Basic Cutlass - Vizharan [Private]

Aesha · May 18, 2004, 02:30 PM

Timestamp: Noon, the Third Brightening of Optia, Era I in the Celestine Mandate, Era X Post Fractum.

Melee Hall One was a large, single-roomed building situated within the rough campus of the Combat faculity that had developed in the Synesi Plateia. The building was made from stone, as most of the city's richer buildings were, and had a pair of huge wooden door at the front, both of which stood open in order for the gentle breeze that sometimes wafting past the classroom to seek its way inside, and cool the bodies of the students hard as work on their close combat skills.

As Vizharan entered the hall, it was noticable that the large classroom was capable of taking on more than one lesson at a time, and several pairs of students and teachers were already engrossed in the lesson of the days, some using swords, some using axes, and occasionally a more exotic weapon could be spotted too.

The hall of the training room was wooden, but had not been polished to a great shine, in order to give students more grip on their feet as they practiced. The bare stone walls were lacking any decoration. Around the room, various pieces of equipment had been left. Several weapons racks had been stood up against the walls, some holding proper steel weapons, but others holding practice replicas made of wood. Stuffed straw dummies in their frames had been lined up against one wall in particular, apart from the couple that were being used for demonstration purposes in lessons. Other than that, a few chairs were dotted here and there, handy for short breaks, or discussing the theoretical aspect of combat.

As soon as Vizharan entered the hall a roguish-looking Elven man beckoned to him. He was sitting in on of the chairs dotted around the hall, awaiting for the arrival of his student. Presumable, he was Gyyle Havaran, the cutlass teacher. He gave Viz a nod. His hair was a dark raven colour, was a bit moppish, and looked like it could do with a cut. He had leaf green eyes that held a meschevious look, and it was quite obvious by his good looks that he didn't have any trouble with the ladies. He gave his newest student a nod.

"Serale! Vizharan... right? I'm Gyyle."

Vizharan Grimshade · May 19, 2004, 05:11 PM

Vizharan gazed about the room he had just entered.
All around he saw men like himself and not quite like himself training with familiar and not so familiar weapons. He was startled by the amount of occupants, being not quite accustomed or comfortable around large crouds.

As he entered, a dark-haired man beckoned him over. He approached the intriguing and handsome man with a smile. He knew it was the right man when he greeted Vizharan and confirmed his identity. The man gave his own name as Gyyle. Vizharan was surprised at the appearance of the trainer. He had half assumed a salty washed-up old pirate would be training him.

Ha, to think I expected some sea dog, he thought to himself, How stereotypical of me.

"Aye.. I am Vizharan," he said slowly, eyeing the man, "Pleasure to meet you Gyyle." He knew that first impressions were important and didn't want to seem rude and mannerless to his new teacher.

"I suppose you will be teaching the basics of the cutlass," he said now with his smile changing into a serious look of educational intent. He was happy to finally be getting the training he would need to become a mercenary. To seek quest and great fortune!

"There is one slight problem, however," he recalled suddenly, "I will not be purchasing my personal cutlass until next brightening." He glanced at the floor, ashamed.

"Is that all right?" he asked innocently.

Malak · May 19, 2004, 05:35 PM

Gyyle gave a slight laugh at the comment "Well Vizharan, I may not have been a sailor but not everyone who uses a cutlass has been sailing for a living. I will of course be teaching you the basics of the cutlass." he said.

Gyyle lifted an eyebrow at his new students worry. "No, that is not a problem at all. We use wooden trianing swords first, then as we get the finishing training, if you don't have th appropriate sword we have many here you can use for that purpose. Before we begin any prior combat or training experiences." asked Gyyle as he retrieved a pair of training swords from the racks.

Vizharan Grimshade · May 20, 2004, 08:34 AM

Vizharan frowned, embarassed. He hadn't realized himself thinking out loud. He was a tad bit worried the man would take offense at the comment but his response was a small laugh. He was glad to hear that he wouldn't be needing his sword today. But perhaps it would come to use after he purchased it tomorrow.

"Alas, no," Vizharan replied, "I've'nt any training or combat save a bad experience from my childhood," a grim expression appeared on his visage.

"I am ready to begin," He uttered as the man acquired two wooden swords from a rack.

Malak · May 20, 2004, 09:59 PM

"Good" said Gyyle as he tossed Vizharan a training sword. "First, parts of the sword. All sword are constructed in the same way when it comes to primary sections. The blade of course, the handguard and the hand grip." said Gyyle as he pointed to the parts.

"With a Cutlass, one can fight one handed with it. Primarily used on ships for boarding other ships. Their small size may look weak but in the hands of an expeienced person, it can take down the biggest man. The reason for the size on ship cutlass' is so it doesn't take up too much room when fighting on a ship. Besides, who would board a ship with a longsword and expect to win fights below deck?" explained Gyyle as he moved the training sword around in his hand. His pause was for any questions to be asked.

Vizharan Grimshade · May 21, 2004, 02:35 AM

Vizharan caught the sword in his left hand and tossed it to his right. He listened carefully and nodded as Gyyle explained the basics of the cutlass. He said nothing, as he wished not to disrespect his teacher.

He looked at the sword, recognizing the diffferent parts. As Gyyle explained the cutlass's use aboard ships, Vizharan was intrigued. He knew of the cutlass's uses, and, although he didn't plan to be sailing anytime soon, he chose the weapon carefully as the one he wished to use soon as a mercenary.

He nodded at the man, signaling him to go on, and waited silently for the man to continue the lesson.

Malak · May 25, 2004, 09:59 PM

"Alright now, basic moves." said Gyyle as he brought up his training sword. "The jab, fast and if in close combat, deadly. He took his sword and slowly brought the sword at waist level straight forward." he repeated a few more times, going faster. "Now repeat what I have done."

Vizharan Grimshade · May 30, 2004, 06:45 AM

Vizharan watched carefully as Gyyle demonstrated the move. He thought for a second and began to mimic what the man had just shown him. He brought the sword straight forward at waist level in a jabbing motion. He gazed at the man, hoping he had done it properly.

Malak · May 31, 2004, 03:10 PM

"Very nice, just be sure to flow with the moves you make. The jab can be put towards any part of the body, head, torso, legs. It's very versitile." He then showef a few upper and lower jabs, jsut so his student could see how other jabs were done.

He then moved on to the slash "The slash, it can be used to open up an enemy for another move. Slashes can be vertical, horizontal, left and right. With a cutlass you need to be in close to an enemy for moves to work, as I siad earlier." He then brought the sword out left and brought the sword right, in a quick slash move.

Vizharan Grimshade · June 1, 2004, 07:35 AM

Vizharan was comfortable now, getting to actually train with the weapon he desired experience in.
He watched Gyyle, and, again, imitated his move.
He brought the sword to the left and slashed to the right, imagining he was slashing an enemy. He tried the move a few times, trying to get it perfect.

Malak · June 3, 2004, 11:34 PM

Gyyle watched and spoke "Just do not let your slash get wide, remeber that this is a primarily close combat weapon, its not made for long wide moves, but small, contained ones."

"Alright, a parry is a simple defensive move. It is very simple." said Gyyle, moving along. He took the sword and brought it quickly forward at a slight angle while taking one step forward, as if deflecting a longer sword he then stepped back into position. "This is to be used as a quick move followed by a offensive attack, go ahead and try it."

Vizharan Grimshade · June 4, 2004, 02:48 AM

Vizharan paid attention to his teacher, he tried to remember to keep is slash small and contained. He watched the man's example of a parry and then, when commanded, began to try it himself. He brought the sword forward quickly at an angle, then returned to his normal position. He looked up at the man, "Like this?"

Malak · June 5, 2004, 12:31 PM

"Yes, good but take a step forward. That step can provide the closing of distance needed for a offensive attack if the enemy withdraws back." said Gyyle.

"Go ahead and try it with the step."

Vizharan Grimshade · June 7, 2004, 12:42 PM

Vizharan tried the move again, bringing his sword quickly forward at an angle as before, but this time taking a step forward and following through. "How is that?" he asked his teacher doubtfully.

Malak · June 8, 2004, 04:39 PM

"Good, like I said. Taking a step can decrease the distance between your opponent and the tip of your sword. It is really up to you whether to follow through with the step but I find it is helpful for me during a fight plus it gives you more balance stepping forward." said Gyyle. He took a few steps around an invisible circle, he then made a quick left slash at Vizharan.

OOC: the slash is from my point of view and Gyyle in right handed.