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Martial Artist

Realm of Strife™ > Characters  > Class Codex > Martial Artist

The purest form of combat recognizes that the body is one’s greatest weapon. To some this is more than mere fact; it is a life philosophy, one that you can spend a lifetime learning and perfecting. Though few have the discipline and acute mental focus required to walk this path, those that do are no mere fighters, but rather artists. While the Martial Artist favors unarmed combat, they are at their deadliest when they combine the skills they have refined from years of practice with the sharp edge of a blade or a sturdy hardwood staff. Fighting styles among Martial Artists vary greatly according to the cultures and philosophies from which they originate, but they all have one thing in common: the ability to rapidly strike with a vast repertoire of attacks in deadly combinations. This sets them apart from other students of unarmed combat and makes them peerless melee combatants.

The high degree of training and self discipline required to master the martial arts, is most most often acquired by belonging to a school devoted to the teaching a particular fighting style. The most prominent colleges or dojos often draw eager students from across the land to study under a teacher or Sensei of great renown. However, the end goal of each individual Martial Artist is subject to their own whims. Some wish to master these skills as a means towards self improvement or to defend themselves against those who would do them harm, others see it as a invaluable survival skill while adventuring in a world full of unpredictable dangers or a means of generating wealth and fame as a competitive fighter, but the most ambitious of Martial Artists seek to found a school of their own and rise to the illustrious status of an Osensei.

Class Overview


Typical Roles: Melee Damage, Support/Utility
Damage Types: Physical
Class Mechanic: Focus

Available Races Initial Gold
Half-elf 115.0
Halfling 135.0
High Elf 160.0
Human 150.0
Kayden 105.0
Wild Elf 110.0

Default Stats: During Character Creation you may choose to use the default stat line shown below, before racial modifiers. This can be instead of rolling for stats, or if after rolling ten sets of stats you don’t like the results.

Default Stat Martial Artist
STRENGTH 10
AGILITY 12
STAMINA 9
INTELLECT 9
WISDOM 10
AVOIDANCE 10
PERCEPTION 10
RESOLVE 14
INITIATIVE 11
CHARM 10

During Character Creation you may choose to use the Default Stat Line, before racial modifiers, instead of rolling for stats, or if after rolling ten sets of stats you don’t like the results

Proficiencies

Natural Armor Proficiency: Cloth
Trainable Armor Proficiency: None
Natural Weapon Proficiency: None
Trainable Weapon Proficiency: Knives, Swords, Hand Weapons, Polearms, Staves, Bows

See Equipment section for details. When using a weapon that your class is not proficient with, see Combat Penalties. There is no level or title prerequisite to train in a new proficiency, however you must receive the appropriate Training.

Class Skills

Class Passive Skill: Combo Strike
Class Secondary Skill: Martials ArtsAcrobat, or Brawler

Primary Skills


Focus

Unlike other classes that use martial arts to supplement their skill set, the Martial Artist class embodies and perfects the art of unarmed combat. Most Martial Artists will choose to study and train under a master or Sensei at a Dojo. Within the confines of the Dojo they will be taught new skills using time honored methods and unlock the secrets to chaining together a series of attacks to strike with deadly force. Martial Artists follow the standard methods for Learning New Focus Skills.

The maximum number of skill points that can be allotted to each focus discipline are as follows:

  • Fist: 35 skill points
  • Kick: 35 skill points
  • Armed: 15 skill points
  • Ranged: 5 skill points
  • Defense: 10 skill points

New focus skills require training unless they are upgrades (i.e. Rank1 Heart Punch -> Rank2 Heart Punch), see Learning New Focus Skills for details

Level Ups


Martial Artists use the following chart for levelling up:

HP Dice (Regular): Small Race (1d8), Medium Race (1d10), Large Race (1d12)

Specializations


Specializations are recommended for advanced players only, and are accomplished through the Secondary Skill system (see Specialist Skills). Martial Artist may choose to specialize their skills in up to one weapon use and/or two combat styles, but can not have more than two specializations in total.

  • Max one Weapon Specialist skill (choose from: Knives, Swords, Hand Weapons, Polearms, Staves)
  • Max two Combat Specialist skills (choose from:Freehand, Great Weapon, Paired Weapon, Freestyle, Peltast, Warder, Pugilist, Physical Defense)

Title System


Martial Arts College

Martial Artists gain titles based on the prescribed promotions of their superiors at an institution dedicated to a particular style of Martial Arts. This system of gaining titles is referred to as Colleges. Martial Arts Colleges are usually called Dojos. The actual structure or governance of a Dojo can vary drastically depending on the fighting style and the Sensei assigned to that Dojo by his superiors. Most Dojos accept almost anyone as a student of their art, however beyond this students must earn promotions, passing tests of their skill to be awarded a consecutive number of belts that represent their rank.  At very high levels some Martial Artists may acquire a title which allows them to develop a new fighting style and open a Dojo of their own.

The titles awarded by a Dojo or Martial Arts College are as follows:

Outlaw Titles

Freeform

A Freeform Martial Artist is one that does not belong to a Dojo or Martial Arts College. This could be out of their own choice or a result of being prevented from joining by circumstance or misconduct. Lacking formal training, Freeform Martial Artists tend to be less skilled and most often are required to pay to receive training in new skills and weapons. However they not bound by the same restrictions as other Martial Artists and can choose a wider variety of skills to complement their own unique style.  Some Freeform Martial Artists may attempt to found their own style and open a  dojo or school, provided they can find enough students. If there is already a dojo with a similar style in close proximity this can result in bitter feuds, that can often become violent.

Common Builds


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Additional Lore


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Notable Characters


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Demo Character


Tsaal Tal’inara

Level 4 Martial Artist, high mobility melee damage