( Hand to Hand: Martial Arts ) Aikido ( revised )

Bishoudo - The Way of the Dagger by Gabriel
Bishoudo is the creation of a master who lives in New York City. He began teaching students how to
defend themselves with a minimum of weapons. This led to the development of a martial art that focuses
on knives and kicks. Instruction is available only in NYC from the master. The knives, which have 6 inch
blades, are often kept strapped to the individual's forearms and then allowed to slide into the hand when
needed. Because of their extensive training, practitioners of this art can perform locks and holds even
with knives in their hands.
Entrance Requirements: None
Skill Cost: 5 years
Costume: Street clothes, preferrably with loose sleeves
Stance: Weight balanced on the balls of the feet, front foot at 45 degree angle forward, back foot
perpendicular. The forward arm's elbow is at a 90 degree angle with the hand roughly level with the
shoulder, holding a knife in a reverse grip (blade towards the forearm), ready to slash, parry, or strike
with the pommel. The back hand is drawn across the body, about chest level, with the other knife held in
a normal grip, ready to thrust or stab.
Character Bonuses:
+2 to P.P.
+1 to M.E.
+4 to Spd.
+10 to S.D.C.
Combat Skills:
Attacks Per Melee: 3
Escape Moves: Roll with Impact, Backflip, Maintain Balance
Basic Defensive Moves: Dodge, Parry, Automatic Parry
Advanced Defenses: Disarm
Hand Attacks: Strike, Palm Strike
Basic Foot Attacks: Kick Attack, Spinning Hook (Special! A kick that involves bringing the back leg fully
around the body, spinning on the front leg, and delivering a kick to the head with the heel of the foot.
Does 2D6 damage to hit points on a strike of 15 or higher (not including bonuses), and has a 20%
chance of knocking the target out for 1D6 melees. 1D8 to SDC if a the strike roll is lower than 15 or if
done to a target other than the head. Almost always done after a punch or crescent kick.), Tripping / Leg
hook, Drop kick, Crescent Kick.
Jumping Foot Attacks: None
Special Attacks: None
Holds/Locks: Wrist Lock, Elbow Lock, Automatic Wrist Lock, Automatic Elbow Lock
Weapon Katas: W.P. Knives - Paired (Special, see below)
Modifiers to Attacks: Pull Punch, Critical Strike
Special Knife Attacks:
Pommel Strike: A strike using the pommel of the knife as the weapon. Does 1D4 damage.
Slash: A strike using the length of the blade to make a long, shallow, wound. Does 1D6 damage.
Thrust: A simple thrust with the knife, putting a lot of muscle into it. Because of this wind up it is easier to
avoid (+1 to opponent's parry or dodge roll). Does 1D6+2 damage.
Stab: A quick thrust, not quite as powerful. Does 1D6 damage.
Skills Included in Training
Martial Art Powers: Select two powers from either Martial Art Techniques or Arts of Invisibility. In
addition, the character gets the Zanshin technique. If desired, any number of powers other than Zanshin
can be traded, one-for-one, for any basic skill program (excluding physical).
Languages: None
Skills: None
Philosophical Training: None, other than it being stressed that a person should only defend
themselves and not seek out combat.
If this is your primary martial art form than the following other forms can be learned in a shorter time:
Jujutsu (4 years), Moo Gi Gong (4 years), Yu-Sool (5 years).
Level Advancement Bonuses
1st Critical strike from behind, +3 to roll with impact, +2 to pull punch