VARZESH-E PAHLAVANI
By Kuseru
Entrance Requirements: Limited to those of Honorable alignments. Minimum Attributes must be a P.S. of 12 and P.E. of 12.
Skill Cost:16 Years (14 Years as a Secondary Martial Art Style)
Varzesh-e Pahlavani, also (mistakenly) known as Varzesh-e Bastani (literally "Ancient Sport"), is the name for the traditional martial arts of Iran. It's histrory can be traced to the Parthian Empire (132BC-226AD), and even the word Pahlavan comes from Partha. Originally an academy of physical training for warriors who fought against Arab, Greek, and Mongol invaders, it is comprised of fighting with shamshir and shield as well as wrestling.
Practitioners of this style are known as Pahlavans, also written as Pahalwan, referring to strong men or wrestlers. Officials of the Shah's court in Iran are also known as Pahlavans, so several additional terms are used to differentiate wrestlers. These include Pahlavan-e Zoorgar (Master Wrestler), Jahan Pahlavan (originally an army rank in Iran, it was given to Rostam/Rustam, the national semi-mythical hero of Iran), and Pahlavan-e Bozorg (Grand Wrestler). A National Pahlavan of Iran is held where the wrestlers compete for the Bazoo-band or Armlet, given to the champion wrestler by the Shah on the first day of the Iranian New Year (March 21st).
Varzesh-e Pahlavani traning is conducted in a training hall which has similar architecture to that of Mithraic temples. This place is known variously as the Zoor Khaneh, Zoorkhaneh, and Zour Xaneh, meaning "house of strength." The entrance to the Zoor Khaneh is roughly waist high, requiring everyone who enters the training hall to bow and therefore show respect, when entering. Additionally there is a ritual of kissing the Gowd (ring) to show humility. Exercises start out with Sarnavazi (meditation) followed by hundreds of pushups, long sets of stretches, and several special body hardening exercises. Daily exercises are concluded with prayer. The teacher of this style is known as a Morshed. He teaches by chanting historic stories, as well as playing a drum to conduct the rhythmic music which teaches synchronization and the various techniques of the style. The Morshed also instructs Phalavan in manners of respect, humility, and general behavior.
Koshti refers to the wrestling portion of Varzesh-e Pahlavani and has some regional variations such as Koshti Loocho of Mazandaran province or Koshti Choukeh of Khorasan province. Unlike many styles of wrestling, an opponent is defeated by knockout or surrender. With the additional focus on snaps and twists, this form of wrestling is considered very brutal. Weapons training in this style focuses on the shamshir, either paired, or with a shield. It requires indepth knowledge of the body's tendons and deft strikes, with disabling an opponent's limb being a top priority.
Costume: The koshti was the ceremonial girdle of commitment to service, a service aimed at the continuous renovation of the living world for a progressive prosperity and a radiating happiness, and towards wholeness and immortality. The sadreh was the simple shirt worn next to the skin
Stance: Facing opponent, with one foot forward and the other back, arms extended forward and holding a shield on the left arm and shamshir in the right hand. If unarmed, the hands are held loosely out from the body as if holding a shield and sword.
CHARACTER BONUSES
Add +3 to P.S.
Add +1 to P.P.
Add +3 to P.E.
Add +30 to S.D.C.
COMBAT SKILLS
Attacks per Melee: 3
Escape Moves: Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact.
Attack Moves: None.
Basic Defense Moves: Automatic Parry, Dodge, Entangle, Parry.
Advanced Defense Moves: Disarm, Power Block/Parry
Hand Attacks: Punch (Human Fist)
Basic Foot Attacks: Kick Attack, Roundhouse Kick, Snap Kick.
Jumping Foot Attacks: Jump Kick
Special Attacks: Charkh (New! Dual Sword Strike, attack to the front and behind), Death Strike, Leap Attack
Holds/Locks: Finger Lock, Wrist Lock, Ankle Lock, Knee Lock, Elbow Lock, Finger Break (NEW!), Wrist Break (NEW!), Ankle Break (NEW!), Knee Break (NEW!), Elbow Break (NEW!).
Weapon Kata: W.P. Shamshir (Long Sword), W.P. Shield, W.P. Paired Clubs, W.P. Bow.
Modifiers to Attacks: Critical Strike, Knockout/Stun
SKILLS INCLUDED IN TRAINING
Martial Art Powers:Select a total of TWO (2) Martial Art Powers from among Body Hardening Exercises. Also select ONE (1) Martial Art Power from Atemi. If desired, any number of Martial Art Powers can be traded, on a one-for-one basis, for Basic Skill Programs (excluding Physical).
Body Hardening Exercises
Meels/Mills: This body hardening exercise uses Meels or Mills, wooden clubs weighing from 10-100 pounds and derived from the ancient Persian mace. The clubs are held at chest level and twisted behind the back and neck as well as juggled to build up strength in the wrist and shoulder muscles. Bonuses: +2 to P.S., +1 to P.E. At first level the character can juggle two clubs, +1 club at levels 5, 10, and 15. +1 to Initiative when using Meels, +1 to Throw at levels 4, 7, 10, & 13. Rate of Fire: 2 clubs at 1st level, +1 club at levels 5, 10, and 15.
Paye Baustani: A form of acrobatic aerobics involving cross stepping, forward jumping, and stretch kicks to strengthen lower limb muscles. +1 to P.S., +1 to P.P., +2 to Strike with Kicks & Jump Kicks, +2 to Damage on all kick attacks, Leap four feet high and five feet long, plus 2 feet per level of experience.
Kabedeh: This body hardening exercise involves using a bow and arrow as well as a heavy and hard to balance piece of chain known as a Kabedeh. The Kabedeh is thrown from side to side, over the head, to increase strength in the back, side and trapezium muscles. +2 to P.S., +25 feet to the effective range of any bow used at levels, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15. +1 to Rate of Fire with a bow at levels 5, 10, and 13. +1 to Strike with a bow at levels 1, 6, 10, and 14.
Languages: Farsi
Cultural: Dance, Meditation, Body Building.
Weapon Proficiencies: W.P. Shamshir (Long Sword), W.P. Shield.
Philosophical Training: Pahlavani study a mixture of Sufi spiritualism, Mithraistic traditional rituals, and Iranian heroic nationalism. Honesty, humility, kindness, and respect are important aspects of the philosophical teachings of this style, as is exercise in order to become a better individual.
If this is your Primary Martial Art then the following other styles can be learned in a shorter time: Kuresh (8 Years), Kalari Payit (7 Years), Muki (12 Years), Vajra-Musti (8 Years).
LEVEL ADVANCEMENT BONUSES
1st: +1 to Strike, +1 to Dodge/Parry, +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact.
2nd: +2 to Damage, Knockout/Stun on a Natural 20.
3rd: +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Joint Lock.
4^th: +1 to Strike, +1 to Dodge/Parry, +1 to Disarm.
5th: +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Joint Lock.
6th: +1 to Damage, Knockout/Stun on a Natural 19 or 20.
7th: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Atemi or Body Hardening Exercises.
8th: Critical Strike on a Natural 19 or 20.
9th: +1 to Strike, +1 to Dodge/Parry, +1 to Entangle.
10th: +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Initiative.
11th: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Atemi or Body Hardening Exercises.
12th: +1 to Damage, Knockout/Stun on a Natural 18, 19, or 20.
13th: Critical Strike on a Natural 18, 19, or 20.
14th: +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Joint Lock.
15th: Death Strike on a Natural 20.
Why Study Varzesh-e Pahlavani?
To join this style is to fully exploit the destructive power of the human body. A terrific, action-oriented martial art. Because of the total lack of mental training, against a Chi master or similar opponent, this style is at a disadvantage, but against untrained opponents, it is extremely deadly. A well-rounded system, with powerful offensive and defensive techniques, as well as basic weapons training, that excels at short-range combat.