Kashima-Shin Ryu
By Kuseru
Entrance Requirements: No honorable alignments allowed. No attribute restrictions.
Skill Cost: 10 Years (5 Years as a Secondary Martial Art Style).

Kashima-Shin Ryu martial arts are all inclusive: both armed and unarmed, employing every type of unarmed skill (throws, joint-locks, punches, sweeps, vital points, and mystical attacks without touch) and every kind of weapon (sword, knife, stick, spear, halberd, chain, rope, darts, etc.) and every kind of "un-weapon" (ink pens, umbrellas, belts, walking sticks, etc.). Kashima-Shin Ryu marital arts are systematic: every technique is based on the same fundamental principles. Practicing one improves all. Even armed and unarmed techniques mirror each other. This system encompasses the metaphysical foundations of nature itself. Kashima-Shin Ryu is the study of the natural laws of energy flow, exchange and transformation. Kashima- Shin Ryu techniques cultivate spiritual energy based on profound and subtle manipulations of the psychology and physiology of the mind-body continuum. Most important Kashima-Shin Ryu embodies a highly- developed ethical and philosophical analysis of martial training. Kashima-Shin Ryu centers on controlling and neutralizing one's opponent. Kashima-Shin Ryu practitioners, in contrast, learn how to use less power, to move more slowly, all without reacting to the opponent. Kashima- Shin Ryu was developed for noblemen who had better things to do than concentrate on martial art training. Sword, stick, spear, bare hand, or halberd---it makes no difference.

Costume: None.
Stance: Feet less than shoulder width apart, at right angles, with the knees slightly bent. Arms and hands are usually loosely extended in a variety of positions.
CHARACTER BONUSES
Add +1 to P.E.
COMBAT SKILLS
Attacks per Melee: 2
Escape Moves: Maintain Balance, Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact.
Attack Moves: None.
Basic Defensive Moves: Automatic Parry, Dodge, Parry.
Advanced Defenses: Breakfall, Disarm, Multiple Dodge.
Hand Attacks: Knife Hand, Palm Strike, Punch.
Basic Foot Attacks: Kick Attack, Snap Kick, Trip/Leg Hook.
Jumping Foot Attacks: Jump Kick.
Special Attacks: Choke, Combination Grab/Attack (New!), Death Strike (New!), Hip Throw (New!), Hilt Strike (New!), Knee, Shoulder Throw (New!).
Holds/Locks: Arm Hold, Leg Hold, Wrist Lock.
Weapon Kata (Pick Two): W.P. Blunt, W.P. Chain, W.P. Knife, W.P. Large Sword, W.P. Naginata (Polearm),W.P. Spear, W.P. Staff, W.P. Thrown, W.P. Weapon Improvisation.
Modifiers to Attack: Critical Strike, Critical Strike from Behind, Knockout/Stun, Pull Punch.
SKILLS INCLUDED IN TRAINING
Martial Arts Powers: Select a total of ONE (1) Martial Art Power from among Body Hardening, or Special Kata. If desired, any number of Martial Art Powers can be traded, on a one-for-one basis, for Basic Skill Programs (excluding Physical).
Language: Japanese.
Weapon Proficiencies: W.P. Blunt, W.P. Chain, W.P. Knife, W.P. Large Sword, W.P. Naginata (Polearm), W.P. Spear, W.P. Staff, W.P. Thrown, W.P. Weapon Improvisation.
Philosophical Training: Zen.
If this is your Primary Martial Art Style then the following other styles can be learned in a shorter time: Asayama Ichiden Ryu (3 Years), Gyokko Ryu (6 Years), Hakko Denshin Ryu (4 Years), Hontai Yoshin Ryu (5 Years), Kashima Shin Ryu (3 Years), Kogusoku (3 Years), Kukishinden Ryu (8 Years), Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto-Ryu (4 Years), Togakure Ryu (7 Years).
LEVEL ADVANCEMENT BONUSES
1^st: +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, +2 to Parry/Dodge.
2^nd: +1 to Strike, +1 to Disarm.
3^rd: +1 to Maintain Balance, Critical Strike from Behind.
4^th: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Body Hardening or Special Kata.
5^th: +1 Attack per Melee,+2 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact.
6^th: Death Strike on a Natural 20.
7^th: +1 to Body Flip/Throw (2D6 damage),+1 to Damage.
8^th: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Body Hardening or Special Kata.
9^th: +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, +1 to Damage.
10^th: +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Disarm.
11^th: +1 Disarm, +1 to Maintain Balance.
12^th: +1 to Parry/Dodge, +1 to Strike, Knockout/Stun on a Natural 19 or 20.
13^th: +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact.
14^th: +1 Body Flip/Throw, Critical Strike on a Natural 19 or 20.
15^th: +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Parry/Dodge.
WHY STUDY Kashima Shin Ryu?
One of the most well rounded martial arts, Kashima Shin Ryu teaches both weapon and unarmed skills. Weak on the spiritual aspect of martial arts though.