Taizu Quan- Song Emperor's Long Fist
By Hibik
Entrance Requirements:
Skill Cost: 12 Years (6 Years as a Secondary Martial Art.)
Considered by some to be somewhat of a forefather to modern Chinese Kung Fu, Taizu Quan (also commonly known simply as Long Fist, or Chang Quan.) was created by the first Emperor of the Song Dynasty, Zhao Guangyin (who was known as Song Taizu, or "Great Emperor of the Song Dynasty", out of respect.). Song Taizu was a very skilled general, and a very talented Martial Artist. He originally devised what was known as the 32 Posture Long Fist Form, which later became known as Taizu Chang Quan (Song Emperor's Long Fist). While Taizu Quan was by no means the first style of Kung Fu (Kung Fu existing long before the Shaolin Temple, and before the 1st century B.C.), it became a very prominent style in the Martial Arts Community. From its creation, it became very popular amongst the common folk, who often needed a way to keep fit during the winter months, as well as a way to defend themselves from bandits.
With various teachers, each teaching various methods to different villages, eventually variations of Chang Quan sprung up, each style emphasizing different elements. From this, Chang Quan became a very open system, encompassing an extremely broad range of skills, and weapons. A general characteristic of this style is that it is very open, and unspecialized. Unlike more closed, specialized systems such as Bak Mei, Chang Quan is more of a free spirited and honest art, using many varieties of movements both long arm and short, and a very large complement of weapons. Chang Quan practitioners tend to have a lot of spirit, and are very much free spirited and bold. Wide sweeping movements and circular blows are very prominent in this style. Chang Quan is most noted for its extremely strong grasp of the basic skills, stances, and techniques of Kung Fu. It is due to this "grassroots" attitude, that more recent styles of Kung Fu have taken their basic skills from Chang Quan. Even the internal Taiji Quan has taken a large amount of its stances and posture from Chang Quan. It should be noted that the popular Bei Shaolin Chang Quan (Northern Shaolin Long Fist) is closely related to Chang Quan, but is a separate art from Taizu Quan.
In combat, a master of Chang Quan is quick and dynamic. Speed is his ally, rather then sheer damaging power. While Chang Quan is considered a Northern Chinese style, Chang Quan does not follow the rule of "Northern Leg, Southern Fist" in combat. Often, jump kicks and the more dynamic kicks above the head are merely for training purposes. In combat, kicks are kept low, and below the waist. Arm movements are quick and circular, and stances are kept sturdy and stable. A master is typically courageous and spirited, never backing off, and fighting hard, which only adds to the reputation of this style.
Taizu Quan and the other Chang Quan variants are very popular in China. Chang Quan is often practiced as a division of Contemporary Wushu, which adds to its popularity, but the more combative forms of Chang Quan can be found in China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.
Note: Chang Quan is often used as a general term for the Northern Styles of Chinese Martial Arts, and is also one of the categories of Contemporary Wushu. The art represented here is a representation of the original style of Chang Quan, and its closely related styles.
Costume: Silk Kung Fu Outfit.
Stance: Stances in Chang Quan vary, but they are typically very stable. The Forward Bow and Arrow Stance, Hanging Stance and Cat Stance are commonly used. Arms
tend to be extended out.
CHARACTER BONUSES
Add +10 to S.D.C.
Add +2 to P.E.
Add +1 to P.P.
Add +3 to Spd.
COMBAT SKILLS
Attacks Per Melee: 3
Escape Moves: Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, Backflip, Maintain Balance.
Attack Moves: Leap.
Basic Defense Moves: Dodge, Parry, and Automatic Parry.
Advanced Defenses: Circular Parry.
Hand Attacks: Punch (Strike), Double Knuckle Fist, Palm Strike, Backhand, and Knife Hand.
Basic Foot Attacks: Kick, Snap Kick, Crescent Kick, Backward Sweep, and Tripping/Leg Hook.
Jumping Foot Attacks: None.
Special Attacks: Knee, Elbow, and Forearm.
Holds/Locks: None.
Weapon Katas (Select Two): WP Jian (Sword), WP Dao (Saber/Broadsword), WP Gun (Staff), WP Qiang (Spear), WP Shao Zi (Sweeper), WP Bian (Hard Whip), WP Bi
Shou (Daggers (Paired)), WP Ji (Halberd), WP Pu Dao, WP Chan (Shovel), WP Ba (Rake), WP Jie Bian (Chain Whip), or WP Cha (Fork/Student).
Modifiers to Attack: Pull Punch, Critical Strike, Critical Strike from Rear, and Knockout/Stun.
SKILLS INCLUDED IN TRAINING
Martial Arts Powers: Select a total of TWO (2) from Body Hardening Exercises, or Specialty Katas. If desired, any number of powers can be traded, one-for-one, for any
Basic Skill Programs.
Languages: Chinese (select any dialect.)
Physical: Body Building, Running.
Philosophical Training: Taoism or Buddhism.
If this is your primary martial art form, then the following other forms can be learned in shorter time: Choy Lay Fut (4 Years), Cha Quan (4 Years), or Bei Shaolin Chang Quan
(5 Years).
LEVEL ADVANCEMENT BONUSES
1st: +2 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, +2 to Strike.
2nd: +1 to Parry and Dodge, +1 to Maintain Balance.
3rd: +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact.
4th: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Body Hardening Exercises, or Specialty Katas.
5th: +1 to Parry and Dodge.
6th: +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Initiative.
7th: Critical Strike on a Natural 19-20, +1 to Strike.
8th: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Body Hardening Exercises, or Specialty Katas.
9th: +1 to Parry, +1 to Maintain Balance.
10th: +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Dodge.
11th: +1 to Strike, and +1 to Initiative.
12th: +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact.
13th: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Body Hardening Exercises, or Specialty Katas.
14th: Critical Strike on Natural 18-20, and +1 to Parry.
15th: +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Strike.
Why Study Taizu Quan?
A bold, quick, and dynamic style, Chang Quan is a very beautiful art, with a solid foundation on the basic skills of Kung Fu. Its open nature and well-rounded techniques, as
well as its large choice of weapons, makes it a very flexible art. Its only weakness is a lack of internal abilities.