Like the country it takes it's name from, Polish Highlands Martial Arts is a synthesis of many styles, all of which were nearly wiped from the face of the planet at one time, only to be forged together in the heat of battle and arrise stronger from the ashes. The history of PHMA begins with two invasions, reaches it's lowest point in a third, and is now flourishing in a fourth.
The first two invasions were the Teutonic Knights in 1226, who came from Germany through Bohemia to "assist" the then ruler of Poland only to carve out their own empire in it's heart, and the Mongol invasion of 1241, which came and went through the Ukraine as Mongol Hordes are wont to do. It was the Mongols that introduced the system of organized fighting skills paired with a spiritual path, something they had brought with them from the Asian continent. As it had in China, this knowledge empowered an occupied people and allowed them to confront their oppressors, culminating in the Battle of Greunwald/Tannenberg in 1410, when the Teutonic Knights were defeated and driven from Polish lands. For over 500 years, the Polish Army, particularly the Polish Calvary, remained a potent force in Europe, until a third invasion would nearly destroy them, and the entire world!
The Nazi invasion of Poland in 1939 brought war to the world, but it also ressurected an even greater evil. Hitler, leader of the Nazi forces, was interested not only in temporal power, but also spiritual might. As his troops swept over Europe, they were followed by Occult energies, awakening dark forces from their centuries long slumber. One of these troops was a young tank commander, who believed himself the modern-day heir to the Teutonic Knights. One of these dark forces was an elder Vampire, gone to ground before the Crusades had even begun. With the sacrifice of the tank squad and the sharing of blood, an unholy alliance was sealed.
Using the supernatural power and influence of the vampire, the tank commander rose through the ranks quickly, soon becoming Comandant, and one of the first chosen to organize the concentration camps - the Death Camps of the Nazi regime. Using the temporal power of the new Comandant, the vampire insured that his enemies - Gypsy Mystics. local Holy Men, and certain members of the Polish cavalry - were the first to be sent to the camps. In this age of brutality, both were sure that they were destined for great things. But it was the very camps that granted then their power that were destined to destroy them.
In the camps, many diverse social, religious, and political factions were thrown together, and had to learn to depend on one another for survival. In the face of death, long held secrets were shared withoutsiders, for fear that the knowledge would be lost from the earth. From this infernal crucible was cast Polish Highlands Martial Arts, an alloy of Faith, Mysticism, and the Mysteries of the Orient. And from it, the survivors drew strength, and led a number of rebellions and uprisings against their Nazi jailers. The vampire was killed during one of these uprisings, but not before passing on his taint to the Comandant. In the chaos of the Allied invasion, the camps were abandoned, records burned, and many Nazi's simply disappeared into the night, including the newly-creature of the night Comandant. After the War, the surving PHMA Masters made a secret vow to go to "the ends of the earth" to hunt down the Comandant, which they eventually did in the mid-70's. But again their vengeance was thwarted, as the Comandant had indescriminately passed on the vampire's taint to countless others during his years in hiding. The Masters once again vowed to hunt down all vampires, all dark creatures, until the world was rid of their evil, "should it take another two thousand years."
With the coming of the Possibility Wars, PHMA has come somewhat more into the light. While Poland and Germany have remained (relatively) free of invasion, forays by Ayslish and Papal agents into these areas have awakened the vampires kin, and worse. In the world at large, the numerous axiom washes and an increasing belief in Magic have granted the Comandant's "children" even greater abilities. For the first time since the camps, many Masters have had to take on new pupils to help combat this rising tide of evil. How this will alter the outcome of the invasion has yet to be seen.
Maneuvers (Training)
Notes:
The E designate stands for Equus, or Equestrian, indicating a link to the original Polish Cavalry. In the years since the War, many variants of this style sprang up, adapting to the lands in which the various Masters settled in search of the Comandant and his kin.
(Count the Graves) - same as Count the Blades, but is performed in a graveyard, usually with at least one fresh grave.
Beast Master - allows the practitioner to use their Martial Arts skill in place of Beast Riding (or any other animal handling skills). In addition, after the first check, the rider doesn't need to make another for as long as they remain on the animal, even if spooked.