Magical Martial Arts
Formal training in combat is always useful, but in Creation it goes further than that. The katas of a martial art combine a particular meditation with precise movements that act to create Essence flows in the body. With enough practice these katas become Charms, usable by many kinds of Exalts and other beings. All Martial Arts Charms are neutral Charms.
The Perfected Lotus of Understanding
Magical Martial Arts are not all equal, some are more powerful than others and require a more refined understanding of Essence (and so are open only to certain classes of Exalted). Most scholars use the metaphor of a perfect lotus to categorise the arts.Mud beneath the lotus
The mundane movements of Terrestrial styles can be learnt by normal mortals, and with long practice they can achieve some of the supernatural effects without any true understanding. Thus they have not achieved any part of the lotus but have built a foundation in which it can grow.Roots of the Perfected Lotus
Growing out of and taking sustenance from the mud of mundane practice are the first tier of Magical Martial Arts (often called the Terrestrial Martial Arts), the Roots of the Perfected Lotus. Any Enlightened being can learn these styles, but they are seldom of much use to a Celestial Exalted. Dragon-Blooded can learn Five-Dragon Style without a teacher, it is in some sense inherent to them.Bulb of the Perfected Lotus
The styles of the Bulb of the Perfected Lotus (or Celestial Styles) reach beyond their source to the light of divinity. The most basic Charms of these styles are little more powerful than those of the Root, but new Charms grant increased power as the stylist increases their enlightenment. Celestial Exalted and powerful Gods and Demons can learn these styles, as can the Dragon-Blooded as long as they receive special training (such as that provided by the Immaculate Order). Celestial Exalted can learn some styles without a teacher (any Solar can learn Snake Style for instance).Blossom of the Perfected Lotus
Completely transcending Creation to apply what they have learned to cosmic forces and abstract principles the greatest Martial Artists break through restrictions as a lotus flower breaks through the surface of the water, the Charms of these Martial Arts match what is possible to the wildest feats of Sorcery. Solar Exalted tutored by a Sifu of one of these Arts can achieve this level. No Terrestrial or Lunar Exalted has ever done so. It is unclear who else can, and thus be in a position to teach a Solar student.The Immaculate Order
The Order does not teach nor agree with the philosophy of the Perfected Lotus. Instead they believe that Magical Martial Arts fall into the following categories:Secular Styles
Styles that can be practiced with no damage to Karma and that can be learnt by any Enlightened being. Five-Dragon Style is the only one they teach but dojos exist in the Realm (and Threshold) to teach other secular styles.Heretical Styles
Styles that by their very nature are evil and thus outlawed by the Order and the Realm (one might suggest they are considered evil because they are outlawed, but not in the hearing of a monk). Some of these styles require drawing on the power of an Anathema and can be used to empower and corrupt a Dragon-Blooded by connecting them to their dark master. Many Anathema learn these with no tutor. Most are no more powerful than the Secular Styles.The Five Glorious Dragon Styles
The most powerful Martial Arts can be without damaging the mind, heart, or soul of the practictioner. They are learnable only by particularly enlightened Dragon-Blooded after long training by the Order. These five styles were developed by the Immaculate Dragons and guarding the secrets is one of the proudest obligations of the Order. They embody the Mandate of Heaven and grant monks their authority over wayward gods.Style list, Lotus
Root of the Perfected Lotus
Blossom of the Perfected Lotus
Style List, Immaculate
Secular Styles
The Five Glorious Dragon Styles
- Air Dragon
- Earth Dragon
- Fire Dragon
- Wood Dragon
- Water Dragon