| O-Ken Wa is a martial art form practiced
by many people who use a sword for its real purpose: to kill. Created nearly half a
millenia ago by a Japanese Immortal (Highlander style), the art is utterly deadly. O-Ken
Wa focuses on the use of two swords and the practitioner's feet. There are almost no hand
attacks in this art. The Immortal who created O-Ken Wa survived the RIFTS and still
wanders China. This is one of the few martial arts which survived the coming of the Rifts. Entrance Requirements: PP of 13
Skill Cost: 8 years
Costume: Anything, preferrably with loose pants so that kicks are not
constricted. 2 swords roughly 2.5 to 3 feet long.
Stance: Weight balanced on the balls of the feet, front foot at 45 degree
angle forward, back foot perpendicular. The forward arm's elbow is at a 90 degree angle
with the hand roughly level with the shoulder, holding a sword pointed towards the
opponent. The back hand is drawn across the body, about chest level, with the other sword
held pointed towards the opponent.
Character Bonuses:
+3 to P.P.
+1 to P.S.
+1 to P.E.
+5 to Spd.
+15 to S.D.C.
Combat Skills:
Attacks Per Melee: 4
Escape Moves: Roll with Impact, Backflip, Maintain Balance
Basic Defensive Moves: Dodge, Parry, Automatic Parry, Backflip
Advanced Defenses: Disarm
Hand Attacks: Palm Strike
Basic Foot Attacks: Kick Attack, Tripping / Leg hook, Drop kick (can be
used with a leg hook), Crescent Kick, Wheel Kick, Roundhouse, Axe Kick
Jumping Foot Attacks: Jump Kick, Flying Reverse Turning Kick
Special Attacks: Elbow, Forearm, Knee
Holds/Locks: None
Weapon Katas: W.P. Swords - Paired, at 2 levels higher than the
character's current level (1st level martial artist would start at level 3).
Modifiers to Attacks: Pull Punch, Critical Strike, Critical Strike from
Behind
Skills Included in Training
Martial Art Powers: Select two powers from either Martial Art Techniques
or Arts of Invisibility. In addition, the character automatically gets Iai-Jutsu. If
desired, any number of powers other than Iai-Jutsu can be traded, one-for-one, for any
basic skill program (excluding physical).
Languages: None
Skills: WP Paired Swords
Philosophical Training: None, other than your swords may be your only
friends at times.
If this is your primary martial art form than the following
other forms can be learned in a shorter time: Zanji Shinjinken-Ryu (4 years), Gui Long (5
years).
Level Advancement Bonuses
| 1st |
+2 to strike, parry and dodge |
| 2nd |
+2 to damage, +2 to backflip,
gains Chagi (kick practice) |
| 3rd |
+1 attack per melee, +2 to disarm |
| 4th |
+2 to strike, +1 to pull strike,
Automatic Dodge |
| 5th |
Death Blow on a natural 20, +2 to
parry and dodge |
| 6th |
+1 attack per melee, +2 to damage |
| 7th |
Gains Sword & Kick Pairing,
see below for details, +1 to maintain balance |
| 8th |
+2 to parry and dodge, select one
additional martial art power from Arts of Invisibility or Martial Art Techniques |
| 9th |
+1 attack per melee |
| 10th |
+2 to strike, critical strike on
natural 18, 19, or 20 |
| 11th |
+1 to damage, +1 to parry and
dodge, select specialty kata or art of invisibility |
| 12th |
+2 to roll with impact, +1 attack
per melee |
| 13th |
+2 to maintain balance, Knockout
on natural 19 or 20. |
| 14th |
+1 to strike, parry, and dodge |
| 15th |
+1 attack per melee |
Example of Sword & Kick Pairing: When
attacked, the character can parry the attack with a sword and simultaneously
counterstrike, using any kick except wheel and jumping / flying kicks. Or the character
can parry two attacks (as per normal paired weapons) and kick. IE: Your opponent does a
twin strike at you with his two sai. You do a double parry and a kick attack to the chest,
all in one action. Sword & Kick pairing costs one action / attack.
Why Study O-Ken Wa?
An extremely deadly art with a sword. The purpose of O-Ken Wa is to kill, plain and
simple. Although not offering any mind-oriented abilities, why should it? A sound body is
the perfect weapon.
Note: Sword Chi can be used with this
martial art (if you already possess it, since you can't get it through O-Ken Wa). One
quarter of your chi goes into each sword.
Conversion Notes: In RIFTS, Chagi provides
the character with the ability to do a power kick. This kick cannot be used with sword
& kick pairing, simply because you need to wind up for the kick and the opponent will
have disengaged before you can get the kick off. |