On 7/31/2022 2:02 PM, Jeff Zeitlin - editor at freelancetraveller.com
(via tml list) wrote:
> Part the third: Assume that the character has been studying a martial art,
> and has some definite level of skill. At what level of skill should the
> referee presume that the character has earned a "Black belt" or equivalent
> recognition of skill and discipline?
>
> (Side question: Is anyone aware of any formally-trained martial art - not
> necessarily an East Asian style - that does _not_ incorporate a significant
> amount of training in 'de-escalation', self-discipline, and the use of
> minimal force to accomplish a goal?)

The core of Okinawan Linear Karate is direct violence as quickly as possible.
I'm talking the original art that was developed from Southern Chinese martial arts and Japanese samurai arts by Okinawan nobility way back when Okinawa was double occupied by the Chinese and the Japanese.

When the commitment to violence is made, don't hesitate.

For game play, I would suggest a clear distinction between civilian "sport" martial arts (tournament focused TKD for example), and a combat art ("Combatives" taught in the US Military for example).

T20 had a Martial Artist class.  Here is an example character: https://www.urbin.net/t20pbem/Anousheh.html