Martial Arts in the Realms [Archive] - Wizards Community

Martial Arts in the Realms [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Garidas
11-07-06, 01:24 PM Are there any special martial arts in the Realms? Like Tai-Kwon-Do, Karate or Ninjitsu? Is there any list over the martial arts? And where are martial arts most likely to be found?

Thanks in Advance,
-Garidas
Melblen_Cairn
11-07-06, 04:58 PM I would assume most of the martial arts forms and styles found in the realms stem from Kara-tur in some way. Their are a number of monastic orders listed and I would think each has their own style. Whether that would actually transfer into actual game terms is a different story.

If your looking for a more traditional martial artist without all the special monk type moves. Model a Fighter with Improved Unarmed combat and several feats from Oriental Adventures. If fact their is a chapter in that book on grouping feats together into styles. Or create your own new class by perhaps stripping down a Monk and adding a couple more bonus feats from a stlye list you put together.

As far as from novels I have read in the Realms with monks in them. Danica from the Cleric Quintet practice a martial art style from some ancient monk(I cannot recall the name atm).
Then there is also Grandmaster Kane from the recent R.A. Salvatore novel but nothing is mentioned of his practices style just references to certain monk abilities.

Hope this helps you out a bit.
Garidas
11-07-06, 05:51 PM Thanks...
Faraer
11-07-06, 06:02 PM When modern Westerners think 'martial arts' they think of East Asian unarmed combat, but boxing and sword-fighting are just as much martial arts, and comparable traditions exist in Faerūn. There isn't a history of peasants fighting unarmed against armed oppressors as in China, and there aren't any established named Faerūnian unarmed styles that I can think of in the lore. For armed, bladesinging would be one.
boards
11-07-06, 10:24 PM Thats one thing I dont like about FRs fighting. Any fighter who has had worthwhile training is going to know how to fight unarmed. Look at the various fighting styles, European or Asian from the 1400's to the 1600's and they all practice grappling, whether on its own or with the knife, sword etc. They might not be doing the flashy kung fu, karate or teakwondo but it will still be highly effective. Flash does not equal usefulness. All those high spinning kicks of Danica's would get her sat on her butt.
BadCatMan
11-07-06, 10:53 PM Chessenta uses all the fighting styles of Ancient Greece, including boxing, Greco-Roman wrestling, pankration (all-out, no rules fighting), as well as armed/armoured combat.

Apart from Chessentan athletic competitions, most fighting styles in Faerun will be developed in the various armies for military use or gladiatorial combat (as was done in Europe), and used for such purposes.

Beyond the armies, a few clergy and monastic orders would practice some forms of unarmed combat, such as the Oghmytes and wrestling. Because we have a Monk class now.

But there would be nothing as codified or spiritual as the Asian martial arts of legend, being more for practicality than mysticism.

If you're any kind of warrior-type, if you swing a sword or an axe or punch someone in the face, and have trained how to do it well, then you are a martial artist. Axe-wielding Barbarian, sword-and-board Fighter, two-dagger Rogue or high-kicking Monk, all are martial artists.

The Monks of the Old Order would be the closest to Asian-style martial artists in Faerun.

High kicks were originally designed to take riders off horses (in Taekwondo at least). Some martial arts practised these days have lost some of their applications.
boards
11-07-06, 11:03 PM High kicks were originally designed to take riders off horses (in Taekwondo at least). Some martial arts practised these days have lost some of their applications.

That is a myth and most researches completely disregard this idea. There is no historical evidence for this.

Every paladin order, nobles son or daughter trained as well as any clerical order that trains with weapons would realistically learn combat grappling at least. Especially any that uses a bastard sword or heavy armour.
Garidas
11-08-06, 02:38 AM Thanks, and by the way, you don't have to tell me what martial arts are, I practice Karate, so I know what it is. Thanks for the info. Usually when you talk about martial arts you mean Unarmed fighting or Asian Weapon fighting, there is a other thing about axes and spears.
Ranger REG
11-08-06, 03:24 AM Are there any special martial arts in the Realms? Like Tai-Kwon-Do, Karate or Ninjitsu? Is there any list over the martial arts? And where are martial arts most likely to be found?
:uh-huh:

While Euro-semblance Faerun may have Western-style martial arts (like pankration, savate, boxing, etc.), the style mentioned in your statement above would probably be found most prominent in the Eastern realm of Kara-Tur, (though there are Eastern migrants now living in the Unapproachable East region of Faerun thanks to the Horde Invasion and the opening of the Golden Way trading road).
Pystian
11-12-06, 08:11 PM If your purpose is to have distinctive styles for Monks, I might be able to help out. I was working on creating a different style for each order I could find referenced to. It's mostly guesswork, though.

The Faiths and Pantheons web enhancement has a good list. Probably about half of the ones I could find were listed there.
JasonOrlandoHawk
11-15-06, 06:17 PM High kicks were originally designed to take riders off horses (in Taekwondo at least). Some martial arts practised these days have lost some of their applications.

That is a myth and most researches completely disregard this idea. There is no historical evidence for this.

As a practitioner of Tae Kwon Do, I whole-heartedly agree. The reason they SAID they used high kicks in ancient Korea was to unhorse their opponents, but that was really just a cover up.

The ancient practitioners of Su Bak Gi (the forerunner of Tae Kwon Do) were all members of the Aristocracy, and they were all skilled artists. Well, when it came time for war, there was a problem: the human hand is one of the easiest portions of the body to injure.

Broken hands= Inability to practice the Arts.

What to do? Oh, what to do? How do we fight w/o risking our hands?

Answer: KICK PEOPLE!!!

The style grew up largely due to vanity and ego-centrism. (NO!!! What if I break a nail!!!)

However, that doesn't mean you can discredit the style. The practitioners of Su Bak Gi (and modern day Tae Kwon Do, as well) spent a large amount of time perfecting their kicks. The style is immensly effective. (I love kick-only matches against practitioners of other styles! Heck, I love matches against people of other styles b/c they wonder how some one as overweight as myself could kick that well or that fast!)

Tae Kwon Do is effective, but it doesn't sound intimidating to say: "I'm going to kick you so that I don't hurt my hand punching you!"

It sounds more macho to say: "The advanced practitioners of our style have the ability to kick their foes off horseback!"

Or,

(the modern excuse)

"Your legs are your longest and strongest weapon. Which weapon is the best to use?"

Now, in regards to the original question:

The Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting Book (3.0) lists 8 prominent Monastic Orders on page 25. One of my favorite Monastic Orders presented is the "Hin Fist" of Lurien. It's a bunch of Halflings who study Martial Arts. "Prepare to be kicked violently in the shin!!!"
BadCatMan
11-15-06, 09:06 PM Well, that's a very different take on Tae Kwon Do than what I've learned. :D

I think it's funny that they were originally called Flower Warriors.

There seem to be some Dwarf martial arts poking around, based on the feats in Races of Faerun. The Hammer Fist feat has a two-handed style, while the Urdunnir have Stonewalker Fist, that lets them punch through someone's armour to strike the person within.

Unofficially, there are many listed on Candlekeep:
http://www.candlekeep.com/library/articles/fstyles.htm
http://www.candlekeep.com/library/articles/fstyles_3ed.htm
shadowpavement
11-17-06, 01:33 PM Remember that martial arts styles greatly reflect the areas and cultures under which they there created. Nothern Chinese styles have lots of sweeping circular movements and kicks since most of the area is open and planes which allows for those types of techniques. Styles from southern china which were developed by sailors and near the water used much smaler stances and almost no kicks above the waist since they were often figting on the ramps between boats or on on woboly decks of ships.

The purpose of a styles development can also affect what kinds of techniques are uses. Shuri syles that developed into modern Kenshinkan, shotokan and shorin ryu underwent a large redevelopment when these practicioners became the bodyguards of the Okinowan King. Their training involved methods for extraction of a principal (the king and family) as well as the distraction of any attackers. So the types of techniques developed were less focussed on keeping one's self safe and more on keeping another safe and were qquick and defistating insted of trying to subdue or get away which is the way that the martial schools from Naha were developed, primarily by monks who would mostly be traveling by themselves and would want to have the option of "minimum nessecary".

Now one commone misconceptiton of martial arts is that they were developed by pesants. Most peasants hardly had enough time to brig in their crops before the rainy season, let alone develop methods of fighting. Most of the fighting arts in Japan and it's enverons were developed by noble land owners who would be considered "gentleman farmers" (this is where the idea of "farmers" develping martial arts came from) who often times had military experience and weapons training.
BadCatMan
11-18-06, 01:04 AM Capoeira does however have a good claim to being invented by peasants, or more precisely, slaves.
shadowpavement
11-19-06, 12:57 AM Definately true, I was refering primarly to Chinese, Okinowan, and Japanese arts.
Cthulhu
11-20-06, 01:08 AM Capoeira does however have a good claim to being invented by peasants, or more precisely, slaves.

There are a goodly number of slave owning societies in Faerun. A style like Capoeira might develop.

If this idea interests you I would suggest checking out the Battle Dancer from Dragon Compendium, vol. 1 (page 26). Pretty fair martial artist that owes nothing to the Eastern style Monk class. Its a good stand in for Capoeira.
Questing GM
11-28-06, 04:41 AM I somehow remember about an order of halfling monks practicing a martial art style known as the Hin Fist...can't remember the exact details though but i think its in the FRCS....:P
Gallameed
11-28-06, 11:31 AM I somehow remember about an order of halfling monks practicing a martial art style known as the Hin Fist...can't remember the exact details though but i think its in the FRCS....:P

Righty-tighty, it's in Races of Faerun too.

Good if the gold dwarves had a low-centre-of-gravity style of unarmed fighting revolving around mid sesction punches and very low kicks aimed at the opponents knee and below. Also getting inside an opponents reach/guard then delivering elbows, knees and locks/holds. All used wiv armour on and all that. When they fight orc and gobbo hordes it would work well considring they must end up getting totally swamped often. Would suit em.

...and maybe some head butts for all the gamers who think the stout ones are scottish.
Zeik_Sephiroth
11-30-06, 07:57 PM I can't belive it! Martial arts do exist in the realms. Ye ever heard of Danica? Ever read ANY of the clerical quintet books?:censored: :banghead:
Noxweather
12-01-06, 01:08 PM I can't belive it! Martial arts do exist in the realms. Ye ever heard of Danica? Ever read ANY of the clerical quintet books?:censored: :banghead:

Um, yes. Ever read this thread? (she was mentioned) ;) :P
Aratharn
12-01-06, 01:12 PM Danica rules:bow:

fists like steel, a skin like silk:drool:
Noxweather
12-01-06, 01:13 PM Danica rules:bow:

fists like steel, a skin like silk:drool:

And a name like a small african boy.
Aratharn
12-01-06, 01:21 PM :rofl:
Zeik_Sephiroth
12-04-06, 07:00 PM Um, yes. Ever read this thread? (she was mentioned) ;) :P

I skim:incog:
msatran
12-04-06, 07:28 PM The thing is, Martial Arts in the Western Realms should look a lot more like "The Transporter' than Taekwando.

In Kara Tur, the real problem is that all of these people should be cloudwalking, hurling bolts of energy, and generating wind, sky, and air effects.

This is a high fantasy world. The martial arts from Kara Tur should be pure Wuxia.
Dark Wizard
12-04-06, 07:34 PM The thing is, Martial Arts in the Western Realms should look a lot more like "The Transporter' than Taekwando.

In Kara Tur, the real problem is that all of these people should be cloudwalking, hurling bolts of energy, and generating wind, sky, and air effects.

This is a high fantasy world. The martial arts from Kara Tur should be pure Wuxia.

YES!
Gallameed
12-06-06, 01:54 PM YES!

Yes again!
boards
12-06-06, 08:33 PM Yes again!
And one more YES
Ranger REG
12-07-06, 01:38 AM The thing is, Martial Arts in the Western Realms should look a lot more like "The Transporter' than Taekwando.

In Kara Tur, the real problem is that all of these people should be cloudwalking, hurling bolts of energy, and generating wind, sky, and air effects.

This is a high fantasy world. The martial arts from Kara Tur should be pure Wuxia.
By your logic, Faerun should resemble Hercules, Xena, and the John Woo's The Musketeer styles of fighting.

Oh, I almost forgot to throw in Jack of All Trade and Pirates of the Caribbeans.
GothicDan
12-07-06, 02:23 AM Hercules/Xena: In Chessenta, maybe. Nowhere else.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Sure, why not?

The Others: No clue.
Faraer
12-07-06, 02:36 AM In East Asia, magic, religion and martial arts blend seamlessly into each other. In the West, and in Faerūn, mind-body discipline isn't generally the route to great magical power. That's possible as an exception, so D&D fighting-monks aren't out of place. But in general, fighting in the Realms looks a lot like the Richard Donner Musketeers films, but not like any kind of wire-assisted martial arts, and it's wizards throwing the energy bolts.
GothicDan
12-07-06, 02:43 AM That was a remarkably enlightened (yet surprisingly simple) differentiation you drew, Faraer.

In Faerun, your average Fighter would tell you that his strength comes from his determination, his experience, and the force of his limbs, rather than some mystical pseudo-divine energy flowing through his body.

An analysis of the magical traditions of various Western cultures versus those of the East (and how they affect martial abilities, if at all) would be interesting.
boards
12-07-06, 03:48 AM True....the post was saying that Martial arts in Kara Tur should be wuxia not fearun.

A question on where you draw the line. Is a non spell casting paladin varient still regarded as a fighter (they're still channeling devine energy for smites and lay on hands etc).
GothicDan
12-07-06, 02:14 PM They're regarded as a Paladin.

They'd be "clergy," still, if not "spellcasters."
boards
12-07-06, 04:02 PM K thanx

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Garidas 11-07-06, 01:24 PM	Are there any special martial arts in the Realms? Like Tai-Kwon-Do, Karate or Ninjitsu? Is there any list over the martial arts? And where are martial arts most likely to be found? Thanks in Advance, -Garidas
Melblen_Cairn 11-07-06, 04:58 PM	I would assume most of the martial arts forms and styles found in the realms stem from Kara-tur in some way. Their are a number of monastic orders listed and I would think each has their own style. Whether that would actually transfer into actual game terms is a different story. If your looking for a more traditional martial artist without all the special monk type moves. Model a Fighter with Improved Unarmed combat and several feats from Oriental Adventures. If fact their is a chapter in that book on grouping feats together into styles. Or create your own new class by perhaps stripping down a Monk and adding a couple more bonus feats from a stlye list you put together. As far as from novels I have read in the Realms with monks in them. Danica from the Cleric Quintet practice a martial art style from some ancient monk(I cannot recall the name atm). Then there is also Grandmaster Kane from the recent R.A. Salvatore novel but nothing is mentioned of his practices style just references to certain monk abilities. Hope this helps you out a bit.
Garidas 11-07-06, 05:51 PM	Thanks...
Faraer 11-07-06, 06:02 PM	When modern Westerners think 'martial arts' they think of East Asian unarmed combat, but boxing and sword-fighting are just as much martial arts, and comparable traditions exist in Faerūn. There isn't a history of peasants fighting unarmed against armed oppressors as in China, and there aren't any established named Faerūnian unarmed styles that I can think of in the lore. For armed, bladesinging would be one.
boards 11-07-06, 10:24 PM	Thats one thing I dont like about FRs fighting. Any fighter who has had worthwhile training is going to know how to fight unarmed. Look at the various fighting styles, European or Asian from the 1400's to the 1600's and they all practice grappling, whether on its own or with the knife, sword etc. They might not be doing the flashy kung fu, karate or teakwondo but it will still be highly effective. Flash does not equal usefulness. All those high spinning kicks of Danica's would get her sat on her butt.
BadCatMan 11-07-06, 10:53 PM	Chessenta uses all the fighting styles of Ancient Greece, including boxing, Greco-Roman wrestling, pankration (all-out, no rules fighting), as well as armed/armoured combat. Apart from Chessentan athletic competitions, most fighting styles in Faerun will be developed in the various armies for military use or gladiatorial combat (as was done in Europe), and used for such purposes. Beyond the armies, a few clergy and monastic orders would practice some forms of unarmed combat, such as the Oghmytes and wrestling. Because we have a Monk class now. But there would be nothing as codified or spiritual as the Asian martial arts of legend, being more for practicality than mysticism. If you're any kind of warrior-type, if you swing a sword or an axe or punch someone in the face, and have trained how to do it well, then you are a martial artist. Axe-wielding Barbarian, sword-and-board Fighter, two-dagger Rogue or high-kicking Monk, all are martial artists. The Monks of the Old Order would be the closest to Asian-style martial artists in Faerun. High kicks were originally designed to take riders off horses (in Taekwondo at least). Some martial arts practised these days have lost some of their applications.
boards 11-07-06, 11:03 PM	High kicks were originally designed to take riders off horses (in Taekwondo at least). Some martial arts practised these days have lost some of their applications. That is a myth and most researches completely disregard this idea. There is no historical evidence for this. Every paladin order, nobles son or daughter trained as well as any clerical order that trains with weapons would realistically learn combat grappling at least. Especially any that uses a bastard sword or heavy armour.
Garidas 11-08-06, 02:38 AM	Thanks, and by the way, you don't have to tell me what martial arts are, I practice Karate, so I know what it is. Thanks for the info. Usually when you talk about martial arts you mean Unarmed fighting or Asian Weapon fighting, there is a other thing about axes and spears.
Ranger REG 11-08-06, 03:24 AM	Are there any special martial arts in the Realms? Like Tai-Kwon-Do, Karate or Ninjitsu? Is there any list over the martial arts? And where are martial arts most likely to be found? :uh-huh: While Euro-semblance Faerun may have Western-style martial arts (like pankration, savate, boxing, etc.), the style mentioned in your statement above would probably be found most prominent in the Eastern realm of Kara-Tur, (though there are Eastern migrants now living in the Unapproachable East region of Faerun thanks to the Horde Invasion and the opening of the Golden Way trading road).
Pystian 11-12-06, 08:11 PM	If your purpose is to have distinctive styles for Monks, I might be able to help out. I was working on creating a different style for each order I could find referenced to. It's mostly guesswork, though. The Faiths and Pantheons web enhancement has a good list. Probably about half of the ones I could find were listed there.
JasonOrlandoHawk 11-15-06, 06:17 PM	High kicks were originally designed to take riders off horses (in Taekwondo at least). Some martial arts practised these days have lost some of their applications. That is a myth and most researches completely disregard this idea. There is no historical evidence for this. As a practitioner of Tae Kwon Do, I whole-heartedly agree. The reason they SAID they used high kicks in ancient Korea was to unhorse their opponents, but that was really just a cover up. The ancient practitioners of Su Bak Gi (the forerunner of Tae Kwon Do) were all members of the Aristocracy, and they were all skilled artists. Well, when it came time for war, there was a problem: the human hand is one of the easiest portions of the body to injure. Broken hands= Inability to practice the Arts. What to do? Oh, what to do? How do we fight w/o risking our hands? Answer: KICK PEOPLE!!! The style grew up largely due to vanity and ego-centrism. (NO!!! What if I break a nail!!!) However, that doesn't mean you can discredit the style. The practitioners of Su Bak Gi (and modern day Tae Kwon Do, as well) spent a large amount of time perfecting their kicks. The style is immensly effective. (I love kick-only matches against practitioners of other styles! Heck, I love matches against people of other styles b/c they wonder how some one as overweight as myself could kick that well or that fast!) Tae Kwon Do is effective, but it doesn't sound intimidating to say: "I'm going to kick you so that I don't hurt my hand punching you!" It sounds more macho to say: "The advanced practitioners of our style have the ability to kick their foes off horseback!" Or, (the modern excuse) "Your legs are your longest and strongest weapon. Which weapon is the best to use?" Now, in regards to the original question: The Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting Book (3.0) lists 8 prominent Monastic Orders on page 25. One of my favorite Monastic Orders presented is the "Hin Fist" of Lurien. It's a bunch of Halflings who study Martial Arts. "Prepare to be kicked violently in the shin!!!"
BadCatMan 11-15-06, 09:06 PM	Well, that's a very different take on Tae Kwon Do than what I've learned. :D I think it's funny that they were originally called Flower Warriors. There seem to be some Dwarf martial arts poking around, based on the feats in Races of Faerun. The Hammer Fist feat has a two-handed style, while the Urdunnir have Stonewalker Fist, that lets them punch through someone's armour to strike the person within. Unofficially, there are many listed on Candlekeep: http://www.candlekeep.com/library/articles/fstyles.htm http://www.candlekeep.com/library/articles/fstyles_3ed.htm
shadowpavement 11-17-06, 01:33 PM	Remember that martial arts styles greatly reflect the areas and cultures under which they there created. Nothern Chinese styles have lots of sweeping circular movements and kicks since most of the area is open and planes which allows for those types of techniques. Styles from southern china which were developed by sailors and near the water used much smaler stances and almost no kicks above the waist since they were often figting on the ramps between boats or on on woboly decks of ships. The purpose of a styles development can also affect what kinds of techniques are uses. Shuri syles that developed into modern Kenshinkan, shotokan and shorin ryu underwent a large redevelopment when these practicioners became the bodyguards of the Okinowan King. Their training involved methods for extraction of a principal (the king and family) as well as the distraction of any attackers. So the types of techniques developed were less focussed on keeping one's self safe and more on keeping another safe and were qquick and defistating insted of trying to subdue or get away which is the way that the martial schools from Naha were developed, primarily by monks who would mostly be traveling by themselves and would want to have the option of "minimum nessecary". Now one commone misconceptiton of martial arts is that they were developed by pesants. Most peasants hardly had enough time to brig in their crops before the rainy season, let alone develop methods of fighting. Most of the fighting arts in Japan and it's enverons were developed by noble land owners who would be considered "gentleman farmers" (this is where the idea of "farmers" develping martial arts came from) who often times had military experience and weapons training.
BadCatMan 11-18-06, 01:04 AM	Capoeira does however have a good claim to being invented by peasants, or more precisely, slaves.
shadowpavement 11-19-06, 12:57 AM	Definately true, I was refering primarly to Chinese, Okinowan, and Japanese arts.
Cthulhu 11-20-06, 01:08 AM	Capoeira does however have a good claim to being invented by peasants, or more precisely, slaves. There are a goodly number of slave owning societies in Faerun. A style like Capoeira might develop. If this idea interests you I would suggest checking out the Battle Dancer from Dragon Compendium, vol. 1 (page 26). Pretty fair martial artist that owes nothing to the Eastern style Monk class. Its a good stand in for Capoeira.
Questing GM 11-28-06, 04:41 AM	I somehow remember about an order of halfling monks practicing a martial art style known as the Hin Fist...can't remember the exact details though but i think its in the FRCS....:P
Gallameed 11-28-06, 11:31 AM	I somehow remember about an order of halfling monks practicing a martial art style known as the Hin Fist...can't remember the exact details though but i think its in the FRCS....:P Righty-tighty, it's in Races of Faerun too. Good if the gold dwarves had a low-centre-of-gravity style of unarmed fighting revolving around mid sesction punches and very low kicks aimed at the opponents knee and below. Also getting inside an opponents reach/guard then delivering elbows, knees and locks/holds. All used wiv armour on and all that. When they fight orc and gobbo hordes it would work well considring they must end up getting totally swamped often. Would suit em. ...and maybe some head butts for all the gamers who think the stout ones are scottish.
Zeik_Sephiroth 11-30-06, 07:57 PM	I can't belive it! Martial arts do exist in the realms. Ye ever heard of Danica? Ever read ANY of the clerical quintet books?:censored: :banghead:
Noxweather 12-01-06, 01:08 PM	I can't belive it! Martial arts do exist in the realms. Ye ever heard of Danica? Ever read ANY of the clerical quintet books?:censored: :banghead: Um, yes. Ever read this thread? (she was mentioned) ;) :P
Aratharn 12-01-06, 01:12 PM	Danica rules:bow: fists like steel, a skin like silk:drool:
Noxweather 12-01-06, 01:13 PM	Danica rules:bow: fists like steel, a skin like silk:drool: And a name like a small african boy.
Aratharn 12-01-06, 01:21 PM	:rofl:
Zeik_Sephiroth 12-04-06, 07:00 PM	Um, yes. Ever read this thread? (she was mentioned) ;) :P I skim:incog:
msatran 12-04-06, 07:28 PM	The thing is, Martial Arts in the Western Realms should look a lot more like "The Transporter' than Taekwando. In Kara Tur, the real problem is that all of these people should be cloudwalking, hurling bolts of energy, and generating wind, sky, and air effects. This is a high fantasy world. The martial arts from Kara Tur should be pure Wuxia.
Dark Wizard 12-04-06, 07:34 PM	The thing is, Martial Arts in the Western Realms should look a lot more like "The Transporter' than Taekwando. In Kara Tur, the real problem is that all of these people should be cloudwalking, hurling bolts of energy, and generating wind, sky, and air effects. This is a high fantasy world. The martial arts from Kara Tur should be pure Wuxia. YES!
Gallameed 12-06-06, 01:54 PM	YES! Yes again!
boards 12-06-06, 08:33 PM	Yes again! And one more YES
Ranger REG 12-07-06, 01:38 AM	The thing is, Martial Arts in the Western Realms should look a lot more like "The Transporter' than Taekwando. In Kara Tur, the real problem is that all of these people should be cloudwalking, hurling bolts of energy, and generating wind, sky, and air effects. This is a high fantasy world. The martial arts from Kara Tur should be pure Wuxia. By your logic, Faerun should resemble Hercules, Xena, and the John Woo's The Musketeer styles of fighting. Oh, I almost forgot to throw in Jack of All Trade and Pirates of the Caribbeans.
GothicDan 12-07-06, 02:23 AM	Hercules/Xena: In Chessenta, maybe. Nowhere else. Pirates of the Caribbean: Sure, why not? The Others: No clue.
Faraer 12-07-06, 02:36 AM	In East Asia, magic, religion and martial arts blend seamlessly into each other. In the West, and in Faerūn, mind-body discipline isn't generally the route to great magical power. That's possible as an exception, so D&D fighting-monks aren't out of place. But in general, fighting in the Realms looks a lot like the Richard Donner Musketeers films, but not like any kind of wire-assisted martial arts, and it's wizards throwing the energy bolts.
GothicDan 12-07-06, 02:43 AM	That was a remarkably enlightened (yet surprisingly simple) differentiation you drew, Faraer. In Faerun, your average Fighter would tell you that his strength comes from his determination, his experience, and the force of his limbs, rather than some mystical pseudo-divine energy flowing through his body. An analysis of the magical traditions of various Western cultures versus those of the East (and how they affect martial abilities, if at all) would be interesting.
boards 12-07-06, 03:48 AM	True....the post was saying that Martial arts in Kara Tur should be wuxia not fearun. A question on where you draw the line. Is a non spell casting paladin varient still regarded as a fighter (they're still channeling devine energy for smites and lay on hands etc).
GothicDan 12-07-06, 02:14 PM	They're regarded as a Paladin. They'd be "clergy," still, if not "spellcasters."
boards 12-07-06, 04:02 PM	K thanx