[Martial Arts] Aquatic Styles: Sahuagin (Shark Men)

[Gedrin]

Originally Posted by Anthony

It would certainly be possible to have sophisticated underwater grappling techniques, but they simply won't look all that much like the ones you use on the surface because of the whole way footing and leverage work underwater; it's probably a straight-up different skill. Various types of joint locks are probably the most transferable, though a lot of those moves would be specific to the morphology of the target and thus anti-sahaugin moves and anti-human moves might not be the same.

You may wish to give him a technique with Reach that duplicates "sand in the eyes" using a pulse of water created by the tail. It's unorthodox, and might have the advantage of being somewhat concealable to the crowd. Maybe a "secret technique". This guy has to retain the advantages, including surprise, that his personal style offers him. Similarly, sharpened fin spines.

Essentially, baring notably superior agility, a smaller combatant in an unarmed duel should "cheat".

I strongly recommend several false rumors about his legendary Chi, dark blessings or paralyzing gaze. If everyone's expecting the five finger punch of death, because he does it as theater just before his opponents die, they're less likely to look out for the throw/punch combo he actually used to collapse a gill.

Allow him to use Tactics in negotiating the stage for the duels, granting him benefits for "battlespace preparation". The magma vents make a great venue, and it doesn't hurt that the Baron has studied the timing of the steam vents.

Also, the point has been made that slams are common in underwater combat. In that environment, Judo becomes much more useful. One reading of the skill's throw ability could be "divert momentum". Similarly, trips send people tumbling, and without ground they don't stop tumbling as fast.

If you want him using cunning bone breaks, use Wrestling. If you want him evading bone breaks and sending his charging foes tumbling through the water, use Judo.

YMMV