Sino-Atlantic martial arts

[whswhs]

Here is part three: The criminal martial arts. This is a shorter list.


Batariacht (“Si Lei Li”): The common name is the Chinese pronunciation of sail-éille or “shillelagh,” the traditional Irish fighting stick; its Chinese meaning is "thunder-splitting power." Many practitioners also carry a shorter stick in the nondominant hand, used for parrying. This is generally regarded as a fighting style for lowlife and ruffians, but many more men carry a shillelagh than actually know the proper art of its use. The Irish triads often support secretive masters of batariacht, as leaders, members, or honored guests. Much of the teaching of batariacht is carried on through memorization of traditional poems and sayings. The same mechanics can be used for African stickfighting, but without Savoir-Faire (Mafia) or Unusual Training (Drunken Fighting).

• Skills: Axe/Mace, Brawling, Expert Skill (Bardic Lore), Main-Gauche, Savoir-Faire (Mafia)
• Techniques: Aggressive Parry, Close Combat, Head Butt, Stamp Kick, Uppercut
• Perks: Dirty Fighting, Special Exercises (Striking ST +1), Unusual Training (Drunken Fighting), Unusual Training (Kiai), Unusual Training (Rapier Wit), Weapon Bond

Capa y Espada: The legendary combat art of secretive Spanish assassins, often shown in exaggerated theatrical version—but realistic forms are favored by spies and rebels in the still restless Iberian peninsula. Legend proclaims that its black-clad masters can become invisible, walk through walls, or kill with a touch. In reality, they rely on easily concealed blades and inconspicuous off-black garb.

• Skills: Cloak, Holdout, Main-Gauche, Smallsword, Stealth, Wrestling
• Techniques: Arm or Wrist Lock, Armed Grapple, Choke Hold, Close Combat, Counterattack, Disarming, Feint, Finger Lock
• Perks: Neck Control, Off-Hand Training, Shtick, Weapon Bond

Dagger Fighting: A combat technique for petty criminals who don’t go for anything as high-end as capa y espada. Variants are practiced by sailors in port, without access to their ship’s weapons, and by anyone else who needs an inconspicuous weapons.

• Skills: Knife, Wrestling
• Techniques: Arm Lock, Armed Grapple, Back Strike, Feint, Retain Weapon, Reverse Grip
• Perks: Dirty Fighting, Off-Hand Training, Quick-Swap

Bill Stoddard