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[Broseph Stalin]

The Principles of Kisat Dur
The warrior is what remains when the weapon is gone.

Here's a less flowery, more technical version of the same spiel.

Unarmed combat is often ignored as a discipline of warfare. A warrior who depends on his weapon can fight no better than a man who depends on his crutch can walk. Kisat Dur is the Dwarven art of unarmed combat and it's masters are feared by even the greatest soldiers. A casual practitioner may use the techniques in conjunction with a weapon or to resolve conflicts where drawing a weapon is undesirable. The focus of Kisat Dur is to render the enemy incapable of or uninterested in harming you. This can mean death, unconsciousness, or surrender. This is achieved by blending offense, defense, and knowledge into every move the practitioner makes.

Ikorottan (Warrior Mind)

Ikorottan is knowledge which makes the warrior more deadly without necessarily requiring a specific technique to be used. The Ikorottan school is what separates the Kisat Dur practitioner from a common warrior and gives him his deadly edge.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

The 4 Points of Weakness

The Gut: A sharp blow to the stomach causes nausea breaking the concentration of the opponent. This foe will no longer fight as effectively and may spend more of the fight combatting the urge to vomit than defending against the practitioner.

The Lungs: A powerful shot to the chest may bruise the lungs even through the ribcage. The bruised lung is ineffective and the enemy gasps for air unable to summon energy for the rapid pace of combat. Should both lungs become bruised the foe is doomed to death.

The Neck: There are two ways to target the neck for assault; the throat, or the spine. To fracture the spine is to paralyze or at least incapacitate the foe, this is very likely to be fatal. When the throat is crushed, punctured, or torn the blood quickly leaves the body resulting in death. If the practitioner wishes their enemy to live, if only temporarily, they may also use the chokehold. To grab the neck and create a sort of lock around the throat deprives the enemy of oxygen. The choke can be held until the foe dies struggling or more aggressively strangled to unconsciousness or further still until death.

The Joints: Combat often ends when one party is too badly injured to continue. A strong or large fighter can reliably break joints inflicting horrible pain that typically leads to unconsciousness. Thak techniques can be applied to the thighs, shins, feet, upper arms, forearms, or hands.

Nabasuthar (Divine First)

The art of Nabasuthar is to know the enemy's decisions before they are made. A Kisat Dur master may identify the exact type of attack the enemy seeks to use the moment they make the decision but even a novice can be aware that an attack comes. A weapon makes the enemy predictable. An enemy with a weapon will rely on the weapon and when the enemy prepares an attack successfully grabbing the weapon will almost always interrupt the attack. Should the enemy have a shield they will next attempt to use the shield. With this knowledge the Sodel Ar can be employed effectively even by a novice.

Rashgur Nitem (Attack Vision)

    An unarmed foe is less predictable and it may be wiser to dodge than attempt an uncertain grab but this does not mean the practitioner is without knowledge. In Kisat Dur attack and defense are different perspectives on the same acts. The defensive mind looks inward and the offensive mind looks outward, when they are combined the practitioner is far more deadly. If the practitioner quickly places himself in a mental state for striking they may feel the instinct that one particular limb is easier to strike than another.

 The attacking mind sees subtle signals and recognizes the limb as weak but does not continue this thinking to realize this denotes an incoming attack. Using the knowledge of the attacking mind the practitioner may quickly employ Sodel Ar.




Zilirakith (The Eternal Wrath)

An ineffective strike dissuades novice practitioners. This need not be so. Focusing on an area of attack has compounding effect. Muscle and bone are imperfect and enough impact will cause them to yield.


Fertharnas (TheBeast-Slayer)
Kisat Dur is tailored to combat with warriors. When fighting an animal or monster Kisat Dur is at it's weakest. This does not mean the practitioner is helpless. Animals and beasts seeking a quick meal or defense of their territory will lose interest in vicious prey.

Here the practitioner has stumbled upon a bear. The Practitioner carefully creates space and when the beast steps forward launches a quick strike intended to inflict minor harm.

These injuries may be enough to discourage the foe. If this is not the case a few more strikes may prove sufficient to diminish it's capacity to fight effectively.

If the beast is truly recalcitrant it's lack of armor is a weakness that a strong practitioner may exploit.

The beast is now dead and the practitioner victorious so long as he is successful at maintaining distance.

Nonub (The Punch)

A punch is faster than a kick and only slightly weaker. Dwarves are born of the stone and can more safely sacrifice some strength than some speed. Keep the feet on the ground to allow quick movement while striking with the fists.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Zimeshabod (Phantom Strike)


The dwarf and the enemy face each other and the foe launches a strike.

The dwarf recognizes the attack early and dodges to the northwest.

The elf now faces south and the dwarf faces east.

The elf cannot effectively defend itself from this angle. In this case the attack is a punch to the nose but any sort of strike or grapple could be used to similar effect.

Stot Abodsuton (Surprise gut strike)

In this scenario the enemy has thrown an undisciplined punch which the defender has caught. This creates an opportunity

The elf is now busy trying to regain it's balance and cannot respond quickly.

A quick punch substitutes strength for speed. Since there are no bones to protect the stomach a strong punch is not necessary. The enemy is now nauseous diminishing his capacity to fight. It is no longer able to fight effectively.


Mezabod Okab (Three Strike Break)

The Stotabod Suton is followed by a quick strike to the chest. A punch does not necessarily need to break ribs to inflict injury. A lung can be bruised with a quick punch.

The enemy is now twice weakened allowing for riskier manuvers.  A wild punch is quick and powerful but leaves the fighter open afterward. Because the elf is already wounded it can't use this opportunity to it's full advantage so the risk is worth it.

A strong punch to the head has the potential to stun or knock out an opponent. This is not guaranteed but for this example it works. This technique requires a great deal of luck and should not be relied on in life or death combat.


Ostlurit (The Folded Spine)


The enemy is caught offguard with a sharp blow to the neck breaking the spine and potentially severing the spinal cord. This requires a good deal of strength and in this case the Stotabod Suton is used to create an opening for a heavy punch. The result is debilitating pain or death by asphyxiation. This technique is not recommended for nonlethal disputes.

Okab Rashgur (Break the Attack)

The practitioner recognizes an incoming stirke. Dodging or using Sodel Ar will resolve this easily but a very skilled fighter can use Rashgurokab to intimidate the enemy or avoid escalation via grappling.

The strike intercepts the the enemy's hand before the blow connects. The result is that the attack can cause no real injury.

Thak (The Lock)

The purest expression of raw power, taking an enemy's limbs and using one's muscle to manipulate them. This can take the form of throwing the enemy or twisting the limb until they are destroyed. An arm, leg, fist, or foot is grabbed and gripped tightly. This body part is then bent in the lock until it gives out, usually rendering the enemy unconscious. Mostly influenced by strength even a very skilled opponent can be defeated with a lock as long as the practitioner is sufficiently strong.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Sodel Ar (Shield of Flesh)
Sodel Ar is a powerful defensive technique that turns a practitioner's hands into a functional shield. Grappling tactics are most effective against smaller opponents and this leads to the misperception that wrestling is useless when the foe is large. Sodel Ar can be employed against a foe of any size.

Here the practitioner faces a truly mighty opponent, a fully grown giant. This creature cannot be wrestled into submission and an inexperienced fighter may not attempt to grapple at all.

The practitioner sees an incoming blow that may well prove fatal. Dodging is an option but deft hands may arrest the attack.

The practitioner uses strength and speed to stop the strike before it connects. The giant is now off balance and open to attack.


Asasokab (Rapid Break)

The enemy throws a punch, the perceptive defender catches the blow, the catch is turned into a wrist lock before the enemy can react and the wrist is broken. A master of Kisat Dur can preform an Asasokab in less than a second leaving the foe scarcely aware of the technique which defeated them. This is only effective when the defender can physically overpower the attacker but the maneuver is often enough to end a fight.

Gakit Kun "Thief Cat"

Sometimes a foe is too large to simply disarm. In this case the Gakit Kun technique allows you to gain control of their weapon without the need to physically overpower them.

If the enemy fails to immediately sieze the weapon from you the Gakit Kun technique allows you to loosen their grip.

Enkos Nitem (Vision Taker)


This is a high risk manuver exclusively for when the dwarf is physically stronger than the adversary. The dwarf grabs the head and gouges both eyes. Even for a master of Kisat Dur it is difficult to do this before the enemy has the opportunity to strike back potentially to deadly effect. Even a master risks serious injury and death if a strike is allowed passed their defenses. If successful this move renders the enemy incapable of pursuing, resisting, or harming the practitioner effectively ending the fight.

Egnulnobot (Control Spurn)

The practitioner is in a vulnerable position, taken to the ground by an enemy that now stands over preventing them from rising. A skilled Kisat Dur practitioner can find opportunity even here. 

In this case the fighter has noticed an incoming strike and used the knee to trap the blow. While the enemy is off balance the practitioner uses a throw to bring them down and quickly rise to a dominant position, the fist still firmly caught. The positions are now reversed and the Kisat Dur practitioner has a hold on the enemy's hand. The hold can be released, turned into a joint lock, or simply used to prevent the enemy from getting back to their feet.

Nidostegul (Ferocious Control)

A standard throw is used on the enemy and practitioner quickly moves to their position before they land. This is easier with weaker throws as a strong throw requires the foe to be pursued. This leaves the practitioner standing over the prone and stunned enemy. From this position victory can be quickly had. If executed improperly the enemy may strike the practitioner knocking himself to the ground in the process.

Idrazoluth (Dog Combat)

The teeth are an often neglected weapon in combat. The practitioner may find their jaws effective tools in situations where other tactics may fail to impress. There are two primary objectives of biting: inflict tearing damage and blood loss without a weapon and inspire terror in the enemy.

The Asasokab could have ended this conflict as quickly as Idrazoluth but the terror it inspires in the elf to be so dismembered is unique to this style. The key to successful biting is choosing the proper target, biting off a finger, ear, or tearing off a hand is more effective than simply gnawing at the chest. Idrazoluth has the power to destroy nerves permanently debilitating an enemy. Should the opportunity present itself a practitioner may even bite at the throat ending the battle in a single stroke.

Toradadom (The Body Crush)
The practitioner jumps into their opponent using their mass as a weapon. An enemy may be staggered, wounded, or even killed by these techniques. A skilled practitioner my even use them to disarm an enemy or strip them of their armor.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Aknunakith (Hawkwrath)


The technique works only on an enemy incapable of using either foot to maneuver. With the enemy in this vulnerable position the practitioner creates distance. This distance is then closed at speed.

When in range the practitioner jumps slamming into the prone enemy with both feet.

The results can be truly impressive, in this case the subject traveled 16 tiles before coming to rest.
This is considered an exhibition technique and is not practical in real world combat.

Korumid abod (Cave-in Strike)

More practical than the Aknunakith the korumid abod uses the same principles to gain sudden advantage against a smaller opponent. The key problem that the Toradadom techniques face is that even a master of Kisat Dur cannot preform the jump necessary without creating some distance. Grappling with a foe prevents the attack but by targeting weapons or clothing the practitioner can keep the foe at sufficient distance to launch the attack.


In this case the practitioner is flanked by two enemies armed with iron weapons and shields. Taking the time to disarm one foe would give the other the opportunity to close and attack.

The practitioner selects one enemy, closes with them at speed, and engages.

The practitioner now grabs the weapon and shield with the flanking enemy still trying to close. The practitioner now jumps with all their might slamming into the enemy with their body.

If done correctly the enemy is sent sprawling to the ground with their armaments now controlled by the practitioner. Rather than being flanked by two armed foes the practitioner now faces one staggered and unarmed foe and another he may engage at his leisure.

This may wound, kill, or simply stagger the enemy and put some distance between the practitioner and them. In any case this enemy is a less serious threat and the practitioner may redirect their focus to another.



Momguzumid (Dragonfall)

The practitioner charges the foe at speed and begins a traditional Korumid Abod form. However, the jump is started before grab connects and while in midair a second grab is attempted. This overload of threat sources prevents the enemy from acting efficiently and is effectively beyond evasion or blocking.

This thread serves two purposes. First, to act as an advanced combat manual for adventure mode. Once you've figured out the basics of which button to press this guide should make you significantly more formidable even if you use a weapon. Second, this is a showcase of the creativity (and complete savagery) that the Bay 12 Forums have to offer. If you figured out something awesome, show us.

[Broseph Stalin]

Technique 1 Asasokab "Rapid Break"

The enemy throws a punch, the perceptive defender catches th eblow, the catch is turned into a wrist lock before the enemy can react and the wrist is broken. This is only effective when the defender can physically overpower the attacker but the maneuver is often enough to end a fight.

Technique 2 Zimeshabod- "Phantom Strike"


The dwarf and the enemy face each other and the foe launches a strike.

The dwarf recognizes the attack early and dodges to the northwest.



The elf now faces south and the dwarf faces east.


The elf cannot effectively defend itself from this angle. In this case the attack is a punch to the nose but any sort of strike or grapple could be used to similar effect.


Technique 3 Stot Abodsuton “Surprise gut strike”


In this scenario the enemy has thrown an undisciplined punch which the defender has caught. This creates an opportunity

The elf is now busy trying to regain it's balance and cannot respond quickly.

A quick punch substitutes strength for speed. Since there are no bones to protect the stomach a strong punch is not necessary. The enemy is now nauseous diminishing his capacity to fight. It is no longer able to fight effectively.

[Max™]

Gostangamurnil Gidthur Giginamdeb^[1]
"Treeaboo tossing"

Unfortunately there are times when even a dorf must climb up into the clutches of our mortal enemy: the tree^[2]. Many of these situations involve trying to have a reasonable discussion with stinky hippies who for some reason choose to sit around in trees most of the time. In case you are having trouble getting them to come down, one does what they must, but unfortunately this requires putting away your weapons so you can actually get up into the branches in the first place.

Should one be attacked in this situation, or if the filthy treesuckers won't continue discourse in a reasonable fashion on the ground, there is a solution available to the dwarven martial artist.

First one must get unfortunately close, and wrap their upper arm around the upper body of a stinky little twiglicker, this is distasteful, but the results will make it worth having to bathe afterwards.

Once you've set your mind to grabbing your target, you need to (s)quat and lower your center of gravity, allowing the grapple to begin. Assuming you now have an armful of filthy barkhumper it is understandable that you would want to let go, so after placing your feet firmly on a branch, you (s)tand back up and simply let go.

Sometimes they squirm, making it hard to toss in a specific direction, but prudence and convenience suggest having your back to the trunk or large branches anyways, with helps ensure they leave the tree outwards, as well as making sure you have something to grab a hold of if you should slip.

At this point they will probably be unhappy with you, leave it to elves to lack appreciation of the glorious mother stone, but either you were high enough in the tree that this won't be an issue, or you are low enough that you can use them to guarantee a soft landing for yourself on the way back down.

[1] Awe-inspiring Dirthammer Grasps the Flying-Babyeater
[2] The best reason involves fire, though many question the wisdom of igniting the dry twigs and branches on a tree while you are still in the tree, it takes too long if you wait for the fire to climb the tree by itself

[Broseph Stalin]

Technique 5 Gakit Kun "Thief Cat"



Sometimes a foe is too large to simply disarm. In this case the Gakit Kun technique allows you to gain control of their weapon without the need to physically overpower them.



If the enemy fails to immediately sieze the weapon from you the Gakit Kun technique allows you to loosen their grip.

[TheFlame52]

PTW

[sum1confused]

PTW I'm going to try some of this out now.

[FallenAngel]

PTW and to work on my own Kisat Dur.

[Arcvasti]

PTW

[Majoras123]

Some nice ideas here, PTW

Edit: Just thought of one

¡kthagj ulol: The Last Squeeze

Grab an opponent's neck and pinch the throat, if successful, you will crush a major artery and your opponent will bleed out within a few turns. Useful for delivering a coup de grace on an unconscious opponent who stubbornly refuses to let his skull cave in.

[Broseph Stalin]

Mezabod Okab (Three Strike Break)
The Stotabod Suton is followed by a quick strike to the chest. A punch does not necessarily need to break ribs to inflict injury. A lung can be bruised with a quick punch.

The enemy is now twice weakened allowing for riskier manuvers.  A wild punch is quick and powerful but leaves the fighter open afterward. Because the elf is already wounded it can't use this opportunity to it's full advantage so the risk is worth it.

A strong punch to the head has the potential to stun or knock out an opponent. This is not guaranteed but for this example it works. This technique requires a great deal of luck and should not be relied on in life or death combat.


Enkos Nitem (Vision Taker)



This is a high risk manuver exclusively for when the dwarf is physically stronger than the adversary. The dwarf grabs the head and gouges both eyes. Even for a master of Kisat Dur it is difficult to do this before the enemy has the opportunity to strike back potentially to deadly effect. Even a master risks serious injury and death if a strike is allowed passed their defenses. If successful this move renders the enemy incapable of pursuing, resisting, or harming the practitioner effectively ending the fight.

 
Ostlurit (The Folded Spine)




The enemy is caught offguard with a sharp blow to the neck breaking the spine and potentially severing the spinal cord. This requires a good deal of strength and in this case the Stotabod Suton is used to create an opening for a heavy punch. The result is debilitating pain or death by asphyxiation. This technique is not recommended for nonlethal disputes.

[Blastbeard]

perhaps it's too early to categorize it, but this Kisat Dur sounds like the 'hard' type of martial art. That is to say, what you've got so far looks like a heavy-handed, proactive approach to fighting, getting in there and doing unto others before they do unto you with extreme prejudice.
As opposed to 'soft' styles, which have a more laid back and reactive approach, letting the enemy make the first move and then counterattacking to brutal effect.

In other words, Kisat Dur sounds exactly like the sort of thing a dwarf with no axe to swing would come up with.

[bahihs]

what skills ar needed to pull these off?

[Broseph Stalin]

Aknunakith (Hawkwrath)


The technique works only on an enemy incapable of using either foot to maneuver. With the enemy in this vulnerable position the practitioner creates distance. This distance is then closed at speed.

When in range the practitioner jumps slamming into the prone enemy with both feet.

The results can be truly impressive, in this case the subject traveled 16 tiles before coming to rest.

This is considered an exhibition technique and is not practical in real world combat.

Egnulnobot (Control Spurn)

The practitioner is in a vulnerable position, taken to the ground by an enemy that now stands over preventing them from rising. A skilled Kisat Dur practitioner can find opportunity even here. 

In this case the fighter has noticed an incoming strike and used the knee to trap the blow. While the enemy is off balance the practitioner uses a throw to bring them down and quickly rise to a dominant position, the fist still firmly caught. The positions are now reversed and the Kisat Dur practitioner has a hold on the enemy's hand. The hold can be released, turned into a joint lock, or simply used to prevent the enemy from getting back to their feet.

[Broseph Stalin]

what skills ar needed to pull these off?

Wrestling, striking, and observation are biggies. It also helps to be strong and agile.

[bahihs]

Emergent marital arts...god I love this game