JAILHOUSE ROCK
By Kuseru
Entrance Requirements: Strictly limited to Dishonorable and Evil Alignments. Requires minimum P.S. 14 and P.E. 12.
Skill Cost: 11 Years (9 Years as a Secondary Martial Art Style)
Originally developed for self-defense among black slaves in 19th century America, this style evolved and was refined in the U.S. penal system. Due to the inherent secrecy of this style, it is known by many names, including 42, 52, 52 Hand Blocks, Barnyard, Closing Gates, Comstock, Gorilla, Mount Meg, PK, San Quentin, and Strato, among others.
Due to it's use in the prison environment, the style focuses on effective combat techniques for use in ambushes, close quarters, and against multiple attackers. Weapons used in this style are those commonly found in prison, such as homemade shanks and shivs, crude clubs, and other improvised weapons.
Costume: None.
Stance: None!
CHARACTER BONUSES
Add +3 to P.S.
Add +1 to P.E.
Add +6D6 to S.D.C.
COMBAT SKILLS
Attacks per Melee: 5
Escape Moves: None.
Attack Moves: None.
Basic Defense Moves: Automatic Parry, Dodge, Parry.
Advanced Defense Moves: Automatic Dodge, Disarm, Multiple Dodge, Power Block/Parry.
Hand Attacks: Backhand, Gouge (NEW!), Jab*, Punch (Human Fist)
Basic Foot Attacks: Backward Sweep, Drop Kick, Kick Attack, Reverse Turning Kick, Snap Kick, Tripping/Leg Hook
Jumping Foot Attacks: None.
Special Attacks: Body Block/Tackle, Choke, Death Blow, Death Blow from Behind, Death Strike, Elbow, Knee, Shoulder Ram
Holds/Locks: Finger Lock, Wrist Lock
Weapon Kata: W.P. Knife, W.P. Blunt, W.P. Weapon Improvisation
Modifiers to Attacks: Critical Strike, Critical Strike from Behind, Pain Strike (NEW!)
SKILLS INCLUDED IN TRAINING
Martial Art Powers: Yeah, right, like those will keep you alive in the Joint.
Languages: Cant
Rogue: Blind Fighting, Fashion Tools & Weapons, Find Contraband, Listening & Awareness, Palming
Physical: Body Building, Prowl
Survival: Streetwise
Weapon Proficiencies: W.P. Knife, W.P. Blunt, W.P. Weapon Improvisation
Philosophical Training: None.
If this is your Primary Martial Art then the following other styles can be learned in a shorter time: Arte della Daga (5 Years), Assassin (6 Years), Baratero (9 Years), Dolchfechten (10 Years), El Cuchillo (1 Year), Raks Al-Khanjar (2 Years).
LEVEL ADVANCEMENT BONUSES
1st: +2 to Strike, +3 to Damage.
2nd: +2 to Parry/Dodge.
3rd: +2 to Joint Locks, +2 to Rear Attacks (Backhand, Backward Sweep).
4th: Critical Strike on a Natural 19 or 20.
5th: +1 Attack per Melee, +2 to Strike.
6th: +1 to Initiative, +3 to Damage.
7th: +1 Attack per Melee, +2 to Joint Locks.
8th: +2 to Parry/Dodge, Critical Strike from Behind.
9th: Death Strike on a Natural 20.
10th: Critical Strike on a Natural 18, 19, or 20.
11th: +1 Attack per Melee.
12th: +1 to Initiative, +2 to Rear Attacks (Backhand, Backward Sweep).
13th: Death Blow (Can be used whenever desired (i.e. No Natural Number required), however, character must announce intentions to use the Attack per Melee, costs two melee attacks).
14th: +1 Attack per Melee.
15th: +1 to Initiative, Death Blow from Behind.
Why Study Jailhouse Rock?
If you're looking for spiritual enlightenment, do a traditional style. Capable of dealing with multiple attacks or multiple attackers with equal ease. A well-rounded system, with powerful offensive and defensive techniques, as well as basic weapons training, that excels at short-range combat. When it comes to quick and deadly, this is possibly the best of the martial arts.