San Soo
By Hengest

Entrance Requirements: No Attribute or Alignment restrictions
Skill Cost: 10 Years (4 Years as Secondary Martial Art)

Not to be confused with modern San Shou, San Soo originated in the Kwan-Yin (goddess of mercy) monastery in the village of Pon Hong in the Guangdong Province of southern China. The martial art was developed by the monks to protect themselves from bandits and outlaws as they returned with supplies and donations from the nearby villages.

One of the monks, Chin Moon Don, decided to leave the monastery when he was approximately 30 years old, and took with him two of the Buddhist training texts which probably date back to the Ming Dynasty (in the late 1500's). All of the techniques and forms taught today come from those two manuals.

San Soo was brought to the United States by Jimmy H. Woo in the 1930s. He taught only the Chinese in Los Angeles' China Town until 1959, when he decided to teach anyone who wanted to learn. In December of 1962, he held the official grand opening for his martial arts studio in El Monte, California, where it was called "Karate Kung-Fu", as no one knew what kung fu was at that time.

The proper name for San Soo is actually Tsoi Li Hoi Fut Hung, or "The Five Families", and it evolved through the efforts of five distinct individuals or clans, each representing a different aspect of San Soo's teachings: Tsoi (kicks and punches), Li (leverage and joint locks), Hoi (pressure points), Fut (psychology), and Hung (physical power).

In its forms, San Soo resembles many other styles of kung fu, using circular parrying movements with straight punches and low line kicks, amongst other techniques. However, where San Soo differs is in the application of these forms. It is a highly aggressive style, teaching students to make use of an enemy's reaction to a technique as an aid to the next strike, resulting in a method of attack that resembles the mauling action of a wild animal. And the fight doesn't end when the opponent hits the ground either; that just makes him easier to damage.

Weapons are taught at the higher levels. Teaching is only really found in the U.S. as the art has all but died in mainland China.

Costume: Standard Karate gi
Stance: San Soo practitioners tend to avoid set stances as they believe it allows the opponent to pre-empt an attack

CHARACTER BONUSES
Add +2 to M.A.
Add +1 to P.S.
Add +2 to P.P.
Add +1 to P.E.
Add +10 to S.D.C.

COMBAT SKILLS
Attacks per Melee: 4
Escape Moves: Maintain Balance, Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact.
Attack Moves: None.
Basic Defense Moves: Automatic Parry, Dodge, Parry.
Advanced Defense Moves: Breakfall, Circular Parry, Combination Parry/Attack, Disarm, Maul (Special! If the character is attacked with any hold/lock, grab or flip/throw, the character may roll to Maul in defense. It takes one attack and if successful, the attack is foiled and the attacker takes 1D8 damage).
Hand Attacks: Claw Hand, Knife Hand, Palm Strike, Punch (Human Fist).
Foot Attacks: Kick Attack, Snap Kick, Tripping/Leg Hook.
Jumping Foot Attacks: None.
Special Attacks: Body Flip/Throw, Choke, Death Blow, Elbow, Forearm, Knee, Paralysis Attack.
Holds/Locks: Leg Hold, Neck Hold, Wrist Lock.
Weapon Kata (Select Two): W.P. Large Sword, W.P. Staff, W.P. Flail, W.P. Sai (Paired), W.P. Short Swords (Paired), W.P. Axes (Paired).
Modifiers to Attacks: Critical Strike, Critical Strike from Behind.

SKILLS INCLUDED IN TRAINING
Martial Art Powers: Select a total of TWO (2) Powers from among Martial Art Techniques and Special Katas (including Weapon Kata).
Languages: Chinese
Philosophical Training: Buddhism
If this is your Primary Martial Art then the following other styles can be learned in a shorter time: Bak Mei (6 Years), Liang Hsiung (2 Years), Fong Ngan (3 Years), Li Chia (4 Years), Choy Li Fut (4 Years), or Tong Lun (4 Years)

LEVEL ADVANCEMENT BONUSES
1st: +2 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, +2 to Maul, and Critical Strike from Behind.
2nd: +2 to Damage, +1 to Parry/Dodge.
3rd: Critical Strike on a Natural 19-20.
4th: +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Strike.
5th: +1 to Maul, +1 to Parry/Dodge.
6th: Select one from Martial Art Techniques or Specialty Katas (not including Chi Katas).
7th: +1 to Maul, +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact.
8th: +1 Attack per Melee.
9th: +2 to Damage, Critical Strike on a Natural 18-20.
10th: Select one from Martial Art Techniques or Specialty Katas (not including Chi Katas).
11th: +1 to Parry/Dodge, +2 to Damage.
12th: +2 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact.
13th: Death Blow on a Natural 20, +1 to Strike.
14th: +1 to Maul, +1 Attacks per melee.
15th: Select one from Atemi, Specialty Katas (not including Chi Katas), or Martial Art Techniques.
Why Study San Soo?
A brutal, aggressive style that is particularly useful for defending against grapplers. Get in close and you're in for a shock!