Kartranin

The martial art known as Kartranin is a relatively recent invention, having been developed by the Murra Orders during the early years of the New Imperial Order. The art relies heavily on sword techniques, a departure from typical Imperial 'efficiency', but is a very aggressive and effective method of combat all the same.

The Murra Orders were charged with maintaining order among the Imperial ranks, their members drawn into the Orders for their uncompromising natures. Once there, they were instructed in many detailed arts, from espionage tactics to undercover workings as well as advanced combat maneuvers.

Kartranin's use of the sword is oddly enough, specifically implemented in largely non-lethal techniques, the Order's doctrine specifying that their captives be taken alive for further questioning. This is not to say that the art does not have lethal techniques, as situations can change drastically, so that the Murra Order agents would have to use their weapon to kill in order to survive the encounter.

The basic techniques of Kartranin are rather defensive, with the student learning basic maths and body mechanics, allowing for a Kartranin practitioner to know what angles an opponent is most likely to attack from, so that they can defend against it, while striking back in the most efficient way possible.

Kartranin is not a fluid art. The lightning quick motions must often change direction in a split second in order to safeguard the stylist from harm. The attacks are similarly dissonant, and a student of the art must possess a good degree of muscle strength to be able to control the momentum of his own body as well as that of a sword.

The basics of Kartranin are taught in several hobbyist academies across the Core worlds, taught by former Murra Order members.

Stance

Most Kartranin users will stand slightly sideways, their legs planted firmly, but with their weak side leg back. This is not only to minimize their target profile, but also to keep their own leg out of the way for a diagonal cut with their sword.

Striking

Striking comes from the ground. Pulling the sword through their opponent, it is important to note that the Kartranin practitioner relies less on the strength of their arm than the strength of their shoulder, the motion actually originating from there, as arm-only cuts are not nearly forceful enough, even with a sharp blade.

Defense

To cross swords with a Kartranin adherent is devastating. Novices will try to catch his opponents strikes on the flat of his sword, while more masterful adherents will evade the blow altogether.

Training

Kartranin is largely taught master to student, often without compensation other than labor. Several schools do exist, however, the masters looking to earn money through the selling of lessons. Different factions argue that the teachers who accept money are somehow less pure than those that do not. However, it seems that there are no major differences in the practice, save that the schools tend to take longer to teach the art.

Weapons

Kartranin focuses on the sword, double edged or otherwise, but also has many unarmed techniques, ad they recognize that a person might not always have a sword nearby. Some schools also teach the use of a dagger, but this is relatively rare.

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Level: Core

Prerequisites: INT 15

Style: Hard

Weapons: Empty Hand, Sword

• • Slice, Slash, Counter-cut
• •• Elude Blade, Cleave, Sidestep
• ••• Disarm Opponent, Destroy Weapon, Attack Trapping, Incapacitate
• •••• Crippling Strike, Swordshield, Lunging Feign, Steel Will
• ••••• Shadow Movement, Mirror Dance, Decapitate, Overpower