The abilities that a student of Aberrant Swordsmanship can learn are known simply as Techniques. Using a technique Requires: a sword of some kind, either a physical one or a Shehai, and the
use of the Shehai Shen She Ru skill. Some techniques are passive abilities, while others are active.
Techniques count as magic, though they are not spells, and should thus be placed in the appropriate section of your character sheet. Characters may learn techniques with XP. Once a character has learned a technique, he may use it whenever he wants. Some techniques require that characters already know other techniques, or meet certain characteristic score requirements, before they may be learned or used.
There are two types of techniques: passive techniques and active techniques. Passive techniques simply apply some kind of bonus or effect to the character once they have been learned, though some of them must be activated (as Free Actions at the beginning of a turn or round) in order to provide their effect, and a character must be wielding some kind of sword in order to benefit. Active techniques are specific abilities that must be used, and call for a skill test.
During structured time, active techniques may be utilized with the Cast Magic (Primary Action) Primary or Secondary action depending on the technique in question unless otherwise specified. Any attacks they do win Advantage as normal, and they do not allow for attacks of opportunity. Using an active technique Requires: that the character follow these steps:
Step 1: Choose Technique
First, the sword-singer must choose a technique to utilize. They may only choose a technique that they have learned, and that they meet the requirements for.
A character must be wielding a sword of some kind in order to utilize techniques.
Step 2: Make Technique Test
Next, the character makes a Shehai Shen She Ru skill (WP) skill test.
This test is modified by the technique’s difficulty as specified in the technique’s profile.
Step 3: Resolve Technique
If the technique test was successful, apply the effects of the technique as specified in the technique’s profile.
If the character failed the technique test, they lose X Stamina Points, where X is equal to the 10s digit of the Technique’s difficulty (to a minimum of 1 Stamina Point).
Techniques
This section gives an overview of each technique of Aberrant Swordsmanship that a character may learn. A character can only use techniques that he meets the requirements for. Characters who meet these requirements may learn techniques with XP. Remember that techniques count as magic, though they are not spells.