BARAQAH
By Kuseru
Entrance Requirements: No Alignment or Attribute requirements.
Skill Cost: 15 Years (13 Years as a Secondary Martial Art Style)
Baraqah is a rare Islamic discipline from Northern Africa. Much like Tai Chi, it is not considered a martial art so much as it is considered an method of Islamic sacred science, designed to cultivate physical grace and health. Practitioners, found wherever Islam has spread, practice their style behind closed doors and only openly demonstrate plain and utilitarian techniques.
As with Tai Chi, combat abilities are considered secondly, though the techniques are quite capable when used for self-defense. While practiced slowly and gracefully, maneuvers used in combat are applied at dizzying speed. Most of the moves in this style are defensive, though close-range striking, primarily low kicks and atemi strikes, is utilized.
Since Baraqah masters are Sufi mystics, esoteric teachings are practiced in this style. Typically studied are calligraphy, Islamic scripture, meditation, prayer, and other sacred arts. At the highest levels of the style are the most disciplined and spiritually-minded techniques.
Instruction in Baraqah, while rare, can be found throughout the Islamic world, with known schools in Iran, Iraq, North Africa, Malaysia, Pakistan, Spain, and Turkey.
Costume: Berber Dress; Knee or ankle length trousers with shirts topped by a sleeveless robe or dolman and a waist sash, leather stockings and leather slippers or harder shoes or boots with a Burnoose (hooded cloak) worn.
Stance: Rear leg bent slightly at the knee, forward leg a few inches off the ground, forward hand loosely outstretched, rear hand loosely at waist.
CHARACTER BONUSES
Add +5 to Chi
Add +1 to M.E.
Add +3 to M.A.
Add +2 to P.E.
Add +1 to P.P.
COMBAT SKILLS
Attacks per Melee: 1
Escape Moves: Backflip, Maintain Balance, Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact.
Attack Moves: Backflip
Basic Defense Moves: Automatic Parry, Backward Turn, Dodge, Parry.
Advanced Defense Moves: Breakfall, Circular Parry, Multiple Dodge, Spinning Evasion
Hand Attacks: Backhand, Punch (Human Fist), Rotary Palm Strike, Roundhouse Strike, Spinning Backhand*, Sweep Punch (NEW!)
Basic Foot Attacks: Backward Sweep, Forward Sweep (NEW!), Kick Attack, Snap Kick, Sweep Kick, Tripping/Leg Hook.
Jumping Foot Attacks: None.
Special Attacks: Body Flip/Throw, Roll/Knockdown, Pin/Incapacitate
Holds/Locks: Arm Lock, Body Hold, Sleeper Hold (NEW!)
Weapon Kata: None!
Modifiers to Attacks: Critical Strike, Knockout/Stun, Pull Punch.
SKILLS INCLUDED IN TRAINING
Martial Art Powers: Select a total of TWO (2) Martial Art Powers from among Atemi (including Advanced Atemi). You may also select ONE (1) Chi Mastery Ability. If desired, any number of Martial Art Powers can be traded, on a one-for-one basis, for Basic Skill Programs (excluding Physical).
Languages: Arabic
Cultural: Calligraphy, Lore: Religion
Temple: Meditation
Weapon Proficiencies:
Philosophical Training: Sufism
If this is your Primary Martial Art then the following other styles can be learned in a shorter time: Ch'a Ch'uan Kung Fu (4 Years), Tai Chi-Ch'uan (4 Years), or Taido (6 Years).
LEVEL ADVANCEMENT BONUSES
1st: +1 to Backflip, +1 to Rear Attacks (Backward Sweep, Backhand Strike), +1 to Spin, +1 to Turn.
2nd: +2 to Dodge/Parry, +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, +1 to Pull Punch.
3rd: Add +10 to Chi.
4th: Knockout/Stun on a Natural 20.
5th: +1 to Backflip, Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Atemi (including Advanced) or Chi Mastery Abilities.
6th: +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Rear Attacks (Backward Sweep, Backhand Strike).
7th: Add +10 to Chi, +1 to Spin.
8th: +1 to Turn, Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Atemi (including Advanced) or Chi Mastery Abilities.
9th: +1 to Dodge/Parry, +2 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, +2 to Pull Punch.
10th: +1 to Backflip, Knockout/Stun on a Natural 19, or 20.
11th: +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Rear Attacks (Backward Sweep, Backhand Strike).
12th: +1 to Spin, Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Atemi (including Advanced) or Chi Mastery Abilities.
13th: Add +10 to Chi, +1 to Turn.
14th: Add One (1) Zenjorike Power.
15th: Knockout/Stun on a Natural 18, 19, or 20.
Why Study Baraqah?
Powerful strikes and grappling skills make this a good martial art. Every effort is placed on the development of the mind and energy. On the other hand, it's not very aggressive. A fairly "soft" martial art style that emphasizes the idea of movement over simply inflicting damage.