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Overview
The martial arts are the foundation of combat for the warriors of the Phantom World, built on traditional wuxia and fused with Sha-Chi, Occult Arts, mechanical arts and several other power systems. How far a fighter’s martial arts reach decides his standing and his strength in the Wulin.
The martial arts in the Phantom World turn on Sha-Chi. Cultivation of internal arts, external arts, footwork and the rest is how a fighter raises his strength. Every sect has its own martial inheritance, and the very finest masters can invent ultimate arts of their own.
Sha-Chi
Sha-Chi, the will to kill made manifest, is the energy every martial art in the Phantom World draws on. The root of every move, and some moves can be further raised in power by building up Sha-Chi. Using the Keening Draught or other drugs lets a given move be pushed to a more extreme release when it is unleashed.
The Will to Kill
Another name for Sha-Chi. In actual effect, killing intent is ten times as strong as Sha-Chi.
Sword Arts
martial arts built on the sword, the most common kind in the Phantom World. Representative figures: Soul (the Black Wound sword art), Zuo Shang (the drifting sword art).
| Move | User | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Blink Strike | Soul | Black Wound’s signature technique, faster than anything |
| Phantom Kill | Soul | Uses Sha-Chi to build an illusion and lure the enemy in |
| Killing Stroke | Soul | Black Wound’s terrifying art for wiping out a house |
| Rain of Cuts | Soul | Lands dozens of light, quick strikes in a burst |
Saber Arts
martial arts built on the saber, hard and powerful. Representative figure: Mo Jian (the saber art of the Bastion of Mó).
Footwork
martial arts that raise movement speed and evasion. Representative moves: Ghost Step, Cloud Step.
| Move | User | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Ghost Step | Soul | A ghostly step that disturbs the air around it |
| Cloud Step | Soul | Drives Sha-Chi down into the feet to move faster |
Internal Arts
martial arts that cultivate inner force, and the foundation of every external art. The deeper a fighter’s internal arts, the stronger his Sha-Chi.
Sect Martial Arts
| Sect | Martial character | Representative figures |
|---|---|---|
| Sword Pavilion | refined sword arts, a great orthodox house | the head of the Sword Pavilion |
| Moon Bastion | deep internal arts, superb hidden weapons | the lord of Moon Bastion |
| the Bastion of Mó | domineering demonic arts, Sha-Chi that soars to the sky | Mo Tian, Mo Jian |
| The Order | assassination craft, ghostly footwork | Soul, Zuo Shang |
Ultimate Arts
Mighty moves invented by the finest masters, far beyond ordinary martial arts in power.
| Move | User | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Annihilation | Soul | Soul’s strongest ultimate; nobody in the Wulin can hold against it |
| Zero: Decapitation | Soul | Blade aura that finds a way in everywhere |
| Return to Zero | the Bastion of Mó | the Bastion’s highest secret art; it generates endless Sha-Chi |