Out of all the clan, he was pretty sure he had the most muscle mass- not that muscle mattered when you could obliterate a solid stone with a single punch.
Roy lowered himself to the ground with a small grunt of relief. The walk here was never easy. Pulling a canteen from his pack, he took a long draft, enjoying the sensation of the cool water running down his throat. He took another sip, looking around at the trees surrounding him. It was the beginning of summer, so the heat had not yet grown to the sweltering temperatures he knew they would, just yet. Putting a cap on his canteen, Roy reached into his pack and removed a book.
It was one of several that he’d stolen from the clan library a few years back. He was forbidden from touching the books, as they’d be wasted on someone like him, but Roy was stubborn. One night, when he’d finally had enough, he’d snuck inside. It wasn’t easy to do either, as a braced leg didn’t exactly lend itself to stealthily movements. But he’d managed it somehow, escaping with several books on cultivating and a single book on martial combat.
Flipping open the first book, Roy began reading where he’d left off last time.
Introduction to Essence: Basic principles and guidelines.
The entire world is made up of Essence. This ethereal energy permeates the very air we breathe, the water we drink, and the land upon which we walk. It is light and darkness, life and death. Those who form cores can see the Essence in their surroundings and learn to harness it within themselves. They are known as Martial Artists.
There are many advantages to becoming a Martial Artist, not the least of which are an increased lifespan, a healthier and sturdier body, and a better understanding of the world in general…
Roy grimaced and flipped further through the book. He already knew all of this and how he differed from the others. He stopped at the next heading, which caught his interest.
Techniques: The tools of the Martial Artist.
All Martial Artists will train various techniques over the course of their lives. While there are nine overall technique types, they can be broken down into two categories: Body and Spirit.
Body techniques focus on enhancing the Martial Artist’s physical fighting power, enhancing strength, speed, and defense.
Spirit techniques focus on enhancing the Essence-based attacks, focusing on distance, terrain, and containment.
There are four of each, Body and Spirit, with the ninth technique being a combination of them both. All those who manage to combine their techniques into a single one has earned the title of Master and are considered to be true Martial Artists.
Below is a list of all the technique types, as well as a basic explanation on each.
Body techniques: Control of the physical self.
Physicaclass="underline" These affect the body directly, strengthening blows, or lending them special properties. They are great in hand to hand fighting and are most useful to those following a more martial path. The downside to these is that the user must make physical contact for the techniques to work.
Movement: These affect how the body will move. This technique can increase speed, flexibility, dexterity, and so on. These techniques cannot directly harm anyone, but they can be used to bolster one’s own body and techniques.
Armorer: These affect how the body will stand up to damage. They are one of the most important for any Martial Artist, as they provide the bulk of their defense unless they manage to reach Green. While Yellow-Belts gain a certain degree of immunity to physical harm, it is nothing compared to what one would receive at Orange. Even that is a pale imitation of the immunity gained at Green. The downside to these is that the more punishment that is taken, the more taxing it will be on your Essence reserves.
Full-body: These techniques are the culmination of all three Body techniques combined. These techniques will lend the Martial Artist the aspects of all three of their Body techniques, multiplying their effects many times over. You should not attempt to use it until all three Body techniques have been thoroughly mastered. One slip-up can end in disaster.
Spirit techniques: Control of Essence.
Projected: These techniques are used to control Essence, projecting it outward and forming an attack. They are most typically used for range, but some Martial Artists have been known to use them to enhance Physical techniques. The downside to these techniques is that it requires a lot of concentration and leaves the body vulnerable to attacks.
Terrain: These techniques are used to control Essence outside the body, affecting the terrain itself. The Martial Artist uses their will to control the ambient Essence and bend it to their will. This technique can be used even if the Martial Artist has no Essence stored within their core. The downside is the risk that the Martial Artist will lose control of the Essence, causing it to run wild. Therefore, it is suggested that the core always be at least half full when attempting to use one.
Containment: These techniques are used to control others, or more precisely, to either capture someone or contain powerful attacks. These require an extreme amount of control and concentration and are normally slow to form.
Full-area: These powerful attacks are the culmination of all three Spirit techniques combined. The Martial Artist would reach out to the ambient Essence, then combine it with their own. They would then use their Containment technique to hold it in place and trigger a technique that covered a wide or targeted area. Like the Full-body technique, this should not be attempted until all three Spirit techniques are mastered.
Master-level technique: Mastery of Body and Spirit.
Conqueror: This technique gives one full control over their body and environment. They combine uses of all the others and demand a massive amount of both Essence and control. This is the mark of a Master in the Martial Arts.
Sighing in regret, Roy flipped to a new section of the book. As much as he wanted to practice and develop techniques of his own, he just didn’t have the ability. He looked back to the book and began reading the first chapter on Water Essence.
The Path of Water: A basic understanding.
Water Essence is one of the eight pillars of advancement. Those who have passed the Trial of Beginnings and now have an affinity for Water can begin cycling in a basic figure-eight pattern around their cores. This will allow your body time to become accustomed to the feeling of the Essence while expanding your senses to the Essence in the world around you…
Roy snapped the book shut. He’d read this before in a different book and knew it would do him no good. He’d never seen the Trial of Beginnings, let alone passed it. But by listening to those around the clan, he’d discovered that the Trial of Beginnings was where all Martial Artists would go as soon as they formed their cores.
A gate would open for them, transporting them to a pocket world where they would face eight trials. By the time they were done, they would get to choose one of the eight basic Advancement Paths. He wasn’t exactly sure how they knew which was the right one, but he’d heard rumors of some sort of resonance within their cores. Roy knew that once a Martial Artist made it to Green, something which he’d only ever seen the clan leader, Shah Korgo, manage, they would be able to branch off, creating new techniques and their own unique Path.