As you arrive at the Northern Sword Schools, you realise  that it is set in two  distinct buildings  on opposite sides of a courtyard.  Rondolero House contains Lord Berain-lebeda's school, while Haldane House, across the courtyard, houses a number of other smaller schools.  There are half-a-dozen aspiring duellists practising their forms in the courtyard.

Cyrus smiled at the sight of the aspiring duelists, wondering if he'd looked like that when he'd originally set out to train, he doubted it, these men and women looked far better attuned to the dueling ring than Cyrus felt he'd ever be.

He looked over to Cass and said, "Is the ring used for Rondolero and others or is there a separate ring for each school?"

Likewise, Cass watched the students diligently. He wanted to know not only if there was a move or a set of moves that he had not previously discovered. Or if the discovery had been made, then if he had mastered it.

"You might find sparing of other styles verses Rondelero and training likewise. The schools try to offer what diversity they might, since one may never be truly sure what type of opponents may be encountered on the battlefield. And each style wants to prove itself superior."

Cass watched as two duelists slammed their shields against each other. One tried to sweep his falcata against his opponent's legs, but the other managed to bring his own blade down in time to defend against it. Cass pointed the action out to Cyrus. "Sometimes we call that the battle of the bulls, because it can be brutish."

The bard continued walking so that he could inspect the others. "But to return to your question, falcata versus falcata has precedence over everything else in training as well as sparring and dueling. It is the same with the specialties of the other schools, although some are more lenient than others about the rotations. I hear some of the smaller schools are actually focusing on mixed styles. Especially when including the Modern style."

Cass paused and turned toward Cyrus, giving him full attention. "Are you eager to suit up and try your hand or would you prefer to continue to watch the others for a bit?"

One of the students notices you watching and walk towards you, apparent annoyed that you are spectating.  However, about half way across something changes.  Perhaps he realizes that you aren't the normal run of the mill crowd of lolligaggers, but suddenly he stands a bit straightener and  smarter.  "Can I help you?" he asks politely.

"The battle of the bulls, huh? I like the sound of that. We had a similar battle during one of our first expeditions into the lands of Midmarch. We came upon a pair of wild boars. They attacked us with ferocity, even to the point of death they were scraping their tusks against my shield. It took well placed blows from myself, Andalon and Vik, not to mention a few magic missiles from Valoria to bring the pair down. But they made an excellent feast that night..."

He realized that story had little to do with what Cass had been discussing and acknowledged that saying, "So the idea is to push against your opponent and then pivot your weight so that when you swing through you trip your opposition, is that right?"

After a moment he added, "The only problem is that a skilled shield fighter would be able to anticipate your shift the moment you let up with your shield to make your move. You're screaming, I'm going to swing now... Perhaps that's why the two Falcata fighters are taking so long with each other."

Only then did Cyrus realize that they had attracted some attention and he addressed the young man, "Hi there, I'm Cyrus and this is my friend Cass. Cass is giving me a tour of the place and walking me through some of the maneuvers you and your fellow duelists are trying. Which school of dueling do you favor?"

In reply to Cyrus Lebeda-Ondari (msg # 5):

Mariam stood back and gave a polite nod, she was busy observing the fighters, taking in their stances and maneuvers, she finally spoke "I am Mariam."

"Giving you a tour?  Ah.  Ok." but he glances across his shoulder at one of his colleagues who nods and heads inside one of the buildings.

Then your student continues, "I am training in the Falcata and Buckler style, sir."

Adoven watches with some trepidation. These warriors seemed to relish a brutish style with all the banging and clattering. He asks "are these schools of training relying on the strength of one's arm, or on the skill of the hand that wields the blade?"

"Both, Sir." the student replies smartly, almost as if he is answering an exam question.  "Here in the Northern Schools, a variety of styles are taught.  Mainly Rondolero, with a small Aldori contingent and a generalist weapons school that teaches the basic protocols of duelling.  The Aldori school teaches the Aldori style exclusively, while in the Southern Schools concentrate on a wide range of duelling styles -  all of which adhere to the basic principles of the Duelling Etiquette and style."

After a quick look over his shoulder to see if anyone is coming to rescue him, he continues, "We like to think that Rondolero is the oldest style and most traditional style, although the Aldori technique also has a long and illustrious history, of course."

---

Note for everyone:   Duelling is governed by a set of rules and etiquette.  Each of the styles exploits those rules in a different way -  although there is an element of overlap.  Think of it as similar to Ju Jitsu, Taekwondo and Karate.  Three different styles of martial art -  that can come together under MMA rules.  Then think of the formality of a duelling environment rather than MMA rules.

The Three  main styles are

• Rondolero -  sword and buckler fighting. (google Rodeleros)
• Aldori - always makes me think of duelling with a Katana
• Modern - swashbuckling rapier or shortsword  - a la Errol Flyn or Inigo Montoya.

The feats, archetypes and prestige classes that go with each 'style'  exploit Duelling Etiquette to the limit and in different ways.  On the Duelling Table - trained (optimised) duellists  reign supreme.

Cass nodded at Cyrus's summation. "The goal of any style is to produce an opening in the opponent's defense within which to make an advantageous strike against them. Use of a buckler, or shield for those who are capable of doing so, provides the strongest possible defense."

The strong defense keeps the swiftness of other styles from being as effective. Rather than speed or guile, it is usually force that has the most effect against an opponent. A trip provides the best opening, but even a buckling of the knees, or a moment where the opponent pauses, even for a second, to muster his strength or focus is enough to let them be overpowered. Likewise a side-step or reversal that is too short or too far can create a dangerous opening."

Whereas other styles seek to slash or pierce, in Rondolero, the object is to crush or impale. The falcata sword is well designed to achieve those results."

In some cases, agility can win the day. But often, with two combatants of nearly equal size and strength, one simply manages to exhaust the other into a mistake. That is why I described it as a strong man's game earlier, and not a style that I am best suited to implement."
This message was last edited by the player at 10:45, Thu 26 Oct 2017.

Cyrus listened quite intently to Cass. He'd heard the spiel about the fighting styles that the young duelist stranger had just told to Adoven, but Cass was providing more nuance.

And though Cyrus had looked up to the Aldori's and their legacy, he was starting to wonder if these dueling schools were really helping prepare anyone for true battle. The enemies he faced, didn't hold their shield up to yours and wait for you to sidestep incorrectly, they stabbed and clawed and shot arrows and other bolts and magic and all sorts of things and they definitely didn't fight honorably or with anything other than survival and hate in their intent.

"Thank you both for your explanations. Cass, you bring up some interesting points, fatigue can bring down the strongest foe, that is a true saying if I've ever heard one." He paused and turned back to the dueling student and asked, "How long have you been training here, oh and what is your name sir?"

Vik raised an eyebrow at all the back and forth. She knew footwork, she knew guards, and that was about it. Oh . . . and lunging, she knew lunging.

"So the modern style is most in line with how I fight, with my shortswords? I'm afraid Sir Cyrus is far more technical a fighter than I, I was slashing tendons and wrists and kicking knees for most of my education in swordplay."

Just at that moment, Sword Lord Lebeda-Berain enters the courtyard, summoned by one of the other pupils.

"Cyrus.  I am pleased that you could take me up on the offer of a tour of the school.  I hope Mr Simpson here has been treating you properly?"  he says indicating the student who has been chatting to you.

"Lord Lebeda-Berain! I'm so glad to see you today! I'd hoped to but feared you would be far too busy. Mr Simpson has been most helpful. He approached us just a few moments ago to make sure we were alright and if we had any questions. I do hope we aren't intruding on your sessions here this morning." Cyrus had closed the distance between the two and held his hand out in greeting to the Senior Swordlord.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:39, Mon 30 Oct 2017.

Mariam listened silently, taking everything in. She'd been brought up learning the longsword though she was taught how to wield most weapons. This was intensly interesting to her. She jumped when Viktoria spoke up, not noticing the pirate had made her way over.

In reply to Viktoria d'Lodovka (msg # 12):

Looking at Victoria, Adoven comments "although I am learning the Modern style in conjunction with a rapier, I'm hoping to adapt the style with my whip. It gives me a range option as well as tripping and disarming. Time will tell if I can make it work."

"Not at all Cyrus.  Not at all.  After all, I invited you to have a look around.  And your colleagues, as well, of course."  Taking over the 'tour' the Sword Lord waves the students back to their practice with a quick "Thank you Simpson, I'll arrange a house point for you later."

First you are taken into Halbane House, where you peek into three different training rooms - One has a class covering basic military skills, one hosting a Rondolero sparring session, while  the third has an Aldori class.  A quick jaunt across the courtyard takes you to Rondolero House, where  there are three more training rooms and running Rondolero classes of different complexity.

Shortly afterwards you are ushered into a reception room where a flagon of watered wine, a pot of herbal tea and few nibbles are arranged.  "I had them lay this out while we we walking ..." The Sword Lord comments, taking a seat and a glass of the watered wine.

So, what do you think of our schools?"

Cyrus was impressed by all three of the classes, but the first, the general military training had struck him as particularly interesting. He'd always assumed that they left such training to the militia and other schools, focusing their studies on the finer art of dueling here.

He'd listened, as much as he could to what the instructors were sharing with the students and took note of the tone and air of the instructors in particular. The two dueling styles were quite interesting to watch, all the more with the knowledge Cass had shared earlier when they'd first arrived.

Cyrus took a seat across from the swordlord and said, "I think this quite a fine establishment, you and your colleagues should be proud of what you've built here and what you're imparting to these warriors. It is good to see you cover the practical aspects of combat and warfare too. I'd thought such lessons might be deemed unworthy of such a fine institution, but I am happy I was wrong."


He took a sip of his own wine and said, "Tell me, what have you heard of Midmarch and what are your impressions of our mission there?"

"Everyone has to learn the basics before thay can learn to duel ..." the Sword Lord replies, "and while many learn their skills from a patron, in action or a military training college, that doesn't suit everyone.  And everyone has to start somewhere.  To be honest, I know next to nothing about your new land, except that it is wild and infested with bandits and monsters.  Once it has been cleansed and settled it will act as a buffer for the the south or Rostland and the southern farms will prosper.  Or at least that is the plan, as I understand it."

Cyrus laughs at the description, "Well that about sums it up. Though I would call it brimming with opportunity and teeming with hope..."

Cyrus looks to his companions and says, "Well, do you lot have any questions for our most generous host?"

Adoven pipes up "yes, I do. Are there any merchant guilds or organizations we need to appease if I or someone else decided to open a school of Dueling instruction in Midmarch? With the wilds filled with bandits and monsters, we need to train people to defend themselves at the very least."

The conversation flows around sword schools, what they should teach and which parts of the training are important, when Adoven asks whetehr a sword school would need to register.  The Sword Lord chuckles  "Well, Jamandi considers herself the arbiter of all things Aldori -  but there are families in Mivon that don't answer to her and nor do the Khavortorov. The Southern Schools always appear to be completely random to me - but they teach the etiquette and so long as their students can compete fairly, they count as duelling schools -  no matter how bad they are. Realistically, you don't need to register anything -  so long as you have a suitably qualified master to take the classes for you."