Ying Jiao- Eagle Claw Kung Fu
By Hibik
Entrance Requirements:
Skill Cost: 14 Years (7 Years as a Secondary Martial Art.)

Eagle Claw, a system of Northern Kung Fu, traces its history back to the Southern Song Dynasty, to the famous general, Yue Fei. During the Song Dynasty's campaign against the Jin invaders from the North, Yue Fei was placed in command of an army while still in his 30's, due to his magnificent skill at military tactics, and his well-disciplined troops. During this time, Yue Fei also came up with the basic training of a joint locking system, which he was originally known as Elephant Boxing (due to the up and down arm motion, and the idea that an elephant's trunk can grab things.). His troops, armed with disciplined training and this system of Kung Fu, were able to rout army after army.

Records of Yue Fei's system, later known as Eagle Claw Kung Fu, didn't appear until later, during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), when a man named Lau Si Chun learned Eagle Claw from the Buddhist monk Fat Sing, who himself was a master of the system Fan Tzu Ying Jiao, which was a hybrid of Fan Tzu and Eagle Claw. Up until this time, Eagle Claw was not a terribly popular system, usually being known to only Buddhist monks. From Lau Si Chun (who spent his life promoting the Eagle Claw style), it was passed down through the Lau family for several hundred years, up until the late grandmaster Lau Fat Mang, and now the current grandmaster, Lily Lau.

Eagle Claw is a system that is abundant with joint locks, take downs, and pressure point strikes, all of which are performed at high speed, so that all techniques are performed quick and efficiently. The adaptations from Fan Tzu include drawing power from the spring of the legs, so sudden explosive movements in legs and stance are the power source for Ying Jiao. The namesake grab of the style, the Eagle Claw, is used extensively to catch the opponent's wrist, joints, limbs, and vital points. This system's primary targets are the 108 Chin Na (Qin Na) vital points, which are used to cause pain, restrict movement, or even kill. Through use of these points, an Eagle Claw artist can gain control of a situation and incapacitate an opponent.

In combat, a master of Eagle Claw will defend against an opponent's attack with a parry or grab, following up with a painful joint lock. From there, the master will either go for a limb break, a painful pressure point strike, or a choke. He or she may also resort to using a leg sweep to keep the opponent off balance or knock him down as well.

Training for Eagle Claw is available in the United States, Taiwan, and China.

Costume: Silk Kung Fu uniform.
Stance: A relaxed, none too deep stance. This way, the artist can retaliate quickly and without effort.
CHARACTER BONUSES
Add +2 to M.E.
Add +2 to P.P.
COMBAT SKILLS
Attacks Per Melee: 2
Escape Moves: Backflip, Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact.
Attack Moves: None.
Basic Defense Moves: Dodge, Parry, Grab, and Automatic Parry.
Advanced Defenses: Circular Parry, and Disarm.
Hand Attacks: Punch (Strike), Palm Strike, Backhand, Knife Hand, Fore Knuckle Fist, and Eagle Claw (Claw Hand).
Basic Foot Attacks: Kick, Snap Kick, and Tripping/Leg Hook.
Jumping Foot Attacks: None.
Special Attacks: Knee, Elbow, Paralysis Attack (Vital Points), and Deathblow.
Holds/Locks: Finger Lock, Wrist Lock, Elbow Lock, Arm Hold, Body Hold, and Automatic Wrist Lock.
Weapon Katas: None.
Modifiers to Attack: Pull Punch, Knockout/Stun, Critical Strike, and Critical Strike from Rear.
SKILLS INCLUDED IN TRAINING
Martial Arts Powers: Select a total of TWO (2) from Tien Hsueh/Atemi (including Advanced), or Specialty Katas. If desired, any number of powers can be traded, one-for-one, for any Basic Skill Programs.
Languages: Chinese (select a Northern dialect.)
Medical: Acupuncture/Moxibustion, and Acupressure.
Philosophical Training: Buddhism.
If this is your primary martial art form, then the following other forms can be learned in shorter time: Chin Na (4 Years), Tang Lang (4 Years), or another Mantis Style (4 Years).
LEVEL ADVANCEMENT BONUSES
1st: +2 to Parry, and +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact.
2nd: +2 to Grab, +2 to Strike.
3rd: +2 to Backflip, Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Tien Hsueh/Atemi (including Advanced), or Specialty Katas.
4th: +2 to Disarm, Critical Strike on a Natural 19-20.
5th: +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Dodge.
6th: +1 to Strike and Parry.
7th: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Tien Hsueh/Atemi (including Advanced), or Specialty Katas.
8th: +1 to Grab, +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact.
9th: +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Disarm.
10th: +1 to Strike and Dodge, +1 to Backflip.
11th: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Tien Hsueh/Atemi (including Advanced), or Specialty Katas.
12th: +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Grab.
13th: +1 to Strike and Parry.
14th: +1 to Disarm, +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact.
15th: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Tien Hsueh/Atemi (including Advanced), or Specialty Katas.
Why Study Ying Jiao?
A defensive, yet quick and lethal form of Kung Fu, Eagle Claw teaches its students how to immobilize, stun, or kill an opponent quickly and efficiently, without wasted effort. It is an art that suits those of any stature, as techniques do not need a lot of muscle strength to pull off.