#Martial Skill Details (武藝詳細)
Contents
Blade, spear, and fist. The category of skills that directly cut enemies down on the battlefield.
Related Entries: Skill System · Skill List · Attributes §Courage
#Classification Overview
All 6 martial skills use Courage (勇) as their primary attribute and connect directly to combat checks. Each skill corresponds to a specific weapon or combat style.
| Skill | Corresponding Weapon/Style | Out-of-Combat RP |
|---|---|---|
| Swordsmanship | katana, nodachi | dojo challenges, appraising famous blades, single combat |
| Spearmanship | yari | formation training, arming peasants, anti-cavalry |
| Archery | bow, teppo | hunting, kyudo, shooting messengers |
| Unarmed Combat | bare hands, grappling | wrestling, binding, escape, interrogation |
| Ninjutsu | shuriken, poison needles, traps | trap making, poison mixture, assassination |
| Horsemanship | mounted combat | horse care, messenger duty, cavalry charge |
#Breath Synergy by Skill
In the count system, proficiency in martial skills affects the quality of a breath.
| Skill | Licensed Maneuver | Master Maneuver |
|---|---|---|
| Swordsmanship | Sword Guard — Swordsmanship weapon defense technique reservation cost -1 | Offense-Defense Unity — no additional Energy cost when counterattacking |
| Spearmanship | Spear Formation — Front Zone control +1 additional | Long-Shaft Handling — yari Energy 2→1 |
| Archery | Quick Load — after shooting, immediately reload for 1 Energy | Far Sight — can shoot at 2-zone distance |
| Unarmed Combat | Close Quarters Brawl — apply short-weapon Core Zone bonus | Joint Suppression — on hit, choose push/trip/disarm |
| Ninjutsu | Ambush Strike — first attack from infiltration is an automatic critical | Poison Meridian — poison-needle hit stacks additional 1 Wound |
| Horsemanship | Mounted Unity — mounted movement 1 Energy | Cavalry Charge — move+attack combined for 3 Energy |
Core Point: Licensed and Master benefits converge on "Energy savings within a breath" or "additional action within a breath." Being able to do more in one breath is proof of proficiency.
#Martial Skills and Three Ways and Six Hearts
| Skill | Loyalty (order) | Compassion (mercy) | Truth (nature) | Demon (instinct) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swordsmanship | Orthodox sword method. Emphasizes form. | Cut the enemy without hatred. | Become one with the sword. | Rip the opponent apart. |
| Unarmed Combat | Bind and force surrender. | Subdue without injuring. | The body moves on its own. | Break the neck. |
| Ninjutsu | For the lord's command. | Tries not to use it. | Shadow is myself. | Poison is more certain than a blade. |
Even the same skill feels completely different depending on Three Ways and Six Hearts. If a Swordsmanship master is Loyalty, they are "an honorable master"; if Demon, "a sword demon (劍魔) mad with blood."
Martial skill is not technique, but a way of life.