Combat 2nd edition
Styles - Supernatural
Aiyamisa
Although similar to kalari payat in its original form, Aiyamisa (“six seasons”) was developed into six different schools of thought. All of them emphasize internal elements and lean towards “softer” techniques of grappling, locks, and breaks. Aiyamisa is unique to the Nagah, however. Every weresnake of the four different Auspices learn all they can of a single school, but are also taught some of the secrets of one of the other five schools. That way, harmony between the Auspices and seasons are sought. The school a Nagah learns depends on the nature of her Auspice; a Kamakshi, for example, would learn a variety of techniques designed to disable an opponent non-lethally, while Kali would skip straight to the more lethal maneuvers. Aiyamisa is more common among the Vritra, but its teachings have spread to all of the Crowns.
Bahadura
Bahadura, loosely translated as both sacrifice and valor, is another style born in India first. The Chakravanti mages developed it from kalari payat techniques especially for the Himalayan Wars. Thus, its adepts quickly learned some of the deadliest pressure point attacks and uses of ojas (ch’i). After the Himayalan Wars, the secrets of Bahadura slowly and carefully spread from the Chakravanti to some of the rest of the Euthanatos Tradition. The Knights of Radamanthys in particular employ Bahadura as part of their training. The style leans towards external and hard.
Chak Ek'
Chak Ek' is K'iche' for "Star Wars", the Mayans' version of what the Aztecs called "Flower Wars". Like the Aztec Empire, Star Wars were waged as a ritualistic warfare often between Mayan peoples for dominance and to capture live enemies for the purpose of sacrifice. However, the similarities end there. While the Aztecs used their calendars to determine when best to do their Flower Wars, the Mayans used their ancient yet accurate knowledge of astronomy. Venus, representing their war god (instead of Mars like in the West), was key to such observations. So, Chak Ek' is listed here as a restoration employed by Tlazopilli (mummies) and the others in the Dominion of the God-House.
Relatedly, the Incan full warfare system known as Rumi Maki could be mentioned here. Like Chak Ek' and the Aztecs' methodologies, most has been lost to time, but supernatural creatures may remember and still practice it.
Do
Do is the core art of the Akashic Brotherhood. It is considered the "master" art from which all other martial arts styles derive. It is superior in its purity (just as not as ridiculously superior as the books originally describe). However, Do alone is not truly a style. It describes the "pure form" in which an Akashic Brother practices his martial arts. Thus, when a character learns Do, the player must choose his "root" style. This is often tied to nationality and ethnicity. Thus, a Japanese Doist will probably practice what looks a lot like karate or jujutsu or aikido. A Chinese Doist would likely practice some form of "purified" wushu. Indeed, the Vajrapani sect is closely tied to these "gate" arts. The "purity" of Do derives not from some secreted methods so much as the state of being Awakened. UnAwakened martial artists can never learn Do. If a Doist attempts to teach a Sleeper, the Sleeper learns Martial Arts instead, often with a heavy emphasis on Maneuvers the Sleeper might not learn as readily if he went to a normal academy. (Vajrapani know this and use their "gate" arts academies as recruitment centers for potential Awakenings.)
Gae Bolga
Gae bolga is the secret martial art developed and practiced by House Scathach. It uses colorful names for its maneuvers, which are often acrobatic and fancy, but ripe with Glamour (mastering gae bolga is a potential means of Rapture for Scathach). Over the centuries, the Scathach have invested their style with secrets from the Far East. Thus, gae bolga can be learned as a Martial Art. They never teach it to outsiders. A side note from the Storyteller: the special "Glamour" maneuvers described in the Book of Lost Houses are twinkertoys and not permitted in this game. There are plenty of ways to combine clever uses of Arts and Realms with combat techniques that don't require an overpowered combination of both.
Haikumodo
“Way of the Gray Clouds”: this is the secret goblin-hunting martial arts style that the Tengu train their human allies out of the Gray Clouds Temple, found in the mountains of Hokkaido, Japan. The style resembles Mo Chi Kung Fu to some degree, but students of Haikumodo especially learn how to handle themselves against the weird horrors of bakemono. They are trained first to focus their will and be strong from their soul first: the better to resist corrupting forces allied to the goblins they stalk. Haikumodo is internal and soft; its actual maneuvers resemble aikido.
Jahida
Jahida, loosely translated as “the dance”, is an ancient fighting style that Cultists of Ecstasy hailing first from the badlands of Persia developed. Its flowing forms are beautiful and methodical, similar to capoeira in fact. But practitioners learn to execute jahida to all forms of music, even those without drums. Like capoeira practitioners, adepts soon do not need real music at all: it’s all in their head. Jahida is still limited to Cultists of Ecstasy, however, because proper execution of its advanced techniques and forms demand heavy (and sometimes dangerously Paradox-prone) uses of the Sphere of Time.
Kailindo
Kailindo is a unique martial art purchased as a separate Skill. A werewolf that learns Kailindo need not purchase Brawl or Martial Arts. Kailindo as a style most often appears at first to be akin to wushu or kalari payat. Indeed, a werewolf player ought to choose a "root" style as with Do. In reality, the only difference between kailindo and other martial arts is the skilled use of one's natural ability to shapeshift into five different lupine forms! (So obviously, non-Garou cannot learn this style.) Advancing one's Kailindo score is nearly as difficult as Do, however. It demands not only an able tutor but also the ability to converse with and meditate upon the secrets of Wind-spirits.
Kibatsumejutsu
This martial arts style was developed by Cainites. It combines karate with the use of fangs'n'claws. Few Kindred besides Gangrel possess the latter; the style was probably developed by Gangrel, in fact. Few core Camarilla and almost no Sabbat know this style. It seems to be the province of just a few deadly vampiric martial artists. Although it is a Martial Art, vampires cannot learn Chi-Channeling maneuvers, thus crippling kibatsumejutsu students' eventual growth. However, an Atemi Strike inflicted with a claw attack is downright deadly…
Kuei Lung Kung Fu
Kuei lung, or "ghost dragon", is the style developed by the Wu Lung mages. It is as old as any of the oldest Shaolin styles. The style, like the paradigm of the Wu Lung, is steeped in ritualistic traditions. However, it also possesses their great esoteric knowledge. Consider it an "internal" style that Awakened students can learn at the same rate as an "external" style. Naturally, the Wu Lung guards the secrets of kuei lung kung fu jealously.
Mo Chi Kung Fu
Mo chi, or "devil judgment", is the style of martial arts developed by the Shih demon hunters. It is millennia old and tested. However, the secrets of mo chi do not stand alone. Like Do, a Shih character learns mo chi as an extension of another native martial arts style. The player should pick a "root" style. Thus, a Korean Shih might practice hwarang-do, and the mo chi elements are evident when the Shih turns a spinning heel kick into a Jaw Hammer. Rarely is a Shih's "root" style internal. The emphasis of Shih training demands practical expertise sooner than later.
Mozhao Chuan
The way of the “devil claws” is a martial art that has fallen to the wayside in mainstream Wan Kuei culture, thanks to the conservative and distrustful nature of the Quincux. This is because Kuei-jin who learn this style often learn Soul Disciplines like Cultivation and Internalism at the same time. Similar in technique to ying chiao chuan (“eagle claw style”), students of mozhau chuan learn to channel the fury of their P’o – and to restrain, contain, and annul the will and fury of their opponents. Certain advanced maneuvers are rumored to encourage the precise timing and use of Demon Chi to make deadly blows downright devastating. Nowadays this external and hard style is more common among Devil Tigers and Rootless Trees than other Dharmas.
Pan-Do/Beastfighting
Pan-do is a style of fighting developed by Satyrs, making full use of their natural equipment: hooves and horns. It is not a martial art, and in fact has more in common with savate and mhuy thai. It should be purchased with the Brawl Talent. Beastfighting is simply the Unseelie school of this style, and is much more dirty and brutal.
Seikaku-ho-no-Kenju
To some, the concept of “gun katas” is laughable and pure Hollywood tripe. But hojutsu – a martial art developed by the samurai centuries ago – was based entirely on the use of the musket. Seikaku-ho-no-kenju (“precision of the pistol”) is simply the logical evolution of common hojutsu. The methods were developed solely by the Front Linesmen of the Zaibatsu. These Japanese Technocrats wanted to insure not even the quickest and shrewdest Akashic Brother or other RD could get the drop on them, and mastered the use of their sidearms. Experts in this style would put even American cowboy gunfighters to shame with their speed and accuracy. Of course, seikaku-ho-no-kenju is actually one of two divisions of the core style. Seikaku-ho-no-shoju (“precision of the rifle”), a style more directly evolved from hojutsu, has fallen out of favor since rifles of any sort are not particularly useful for agents on the streets to be carrying. (And yes, some Strike Force Zero agents have been taught this style.)
Silat Hamaal
Silat Hamaal is a method of martial arts that is much like kailindo. It is unknown outside of the Bastet Tribe of Bagheera, who developed this style. It is also more common among the Far Eastern panthers of India and the like rather than the wereleopards of Africa. Still, as well-traveled as all Bagheera are, it is not unthinkable for non-Oriental Bagheera to learn this style. Although it is similar to kailindo in that it teaches the use of shifting forms in combat, it does not know all the secrets kailindorini know. While Shapeshifting Maneuvers are emphasized, the only Kailindo Maneuver that silat hamaal students may purchase is Chakra Strike. Note that like kailindo, silat hamaal appears like a native "root" style in practice save for the shapeshifting. Most often, this "root" style is kalari payat, bersilat, or pentjak-silat.
Tonikuchido
“The Way of the Sword in the Mouth” is a martial art unique to the Kitsune werefoxes. Though capable of biting in their war-forms, the refined Kitsune find doing so to be…distasteful. So was born this eloquent method of fencing that involves the clutching of swords at different angles and places, and using the jaws, teeth, and even tongue for proper execution of slashes, thrusts, and parries. Ultimately, it is merely a method of fencing using the werefoxes’ incredible dexterity. Few other shapechangers would even want to learn this. Only Nezumi are capable of truly doing so, and they’re quite content to sink their sharp teeth into their enemies! A Japanese Nine-Tail (who claimed he was a student of Musashi Miyamoto) developed Tonikuchido first, but adaptations spread to the Kitsune of the rest of the Middle Kingdom quickly.
