XIAO HU PAI- NIGHT TIGER KUNG FU (EXCLUSIVE)
By Hibik

Xiao Hu (Siao Fu) Pai, or Night Tiger Kung Fu, is a Southern Chinese art, thought to possibly have existed as far back as the Three Kingdoms Period. An old legend speaks of a group of mysterious Martial Artists known as the Night Tigers (or Xiao Hu), who were famous for appearing in the midst of battles to turn the tide. Records from several generals, including Guan Yu, and several Tang Dynasty generals, report their appearance, assistance, and subsequent disappearance when the battle was won.

The art was later passed down to a Martial Art family within Fukien province, who were apparently active rebels during the Qing Dynasty. However, the family was thought wiped out during the Boxer Rebellion, near the end when foreign soldiers were slowly retaking control of Peking.

However, there was a prominant son of the family who managed to survive, and lived to pass on his art to future generations. While it is still a pretty rare art, practiced by few, it is slowly gaining popularity in Taiwan and Southern China.

In Combat, a Master of Xiao Hu Pai will attempt to close in distance between him/her and his opponent, using his fists to attack. Being a Southern System, Xiao Hu Pai is extremely Short Hand. It's mostly grabs and punching, kicks rarely being delivered, because the legs are used for rooting. But when kicks are delivered, they tend to be powerful, sudden, quick, and below the waist. While the art itself is only taught to fairly honorable individuals, this was an art forged on the battlefield. Thus, "Fair Play" and "Honor" may only apply before the fight much of the time, if even that.

It is also a highly 'Internal' art, as the development of Chi is extremely important for without Internal Power, the system could never get close to being mastered. Being that Xiao Hu Pai was designed to face groups of enemy soldiers, so, it serves well when facing off against 3 or more opponents. Training in Xiao Hu Pai is really only available in Southern China and Taiwan.

Entrance Requirements: Limited to those of Honorable/Good Alignment.
Skill Cost: 14 Years.
Costume: Standard Kung Fu outfit, with black pants, and a white top. Wrestling Shoes OR Kung Fu shoes are also used.
Stance: Bow and Arrow Stance (Side Stance), with arms up in a position with lead arm extended into an open palm, and the other hand guarding the lead arm's armpit.
CHARACTER BONUSES
Add 15 to Chi
Add 1 to M.E.
Add 2 to P.P.
Add 1 to P.E.
Add 3 to Spd
COMBAT SKILLS
Attacks Per Melee: 3
Escape Moves: Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, Maintain Balance.
Attack Moves: Leap
Basic Defense Moves: Dodge, Parry, and Auto Parry.
Advanced Defenses: Circular Parry, Combination Parry/Attack, and Power Block/Parry.
Hand Attacks: Punch, Knife Hand, Backhand, Palm Strike, and Claw Hand.
Basic Foot Attacks: Kick, Snap Kick, and Backward Sweep.
Jumping Foot Attacks: None
Special Attacks: Deathblow, Forearm, Elbow, and Knee.
Holds/Locks: Elbow Lock, Body Hold, and Wrist Lock.
Weapon Katas (Select Two): W.P. Gun (Staff), W.P. Hu Die Dao (Butterfly Sabers (Paired)), W.P. Guan Dao, W.P. Pu Dao, W.P Fu (Axe: Paired), W.P. Hu Cha (Tiger Fork), W.P. Qian (Spear), W.P. Dao (Broadsword), W.P. Jian (Straight Sword),and W.P. Hu Tou Gou (Tiger head Hooks (Paired)). Add a new weapon Kata as per O.C.C. advancement bonus, or, if none, add one at Lv. 4, 8, and 12.
Modifiers to Attack: Pull Punch, KO/Stun, Critical Strike, and Critical Strike from Rear.
SKILLS INCLUDED IN TRAINING
Martial Arts Powers: Select a total of Two (2) powers from among Chi Mastery, Body Hardening Exercises, or Martial Art Techniques. If desired, any number of powers can be traded, one-for-one, for any Basic Skill Programs.
Languages: Chinese (Cantonese or Fukenese Dialect)
Physical: Running
Philosophical Training: Taoism.
Oriental: Feng Shui
If this is your primary martial art form, then the following other forms can be learned in shorter time, Bak Mei (4 years), Fong Ngan (4 Years), Pao Pat Mei (2 Years), Shaolin Kung Fu (6 years), Shantung Black Tiger (6 Years), Taijiquan (8 years), and Wui Wing Chun (7 Years),
LEVEL ADVANCEMENT BONUSES
1st: +2 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, +2 to Strike, and Critical Strike from Behind.
2nd: +2 to Parry, +1 Dodge.
3rd: +15 to Chi.
4th: +1 Attack, Critical Strike on Natural 19 or 20.
5th: Select One Martial Art Power from Chi Mastery, or Martial Art Techniques
6th: +1 to Roll. +1 to Leap.
7th: Double Existing Chi.
8th: +1 Attack per Melee.
9th: Select One Martial Art Power from Chi Mastery (Including Advanced), Specialty Katas (Including Chi Katas), or Martial Art Techniques.
10th: Critical Strike on a natural 18, 19, or 20.
11th: +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Strike and Parry.
12th: Select a Zenjorike.
13th: +1 to Maintain Balance, +1 to Damage.
14th: Double Existing Chi.
15th: Deathblow on a Natural 20.
Why Xiao Hu Pai?
An effective, fast, and solid combat form, Xiao Hu Pai, while providing quite a bit of effective external power, shows it's true strength in it's powerful internal techniques, involving Chi training and use, that can prove to be a devastating combo. Xiao Hu Pai's high speed, coupled with it's Shorthand nature, makes it especially effective against Martial Art Styles and Artists who are heavily kick reliant, being able to close the gap between the two combatants and finish things up close, or extremely external, using internal power to end the conflict. Probably it's only downside is the fact it is a very rare art, taught by very few, and it is also very difficult to master.