Martial Arts

The art of fighting lies in using this mechanical complex (the body) against itself.  The difference between warfare and martial arts is simply that the act of war is generally cruder and less graceful than martial arts and the weapons they use are heavier.

Studying martial arts is difficult due to the lack of credible sources on the subject in conjunction with the common act of secrecy pertaining to its teachings. Many masters of today and yesterday do not wish to spill their secrets because it is believed that it is a privilege to learn their ways. It is also clouded by mystery due to the government of their main origin (China) not liking the idea of these centers of civilians grouping together and learning lethal techniques. In ancient times the emperor would some times call upon some of these schools with a call of arms. After seeing a great display of their powers along with an unquestionable victory he would ask them to join his ranks and take up a position, they never agreed and this frightened him. He would then demand that it be abolished and decree it outlawed so they were forced underground. In response to this many schools formed secretly in the dead of night and practiced indoors where none could see them. They also refused to record almost anything down on paper and passed their teaching orally. In some cases certain techniques were lost due to a master receiving no students worthy of their most advanced techniques.

Many would wait years to even step inside the practice grounds and once there they were sworn to secrecy. Frequently even the location, in addition to existence, of said schools was deeply hidden from the authorities.