ARTE DELLO SPADONE
By Kuseru
Entrance Requirements: No alignment restrictions. Requires a minimum P.P. of 14 and a minimum Spd. of 10.
Skill Cost: 12 Years (10 Years as a Secondary Martial Art Style)
Arte Dello Spadone is Fiore dei Liberi's name for the Italian style of swordsmanship, symbolized by four qualities represented by the Elephant (strength), Lion (courage or bravery), Tiger (swiftness or speed) and the Wolf (carefulness or prudence). Developed shortly after the Spanish style, this is one of the oldest fencing styles in the west and was fully developed in the 16th century. It concentrates on the mechanical and physical points of sword combat, presenting the smallest possible target to the foe as well as keeping the point of the blade pointed at the opponent. Instructional texts by the masters Agrippa, Capo Ferro, and di Grassi also make this one of the best documented styles of swordsmanship.
The primary weapons of this style are the foil, the long sword, and the rapier. The Foil is a sword with a long, thin blade, sharp point and no edge. The Italian or "Slashing" Rapier is a long, well-balanced weapon designed for thrusting. With it's aggressive, fast approach to combat, there are two primary types of attacks in the Italian school: the thrust and the lunge. An invention of the Italians, the lunge is a type of running thrust.
Another invention of the Italians is called Florentine fighting, named for the city of its birth, consisting of integrated attack and defense by using weapons in both hands. The off-hand weapon used was typically a parrying weapon, such as a baton, dagger, fo, or spiked buckler and the off-hand was typically protected by a gauntlet. The baton is a cane-like stick mostly used for parrying. The fo is a cloak with weighted hem. Some Italian fencers used two long blades instead of a parrying weapon. Secondary to the dual weapon approach was the use of a single dagger, grappling with the opponent, and then stabbing him multiple times.
The Italian style was one of the most influential styles of Europe and the French style is derived almost completely from it. Additionally, modern epee and foil fencing are based on the Italian style. Several variants of this style were also developed by such masters as Giacomo di Grassi and Vincentio Saviolo.
Costume: Musketeer Outfit; Doublet worn with canions (close fitting breeches) over stockings. Sometimes a jerkin (jacket) was worn over the doublet. Other apparel includes cloaks, shoes, and a variety of brimmed hats.
Stance: Feet are about three feet apart with the right foot forward. The sword is held with the hilt next to the right thigh and pointed toward the opponent's waist, in a straight line with the heels. The body is twisted so that only the profile of the upper body is shown towards the enemy. A dagger is held in the left hand with the left arm at a right angle to both it's side and chest, so that the dagger is held in an obtuse angle to cover the left side.
CHARACTER BONUSES
Add +1 to P.S.
Add +4 to P.P.
Add +10 to S.D.C.
COMBAT SKILLS
Attacks per Melee: 5
Escape Moves: Maintain Balance, Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact.
Attack Moves: Lunge (NEW!).
Basic Defense Moves: Automatic Parry, Dodge, Parry.
Advanced Defense Moves: Circular Parry, Combination Parry/Attack, Disarm.
Hand Attacks: Punch (Human Fist).
Basic Foot Attacks: Kick Attack.
Jumping Foot Attacks: None.
Special Attacks: Death Strike.
Holds/Locks: Wrist Lock.
Weapon Kata: W.P. Long Sword (Large Sword), W.P. Rapier (Large Sword), W.P. Foil (Large Sword), W.P. Buckler, W.P. Baton (Blunt), W.P. Dagger, W.P. Paired (only with weapons on this list).
Modifiers to Attacks: Critical Strike.
SKILLS INCLUDED IN TRAINING
Martial Art Powers: None.
Languages: Italian.
Physical: Running and Fencing.
Weapon Proficiencies: W.P. Long Sword (Large Sword), W.P. Rapier (Large Sword), W.P. Foil (Large Sword), W.P. Buckler, W.P. Baton (Blunt), W.P. Dagger, W.P. Paired (only with weapons on this list).
Philosophical Training: Code Duello.
If this is your Primary Martial Art then the following other styles can be learned in a shorter time: Arte della Daga (5 Years), Arte dell'Abbracciare (7 Years), Destreza (10 Years), Escrime (7 Years), Hungarian Saber (7 Years).
LEVEL ADVANCEMENT BONUSES
1st: +1 to Strike with Swords, +1 to Parry with Daggers, +1 to Damage with Swords, +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact.
2nd: +1 to Initiative, +1 to Strike.
3rd: +2 to Parry/Dodge, +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact.
4th: +1 to Strike with Daggers, +1 to Parry with Swords, +1 to Damage with Daggers.
5th: Add 3 levels to one Weapon Kata.
6th: +1 Attack per Melee.
7th: +1 to Strike, Critical Strike on a Natural 19 or 20.
8th: +1 to Strike with Swords, +1 to Parry with Daggers, +1 to Damage with Swords.
9th: Death Strike on a Natural 20.
10th: Add 3 levels to one Weapon Kata.
11th: +1 to Initiative, +1 to Strike with Daggers, +1 to Parry with Swords, +1 to Damage with Daggers.
12th: +1 Attack per Melee.
13th: +1 to Strike with Swords, Critical Strike on a Natural 18, 19, or 20.
14th: +1 to Parry with Daggers, Death Strike on a Natural 19 or 20.
15th: +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Damage with Swords.
Why Study ARTE DELLO SPADONE?
Combines good defensive combat techniques with the maximum possible offensive techniques. A terrific, action-oriented martial art. This style is an extremely deadly art with a weapon. Relatively few special skills.