Not all Martial Arts styles are passed in secret from Master to Student through a series of arcane tests. Many are inspired instead through a study of natural forms: the path water takes falling on pebbles, the way a sapling bends and twists in the wind, or the actions of animals or even insects! The Path of the Hidden Lion was inspired by the actions of the common house cat, and in the way in which it recalls the grandeur of it's feline ancestors.
Though PotHL is a formalized style, with Masters, tests, and even a few Dojos dedicated to it's teaching, it can also be learned through observation and intense study of the ways of cats. Before learning the skill or a maneuver, the practitioner must study a cat or cats for a period equal to the time they would speand with a Master. Then they must make a Scholar(Cats) total of 12, or 15 for the first add in the skill. If this check is successful, they may then attempt to learn the maneuver with it's appropriate skill check. Self instruction is the last maneuver that can be learned in this way. Should the practitioner fail the Imobility Test*, even once, they can no longer progress in the PotHL through observation, and must either turn to another style, or find a Master willing to teach them. (While it is possible to mix and match observation and instruction at any time during the style, most Masters are unwilling to teach a Student that has "failed before the cat". Obviously, if the practitioner successfully gains this maneuver, they can teach themselves the remaining two.)
(Note: Since all cats are considered "fluent" in the ways of cats, it is actually possible for them to learn this style through observation, if they are possibility rated. A cat does not need to make a check to understand the ways of cats, but does need to spend the appropriate time "studying", and must still make any neccessary skill checks to learn maneuvers. Some Masters have actually gone so far as to try and teach cats this style, but the cats will have none of it.)
Maneuvers (Training)
Notes:
Sparrow Stalk - the practitioner must approch a sparrow or other small bird close enough to touch it without flying away. This requires a Stealth total of 12.
Feather Snatch - as Pebble Snatch, but the practitioner must instead snatch a feather. Often, the feather will be dangled from a length of string or wire, to attract the practitioner's attention.
Ball of String - the practitioner must wrap themself in at least 30 m. of sring or yarn, and then escape on command. This requires a Maneuver or Escape Artist total of 12.
Immobility Test* - as per Immobility Test, but the practitioner need only stand still for three rounds. This requires a Willpower total of 8. (If the practitioner is a cat, the difficulty of the check is raised to 15.)
White Suit Test - to begin, the practitioner rolls around in a pile of dirt, leaves, and scraps. Then they are presented with a white suit. Leaving anything larger than a cat's paw print white is considered failure. This requires a Dexterity total of 14.