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Valgunn
2011-01-17, 06:21 PM
Expression of the Sword Techniques
These techniques were created by Ten through her understanding of the sword and its pure desire to fulfil its purpose as a tool of destruction. Some would then argue that as a result these techniques are evil and should not be taught, but just as a sword is a tool and as such can be used for good or evil so too is the result of that tool being used. However, these techniques are also the result of the special bond with her sword and as such require such a bond with the user of these techniques and the sword they use to perform them. As a result all the techniques require that the sword and owner share a unique connection that can not be duplicated. An example of such are the last sword forged by a father, or one constructed with techniques now lost and destined to never again be found.


The Riddle of Steel
By embracing Ten's answer to the riddle of steel – that the strength of steel lies not just in the steel, but in the union of steel and flesh – and learning to embrace a sword as a creature to understand you gain the clarity to perform her hidden techniques.
Prerequisites: Taijutsu 10 ranks
Benefit: By selecting this feat, and choosing one unique sword, the character is able to learn the Expression of the Sword techniques and perform them with that chosen sword.


Desire of the Sword: To Hit
Taijutsu (Strike; Requires The Riddle of Steel (f)) [Armed, Ten Hijutsu]
Rank: 5 (C-Class); Learn DC: 18, 3 successes; Perform Requirements: 6 ranks (DC 18); Time: 1 attack action; Components: C, M, F; Range: Attack; Target: One creature; Duration: Instantaneous; Chakra Cost: 3.

The simplest wish of any sword is the desire to connect with its intended target. Using this technique the user and her sword share a unity in that desire and strive to reach the goal that both wish for. The user makes a single melee attack with his held weapon with a +4 bonus to hit.
Material Focus: The unique sword chosen when selecting The Riddle of Steal feat.


Desire of the Sword: To Cut
Taijutsu (Strike; Requires The Riddle of Steel (f)) [Armed, Ten Hijutsu]
Rank: 5 (C-Class); Learn DC: 18, 3 successes; Perform Requirements: 6 ranks (DC 18); Time: 1 attack action; Components: C, M, F; Range: Attack; Target: One creature; Duration: Instantaneous; Chakra Cost: 3.

Aside from a swords wish to hit the target there is another simple wish they all share. The desire to cut its target and cause damage through its cut. In short it desires to destroy. As with the technique Desire of the Sword: To Hit this technique provides a unity between user and sword and through that common goal they struggle all the harder to reach it. If the attack hits, double the damage done by the sword itself only – the pride of its metal refusing aid in its goal and stoically striving to destroy through its own edge.
Material Focus: The unique sword chosen when selecting The Riddle of Steal feat.


Desire of the Sword: To Penetrate
Taijutsu (Strike; Requires The Riddle of Steel (f), Desire of the Sword: To Hit (t), and Desire of the Sword: To Cut (t)) [Armed, Ten Hijutsu]
Rank: 6 (B-Class); Learn DC: 20, 4 successes; Perform Requirements: 8 ranks (DC 21); Time: 1 attack action; Components: C, M, F; Range: Attack; Target: One creature; Duration: Instantaneous; Chakra Cost: 5.

Through an understanding of the two most basic desires of the sword – the desire to connect with the target and destroy them – the user comes to understand the plight of her sword's crusade against armour. Such an epiphany allows the user to feel the same burning spirit to push aside all obstacles, and carve a path through the destiny of armour to protect and cut into the meat of the target. The user makes an attack with his held weapon and halves all bonuses to Defence that apply if a target is flat-footed. For example, armour applies when the target is flat-footed so its bonus to Defence is halved, but the bonus from having active speed ranks does not apply when the target is flat-footed so those are not halved.
Material Focus: The unique sword chosen when selecting The Riddle of Steal feat.


Special Training: Hear the Weeping Cry of Your Sword
Ninjutsu (Summoning; Requires The Riddle of Steel (f)) [Ten Hijutsu]
Rank: 8 (C-Class); Learn DC: 21, 3 successes; Perform Requirements: 9 ranks (DC 21); Time: 1 full-round action; Components: C, H; Effect: Summons 1 weapon (see text); Duration: Instantaneous; Saving Throws: Will negates (see text); Chakra Cost: 8.

A sword weeps when it is away from its master, because without a hand to wield it a sword can not fulfil its purpose. This technique uses the bond created between user and the weapon they chose when they selected The Riddle of Steel feat to summon that weapon from wherever it may be.

Note: This technique is unlike the other Expression of the Sword techniques shown so far. Rather than simply depending on the bond to provide a new technique, it strengthens it slightly to provide a method such that sword and master can never be parted. As a result the success of this technique is not solely dependant on ranks in Ninjutsu, available chakra, or components. Should the master ever abuse the sword it will begin resisting the summoning technique until the master makes amends for the abuse - an example of such abuse would be carelessly damaging it, letting it go without cleaning or repair, and wilfully denying it its purpose. The Will save of the sword is the same as the masters plus 2 (swords being more honest with themselves and thus more assured and wilful).


Denial of Desire
Taijutsu [Ten Hijutsu]
Rank: 3 (C-Class); Learn DC: 16, 3 successes; Perform Requirements: 4 ranks (DC 16); Time: 1 swift action; Components: M, Mas; Range: Melee Touch; Target: One creature; Duration: Instantaneous; Chakra Cost: 2.

Lashing out with the left hand you catch the elbow of your opponents drawing arm, forcing him to fight you to release his sword. All the while your eyes are locked with his as your right hand balls into a fist and flies toward his face leaving him with a choice: surrender his attempt to draw and get away clean, or risk the attack and force his blade out with his strength. Decisions, decisions.

While this technique is categorised as an Expression of the Sword technique it does not require The Riddle of Steel feat because of its nature as a precursor to the style. It could be said that it was this technique - thought up to get somebody to call her Beautiful Teacher Ten, though most future students ignore this story despite how easy it is to believe - was the true beginning of the collection of techniques. Once per round the user may perform this technique as a reaction to somebody trying to draw a sword or other held weapon held in a sheath within 5 feet. The user then makes a touch attack which if successful forces the subject to make a choice between automatic dodging the attack but aborting the attempt to draw, or try an opposed Strength check to draw his sword normally and be subject to an unarmed attack.

Mastery
With the third step of mastery the user may move 5 feet as part of performing this technique.


Denied Denial
Taijutsu (Requires Denial of Desire (t)) [Ten Hijutsu]
Rank: 4 (C-Class); Learn DC: 17, 3 successes; Perform Requirements: 5 ranks (DC 17); Time: 1 swift action; Components: C, M; Range: Melee Touch; Target: One creature; Duration: Instantaneous; Chakra Cost: 2.

Smiling knowingly as your opponent catches your elbow and throws a punch to the face you subtly twist your body and apply a sudden force in just the right spot to break their technique and continue drawing your sword.

In response to a successful touch attack with the technique Denial of Desire can use this technique to target the creature and disrupt the creature. If the user makes a successful touch attack she can avoid the unarmed attack and draw her sword without making the opposed Strength check. However, this technique is not a perfect counter. Should the creature have reached the fourth step of mastery in Denial of Desire or have made a (DC 30, -1 for each previous viewing) Spot check when viewing this technique in use have found the flaw. From then on they are capable of performing that technique without the flaw thus rendering this technique useless to stop in, in addition they are capable of learning this technique.



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