IMPORTANT NOTE!: Because the training is so mentaly intense and difficult to
find a teacher, it can only be selected as a Primary Martial Art. If using
OCC's. Yo Tao Hsien costs 3 OCC Related and 3 Secondary Skill slots. That
is AND, not OR.
Yo Tao Hsien, or The Jade Path to Immortality, is a unique martial art
form. Developed by an Enlightened Immortal named Jiu Luin, it's purpose is
to teach mastery of the mind and spirit in the belief that this will lead to
the mastery of the body and the development of an Internal Alchemy. Jiu Luin
has been alive since 1000 BC and in her many years on Earth mastered over a
dozen Martial Arts, from the purely internal to the purely external.
Desiring a form that would help teach others the secrets of Internal
Alchemy, and finding that Hsieh Hsien Kung Fu too rigid, she developed her own.
The result, Yo Tao Hsien is a versitile martial art that teaches a wide
variety of internal abilites. It is an effective combat form, though many
others are more powerful. The techniques are simple and straightforward.
It is designed to be easy to learn yet difficult to master. The focus on
the mind and spirit, along with intellectual pursuits makes it undesirable
to those wanting raw power. Hours are devoted not only to introspection,
but learning about the world around the student as well, as most who seek
Enlightened Immortality are inquisitive by nature. After all, why live
forever if your going to sit on some remote mountain top? Such a person
doesn't deserve the gift of Immortality in the opinion of Jiu Luin. As such
practical skills are taught alongside Chi mastery and the curious spirit is
encouraged and nutured by the art. However, only the patient student will
learn all the secrets Yo Tao Hsien has to offer, and achieve a state of TiHsien.
Instruction in the art is only available from Jiu Luin herself or a former
student who acheived Ti Hsien. Jiu, for obvious reasons, keeps her
Immortality a closely guarded secret, revealing it only to those she trusts
dearly. From that small group, she looks for those with the curiousity and
potential to become an Enlightened Immortal. She may spend years feeling
out a potential student, often the student is never even aware she is
probing them. Once she is satisfied the student is a worthy candidate she
will slowly reveal bits and pieces of information, testing them. If they
pass the test, she reveals her nature and instructs them in the art of Yo
Tao Hsien.
To the praticioner of Yo Tao Hsien, combat is a serious matter and the
battle is often won before the first blow is thrown. Combat is to be
avoided if possible, giving an opponent every way possible to back off
without losing face. However, if the student feels that combat is inevitable
or desirable, he is instructed to taunt and demean the opponent, but never
throw the first blow. During combat, the student is to remain silent, using
parry or absorbing the blows to intimidate an opponent. They prefer a close
in range, within inches of the opponent, using simultaneous attacks. The
idea being to either force the opponent to back down, or throw him off his
game. Once in combat the philosophy of Yo Tao Hsien is to defeat the
opponent absolutely. The first strike is often the Pang Bi or Slap of
Disrespect. Then using disabling Chi or Atemi attacks, finally beating the
opponent into near unconciousness with physical blows, stopping only when
she has been so soundly beaten that she is unlikely to ever fight the
student of Yo Tao Hsien again. Generaly, the student will then show respect
to a worthy opponent, even tending any wounds inflicted. This is to show
the opponent the beating was not done out of malice but out of necessity. If
the opponent returns for another beating, having not learned their lesson
the first time, the student is instructed to finish the fight permanently.
Entrance Requirements: Restricted to Good, Selfish, and Aberrant Alignments
with a leaning toward becoming Taoist as mastery progresses. Attribute Restrictions: Minimum IQ 15. ME 13. Costume: None. Yo Tao Hsien students learn to fight in normal clothes. Stance: Relaxed stance. One foot slightly ahead of the other, arms bent at
a 45 degree angle, fingers bent slightly, one hand above the other in front
of the chest.
CHARACTER BONUSES
Double Existing Chi
Add 2 to M.A.
Add 2 to M.E.
COMBAT SKILLS Attacks Per Melee: 1 Escape Moves: Roll w/ Punc/Fall/Impact. Basic Defense Moves: Parry, Auto Parry, Dodge Advanced Defense Moves: Disarm Hand Attacks: Strike (Punch), Knife Hand, Backhand, Finger Attack, Palm
Strike, Pang Bi (SPECIAL!: A slap to the face with the palm, and a quick
smack to the other side of the face with the back of the hand (A classic
Paint Brush). The Pang Bi does only 1 point of damage, but stuns the
opponent causing them to loose an attack and are -1 to all combat rolls.
This penaly lasts one full melee round.) Basic Foot Attacks: Snap Kick, Backward Sweep, Trip/Leg Hook Special Attacks: Choke. Auto Body Flip/Throw. Paralysis Attack Holds/Locks: Arm Hold, Leg Hold, Wrist Lock, Neck Hold. Weapons Katas: None Modifiers to Attack: KO/Stun, Critical Strike.
SKILLS INCLUDED IN TRAINING Martial Arts Powers: Select a total of four (4) powers. One (1) from
Atemi, Two (2) from Chi Mastery or Chi Katas and one (1) from Martial Arts
Techniques Languages: Chinese Philosophical Training: Taoism Skills: Any two Cultural, Domestic or Lore skill.
If this is your primary form, NO other forms can be learned until it has
been mastered (Reach 15th Level).
LEVEL ADVANCEMENT BONUSES Level 1: +2 to Disarm, +1 to Strike, Knock-Out/Stun on Natural 19 or 20. Level 2: +2 to Parry, +1 to Damage. Level 3: +1 Attack Per Melee, +1 to Initiative. Level 4: Select One (1) Ability from among Chi Mastery, Chi Katas, or Atemi
Abilities. Level 5: Double Existing Chi. Level 6: +1 to Parry, +1 to Strike. Level 7: +1 Attack Per Melee, Critical Strike on 18, 19, or 20. Level 8: Select One (1) Ability from Among Advanced Chi Mastery, Zenjoriki, or
Advanced Atemi. Level 9: +1 to Disarm, +1 to Damage. Level 10: Double Existing Chi. Level 11: +2 to Initiative Level 12: Select One (1) Ability from Among Advanced Chi Mastery, Zenjoriki, or
Advanced Atemi. Level 13: +1 to Strike, +1 Attack per Melee. Level 14: Double Existing Chi. Level 15: Select One (1) Ability from Among Advanced Chi Mastery, Zenjoriki, or
Advanced Atemi Level 16:SPECIAL!: Unlike most Martial Arts which have no special bonuses for
advancing beyond 15th level, a Student of Yo Tao Hsien who has achieved this
level of mastery attains the prize that led them to learn this art in the
first place.
Advancing 1,000 Experience points beyond 15th will result in
achieving Ti Hsien.
Why Study Yo Tao Hsien?
It is a Martial Art Form strong in the development
of the Mind and Spirit as well as a capable physical Martial Art. It is
defensively weak form with no advanced defences, body hardening, or weapons
katas. It is also hard to find the Instructor. However, the promise of Ti
Hsien is well worth the difficulties.
