JOGO DE PAU
By Kuseru
Entrance Requirements: Restricted to good alignments. No attribute requirements.
Skill Cost: 11 Years (9 Years as a Secondary Martial Art Style)
Jogo de Pau ("the stick game," or "stick-fencing") is a staff fighting style developed in the Alto Minho and Trás-os-Montes, northern regions of Portugal. While the origins of this style are uncertain, there is strong evidence that it derived its techniques from a dance in India imported to region.
The purpose is primarily self-defense against robbers and other aggressors. Due to the demeanor of the people in this region, who greatly valued family and personal honor, this style was also used to settle accounts, disputes and matters of honor between individuals, families and even whole villages as well as paulada (stick-fencing matches) conducted between young men of different villages. Travelers of various types also used this style for support on long daily walks, pilgrimages, to help cross rivers, by young men patrolling their lands and the shepherds of the high mountain ranges to protect their sheep from wolves.
The Pau, or staff, was typically made from a type of wood known as o varapau or cajado, and was typically the height of the wielder, or about five feet long. Gripping the staff varied, from a shortened grip while ascending steep terrain, to a longer grip at other times. The staff was used for both attacks and defense, vaulting over shallow streams, and when left at the door of the home of one's sweetheart, as in indicator that no one else had business there. The style combines great mobility and high efficiency as well as fighting against multiple attackers.
A mestre (master) of this style was eagerly sought and parents sent their children to these masters so they could learn discipline as part of their education. Early masters were so eagerly sought that they earned substantial income. In the 19th century the style was brought to the region of Lisbon who changed the style. Now the style is typically taught in special schools in Cabeceiras de Basto, Fafe, and Salto (Montalegre) as well as Lisbon.
Costume: Essentially street clothes.
Stance: Feet shoulder's width apart with knees bent about halfway down, back and shoulders straight upright. The hands and arms holding the staff away from the body and vertical to the ground; the top hand holding the wood at the top and the bottom hand holding it at the bottom.
CHARACTER BONUSES
Add +1 to M.E.
Add +1 to P.S.
Add +3 to P.E.
Add +5 to Spd.
Add +5 to S.D.C.
COMBAT SKILLS
Attacks per Melee: 4
Escape Moves: Back Flip, Maintain Balance, Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact
Attack Moves: Pole Vault (NEW!)
Basic Defense Moves: Automatic Parry, Dodge, Parry.
Advanced Defense Moves: Circular Parry, Combination Parry/Attack, Disarm
Hand Attacks: Punch (Human Fist)
Basic Foot Attacks: Kick Attack
Jumping Foot Attacks: Pole Kick (NEW!)
Special Attacks: Backward Thrust, Clothesline, Death Strike (NEW!), Trip/Leg Hook-Weapon (NEW!).
Holds/Locks: None.
Weapon Kata: W.P. Staff, W.P. Reverse Stroke.
Modifiers to Attacks: Critical Strike, Critical Strike from Behind, Knockout/Stun, Knockout/Stun from Behind, Pull Punch.
SKILLS INCLUDED IN TRAINING
Martial Art Powers: None.
Languages: Portuguese
Cultural: Dancing
Physical: Outdoorsmanship, Physical Labor
Weapon Proficiencies: W.P. Staff, W.P. Reverse Stroke.
Philosophical Training: None.
If this is your Primary Martial Art then the following other styles can be learned in a shorter time: Canne de Combat (5 Years), Savate (11 Years), Zipota (5 Years).
LEVEL ADVANCEMENT BONUSES
1st: +1 to Parry/Dodge, +2 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, +1 to Pole Vault (add 4 feet to leap distance).
2nd: +2 to Strike with Staff, Knockout/Stun from Behind.
3rd: +2 to Damage with Staff, Critical Strike from Behind.
4th: +1 to Initiative, +1 to Pole Vault (add 4 feet to leap distance).
5th: +1 Attack per Melee.
6th: Add 3 levels to W.P. Staff, Knockout/Stun on a Natural 20.
7th: +1 to Strike with Staff, Critical Strike on a Natural 19 or 20.
8th: +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Damage with Staff.
9th: +1 to Initiative, +1 to Pole Vault (add 4 feet to leap distance).
10th: +2 to Parry/Dodge, +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact.
11th: +1 to Strike with Staff, Knockout/Stun on a Natural 19 or 20.
12th: +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Damage with Staff.
13th: +1 to Initiative, +1 to Pole Vault (add 4 feet to leap distance).
14th: +1 Attack per Melee.
15th: Death Strike on a Natural 20.
Why Study JOGO DE PAU?
The art is effective but not very glamorous. With the long reach and power of a weapon, this style allows a student to take on multiple attackers as easily as single ones and dispatch them quickly. It also provides good defenses against multiple attackers in addition to good offensive capabilities. This style lacks any true spiritual training, which may be a loss for some.