Fujian Bai He Quan- Fujian White Crane Kung Fu

By Hibik

Entrance Requirements: ME and PP of 11 or higher, no alignment restrictions.
Skill Cost: 15 Years (7Years as a Secondary Martial Art)

Fujian White Crane Kung Fu, a southern Chinese style, was created during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) about 300 years ago, in the Yong Chun district of Fujian province. It's founder, Fan Qiang Liang, was the daughter of a famous Kung Fu master, Fan Fei Si. Even though Fan Qiang Liang was well trained by her father, her small stature (very petite by western standards) made it impossible for her to develop her father's striking power, or the striking power of most similarly trained men.

It is said that one day, while washing her clothes, a very curious crane flew in and observed Fan Qiang Liang. Annoyed, she took a stick and attempted to shoo it off. Instead of flying away, the bird merely ducked in, knocking the stick away. After awhile of attacking the crane, to no avail due to the birds graceful dodging and pecking, Fan Qiang Liang had the idea of taking the birds graceful movements, and incorporating them into her own style. While Martial Artists trained their bodies to receive damage, she reasoned that certain parts of the human body couldn't be made impervious to damage. These areas included the eyes, throat, kidney, floater rib, groin, solar plexus, and knees. By adapting a counter attack philosophy, Fan Qiang Liang could let the enemy commit himself to an attack, as she merely evaded the blow, moved in, and struck the enemy in his weakest point.

Eventually, Fan Qiang Liang was married, and she herself had students (including her husband). These students would become the Fujian Bai He Quan masters who would spread the art throughout the rest of China. Its influence even reached as far as Okinawa, as Miyagi Chojun, the founder of what would become Goju Ryu Karate, was a student of Fujian White Crane.

In combat, a master of Fujian White Crane will adapt a counter fighting philosophy. Waiting for an enemy to commit to an attack, the White Crane artist will parry the blow, as he or she steps in to strike a vital point. It's also not uncommon for the White Crane artist to move back and absorb the attack, before stepping in and striking. Sidesteps and twisting movements are common within the system, as so the White Crane artist can let the opponent's attack flow past them harmlessly, and capitalizing on the attack when the opponent is unable to react. Heavy attention is paid to stances and footwork, as strikes need a firm stance (and thus, foundation) to bring forth power. Favored hand techniques within this system include the Phoenix Eye Fist, and the Spear Hand, with kicks rarely being delivered, except in the form of low sweeps and groin strikes.

While it isn't commonly known, Fujian White Crane also contains a soft Qigong set, which allows students to develop pliable and flexible bodies, from which they can generate intense striking power in an instant. The increased relaxation also encourages the flow of chi, and allows a student to develop the ability to use their energy to heal as well as harm.

Fujian White Crane is not a common style, although its popularity is increasing over time. Teachers of Fujian White Crane can be found in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and North America. Also note that this style is commonly confused with the Tibetan White Crane system, although the two, upon closer inspection, have distinct differences.

Costume: Silk Kung Fu uniform.
Stance: Fujian White Crane usually favors medium, strongly rooted stance. From these stances, the artist can move quickly, and switch stances as a situation is needed.

CHARACTER BONUSES
Add +5 to S.D.C.
Add +5 to Chi.
Add +2 to M.E.
Add +1 to M.A.
Add +1 to P.P.

COMBAT SKILLS
Attacks Per Melee: 3
Escape Moves: Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, Maintain Balance.
Attack Moves: None.
Basic Defense Moves: Dodge, Parry, and Automatic Parry.
Advanced Defenses: Circular Parry.
Hand Attacks: Punch (Strike), Phoenix Eye Fist (variation of the duo knuckle fist), Spear Hand, Fingertip Attack, and Knife Hand.
Basic Foot Attacks: Kick, Snap Kick, and Tripping/Leg Hook.
Jumping Foot Attacks: None.
Special Attacks: Combination Strike/Parry, Deathblow, Elbow, and Paralysis Attack (Vital Points).
Holds/Locks: Wrist Lock.
Weapon Katas (Select Two): WP Pu Dao, WP Gun (Staff), WP Gwai (Cane), WP Shan (Fan), WP Guan Dao (Guan's Saber), WP Dao (Broadsword, Paired), WP Jian (Straight Sword), WP Hu Cha (Tiger Fork), or WP Chai (Hairpin/Sai, Paired)
Modifiers to Attack: Pull Punch, Critical Strike, Critical Strike from Rear, Knockout/Stun, and Knockout/Stun from Behind.

SKILLS INCLUDED IN TRAINING
Martial Arts Powers: Select a total of TWO (2) abilities from Atemi, Body Hardening Exercises, or Martial Art Techniques. If desired, any number of powers can be traded, one-for-one, for any Basic Skill Programs.
Languages: Chinese (Cantonese, Fuzhou, or another southern dialect, choose one.)
Philosophical Training: Chan (Zen) Buddhism.

If this is your primary martial art form, then the following other forms can be learned in shorter time: Bak Mei (5 Years), Tang Lang/Mantis (4 Years), or Tibetan White Crane (5 Years).

LEVEL ADVANCEMENT BONUSES
1st: +2 to Strike, +1 to Damage.
2nd: Critical Strike on Natural 19-20, +1 to Parry, +1 to Maintain Balance.
3rd: +1 Attack, Select one from Atemi, Body Hardening Exercises, or Martial Art Techniques.
4th: +10 to Chi, +1 to Parry, +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact.
5th: +1 to Strike, +1 to Dodge, +1 to Maintain Balance.
6th: +1 to Damage. Select One from Atemi, Body Hardening Exercises, or Martial Art Techniques.
7th: +1 Attack, +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact.
8th: Critical Strike on a Natural 18-20.
9th: Double Existing Chi, +1 to Damage.
10th: +1 to Strike. Select one from Atemi, Chi Mastery, or Martial Art Techniques,
11th: +1 Damage, +1 to Maintain Balance.
12th: +1 Attack.
13th: +1 to Pull Punch, +1 to Damage.
14th: +1 to Strike, +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact.
15th: Select one from Atemi, Chi Mastery, or Martial Art Techniques.

Why Study Fujian White Crane?
A flexible, aggressive style of Kung Fu, Fujian White Crane provides a strong knowledge of pressure points and body structure (and of course, methods of breaking/controlling body structure). Fujian White Crane also contains training in internal energy (Chi) as well. Fujian White Crane is a style suitable for women and the small of frame, as it's not reliant on muscle strength or brute force to deal damage.