Not throwing my vote out yet (respecting the 12 hr moratorium on votes) , but testing the waters to see if my thinking is sound while providing a spring board for myself and the other players to discuss a solid approach.
This is my spin, looking towards a good solid defensive fighter;
Martial-based:
Seek tutelage under Trigger; your fight with the Clanners taught you the need of improved blocking from these powerful blows. Seek out Trigger and see if he can teach you more ways to protect yourself.
Justification:
The 'Slip-Not Palm' served us well in this opening fight, can't hurt what they can't hit. It might be nice to see if Master Trigger has a follow-up move that complements the Palm.
Maybe teaching something like a style to 'block with authority' for when we redirect a blow we can also strike to injure the now deflected arm/leg.
If you can bruise an arm or leg on an attack it will make most attackers hesitant to throw the next blow. If a blow becomes hesitant or weak they become easier to defend against.
IE. "If you don't want it hurt; don't stick it out at me".
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Mental-based:
Teach yourself Pure
Wudang Hung-Ga; the books are there and you have the time. While not as guided as under a tutor, you are able to learn the basics at the least.
Justification:
Horse Stance is a good solid defensive stance that provides high mobility and readily flows to other stances. Single Hard Fist and Double Hard Fist teach strong solid punches that are unlikely to result in user injuries to the hand and are strong foundationally to develop later techniques such as tiger, tiger/crane, etc.
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Qi-based:
Clanner Strength; The Clanners were incredibly strong. They had no business being able to punch with such strength. Look around and see why some skinny kid can throw such hands.
Justification:
If Qi exists and can cause skinny kids to hit like a Mac truck; we need to add it to our arsenal just to retain a shot at defending ourselves. The dragon's aren't likely to forget our interference and even less likely to forgive.
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Arcs:
Look up the origin of the Clanners; you've properly pissed off the Dragon Clan. Luckily they have no idea who you are beyond a bare connection to the BCs. Sometimes knowledge if half the battle, so you should find out who these people are.
Justification:
We are already on the Dragon's radar. A fight -is- coming, being knowledgeable about ones opponents is always advantageous. The Guff and Freckles are more of a known element and although of concern these new guys just feel the more dangerous at the moment.
Edit: to cleanup my brainfart (used wrong style name).
