Shotokan Karate
By Harold Nichols

"We fight not for wealth or power, but for the fight itself. What care I for trophies? The thrill of victory and the thought of my next opponent are enough."
-A Shotokan Practioner (SF:TSG)

"I have taught you the secrets of Shotokan Karate, and you have become adequate warriors. You are now carriers of the kiving art of Shotokan Karate - for all martial arts are living arts; they grow and change and conform to the needs of each generation of Sensei and disciple. As with all living things, some generations can be stronger or weaker than their ancestors. You must ensure that the living art of Shotokan never becomesweak. For our style to live on, you must one day share its secrets with others as I have shared them with you. First, however, you must prove yourselves fit to carry on my name and the style of Shotokan. Go into the world to test your knowledge by fire and blood. Should you survive long enough for your own beards to gray with age, then you will know that your Shotokan Karate is strong; then you will know that you are worthy to teach the art. But if you should fall from the path, do not disgrace me by teaching your weak version of the art. Better that the style of Shotokan Karate should die than become a tree that appears great for its age but is rotten and weak inside."
-Gouken, to his students Ken & Ryu (SF:TSG)

China History

Although the ancient origins of karate are extremely vague, we do know that about 1400 years ago while teaching at the Shaolin Temple in China, Daruma Daishi used techniques developed into fighting forms known as Shaolin Boxing.

Okinawa

In the 16th Century, Shaolin Boxing found its way to Okinawa from China. It combined with native Okinawan techniques to develop into several Okinawan styles.

Japan - Master Funakoshi

In 1922, having mastered two major styles in Okinawa, Master Gichin Funakoshi, then President of the Okinawa association of the Spirit of Martial Arts, was chosen to demonstrate karate at the first National Athletic Exhibition in Tokyo. This led to the introduction of the ancient martial art to the rest of Japan. At the urging of friends and officials, he remained in Tokyo to teach.

U.S.A. - Tsutomu Ohshima

Tsutomu Ohshima was one of Master Funakoshi's last direct pupils (1948 - 1953) studying under him while attending Waseda University in Tokyo, Japan. In 1955, Mr. Ohshima came to the United States and was the first man to teach Karate in this country. That same year he organized the Southern California Karate Association, which has grown over the years to become a nationwide organization, Shotokan Karate of America.

Entrance Requirements: Characters must be of an Honorable alignment. Attribute requirements are I.Q.: 12 and M.E.: 10.
Skill Cost: 10 Years (7 Years as a Secondary Martial Art Form)
Costume: Standard Karate outfit
Stance: Feet shoulder's width apart, forward foot pointed ahead and to the outside rear foot point out and to the front, knees bent. Forward arm is held bent at a 90 degree angle with hand open similar to a knife-hand strike, and the rear hand in a fist against the waist.

CHARACTER BONUSES

Add 2 to P.S.

Add 1 to P.E.

Add 1 to P.P.

Add 10 to S.D.C.

COMBAT SKILLS
Attacks per Melee: 3
Escape Moves: Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, Maintain Balance.
Basic Defense Moves: Dodge, Parry, Automatic Parry.
Advanced Defenses: Automatic Dodge, Power Block/Parry (does damage!), Automatic Roll, Breakfall.
Hand Attacks: Strike (Punch), Fore-Knuckle Fist, Backhand, Palm Strike, Double-Palm Strike, Duo-Fist Strike.
Basic Foot Attacks: Kick, Snap Kick, Roundhouse Kick, Wheel Kick, Crescent Kick, Axe Kick, Backward Sweep, Tripping/Leg Hook, Reverse Turning Kick (Combination Dodge/Kick), Drop Kick (Combination Fall/Dodge/Kick).
Jumping Foot Attacks: Jump Kick, Flying Jump Kick, Flying Reverse Turning Kick.
Special Attacks: Death Blow, Leap Attack, Combination Grab/Kick, Butjapgo Chagi (Special! One opponent is grabbed and another is kick simultaneously. Only takes one melee action, but requires two successful Strike Rolls. Does 1D6 damage to the opponent grabbed and 2D6 damage to the opponent kicked).
Holds/Locks: Arm Hold, Wrist Lock, Elbow Lock.
Weapon Katas: None
Modifiers to Attacks: Pull Punch, Knock-Out/Stun, Critical Strike, Critical Strike From Rear.

SKILLS INCLUDED IN TRAINING
Martial Arts Powers: Select a total of three (3) powers from Body Hardening, Zenjorike, and Specialty Katas (Note: Weapons Katas not allowed). If desired, any number of powers can be traded, one-for-one, for any Basic Skill Programs (excluding physical).
Languages: Japanese
Physical: Gymnastics
Philosophical Training: Bushido

If this is your Primary Martial Arts Form then the following other forms can be learned in a shorter time. Jujutsu (3 Years), Tae Kwon Do Karate (4 Years), or Taido (5 Years).

LEVEL ADVANCEMENT BONUSES
Level 1: +1 to Maintain Balance, Critical Strike from Behind, Death Blow on a roll of Natural 19 or 20
Level 2: +2 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, +2 to Damage
Level 3: +1 Attack per Melee
Level 4: +2 to Parry/Dodge, Critical Strike on Natural 17, 18, 19 or 20
Level 5: +1 to Maintain Balance, +1 to Strike
Level 6: +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, +2 to Damage
Level 7: +1 Attack per Melee
Level 8: +1 to Parry/Dodge, Knock-Out/Stun on Natural 18 or better
Level 9: +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Maintain Balance
Level 10: +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, Select Two (2) Additional Martial Arts Powers from Body Hardening, Special Katas, and Zenjorike.
Level 11: +1 to Strike, +2 to Damage
Level 12: +2 to Parry/Dodge, Death Blow on roll of Natural 18, 19 or 20
Level 13: +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Maintain Balance
Level 14: +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, +2 to Damage
Level 15: Select One (1) Additional Martial Arts Power from Body Hardening, Special Katas, and Zenjorike.

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