Femme Fu

[Wavefunction]

Fiddling with this for a female character who would love to learn it.

Femme Fu

5 points

This is the martial art learnt exclusively by femme fatales in action flicks. I has both striking and grappling components, with the striking component focusing on kicks to high hit locations (preferably executed whilst wearing a skirt), but also including slaps to the cheek, and knees to the groin.
Whilst the grappling component focuses primarily on head locks, chokes, or neck snaps executed with the lower body (bonus points for doing them from a handstand), it also teaches Power Grappling to allow waif like women to chuck around 200+ lbs. marines.

Stylists make extensive use of Acrobatics, usually performing multiple (surprisingly slow) flick flacks across a room to reach their opponent.

Then there's the sexy component, revolving around sex appeal-based feints. These feints still take up an attack manoeuvre, but count as hands-free for anything that cares (i.e. Extra Attack).

It also teaches stylists how to fight in high heels, and even use them to ones advantage.

Stylists must be at least Attractive in order to be accepted into a school teaching this style, however appearance can degrade after it's been learnt, and there may be rogue teachers who are willing to teach anyone it's components (perhaps even men!).

Cinematic stylists, sorry, more cinematic stylists, might make use of Pressure Points (for a variety of purposes), Hypnotic Hands (don't ask), and Body Control.

Note that this is the unarmed style of femme fatales, the armed style is considerably more risqué.

Skills: Acrobatics; Karate; Sex Appeal; Wrestling.
Techniques: Acrobatic Attack (Karate or Wrestling); Acrobatic Stand; Eye Rake (Karate); Feint (Sex Appeal); Ground Fighting (Karate or Wrestling); Hammer Fist; Kicking; Knee Strike; Lower-Body Head Lock; Lower-Body Neck Snap; Stamp Kick (Karate); Sweep (Karate or Wrestling); Targeted Attack (Karate Hammer Fist/Face); Targeted Attack (Karate Kick/Face); Targeted Attack (Karate Kick/Neck); Targeted Attack (Karate Kick/Skull); Targeted Attack (Karate Knee Strike/Groin); Triangle Choke.
Cinematic Skills: Body Control; Hypnotic Hands; Pressure Points.
Cinematic Techniques: Lethal Strike; Pressure-Point Strike.
Perks: Acrobatic Kicks; Ground Guard; High-Heeled Heroine; High-Heeled Hurt; Improvised Weapons (Feminine); Iron Nails*; Power Grappling; Sexy Feints; Technique Mastery (Feint); Technique Mastery (Kicking); Trademark Move.

*Prevents nail breakage. Allows appropriate unarmed attacks to do Cutting damage at -2 or -1 per die, whichever is worse, with a (0.5) Armour Divisor. Permits humans to purchase the Long Thumbs Perk.

Optional Traits
Attributes: Improved DX; Improved HT; Improved Basic Speed.
Advantages: Allure; Enhanced Dodge; Enhanced Parry; Flexible; Improved Appearance; Voice.
Disadvantages: Callous; Lecherousness; Unlucky (Abduction).
Skills: Acting; Climbing; Erotic Art; Intimidation; Jumping; Running; Stealth.
Perks: Extra Option (Bulletproof Nudity); Improvised Weapons (Any); Sexy Pose; Shtick (Immaculate); Teamwork.

Let me know if I've missed anything. Also let me know if this is horribly sexist, it wasn't intended to be, it's meant to simply be a representation of the style found in most action flicks.

EDIT: Would particularly appreciate input from women (or men) on how realistic the High-Heeled Heroine Perk is.

[Icelander]

Originally Posted by Wavefunction

EDIT: Would particularly appreciate input from women (or men) on how realistic the High-Heeled Heroine Perk is.

I've never seen any indication that it's supposed to be.

Realistically, training can probably mitigate the penalties inherent in wearing a particular type of unsuitable footwear for a given activity, but never to the extent that the character can run, jump or fight equally well while wearing high-heels as when wearing sport shoes. Same Move is also right out.

In a harshly realistic game where someone nevertheless wanted to wear high-heels at all times, I would allow Techniques to buy off up to half the penalty for any given activity.

I'd be fairly broad in my definition of 'activities', but I'd still require a separate Technique for each skill, which would mean High-Heeled Running was distinct from High-Heeled Fighting (Karate) and High-Heeled Gymnastics.

I can't imagine it will come up, however, as I don't see someone playing a character who insists on wearing high-heels for combat, chases and acrobatic scenes in anything resembling a realistic campaign.

In fact, one of the ways one can quickly spot whether a given story is 'gritty' or 'cinematic' is whether the characters in it display their competence by preparing for challenges, using equipment and clothing appropriate to their supposed expertise, or whether the 'rule of cool' governs attire and equipment, which nevertheless has no appreciable effect on the success rates of the protagonists.

[Wavefunction]

Originally Posted by Icelander

In fact, one of the ways one can quickly spot whether a given story is 'gritty' or 'cinematic' is whether the characters in it display their competence by preparing for challenges, using equipment and clothing appropriate to their supposed expertise, or whether the 'rule of cool' governs attire and equipment, which nevertheless has no appreciable effect on the success rates of the protagonists.

I was wondering about this for a character who likes the idea of being a femme fatale, and would wear heels when possible. If it turned out it was completely inefficient to wear heels, she'd probably eventually and begrudgingly switch to flats. So a realistic setting, but a character with a cinematic mindset, call it a Quirk-level Delusion.

[David Johnston2]

Originally Posted by Wavefunction

I was wondering about this for a character who likes the idea of being a femme fatale, and would wear heels when possible. If it turned out it was completely inefficient to wear heels, she'd probably eventually and begrudgingly switch to flats. So a realistic setting, but a character with a cinematic mindset, call it a Quirk-level Delusion.

In a realistic setting a femme fatale who wears high heels would simply shuck them at the first opportunity when faced with the need to fight, and probably use them as weapons if she didn't have a gun.

[Wavefunction]

Originally Posted by David Johnston2

In a realistic setting a femme fatale who wears high heels would simply shuck them at the first opportunity when faced with the need to fight, and probably use them as weapons if she didn't have a gun.

Wait, so you mean thigh length leather boots with 5'' heels aren't a practical solution?

[wellspring]

Originally Posted by David Johnston2

In a realistic setting a femme fatale who wears high heels would simply shuck them at the first opportunity when faced with the need to fight, and probably use them as weapons if she didn't have a gun.

For a gritty realistic example of this, see the superhero American Maid, in The Tick.

;)

Originally Posted by Wavefunction

Fiddling with this for a female character who would love to learn it.

Let me know if I've missed anything. Also let me know if this is horribly sexist, it wasn't intended to be, it's meant to simply be a representation of the style found in most action flicks.

Honestly, this begins and ends with a player who would love to learn it. If it makes them happy, doesn't disrupt the game, and doesn't clash with the setting, then my inclination is to go for it. I love this martial art. It's flavorful as all get-out, balanced, and is a perfect fit for players with that concept.

My one critique is the number of Perks. It's adequate, but I think you'll want more so the player will have some choices. I'd drop Extreme Sexual Dimorphism. It might or might not be appropriate to the character, but it isn't something you'd learn in a dojo. At best you'd have to go under the knife. You've already accounted for the appearance requirement.

Perhaps you could move Sexy Pose to the core style. For other perks, you could add: Acrobatic Kicks, Ground Guard, Improvised Weapons (David's right about the high heels), Sure Footed (Crowds), and Standard Operating Procedure (Hair and Makeup).

Getting even more cinematic, don't forget Trademark Moves and Teamwork for sexy operator teams (and if you're going for that kind of game, each player should have to buy Teamwork, plus each take a different trademark move, in keeping with the genre), and sexy Combat Shticks. Perhaps also Permit (Night Life), granting you backstage passes, invitations to major social events, and the right to cut the line to enter exclusive nightclubs.

If you don't mind, I'd like to steal this idea. I'm starting a campaign in the next month or two and at least two of my female players will go nuts when they see this.

[Wavefunction]

Originally Posted by wellspring

My one critique is the number of Perks. It's adequate, but I think you'll want more so the player will have some choices. I'd drop Extreme Sexual Dimorphism. It might or might not be appropriate to the character, but it isn't something you'd learn in a dojo. At best you'd have to go under the knife. You've already accounted for the appearance requirement.

There are certainly options for additional Perks, I just didn't want too many, but as this has morphed into a more extensive style I could certainly throw them in.

Originally Posted by wellspring

Perhaps you could move Sexy Pose to the core style. For other perks, you could add: Acrobatic Kicks, Ground Guard, Improvised Weapons (David's right about the high heels), Sure Footed (Crowds), and Standard Operating Procedure (Hair and Makeup).

I listed Sexy Pose as optional since it's not a style perk, I fully expect all stylists to have it, but since it's not related to combat I didn't include it in the style proper. I didn't add Acrobatic Kicks mainly because I've never been clear on what the advantage of them is when you've actually got a Skill that covers kicking, but it's thematically appropriate, so I'll add it. Ground Guard is definitely added, Improvised Weapons (Feminine) seems reasonable to cover all appropriate weapons. I'm not sure what the intention of Sure-Footed (Crowds) is? Instead of SOP I'll probably add Shtick (Immaculate) to the optional traits list.

Originally Posted by wellspring

Getting even more cinematic, don't forget Trademark Moves and Teamwork for sexy operator teams (and if you're going for that kind of game, each player should have to buy Teamwork, plus each take a different trademark move, in keeping with the genre), and sexy Combat Shticks. Perhaps also Permit (Night Life), granting you backstage passes, invitations to major social events, and the right to cut the line to enter exclusive nightclubs.

Trademark Move is appropriate, Teamwork gets optional status. Not sure what to do with regards to sexy Combat Shticks, any suggestions? Permit (Nigh Life) is definitely going to the character this is designed for, but probably doesn't belong in the style.

Originally Posted by wellspring

If you don't mind, I'd like to steal this idea. I'm starting a campaign in the next month or two and at least two of my female players will go nuts when they see this.

Feel free, that's usually what I intend when I post something on the forums. :)

[ArchonShiva]

If the Perk isn't allowed, get a Vow: High heels or barefoot, then buy your other stuff with a Pact Power Modifier.

Wait, your GM won't allow a Power Modifier in a realistic campaign? GURPS is way too restrictive...

[Mailanka]

Originally Posted by Icelander

I can't imagine it will come up, however, as I don't see someone playing a character who insists on wearing high-heels for combat, chases and acrobatic scenes in anything resembling a realistic campaign.

Well, it's actually pretty reasonable to expect spies and such to dress appropriately for one set of circumstances, while actively preparing for another. For example, an assassin might know she's going to do some killing at the grand ball, and she can't afford to show up in combat fatigues and boots, but in a smashing dress and heels. She'd need to know how to either fight/run in them, or how to transition quickly out of them ("Never wear straps.") and handle herself on bare feet.

A realistic assassination attempt might involve poison in the wine, or a sniper on the roof, or both, rather than expecting the female agent to smuggle in, I don't know, a knife or a pistol and then actually fight the target, but there's always the chance that something is going to go awry, and she needs to be ready in case they do.

But this doesn't really disprove your point, just puts an asterisk on it. The real reason we have heroines fighting in heels is because heels are hot and we want hot heroines in our cool action movies.

[jason taylor]

Originally Posted by Mailanka

Well, it's actually pretty reasonable to expect spies and such to dress appropriately for one set of circumstances, while actively preparing for another. For example, an assassin might know she's going to do some killing at the grand ball, and she can't afford to show up in combat fatigues and boots, but in a smashing dress and heels. She'd need to know how to either fight/run in them, or how to transition quickly out of them ("Never wear straps.") and handle herself on bare feet.

A realistic assassination attempt might involve poison in the wine, or a sniper on the roof, or both, rather than expecting the female agent to smuggle in, I don't know, a knife or a pistol and then actually fight the target, but there's always the chance that something is going to go awry, and she needs to be ready in case they do.

But this doesn't really disprove your point, just puts an asterisk on it. The real reason we have heroines fighting in heels is because heels are hot and we want hot heroines in our cool action movies.

She might be a spotter for a shooter across the street.

A spy of course would just be there to cultivate an asset or otherwise steal information. She could be in any cover that might be expected at a Grand Ball. A servant might be best.

In either case she has to be there with the host's knowledge. Anyone who gives a VIP party without vetting everyone there doesn't know their business and deserves to have a mess up on their watch. Which means the agent is probably working for the host or an ally thereof.

Another possibility you didn't account for is as undercover security. Instead of being an assassin she could be a counter-assassin.