Bagua Zhang- Eight Trigrams Palm Kung Fu
By Hibik
Entrance Requirements: Minimum IQ of 11, ME of 10.
Skill Cost: 14 Years (7 Years as a Secondary Martial Art.).

Bagua Zhang, or the Eight Trigrams Palm, is a relatively new (within the past 200 years), and very unique style of Chinese Kung Fu. Considered one of the "Three Sisters" internal arts (along with Taiji and Xing-Yi), Bagua can't clearly be traced back to an exact founder. However, the first person to teach Bagua to the public was a man named Dong Haichuan, who lived during the late Qing Dynasty. From his teaching, three separate students eventually formed their own separate, yet related versions of the style, resulting in the Yin Style, Cheng Style, and Liu Style forms of Eight Trigrams Palm. Note that the name Bagua is derived from the 8 Trigrams of the Yi Jing/I Ching, The Book of Changes, which sums up the ever-changing nature of this art.

Bagua as a combat art is rather unique and takes an unorthodox, yet logical approach to combat. In the main styles of Bagua (Yin and Cheng Style), there are typically 64 fighting skills (which is a matching number to the 64 Hexagrams which can be formed from the Eight Trigrams). There are no hard stances in Bagua, as this is considered inflexible and makes footwork and change slower. Instead, all stances are held shallow, and movements are based in a circle. The palm is also used almost exclusively; in training, 90% of Bagua attacks call for palms. In combat, a Bagua artist will use 80% palms. The reason for this is an open hand is a relaxed hand, and relaxation if of utmost importance. Bagua artists will rarely tighten their arm muscles up for anything. Opponents are viewed like a giant door, which is kept closed by their defense. A Bagua artist may have to open side doors, by attacking from the sides and breaking down his opponent's defense, to open the final door. Also, much like its tactical nature, Bagua Zhang also employs some exclusive or extremely rare weapons.

A great deal of internal training is also involved in practicing Bagua (hence its status as one of the "Three Sisters" arts. Much time is spent walking the circle; to not only develop the sixty-four combat skills, but also to focus on the building of chi. Artists must learn how to draw upon different types of Jing (sources of power): Guen (rolling), Zuan (drilling), Zheng (piercing), and Guo (wrapping) in order to hurt opponents with their palms. The legs require the artist to develop the power of Qi (lifting-up), Luo (dropping-down), Bai (swinging-out) and Ko (locking-in) Jing. Silk reeling energy, similar to Taiji, is also present in Bagua.

Bagua is a somewhat common art, available in China, Taiwan, and much of North America and Europe.

Costume: Silk Kung Fu Uniform, typically of the northern style (with long sleeves).
Stance: Bagua discourages the use of hard stances, instead using shallow stances that enable quick stepping, and a constant change in stances.
CHARACTER BONUSES
Add 10 to Chi
Add +2 to M.E.
Add +2 to P.P.
COMBAT SKILLS
Attacks Per Melee: 2
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: Palm, Knife Hand, Backhand, and Rotary Palm (SPECIAL! This is essentially a circular palm strike, employing power from the waist. Does normal palm strike damage, but also serves as a knockdown. Note that Soft Chi can be used to add extra damage to this attack.).
Basic Foot Attacks: Kick, Crescent Kick, Backward Sweep, and Tripping/Leg Hook.
Jumping Foot Attacks: None.
Special Attacks: Body Flip/Throw, Disarm, Forearm, and Combination Parry/Attack.
Holds/Locks: Wrist Lock, and Elbow Lock.
Weapon Katas (Select Two): WP Jian (Straight Sword), WP Dao (Broadsword), WP Qiang (Spear), WP Ji Zhua Yin Yang Rui (Chicken Claw Yin Yang Sharp (Paired)), WP Lu Jiao Dao (Deer Antler Knives (Paired)), WP Emei Ci (Emei Stingers (Paired)), WP Zhou Dao (Elbow Knives (Paired)) and WP Bagua Dao (Eight Trigrams Broadsword).
Modifiers to Attack: Pull Punch, Knockout/Stun, and Critical Strike.
SKILLS INCLUDED IN TRAINING
Martial Arts Powers: Select a total of TWO (2) from Chi Mastery, or Specialty Katas (including Chi Katas). Also available is the Bagua Circle Kata (see Mystic China). If desired, any number of powers can be traded, one-for-one, for any Basic Skill Programs.
Cultural: Wei Qi (Go)
Languages: Chinese (Mandarin or another dialect; choose one.)
Temple: Feng Shui.
Philosophical Training: Taoism.
If this is your primary martial art form, then the following other forms can be learned in shorter time: Taiji Quan (5 Years), and Xing Yi (5 Years).
LEVEL ADVANCEMENT BONUSES
1st: +2 to Parry and +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact.
2nd: +1 to Dodge and Strike.
3rd: Select One Ability from Chi Mastery, or Specialty Katas (including Chi Katas), and +1 Attacks per melee.
4th: Double Existing Chi.
5th: +1 to Parry, +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, and KO/Stun on Natural 19-20.
6th: Select 1 Ability from Chi Mastery (including Advanced), Martial Art Techniques, or Specialty Katas (including Chi Katas), and +1 to Dodge.
7th: +1 Attacks per Melee, and +1 to Strike.
8th: +1 to Parry, Critical Strike on Natural 19-20.
9th: Select One Ability from Chi Mastery (including Advanced), Marital Art Techniques or Specialty Katas (including Chi Katas).
10th: Double Existing Chi. +1 to Dodge.
11th: +1 to Parry.
12th: +1 to Strike, and +1 to Roll.
13th: +1 Attacks per Melee, and KO/Stun on Natural 17-20.
14th: Double Existing Chi.
15th: Select One Ability from Chi Mastery (including Advanced), Martial Art Techniques, or Specialty Katas (including Chi Katas). OR, select 1 Xian Chi.
Why Study Bagua Zhang?
A graceful, flexible, and tactical martial art, Bagua Zhang combines a unique approach to combat, with its circular theory and internal energy, to create a powerful style of Kung Fu.

Weapon Notes:
Zhou Dao (Elbow Knives): A pair of knives, roughly 6" long, single edged, with a slight curve. One is used for parrying, while the other is used for thrusting. Originally used by soldiers to disable cavalry, by means of rolling under the horse and driving the blades up (while being held in a backhand slash position supported by the forearms) with their elbows, hence the name. Damage: 1D4 each.

Bagua Dao (Bagua Saber): An extremely large saber, with a single edged heavy blade over 4ft. long. Damage: 3D6.

Lu Jiao Dao (Deer Antler Knives): Looking like a pair of crossed crescent blades, these paired weapons usually from 8-9 inches, to up to 2ft. long. The four points, hooks, and edges of the knives allow a Bagua artist to catch, hook, and lock empty hand and weapon attacks, while at the same time attacking with the other blade. It was thought that this Bagua exclusive weapon may have originally been designed to defeat the sword. Damage: 1D6 each.

Emei Ci (Emei Stingers): Also known as Brass Chopsticks by some, this pair of thin metal rods, connected to a pivoting ring, which fits upon the middle finger, was thought to be an underwater fighting weapon. Its design allows for a Bagua artist to apply his open hand techniques, as well as to deflect weapons. Damage: 1D4 each.

Ji Zhua Yin Yang Rui (Chicken Claw Yin Yang Sharp): A distinctive weapon of Baguazhang, using techniques based off of Bagua's empty handed combat style. Essentially held by a handle, connected to a large blade running down the length of the forearm, ending in a sharp hook. Above the point where it is held, there are 3 sharp hooks, and the blade ends in a double-edged point, useful for stabbing. A large curved and sharp hand guard protects the hand. Techniques for this weapon include thrusting, hooking, cutting and sliding. Like many other claw and hook weapons, they are useful in a pair. Damage: 1D6+2.