Gestures & Katas

Overview

Gestures are the physical movements that interface with power suits to produce effects. They range from simple hand positions to complex full-body katas that take years to master.

Gesture Types

Type	Description	Example Effects
Micro	Small finger/hand movements	Suit adjustments, minor targeting
Hand	Full hand positions and transitions	Standard attacks, shields
Arm	Arm movements and positions	Medium-scale effects
Full-body	Complex katas involving whole body	Major effects, Purging-scale
Linked	Multiple Knights in synchronization	Planetary-scale operations

The Haptic Interface

How gestures work technically:

GESTURE → SUIT SENSORS → COMPANION INTERPRETATION → EFFECT GENERATION
    │           │                  │                      │
    │           │                  │                      ▼
    │           │                  │                 OUTPUT
    │           │                  ▼
    │           │           Intent filtered
    │           ▼           & validated
    │     Position data
    ▼     velocity/pressure
Physical movement

The suit doesn’t respond to just any movement — it responds to precise movements with the correct timing, pressure, and form.

Precision Requirements

Factor	Importance
Position	Exactly right angles, extensions, rotations
Timing	Correct duration and tempo
Pressure	Right amount of force at contact points
Sequence	Order matters for complex katas
Intent	Companion validates the Knight means it

This is why training takes years. The margin for error is small.

Learning Curve

Stage	Duration	Achievement
Basic gestures	1-2 years	Simple effects reliably
Intermediate	2-4 years	Order-specific techniques
Advanced	4-8 years	Complex katas; creative application
Master	8+ years	Signature techniques; teaching capability
Storm Lord	15+ years	Purging Protocol participation

Examples by Order

The Ashen

Gesture	Effect
The Kindling	Ignite thermal output; basic fire
Consuming Sweep	Area denial through sustained heat
Ash Walk	Move through flame unharmed
The Pyre	Self-consuming final attack

Ashen gestures tend to be bold, sweeping, aggressive — the physical expression of controlled fury.

The Weave

Gesture	Effect
Pattern Lock	Predictive targeting
The Unraveling	System vulnerability analysis
Thread Dance	Multi-unit coordination
Cascade Analysis	Real-time battlefield computation

Weave gestures tend to be precise, intricate, mathematical — fingers tracing geometric patterns.

The Current

Gesture	Effect
The Mending	Accelerated healing
Soul Sight	Detect spiritual anomalies
Flowing Shield	Protective field
The Release	Mercy for the dying

Current gestures tend to be flowing, continuous, graceful — like conducting music or moving through water.

The Veil

Gesture	Effect
The Vanishing	Stealth mode activation
Shadow Walk	Move unseen
The Final Word	Silent elimination
Mirror Form	Identity disguise

Veil gestures tend to be minimal, disguised, deniable — often hidden as normal movement.

The Exemplars

Exemplars learn gestures from all four traditions:

• Not as fluid as specialists
• More versatile than anyone else
• Can recognize gestures from any Order
• Can improvise combinations

Combination Techniques

Advanced practitioners can chain gestures:

Type	Description
Sequences	One gesture flows into the next
Simultaneous	Different gestures with different limbs
Linked	Multiple Knights performing synchronized katas
Improvised	Novel combinations for unique situations

Linked Operations

The highest-level gestures require multiple Knights linked via Linkstone:

The Purging Protocol

• 8+ Storm Lords linked in real-time
• Each responsible for one section of target
• Perfect synchronization required
• Failure by one disrupts all

Requirements

Factor	Requirement
Linkstone	Massive consumption for coordination
Training	Years of synchronized practice
Trust	Absolute confidence in linked partners
Toll	Physical and psychological exhaustion

The Gesture Vocabulary

Is the gesture vocabulary:

Question	Implications
Finite?	A complete set exists; mastery is achievable
Infinite?	New gestures can be discovered; innovation possible
Species-specific?	Aliens might use different gestures
Universal?	Some gestures work with any suit

Combat Application

In actual combat:

Challenge	Description
Speed	Must execute before enemy responds
Interference	Enemy actions can disrupt gestures
Positioning	Some gestures require specific stances
Fatigue	Prolonged combat degrades precision
Adaptation	Must choose right gesture for situation

Questions to Resolve

1. How are new gestures developed?
2. Can gestures be “faked” to trigger wrong effects?
3. What happens with imprecise execution?
4. Are there forbidden gestures?
5. How do Companions assist with gesture timing?