The Sixfold Path is the name given for a school of eastern swordsmanship that came to dominate the world in the late middle ages. Its defining feature is its implementation of magic and magical philosophy into its forms. The school was founded by six Daslean swordsmen who each mastered one of the core elements and incorporated it into their swordsmanship. Each of these is called a Path, which itself has a number of different forms and techniques. Each of the Paths is represented by a certain animal, and it is not uncommon for the Beaststones in Arms of practitioners of a path to be from their path’s associated animal.
First Path: Stalwart Sword
The First Path, of Earth, is the most defensive of the six paths. Many of its techniques are various forms of counters and parries, allowing practitioners to use their opponent’s attacks against them. The extinct Terra Costa is the animal of the Stalwart Sword. Called "the world turtle," this massive animal was known for being incredibly long lived and hard to kill, though their small population is what eventually led to them dying out.
Second Path: Flowing Fang
The Second path, of Water, is one of the more defensive paths. While not as defensive as the First Path, this path focuses on smooth, flowing movements that make the practitioner hard to keep track of and hit. The Efortian Palatinate is a species of dolphin native to the waters around Eforte. They are so named for their purple color and the telepathy scientists have hypothesized they use for communication, rather than simple echolocation. They are very quick, swift, and elegant in the water, hence their association with this path.
Third Path: Blazing Blade
The Third Path, of Fire, is one of the most offensive paths. The path focuses on using the destructive power of fire to overwhelm the practitioner’s opponents and win the fight. The Salamandryx, native to Melstrain, is the animal of the Blazing Sword. They, like the Troaran Stoat, are known to be aggressive, yet aren't as infamously vicious.
Fourth Path: Blustering Blade
The Fourth Path, of Wind, focuses on swift, successive strikes. Some practitioners focus on using these swift strikes to overwhelm the opposition while others make use of their speed to avoid being hit. The path could be offensive or defensive, depending on what the user wills. The animal of the Fourth Path is the Sylphalcon. Called the Lord of the Skies, this species of falcon is the fastest flying species on all of Unios.
Fifth Path: Lightning Sword
The Fifth Path, of Lightning, is the most magically inclined. This path combines the range of lightning magic and the user’s skill with swordsmanship. It is among the most versatile because it can be used rather effectively for more close-range and long-range combat. The Thunderbane Dragon is the animal of the Lightning Sword path. As the quintessential creature that is associated with lightning, it was only natural to take this dragon as the path's animal.
Sixth Path: Frigid Fang
The Sixth Path, of Ice, is like the element on which it is based, and the most fragile. In exchange, it also has the most raw power. This path focuses on overwhelming the opponent and immobilizing them with ice magic. However, this Path’s offensive nature also renders practitioners rather vulnerable if caught off guard. The Troaran Stoat is a small northern mammal native to the frigid Troaran north. They are known for being territorial and aggressive, appropriate symbols for the quick, offensive fighting style.