Divine Void

Nature: Defensive Origin: Kun'lao Flourish: Area

One of the oldest martial arts styles in Prisma, Divine Void was a style innovated by Sunyatta, the founder of the Shambali Monastery. Using this style, it is believed that she surpassed the gods, becoming the first mortal to wield the Crown of Heavens. The style is defensive in nature, making use of rotational movements to both parry and dodge attacks, in addition to using sweeping and spinning attacks offensively. The style is meant to be used to defend against multiple attackers at once, as it was originally developed for self defense.

Divine Void is a spectacle to witness in motion, particularly in the hands of a master. Practicioners will rotate and side step around attacks, always pushing inwards while still focused entirely on defending against enemy offense. Then, the Divine Void practicioner will make use of spinning kicks or quick and efficient counter attacks to neutralize attackers. This focus on defending against and neutralizing opponents makes Divine Void particularly efficient in battles with large amounts of opponents. As such, Divine Void has the Area Flourish.

Core Principles

There are a few key elements to those who practice Divine Void. These elements are central to the martial art's key concept: Constant movement and direct action against enemy offense.

• Master of the Wheel: Divine Void's martial arts theory makes great use of "wheel" imagery. Just as mortal existence and the cycle of reincarnation are a wheel, so is Divine Void. Practicioners are taught to make rotational movements to move around and counterattack foes. They can also make spinning movements to avoid certain attacks, and are taught to see battles as if they are constantly shifting around their foe like a wheel.

• Punishing Offense: Adherents to this style are taught to rely on counter attacks first and foremost. As such, they often wait for their foe to attack first before quickly taking advantage of any openings. Even if knocked down, a Shambali will often launch themselves from the floor and kick both their feet into their opponent.

• Sweeping Motions: Just like with their movement, Divine Void fighters often make use of a "wheel" offensively as well. They will use wide spinning kicks, sweeps, and even sweeping chops and punches to handle multiple foes at once or even catch opponents off guard.

Weapons

Divind Void makes use of numerous weapons, most of which originating from the Shambali's history of having to fend off against attacking armies with unsavory motivations. Shambali would often have to make use of makeshift weapons and farming tools as a means of arming themselves.

• Bo Staff: The iconic weapon of Divine Void. A simple wooden staff, often long, but its length can vary. Shambali are taught to use the staff as an extension of themselves, which can prove to be quite dangerous when making use of their sweeping motions.

• Shambali Fork Spear: A weapon specifically developed by the Shambali for combat use. Appears similar to a trident, although each tip is blunt. The weapon is intended to catch and disarm the weapons of attackers.

• Lumber Axe: Although its inherent lethal nature makes it a less popular weapon, there have been a few notable Shambali who've mastered the use of axes often used for farming and lumbering for battle.