{Training} Basic Dual Elven-Longsword (Aerynth)

[Cheshire]

When Aerynth returned to the fountain at the appointed time, Matthes was already waiting for him. He seemed to have never left the spot he had been in when the Katta had been their previously, though Aerynth was certain he must have moved. When the ranger spied The Jagari, he beckoned, motioning for Aerynth to have a seat at the fountain next to him.

Matthes smiled at his new student and spoke, asking a few basic questions.

"So, why did you choose to purchase two elven-longswords? Admittedly, it is a strange choice, and hard to master. You will sacrifice a lot of defense for the art of dual wielding."

Matthes still smiled, awaiting a reply from the Katta.

[Aerynth]

Aerynth awoke fairly early the next brightening, feeling refreshed. Knowing he was in for a long hard day, he ate breakfeast. Some dried jerky with an apple hit the spot. He drank his flask of water, too make sure not too get dehydrated. After tucking his pack away, and straping his swords into there normal position, Aerynth knowing the sooner and better he learns his Blades the safer he will be. So at a quick pace he hustles too the fountain.

Opon seeing Matthes in the same spot, Aerynth pondered if Matthes had left the fountain at all. Shrugging he took a seat near Matthes and replied.


" Well honestly for two main reasons, back in the day my Uncle had been quite the swordsmen. He used duel swords too defeat his enemies, unleashing a storm of fast strikes too overwhelm his enemy... He once told me that, The best defense, is often a great offense. And Ive also heard that Elf's make some of the finest weapons in the land making strong, light, but most of all deadly weapons. I guess thats why I decided too purchase Elven steel."


Smiling back towards Matthes hoping the answer he gave would please him.

[Cheshire]

The ranger smiled, seemingly supportive of the process behind the Katta's decision. He walked toward Aerynth motioning for the other to draw his swords. He drew his own, taking an easy position, and began describing the beginnings of swordplay to the Jagari.

"Well, the first thing you'll learn are the three main postures. I'll demonstrate, then have you copy me while I fix any little problems with posture or angle. First, neutral position: Stand with your feet approximately shoulder-width upart, knees slightly bent. Keep your back straight, and your chin up, while resting your hands comfortably down, with your elbows bent slightly as well. The blade's tip should be just above the ground, slightly pointing inward. The key is to stay relaxed. You may feel vulnerable with your blades down, but believe me, you can defend any attack from this position."

Matthes adopted the posture with ease, it was clearly well-known to him. It seemed strange that this man of so few words could describe something so accurately. Aerynth could note nothing that wasn't included in the ranger's description of his stance. The human continued, waiting for Aerynth to copy.

"There are several advantages to this stance. It is great for both attack and defense, it prevents you from getting tired too quickly, and it gives you a variety of options for movement. There are negative sides, however. This as a defense is not impenetrable, nor can it throw someone too far off of their own defense. Let me see you do it, then we'll move on to the optimum defensive posture."

[Aerynth]

Aerynth stands as he observes Matthes, and his neutral position. After observing the stance, and listening too Matthes.

Aerynth assumes the neutral position. Standing with his feet shoulder lenth apart, and his knees slightly bent. Keeping his back straight and his chin up, he draws his blades and then rests his hands comfortably down. Aerynth's elbows are bent slightly letting the tip of the Elven Longswords lay just above the ground below. His eyes are locked onto Matthes waiting for his approval, or suggestions too further improve the stance he is now in.

[Cheshire]

Matthes corrected a few errors in the Katta's stance, but over all, it was good. The ranger had expected the first few instructions to be easy, but it would grow more difficult. He nodded, then went on to a new stance, defensive.

"In the defensive posture, you will be turned most of the way to one side, with your dominant hand foreward. Your back foot will be just less than ninety degrees from the angle of your shoulders, which should line up with your opponent. Your front foot will be placed heel-up on the ground, supporting almost no weight, with your knees bent. Your front hand will be about waist-high, the blade of your sword curving up toward your opponents throat, and your other hand should be down at your back hip, the blade coming across your body and ending just above the level of your front hand. The two swords together should make a sort of wall. The most common defense tactic would be to parry with your front sword, and pivot on your back foot, countering the attack with your other."

Matthes adopted this stance just as easily, placing his front toe on the ground. He raised and lowered it quickly, accentuating the lack of weight placed upon it, and awaited Aerynth's attempt. It would be a tad difficult, but his Katta agility would afford him the necessary grace.

[Aerynth]

Aerynth adjusted and made the prompt corrections with the neutral stance. When Matthes went too the Defensive posture, Aerynth watched closly. Knowing this will proubly be the most important stance too learn, because duel wielding does have a lack of defense.

Focus and determination is found on Aerynths face, he is definatly dedicated too learning from Matthes knowing well, that the more prepared he is the better off everyone in Acumin will be. It could be the difference between fending off 2-3 more enemies, or dying because of lack of swordsplay.

Aerynth turns his backfoot at about 87 degrees from the angle of his shoulders, and points his front foot directly at Matthes. He balances on his back foot, barly touching the ground in the front and his knees are bent slightly. His legs are in postion and are ready too pounce forward or adjust for a quick pivot forward or back. His right hand was firmly placed at his back hip, and his left hand had the blade pointing up directly at the throat of Matthes. From a distance of coarse. He tries too copy the wall like barrier that Matthes has made. And waits once more for his approval or suggestions too improve.

[Cheshire]

Matthes again corrected a few minor errors in the students stance, but it seemed solid enough. The real test would be in action, but for now there was yet another stance to learn. The neutral stance was perhaps the most used by the stout ranger, but when he truly wanted to tear his opponent apart, he chose the offensive. Sliding his weight to his front foot, he extended his rear leg, nearly locking the knee. His front knee was bent slightly, and his hands slipped eagerly into place, blades in tow. His front hand was similar to it's position in the neutral stance, blade tip down nearly to the soft grass, but his back arm differed greatly. The rear arm was in an upward arc, his hand just above his head. The crossguard of his back sword lined up nicely with the center of his skull, and the slightly curved blade was upturned, coming to it's point again nearly even with his front hand. He turned his head to his student, describing the stance.

"Now, this is the offensive stance. It is quite powerful and mobile, but it lacks the proper balance for proper protection. I usually employ this tactic to face multiple opponents quite aggressively. Make sure that your back knee is nearly locked, but not quite. You don't want your knee broken, that's for sure. The front blade is for parrying low attacks, or attacking low, but do not underestimate the effectiveness of a quick lunge with it. That tactic is quite effective to start off a good combination. We'll get to that later. The rear, or top, blade is for parrying high attacks, but can also be devastating when swund down and around the head. Go ahead and try this one, then we'll move on to basic parrying."

The human gazed at his Katta student expectantly, assuming he would continue his lesson without argument.

[Aerynth]

Aerynth simply adjusted his stance from defensive too the offensive stance. Trying too Mirror Matthes smooth motion and transition between stances. Aerynth moves his weight forward onto his front foot and nearly locks his back knee. He slides his left hand (front) down back where the neutral stances placement was with the blade pointing towards the grass. Aerynth raises his right hand up at an upward arc so his hand just above his head just like Matthes sword. Aerynth's eyes are locked on Matthes waiting for corrections, or suggestions too improve the stance.