Foot (sage study)
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Foot, or Fujiao, is a sage study in the field of the Way of the Stick, a discipline in which the foot, rather than the hand, is the ultimate expression of one's connection to the earth, balance, and momentum. It is not simply a style of kicking or a technical school of footwork; it is an entire way of thinking, a discipline that views the foot as both weapon and principle, as both force and form.
Fujiao is unique in that its practitioners train to a degree of exclusivity. It is not an accompaniment to hand techniques, nor a secondary tool—it is the entirety of their method. While a swordsman refines his grip and a pugilist strengthens his knuckles, a fujiao disciple conditions his soles against stone, hardens his shins against trees and strengthens his tendons until they move like coiled steel.
Beyond combat, Foot teaches a philosophy of movement, balance, and detachment from over-reliance on any single limb. It embraces the transient nature of motion, the idea that one must flow like wind across the battlefield, leaving no excess, no resistance, only perfect control of force and redirection of energy. It is a way of understanding battle as a dance, where each step is both a statement and a deception.
Sage Abilities
The sage abilities below are those acquired by a character through the study, according to status.
Amateur Status
- Snap Kick: allows an explosive, controlled strike that delivers force through the foot with speed rather than raw power. Unlike a traditional swinging or driving kick, which generates force through an extended motion, a snap kick relies on compact, whip-like movement, allowing for precise and rapid execution.
- Back Kick: strikes an opponent positioned behind or to the side without needing to turn and face them. This maneuver is particularly useful when engaged with multiple attackers, maintaining offensive capability while keeping focus on a primary opponent. The kick is typically delivered with the heel, generating force through a quick extension of the leg, often catching enemies off guard..
- Kick Practice: represents the ability, outside a combat situation, to break hard objects using only their foot. Through rigorous conditioning, repeated striking drills, and precise control of momentum, the character develops the capability to shatter wooden planks crack stone or even break through reinforced barriers under the right conditions.
Authority Status
- Flying Jump Kick: allows the character to launch into the air, using momentum to deliver a powerful kick while moving forward. This technique combines mobility and offense, enabling the character to close distance quickly while striking with significant force. The added elevation can help bypass low defenses, strike over obstacles, or surprise an opponent with an unexpected aerial attack.
- Sweep: knocks an opponent off their feet by striking or hooking their legs, forcing them to lose balance and fall to the ground. This maneuver is especially effective against opponents who are heavily armored, slow to react, or reliant on a firm stance. A well-executed sweep can disrupt attacks, create openings for follow-up strikes, or put an enemy in a vulnerable position while keeping the user standing and ready.
Expert Status
- Bounding Step: allows the character to propel themselves up to ten feet in any direction by kicking off a solid surface with extreme force. Whether launching upward to gain elevation or rebounding laterally to reposition, this technique enables swift, dynamic movement, requiring but 2 action points.
- Turning Sky Kick: allows the character to launch into a controlled aerial rotation, using the force of their own momentum to execute two kicks before landing, both within the time frame of one kick. This involves vaulting off the ground and twisting the body, all in the same motion. Though it exaggerates the height and control of a normal jumping kick, the movement remains fluid and disciplined, requiring precise timing and spacing to connect both strikes effectively.
Sage Status
- pending...
