knife, W.P. Push Knife, W.P. Blunt, W.P. Axe, W.P. Spear, W.P. Large Sword and Shield (Paired), W.P. Axe and Shield (Paired), W.P. Blunt and Shield (Paired).
Modifiers to Attacks: Critical Strike, Critical Strike from the Rear or from Behind, Knock-out/Stun, Pull Punch.
SKILLS INCLUDED IN TRAINING
Martial Art Powers: Select a total of three (3) powers from among Body Hardening Exercises and Special Katas (including Weapon Kata).
Languages: Punjabi.
Physical: Archery.
Temple: Meditation.
Weapon Proficiencies: W.P. Small Thrown Weapons.
Philosophical Training: Sikhism.
If this is your Primary Martial Art then the following other styles can be learned in a shorter time: Gui Long (5 years), Jujutsu (5 years), Shao-Lin Kung Fu (6 years), Shih Ba Ban Wu Yi (3 years), Yu-Sool (6 years), or Zanji Shinjinken-Ryu (4 years).
LEVEL ADVANCEMENT BONUSES
1st: +1 to Strike, +2 to Parry/Dodge, Critical Strike or Knock-Out/Stun from behind.
2nd: +1 to Dodge, +1 to Leap.
3rd: +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Maintain Balance.
4th: Select one additional power from Body Hardening Exercises or Special Katas.
5th: Critical Strike on Natural 18, 19, or 20.
6th: +1 to Strike, Death Blow on Natural 20.
7th: +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact.
8th: +1 to Strike, +1 to Parry/Dodge.
9th: +1 to Maintain Balance, +1 to Disarm.
10th: Select one additional power from Body Hardening Exercises or Special Katas.
11th: +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact.
12th: +2 to Parry/Dodge.
13th: +1 to Strike, +1 to Leap.
14th: +1 to Disarm, +2 to Maintain Balance.
15th: Select one additional power from Body Hardening Exercises or Special Katas.
Why Study Gatka?
Although primarily a weapon style, it is still a relatively balanced form, offering adequate unarmed combat skills and philosophical training alongside teaching the shastar.