Martial Arts

Vaeldrys says, "Alright. I do believe we can get started."

Vaeldrys says, "I see some faces I have not properly introduced myself to yet."

Vaeldrys says, "I am Vaeldrys Ty'del Faendryl. Peltast of the Palestra, and humble member of the Faendryl Enclave."

Vaeldrys says, "It is my pleasure to welcome you to tonight's discussion and demonstration on Faendryl Martial Arts."

Vaeldrys says, "Tonight's discussion will focus on the history of how a formalized style came to be within our society, and providing demonstrations of those roots that still exist in what is practiced today."

Vaeldrys paces back and forth.

Vaeldrys says, "Many debate where the idea of a formalized system of unarmed combat came frome."

Vaeldrys says, "Some say it was the Palestra academies who deemed it necessary, while others will say it is an invention of the Clerisy."

Ysharra says, "It does have a certain...ritual grace to it."

Vaeldrys says, "However, it is far more likely - that it was the Armata that would have first developed unarmed combat as a means to defend themselves if disarmed."

Vaeldrys says, "But, as with all things, we Faendryl will pursue perfection in all disciplines."

Vaeldrys smiles.

Anyauma smiles.

Ithilwyn grins.

Tayler nods at Vaeldrys.

Vaeldrys says, "And while the Armata maintains impressive unarmed combat training - it is not their sole focus."

Vaeldrys says, "So I prefer to use the term Martial Arts to differentiate the brutally efficient designs of the Armata from the more focused study of the Clerisy, and in certain cases, the Palestra academies."

Vaeldrys says, "In the early days, many scholars began to explore the idea of turning their magical abilities inward to augment their body to support the battle forms."

Vaeldrys says, "This is a little difficult for me, given my condition..but.."

Vaeldrys stares off into space.

Vaeldrys folds his hands and deeply intones a sonorous mantra...

Vaeldrys gestures.

Thick plates of bone grow from Vaeldrys's forearms.

Ysharra says, "It would appear that it's not a hardship, just look at you."

Ysharra says, "You look like one of my trellises."

Ysharra says, "All thorny."

Vaeldrys says, "With these, I am able to parry and, often disarm opponents using a weapon."

Perigourd takes a moment to observe Vaeldrys.

Vaeldrys says, "As I used to great affect in my trial against one of the academy masters."

Vaeldrys says, "I only survived as long as I did because he kept having to search for his sword. Allowing me ample time to assault him."

Vaeldrys says, "The Palestra academies tended towards the physical side of form and function, though they would in time incorparate many of the spells used in the Clerisy studies."

Vaeldrys says, "When looking for inspiration, the early masters looked to the beasts of Rhoska-Tor for insipiration."

Vaeldrys says, "They provided ample demonstration of nature's own ingenuity in combat."

Vaeldrys says, "But, there is always room for improvement."

Vaeldrys says, "Observing the lightning quick strikes of pit vipers inspired a style based around spear hands and circular, flowing defense."

(Vaeldrys brings his left arm up to almost a 90 degree angle, his fingers slightly bent to look like the head of snake, while his right arm crosses his body, the knuckle of his right thumb resting lightly against the left elbow - fingers forward. Both arms sway slightly reinforcing the image of a snake coiled to strike.)

Vaeldrys says, "From this position, I am able to quickly parry an opponent's attack and counter-strike."

(Vaeldrys's left hand arm moves out in a circular motion, parrying and moving an imagined opponent's strike off center. At the bottom of the circle his still stiffened hand lashes out almost to fast to follow, striking the eye before returning to its origin position.)

Vaeldrys says, "Put together, and moving from one strike to the next..."

(Vaeldrys moves in a series of strikes and parries, his arms coiling and circling always in motion, moving between right and left coiled positions.)

Speaking to himself, Yardie whispers aloud, "Moving the center line."

Vaeldrys nods at Yardie.

Speaking to Yardie, Vaeldrys says, "Exactly."

Vaeldrys says, "And then there was the Ibex."

Vaeldrys says, "Its horns inspired fist strikes that can shatter bones."

Vaeldrys says, "And when applied effectively can remove limbs."

Vaeldrys says, "Although, perhaps our sorcerer colleagues are the larger inspiration for that movement."

(Vaeldrys's stance widens as he slides his back foot in a wide arc - in towards his other foot before sliding out to support the powerful crossover punch to the arm of his imaginary foe that follows.)

(Vaeldrys steps again, this blow aimed at his invisible opponent's other arm.)

(Vaeldrys steps twice more, these attacks aimed at each leg.)

(Vaeldrys braces for a moment after finishing the prior movement, before rocketing forth with a final fist aimed to the head.)

Vaeldrys says, "I put to use many of those everyday."

Vaeldrys says, "Limb removal is incredibly effective."

Speaking to Vaeldrys, Yardie says, "Very."

Ysharra says, "Well, yes. Since limbs are rather useful for fighting."

Ysharra says, "Legs, tentacles."

Speaking to Ysharra, Stormyrain offers, "And casting if your foe is a spell slinger."

Speaking to Stormyrain, Yardie says, "Slitting the throat is just as effective."

Ysharra says, "True. Hard to cast effectively if you're missing most or all of your fingers."

Speaking to Stormyrain, Vaeldrys says, "Removal of their arm is one of my favorite techniques against a caster."

Missoni murmurs, "Just making sure they are there."

Vaeldrys says, "While a rarer site in the deserts. cranes provided great insight into leg work, and kicks."

Speaking lightly to Yardie, Stormyrain says, "I prefer to hamstring, and then beat them to death with Requiem, though this is an interesting concept for a backup fighting style, I admit."

Standing on the balls of his feet, Vaeldrys bounces between them, moving his arms and legs as if preparing for an opponent.

Vaeldrys leaps up into the air and kicks out one of his griffin hide boots in front of him.

(Lylia follows Vaeldrys's movements, seemingly holding her breath through some of the faster flurries of motion.)

Tayler says, "I usually hit them in the face with my big, spiky, flaring shield and that usually does the trick for stopping their casting."

Speaking to Ysharra, Vaeldrys says, "You can see why our ancestors looked to them."

Vaeldrys says, "In these early days, most of these techniques and styles were developed by individuals each seeking their own meaning of perfection."

Speaking thoughtfully to Vaeldrys, Traiva comments, "It is rather like dance movements."

Tikba nods thoughtfully.

Speaking to Traiva, Vaeldrys says, "A very accurate comparison."

Vaeldrys says, "While these styles and techniques were formidable in their own right, everything has a weakness."

Vaeldrys says, "The Clerisy says our power comes from knowledge."

Vaeldrys says, "And in the knowledge of many styles comes a power that exceeds any singular style."

A scarlet-robed Faendryl scribe passes by on her appointed errands, stroking the luxuriant fur of one of the spire's resident cats as she walks past.

Vaeldrys says, "While each individual will always have a preference and predilection towards a certain fighting style."

Vaeldrys says, "Knowing them all and being practiced in their appropriate use, is the key to victory."

Vaeldrys says, "And as was recently demonstrated, not even a Vathor can withstand a well practiced martial artist."

Vaeldrys grins at Yardie.

Yardie's cheeks flush with a deep shade of red.

Vaeldrys says, "I do believe that is all I had in my notes. I hope it was educational and enjoyable."

Speaking to Vaeldrys, Perigourd says, "I did have a question."

Speaking to Vaeldrys, Missoni says, "That was fascinating! I am sure many of the finer movements were lost on me. I must ask for them at half speed sometime."

Speaking to Perigourd, Vaeldrys says, "Please, ask, I will be happy to answer."

Speaking to Vaeldrys, Perigourd asks, "Considering that Faendyrl have a much longer lifespan with which to practice multiple styles and forms, especially unto the mastery of them, a human doesn't quite have as much time. Which form would you train were your lifespan so limited?"

Speaking to Perigourd, Vaeldrys says, "A very good question."

Speaking to Perigourd, Ysharra says, "I have often found, that the skill and ritual seem to coalesce themselves into the span available."

Speaking to Perigourd, Vaeldrys says, "The styles today have luckily been distilled from those disparate styles."

Speaking to Perigourd, Vaeldrys says, "And you would be well served by any of - which will teach you the important elements of all of them."