Martial Arts

Martial arts are developed systems and traditions of combat and physical conditioning practiced for a variety of reasons such as self-defense; military applications; competition; mental, physical, and spiritual development; and entertainment or the preservation of a group's cultural heritage and traditions.

Some have argued that fighting arts or fighting systems would be more appropriate on the basis that many martial arts were never "martial" in the sense of being used or created by professional soldiers.

Chatcaava‎n Martial Arts

As a highly competitive and violent species, the Chatcaava have developed many fighting styles.

Eldritch Martial Arts

The Eldritch desire to create a unique society naturally extended to the realm of the martial as well, leading the the development of a variety of elaborate fighting systems.

• White Sword style, among the most ancient of the Eldritch styles originating with the Queen's personal guard. It emphasizes precision, defense and a willingness to sacrifice the practitioner to save the Queen or other assigned personage. It is only taught to those accepted into the White Swords or members of the Eldritch royal house. After the events of (Laisrathera, what is the usurpation called in ELdritch history) they began adopting some techniques from the Alliance and began, distant and cordial, discussions with the Fleet Investigation Agency on ways to improve their techniques against alien incursions.

Pelted Martial Arts

The Pelted were forced to recreate many things during their expansion, fighting styles were among those, especially given the culture value placed by many of their cultures on the duel. This led to a wide variety of schools of sword-wielding and fencing being developed.

Fencing

Very popular! We get a mention of the 'Selnor Locals' in Faith. (Competitors mentioned: Sorinel and Kerry). More data probably in "Dark Lighthouse." One of the most well-known tournaments is the Le Ceau holoblade tournament. Another is the Craillii Trials, in which the variable holoblade style was first invented.

It is "widespread in parts of the Core and the colonies," and is still taught at Fleet Academe. In some places, palmers and other projectile weapons are forbidden, but swords are legal

There are schools:

• Donneret, rapier and long dagger
• Karentzeret school; its movements assume the presence of a tail, so tailless species have to compensate by shifting their balance in other ways.

Jezherel's School for Light Weapons

A Harat-Shariin blade school for light weapons. It is extremely intimate, even lascivious, in its movements. Many non-Harat-Shar are uncomfortable or disapproving of its implicit sexuality, and don't commit themselves fully to the style's forms. Taylitha Basil's opinion of the form is "You might as well toss the swords and tango. It's more like having sex than sword-fighting."

Both Taylitha Basil and Avram Hancock know this style.

Karentkeri Academy

A Harat-Shariin blade school. One of its advantages is that it's comparatively easy to learn; one of its flaws is that this also makes it easy for opponents to learn how to counter its moves.

Variable Holoblade

Invented during the Craillii Trails, the variable holoblade style takes advantage of the fact that a holoblade can be adjusted at will to change its length, weight, and dimensions. Judging depends not on a specific form, but on how often the blade settings were changed. As holoblades change color as well as shape and size when their settings are changed, this is a colorful affair.

Both Taylitha Basil and Avram Hancock know this style.

Terran Martial Arts

While not as violent as some, the history of Terra is no stranger to conflict and warfare, leading to a wide range of combat styles having been developed and systematized. Some are purely history now but remain practiced for reasons of culture and physical health.