The Art of the Sword: Taknieri Sword Styles

The Art of the Sword: Taknieri Sword Styles

Author's Note:
This is specifically taken from Taknieri texts and culture. While many in Manthir also ascribe to this style of swordsmanship, it is by no means the only approach to the weapon.

OVERVIEW
Swordsmanship is considered an especially useful skill not just in the highly warrior focused societies of Taknier and Manthir, but in many places around the world where skill with a sword is considered an art form. In Taknier specifically, even those who are not soldiers practice the sword for self-defense and for the beauty of the exercise itself. Swords are very valuable and personal weapons.

Sword Styles
Styles (sometimes called stances) describe the type of sword fighting someone is employing at any given moment. Styles can be changed and altered and don’t have any specific moves but are about the philosophy and intent behind an action. Some styles can be more obvious and might have some movements and sword positions that are attributed to them commonly enough to be named after the given style.

There are currently four core styles and five combination styles that are recognized as broad categories for most types of swordplay. There may have been other styles or variations with different names in the past.

Debate often arises in attributing certain actions to a style when fighters disagree with the aspects of a given movement, or what even constitutes as a single move. This is especially true of the combination styles where it might be more difficult in the span of a single action to tell if it is truly Dust style or just Wind.

No style is considered superior to the others, but is instead about how each swordsman employs their knowledge and execution of each style to their advantage. Some styles match better to certain body types or strategies. Forms that are reactive are used less often.

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Aspects
Each style is categorized by two aspects, one that describes its relative use of dexterity versus strength, and one that describes its relative focus on offense versus defense.

Agile | focus on speed and dexterity to advantage
Solid | focus on might and strength to advantage
Adaptive | focus on both speed and might to advantage

Defensive | focus on turning away or dodging incoming blows
Offensive | focus on dealing out blows
Reactive | neither a focus on offense or defense, but reacts to opponent

Core Styles
Wind | agile, defensive
Earth | solid, defensive
Water | solid, offensive
Fire | agile, offensive

Combination Styles
Dust(Wind+Earth) | adaptive, defensive
Lava/Magma(Water+Fire) | adaptive, offensive
Ice(Earth+Water) | solid, reactive
Lightning(Wind+Fire) | agile, reactive
Blood(Wind+Water and/or Earth+Fire) | adaptive, reactive, reverse grip 

Blood Style
Blood style is considered the most flexible and most 'muddy' style, as it attempts to combine all aspects. It is therefore a difficult style to truly master or even differentiate from other forms. More recently, one swordsman used the style to great effect with a reverse grip not used in the others. This grip became iconic and is now commonly accepted as the best way to utilize the stance, though it is still very rarely used extensively, especially since shifting styles is very standard and taught as the prevailing theory in Taknier. It is considered a dying style, only truly still around because it is the combination of all the current variations in style.

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Swordlords and Blademasters
True masters of the art of swordsmanship in Taknieri are recognized by the granted title of Swordlord. 
Swordlords typically have one style that they champion, one that they connect with based on philosophy or enjoyment. They are recognized throughout Taknier as members of the Primarium in Taknier, regardless of social rank. Even other countries, such as Manthir, recognize that the rank carries a lot of respect.

Becoming a swordlord can occur in a few ways. Defeating three or more current swordlords in certified duels can earn someone the right to present a claim to the rank. This right can also sometimes be gained by winning the official seasonal duelist tournaments held in Taknier’s capitol. Regardless of the means by which the right is earned, only the First Prince or Acting General can grant the title of Swordlord. Often other duels or tests are requested to prove they are deserving. Once granted, the Imperial crown commissions them a custom sword, the blade engraved with the kingdom's horse rampant.

To maintain the ranking, Swordlords must keep at least one student, but once granted the rank, it can never be removed unless they do not at least offer to train others. Originally, students were taken in order to continue the legacy of a style created and championed by a swordlord, but eventually it became more traditional.

The term blademaster is used less officially, often to denote someone who could make a claim to the title of Swordlord but has not.

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Dueling
Dueling is illegal in Taknier except when conduction during the official tournaments. Betting on duels is regulated here and only legal when on official tournaments. There is, of course, a thriving underground circuit. All forms of dueling serve both as a means for fighters to challenge each other and test their mettle, as well as for the pure entertainment of fights.

Sparring is a form of practice with another and while interpreted differently, in Taknier it is less about opposed combat and more about honing a stance or movement.

In Taknier, duels to the death are illegal. In Mathir, provided both parties agree, the practice is still maintained. In Lutra, one on one combat is common and encouraged, though not often to the death.

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Glaives
Although the art of crafting them is long lost to time, Taknier possesses a few extraordinary mythical blades, relics of the old world. These swords, termed Glaives, are made of an unknown metal and imbued with the power of spirits. While moving, they produce intense heat and can cut through nearly any material as if it were butter, with the exception of palladium. these qualities, and their limited amount make them priceless heirlooms, passed down through generations.

Each blade imprints with its wielder, taking a unique shape to each swordsman. They remained locked to their master until the individual willingly surrenders them or dies. While anyone can pick up a Glaive, they lack their magical heat and sharpness for all except their master, functioning as a normal sword.

Due to their extremely dangerous nature, they are not legal in normal duels. While dueling for ownership of a normal blade is common, dueling for a Glaive is not.