PARADOX OF DEFENCE
By Kuseru
Entrance Requirements: No alignment or attribute restrictions.
Skill Cost: 13 Years (11 Years as a Secondary Martial Art Style)
This is the style of English Swordsmanship advocated by the mercenary George Silver in his 1599 book, Paradoxes of Defence. Silver developed this style to counter the growing influence of Spanish and Italian styles. An advanced form of the Old Style of medieval swordsmanship, this style remained in vogue in England long after many other European countries adapted more modern fencing styles of swordplay.
The weapons used in this style include the bastard sword, battle axe, buckler, black-bill, cutlass, dagger, forest bill, glaive, halberd, half pike, javelin, long staff, long sword, morris pike, partisan, short staff, two-handed sword, and Welch hook. Primary methods of combat included single sword, sword & dagger, sword and targe, and sword and buckler. Since this style used heavier and wider swords than the rapier, physical strength was more of an asset than finesse or dexterity. A combination of slashes with the edge of the blade was well as strikes with the flat of the blade and thrusts with the point of the blade were used. This style emphasizes deliberate, steady movements, strong stances, solid blocks, parries, cuts, slashes, and even incorporates some wrestling maneuvers.
Costume: None, though European Armor and Musketeer Outfits were commonly worn.
Stance: Weapon hand should always be on the grip of the weapon, whether it is drawn or not. The other hand is open, fingers toward the ground, palm up and out. The forward foot (same side as sword hand) is flat on the ground, extended out, while the other leg is raised, with only the ball of the foot touching the ground.
CHARACTER BONUSES
Add +2 to P.S.
Add +3 to P.E.
COMBAT SKILLS
Attacks per Melee: 5
Escape Moves: Cob's Traverse (NEW!), Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact.
Attack Moves: None.
Basic Defense Moves: Automatic Parry, Dodge, Entangle, Parry.
Advanced Defense Moves: Combination Dodge/Attack (NEW!), Combination Dodge/Slash(NEW!), Disarm.
Hand Attacks: Punch (Human Fist).
Basic Foot Attacks: Kick Attack.
Jumping Foot Attacks: None.
Special Attacks: Body Block/Tackle, Combination Strike/Parry, Death Strike (NEW!), Pin/Incapacitate.
Holds/Locks: None.
Weapon Kata (Pick Four): W.P. Long Sword, W.P. Bastard Sword, W.P. Two-Handed Sword, W.P. Paired-Long Sword & Dagger, W.P. Dagger, W.P. Paired-Long Sword & Buckler, W.P. Cutlass, W.P. Paired Long Sword & Targe.
Modifiers to Attacks: Critical Strike.
SKILLS INCLUDED IN TRAINING
Martial Art Powers: None.
Languages: English
Weapon Proficiencies: W.P. Long Sword, W.P. Bastard Sword, W.P. Two-Handed Sword, W.P. Paired-Long Sword & Dagger, W.P. Dagger, W.P. Paired-Long Sword & Buckler, W.P. Cutlass, W.P. Paired Long Sword & Targe, W.P. Axe, W.P. Staff, W.P. Polearm.
Philosophical Training: None, though some practitioners ascribe to the Code Duello or Code of Chivalry.
If this is your Primary Martial Art then the following other styles can be learned in a shorter time: Arte Dello Spadone (8 Years), Destreza (10 Years), Escrime (7 Years), Hungarian Saber (7 Years), Ringen am Schwert (10 Years), Ritterliche Kunst (6 Years).
LEVEL ADVANCEMENT BONUSES
1st: +2 to Strike, +2 to Dodge
2nd: +2 to Disarm, +2 to Parry
3rd: +1 Attack per Melee
4th: Critical Strike on a Natural 19 or 20
5th: +2 to Damage with Sword, +2 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact
6th: +1 Attack per Melee
7th: Critical Strike on a Natural 18, 19, or 20
8th: +2 to Strike, +2 to Dodge
9th: +2 to Disarm, +2 to Parry
10th: +1 Attack per Melee
11th: Death Strike on a Natural 20
12th: Critical Strike on a Natural 17, 18, 19, or 20
13th: +1 Attack per Melee
14th: +2 to Damage with Sword, +2 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact
15th: +2 to Damage with Sword
Why Study PARADOX OF DEFENCE?
Offers a full range of weapons that can be used in conjunction with a martial art. To train in this style is also to develop a body carved out of granite, as well as a powerful fighting ability that can tackle most situations. Provides excellent physical training as well. It's more effective than most against non-martial artists but lacks the defenses of most other arts.