Martial Skills

In theory, any samurai could be called to battle in service of their lord at any moment. In practice, only bushi, the martial members of the caste, are expected to march to war with any frequency, to defend their homes or claim lands in the name of their lord. After all, it would be foolish for a lord to waste a skilled courtier by sending them to the front—though it does happen occasionally, especially when said courtier has made one too many careless remarks in their lord’s presence. As a result, many samurai are less focused around the rough skills of warfare and might practice them only as a contemplative exercise, as a way to achieve self-mastery, or in times of dire need. Other samurai embrace the soldier’s lifestyle and find themselves restless when stuck at court.

Elemental Approaches for Martial Skills

Each approach to a Martial skill represents a tactical goal that a character can pursue while fighting or undertaking a related activity. These objectives include things like maintaining a solid guard, moving fluidly, crushing the foe with unrelenting force, or probing a foe’s defenses for weaknesses. No single tactic rules supreme, and a skilled warrior knows how to suit their style to the circumstances. The elemental approaches to Martial skills function as follows:

Withstand Approach (Earth Ring)

An Earth approach to a Martial skill focuses on solid basics, firm defences, and simple, reliable tactics. Martial arts often revolve around seemingly endless drilling in these basics, and even those who have achieved a degree of mastery are expected to put considerable time and energy into the upkeep of such skills. A character practising this approach moves through obstacles slowly and carefully, without risking harm. An Earth approach is consistent and safe, but also predictable—therefore, it is most favourable in situations and terrain where the enemy has no choice but to fight at a disadvantage. The Earth approach to a Martial skill frequently involves setting up in such a position and then waiting patiently for the perfect moment to strike.
If the enemy can slip through the defences of a character practising a Martial skill with an Earth approach, however, the technique or tactic’s rigidity turns from a strength to a weakness in an instant.
A character uses Withstand when they want to:

• Meet hardship head-on and shrug it off.
• Move slowly and carefully.
• Wear their foe down.
• Lift and carry heavy objects.
• Practice a technique that relies on endurance above all.

Shift Approach (Water Ring)

The Water approach to a Martial skill focuses on meeting force with softness and softness with force. Instead of attempting to overcome a foe at their strongest point, the Shift approach relents until the moment the foe overextends, then turns to crushing power in an instant. A character practising this approach slides past obstacles fluidly, without expending energy unnecessarily. The greatest vulnerability of the Water approach to a Martial skill is an enemy who can afford to wait.
To capitalize on the use of the Water approach to its fullest, the opponent must give the character force to redirect against them.
A character uses Shift when they want to:

• Redirect force rather than stopping it.
• Move via the most expedient path.
• Use their foe’s energy against them.
• Slide through tight spaces or shifting crowds.
• Practice a technique that relies on flexibility above all.

Overwhelm Approach (Fire Ring)

The Fire approach to a Martial skill idealizes direct and devastating force, against which few foes would dare stand firm. By abandoning caution, the Overwhelm approach hopes to win the battle in the mind, guaranteeing victory of the body. It moves through obstacles with the swiftness and fury of a wildfire, breaking through barriers rather than circumventing them. The Fire approach is frequently meant to inspire confusion or panic; at its heart, it is always unrelenting, pressing the foe at every turn so that they cannot regroup or stabilize. 
However, the risks of the Fire approach are obvious: any gap in the onslaught is a vulnerability that a cunning enemy can exploit, and a character taking the Fire approach might be defeated by their own strength turned against them.
A character uses Overwhelm when they want to:

• Meet force with opposing force of their own.
• Move rapidly and heedlessly.
• Break objects and obstacles with brute might.
• Force their foe to meet them head-on.
• Practice a technique that relies on power above all.
• Terrify an enemy through aggressive action.

Feint Approach (Air Ring)

The Air approach to Martial skills is opportunistic and evasive, using agility and cunning to create and exploit openings. It vaults over obstacles gracefully, taking advantage of new positions the enemy does not expect. This can allow a character taking the Air approach to a Martial skill to overcome an entrenched enemy, cleverly flanking them or feigning an attack on another target to open up the real target’s defences. 
However, the Air approach to a Martial skill risks becoming an unnecessary flourish. In battle, the only objective is to destroy the enemy without hesitation; in the face of overwhelming force, a cunning plan can become a snare for the schemer who created it.
A character uses Feint when they want to:

• Evade oncoming force with minimal effort.
• Move precisely and subtly.
• Slip past a foe’s defences into an advantageous position.
• Land acrobatically (and safely).
• Practice a technique that relies on grace above all else.

Sacrifice Approach (Void Ring)

The Void approach to a Martial skill is formless, and it gives away no information. By being without form until the moment of action, it is entirely unpredictable. On the other hand, this approach is unable to take advantage of preparations. As a tactic, the Void approach can startle an enemy certain of their overwhelming advantage, causing them to reconsider a winning move. 
However, it is often an all-or-nothing gamble. A character who takes the Void approach to a Martial skill puts a certain part of their fate in the hands of the universe.
A character uses Sacrifice when they want to:

• Meet force without any resistance to create an opportunity.
• Act unpredictably.
• Move instinctively.
• Move without regard for their own life.
• Make an intentionally risky move to sow doubt in the opponent’s mind.
• Practice a technique that relies on centering oneself within the universe above all else.
• Leave the outcome of a strike to fate.