I have a new player for one of my groups. She wants to play a weapons specialist of Egyptian background. While discussing her character, she mentioned me she'd found out about a local martial arts style called Tahtiyb (spelling?).

Now, I know next to nothing about it, but for what she says it seems to be similar to Capoeira, so right now we're using the Capoeria rules in Cannon Companion. I'd like to know if someone knows more about this Egyptian combat style and if they've tried to adjust it to CC's rules. What kind of martial art is it? What would be its advantages and disadvantages? What maneuvers would be allowed?

Thanks in advance,
JongWK

Tahtiyb or Tahtib is similar to capoeira in that it is a combat dance. But the central element is a long staff (herdsman's staff originally). I don't know if they ever use fist or foot to strike.

Sorry chief -- new one to me.

When in doubt, fake it.

-Siege

Egyptian martial arts? Gawddamn, I've heard everything now. *LOL* *reminded of Stargate for some reason*

There can be only one Ra!

A simple way to do it would be to make it a version of the polearms skill (specifically staff only) that follows similar rules to those for martial arts (you get to choose maneuvers ETC).

I could see versions of other weapons skills turning up such-as the quick-strike duelling art (The name escapes me. Was it Ijitsu?) which only covers katanas but lets you do funky stuff with them.

Iaijutsu, I think, or iaido. The draw katana-kill-wipe blade-sheath katana-in-one-motion art.

mmm, iaijutsu master. oh, wrong game.

Personally, I think that all Melee weapons should have Maneuvers associated with them.

GUNKATA!

I just posted a new thread (Armed Martial Arts + CC Rules) for the general discussion of this topic. I also mentioned Gun-Fu... So sue me.

Googling I found that Tahtiyb is practiced both on foot and on horse back (with a 4 foot and 12 foot staff respectivly).

Just imagine a rigger on motorcycle using this.

Thank you, GoldenAri! I have found my rigger/sams new game toy! MUAHAHAHAHAAAA.

I once made a character (In SLA Industries) who used a lance from the back of a jet-powered hoverbike.

So, let me see:

-Tahtiyb is a martial arts style that allows to use a staff (but it is not mandatory, right?)

-Would it suffer the same penalty as Capoeira?

-Is the advantage the fact that it can use its maneuvers with a staff? (but using the Unarmed Combat skill or Polearms?)

Lets try to build this style, using Canon Companion rules.

Tahtiyb
Advantages: Rather than choosing a Tahtiyb maneuver, a character with this skill can choose to use a single already learned Tahtiyb maneuver when using the Pole Arms skill.
In addition, a Tahtiyb user gains +1 die when using the Kick Attack option.
Disadvantages:Because it relies on movement, characters using this skill suffer -1 die in tightly enclosed areas.
Maneuvers:Disorient, Evasion, Herding, Kick Attack, Kip-up, Multi-Strike, Sweep, Whirling, Zoning

Notice that unlike Capoeira it doesn't suffer from the penalty places where movement is restricted because Tahtiyb users are trained to fight while dancing on the backs of horses. I would also let that kick attack option increase the reach of a staff attack, again because Tahtiyb users practice whacking people on another horse, and so know how to make thier attacks really reach.

This is an example of the standard Advantage and Disadvantage we give all weapons-oriented arts in our games. We've used it for Fencing, Jousting and Bataireacht (a form of Irish stick-fighting) amongst others.

TAHTIYB

Advantages: Any maneuvers learned as part of Tahtiyb apply only to the use of the Clubs or Pole-Arms skills. Each maneuver must be learned individually for either skill, though most Tahtiyb dancers usually specialize in a particular one (usually a cane or shepard's crook). A Tahtiyb user also gains +2 dice when using the Disorient maneuver.

Disadvantages: Tahtiyb practioners are still capable fighters while unarmed, but they only truly shine when they have a cane or staff with which to take full advantage of their training. They cannot use any maneuvers or combat options when fighting unarmed.

Maneuvers: Disorient, Evasion, Herding, Kip-Up, Mounted Combat (same as Ground Fighting but negates any penalties for fighting from the back of a mount, such as a horse or motorcycle), Multi-Strike, Sweep, Whirling, Zoning.

So what would be the penalties for fighting on a mount?

The +2 (I think) penalty for being distracted while driving as well as having to make a Crash Test amongst other things. Basically, any standard penalties a GM would apply to a normal character attempting the same thing would be negated by purchasing the maneuver.