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fandomhigh2009-08-05 10:26 pm
furious-maximus.livejournal.com) wrote in fandomhigh2009-08-05 10:26 pm
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Basic Sword Skills [Thursday, Period Three]
The weapons rack was back to its relatively disorganized state. There wasn't any particular method of organization to it like there had been for the last couple of sessions. Max's gaze swept across his students as they arrived, working to pick out those who were looking for patterns. It was nice to think that at least a couple of them might have started to pay attention to that sort of thing.
As everyone had probably come to expect, Max began his lecture precisely at the appointed class time. "Today we're going to be discussing the advantages and disadvantages of choosing to use a single blade or a pair of blades. There are a huge number of styles of combat which swear by one of the other, and both have their merits. Let's start with the obvious." He grabbed a rather large blade off the rack. "Sticking to a single blade allows you to use two hands to handle your weapon. This permits the use of larger, heavier blades as well as allowing for much stronger strikes." He spun the blade around a few times to illustrate before putting it away.
"The obvious advantage of a second blade," he continued as he swapped the large blade for a pair of short swords, "is that it doubles your options. If your opponent has a single blade then there is a single primary threat." Ignoring the fact that someone could still kick you or do other unfriendly things. "But with two blades you have to treat both with equal respect, your attention must be divided. Allowing yourself to become focused on one leaves you open to an attack by the other."
"But there are some other considerations as well. If you carry a single weapon then you have a hand free. This can be incredibly important if you are on unstable terrain like a ship's deck and need to hold onto something for balance. Or if you want to grab your opponent to throw them off balance. Or if you want to throw things. Having a free hand provides you with nearly unlimited options and it increases your flexibility significantly. On the other hand, carrying a second weapon means that you have two things that you don't mind putting in the way of something sharp. You don't want to block or parry with your hand, after all. With two blades you can engage an opponent with a single blade's weapon and still have something to stab or cut them with."
"Things are, of course, far more complex than simply the number of blades you choose to wield. There are reasons to use two matching blades, or to use a primary and a secondary. There are reasons to use two-handed weapons and single one-handed weapons. But this is a course on basic sword skills, and besides, many of you will begin to get a feel for your options once you actually get out there."
Max crossed his arms and looked around critically. "For today's exercise each of you will decide what style you want to focus on, and you will select yourtotally moddable blades. I want each of you to do some sparring against someone carrying two blades, and someone carrying one, so that you can get a feel for how the two styles offset one another." He smiled suddenly. "And if you're having trouble finding a partner for one style or the other... feel free to find me." Max would love to beat some students up assist in their education.
"Now get to it."
[There's an OOC note that is sort of long so it's in the OCD...]
As everyone had probably come to expect, Max began his lecture precisely at the appointed class time. "Today we're going to be discussing the advantages and disadvantages of choosing to use a single blade or a pair of blades. There are a huge number of styles of combat which swear by one of the other, and both have their merits. Let's start with the obvious." He grabbed a rather large blade off the rack. "Sticking to a single blade allows you to use two hands to handle your weapon. This permits the use of larger, heavier blades as well as allowing for much stronger strikes." He spun the blade around a few times to illustrate before putting it away.
"The obvious advantage of a second blade," he continued as he swapped the large blade for a pair of short swords, "is that it doubles your options. If your opponent has a single blade then there is a single primary threat." Ignoring the fact that someone could still kick you or do other unfriendly things. "But with two blades you have to treat both with equal respect, your attention must be divided. Allowing yourself to become focused on one leaves you open to an attack by the other."
"But there are some other considerations as well. If you carry a single weapon then you have a hand free. This can be incredibly important if you are on unstable terrain like a ship's deck and need to hold onto something for balance. Or if you want to grab your opponent to throw them off balance. Or if you want to throw things. Having a free hand provides you with nearly unlimited options and it increases your flexibility significantly. On the other hand, carrying a second weapon means that you have two things that you don't mind putting in the way of something sharp. You don't want to block or parry with your hand, after all. With two blades you can engage an opponent with a single blade's weapon and still have something to stab or cut them with."
"Things are, of course, far more complex than simply the number of blades you choose to wield. There are reasons to use two matching blades, or to use a primary and a secondary. There are reasons to use two-handed weapons and single one-handed weapons. But this is a course on basic sword skills, and besides, many of you will begin to get a feel for your options once you actually get out there."
Max crossed his arms and looked around critically. "For today's exercise each of you will decide what style you want to focus on, and you will select your
"Now get to it."
[There's an OOC note that is sort of long so it's in the OCD...]
Talk to Max