[Martial Arts/Thaumatology] Magical Styles for Martial Arts styles

[Prince Charon]

Martial Arts styles having some magic attached to them is not a new idea.

The write-up for Kalaripayit (Martial Arts pp168-169) specifically mentions that in a setting 'where magic works' (the standard magic system, in this context), masters probably know some Shapeshifting spells from the Animal College, as well as having a number of spells from the colleges of Body Control and Healing.

Death Fist (pp207-208) is directly designed for Body Control specialists, and lists spells that are part of the style (but as Martial Arts was written before Thaumatology: Magical Styles, perhaps the style could benefit from an update).

It isn't mentioned in the write-ups for Staff Fighting (text box p192) or Quarterstaff (pp192-193), but given how many adventuring wizards carry a staff, it makes sense for magical styles built around fighting with one (and including martial arts training with same) would be developed.

Venturing into non-GURPS fiction, the bending styles from Avatar: The Last Airbender and Avatar: The Legend of Korra are based very closely on historical martial arts styles, with elemental magic added in.

This thread, then, is for discussing, developing, and posting magical styles that are associated closely with specific martial arts styles. This is not limited to the standard spell-based system, you could make a style for RPM, Path/Book Magic (I suggest a single-Book style in most cases, but some martial arts styles or philosophies would suggest something more versatile), Sorcery, or possibly some other system, like Symbol Drawing. The magical style might be in addition to the cinematic skills and techniques, or it could replace them. I added the 'worldbuilding' tag because developing the styles could and perhaps should involving developing the philosophy and history of the styles.

I don't currently have an example style, though I'm vaguely thinking about one or two that might be associated with Force-Swordsmanship, involving spells from Communication & Empathy, Knowledge, Mind Control, Movement, Protection & Warning, and possibly Body Control, Healing, and others, including a Shortcut to Power perk for Lightning in at least one of the styles (no, the Star Wars reference is not at all subtle with this one). Possibly several connected magical styles.