Shinkendo
By Kuseru
Entrance Requirements: Limited to those of Honorable Alignments. Minimum Attributes include P.S. : 10 and P.P.: 10.
Skill Cost: 11 Years (9 Years as a Secondary Martial Art Style).

Shinkendo is a Japanese sword style created by Obata Toshishiro Kaiso. Depending on the kanji used, Shinkendo means different things. Shin means 'true' or 'serious', yet shinken means real sword. So, this style's name can be translated as, "the way of living your life seriously and fully," or it can mean, "the way of the real sword." This style seeks to provide a historically accurate, traditional, and effective style of swordmanship that is uniquely comprehensive. Major teachings in the style include heiho (strategy) and reiho (etiqutte), as well as traditional samurai philosophy.

Training in Shinkendo is based on the structure of Gorin Goho Gogyo (five equally balanced interacting rings symbolizing five major methods of technical study) and includes Battoho (combative drawing and cutting methods), Suburi (sword swinging drills), Tachiuchi (sparring), Tameshigir/Shizan (cutting straw and bamboo targets), and Tanrengata (solo forms). Weapons include bokuto (hard wood sword), iaito/mugito (dull, metal sword), and shinken (live blade). Rigorous physical training is used to improve body movement, coordination, focus, footwork and spirituality. Live blade training is conducted carefully, as practitioners of this style consider injuries to be recklessness and the result of inadequate training rather than a method of building endurance or strength.

Spiritual training stresses the bushi-damashi (warrior spirit), encouraging self reflection ot better build an understanding toward jinsei shinkendo (the philosophy that life is shinkendo/shinkendo is life). Practitioners are divided into the three historical ranks of seito, deshi and kyakubun, rather than the dan/kyu system used in many other Japanese styles.

Costume: The primary costume in Shinkendo is the aikido-gi. The aikido-gi is composed of the Keiko gi/do gi/gi or Practice uniform. This is further supplemented through wearing Hakama (a Split skirt/wide legged pants). Additional costume features include a Tenugui (small hand cloth to wipe face which is also worn under the helmet in sword practice), Uwa gi (practice top), Obi (typically white or black belt), and Tabi (split-toed sock-slippers) for wear inside the dojo and Zori (sandals) for use outside the dojo. Bogu (kendo practice armor) may also be worn.
Stance: Facing opponent, with one foot forward and the other back, arms extended forward and holding sword in a two-handed grip.
CHARACTER BONUSES
Add 2 to M.E.
Add 2 to P.P.
Add 1 to P.E.
COMBAT SKILLS
Attacks per Melee: 3
Escape Moves: Maintain Balance, Roll With Punch/Fall/Impact.
Attack Moves: None.
Basic Defense Moves: Automatic Parry, Dodge, Parry.
Advanced Defense Moves: Breakfall, Combination Parry/Attack, Multiple Dodge, Power Block/Parry.
Hand Attacks: Strike (Punch).
Basic Foot Attacks: Backward Sweep, Kick Attack.
Jumping Foot Attacks: Jump Kick.
Special Attacks: Backward Thrust (New!), Death Blow (REVISION!), Death Strike (NEW!), Combination Grab/Slash, Hilt Strike (New!), Leap Attack.
Holds/Locks: None.
Weapon Kata: W.P. Bokken (Blunt), W.P. Iaito (Blunt), W.P. Katana (Large Sword).
Modifiers to Attacks: Critical Strike, Critical Strike From Behind.
SKILLS INCLUDED IN TRAINING
Martial Art Powers: Select a total of TWO (2) Martial Art Powers from among Body Hardening Exercises, Martial Art Techniques, and 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).
Languages: Japanese.
Cultural: Strategy, Etiquette.
Weapon Proficiencies: W.P. Bokken (Blunt), W.P. Iaito (Blunt), W.P. Katana (Large Sword).
Philosophical Training: Jinesei Shinkendo (see above for description).
If this is your Primary Martial Art then the following other styles can be learned in a shorter time: Aiki-Buken (5 Years), Kendo (3 Years), Tankendo (3 Years), Toyama Ryu (4 Years).
LEVEL ADVANCEMENT BONUSES
1st: +2 to Strike, +2 to Parry, +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, Critical Strike from Behind.
2nd: +1 to Dodge.
3rd: +1 to Leap (add four feet of distance).
4th: +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Damage.
5th: +1 to Strike, Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Body Hardening, Martial Art Techniques, or Special Kata.
6th: Critical Strike on a Natural 18, 19, or 20.
7th: +1 to Leap (add four feet of distance), +2 to Dodge, +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact.
8th: +1 Attack per Melee, +2 to Strike.
9th: +1 to Maintain Balance, Death Strike on a Natural 20.
10th: +2 to Parry, Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Body Hardening, Martial Art Techniques, or Special Kata.
11th: +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Damage.
12th: +1 to Leap (add four feet of distance), Death Strike on a Natural 19 or 20.
13th: +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Strike.
14th: +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, Death Blow (Can be used whenever desired (i.e. No Natural Number required), however, character must announce intentions to use the Attack per Melee, costs two melee attacks).
15th: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Body Hardening, Martial Art Techniques, or Special Kata.
Why Study Shinkendo?
A recent martial art which attempts to get back to its roots. This deadly martial art has the single disadvantage of being dependent on a weapon for effective combat.