Tatsumi Ryu
By Kuseru
Entrance Requirements: No Attribute or Alignment restrictions.
Skill Cost: 12 years (9 as a Secondary Martial Art Style).

The Tatsumi Ryu was created around 1550 by Tatsumi Sankyo (1504-1520). From an early age, Tatsumi Sankyo engaged in strenuous training in the martial arts. As a result, he was never defeated, either on the battlefield or in single combat. He himself, however, was not satisfied with mere technical proficiency, or even victory in combat, and he dedicated himself to the deity Tsumayama Daimyojin in an attempt to go beyond the superficial levels of purely physical achievement. After arduous training and austere discipline he attained what in Zen terms is known as satori (enlightenment). He then formulated Tatsumi Ryu as a result of his experiences.

The primary weapon of the style is the daito (long sword). Iaijutsu in this style deals with the daito only. Secondary weapons include the Fukuro Shinai (training sword made of split bamboo encased in leather), Shoto (short sword), and Nito (double sword) and Sojutsu (spear fighting). A number of other weapons are also taught, not as a specialty, but rather because these weapons were all potential opponents of the sword. Weapons falling into this category are the rokushakubo, naginata, hanbo, jitte, shuriken, tessen, and manrikigusari. Yawara (unarmed grappling techniques), Hojojutsu, night fighting, climbing, battlefield and martial strategies are also taught.

The current headmaster of this style, Kato Takashi, and his designated successor, Kato Hiroshi, conduct training in Chiba Prefecture Japan.

Costume: Keikogi (quilted, navy-blue jacket) and Hakama.
Stance: Chudan no Kamae: Also known as Seigan no Kamae. It is the most basic posture because from it unlimited variation of attack and defense are possible in response to anything the enemy may do. It can be used in any situation or terrain. The right foot is advanced half a step with the left heel raised slightly and the weight on the balls of both feet. The body is held erect, facing squarely forward with the head held straight and looking into the opponent's eyes. The sword is held pointing at the opponent's eyes. The left hand is held about four inches from the center of the body. The hands and shoulders are relaxed.
CHARACTER BONUSES
Add +10 to Chi
Add +1 to P.S.
Add +1 to P.P.
Add +2 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, Entangle, Parry.
Advanced Defense Moves: Circular Parry, Combination Parry/Attack, Power Block/Parry.
Hand Attacks: Strike (Punch)
Basic Foot Attacks: Kick Attack, Tripping/Leg Hook.
Jumping Foot Attacks: None.
Special Attacks: Backward Thrust (New!), Death Strike (New!), Hilt Strike (New!), Hip Throw (New!).
Holds/Locks: Leg Hold, Wrist Lock.
Weapon Kata: W.P. Daito (Large Sword). Select two from the following: W.P. Daisho (Paired), W.P. Fukuro Shinai (Blunt), W.P. Naginata (Polearm), W.P. Shoto (Short Sword), W.P. Yari (Spear).
Modifiers to Attacks: Knockout/Stun, Critical Strike, Critical Strike from Behind.
SKILLS INCLUDED IN TRAINING
Martial Art Powers: Automatically receives Iaijutsu. Select a total of ONE (1) Martial Art Power from among Martial Art Techniques 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).
Languages: Japanese
Cultural: Hojojutsu.
Physical: Climbing.
Weapon Proficiencies (Pick Four): W.P. Daito (Large Sword), W.P. Daisho (Paired), W.P. Fukuro Shinai (Blunt), W.P. Hanbo (Blunt), W.P. Manrikigusari (Chain), W.P. Naginata (Polearm), W.P. Rokushakubo (Staff), W.P. Shoto (Short Sword), W.P. Shuriken (Thrown), W.P. Tessen (Fan), W.P. Jitte (Forked), W.P. Yari (Spear).
Philosophical Training: Zen Buddhism
If this is your Primary Martial Art then the following other styles can be learned in a shorter time: Gyokko Ryu (6 Years), Kaze Arashi Ryu (5 Years), Kogusoku (3 Years), Kukishinden Ryu (8 Years), Shinmuso Hayashizaki Ryu (5 Years), Takagi Yoshin Ryu (5 Years), Tatsumi Ryu (5 Years), Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto-Ryu (4 Years).
LEVEL ADVANCEMENT BONUSES
1st: +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, +1 to Parry/Dodge, +1 to Strike, Critical Strike from Behind.
2nd: +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Damage, +1 to Entangle.
3rd: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Martial Art Techniques or Special Kata.
4th: Critical Strike on a Natural 18, 19, or 20.
5th: +1 Attack per Melee, Knockout/Stun on a Natural 19 or 20.
6th: +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, +1 to Parry/Dodge, +1 to Entangle.
7th: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Martial Art Techniques or Special Kata.
8th: +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Strike, +1 to Body Flip/Throw (does 2D6 damage).
9th: +1 to Maintain Balance, +1 to Initiative, +1 to Entangle.
10th: +1 to Parry/Dodge, Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Martial Art Techniques or Special Kata.
11th: +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Entangle.
12th: +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, +1 to Damage.
13th: Select One (1) Zenjorike.
14th: +1 to Maintain Balance, Death Strike on a Natural 20.
15th: +1 to Initiative, +1 to Body Flip/Throw, +1 to Entangle.
Why Study Tatsumi Ryu?
A well rounded style that tries to cover every aspect of combat on the battlefield. What this style lacks in spiritual training, it makes up for in unarmed and armed combat