Post by Puck on May 11, 2015 14:07:21 GMT
MARTIAL FOREST COALITION INTRODUCTION
The Martial Forest Coalition has a strong basis from the Asian continent centering between Korea, Japan, and China. Their use of Martial Arts and the Ki Arts are what fully defines them. Given their pride in their skills, they generally wish to keep the training of their respective styles a secret from outsiders. This makes them seem somewhat xenophobic to others when they just hold this view universally to anyone who is not from their own group. It is because of this, they generally have their own cliques divided between styles and even clans/sects. Their own training allows them the ability to surpass human physical limitations in order to combat supernatural enemies. Many of these cliques tend to have Buddhist and even Daoist influences given its origins from China. Many of these members refer to themselves as "warriors" or even just "martial artists". But the term "fighter" is generally used by many not from the Coalition.
The Coalition also has its influence in the West as martial arts has become more widespread in the world. There are a number of Ki Arts practitioners there, but a number of them utilize Western style of martial arts such as the utilization of the longsword or even more South American styles that use dance-like movements. These styles generally have taken what Ki Manipulation techniques for themselves and stuck it to their own fighting arts. The number of said styles are few in number given the massive focus in Asia. But that does not mean these styles can't match in potency with those from Asia either as there is at least one master who has become accepted as one of the Ten Sages.
The Coalition has a long professional relationship with the Magician's Guild members in their own areas, at least for the Asian side. They had a history of working together to quell supernatural threats from Humanity and assist in upholding the Masquerade ever since. Those in the West are generally relied on by the Guild as a buffer against the Church, who wish to rid of their "heresies". Their relationship with the I.A.C.S.B. has been rather good for the recent years as they played a role in stabilizing their situation during the Second Great War. However, that does not mean they would love to share their Art to the I.A.C.S.B. In fact, any Ki Arts practitioners have yet to share any of their techniques with anyone as they actually live and work in the I.A.C.S.B.'s facilities.
As a group that focuses on martial arts, prowess and honor are the two things that are held very highly in their society. The saying "the strongest survive and rule over the weak" mostly describes its society. However, it does not mean that they cannot get political like any of the other factions. In fact, the ruling cliques of Schools and Clans dictate the Coalition's policies and are forever in a spiral of political intrigue. This is a silent fact, of course. But there are several members in the Coalition that do not like this and tend to keep themselves separate from its politics if they could.
As an important note, a Ki Arts practitioner usually has strong loyalty to their own clique and even more to their Masters. It is said that the relationship between master and student is stronger than a relationship between father and son. Because of this, the call for feuds and revenge is somewhat common even today. However, they are kept in check because the Masquerade has been lifted thanks to the Demon Outbreaks.
The Coalition also has its influence in the West as martial arts has become more widespread in the world. There are a number of Ki Arts practitioners there, but a number of them utilize Western style of martial arts such as the utilization of the longsword or even more South American styles that use dance-like movements. These styles generally have taken what Ki Manipulation techniques for themselves and stuck it to their own fighting arts. The number of said styles are few in number given the massive focus in Asia. But that does not mean these styles can't match in potency with those from Asia either as there is at least one master who has become accepted as one of the Ten Sages.
The Coalition has a long professional relationship with the Magician's Guild members in their own areas, at least for the Asian side. They had a history of working together to quell supernatural threats from Humanity and assist in upholding the Masquerade ever since. Those in the West are generally relied on by the Guild as a buffer against the Church, who wish to rid of their "heresies". Their relationship with the I.A.C.S.B. has been rather good for the recent years as they played a role in stabilizing their situation during the Second Great War. However, that does not mean they would love to share their Art to the I.A.C.S.B. In fact, any Ki Arts practitioners have yet to share any of their techniques with anyone as they actually live and work in the I.A.C.S.B.'s facilities.
As a group that focuses on martial arts, prowess and honor are the two things that are held very highly in their society. The saying "the strongest survive and rule over the weak" mostly describes its society. However, it does not mean that they cannot get political like any of the other factions. In fact, the ruling cliques of Schools and Clans dictate the Coalition's policies and are forever in a spiral of political intrigue. This is a silent fact, of course. But there are several members in the Coalition that do not like this and tend to keep themselves separate from its politics if they could.
As an important note, a Ki Arts practitioner usually has strong loyalty to their own clique and even more to their Masters. It is said that the relationship between master and student is stronger than a relationship between father and son. Because of this, the call for feuds and revenge is somewhat common even today. However, they are kept in check because the Masquerade has been lifted thanks to the Demon Outbreaks.
MARTIAL FOREST COALITION RANKS
Student: People who have recently been introduced to the Ki Arts of a specific school. They have recently gone through basic training to unlock their Ki Centers in order to use Ki techniques. Training includes breathing exercises and circulation/distribution techniques of their respective styles. E rank physical stats and F rank Ki. E rank Ki Arts Skills/Abilities/Techniques.
Junior Disciple: A student who has become recognized by the Masters and Grandmaster of the School for their dedication. They become part of their "inner circle" and will learn more of the school's curriculum. Circulation and distribution techniques become more advanced here, physical exercises become more difficult to keep a balance between body and Ki. D rank physical stats. E~D rank Ki. D rank Ki Arts/Skills/Abilities/Techniques.
Senior Disciple: A more experienced Disciple who have been around long enough to be trusted with more important matters of the school. The same training is done again and again in order to help reach a practitioner's full potential. Some Artists may end up being stuck here. The truly talented may excel past this. C rank physical stats. C rank Ki. C rank Ki Arts Skills/Abilities/Techniques.
Expert: Training has led to the "widening" of the bloodstream to allow even more Ki to be allowed in the body. Artists are nearly masters of their school and have nearly learned everything there is to know in the School. This is the point where many practitioners can start making up their own unique techniques, but it would still have the influence of their parent school. B rank physical stats. B rank Ki. B rank Ki Arts Skills/Abilities/Techniques.
Master: Someone who has fully attained mastery of their school. They nearly know all of the secrets. Masters are all capable of founding their own school if they wish, but many stay in their parent school. A rank physical stats. A rank Ki. A rank Ki Arts Skills/Abilities/Techniques.
Grandmaster: A Master who has attained many years of experience. They are respected for their levels of mastery and experience. Many of these Grandmasters maybe at advanced ages which is a reflection of their wisdom and experience. S rank physical stats. S rank Ki. S rank Ki arts Skills/Abilities/Techniques.
Sage: An honorary title for the Grandmasters. A Sage is a member of the Ten Sages in the Martial Forest Coalition. The Ten Sages are considered the strongest of the Grandmasters, in other words the ten strongest Ki Artists in the Coalition. There are Grandmasters who could easily be considered a Sage, but may not accept the title for many reasons. Only ten may be chosen.
MARTIAL FOREST COALITION SCHOOLS BY COUNTRY/CONTINENT
- China: The country where almost all the Ki Arts Societies derive their beginnings from. They also have the most Ki Artists given the country's hugest population. They are the center of the Coalition and many of the meetings are held in said country. They have the most political power of the Clans and Styles in this group. The Endless Deluge School, Blazing Heaven School, Dancing Crane School, and the Gentle Whirlwind School are three of some of the most prominent styles in China.
- Korea: Korea has a massive decrease of Ki Artists since the Japanese Occupation and the Korean War. Their styles tends to be mostly a mix of Chinese and Japanese known styles. Some tends to favor one side than the other. However, there are a few rare original styles that exist today. But most of them tend to be over in Europe or in the Americas. That said, if it comes to quality of members, they won't lose. Many excel in kicking techniques. The Rising Phoenix Clan is the top of Korea's Ki Artists as they churn out the most experts and masters.
- Japan: After the end of the Second World War, Japan was hated by many of the styles in Asia for becoming a dog of its government. However, there has been some grudging respect for their prowess. For an island, they have a considerable number of Ki Artists. The One Heaven Infinite Style, Guarding Wind Style, and the Black Earth Style are some of Japan's most prominent schools.
- Thailand: Artists there have been rather inconspicuous for such a long time that the central members of the Coalition did not even know they existed. But they made their presence apparent through their efficient striking techniques that makes even the most venerable of Oriental styles glance at it with a tingle of fear. The number of styles and clans are few in number like the Koreans and are quite formidable. The most prominent of them is the Conquering Lord School.
- America/Europe: Perhaps the most liberal side of the Coalition as there are a small number of them and they are quite almost out of the organization's sphere. Domestic Western styles exist, but many of them keep to themselves while maintaining their wariness of the Coalition as a whole. Others may actually have become absorbed into the Church after so long. However, they are by no means completely weak compared to other Styles as there has been at least one who became a member of the "Ten Sages".
MARTIAL FOREST COALITION LIMITATIONS
- Spiritual Armaments and the I.A.C.S.B.: Because Ki Artists are capable of using Ki, they are barred from using Spiritual Armaments. However, they can still work for the I.A.C.S.B. so as long as they do not give their training and knowledge to outsiders. Their work under the I.A.C.S.B. is to be considered temporary as they have a deeper loyalty to their own styles and the Coalition.
- Magic: Many look down on Magic, many Ki Artists do not practice it. But also because their training would make it difficult to use Magic anyway. Nevertheless, in Asia, many work together with Magicians to deal with supernatural threats to humanity. So there is some respect going on. There may actually be some Sects that work on rituals, but their numbers are so low that they are not worth mentioning much.
- Technology: All are fine with using contemporary technology. Many can drive cars with no problem. But, their society bans themselves from using guns as they look down on them and even believe to rely on them is cowardly and is a mockery to their training. However, they are fine with styles using bow and arrows.
- Medicine: There are several Ki Arts styles that cover healing and medicine in their curriculum. This also includes knowledge in herbs and the creation of drugs. Acupuncture can also be learned for combat as well, but still depends on the style.
- The Church: Because of the Coalition's nature, it is unlikely that any Asian style Ki Arts practitioner would actually work for the Church as their own school's ideologies are likely to conflict with the Church's. Nor would any practitioner bother to teach a hunter their Art as they wish to keep their own knowledge and training to themselves. Though the Church itself has obtained some native styles of their own and touted them as just mere special "fighting styles" which has been now modified to fit the Church's equipment.
HOW THE MARTIAL FOREST COALITION IS BEING VIEWED
- The I.A.C.S.B.: The I.A.C.S.B. came to the Coalition's help when it needed it the most during World War 2. Even today they seem to have quite the amicable relationship. Many of the Ki Artists worked under the Coalition as an act of good faith and as a means of getting experience as their employment is merely temporary. However, that may darken in the near future as the Coalition has started to receive even the Forbidden Styles for whatever reasons. Nevertheless, the Homeless Association of the Coalition has an outstanding work relationship.
- The Church: The Church views them as a nuisance due to the Coalition willingly act as a bodyguard of sorts for the Magician's Guild. They have yet to get into any serious conflict as of late. But it may be a matter of time depending how the relationship between the Church and the Guild turns out in the future. Many Ki Artists, of course, tend to not work for the Church as the ideologies may conflict with what they learned in training under their respective Styles.
- The Magician's Guild: The Eastern sphere of the Coalition has a close relationship with their Magicians since ancient times. They both worked together to deal with the supernatural threats. While they respect each other, they both have disagreements on each other's crafts. Its relationship on the Western sphere is rather complicated given the imperialist expansionism in the past. But the styles and clans in the West have at least willingly hired themselves out as their bodyguards for quite the handsome price. Even at the chagrin of the Church's Hunters. Native Ki Artists actually worked with the Guilds and tend to do some of the legwork for them and any of the physical things. It is common to see one with an Enforcer.
- Hybrids/Psychics: The Coalition despises Hybrids as mere abominations, at least for most of them. There are rare cases in which they may actually herald it as some sort of divine being. But, of course, that is rare and most of them are actually hunted down. In fact, some Forbidden Styles are actually Ki Artist styles that are based on Hybrid races which actually do not truly have any malicious intent of the kind. Just simply misunderstood. Psychics have a mixed opinion. They are not truly discriminated depending on the region, country, and school. But they will not find any means of advancing their powers in a Ki Artists setting.
- Other Factions to be included...
GENERAL KI ARTIST SKILLS/ABILITIES LIST
Skills: Please check the Human Introduction for them. Having a martial art skill and the Martial Arts Literacy skill would be what Ki Artists would possess. Check here.
Abilities: You may have some from outlined abilities from the Humans Introduction page. Either of the Environmental Awareness or Sixth Sense abilities can be given. Ki Manipulation and Ki Sense at E rank are mandatory for new "newbie" characters at this time.
Name: Ki Manipulation
Description: The ability to manipulate Ki. This is made possible through training and meditation to unlock a person's Ki Center. By doing so allows the practitioner to reach superhuman levels of fitness through the manipulation of Ki. Or even allowing a Ki Artist to infuse a weapon with Ki in order to enhance it to perform techniques.
Rank: S~E
Name: Ki Sense
Description: From being able to control the body's Ki, the user is now sensitive to Ki signatures around them. Through such sensitivity, the Artists can now sense people's presences by this and be able differentiate one signature against each person. The term "killing intent" comes from this as usually one's Ki rises with the intent to cause harm. All Artists have at least E rank at it and sometimes do not increase it as they are busy trying to perfect their fighting techniques. This is why some of them go to the I.A.C.S.B. for experience. Extremely high levels of this ability may even lead to a blind man being able to fight better than he could actually see if he had working eyes.
Rank: S~E
Name: Ki Stealth
Description: An ability to lower one's Ki levels closer to null as much as possible through harmonizing oneself with nature. This is what allows someone to become indiscernible from their environment when enemies try to seek them out through Ki Sense or through spells. This is something that not all Ki Artists use and some styles likely would not teach it. Unless these are clandestine styles that specialize in that sort of thing.
Rank: S~E