Main Syllabus | Adept Subrank Syllabus | Flow Theory and Comparison | Heal Weave | Sword Forms
These are included for completeness. This is the general interpretation of the forms used on Dragon's Fang. Or it was the last time that this author played a Warder Instructor. If any of them are out of date, please let me know and I will have them changed. In general, forms are not terribly useful in emote fighting. Some of them may occasionally be of use, however. They are provided here so that Black Tower members will have access to the same forms interpretation used elsewhere on the MUD.
Arc of the Moon: (defense and riposte) - A high, left to right horizontal parry, designed to knock aside an incoming downward or diagonal attack, followed immediately by a return slash aimed across the throat from right to left. Can also be performed kneeling, in which case counterslash aims for stomach or chest.
The Bee Stings: (Disarm) Twine your sword with your opponents, sliding yours down his blade until your point pricks his hand, followed by a quick snap of your weapon. Notes: Places you in close proximity to your opponent. Should not be used during dual weapon combat.
The Bell Rings: Brute force disarm. Strike your opponent's weapon a ringing blow, forcing it from from his grasp. Notes: Do not attempt this against a stronger foe, or one with a two handed weapon. May damage your own weapon as well as your opponent's.
Boar Rushes Down the Mountain: (all-out attack) Rushing ahead with many slashes and stabs, barreling and whirling. Generally, it seems like a wild attack, but is quite well controlled. Notes: Used to press an advantage, don't lose control. Countered by: Cat Dances on the Wall
Bundling Straw: (defense - counterattack) Sword held parallel to body, point up, and moves horizontally across the body, used to parry. Immediately after parrying, the sword slashes downward at the attacker's stomach and legs, moving in the opposite direction as before.
Cat Dances on the Wall: (defense) Walk forward and backward along an imaginary wall, keeping feet in a straight line, parrying the whole while. Each parry is supposed to be light and fast, only powerful enough to sufficiently block the blow, to avoid tiring. This form Counters: Boar Rushes Down the Mountain
Cat on Hot Sand: (defense) Leap to avoid an attack, parrying once to meet a second attack. Move is left, right, and/or back, but never forward, as forward motion can get you impaled. Combines the concepts of dodging and parrying into one technique. This form is the counter to Parting the Silk.
The Creeper Embraces the Oak: (close attack) Parry an incoming attack, sending it to the left if right-handed or the right if left-handed. Step forward, close to your opponent, and drop the hilt of your blade to waist height so it's point up. Proceed to make an upward thrust aimed to pierce beneath his chin, and then follow up with a draw cut aimed down the chest. Repeat in alternating fashion if needed, or disengage by stepping back into a guard position. Note: Good timing is essential for success.
Dandelion in the Wind: (evasion) - sway to avoid incoming thrusts to the head or upper torso, moving to one side or another and stepping backward to open distance between you and your opponent.
The Falcon Stoops: (counterattack) Though not a defense form, this is commonly used after a parry as a counterattack. Start with a quick fake to the side of the head (this should prevent the opponent from moving closer or attacking) and immediately follow with a step forward and a diagonal slash down the opponent's torso.
Folding the Fan: (sheathing move) Flourishing sheathing move. Make it as flowery and impressive as possible.
The Grapevine Twines: (disarm) Tap opponent's blade (versus a thrust), followed by leaning into opponent's sword arc, before the opponent can recover from the tap, twine your sword with his, then snap your wrist.
Heron Spreads His Wings: (attack) Both arms are quickly spread out and up, to about 30 degrees above horizontal. The blade should be aimed to slash upward from the groin to the throat. It is important to bring your defense back up quickly.
Heron Wading in the Rushes: (attack - balance training) Rise up to stand balanced on the ball of your left foot, with your right leg lifted so that your knee is up on a level with your waist and your pointed right toes are brushing the inside of your left knee. Lift your sword above your head, holding it so that its tip is pointed ahead of you, parallel to the ground. Place your left hand near the handguard, and place your right hand on the pommel of the swordhilt for leverage. The attack com s when you step forward with your right foot and make a stabbing attack at your imagined opponent's chest, using your sword like the bill of a huge bird of prey.
Kingfisher Takes a Silverback: (low attack) A short, quick slash to the outside of the opponents knee. Almost all of the sword's motion should be caused by the wrists instead of the arm. This is a good maneuver to do as a counterattack, as the opponent's own motion makes the strike more harmful.
Leaf on the Breeze: (defense - counterattack) Half-spin (feet not moving) with three quick parries followed by spinning back and a short slash. Counters: Lightning of the Three Prongs
Lightning of the Three Prongs: (attack) Three fast thrusts to the head. These thrusts are very quick and controlled: putting too much power behind the attack will pull you out of position. First thrust to the left, then to the right, then to the center. Counter: Leaf on the Breeze
Lizard in the Thornbush: (opportunity attack) A lunging thrust to the opponent's throat, followed by a quick step back and a diagonal slash across the torso. Note: Commonly used against multiple opponents to take one of them out quickly.
Low Wind Rising: (seated unsheathing attack) While seated, draw the blade and immediately slash at a standing foe's throat, then follow with a downward slash. Note: A mix between Flame Before the Whirlwind and Parting the Silk.
Moon Over Water: (defense) Trace a wide arc from one side to the other, sword pointing mostly up. Can be used either fast or slow, depending on the circumstances. Can block more than one frontal attack at a time.
Parting the Silk: (attack) Fast, strong horizontal cut (neck) followed by a downward diagonal slash (shoulder to opposite hip). First strike can be countered by a backward leap, but may leave open to second strike. Notes: This form can be countered by: Cat on Hot Sand
Ribbon in the Air: (defense) Begin with a light parry to one side, holding the sword vertical, point up. Immediately after, a strong parry is thrown to the other side, while the body is turned to follow the sword, keeping the back foot stationary and moving the front so that the body moves about 90 degrees, like a door swinging open. This form Counters: Stones Falling Down the Mountain
River Undercuts the Bank: (low attack) Drop to one knee, fast horizontal slash, sweeping at the opponent's knees. Designed to take advantage of a high defense. Best Countered by: Swallow Rides the Air
The Rose Unfolds: (unsheathing defense) Draw sword, and whip through a tight arc from left to right (in case of left-handed practitioner, reverse directions) across body, to deflect an incoming slash or thrust.
Stones Falling Down the Mountain: (attack) A two-slash attack. The first is a backhand slash to the opponent's temple, and the second is performed by bringing the sword up, still going in the same direction as the initial attack, and circling around to slash diagonally down across the base of the neck. Note: This form can be countered by Ribbon in the Air or Unfolding the Fan.
Stones Falling From the Cliff: (surprise attack) - leap forward, making a single downward slash at your opponent's head, neck, or shoulders, employing your weight to power the blow. Distance is of primary importance here, as you will be impaled on his blade if you are too close when you make the leap.
Striking the Spark: (attack or defense) A strong, sometimes two-handed, strike aimed at the haft or base of the blade of an opponent's weapon. (In the style of The Bell Rings) Attack: When aimed properly at the place where the blade meets the hilt, this blow can break a sword if your blade is better quality than your foe's. It is quite effective when a steel sword is used against a wooden one. Defense: Aimed at the hilt, this form can stop an incoming blow rather effectively, though it usually doesn't lend itself well to making a counter strike afterward.
The Sun Rises: (attack or defense) A long upward slash. Attack: designed to use the tip of the blade to slash at the chest of an unarmored opponent. Defense: used against downward attacks, but is relatively slow for a defensive form, and should not be used out of position.
The Swallow Rides the Air: (defense) Step both feet away from the incoming attack while bringing the blade down to deflect the blow. The sword should be held vertically, point down, at the end of the parry. Counters: Water Flows Downhill, River Undercuts the Bank, and other low strikes.
The Swallow Takes Flight: (defense - counterattack or defense) A parry, sword held vertically (point up) done while turning the body away from the attack. Counterattack: Follow with a rising backhand slash aimed at the side of the head or the neck. Defense: Follow instead with another parry, holding the sword diagonally downward, while stepping away again.
Thistledown Floats on the Whirlwind: (attack) A jumping, spinning cut to the neck. Jump toward your opponent and spin backwards (clockwise if right-handed, counter-clockwise if left) and slash as you come down. Note: Distance and surprise are vital. If you are too close to your opponent, you will not get the force behind the blow and you will be left wide open to a fast counterattack.
Unfolding the Fan: (defense) This is a circular parry. For a right-handed practitioner, the sword starts at about the 10 or 11 o'clock position and moves clockwise (a left handed practitioner starts at 1 or 2 'clock). This parry, if properly timed, will knock away downward and diagonal attacks. It is best used in combination with other forms and maneuvers. Counters: Stones Falling Down the Mountain (either or both strikes).
Watered Silk: (attack) The form starts with a crouch accompanied by a slash across the abdomen, and is immediately followed with a strong thrust to the heart, making sure to hold the sword parallel to the ground, as having the blade at the wrong angle will lesson the effectiveness of the blow and could possibly cause you to lose the grip on your weapon. Notes: Best countered by Falling Leaf
Water Flows Downhill: (defense - counterattack) Step to one side quickly and crouch, while thrusting the blade at the opponent's groin. Note: Timing is very important This form is best countered by Cat on Hot Sand, or Swallow Rides the Air
Whirlwind on the Mountain: (attack) A spinning backhand slash (the spin should be clockwise for a right-handed practitioner) aimed at the opponent's neck. Properly judging the distance between you and your foe is vital, as is making sure that you bring your head around to face your opponent before the rest of your body gets there, especially the blade. As well, keep in mind that this form presents a wide opening against a prepared foe.
Wood Grouse Dances: (defense - repeated counterattack) Start by sidestepping an incoming attack, going to your right (if right-handed). As the foot hits the ground, thrust. If the attack fails to land, repeat by going to the opposite side (left, if right handed). Continue to alternate to press an advantage.
Main Syllabus | Adept Subrank Syllabus | Flow Theory and Comparison | Heal Weave | Sword Forms