Chen Jia Taiji Quan- Chen Family Grand Ultimate Fist
By Hibik
Entrance Requirements: None. However, the more patient generally prefer Taiji more so then the more rash and violent.
Skill Cost: 15 Years (7 Years as a Secondary Martial Art)

Considered by many to be the most original style of Taiji, Chen Style Taiji dates back to the Ming Dynasty, in the village of the Chen Family. The style's supposed founder was Chen Wang Ting, a military examiner during the final years of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD), Chen Wang Ting retired as the Ming Dynasty fell to the Manchurians and rebellions within central China. Being retired from military duty, it is said that Chen Wang Ting combined his knowledge of martial arts, with medical theory and Taoist breathing exercises. While some credit the creation of Taiji to the Chen family's historical patriarch, Chen Bu, historical documents seem to indicate Chen Wang Ting to be the founder. It may also be possible that the legendary Taoist monk Zhang San Feng was the creator of this art. It's interesting to note that the Yang Style of Taiji, and its descendants, typically tribute the Chen style as its founding style.

While no one may be able to verify the origins of Taiji, the legacy of the Chen family remains today in the Chen family style of Taiji. Divided into several sub-forms, including the Lao Jia (Old Frame) and Xiao Jia (Small Frame) sub styles, each form, created by a family Taiji master between the beginning of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912) and the present, is the choreographed knowledge of ancient masters, and each sub-form stresses different aspects of Chen Taiji.

Taiji Quan is a very relaxed art. Unlike many harder styles of Kung Fu, the Taiji artist is always calm. Never tense, always flowing like water, with controlled breathing. The building of Chi is of the utmost importance, and its growth is essential for mastery of this art. Of course, this means many years of training. It is typically years later until an artist of Taiji is able to use his skills in combat. In all reality, one never really stops practicing Taiji, as there is no such thing as perfection; simply moving yourself closer with each step and breath you take. The entire body is always moving, and all actions make careful use of body movement, using the legs to root down and reinforce strikes and pushes with shifting weight. Of course, in order to inflict damage you must be firm and hard, which Taiji accomplishes by stressing a transition between soft defenses, and hard, explosives strikes; Explosive power that comes at the point of impact.

Interesting enough, despite the popularity of Taiji, as a combat art it's much more rare. Since the "hard" part of training doesn't come until much later, many students never reach this stage, instead focusing on the soft circular movements and never moving on to its original combat aspects. Only those that can successfully merge hard movement with soft movement can master Taiji.

In combat, a Taiji master will keep his calm, remaining relaxed. He will feel his opponent's moves before acting, parrying aside blows gently. However, in order to attack, hard, explosive strikes are used, chi reinforcing all actions as it flows. It is also what can be considered one of the more aggressive (in relation) of the Taiji styles, containing techniques and maneuvers not present in the Yang Style and its descendants. The Master's pace is also very erratic, switching between fast and slow. At the advanced levels, a Chen Taiji artist doesn't even look like what most people would of as Taiji, with movements almost impossible for the eye to see. The movements are all about controlling an opponent, with little resistance on the part of the opponent. A Taiji artist fights to Zhan (Adhere to an Opponent), Nian (Follow his movements.), Lian (Maintain contact with the opponent.), and Sui (Responding without resisting.).

Instruction in Chen Taiji is available in many places. Being Taiji is a very popular art (especially due to the popularity of the Yang Style amongst the elderly), Taiji can be found in almost every major city. Of that, Chen Taiji schools make up a pretty strong share. Taiji is also the most popular of the "Three Sister" styles (the other two being Baguazhang and Hsing-I/Xing Yi) of Internal Martial Arts.

Costume: Silk Kung Fu Outfit.
Stance: Varies, typically a relaxed stance, legs shoulder width apart at a diagonal angle, as you face towards your opponent, or all the weight on the back leg, with the front leg barely touching the ground in a cat stance. Arms are out in open palms. Stances are usually always firm and rooted to the ground.
CHARACTER BONUSES
Add 15 to Chi
Add +1 to M.E.
Add +2 to M.A.
Add +2 to P.P.
COMBAT SKILLS
Attacks Per Melee: 2
Escape Moves: Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, and Maintain Balance.
Attack Moves: None
Basic Defense Moves: Dodge, Parry, and Automatic Parry.
Advanced Defenses: Circular Parry.
Hand Attacks: Strike (Punch), Palm Strike, Backhand, and Push Open Hand (SPECIAL! An open handed strike, using a shift in stance to bring all your weight into your blow, and knocking your opponent back. This does 1D6 damage, and knocks away your opponent a distance equal to 1ft. for every 5 points of Chi, rounding up.)
Basic Foot Attacks: Kick, Crescent Kick, Snap kick, and Tripping/Leg Hook.
Jumping Foot Attacks: None.
Special Attacks: Elbow, Forearm, and Fajing (SPECIAL! A source of power involving relaxation of the body, which allows you to draw upon tremendous amounts of power from your entire body when you strike, as you tense at that moment. A successful strike means that the opponent takes 1D4 Hit Point damage if he is not wearing armor! Against an armored opponent, Fajing will ignore the armor rating, and deliver a strike of 2D6 S.D.C. to the opponent. Requires 1 point of Chi per use, and can only be used once per melee.).
Holds/Locks: Finger Lock, Wrist Lock, and Arm Hold.
Weapon Katas (Select Two): WP Jian (Sword), WP Dao (Broadsword), WP Qiang (Spear), WP Gun (Staff), WP Er Jie Gun (2 Sectional Staff), WP Chui (Iron Maces (Paired)), or WP Chang Jian (Long Sword). (Note: The Jian, Dao, and Chang Jian are the most commonly seen Taiji weapons, followed by the Qiang. The rest are uncommon or rare.)
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 (including Advanced) or Specialty Katas (including Chi Katas). Also select 1 Xian Chi. If desired, any number of powers can be traded, one-for-one, for a Basic Skill Program.
Languages: Chinese (Select a Dialect, most commonly Mandarin, Cantonese, or Taiwanese.)
Philosophical Training: Taoism.
If this is your primary martial art form, then the following other forms can be learned in shorter time: Bagua Zhang (5 Years), Xing-Yi Quan (5 Years), or another Taiji Style (4 Years).
LEVEL ADVANCEMENT BONUSES
1st: +2 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, +2 to Parry.
2nd: +1 to Maintain Balance, +1 to Dodge.
3rd: Double Existing Chi, +1 to Strike.
4th: +1 Attack per Melee, Critical Strike on a Natural 19-20.
5th: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Chi Mastery (including Advanced), Martial Art Techniques, or Specialty Katas (including Chi Katas).
6th: +1 to Parry and Strike.
7th: Double Existing Chi.
8th: +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, +1 to Maintain Balance.
9th: +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Dodge.
10th: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Chi Mastery (including Advanced), Martial Art Techniques, or Specialty Katas (including Chi Katas).
11th: Double Existing Chi, +1 to Parry and Strike.
12th: Select a Xian Chi.
13th: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Chi Mastery (including Advanced), Martial Art Techniques, or Specialty Katas (including Chi Katas.
14th: +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Dodge.
15th: Double Existing Chi, +1 to Maintain Balance and Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact.
Why Study Chen Jia Taiji Quan?
Not only considered one of the founding styles of Taiji, the Chen style contains a well rounded system of physical, mental, and spiritual improvement, in addition to being an extremely effective system of internal martial arts. Also, Taiji is held in high regard as one of the internal "Three Sisters" of the Chinese Martial Arts.