SILVER CANNON FIST
By GigaDragon
Silver Cannon Fist is one of the lost styles, the records and texts destroyed during the sacking of Shaolin Temple in Henan province during the rise of the Manchurian Dynasty. A Lohan named Shi Sun Long created the style, but he was slain in the battle to save the Temple from Sun Zi's Bannermen...he was betrayed by his Brother Lohan, Bak Mei (Note that anyone who knows this style would consider a Bak Mei Pai practitioner to be an enemy, or at least a rival to be defeated in fair combat!). The interesting thing about Cannon Fist is its almost total lack of kicking techniques and its simultaneous strike and parry techniques. The style is deceptive and devastating. A cannon Fist practitioner entering combat will rush in to close combat range and attack with a devastating flurry of hand strikes, simultaneously fending off any attacks, as well as combining Chi powers with physical strength. The philosophy behind the art is very similar to Bok Pai, but the training techniques are different.
Entrance Requirements: No attribute or alignment requirements, but a good P.S., P.P., and P.E. are helpful. Evil characters will find the deceptive qualifies attractive, but will be daunted by the harsh training regimen. Skill cost is 15 years training. Stance is a bow-stance with the fists up like a boxer. Even as a secondary art, it takes 15 years to learn.
Costume: Traditionally, the loose robes of a Shaolin Monk, or the tighter outfits worn by the Lohans, but any Costume can be used.
Character Bonuses
Add +10 to Chi
Add +2 to M.A.
Add +2 to P.P.
Add +2 to P.E.
Add +20 to S.D.C.
Combat Skills
Attacks per Melee: 1
Escape Moves: Roll with punch/fall/impact, and maintain balance.
Basic Defensive Moves: Dodge, parry, and automatic parry.
Advanced Defenses: Circular parry, combo parry/attack, disarm, and power block/parry.
Hand Attacks: All! Even those hand techniques usually exclusive to other arts, including(but not limited to) the phoenix eye, tiger claw, crane's beak, and etc.
Basic Foot Attacks: Tripping leg hooks, sweep kick, snap kick, and stop kick(actually a combo parry/strike, used to block the opponent's foot techniques. Does 1D6 damage if a successful parry is made, and counts as an automatic parry).
Special Attacks: Deathblow, body block/tackle, crush/squeeze, choke, combo strike/parry, combo grab/strike, elbow, forearm, and head butts.
Holds/Locks: Arm hold, leg hold, and neck hold.
Weapon Katas: Double broadsword, or Kwan Dao.
Modifiers to Attacks: Knock out/stun, critical strike, or critical strike from behind.
Skills Included in Training
Martial Arts Powers: Select one Chi power, one zenjorike power, and one from body hardening exercises(excluding kick practice).
Languages: Chinese
Physical: Boxing and gymnastics.
Philosophical Training: Buddhism and/or Taoism.
If this is your primary martial arts form, the following other styles(forms)can be learned in a shorter time: Western Pro Boxing(1 year), Wing Chun(3 years), Western Pro Wrestling(2 years), Xing Chiao(4 years), Bok Pai(3 years), Fong Ngan(3 years), Fu Chiao(3 years), and Choy Li Fut(3 years).
Level Advancement Bonuses:
1st +4 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, +1 to Strike, Knock Out/Stun on a Natural 20.
2nd +1 to Parry and Dodge, +2 to Damage, Critical Strike or Knock Out/Stun from behind.
3rd +1 attack per melee, +3 to Maintain Balance.
4th Select one Martial Art Power from Chi Mastery, Body Hardening, or Zenjorike.
5th +1 to Strike, +1 to Parry, and +2 to Damage.
6th Critical Strike on a Natural 19 or 20, Knock Out/Stun on a Natural 18, 19, or 20.
7th +1 Attack Per Melee, +2 to Roll With Punch/Fall/Impact.
8th Select one Martial Arts Power from Chi Mastery, Body Hardening, or Zenjorike.
9th Double Existing Chi!
10th +1 to Parry and Dodge.
11th +1 Attack Per Melee, Death Blow on a Natural 18 or better.
12th Select one Martial Arts Power from Chi Mastery, Body Hardening, or Zenjorike.
13th +1 to Strike, +2 to Damage.
14th +1 Attack Per Melee.
15th Double Existing Chi! Select one last Martial Arts Power from Chi Mastery, Body Hardening, or Zenjorike.
Why Study the Silver Cannon Fist?
A decent combination of advanced hand techniques and defenses, offset by its lack of powerful foot techniques. The range of hand techniques is the greatest of all the martial arts, and it provides strong Chi abilities to its students. The ultimate in Chinese boxing!
The Big Secret(and Adventure Idea?)!
Not all the texts and records were lost! The legend tells that Shi Sun Long gave the texts to Fong Doe Duck for safekeeping. Fong never taught the style out of respect for his slain Shaolin Brother, and he feared the styles power falling into the wrong hands...but he did keep the texts! Where did Fong hide them? Some hidden Taoist temple? Perhaps they were buried with him, somewhere? Who knows! Its up to the players to find it...another legend tells that the texts contained a cure for the Dim Mak...