Poisoned Shadows - Swordsman Schools

Kirsten Thiele developed this style after representing her father’s business interests in Montaigne and Eisen, and leading an expedition into the Crescent Empire to discuss the possibility of establishing a trading relationship. Traveling in the company of hired bodyguards, Kirsten discovered that she had a love of (and a natural proficiency with) the blade equal to her aptitude with mathematics and economics. She mastered the undisciplined style of Tout Prés in the bars of Montaigne, and studied Eisenfaust at night in Freiburg while negotiating contracts during the day. Introduced to the flowing Crescent style of Yael by her Jadur-rihad guide, Kirsten was immediately enchanted and offered to exchange the “alien mysteries” of her mainland schools for instruction in the exotic art. She fulfilled her end of the bargain by combining all three into a new fencing style…with disastrous results.

Thiele relies on the use of a sabre or scimitar in the right hand, while a custom-fitted gauntlet is worn on the left. This gauntlet is constructed of hardened leather, expertly reinforced with lengths of chain around the wrist, across the palm, and over the joints of each finger. Use of this gauntlet has enraged the people of Eisen, who feel that it infringes upon Eisenfaust’s use of a panzerhand (a national symbol to the fiercely proud Eisen). Many Eisen Swordsmen would pay handsomely for concrete knowledge of Kirsten’s location, so that they may put an end to the insult once and for all.

The style itself is athletic in nature. Practitioners attack in graceful, arcing circles that take advantage of the natural curve of the attacking weapon to deliver devastating blows. Meanwhile, the spinning duelist finds it easy to whirl away from attacks, send his gauntlet flashing upwards at the tail end of a revolution to slap a blade away, or duck down and sweep a clumsy opponent’s legs out from under him. The footwork involved is reminiscent of any number of Crescent reels, and while dancing is not formally taught as part of the Thiele style, it is nevertheless so important that every Thiele duelist acquires proficiency—if not mastery—with the art.

The main weakness of the style is not its reliance on these dances, as each contributes only the most basic movements to the technique. Rather, it is the style’s need for near-constant motion that is most commonly used against its practitioners. If a duelist is forced into an area of uncertain footing, or presented with a flurry of offensive blows that prevents him from making his turns, he cannot make effective use of most of the style’s maneuvers. This leaves him at an offensive and defensive disadvantage, one from which he may not be able to recover.

Basic Curriculum: Fencing, Panzerhand

Swordsman Knacks: Bind (Panzerhand), Corps-á-Corps, Disarm (Fencing), Exploit Weakness (Thiele)

Apprentice: A Thiele Apprentice trains extensively with his custom-made gauntlet, so that he can use it effectively to defend himself and for an occasional, surprise attack. (Use of this gauntlet requires the Panzerhand Skill, but it only inflicts 1k1 damage. A student’s first gauntlet is traditionally a gift from his instructor. If it is lost, replacements can be made for 8 guilders, but the student must provide the design to a leatherworker willing to risk Eisen retaliation.) The off-hand penalty is negated when a student uses the gauntlet with any of his Panzerhand Knacks, and he receives a Free Raise on any Active Defense using Parry (Panzerhand).

Students of the Thiele style do not receive membership in the Swordsman’s Guild for free. Instead, they receive a two-point Hunted Background to reflect the animosity of the Eisenfaust School and the challenges engendered by that hatred.

Journeyman: At the Journeyman level, Thiele duelists learn to use their constant, spinning motions to set up quick combinations of maneuvers designed to throw an opponent off his game. Whenever an opponent misses the duelist’s Passive Defense with an attack, the Journeyman may spend an Action Die (even if it is not current) to make an immediate Corps-á-Corps attack against that opponent. Additionally, whenever the Journeyman performs a successful Bind on an opponent’s weapon, he may immediately spend an Action Die (current or not) to attempt a Disarm against the bound weapon. If making use of this combination, the duelist does not need to take two Raises on the Disarm attempt to wind up with the weapon in his possession.

Master: A Thiele Master has fully integrated the schools that led to the style’s design into his technique, focusing on the adaptability of Tout Prés, the conditioning of Eisenfaust and the graceful dances that inspire Yael. At the beginning of every Round, the Master receives a number of Technique Dice equal to his Rank in the Dancing Knack. Technique Dice may be added as Unkept Dice (before the roll is made) to any attack rolls or wound checks the Master attempts in that Round, or may be used instead of Action Dice to activate either of the Journeyman abilities.