Qingping Jian-Green Water Lily Sword (EXCLUSIVE)
By Hibik

"If you are a nobleman of strong stature, then you must have Qingping Jian."
-Chen Lin, on Qingping Jian.

Qingping Jian is one of the oldest of the Chinese Swordsmanship styles. While information on its early years is sparse, historical references date back to as far as the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220 AD). The name Qingping Jian was coined by a practitioner named Chen Lin, whose quote above suggests Qingping Jian was a style of importance amongst the nobility.

It was during the 18th Century, by a Taoist monk named Pan Jen (whose Taoist name was Yuan Gui), that Qingping Jian was arranged and established into a formal set of swordplay routines. Pen Jen spent years meditating on Long Hu Shan (Dragon and Tiger Mountain), and travelling China exchanging martial techniques, eventually accumulating a profound knowledge of sword fighting. After years of experimentation and study, he eventually compiled all of his knowledge into six routines, which still exist today.

Qingping Jian contains a lot of techniques common to other systems of Taoist swordsmanship, including Dian (Point), Beng (Drop), Ci (Stab), Yun (Circle), Mo (Press), Gua (Parry), Tiao (Upward Slice), Liao (Glide Up), Ti (Raise), Jie (Intercept), Pi (Split), Lan (Obstruct), La (Pull Back), and Chan (Spiral). Some elements that make Qingping Jian different, however, include arrangement of its routines, and its particularly strong emphasis on footwork. Attacks are often followed by a short, evasive step in the opposite direction. It's also common for actions to have the sword, body, and legs all going in different directions. It's also common for a technique to involve, for example, circular sword motions, horizontal body coiling, and vertical jumping movements.

This complex combination of techniques takes a considerable amount of time to master, which is done by learning the fix routines. The first routine teaches the basics of the system, while the other five focus on complex, more demanding techniques that take many years to master. Each form contains over 60 movements, for a grand total of 365, typically with a four syllable name (Old Man Plucks Plum, for example). In addition, some attention goes to the building of internal energy. A Sword is a relatively light weapon, and in order to deflect heavier weapons such as a pole arm or axe, internal energy must be developed as well.

Qingping Jian is a difficult art to find, even today. It remains rather esoteric, with training available in the US or Taiwan.

Entrance Requirements: PP of 12 or higher.
Skill Cost: 15 Years (7 Years as a Secondary)
Costume: Standard Kung Fu outfit.
Stance: Relaxed side stance, with Jian (Chinese Straight Sword) in dominant hand, the other hand holding a two-finger salute.

CHARACTER BONUSES
Add 10 to Chi
Add 3 to M.A.
Add 2 to P.P.

COMBAT SKILLS
Attacks Per Melee: 3
Escape Moves: Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, Leap, and Maintain Balance.
Attack Moves: Leap.
Basic Defense Moves: Dodge, Parry, and Automatic Parry.
Advanced Defenses: Circular Parry, Multiple Dodge, Disarm, and Old Man Plucks Plum (SPECIAL! A combination Dodge and Strike where the artist leans back to evade a high to mid attack while at the same time slashing or kicking the opponent. Uses up one action, and can be used once per melee.)
Hand Attacks: Punch, Knife Hand, and Palm Strike.
Basic Foot Attacks: Kick and Snap Kick.
Jumping Foot Attacks: None.
Special Attacks: Deathblow, Leap Attack, Combination Parry/Slash, and Fan Flutters in Breeze (SPECIAL! A one legged sword thrust, where the artist lurches forward slightly as he thrusts a long range opponent before he has a chance to get into combat range. In game terms, this allows the artist to attack an opponent with no chance of an attack in return, EXCEPT by a long-range weapon (such as a staff, polearm, or bow), leap attack, or jump kick. After using Fan Flutters in Breeze, the artist can step closer and attack normally (as can the opponent), or move away, which means the opponent must spend an action to get back into range. This only works on empty handed or short weapon holding opponents, and only if the artist gets the initiative.)
Holds/Locks: None
Weapon Katas: W.P. Jian.
Modifiers to Attack: Pull Punch, KO/Stun, Critical Strike, and Critical Strike from Rear.

SKILLS INCLUDED IN TRAINING
Martial Arts Powers: Automatically Receives Martial Art Technique: Sword Chi. Select a total of TWO (2) from Chi Mastery, Specialty Katas (including Chi Katas), or Martial Art Techniques. If desired, any of these can be changed for Basic Skill Programs.
Languages: Chinese (most commonly Mandarin, Cantonese or Taiwanese)
Cultural: Artistic Calligraphy, and Wei Qi (Go).
Physical: Gymnastics.
Philosophical Training: Taoism.
Technical: Chinese Classical Studies.
If this is your primary martial art form, then the following other forms can be learned in shorter time: Gui Long (4 Years), Eighteen Weapons Kung Fu (3 Years) and Zanji Shinjinken-Ryu (4 Years).

LEVEL ADVANCEMENT BONUSES
1st: + 2 to Strike, +2 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact.
2nd: +2 to Parry and Dodge.
3rd: +2 to Leap and Maintain Balance, +1 Initiative.
4th: +1 Attacks per Melee, +2 to Disarm.
5th: Select an Ability from Chi Mastery, Specialty Katas (including Chi Katas), or Martial Art Techniques.
6th: Double Existing Chi.
7th: +1 to Parry and Dodge, +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact.
8th: +1 to Leap and Disarm, +1 Initiative.
9th: +1 Attack Per Melee.
10th: Select an Ability from Chi Mastery, Specialty Katas (including Chi Katas), and Martial Art Techniques.
11th: Critical Strike on a Natural 19-20.
12th: +1 Attacks per Melee.
13th: Deathblow on a Natural 20.
14th: Double Existing Chi.
15th: Select a Zenjorike..

Why Study Qingping Jian?
One of the most ancient, beautiful, and graceful styles of Chinese Swordsmanship. Qingping Jian contains some of the most advanced swordsmanship techniques of any Taoist sword system. With its strong swordsmanship and attention to internal training (with the building of chi), Qingping Jian's only major flaw is its reliance on a weapon, although the evasive ability of a Qingping Jian artist, whether armed or unarmed, is legendary.