Taido
By Kuseru
Entrance Requirements: Characters must be of an Honorable Alignment. No Attribute requirements.
Skill Cost: 15 Years (11 Years as a Secondary Martial Art Style).

Taido is an Okinawan martial art derived from Okinawan Karate styles in 1965 by Seiken Shukumine (called Saiko Shihan by taidoka (practitioners of Taido)). Having previously created Gensei Ryu Karate, Shukumine felt that karate was limited by its two dimensional nature. To overcome this, he performed rigorous research and training to perfect a three dimensional, scientific martial art style. Tai is a Japanese word made from two characters, Mi (one's body/one's person) and Karada (body (of a living creature)). When these two kanji are together, you get the word shintai (body). As one kanji, this word becomes simply 'Tai' or Mind and Body. Do is most commonly translated as "way." Altogether, Taido can be taken to mean, "The Way of Mind and Body." (Note: This is how the name came about...I still don't understand how changing the word 'body' from two kanji to one kanji changes the word to mean "mind and body" especially since both of the kanji by themselves mean "body.")

Taido's revolutionary method of combat offers many acrobatic maneuvers; spinning, twisting, quick footwork, and continually changing body angles. In Taido, attack and defense are developed through changes in body axis. There are five movement techniques used to accomplish this, based on clouds, lightning, tornadoes, waves, and whirlpools. These five techniques are Sengi (top spinning movement), Ungi (ascending/descending like a wave movement), Hengi (falling tree movement), Nengi (whirl-like movement), and Tengi (rolling ball-like movement). These movements are combined with attacks such as punches and kicks and make it possible for the taidoka to perform a defensive movement at the same time as they deliver the attack.

Each of the five types of movement are guided by five principles (Doko Go Kai) which act as guidelines for how the movement should be performed. These principles address five points, the natural phenomena which guides the motions of each technique, awareness of each technique's weakness, points which make the technique more effective, timing and correct body movement to be employed for execution of the technique, and the specific target of the technique. Furthermore, the techniques are performed by following five methods, Unsoku (ways to move the feet), Sotai (ways to move the body in the technique), Seiho (ways to control the opponent), Kimegi (ways to finish the technique), and Gentai (ways to return to the starting point). Taido also uses Hokei (a complex routine of techniques and movements) to train students in practical applications of Taido techniques.

In addition to the technical aspects, there are further physical aspects which play a role in Taido. From the study of acupuncture, the effects of body movement and breathing have been studied. Three principles are kept in mind when practicing Taido techniques. Taiki (body energy) uses breathing to add Chi to the techniques. Doko (movements) are ways to move the body at the start of a technique. Seigyo (control) is used to develope the technique. These principles allow men and women of all ages to perform the techniques of Taido without worrying about their health or physical condition.

Taido's philosophy is formed by five laws which govern the ethics of Taido practitioners.
1. If the mind is clear and calm, you can see past what is useless and into the heart of all matters. With the correct state of mind, you will never be deceived.
2. The mind, spirit, and body are one. Be dignified by this unity and you need fear no insult.
3. With concentration, enormous energy can be created from within the body. This spirit will prevent you from being threatened.
4. With thorough training, you will be able to determine the correct course of action without hesitation.
5. Taido's techniques flow seamlessly together. When you acquire adaptability to these techniques, you will never be restrained.

Taido instruction can be found in Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Japan, Netherlands, Sweden, and the United States.

Costume: White Karate Gi with white headband and white wrist and ankle bands.
Stance: Right leg bent out to the right and forward, left leg at a right angle, with knee bent out to the back. Shoulders twisted at angle from the waist. Right arm extended and curved back, left arm back and curved upward and forward.
CHARACTER BONUSES
Add +5 to Chi
Add +1 to M.E.
Add +1 to M.A.
Add +1 to P.S.
Add +1 to P.E.
Add +5 to S.D.C.
COMBAT SKILLS
Attacks per Melee: 2
Escape Moves: Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, Turn with Punch/Fall/Impact (SPECIAL!).
Attack Moves: Back Flip, Cartwheel, Forward Spin (SPECIAL!), Roll.
Basic Defense Moves: Automatic Parry, Backward Turn (SPECIAL!), Dodge, Parry.
Advanced Defense Moves: Circular Parry, Multiple Dodge, Spinning Evasion (SPECIAL!).
Hand Attacks: Drop Punch (This is the combination of falling to the ground, a Dodge and a Punch. The strike can be either a Knife Hand, Ridge Hand, or Spear Hand. It's done in place of a Dodge as a defensive move. First, make the roll to Dodge. If successful, then roll to Punch. The opponent can defend normally. No bonuses to Dodge, Strike, Punch or Damage. Uses up one melee attack/action.), Knife Hand, Ridge Hand (New!), Spear Hand (New!).
Basic Foot Attacks: Crescent Kick, Reverse Turning Kick, Roundhouse Kick, Wheel Kick.
Jumping Foot Attacks: Flying Reverse Spinning Kick (SPECIAL!), Flying Jump Kick, Flying Reverse Turn Kick.
Special Attacks: Flying Leap Attack, Leg Choke (New!), Roll/Knockdown, Spinning Leap Attack (SPECIAL!).
Holds/Locks: None.
Weapon Kata: None.
Modifiers to Attacks: Critical Strike.
SKILLS INCLUDED IN TRAINING
Martial Art Powers: Select a total of TWO (2) Martial Art Powers from among Martial Art Techniques and Special Kata (Note: No Weapon Kata allowed!). If desired, any number of Powers can be traded, one-for-one, for any Basic Skill Program (excluding physical).
Languages: Japanese
Physical: Gymnastics
Philosophical Training: None.
If this is your Primary Martial Art then the following other styles can be learned in a shorter time: Chito Ryu (3 Years), Gensei Ryu (3 Years), Goju Ryu (3 Years), Isshin Ryu (4 Years), Kobujutsu (2 Years), Naha Te (6 Years), Okinawa Kenpo (4 Years), Ryukyu Kenpo (7 Years), Shorei Ryu (3 Years), Shorin Ryu (4 Years), Shorinji Ryu (4 Years), Shuri Te (5 Years), Tomari Te (3 Years), Uechi Ryu (4 Years).
LEVEL ADVANCEMENT BONUSES
1st: +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, +1 to Turn(either with Punch/Fall/Impact or Forward/Back), +1 to Spin.
2nd: +1 to Strike, +1 to Back Flip.
3rd: +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, +1 to Turn(either with Punch/Fall/Impact or Forward/Back), +1 to Spin.
4th: +1 to Parry/Dodge.
5th: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Chi Mastery, Martial Art Techniques, or Special Kata.
6th: +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Strike.
7th: Double Existing Chi.
8th: +1 to Parry/Dodge, Critical Strike on a Natural 19 or 20.
9th: +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, +1 to Turn(either with Punch/Fall/Impact or Forward/Back), +1 to Spin.
10th: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Chi Mastery, Martial Art Techniques, or Special Kata.
11th: +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, +1 to Turn(either with Punch/Fall/Impact or Forward/Back), +1 to Spin.
12th: +1 Attack Per Melee, +1 to Strike, +1 to Back Flip.
13th: +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, +1 to Turn(either with Punch/Fall/Impact or Forward/Back), +1 to Spin.
14th: Double Existing Chi.
15th: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Chi Mastery, Martial Art Techniques, or Special Kata.
Why Study Taido?
Since this style has a great number of new and unusual techniques, it is often baffling to students of other martial arts. The integration of philosophy with movement makes it a powerful style, but it may be overly complicated.