Zankou
A source of power that is very closely tied to physical prowess. It is typically used to esclate the possibilities of one's actions, for example a martial artist can run across water or balance upon a single leaf hanging from a tree. While it seems to be sheer dedication and skill, physicists have proven it impossible and thus as it defies the laws of physics it is known as a type of magical effect.
Zankou originates from Thenica, and so it's influences from that planet are very appearent. Originally an art trained exclusively by the Shetou Empire during the Era of Rising it has achieved some wider interest. Many special operatives and assassins are trained in Zankou basics and the general public sees it as a traditional sport. Shetou still takes it more seriously then any other nation in the galaxy, it being one of their national sports.
The range of zankou abilities is very wide, one practitioner's skillset might seem to be all based on mobility while another conjures fire when he strikes. While very hard to learn in reality, the entertainment industry loves this theatrical and mysterious art.
Here are the basic schools, each school has its own set of powers, moves, and special styles.
Fire: Aggressive and focusing on wild expansion in battle. Attacks utilize the opponent and the environment against other opponents, continually scaling throughout the encounter to grow into an uncontrollable wildfire of destruction. Moves from the fire school rely on the opponent and the environment, but is easily the strongest style for fighting large numbers.
Earth- A balanced method of brute strength, instead of dodging or pushing enemy attacks aside the zankist steels his body and takes the blow entirely. It's attacks are strong but very controlled, choosing where to end the strike regardless of success or failure which prevents unwanted openings but doesn't allow for complex follow-throughs to exploit an upper hand.
Serpent: A strong offensive with dodging defensive measures, the serpent style is strongest against singular opponents. In large group combat the serpent will have a hard time moving from enemy to enemy like fire and water does, but in a duel the serpent is very dangerous.
Shadow: A quiet, stealthy art built around being undetected. The style provides very little power in combat, but often gives the tools to form deadly assassins. Few moves in this school utilize the fists, allowing its students to master weapons instead and use their zankist skills to get get near their opponent.
Spirit: A deep study of the zankou power, instead of flying into combat fists first the spirit school is of patience and opportunity. The spirit school has the most supernatural powers and the greatest variety, supporting allies and hindering enemies. Those of the spirit are not individually threatening as most other practices but work well in groups.
Water- Strong and fluid, attacks are made using momentum while the body is flexible enough to weave into new positions as needed. This style is constantly repositioning during a fight and highly adaptable, however it isn't very defensible and doesn't hold a single position well (i.e. advantageously standing in a doorway to fight 1 opponent at a time, water style will quickly push out of the hallway and become exposed).
While Zankou is similar to pandem in that there is no official oversight, the schools manage themselves well enough that the standard is consistent enough across the board. As such, its titles are rather well known and each title suggests a certain level of mastery.
Apprentice
A title assumed upon proving a certain amount of dedication to learning of zankou arts. Usually attained upon mastering the second tier of a style.
Master
Awarded to zankists
upon achieving and demonstrating a full mastery of at least one style.
Grandmaster
A title for those who have achieved full mastery of all Zankou styles, very few shorter lived species will ever be able to attain the title and many longer living ones still must dedicate almost their entire lives to gain the title of grandmaster. Suffice to say an old man with the title "grandmaster" is probably one of the most intimidating things out there.