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

Anbo-Jyutsu
The Ultimate Way of the Staff
In the distant future of another time-line, the martial arts had become obsolete in the face of superpowerful
weaponry. As such, they had been relegated to mostly ceremonial functions and were rarely if
ever used in actual combat. Many of the more aggressive martial arts died out completely (or lived on
secretly) in those dark times, but at least one new form was created.
Even though humans of the future liked to believe themselves free from all violent impulses, they still
required an occasional venting of anger and frustration. Because of the combatant nature of the martial
arts, these ancient practices were deemed worthy of further study; the fact that they required great mental
and physical discipline as well was seen as a great plus. So, sometime in the mid- to late 23rd century, an
historian and student of the martial arts decided to create his own form. Well, it wasn't actually that simple
a decision, but it's as good a description as any.
Working with the idea that the martial arts should be a vent for negative emotions and not a means of
self-defense, this historian (who is ironically unnamed in the history texts of later eras) synthesized a
workable form from his knowledge of many older forms. He called this discipline "Anbo-Jyutsu," but
among its practitioners it was often called (wrongly and arrogantly) "the ultimate advancement in the
martial arts." Anbo-Jyutsu is practiced and performed in light-weight armor made out of a material similar
to kevlar. Its primary weapon is a staff about five feet long, with a padded weight on one end and a
carved air-whistle on the other. In combat, these staves made a low, throbbing noise counterpointed with
shrill whistles each time it strikes. However, the most stunning thing about this martial art (besides its
impressive appearance) is that it is performed without the benefit of sight! All Anbo-Jyutsu armor is built
with an attached faceplate which can be lowered or raised. In performances, mock battles, and grudge
matches, it is always kept down.
Anbo-Jyutsu has many wide, sweeping, circular motions in it, partly to make up for the lack of sight, but
also just for the sake of an impressive appearance. Do not be fooled by thinking this martial art weak just
because it prides itself on appearance; on the contrary, practitioners of Anbo-Jyutsu (who often consider
it a game rather than a combat discipline) equate being good with looking good and can be truly
devastating, both to their mock opponents and their real ones.
(Note: If you want to use this in a campaign that isn't Phase World/Rifts, arbitrate that a group of Anbo-
Jyutsu practitioners were caught in a transporter accident and sent to whatever game world you're using.
Or just move the background [ie: an historian with a penchant for the martial arts] to whatever game world
you're using.)
Entrance Requirements: PP 13; PE 11; MA or PB 12
Skill Cost: 4 years (people can learn Anbo-Jyutsu fairly quickly because of its dependence on the purely
physical aspects of martial arts)
Costume: Light, padded armor for competitions which is fairly useless in real battle (AR 16; 25 SDC);
traditional colors are red and blue, but any are allowed. If actually fighting, the practitioners go with
something comfortable, but stylish, depending on individual tastes.
Stance: Feet planted wide, pointing apart at a 45-degree angle, weight on the balls of the feet rather than
the heel. Arms kept level and steady, holding the staff in a defensive posture.
CHARACTER BONUSES
Add 2 to PP
Add 1 to PE
Add 1 to PS
Add 15 to SDC