The World of Kung-Fu 4.1: Five Venoms

The Five Venoms: International Lords of Crime

“If you bow at all, glance upwards”—Five Venoms saying.

In the dark and secret universe of organized crime, one syndicate stands above, feared by all the others. The Five Venoms. The Five Venoms was founded in 18th century China, when Wing Chun techniques were fused with traditional animal styles by jaded revolutionaries who decided to use their Kung Fu for criminal profit. Today, lesser cartels like the Mafia, the Yakuza, and the tongs and triads only exist because the Venoms allow them to, and the Venoms enjoy reminding them of the fact. In the US, the Venoms have long reigned as unquestioned leaders of the underworld, but with the appearance of the homegrown Maniac Warrior Empire criminal gangs in the last few decades, they have had to fight to keep their position. The whole international Five Venoms organization could easily crush the Maniacs if it chose, but the Venom gangs in America are expected to demonstrate that they can take care of their business.

The Five Venoms is structured around clans, each specializing in a particular style of Kung Fu. For some esoteric reason, there are more than five clans. The most powerful clans are Centipede, Lizard, Scorpion, Snake, and Toad, but other known clans include Black Lotus, River Fan, and Spider. The Venoms have no central authority. Power is invested in local shih, or warlords, who are expected to keep “order” within their territory. The shih often fight between themselves, but cooperate against external threats.

“Fifty cobras will defeat a mongoose, depending on the mongoose”—Five Venoms saying.

While most Venom agents were born into the organization, particularly competent criminal underlings drawn from the local population may be offered membership and training in return for loyalty to the death. It is not permitted to leave the Five Venoms. Those who try will be hunted for the rest of their life. Venom footsoldiers have sometimes been trained in a Venom Kung Fu style, more often, they are just local martial arts gangsters who have been put on the payroll.

Venoms are capable of both acts of great treachery and of tremendous loyalty, depending on the individual. They take their own twisted code of honor very seriously, though no two of them seem to interpret it in quite the same way. “Honor” can make Venoms chivalrous or cruel and vengeful.

Clans of the Five Venoms

The five main clans of the Five Venoms are Centipede, Lizard, Scorpion, Snake and Toad. Each of these clans has its own feuds and rivalries over and above the feuds and rivalries that come with being Venoms. These feuds often lead to violence, but don’t necessarily prevent criminal cooperation when there is money to be made.

Centipede

Centipedes are stereotypically extroverted and impulsive.

Criminal Specialties: Arms trafficking, extortion.

Feuds: Elephant, Praying Mantis, Scorpion.

Centipede Kung Fu: 3 points.

Skills: Karate, Knife.

Techniques: Back Kick, Counterattack (Karate), Elbow Strike, Feint, Ground Fighting, Kicking, Knee Strike, Spinning Kick, Spinning Punch, Stamp Kick.

Cinematic Skills: Light Walk, Lizard Climb, Sensitivity.

Cinematic Techniques: Lethal Strike, Timed Defense (Dodge), Whirlwind Strike (Karate), Whirlwind Strike (Knife).

Perks: Ground Guard, Iron Arms, Iron Legs, Rapid Retraction (Karate), Technique Mastery (Counterattack: Karate).

Lizard

Lizards are stereotypically untraditional and suspicious of authority.

Criminal Specialties: Counterfeit, forgery, human trafficking.

Feuds: Crane, Crow, Eagle.

Lizard Kung Fu 4 points.

Skills: Broadsword, Judo, Karate.

Techniques: Arm Lock, Elbow Strike, Ground Fighting, Knee Strike, Jam, Low Fighting, Sweep, Uppercut.

Cinematic Skills: Breaking Blow, Lizard Climb, Power Blow.

Cinematic Techniques: Backbreaker, Hand Catch.

Signature Weapon: Hook sword.

Perks: Ground Guard, Iron Hands, Power Grappling, Technique Mastery (Elbow Strike), Technique Mastery (Knee Strike), Technique Mastery (Uppercut).

Scorpion

Scorpions are stereotypically disciplined and conservative.

Criminal Specialties: Drug trafficking, counterfeit medication, cheap medication.

Feuds: Centipede, Horse, Praying Mantis.

Scorpion Kung Fu 3 points

Skills: Karate, Spear.

Techniques: Axe Kick, Counterattack (Karate), Exotic Hand Strike (Scorpion Tail), Eye-Poke, Ground Fighting, Low Fighting, Targeted Attack (Kick, Vitals), Targeted Attack (Punch, Vitals), Uppercut.

Cinematic Skills: Pressure Points, Pressure Secrets, Sensitivity.

Cinematic Techniques: Flying Jump Kick, Lethal Kick, Lethal Strike, Pressure Point Strike (Karate), Pressure Point Strike (Spear).

Perks: Ground Guard, Iron Legs, Special Exercises (Striking ST +1), Technique Mastery (Targeted Kick to Vitals), Technique Mastery (Targeted Punch to Vitals).

Snake

Snakes are stereotypically calculating, intuitive and diplomatic, but moody. In Chinese tradition, they are associated with fire, orchids, and cactus.

Criminal Specialties: Bookmaking, casinos, loan sharking.

Feuds: Leopard, Monkey, Panther, Toad.

Snake Kung Fu 4 points

Skills: Judo, Karate, Meditation, Shortsword.

Techniques: Arm Lock, Break Fall, Choke Hold, Counterattack (Judo), Counterattack (Karate), Exotic Hand Strike (Snake Fangs), Evade, Finger Lock, Targeted Attack (Karate Punch, Neck), Sweep, Wrist Lock.

Cinematic Skills: Blind Fighting, Hypnotic Hands, Pressure Points, Pressure Secrets.

Cinematic Techniques: Lethal Strike, Pressure Point Strike (Karate), Pressure Point Strike (Shortsword), Springing Attack (Karate), Springing Attack (Shortsword).

Perks: Chi Resistance (Any),Clinch (Karate),Ground Guard, Technique Mastery (Counterattack Judo), Technique Mastery (Counterattack Karate), Technique Mastery (Targeted Karate Punch to Neck).

Toad

Toads are stereotypically jolly, rude and disgusting.

Criminal Specialties: Cybercrime, prostitution, protection.

Feuds: Crane, Crow, Snake.

Toad Kung Fu 3 points.

Skills: Karate, Polearm (Monk’s Spade).

Techniques: Back Kick, Ground Fighting, Hammer Fist, Jump Kick, Kicking, Knee Strike, Springing Attack (Karate), Springing Attack (Polearm).

Cinematic Skills: Body Control, Flying Leap, Immovable Stance, Mental Strength, Push.

Cinematic Techniques: Flying Jump Kick, Hand Catch, Roll With Blow.

Perks: Ground Guard, Iron Neck, Skill Adaptation (Acrobatic Kicks), Special Exercises (DR 1 with Tough Skin), Technique Mastery (Jump Kick), Technique Mastery (Springing Attack: Karate).

Five Venoms Relations

“Wushu fighters kick your head / Assassins strike: The Venoms want you dead.

Bandits jump you in the street / With flying fists and whirling iron feet.

Babe, that’s Kung Fu, babe. That’s Kung Fu, babe. That’s Kung Fu, babe.”— Zhu Ānxiè,“That’s Kung Fu”, Manchu Dynasty, 1837.

Wushu and the Venoms are enemies, with Wushu working to stamp out organized crime, and the Venoms resisting the power of governments and police forces. On the other hand, in the US, the Venoms are more concerned about fighting the Maniac Warrior Empire, who are a more direct and immediate threat to their profits. The Venoms generally avoid the Laughing Devils, but sometimes enterprising Venoms have taken the risk of employing Devils for their unique skills. This usually has disastrous consequences.

The Venoms are annoyed by both the Circle of Iron and the Infinite Fighting Federation, because they believe that they should control public fights, both underground and on lucrative pay-per-view. The Venoms despise Ninja, who compete with them for the title of the world’s greatest mercenary assassins.

Five Venoms as Heroes

The classic Five Venom hero is a warrior torn by their conflicting duties to do what is right and to help their friends and family. Too good by nature for a life among the Venoms, and distrusted by the Wulin, they flee to the Vigilantes and now protect the streets where they once preyed. Yet they still owe a debt of honor to Venoms and Venom allies; their parents, their teachers, their one-time trusted comrades in times of danger.