Otheiae Martial Arts

The term Otheiae martial arts refers to any discipline ofmartial arts native to the region of Otheia, and/or practiced by the Otheiae. Developed over the centuries of Otheiae ritual and practical combat, some styles are focused on the manipulation of the spiritual energy each being possesses, and are thus qualified as "internal" arts, while others place emphasis on improving muscle and cardiovascular fitness, and are thus classified as external. They are also classified according to their geographic location of origin, most commonly being South, West, and East. They can also be categorized as "Ritual" or "Practical", based on their primary uses, though the skills are transferrable.

### History

The origins of Otheiae martial arts have been attributed to the need for self defense and military training in Otheia during the Age of Kings. Hand-to-hand combat and weapons practice were and remain important in training soldiers in Otheia.

#### Ancient Origins

The first martial arts of the Otheiae are said to have been created by the original Kings as they migrated into modern Otheia. Credit is often given to the younger of the Two Brothers who led the Otheiae into the region for the creation of several disciplines of martial arts. However, it is likely the arts originated even further back, before the Migration Period.

### Developments of Martial Arts

By the Warlord Period, martial arts had split into several different schools and disciplines, each emphasizing a specific characteristic of combat, such as discipline, strength, or timing. In the late Age of Kings, the philosophy of Ken-Kelu was developed by the legendary warrior-king Eldera of Ersers, and was instituted throughout his kingdom as law for knights and warriors to practice. This rapidly spread throughout the kingdoms of Otheia, and by the beginning of the Warlord Period, it was in use by every country in the region.

By the Warlord Period, the two most common forms of martial arts in Otheia, the so-called *Kini*, or *Boxing* schools, developed.

## Forms of Martial Arts

In this section there will be described each form of martial arts in Otheia.

The base of most armed martial arts in Otheia is fencing, and many methods of stick fighting use the same techniques and movements as fencing with swords. Therefore, a practitioner who uses the baton or stick would also become proficient with the sword.

### Ken-Kelu

Ken-Kelu, or the *Warrior's Path*, is a system of martial morality and philosophy in Otheia. It is primarily an internal form of martial arts, and it is mostly ritual, though it has some practical applications.

Ken-Kelu is, as a system of martial morality, often practiced alongside other forms of martial arts, such as Neiti-Kini. Practitioners of Ken-Kelu have gathered a reputation for their martial abilities, centered around their discipline and willpower.

##### Principles of Ken-Kelu

* The quest to attain perfection of the self is the highest aspiration
* Be humble, for there are always those who will surpass you
* Live frugally, for if you overindulge in luxury you will lose yourself in splendor and greed
* Never engage in foolish or drunken behavior
* Literature and philosophy are to be studied as fervently as the blade and the fist
* Never use martial skills against the defenseless
* Protect those who cannot protect themselves
* Physical exercise and maintaining one's body

##### Application of Ken-Kelu

Ken-Kelu is primarily a form of morality, which serves as a basis for other martial traditions to build upon. Originally, Ken-Kelu was developed as both a means of education and control over the nobility. It is often practiced by warriors and those who seek to better themselves through both exercise and education, as it provides a convenient way to do both, for it is taught at many schools by masters who both educate and instruct in exercise.

### Kini

Kini, or *Boxing*, is the most common form of family of martial arts in Otheia. It is broadly divided into two categories, Ken-Kini and Neiti-Kini. Both place heavy emphasis on strong arm and hand techniques, stable, immovable stances and fast footwork to gain the upper hand on the opponent. Both schools tend to overlap, and so are often taught at the same time to students, often starting with unarmed before progressing to the armed combat.

#### Ken-Kini

Ken-Kini, or Soldier's Boxing, (less literally, Fencing), is a form of Kini employing weapons. It is so named as it is commonly learned and practiced by soldiers in Otheia. It is considered a Practical art.

Ken-Kini uses the quarterstaff as its primary weapon, as skills with the staff are transferrable to other common weapons of Otheia, such as sword-staffs, greatswords, spears and halberds, and is unlikely to kill an opponent. However, it also uses shorter staffs and other swords to train in close combat.

##### Principles of Ken-Kini

The following are applicable to all styles of Kini, yet are most applicable to Ken-kini.

* Taking the shortest and most direct line of attack, disregarding showy parries and flourishes
* The importance of direct instruction and demonstration of the strikes, and intensive training
* The importance of stance and footwork, correct distance and speed of motion
* The importance of taking and remaining on the offensive
* The importance of feints to hide the next action from the opponent
* The importance of discipline to take a hit if one must, and deliver a more powerful return strike
* The importance of employing all tools one has at one's disposal (fists, daggers, feet, battlefield debris, etc) to attain victory

##### Application of Ken-Kini

Ken-Kini is perhaps the most practical of all martial arts in Otheia. Possessing several real-world applications, such as self-defense and martial combat, it sees the most use, and is perhaps the most influenced by the real-world experiences of its masters. Drills and competitions of Ken-Kini are common in both civilian and military contexts,

These drills are often semi-compliant, meaning one student does not offer active resistance to a technique, in order to allow its demonstrative, clean execution. In more resisting drills, fewer rules apply, and students practice how to react and respond. 'Sparring' refers to a more advanced format, which simulates a combat situation while including rules that reduce the chance of serious injury. Sparring also occurs in practical scenarios, such as on a battlefield. Drills serve both to test the artist, and to prepare them for combat.

#### Neiti-Kini

Neiti-Kini, or Civil Boxing (or simply boxing) is a form of Kini which prioritizes unarmed combat. It is named Civil Boxing as it is practiced in civilian environments, where weapons are often prohibited. It is considered both a practical and ritual art, depending on the exact master one follows.

Neiti-Kini uses the fists as its primary striking components, relying on powerful strikes of the hand to deliver its damaging blows, and good footwork and stances to prepare to deliver or receive blows.

##### Principles of Neiti-Kini

The principles listed below are applicable to Neiti-Kini, and other styles of Kini.

* The importance of awaiting the perfect moment to strike
* The importance of controlled breathing
* The importance of physical stamina, as strength is nothing without the ability to follow up a strike
* The importance of discipline and not overextending oneself in a strike

##### Application of Neiti-Kini

Neiti-Kini is used in both ritualistic and practical cases. It sees use in self defense in a practical sense, and is often used to maintain one's physical fitness. It is used in ritualistic duels as well, wherein masters challenge one another to single combat. As Neiti-Kini is the most common unarmed combat technique in Otheia, it sees the most use in this function.

### Pasake

Pasake, or *Distanced Fencing*, is a distinct style of fencing found in urban areas of Otheia, particularly the southeast of the country. It is distinct in that it places both opponents within reach of one another's blades within a circle drawn on the ground. Using narrow blunted swords designed for the sport, the opponents duel until one falls out of the circle. Emphasis is placed on fast strikes, which aredesigned to force the opponentto give ground until they are forced out of the circle. It is considered a ritual art.

##### Principles of Pasake

* Discipline to take a hit without flinching
* Delivering strong blows to drive the enemy back
* Parrying blows to set the opponent off balance
* The importance of controlled breathing
* The importance of good footwork and stance

##### Application of Pasake

Pasake fencing is an entirely ritualistic affair. Often practiced by students and the urban bourgeoise as both a sport and a civilized way to settle affairs, it is conducted with specially made blunt weapons, often Khandas or other heavy swords. There are Pasake fencing leagues throughout the Realm of Rasek and Nednam in the Augkarate and Rasurrei in Ansverrei, each of whom has its own individual traditions for the sport. Duels are moderated so as to ensure no deaths occur.