Shorei Ryu Karate
By Kuseru
Entrance Requirements: Limited to those of Honorable Alignments. Minimum Attributes include M.E.: 9, P.S.: 8, and P.E.: 12.
Skill Cost: 8 Years (6 Years as Secondary Martial Art Style).

A Buddhist monk came to an understanding of natural law which gave him a perfect method of defense and escape. He believed that true self-defense involved no body-contact. His methods postured him toward opponents in such a way as to make subsequent attacks continue to put the attacker further and further at a disadvantage. Using his illuminated strategies, the monk could make the attacker undo his own Attack per Melee, and this could be done in a way that allowed for both to remain uninjured. The octagon would be used as a symbol for a method of movement in which jumping to particular angles based on timing and combative-distancing allowed strategies to be employed which confused and off-balanced the opponent. Reforming his opponents to become contributing members of society was his main goal. He and succeeding generations of his family members developed the art of Shorei Ryu as we know it today with all of this in mind. The monk chose this name for his art to reflect its spirit and its origins. Shorei Ryu bujutsu was a separate area of Ryu which was studied only by the Sohei. The sohei were warrior monks whose job it was to protect the temple and its territory as well as to fight in wars supported by the temple. They typically wore normal monks' robes during peace time and carried a short staff known as a jo. During war time, they would wear armor under their robes, and ninja-like masks covering their faces. Their primary weapons during battle were naginata and tachi. The sohei of Ryu were skilled in escaping arts, which were explained earlier; controlling arts, which are similar to, but older than, jujitsu or aikido; as well as destructive arts, which are similar to, but older than, karate. manipulatory arts, which are widely studied early in the training of Ryu students, involve folding arts such as throws, joint-locks, holds and pins, and chokes. They also include non-fatal strikes to the limbs of the attacker during his rotation. All weaponry is taught such that it can be used to manipulate and control an attacker, or escape from an attacker without causing him harm, as well as in ways which will damage or kill an attacker. controlling strikes involves shocking the opponent with substantially debilitating strikes to areas which control the rotation of the body, such as the head, shoulders, hips, and legs. striking arts. Although striking weapons and even the strikes themselves are soft and weak, the impact is tremendous to the opponent in his contorted position, and capable of crushing his spine and breaking his neck, back, and leg with one "soft" blow. All strikes are actually male then, in essence, to the opponent Kobudo training although containing traditional Japanese weaponry such as the katana, wakizashi and tachi, naginata , yari , tanto, bo, jo, tanjo, and yubibo, is not limited to or by these things.

Special Note! Kobujutsu is a style designed to work with many forms of Okinawan martial arts, particularly Chito Ryu, Gensei Ryu, Goju Ryu, Isshin Ryu, Naha Te, Okinawa Kenpo, Ryukyu Kenpo, Shorei Ryu, Shorin Ryu, Shorinji Ryu, Shuri Te, Tomari Te, and Uechi Ryu, but not Shotokan, Wado Ryu, Shorinji-Ryu, Kyokushin, Shito Ryu, or Taido. When a character has one of the listed styles and Kobujutsu, then all the attacks per melee, bonuses, abilities, and powers of that form of Karate are used in wielding weapons, weapon proficiencies, and weapon kata of Kobujutsu. Any martial art powers and abilities from Kobujutsu are used with that style of Karate.

Costume: Monks robes with or without Chain mail and a mask.
Stance: Feet at a comfortable distance apart (more or less around shoulder width), hands held at sides, possibly gripping weapon.
CHARACTER BONUSES
Add +1 to P.E.
Add +1 to M.E.
Add +5 to Chi
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: Circular Parry, Disarm.
Hand Attacks: Fingertip Attack, Rotary Palm Strike.
Basic Foot Attacks: Backward Sweep, Sweep Kick.
Jumping Foot Attacks: None.
Special Attacks: Hip Throw (New!), Paralysis Attack, Shoulder Throw (New!), Sweeping Throw (New!).
Holds/Locks: Arm Hold, Leg Hold, Neck Hold, Wrist Lock.
Weapon Kata (Pick three): W.P. Bo (Staff), W.P. Jo (Staff), W.P. Katana (Large Sword), W.P. Naginata (Polearm), W.P. Tachi (Large Sword), W.P. Tanbo (Blunt), W.P. Tanto (Knife), W.P. Wakizashi (Short Sword).
Modifiers to Attack: Critical Strike, Knockout/Stun, Pull Punch.
SKILLS INCLUDED IN TRAINING
Martial Arts Powers: Select a total of TWO (2) Martial Art Powers 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.
Cultural Skills: First Aid, Meditation, Athletics.
Weapon Proficiencies (Pick Five): W.P. Bo (Staff), W.P. Jo (Staff), W.P. Katana (Large Sword), W.P. Naginata (Polearm), W.P. Tachi (Large Sword), W.P. Tanbo (Blunt), W.P. Tanto (Knife), W.P. Wakizashi (Short Sword).
Philosophical Training: Buddhism.
If this is your Primary Martial Art Style then the following other styles can be learned in a shorter time: Chito Ryu (3 Years), Kobujutsu (2 Years), Shorin Ryu (4 Years).
LEVEL ADVANCEMENT BONUSES
1^st: +2 to Parry/Dodge, +1 to Strike, +1 to Pull Punch.
2^nd: +1 to Disarm.
3^rd: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Chi Mastery, Body Hardening or Special Kata.
4^th: +1 Attack per Melee, Knockout/Stun on a Natural 19 or 20.
5^th: +1 to Strike, +1 to Pull Punch.
6^th: +1 to Parry/Dodge.
7^th: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Chi Mastery, Body Hardening or Special Kata.
8^th: +1 Disarm, Knockout/Stun on a Natural 17, 18, 19, or 20.
9^th: +1 Attack per Melee,+1 to Body Flip/Throw (2D6 damage),
10^th: Double existing Chi.
11^th: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Chi Mastery, Body Hardening or Special Kata.
12^th: +1 to Parry/Dodge, +1 to Pull Punch.
13^th: +1 to Disarm.
14^th: +1 Attack per Melee, Knockout/Stun on a Natural 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20.
15^th: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Chi Mastery, Body Hardening or Special Kata.
WHY STUDY Shorei Ryu?
A good martial art for police and other people forced to restrain rather than damage their foes. Weapons use is a plus. Chi Mastery at higher level balances Shorei Ryu's spiritual side as well.