Kalari Payit (Northern & Southern)
By Kuseru
Entrance Requirements: No Attribute or Alignment restrictions.
Skill Cost: 11 Years (9 Years as a Secondary Martial Art Style)
Kalari Payit (also know as kalari, kalaripayit, kalaripayat, and kalaripiyat) is a martial art developed in the Keral region of southern India. The name Kalari Payit, often translated as "battlefield practices," comes from Khaloorika (Sanskrit for arena for exercise) and Payit (training inside a Kalari). Though there is evidence of this style's existence as early as the 6th and 7th centuries A.D., the current form of this style can be traced back to the early 12th century. By the 13th through 16th centuries, Kalari Payit was an integral part of Keralan society. It was during this period that this type of soldier training became a compulsory social custom, where all young people were given after the age of eight.
Kalari Payit training consists of three physical stages and one esoteric stage. The physical stages are Meithari, Kolthari, and Ankathari (also called Angathari). Meithari trains students in basic exercises and unarmed combat (verumkai) including; grappling, jumps, kicking, leg exercises, leaps, postures, striking, and yoga exercises which develop flexibility, balance, and focus of energy. Meithari also includes Meippayt where the postures and leg exercises are combined into dynamic sequences called Meiirakkom which are essentially Kata lasting two to three minutes. Kolthari covers staff and stick fighting techniques. The last physical stage, Ankathari covers training with metal weapons such as spears, swords, and daggers. Esoteric training in Kalari Payit covers the 108 marma-adi (secret vital points), Uzhichil (whole body foot massage given annually), and the Ayurvedic system of native medicine. There are two variants of Kalari Payit, the Northern Style, taught primarily in the city of Calicut and Southern Style taught in the cities of Nagercoil and Madras. While both styles use the same combat moves, the Northern Style focuses on high jumps and kicks while the Southern Style involves circular attacks and defenses.
Masters of Kalari Payit, known as gurus or gurukkal train 8-18 year old students in Kalari (training compounds) which double as centers of healing. The Kalari are also Hindu temples devoted to Kali (in her aspect as goddess of war, or possibly Shiva), with Shakti, Naga, Ganesha also being worshiped. This style is only taught in a few places in Kerala, India.
Costume: The traditional costume is composed of the T-shaped koopeenam, medicated Gingelly oil (Oil of Sesame) on the body, and a garment called a katcha which gives support to the main muscles of the body. Footwear is sandals.
Stance: The eight Vativukal (postures) are Aswavativu(horse posture), Gajvativu(Elephant posture), Simhavativu(Lion posture), Kukkuda vativu(Rooster posture), Maarjaravativu (Cat posture), Sarpavativu(snake-posture), Matsyavativu(Fish posture), and Varaha vativu (Wild-boar posture).
CHARACTER BONUSES
Add +5 to Chi
Add +2 to P.P.
Add +2 to P.E.
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.
Hand Attacks: Knife Hand, Marman Strike (fore-knuckle strike), Power Punch, Punch.
Basic Foot Attacks: Backward Sweep, Kick Attack, Roundhouse Kick, Wheel Kick.
Jumping Foot Attacks: Jump Kick, Flying Jump Kick.
Special Attacks: Body Flip/Throw, Elbow, Knee, Leap Attack, Paralysis Attack.
Holds/Locks: Arm Lock, Finger Lock, Knee Lock.
Weapon Kata (Pick Three): W.P. Lathi (staff), W.P. Spear, W.P. Urumi (Sword & Whip), W.P. Blunt, W.P. Knife.
Modifiers to Attacks: Critical Strike.
SKILLS INCLUDED IN TRAINING
Martial Art Powers: Select Three (3) Martial Art Powers from among Atemi and Special Kata (including Chi Kata and Weapon Kata).
Languages: Malayalam.
Cultural: Dance, Massage, Holistic Medicine.
Physical: Yoga.
Temple: Meditation.
Weapon Proficiencies: W.P. Lathi (staff), W.P. Spear, W.P. Urumi (Sword & Whip), W.P. Blunt, W.P. Knife, W.P. Bow, W.P. Shield, W.P. Axe, W.P. Large Sword.
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), 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 Parry/Dodge.
2nd: +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, +1 to Leap (Add 6 feet to Leap Distance).
3rd: +1 to Maintain Balance, +1 to Damage.
4th: +1 to Maintain Balance.
5th: Select one (1) additional Martial Art Power from among Atemi and Special Kata (including Chi Kata and Weapon Kata).
6th: Add +1 Attack per Melee.
7th: +1 to Leap (Add 6 feet to Leap Distance).
8th: +1 to Strike, +1 to Parry/Dodge.
9th: +1 to Maintain Balance.
10th: Select one (1) additional Martial Art Power from among Atemi and Special Kata (including Chi Kata and Weapon Kata).
11th: +1 to Strike, +1 to Parry/Dodge.
12th: +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, +1 to Leap (Add 6 feet to Leap Distance).
13th: Add +1 Attack per Melee.
14th: +1 to Maintain Balance, +1 to Damage.
15th: +1 to Leap (Add 6 feet to Leap Distance), +1 to Maintain Balance.
Why Study Kalari Payit?
A good, strongly offensive form of martial arts that also includes weapon skills. A very well-rounded form that tries to have a bit of everything, from kicks to weapon skills, to internal training. To join this style is to fully exploit the destructive power of the human body. When it comes to quick and deadly, this is possibly the best of the martial arts.