The Martial Arts Origins List

Much like the Evil Overlord List, there are various reasons for studying martial arts in fiction. So, let's create the list. I'll get things started; here's a couple:

• 1). I suffered a crisis of faith, so I ended up at the temple to gain a semblance of peace.
• 2). Doorstep Baby at the school.
• 3). I was a Circus Brat, and during my travels, I've learned a few different things in various countries/cities/etc.

Now that I've started things up, let's continue.

• 4 I simply want to become awesome through martial arts

5. I need to lose weight.

6: I need to pay back the bullies that have been hounding me at school while learning important life lessons and winning over the girl of my dreams.

7). My father studied at this academy, as did his father, HIS father, and the guy who raised him after he lost his parents.

8. I want the skills to be badass.

9. I learned them out of necessity In a world of where everything is trying to kill you.

10. I enlisted in a supersoldier program.

edited 19th Dec '10 7:05:18 AM by Strigon

11. I'm The Chosen One, so I don't really have a choice in the matter.

12. I invented this martial art. In a cave, with a box of scrappers.

13). Revenge. Doesn't matter if it's a parent or completely silly; revenge, plain and simple.

14) The knowledge and ability was transferred to my body and mind.

I begged an Old Master to teach me and passed his Secret Test of Character.

Something horrible happened to me, so I trained to be able to stop it from happening to anyone else.

It just came naturally to me. What, you went through Training from Hell to get where you are? Pssh.

edited 19th Dec '10 8:33:48 PM by Desertopa

I observe nature, and I obtain inspiration from it.

19). I had nowhere else to go.