Martial Artist
“The Superior Being cultivates his family and home life, putting these two things before any other thing. Those who follow the almost-monastic life of the astute martial artist, while they are considerably honorable and forthright individuals, do not adhere to this code. They cultivate the perfection of the self, placing their art before all other things. Only by working to perfect the family and society can one truly perfect oneself.”
Sage, Tong Zhao-zi
Career
Qualifications
Those who take up the path of the martial artist are usually trained from the time they are young. Often they are part of a dynastic bloodline who have passed their teachings on from one generation to the next. Many times, these dynasties will found schools based upon their philosophies and style, inviting students they feel are qualified to learn and pass on their teachings. To master any one style of martial arts takes years of training and discipline.
Career Progression
Those just stepping into the world of the martial arts is considered a Novice (Xinshou or Shinte). Here they learn the basics of the fighting arts: stances, proper form, breathing techniques and meditation. Once they have moved beyond the basics of any single style they are an Initiate (Xuesheng or Gakusei). At this level, the student learns the applications of the techniques they've learned. The next level is the Adept (Jingtong or Seitsu). Here, the student begins learning not just unarmed combat techniques, but begins training in weapon techniques, as well. The next rank is Master (Shifu or Sensei). At this level, the martial artist is considered to have mastered the art they are learning.
Payment & Reimbursement
Masters of well-regarded martial arts schools may be sought after by the wealthy elite to be trained or to train their own children. In these cases, the child lives at the school and their parents will often "donate" certain funds or goods for the well-being of the school and their child. Other martial artists may ply their trade as private security or bodyguards. Still others may become like the ancient "knight errant" out of the Jianghu. Wandering the realm in search of wrongs to right or challenges to face.
One of the more lucrative pastimes of many schools is that of the Daleitai. Whether official or unofficial, these fights are heavily gambled upon, and often lead to the winner of such bouts gaining in renown and paying students. Official fights may even have a hefty string of cash to be collected.
One of the more lucrative pastimes of many schools is that of the Daleitai. Whether official or unofficial, these fights are heavily gambled upon, and often lead to the winner of such bouts gaining in renown and paying students. Official fights may even have a hefty string of cash to be collected.
Other Benefits
The benefits to this profession are the peak, physical condition of the body and the clarity of mind. As well, the status of individual martial artists may rival that of great actors, geisha, or courtesans. This despite the dim view the Dasheng had upon the profession.
Perception
Purpose
The stated purpose of the martial artist is to train the body, mind, and spirit to as close to perfection as possible. Through a mixture of physical training, philosophy, and meditation, the body, mind, and soul are conditioned and disciplined. This discipline and physical training are the primary draws for the occupation.
Social Status
Depending upon how well-regarded their style is, martial artists can be among the more famous of the occupations.
History
The origins of the martial arts are thought to extend all the way back to the Age of Breath, to an ancient kobito sage whose name is now lost to the turnings of the Wheel of Heaven. For this person, it was a simple gigong (Qigong) exercise meant to balance the Yin and Yang Qi within their body. Over the centuries, this series of flowing movements became a weapon of war with new, brutal ways of being used on and off of a battlefield. A way for an unarmed warrior to incapacitate, or even kill, their foes. Eventually, with the torrent of new philosophies and ideas throughout the Warring States and the Age of Bushi the "martial arts" had gained new, philosophically-minded, samurai and qishi adherents.
These warriors observed the natural world around them, and, learning from what they saw, turned overall basic movements, stances, and exercises into the many stylized branches of the so-called Thousand Schools of the Body. Many of these schools have endured relatively unchanged for millennia, and even survived the War of the Gods. Others merged, split apart, evolved to form new schools and new philosophies, or were lost completely in the intervening years and times of conflict and upheaval. Though many styles and schools have been lost completely, the occupation itself still thrives in the current era of relative peace and prosperity.
These warriors observed the natural world around them, and, learning from what they saw, turned overall basic movements, stances, and exercises into the many stylized branches of the so-called Thousand Schools of the Body. Many of these schools have endured relatively unchanged for millennia, and even survived the War of the Gods. Others merged, split apart, evolved to form new schools and new philosophies, or were lost completely in the intervening years and times of conflict and upheaval. Though many styles and schools have been lost completely, the occupation itself still thrives in the current era of relative peace and prosperity.
Operations
Tools
The only absolutely essential tool needed by the martial artist is their own body.
Workplace
The workplace for the more sedentary artist is that of their own training hall, known alternatively as either a dojo or a wuguan. These are training halls with courtyards which are often attached to temples or private homes. They have enough room to accomodate group training or meditation sessions and may include tools such as training dummies, practice weapons, and other training tools.
Provided Services
The services provided by the martial artist, particularly the master, is usually that of training and discipline. Other services provided by individual martial artists could be security and bodyguard work, enforcement, monster disposal, or other martial services.
Dangers & Hazards
Depending entirely upon how the martial artist spends their career, the hazards could be relatively small or few to risking crippling injury or death. If a martial artist, or their school, is sufficiently well-known they could always risk those things even if they lead a relatively quiet life. Those who travel from one village to the next, one school to the next, looking to challenge various masters in order to increase their own reputations do exist. Even if they are far fewer and further between than the jianghu novels would have one believe.
Alternative Names
Wushujia (Dayangyu), Butoka (Daiingo), Vahsi (Elven), Musulga (Dwarven)
Type
Athlete
Demand
The martial artist is often associated with high-born folk within the empire
Legality
Martial artists, like the Wuren, tend to operate in a legal grey area with their occupation. On the one hand, the martial arts are supposed to encourage behavior more in line with lawfulness and conscientiousness while working to perfect the body and mind. On the other hand, there are those who seek only to perfect themselves and be perceived as "strong" with little, to no, regard for the rest of society. This means that, though the schools and practice of martial arts, in and of themselves, is legal, some actions may fall into a more illegal area.
Famous in the Field
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