Combat 2nd edition
Regions
China
China (along with Taiwan, Tibet, and Mongolia) alone has thousands of styles and has influenced most other martial arts styles around the Far East. The term "kung fu" is often used to refer to Chinese martial arts. But the proper term for Chinese martial arts is wushu (literally, "war arts"). "Kung fu" loosely translated means "hard work" and was coined to refer to the effort a student must make to succeed at martial arts. But it could refer to any sort of hard work. However, to provide distinction, "wushu" will refer below to numerous styles based on Shaolin kung fu. Other Chinese styles will be listed separately. Most Chinese martial arts encourage the development of internal energies, called ch'i.
Japan
Japan's obsession with bushido and the samurai inspired a military greatness that resounds throughout the world today. Combined with its protectorate, Okinawa, Japan offers a number of styles that proliferate around the world. Most Japanese martial arts encourage the development of internal energies, called ki.
Korea
Korea was inspired by wushu with the division of its original martial arts. More than many other countries, native religion influenced Korean martial arts. Today it remains one of the most competitive martial arts nations in the world.
Southeast Asia
For the purposes of this reference, Southeast Asia includes Vietnam, Kampuchea (Cambodia), Laos, Malaysia, and Thailand. Like the rest of the Far East, many of these countries' martial arts styles were influenced by Chinese kung fu.
The Pacific Rim
For the purposes of this reference, the Pacific Rim includes Indonesia, Bali, the Philippines, and Polynesia (including Hawai'i). These nations typically demonstrate Chinese influence in their martial arts. However, these martial arts are often heavily steeped in religious symbolism (if not practice) and are sometimes kept very secret from outsiders (or non-believers).
Indian Subcontinent
For the purposes of this reference, the Indian Subcontinent includes India, Myanmar (Burma), Bangladesh, Bhutan, Pakistan, and Nepal. Some say that the original Asian martial arts derived from India and Nepal, when monks traveled over the Himalayas into China. Whether this is true or not, these countries' martial arts are often focused on meditative practices that develop inner strength much like Shaolin kung fu.
The West
For the purposes of this reference, The West includes North America, South America, Europe, Africa, and Western Asia (including the Middle East). Most of these styles are really "fighting systems" -- extensions of common boxing or wrestling or methods that borrowed techniques considered the most pragmatic from Asian styles. (Thus, all Western styles should be purchased with the Brawl Talent.) All the same, they are listed here as determined styles.
Supernatural Styles
This lists the various martial arts styles invented by supernatural beings in the World of Darkness. Some of the styles are dependent on supernatural abilities, but others are not.
Click on the link below for a list of styles organized per country/region as described above.
