Wu Song Tou Kao (Wu Song Breaks Manacles)
By Ray Bull <mailto:[email protected]>
Entrance Requirements: None
Skill Cost: 11 Years (Primary), 8 Years (Secondary)
An esoteric and little known style of kung fu, Wu Song Tou Kao owes it's origins to a chapter in the 12th century Chinese classic "Outlaws of the Marsh". From this novel, also known as "The Water Margin", the chapter "Wu Song goes wild at Flying Cloud Pools" provides the inspiration and foundation for this martial art. Wu Song, one of the 108 Rebels, was captured by Northern Song dynasty troops. Even though he was manacled, his martial skill was great enough to defeat his captors. In homage to the "founder" of this style, the students of Wu Song Breaks Manacles practice while pretending to be bound in manacles. At higher levels manacles are truly worn and even used as a weapon. Staff and broadsword are taught as part of two-on-one and four-on-one forms that help to prepare the student for encounters with multiple opponents.

Wu Song Tuo Kao is a quick and dynamic martial art. A student of this style is always moving; leaping, tumbling, and flipping to stay away from opponents. Strike fast and hard, then move out of range is the combat philosophy of this martial art. Preferring body and leg techniques to keep opponents at a distance and to prevent them from capturing bound hands, a Wu Song stylist will still use hand techniques when necessary.

Finding a Sifu (teacher) that teaches this style requires that the hopeful student go to mainland China. A kwoon (school) that has this style as part of it's curriculum will be rare. But one of the most famous can be found in Shanghai.
Costume: Standard Kung Fu Uniform
Stance:
CHARACTER BONUSES
Add 5 to Chi
Add 1 to M.E.
Add 1 to M.A.
Add 1 to P.S.
Add 1 to P.P.
Add 1 to Spd.
Add 5 to S.D.C.
COMBAT SKILLS
Attacks per Melee: Two (2)
Attack Moves: Leap, Backflip
Escape Moves: Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, Leap, Backflip
Basic Defense Moves: Dodge, Parry, Automatic Parry
Advanced Defense Moves: Multiple Dodge, Spin Evasion (see Ninjas & Superspies, Page 115)
Hand Attacks: Strike(Punch), Knife Hand, Spear Hand, Back Hand, Uppercut, Fingertip Attack
Foot Attacks: Kick Attack, Backward Sweep, Crescent Kick, Trip/Leg Hook, Axe Kick, Reverse Turning Kick
Jumping Foot Attacks: Jump Kick
Special Attacks: Leap Attack, Forearm, Knee, Elbow, Shoulder Ram, Body Flip/Throw (Entering Throw), Body Flip/Throw (Sweeping Throw)
Holds/Locks: Arm Hold
Modifiers to Attacks: Critical Strike, Critical Strike From Behind, Knock-Out/Stun, Knockout/Stun from Behind, Pull Punch
SKILLS INCLUDED IN TRAINING
Martial Art Powers: Automatically receive Body Hardening Exercise: Kick Practice. Select a total of two (2) Powers from among Body Hardening Exercises, Martial Arts Techniques, or Special Kata.
Languages: Chinese (Mandarin)
Physical: Gymnastics
Weapon Proficiencies: W.P. Staff, W.P. Chinese Broadswords (Paired), W.P. Manacles: These are simply a set of bracers that fit around the wrist/forearm area and a chain, 3 feet long, linking them together. They can be made from wood, or metal. Bonuses: +1 to Strike and Entangle at Level 1. +1 to Strike at Levels 3, 5, 8, 11, and 14. +1 to Parry at Levels 4, 7, 10, and 13. +1 to Entangle at Levels 2, 5, 8, 11, and 14. Damage: 1D4 (wood), 1D6 (metal).
Philosophical Training: Buddhism
If this is your Primary Martial Art then the following other styles can be learned in a shorter time: Shaolin Ch'uan (7 Years), Taido (7 Years)
LEVEL ADVANCEMENT BONUSES
1st: +2 to Parry/Dodge, +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, Critical Strike from Behind
2nd: +1 to Strike, Knockout/Stun from Behind
3rd: +1 to Damage, Select one (1) Martial Art Power from Body Hardening Exercises, Martial Arts Techniques, or Special Kata
4th: +1 to Backflip, +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact
5th: +1 Attack per Melee, Knockout/Stun on a Natural 19+
6th: +1 to Parry/Dodge, +1 to Damage
7th: Critical Strike on a Natural 19+, Automatically receive Weapon Kata: W.P. Manacles (The combat skills Choke, Circular Parry, Disarm, Body Flip/Throw (Hip Throw), and Trip/Leg Hook can be performed with this weapon.)
8th: +1 to Strike, +1 to Backflip
9th: +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Damage
10th: +1 to Spin Evasion, +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact
11th: +1 to Parry/Dodge, Select one (1) Martial Art Power from Body Hardening Exercises, Martial Arts Techniques, or Special Kata
12th: +1 to Damage, +1 to Backflip
13th: +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact
14th: +1 to Strike, Deathblow on a Natural 19+
15th: +1 to Spin Evasion, Select one (1) Martial Art Power from Body Hardening Exercises, Martial Arts Techniques, or Special Kata
Why Study WU SONG TUO KAO?
Lacking only mystical skills, this martial art teaches you how to fight with bound hands.