Teras Kasi Archive

Did some snooping around, found this on the net but am not sure how credible the source is

History of the Teräs Käsi:

The order of the Teräs Käsi is a secret organization born from the belief that near infinite power, regardless of the intention behind it, should not go unregulated. The Teräs Käsi - bluntly, did not trust the Jedi to police themselves.
The Teräs Käsi was founded thousands of years ago, during the last of the great wars between the Light and the Dark. The final decisive battle between the two great forces occurred in the Pacanth Reach, devastating the planet of Palawa itself. The victory was attained, but at momentous cost to the civilian population. The Jedi Council, deeply saddened by the outcome of the events, nevertheless deemed it 'acceptable losses'. The battleground was not one of the Order's choosing, the evil had to be stopped, it was one planet against thousands - there was no choice.

The civilians that survived the battle saw it differently.

The meager handful of survivors relocated to the nearby world of Bunduki. The remaining Palawan concluded that so much force, so much power - in the hands of one people, regardless of how well intentioned and regulated. They vowed never to let happen to others what had happened to them. They began the study of the mind over the body, how to master self from without and within. They forged themselves to be a force capable of dealing with Jedi, should the need arise. It took generations to conceive and implement the plan, but the Teräs Käsi martial arts were born.

Since that time, the order has grown strong. During the heights of the Old Republic, the exact number of Teräs Käsi masters is unknown - but the number was estimated to be from several hundred up to slightly more than a thousand. Of course the number of Teräs Käsi practitioners are considerably less during the reign of Palpatine and his Empire. During the era of the New Republic, the order is growing again, but has yet to fully recover.

About the Teräs Käsi:

Although not they quite as all-powerful and versatile as the Jedi arts, the practitioners of Teräs Käsi are formidable in their own ways.

There is one basic fundamental difference between the two schools. Instead of drawing on the Force for power, Teräs Käsi users draw on the power from inside themselves. By using the power from within, they are able to have more control and fewer restraints. Since practitioners of Teräs Käsi draw from what is inside, they become what they are. Unlike the Jedi, since the Force surrounds and penetrates all life - which has good and evil, so there are light and dark sides of the Force.

A master of Teräs Käsi must be able to command their own bodies in addition to learning the external arts. As such they are able to ignore pain, control disease and poisons within themselves, focus on injured areas and accelerating their own healing, and summon great strength to release it in one blow. The Teräs Käsi are also exceptionally attuned to the ebb and flow of the Force - if not actually out and out Jedi material. This attuned nature of the Teräs Käsi not only allows them to be aware of Jedi and Force Users, but also makes them exceptionally resistant to uses of the Force.

Mastery of the teachings of Teräs Käsi also imparts one additional benefit - a long life span. Not immortality - no matter how long you live, how far you run, you can't escape the hand of death forever. However, a master of Teräs Käsi can live several hundred years - and many of the order often do so.

Teräs Käsi Ranks (and skills):

Rank 1: Adept (Beginning of Meditation, Brawling, Contort/Escape, Blind Fighting, Ignore Pain, and Detect Weakness along with use of weapons and other equipment)

Rank 2: Student ( Expanded training in all of the above plus the beginning of Sense Force Use, Pinpoint Energy Centers.Concentrate on Force User, Detect Force User, Hibernation Trance, Primal Strength, Resist the Force, and Primal Strength. For Fallen Teräs Käsi users, these additional abilities are learned: Burning Fingers, Blazing Fury, and Teräs Käsi Needle usage.)

Rank 3: Warrior (All former skills are honed and the Warrior becomes a true master of warfare)

Rank 4: Master (All former skills activate with minimal effort. If the Master is fallen, he learns the skill Eyes of the Dragon.)

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Teräs Käsi Martial Arts:

Brawling - Teräs Käsi Martial Arts is a rare specialization. A person must study full-time under a master of Teräs Käsi for six months to acquire the first pip in the specialization. Dedicated to keeping any and all Force Users from using their powers for personal gain, the Masters of Teräs Käsi are formidable foes indeed.

Contort/Escape:
This ability is similar to the Jedi power of the same name. Contort/Escape allows one to work there very free of bindings by twisting their bodies in often-unnatural ways. Often it is necessary to dislocate joints, or commit otherwise painful acts to escape bonds.

Blind Fighting:
Practitioners of Teräs Käsi have learned to use all of their senses in combat, and are thus at a great advantage in dark environments. With a successful role, they can fight without penalty even when completely blinded.

Ignore Pain:
Teräs Käsi users must be able to master their own bodies, and as such, they have learned to set aside their pain and keep fighting. This ability combines the Jedi powers remain conscious and reduce pain. The primary difference is that the Jedi no longer feel the pain, the Teräs Käsi still feels it, they are just able to ignore it and keep going. If successfully used the martial artist may keep fighting without penalty and they will not pass out, but keep in mind, the wounds are still present, so further damage can be devastating.

Sense Force Use:
Teräs Käsi sometimes find them opposed to Jedi or other Force users. Their self-imposed duty, the hunting down of dangerous Force Users, has caused them to develop some affinity with the workings of the Force. Thus, though they are not able to use it themselves, they have learned to detect its use.
This power is considered always on, like a passive sensor, and undetectable by a Force User. The character may also concentrate on a specific person they feel may be using the Force.
Different Force users also feel slightly different to a trained Teräs Käsi, almost as though they each have a different taste. As one grows more familiar with a specific user, they can begin to recognize his exact flavor. Just because a Teräs Käsi recognizes a particular Jedi's Force, does not mean they would be able to immediately pick that Jedi out of a crowd. Until they see him, and feel him use the Force simultaneously, they may never actually associate the user and power together. Masters of Teräs Käsi have followed specific Force users for years without ever knowing what they look like. They simply follow the power use; unfortunately, by the time they arrive at the scene the Force user is long gone. This power is often used together with detect Force user. If you can tell that an individual is a Force user, and you know that a strong power was used in the area, it is likely, though by no means guaranteed, that is the individual who used it.

Concentrating on the Force User:
Excessive Force use in the area by other users can muddle a trail. By focusing one specific presence, they can track a single Force User. Some Masters are rumored to be able to sense Force use in other systems, this is not confirmed however.

Detect Force User:
The Masters of Teräs Käsi have also developed the skill of noting the subtle differences that differentiate a Force user from others. By applying this skill, it is often possible to tell, just by looking, whether an individual is a user of the Force, and their approximate power level. The more advanced the target, the more clearly the signs show. These can be just physical looks, as well as how they move. A good deal of this ability, however, is just an unidentifiable instinct. A skilled Teräs Käsi can sometimes even detect which path the Force User Follows.

Resist The Force:
This is one of the most difficult of the Teräs Käsi powers. It is rarely used, but when needed, can be extremely handy. The Masters of Teräs Käsi have managed to come up with a way to actually push the Force from them, effectively rendering themselves invisible, and untouchable, to the Force. This can be useful in eluding detection or evading attacks. Extremely powerful Teräs Käsi can also push the Force from those in contact with them, but only a master would normally attempt this.

Meditate:
Meditation is a skill taught to all Teräs Käsi students. Before they can advance into the more complex arts, they must be able to enter a calm state, no matter what the circumstances. One in a meditative trance gains the benefits of sleep, without loosing complete track of the surrounding world. In addition, while in the trance they may make use of any other of the Teräs Käsi abilities. This includes all sense, defense, and even escape skills. These benefits are only reached however, when one is in full meditation.
Meditation does eliminate the need for sleep. The dreams that come in a true deep sleep are still essential to allow the mind to sort itself out. The need, however, can be greatly reduced, allowing one to get by on only an hour or two of true sleep daily, or even less for the truly skilled.

Hibernation Trance:
Building on the meditation skill, hibernation trance goes one step further. The character is no longer aware of their surroundings. They become so relaxed, that their body becomes almost catatonic- only an intensive scrutiny will detect any life signs. In this state, the body uses far less air, and requires far less food and water. It is possible to go over a week before truly requiring water. Unlike simple meditation, one in a hibernation trance is completely oblivious to what is going on around them. Unless they take an actual wound it is unlikely they will wake up, even then it will take several minutes before full awareness is achieved.
When one goes into the trance, they decide how long they will stay under.

Pinpoint Energy Centers:

The master uses the energy centers of an opponent or ally's body to created any of several possible effects, depending on the combination or strength of the attack. Anything from slight nausea, intense relaxation, or even instant death can be caused. This ability is very seldom used and is illegal in any tournament situation.

Primal Strength:
Teräs Käsi practitioners have learned how to tap into the hysterical strength within the body. This can give them a tremendous boost of power, but can also do great damage if over used. To use Primal Strength, one is pulling energy from their bodies' reserves, and if completely drained the practitioner will be extremely weak, and may pass out. There is also a small chance that constant use could be too much of a shock for the heart, and induce a heart attack.

Detect Weakness:
The Masters of Teräs Käsi have made a study of the bodies' weaknesses. This allows them to zero in on sensitive areas, and exploit them. Armor and personal force shielding may counteract this in the physical sense, though the Master may still take advantage of his/her opponent's mental and emotional state.

Longevity:
Although not an actual Teräs Käsi power, this ability is a vital component of the Teräs Käsi training. Unlike other the other Teräs Käsi game mechanics, no hard and fast rules govern this ability. The standard Epicanthix, which lives 150 years, while a Teräs Käsi Master may live up to 300 years, twice as long as his/her species.

From Masters of Teras Kasi, a SW fighting game: http://www.lucasarts.com/products/masters/

The Galactic Empire is sent reeling from the loss of the Death Star. The Emperor has ordered swift and severe retribution against the Rebel Alliance. His subversive and covert method of hurting the Alliance: the feared and effective young assassin, Arden Lyn. A student of an ancient and almost forgotten fighting art known as teräs käsi. Arden is a clever threat. Under the watchful eye of Darth Vader, Arden Lyn must terminate key members of the Rebel Alliance and thus ease the pain of the Empire's loss. The Alliance learns of this plan and decides to meet the challenge head-on.

Going to see if i can find some reading material which may have a more concrete base to stem from. Anyone interested to find out what we are, please feel free to contribute. Thanks

more from this site (http://www.angelfire.com/rpg2/sith_alchemy/teras_kasi2.htm)

The Fallen Masters

There has never been an event that brought more shame to a father than when his child fell from a possible life as a famous Teräs Käsi Master. Using their abilities as a mercenaries, they are both amoral and secretive. Perhaps the most infamous fallen Teräs Käsi fighters were the Pike sisters. Once working for Prince Xizor himself, they were to be feared for their skill with their bare hands and feet. Those fallen Masters that do exist have absolutely no criminal records, despite being unnaturally efficient assassins and bodyguards. Currently, less than a half dozen fallen Teräs Käsi adepts exist in the galaxy, including the Pike sisters.

How is it that there are so few?

Because of the tenets and beliefs of the Teräs Käsi Masters on Bunduki. They believe that all Force Users will become corrupt in time, and closely watch and study each and every one, rising to stop those that use their abilities to gain power. It is because of their beliefs that they promptly destroy those that would use their abilities to get money or power. Of all of the potential fallen Masters that have existed, only a slim few have escaped death.

The leader of a group of Epicanthix terrorists, by the name of Lord Epicanthix, is the most powerful of the fallen Teräs Käsi Masters. Wearing a black and crimson mask, he is of imposing size and power, and is skilled in the Fallen Arts.

The Fallen Arts are those Teräs Käsi skills that are declared overpowered or of a cheating nature. Being a species of honor, the Epicanthix have zero tolerance to those that are dirty or malicious in their nature. Here are some of the most notorious skills that Lord Epicanthix has been known to employ:

Teräs Käsi Needles: A set of 15-20 needles are set into a bracelet on each wrist. These needles can be poisoned or just used for specialized acupuncture. Placing a needle in a specific place can cause unconsciousness, enhanced abilities, or death. The effects of the needles are far stronger and longer-lasting than the jabs standard Teräs Käsi masters employ.

Burning Fingers: Drawing on his internal power, the Master focuses much of it into the fingers of a hand. His fingers glow with an eerie internal light that pulses. Upon contact with flesh, armor, or other items, the energy expands from the fingers and into the target with an explosive barrage. Generally, the target explodes violently and expands into a cloud of atomized particles, or in the case of less experienced users, large chunks of whatever the target was.

Blazing Fury: The body of the Master doubles in muscle mass and he gains the ability to speed up his punches and kicks to blurring speed, though this burns his energy at a tremendous rate. For a Master, one can expect to keep Blazing Fury 'up' for about five minutes. The ability to react to such an attack is generally only possible in Force Users, though some talented non-Force Users can evade once or twice before falling to the attacks.

Eyes of the Dragon: Drawing a large bulk of his power, a Master focuses it into his eyes. Taking on a strange cat-like effect, the Master gains a hypnotic effect. Declared one of the greatest forbidden arts in the Teräs Käsi arsenal, anyone who uses it on Bunduki would be subject to immediate capital punishment. The target loses his or her will temporarily, and can be seen as an extension of the Master's own body if he wishes it.

that was so cool. thanks for posting it

Extract:

Joclad Danva was a Jedi Knight of the Old Republic, and one of the best fighters in the Jedi Order. Joclad was a master in the art of teräs käsi, a martial arts popular in the galaxy. Although he was a Jedi Knight, Danva was allowed to participate in the tournaments held for the teräs käsi title, and although Joclad, as a Jedi, mastered the use of the Force as well, refrained from calling upon it during his matches; as he explained to HoloNet Sports reporters, using the Force to help him in his matches would be unfair and negate his mastery of the art. In his career as a teräs käsi fighter, Joclad Danva remained undefeated, until the tournament on the planet of Bunduki. There, in a fourty-seven minute bout, Joclad fought with Phow Ji, a native of Bunduki and a Palawa Band champion. Winning with a rancor-rising, aryx-slash, nexu-grin combination, Phow Ji brought Joclad's perfect career to an end. After the match, Joclad remained modest, and offered congratulations to Ji, while Ji remained bitter over the fact that Danva was a Jedi Knight. Even in defeat, Joclad embodied what it was to be a Jedi Knight.
http://jediencyclopedia.150m.com/jocladdanva.html

Found something that relates to this here:
http://www.holonetnews.com/55/sports/1359_1.html

Brief mention ofJoclad Danva here http://www.starwars.com/community/askjc/jocasta/askjc20020903.html

He is seen surrounded by the battle droids at the end of the arena battle in Episode II standing near Padmé and Anakin.

more on Joclad in mention of the Teras Kasi

http://www.starwarz.com/clonewarseu/database/characters/jedi/jocladdanva.htm

There is also a brief reference to Teras Kasi in the EU(Expanded Universe)book "Shadows of the Empire" where it states that it is the Bunduki martial arttranslates to Steel Hands.

It is also mentioned again in the Darth Maul book as the martial arts form he uses.

This weaponless martial art was created and perfected by the Bunduki.

Information of book with more details:

Title: Shadows of the Empire
Author(s): Steve Perry
Copyright Date: 1996
Publisher(s): Bantam Spectra Books

The Pike Sisters
Appearance in the Star Wars Adventure Journal

This deadly and beautiful duo are prime examples of the kind of operatives Xizor hires--well-trained, among the best in their field, and with no ties whatsoever to Black Sun.

The Epicanthix twins Zan and Zu Pike are professional fighters in the remote Pacanth Reach, a small cluster of stars in the Outer Rim Territories. The two are just now emerging on the galactic combat scene, fighting opponents in hidden arenas and high-class pleasure halls where such illegal sport can be properly concealed. The two are shrewd as well as combat-wise, and they act as their own booking agent--they don't trust anyone who doesn't have the credits to win them over, and they certainly don't trust middlemen interested in shares of their profits.

The sisters are masters of the Bunduki martial art called teräs käsi, or "steel hands". When they were young, their mother sent them to Bunduki--a world in the Pacanth Reach conquered by the Epicanthix- for an education with the learned Followers of Palawa, a secretive group of hermits highly revered there. While the twins learned much about the history, great literature and philosophies of the Pacanth Reach, they also learned physical discipline and the art of combat without weapons. The Pike twins mastered these martial arts and quickly rose throught the ranks of teräs käsi students, receiving many honors from their teachers. Instead of using this martial discipline for the better good of society, the Pike sisters set out to use their talents for personal profit.

The women are just as beautiful as they are deadly. They dress in the form-fitting tunics of their Palawa teachers, which allows them freedom of movement, and they have the lithe yet powerful bodies typical of Epicanthix. The sisters generally wear their black hair in braids, occasionally augmented with small blades tied into the tips (which can be used to lethal effect in combat). Their eyes betray no emotion, just cold precision. To the Pike sisters, it is a point of pride not to carry weapons--for the deadly pair's skills are more than sufficient to defeat any foe.

swg's desctiption of the class

Tëras Käsi
This profession includes skills from the fist accuracy and technique disciplines. A player in this profession is extremely dangerous in melee combat. Teras Kasi, or "steel hands", is a Bunduki martial arts discipline focusing on weaponless combat.