SE CH'UAN - SNAKE FIST KUNG FU
By Tinker Dragoon
Entrance Requirements: No Alignment restrictions. Minimum Attributes are M.E.: 8, P.P.: 12, Spd.: 10
Skill Cost: 12 Years (9 Years as a Secondary Martial Art Form).
Yet another classic Chinese Style that imitates an animal, in this case the writhing motions and rapid debilitating strikes of the snake. Defenses in Se Ch'uan are typically soft and circular in nature, while attacks are hard and linear. The Snake Fist master prefers to evade the opponent's blows rather than block them, touching the opponent only to attack.
In combat the snake fist master will carefully size up the opponent, writhing and swaying from side to side, just out of the opponent's reach, using feints and sudden movements to provoke the opponent into attacking and leaving its vulnerable points undefended, at which time he will strike out with a single rapid Snake Fist or Atemi strike, often ending the fight in one attack. Against stronger and smarter opponents, powerful Negative Chi attacks and paralyzing blows will be employed to render the opponent helpless.
Se Ch'uan Kung Fu can be learned from martial art schools and lone hermits in China, Australia, and in Chinatowns across the USA and Canada.
Costume: Silk or cotton Kung Fu outfit, but sometimes bare-chested.
Stance: Upright, writhing and constantly shifting the angle of the body to the opponent, feet held at right angles and slightly apart with the right side of the body towards the opponent, arms are both bent with the right hand (the "snake fist") held at eye level, and the left hand held near the chest (reverse for the left-handed).
CHARACTER BONUSES
Add 4 to M.E.
Add 2 to P.P.
Double Normal Chi
COMBAT SKILLS
Attacks per Melee: 2
Escape Moves: Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact.
Attack Moves: None
Basic Defense Moves: Dodge, Parry, Automatic Parry.
Advanced Defensive Moves: Multiple Dodge, Breakfall, Combination Parry/Attack, Combination Dodge/Attack (SPECIAL! Against one opponent, once per melee round, the character can simultaneously dodge and attack. First the character must roll a successful dodge. If the dodge works, then the character rolls to strike using a Palm Strike, Snake Fist, or a melee weapon. No Strike or Damage bonuses allowed. The victim of Combination Dodge/Attack must use a melee round attack/action to defend against it, i.e. Automatic defenses won't work. Uses up one melee attack/action.)
Hand Attacks: Strike (Punch), Fingertip Attack, Palm Strike, Snake Fist (SPECIAL! An openhanded stabbing strike with the fingertips to soft parts of the body, imitating the head of a snake. Does 2D4 damage.), Two-Finger Strike (SPECIAL! a variant of the Fingertip Attack which uses two fingers instead of one, and does 2 points of damage. Any Atemi ability that requires a Fingertip Attack or Fore-Knuckle Fist to use can be performed with this strike.)
Basic Foot Attacks: Snap Kick, Tripping/Leg Hooks.
Jumping Foot Attacks: None
Special Attacks: Choke, Death Blow, Leap Attack, Paralysis Attack (Vital Points).
Holds/Locks: None
Weapon Kata: None
Modifiers to Attacks: Critical Strike, Critical Strike from Behind, Knockout/Stun from Behind.
SKILLS INCLUDED IN TRAINING
Martial Art Powers: Select three (3) Powers from among Atemi (including advanced), or Chi Mastery (including advanced). If desired, any number of Powers can be traded, one-for-one, for any Basic Skill Programs (excluding physical).
Languages: Chinese
Cultural: Acupressure*
Temple: Geomancy
Philosophical Training: Taoism
If this is your Primary Martial Art then the following other styles can be learned in a shorter time: Bok Pai (5 Years), Ch'in-Na (4 years), Fong Ngan (4 Years), Pao Pat Mei (3 Years), Tai-Chi Ch'uan (4 Years).
LEVEL ADVANCEMENT BONUSES
1st: +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, +1 to Strike, Critical Strike from Behind, Knockout/Stun from Behind.
2nd: +1 to Dodge, +1 to Damage.
3rd: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from among Atemi (including advanced) and Chi Mastery (including advanced).
4th: +1 to Breakfall, Critical Strike on Natural 19 or 20.
5th: +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, Death Blow on Natural 20.
6th: +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Strike.
7th: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from among Atemi (including Dim Mak and advanced) and Chi Mastery (including advanced).
8th: +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, +1 to Parry/Dodge.
9th: Double Existing Chi, Critical Strike on Natural 18, 19, or 20.
10th: +1 to Breakfall, +2 to Damage, +1 to Dodge.
11th: Select One (1) Zenjorike Power.
12th: +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Strike, +1 to Parry/Dodge.
13th: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from among Atemi (including Dim Mak and advanced) and Chi Mastery (including advanced).
14th: Death Blow (Can be used whenever desired, i.e. No Natural Number required, however, character must announce intentions to use the Attack per Melee, costs two melee attacks).
15th: Select One (1) Zenjorike Power.
Why Study SE CH'UAN?
Not the most damaging style, but powerful Atemi and Chi powers allow the Snake Fist stylist to disable and even kill his opponents without bloodshed. Decent defense against multiple attackers.
* New Skill: Acupressure is an ancient Chinese total body treatment, given through clothing on pressure points, to stimulate the flow and improve circulation of energy throughout the body. Like its Japanese equivalent shiatsu, acupressure requires no needles relying instead on the thumbs, palms, heels of the hands and elbows, (sometimes knees and feet) to apply held pressure on vital points on the body. Along with pressure point treatment, gentle stretching and corrective exercises are also used. Base Skill: 30%+5% per level of experience. (By Kuseru)