Here are six Styles for Xenophon's By Spear Alone wuxia ruleset. A short summation: characters have four stats (Might, Agility, Endurance, Will); Stamina takes the place of HP and represents "don't-get-hit" points, characters may make one Attack and take one Maneuver on each of their turns, attacks deal 1d4 Damage plus the weapon's Damage bonus on a hit, and the length of a weapon affects where its wielder goes in the Initiative order.
Bellowing Storm
Skill: Horsemanship
Weapons: sabre, guandao (+2 Damage, -1 Energy, long)
Techniques: palm strikes, horse kicks
Arts
- Thundercleave: As an attack, you may expend 1 Energy per target to attack additional targets up to your weapon’s Damage bonus.
- Conqueror’s Stride: As a maneuver, you may expend 2 Energy. If you do, run up to twice your speed; you may move through enemies this way and each enemy you moved through must roll Agility vs. 6 + your Might. On a failure, they are knocked down.
Enduring Mountain
Skill: Military history
Weapons: spear, shield (-1 Attack, +2 Defense, short)
Techniques: headbutts, grappling
Arts
- Shield Bash: As an attack, you may expend 1 Energy to push the target away. If the attack hits, you choose how far (up to Might * 5’) and in what direction. If the attack doesn’t hit, they still must withdraw out of your reach.
- Gallant Vanguard: Once per round, as a reaction when an ally would be hit by an attack, you may expend 2 Energy to leap in the way. You are hit instead of your ally, but you suffer 1 less Damage from the attack.
Funereal Blade
Skill: Etiquette
Weapons: sword, umbrella (-1 Damage, +1 Defense, +1 Stamina, medium)
Techniques: sweeping kicks, throws
Arts
- Keenest Edge: As an attack, you may expend 1 Energy and roll Will vs. 6 + target’s Will. If you succeed, the attack has already dealt damage to that target. If you fail, both you and the target lose 1 Stamina.
- Parasol Veil: As a reaction to an attack or a save, you may expend 2 Energy to open your umbrella as a shield. While open, the umbrella protects those behind it, providing +2 to all saves and +2 Defense. The umbrella is forced closed when its bonus is the deciding factor in resolving a save or attack.
Hopping Spider
Skill: Climbing
Weapons: spear, throwing knives (-1 Defense, +1 Attack, +1 Energy, short/ranged)
Techniques: flying kicks, spear fingers
Arts
- Skyward Vault: As a maneuver, expend 1 Energy to leap 20’ in any direction and gain Momentum.
- Razorsilk Web: As an attack, expend 1 or more Energy. For each Energy spent this way, throw a knife threaded with razorwire at a target. Each knife that hits its target Pins them instead of dealing damage. Each knife also leaves behind a trail of razorwire, which breaks and inflicts 1 damage when crossed. Maneuvering around the razorwire requires an Agility roll.
Pharmakon Melodies
Skill: Healing
Weapons: staff, flute (-1 Damage, +2 Energy, ranged)
Techniques: claw hands, acupoint strikes
Arts
- Autumn Melody: When you hit with an attack, you may expend 1 Energy to poison the enemy. They must roll Will vs. 6 + your Will. If they fail, for the rest of combat, they lose 1 Stamina whenever they Maneuver.
- Springtime Melody: As an “attack”, you may expend 2 Energy to restore 1 Stamina to each ally within your weapon’s range.
Silver Harmonic
Skill: Music
Weapons: sword, zither (-1 Attack, +1 Defense, +1 Energy, ranged)
Techniques: graceful slashes, lunges
Arts:
- Pentatonic Chord: As an attack, you may expend 1 Energy. If you do, fire a ranged energy blast at a secondary target behind your normal target. This has the same characteristics as the original attack.
- Untouchable Performance: As a reaction when attacked, you may expend 2 Energy. If you do, gain an energy shield that protects you from the next 2 damage. If the energy shield is broken by this attack, its remnants are discharged at the attacker as an energy blast (as weapon attack, but at range).
