Gatka
By Kuseru
Entrance Requirements: No Alignment restrictions. Requires a minimum P.P. of 13 and Spd of 11.
Skill Cost: 13 Years (11 Years as a Secondary Martial Art Style)
Gatka, also called fari-gatka or fari-gadka, is a martial art of the Sikh Gurus, believed to go back about 1200 years. While it has been primarliy practiced in India, in the last few years it has become more and more common around the world, with training being conducted in Europe, primarily France and the United Kingdom, as well as the United States of America.
Initial training consists of a movement called "Panthra," consisting of circular, backward and forward motions. Panthra is practiced for hours with no weapons to keep the body in balance in addition to postures and forms. Later training includes the use of three foot long wooden swords (gadka) and buckler shields (fari) nine inches in diameter. Other weapons include the Pata (gauntlet sword), Kirpan (sword), and Shaster (full length sword), all of which are used to perform a variety of counters, cuts, feints, and strikes to vital targets. With enough of this training, a student can cut cloves or lemons while blindfoled. Experts mastering the sword with this style move on to the use of paired swords.
Costume: Norther Indian Dress: Achkan (a long, tight coat buttoned all the way up with a short, stiff collar) with trousers which are wide at the top and fit tightly from knee to ankle. Footwear is sandals. A turban is worn on the head.
Stance: Sword hand should always be on the grip of the weapon, whether it is drawn or not. The other hand is open, fingers toward the ground, palm up and out. The forward foot (same side as sword hand) is flat on the ground, extended out, while the other leg is raised, with only the ball of the foot touching the ground.
CHARACTER BONUSES
Add +3 to P.P.
Add +3 to Spd.
Add +15 to S.D.C.
COMBAT SKILLS
Attacks per Melee: 4
Escape Moves: Back Flip, Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact.
Attack Moves: Back Flip
Basic Defense Moves: Automatic Parry, Dodge, and Parry
Advanced Defense Moves: Automatic Dodge, Back Flip, Circular Parry, Combination Parry/Attack
Hand Attacks: None.
Basic Foot Attacks: Backward Sweep, Tripping/Leg Hook.
Jumping Foot Attacks: None.
Special Attacks: Backward Thrust, Combination Grab/Slash, Death Blow
Holds/Locks: Shield Lock (NEW!).
Weapon Kata: W.P. Gatka (Blunt), W.P. Large Sword, W.P. Fari (Buckler Shield), W.P. Paired - Large Swords.
Modifiers to Attacks: Critical Strike.
SKILLS INCLUDED IN TRAINING
Martial Art Powers: Select a total of Two (2) Martial Art Powers from among Martial Art Techniques and Special Kata (including Weapon Kata). Select One (1) Martial Art Power from Zenjorike.
Languages: Hindi
Cultural: None.
Physical: Acrobatics, Blindfighting, and Fencing.
Survival: None.
Temple: Meditation
Weapon Proficiencies: W.P. Gatka (Blunt), W.P. Large Sword, W.P. Fari (Buckler Shield), W.P. Paired - Large Swords.
Philosophical Training: Sikkhism
If this is your Primary Martial Art then the following other styles can be learned in a shorter time: Bandesh (2 Years), Kalari Payit (7 Years), Muki (12 Years), Silambam (5 Years), Thang-Ta (2 Years), Thoda (1 Year), Vajra-Musti (8 Years).
LEVEL ADVANCEMENT BONUSES
1st: +1 to Strike, +1 to Damage, +1 to Back Flip.
2nd: +2 to Parry/Dodge, +2 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact.
3rd: +2 to Strike, +1 to Damage, +1 to Back Flip.
4th: +2 to Parry/Dodge, +2 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact.
5th: Select one (1) additional Martial Art Power from among Martial Art Techniques, Special Kata (including Weapon Kata) and Zenjorike.
6th: Death Blow on a Natural 20.
7th: +1 to Strike, +1 to Damage, +1 to Back Flip.
8th: Critical Strike on a Natural 19 or 20.
9th: Select one (1) additional Martial Art Power from among Martial Art Techniques, Special Kata (including Weapon Kata) and Zenjorike.
10th: Add +1 Attack per Melee.
11th: +1 to Strike, +2 to Damage, +1 to Back Flip.
12th: Critical Strike on a Natural 18, 19, or 20.
13th: Select one (1) additional Martial Art Power from among Martial Art Techniques, Special Kata (including Weapon Kata) and Zenjorike.
14th: +1 to Strike, +1 to Damage, +2 to Back Flip.
15th: Add +1 Attack per Melee.
Why Study Gatka?
A character with this training and the right weapons is a deadly threat. Not as flashy as some arts, but meant to handle a large variety of combat situations. Capable of dealing with multiple attacks or multiple attackers with equal ease. By focusing on the development of internal powers, and forceful combat moves, this martial art is certainly effective in any attack.