Poisoned Shadows - Swordsman Schools

Description: The Rodrigues fighting style originated in Torres during the Montaigne occupation of western Castille. A handful of enterprising and fiercely patriotic Swordsmen dedicated to eliminating the “effete Montaigne popinjays” (i.e., invading military officers) identified the need to offset the paired weapons used by their adversaries. While they offered all due respect to their Torres brethren, they did not feel that the defensive advantages offered by a cloak fully offset the deadly skill of the invaders, many of whom were as lethal with their knives as their rapiers. After months of clandestine observation, studying opponents and friends alike, the precepts of the school were finalized in 1667 and unleashed on the public.

Swordsmen of several schools feel (correctly) that Rodrigues steals some of their techniques and training methods. A Rodrigues feint, for example, consists of a fade to one direction, followed by a quick, dance-like counter-step to another, reversing the direction of the attack—a maneuver lifted directly from the Aldana style. There is enough evidence of theft from established schools and other questionable tactics to prevent Rodrigues from ever receiving Guild sanction, which suits the Masters of the style fine. They prefer to keep the location of their training facilities secret, and recruit only trusted friends and associates into their ranks. Meanwhile, they keep their attention focused on the Montaigne forces in Barcino and—as of the end of the occupation—the Inquisition that threatens all of Castille.

The main weakness of the style lies in the “secret tricks” that are its bread and butter. While they are effective against unschooled foes, anyone with experience battling Rodrigues fighters can identify the subtle physical cues that precede such maneuvers (such as ensuring one’s next dagger is ready to be drawn before using the Apprentice technique, or that one’s blades are in position for a Journeyman’s double strike) and react accordingly, preparing to defend against the ensuing attack or striking into the opening created.

Basic Curriculum: Fencing, Knife

Swordsman Knacks: Bind (Fencing), Exploit Weakness (Rodrigues), Feint (Fencing), Pommel Strike (Knife)

Apprentice: The Apprentice learns to wield a weapon in each hand, and develops an appreciation for the value of a surprise attack. He receives no penalty for using a dagger in his off hand, and receives a Free Raise to his Attack Roll when throwing a dagger.

Since Rodrigues is not recognized by the Swordsman’s Guild, students do not gain membership in the Guild for free. Instead, they may take an extra Rank in one of their Swordsman Knacks at no cost.

Journeyman: Once per round, the Journeyman can spend a single Action Die to make a quick double attack, consisting of parallel cuts with his rapier and dagger. This is resolved through a standard Attack (Fencing) roll, made with one Raise. If successful, the attack inflicts standard rapier damage, adding standard knife damage (+1k2) to represent the follow-up dagger strike.

Master: A Master of Rodrigues learns a technique called “Harvesting the Sunflowers,” where he ties up an opponent’s weapon with his rapier to leave him vulnerable to a vicious dagger strike from the off-hand. If he has an opponent’s primary weapon in a Bind and makes a successful melee or thrown attack with his dagger, the Master may choose to forego a Damage Roll to inflict an automatic Dramatic Wound. The opponent does not make a Wound Check, and his Flesh Wounds remain at their current level. This attack comes in the form of a wicked thrust, slash, or toss to a vital area which immediately breaks the Bind. The force of the blow also causes the Master to lose possession of his dagger.