Weapons Demo

[Topaz]

Shieldwall will present a weapons demonstration, entitled "Weapons of Light and Dark," on Tuesday, August 26 at noon (Eastern time) in the Dundee training yard. We will demonstrate some of the uses of the sword and the dagger.

We hope you will all attend.

[Topaz]

Our weapons demo today went off almost entirely smoothly. The audience outnumbered the performers and participated in the discussion.

I will post the script for interested parties.


Topaz

[Topaz]

TOPAZ: Greetings and welcome to our weapons demonstration. Thank you all for attending. I am Topaz and this is Wyf Broadskull.

TOPAZ: This demonstration is entitled "Weapons of Light and Dark." The "dark" half refers to Wyf's weapon for today, an antique soul leach fang dagger.

Wyf draws and displays the soul leach fang dagger.

WYF: Soul leach fang daggers are usually found in the long dark of the Wall, and daggers in general are mostly used by rogues. Hence their association with darkness and shadows.

WYF: *twirls the dagger in his hand* Of course anyone may use a dagger, it is the simplest of blades in many respects and widely available to all.

WYF: This demonstration is intended to refer to dagger fighting *other than* by rogues ... if you want to know how a rogue fights, a warrior is not the one to ask.

WYF: A dagger is a typically double-edged blade used for stabbing or thrusting *performs the two moves in rapid succession* and is usually a secondary defense weapon in close combat.

WYF: Hold the dagger thus, blade pointing from the heel of the hand, and make downward jabs. you must strike straight and direct to the man, *chuckles* or woman in this case.

WYF: Strike to the head or to the body, whatever is the closest and quickest. This must be done with speed and with one strike rather than many, which will again leave you open for a counterattack.

WYF: Daggers have limited effect against other weapons, yet used on the battlefield, they can be employed to great result against a heavily armored opponent.

WYF: Heavy armor means great fatigue. Once you have worn down your opponent, then use the dagger to seek out his weak spots.

WYF: Look always to the openings: to the head, the body if you would make a quick end of things. Always strike and thrust at the closest openings. He who strikes widely around, will find himself adrift.

WYF: Always be in motion. This will force the opponent to be on the defensive and not be able to come to blows himself.

WYF: Finally, to defend much against strikes is to risk all. If you strike first, you force your opponent to defend or to risk leaving himself open attempting a strike of their own.

TOPAZ: As for the "Light" part of our program ... *draws Lightbringer* My weapon for today is this sword, which has been strengthened by several spells that give her her name -- Lightbringer.

TOPAZ: An ancient warrior once said: "The art of the sword is this: to kill or incapacitate your opponent in the shortest possible time, with the least amount of effort."

TOPAZ: I am sure that all those gathered here have learned the basics of swordsmanship and have at least some combat experience, but nevertheless I offer a few pieces of advice:

TOPAZ: Balance is key. Keep your body balanced so you can strike or parry without being hit. Keep your feet apart and touching the ground as much as possible, giving you greater strength in your attacks.

TOPAZ: Keep your posture straight and your chest and torso forward, which will keep you from losing your balance during your swings and allow you to avoid with a simple twist any blows coming toward you.

TOPAZ: In combat, know the length of your sword, and what it is designed for and capable of. Is your sword designed for stabbing, or for cutting enemies in half, or for slicing them into ribbons?

TOPAZ: The same applies to your opponent's sword. If you have a shorter sword, get in close and stay within his guard; if a longer sword, keep your distance. If about the same, stay about one large step out of reach, depending on your height, sword length, sword style, and fighting style.

TOPAZ: Finally, a word about armor. Be aware that while light armor gives you more freedom to maneuver and is easier to fight in, heavier armor can absorb more punishment. And heavy armor such as plate mail changes the way you move, the way you see, and even how you should hold your weapon.

Topaz readies Lightbringer and she and Wyf face each other on the platform.

WYF: It is the way of all things that a balance must be had; with a dagger their greatest drawbacks are also their best advantages. *readies himself and the dagger* Short blade, short reach, and therefore the necessity to close with the enemy.

Topaz and Wyf engage. Topaz's sword glances off Wyf's Cory Imprinted Shield; Wyf's dagger strike fails to reach Topaz.

WYF: Even with mine own great reach, I am, as you see at a disadvantage...

Wyf with a deep grunt of effort, propels himself forward abruptly closing the distance between him and Topaz, his dagger narrowly stopped by her shield as her sword fails to block it.

WYF: ... A shorter blade is also a nimbler blade. An attack can be made with a dagger which would be difficult or impossible with a full-sized blade ...

Topaz steps back to give herself room to use Lightbringer, but Wyf maintains the distance between them and attacks again with the dagger.

WYF: ...and closing with a dagger helps to make the two equal ...

Topaz takes a sudden long step back and parries with Lightbringer, sending Wyf's dagger flying from his hand to skid along the floor.

TOPAZ: Almost equal.

WYF: ...*chuckles and shoots a look at Topaz raising a shaggy brow at her* depending, of course, on other factors. *retrieves his dagger* And the lesson is, if you see a monster wielding a brightly shining sword, run.

Topaz and Wyf resume their combat stance facing each other.

TOPAZ: The other lesson is that the smaller, more agile blade is indeed harder to evade. It can slip behind a shield, under a guard ...

Wyf attempts a disemboweling blow which Topaz bounces off her shield.

TOPAZ: And those of you who used them as initiates will remember that they are ...

Wyf closes again and feints. As Topaz reacts, Wyf successfully lands a blow on the armor at the joining of Topaz's head and neck.

TOPAZ: *calmly* ... good for attacking from unexpected directions.

TOPAZ: I realize that this does not address the question of what to do when you and your opponent *both* have a dagger ... but as we said earlier, this demonstration is mostly from a warrior's point of view.

Wyf and Topaz exchange glances and speak quietly. Topaz nods.