The Eye of All-Seeing Wonder
Issue One | Autumn 1992
Tusmikang Khawenlitusmi!
Patrick Brady compares schools of swordsmanship
Legionary of the Diodaz of the Army of Hemektu
The cutting edge
We begin by considering the possible designs of the Tsolyáni sword. There are four basic types and five modifications. Any modification could theoretically be applied to any type. In practice, the Standard sword is the one most commonly modified. The Long sword is rarely modified.
Type I: Standard
This is the commonest sword type, used by the Omnipotent Azure Legion, the Battalions of the Seal of the Worm, the Legion of Kaikama of Béy Sü, and the Legion of Mengano the Jakállan, among others.
Type II: Light
This type is more easily damaged (-2). It is used by the Legion of the Twelve Paths of Avanthe.
Type III: Heavy
Used by the Legion of the Iron Wind and the Legion of Heketh of Purdimal, this type is reinforced to be more resistant to damage (+2).
Type IV: Long
This is employed by the Legion of Chulin the Foreigner, the Squadrons of Tlaneno the Steersman, the Legion of the Many Legged Serpent, and the Cohorts of Chegarra the Hero King. These are associated with the Military Party, perhaps suggesting a "house style".
The following modifications can then be applied to these types:
Modification I: Curved blade
Curving a blade optimizes its value for swinging attacks. This is favoured by the Legion of Hnálla, the Legion of the Mighty Prince, and the Phalanx of Durritlamish. Advantage: A swing attack does +1 damage on an attack roll of 9 . Disadvantage: A thrust attack does -1 damage on an attack roll of 11+.
Modification II: Jagged-edged blade
Jagged blades give the possibility of an unpleasant and hard-to treat wound. Such weapons are used by the Legions of Mirkitani the Hero of Victories, Mnashu of Thri’il, and the Forest of Hh kk-Ssa. Advantage: A thrust attack does an additional +1d3 damage on a base damage roll of 5 or more. Disadvantage: If extra damage is done this means an edge has caught in the wound, requiring a ST roll to dislodge; if this is failed, the weapon is free but unready. (The scalloped edge swords used by the Legion of Lord Kurukaa is a limited version of the above: edge catches on a damage roll of 3+ for additional +1 point; pull free on roll of ST+2.)
Modification III: Short chopping blade
A shorter heavier blade makes for a handier weapon—a fact recognized by the Givers of Sorrow and the Sweet Singers of Nakome. This modification is often applied to the Livyáni chidok. Advantages: Swing attacks are at +1 and do an extra 1 point damage on a attack roll of 10 . Disadvantages: Thrust attacks are at -1 and do 1 point less damage on a attack roll of 10+.
Modification IV: Broad blade
This variant has been the traditional choice of the Legion of Gusha the Khirgari. Advantage: Inflicts a broader wound, increasing bleeding rolls by +4. Disadvantage: Swing attacks are at -1 damage on an attack roll of 10+.
Modification V: Elaborate blade
Such weapons are wielded by the First Legion of Ever-Present Glory and the Phalanx of Heretlekka of Sokatis, as well as by many senior officers of other legions as part of their dress uniform. Advantage: The impressive decoration gives +1 to reaction rolls, if appropriate. Disadvantages: Cost is at least four times higher than for an undecorated sword. There are also slight increases in weight and tendency to be damaged.
| Sword type | Attack | Amount | Reach | Weight | Min ST | Notes |
| Standard | cut | sw+1 | 1 | 21/2 lbs | 10 | |
| imp | th+2 | 1 | ||||
| Light | cut | sw | 1 | 1 lb | 9 | |
| imp | thr+1 | 1 | ||||
| Heavy | cut | sw+1 | 1 | 3 lbs | 11 | |
| imp | thr+2 | 1 | ||||
| Long | cut | sw+1 | 1,2 | 21/2 lbs | 11 | becomes unready |
| imp | thr+2 | 2 |
Quality comes extra...
The table on the next page lists the prices for swords of different quality. The price modifiers add together, so an ornate sword of excellent quality would cost forty times the regular price.
Edge Quality defines the ability of the blade to retain its sharpness. All chlén-hide weapons will lose their edge with use. After every major combat, reduce Edge Quality by 1. Also roll against current Edge Quality; a failed roll reduces the weapon’s damage by 1. Reductions in Edge Quality can be retarded by regular visits to your armourer, removing a single 1 for each day’s work (at a cost of 1-3 Kaitars).
Ornamentation takes the form of styling, colouration and giltwork, jewelled inlays, etc.
The available level of workmanship varies, and you will not always be able to find a sword of fine or excellent quality. Master swordmakers never have trouble finding customers and may not bother with you if you aren’t of high clan. In addition, there are season and regional variations in the quality of chlén hide. Weapon ornamentation is easier to come by, Assuming you have the money to pay for it; but you can’t buy taste.
| Quality | Price | Damage | Edge Quality | Ornamentation |
| Poor | x1/2 | normal | 1d6+11 | None: x1/2 |
| Average | x1 | normal | 1d6+13 | Average: x1 |
| Fine | x10 | +1 | 1d6+17 | Ceremonial: x4 |
| Excellent | x20 | +2 | 1d6+21 | Ornate: x20 |
| Styling | Price | Available | Delivery | Use by others | Custom Points |
| Personal | x10 | 10- | 3-18 days | -1 | 4d6 |
| Custom | x20 | 8- | 6-36 days | -1 | 7d6 |
| Unique | x40 | special | 3-18 weeks | -2 | 10d6 |
What’s the damage?
Standard swords have a base cost of 2d6+3 Kaitars. Any armourers’ clan will stock the basic types; modified versions are less easily come by. Any modification could be ordered, taking 2-12 weeks to complete at 1-6 times base cost. (Even if the armourers’ clan don’t have the local expertise to prepare the modification you want, they will often send for a swordmaker from another city rather than admit defeat and take a loss of face.)
The Curved Sword
For historical reasons, this modification tends to be the most expensive: add 1d6 Kaitars to the purchase price. Availability is automatic in any city except Katalal, where it is seldom found.
The Jagged-Edged Sword
Most common in outlying areas of the Imperium such as Vra, Thri’il and the Chakas, where it is automatically available. Rarer in central Tsolyánu, where it is available on 8-.
The Short Chopping Sword
Common in areas where Vimuhla predominates. Uncommon in Paya Gupa and Bey Sü: available on 11-. Rare in Jakálla and Penom: available on 7-.
The Broad-Bladed Sword
Specific to the province of Daikan and the city of Khirgar. Rare anywhere else: 6- for availability.
| Hit | Parry | Dodge | Damage | Notes | |
| EASY | |||||
| Slash | +2 | -2 | -2 | +Sk/10 | cut only |
| Thrust | +1 | 0 | -1 | - | thrust only |
| Downward Cut | +1 | 0 | 0 | - | cut only; notA-O attack |
| The 4 Measures | 0 | +1 | -2 | - | not A-O attack |
| Set Up | 0 | 0 | 0 | n/a | the Feint |
| Lock Blades | 0 | 0 | 0 | n/a | wpn bind, ST +Sk/2 |
| Distract | 0 | 0 | -1 | crush | opponent defends at -1 |
| Edge Sideways | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | lateral 1 hex; not A-O attack |
| Long Stroke | 0 | -1 | 0 | - | forward 1 hex |
| Lunge | 0 | 0 | -1 | +Sk/10 | thrust only |
| Sacrifice Lunge | 0 | -2 | -1 | +Sk/10 | thrust only; parried at -2 |
| Short Strike | -1 | +1 | 0 | - | |
| Evade | -1 | 0 | +Sk/5 | - | |
| Disarm | -5 | 0 | 0 | n/a | disarm, ST +Sk/2 |
| Defensive Strike | -2 | +2 | 0 | - | |
| AVERAGE | |||||
| Skewer | +1 | +1 | -1 | +Sk/10 | thrust only |
| Stop Thrust | 0 | +1 | 0 | - | the Feint |
| Circle | 0 | 0 | +Sk/5 | - | lateral 2 hexes |
| Blade Wall | -1 | +2 | -2 | - | no DR |
| HARD | |||||
| Sweep the Sky | +1 | 0 | +Sk/5 | +Sk/5 | |
| Fast Strike | +1 | 0 | 0 | +Sk/10 | parried at -2 |
| Pierce Weakpoint | -1 | -2 | -2 | - | NO DR |
But I want it with stripes!
Swords can be customized to the personal requirements of the buyer, thereby enhancing the handling for him alone. This requires a series of "fittings" for you to test the weapon during construction. A high level of ornamentation would be expected.
The lower table shows price multipliers for personalized weapons. For each 20 Custom Points, add +1 to your skill when using the weapon. If the advantage can only be used for either swing or thrust (not both) then the cost is halved. If the advantage only works on 11- then the cost is halved.
Autso goes shopping
An example will show how the whole system adds together. Autso hiKharsan buys a fine, personalized chopping sword of average weight and decoration. This adds to price 210 (having rolled a base price of 10), damage +1, Edge Quality 20, Custom Points 20; swing attacks get +1 to hit and do +1 damage on 10-, thrust attacks are -1 to hit and do -1 damage on 10+. Anyone else using this weapon suffers -1 on their chances to hit, parry, etc.
Getting stuck in
So much for the design of the sword. It is after all a tool of battle, and so we pass on to the use of this tool...
These rules are a variant on GURPS. In this variant, there is no single skill in a weapon such as the sword. Instead there are a number of kata, or techniques, each constituting a different manoeuvre with the weapon. Kata are usually Easy skills. The kata you use in a turn will apply modifiers to your attack and defence chances, etc—some kata reduce your chance of hitting but inflict extra damage, for example.
The other variant used here involves the extended use of professional skills. (These are skills which subsume a smattering of everything a character needs to know in his chosen career: eg, Soldier, Bureaucrat, Paramour, and so on. See GURPS B58.) A professional skill can be used to assist a primary skill roll—so, having Soldier could modify a Psychology roll if you’re trying to predict where a group of enemy soldiers will be heading. The procedure starts with a roll against the professional skill. For every two points you succeed by, take a temporary +1 modifier to the primary skill. But a critical failure of the professional skill subtracts the amount you missed the roll by from the primary skill.
There are a number of universally available sword kata. These are the techniques that anyone might learn. I have also selected twelve Tsolyáni sword styles, which are presented as ‘package deals’ comprising several kata. Each style has some universal kata along with some kata unique to that particular style. The advantage to a character in selecting a school style is twofold. Firstly the Tsolyáni set great store by an impressive display: it is the elegance of your swordsmanship, rather than mere effectiveness, that is admired. Secondly (and more crucially in game-terms) it is easier to learn several related techniques. This is why the points cost for graduating in a style is less than the sum total of all the kata learned: in effect, the package deal gives you a points rebate.
The Military Style
Package cost: 9 points
A brutal style designed to deal with armoured opponents
| cost | level | the kata | hit | parry | dodge | damage | notes |
| 2 pts | DX+1 | Cleave | -1 | -1 | -2 | +Sk/10 | 1/2 DR |
| 1 | DX | Hilt Punch | 0 | n/a | +Sk/5 | +Sk/5 | close reach |
| 1 | DX | Lock Blades | 0 | 0 | 0 | n/a | weapon bind, ST+Sk/2 |
| 1 | DX | Short Strike | -1 | +1 | 0 | - | |
| 1 | DX | Disarm | -5 | 0 | 0 | n/a | disarm, ST+Sk/2 |
| 1 | DX | Downward Cut | +1 | 0 | 0 | - | cut only; not A-O Attack |
| 1 | DX | Shield | |
| 2 | DX | other legion weapon (eg Polearm) | TACTICAL SUGGESTIONS |
| 2 | IQ | Profession Skill: Swordsman | (a) Lock Blades followed by step to close combat for Hilt Punch |
| 1/2 | IQ-2 | Armoury | |
| 1/2 | IQ-2 | History (Legion) | (b) Cleave & Disarm against heavily armoured foes |
Comparison of the Vindicating Blade and Military styles | The Hilt Punch—melee and conclusion
The Method of the Soaring Hunter
Package cost: 9 points
‘The Turning Style’, very mobile and fast
| cost | level | the kata | hit | parry | dodge | damage | notes |
| 4 pts | DX+1 | Talons of the Küni | 0 | 0 | 2 | - | step 3 hexes forward |
| 1 | DX | Set Up | 0 | 0 | 0 | n/a | feint |
| 1 | DX | Lunge | 0 | 0 | -1 | +Sk/10 | |
| 1 | DX | Edge Sideways | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | lateral step; not A-O Attack |
| 1 | DX | Long Stroke | 0 | -1 | 0 | - | step 1 hex forward |
| 2 | DX-1 | Running | TACTICAL SUGGESTIONS |
| 1 | DX | Jumping | (a) Repeated use of Talons to get behind foe should... |
| 2 | IQ | Professional Skill: Swordsman | ...force him to move instead of Attack |
The Jakálla Technique
Package cost: 9 points
Urban style; encourages accuracy and defensive options
| cost | level | the kata | hit | parry | dodge | damage | notes |
| 2 pts | DX+1 | Diagonal Upcut | +1 | -1 | 0 | +Sk/10 | cut only; not A-O Attack |
| 1 | DX | Defensive Strike | -2 | +2 | 0 | - | |
| 1 | DX | Evade | -1 | 0 | +Sk/5 | - | |
| 1 | DX | Set Up | 0 | 0 | 0 | n/a | feint |
| 1 | DX | Edge Sideways | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | lateral step; not A-O Attack |
| 1 | IQ | Area Knowledge (City) | |
| 2 | DX-1 | Sleight of Hand | TACTICAL SUGGESTIONS |
| 2 | IQ | Professional Skill: Swordsman | (a) Upcut to the legs |
| 2 | DX+1 | Fast Draw (Sword) |
The School of Silent Infliction
Package cost: 9 points
Stylists fight in silence, which can be unnerving and makes a good Quirk.
A style that attacks the weapon before attacking the man
| cost | level | the kata | hit | parry | dodge | damage | notes |
| 2 pts | DX+1 | Advancement | -4 | 0 | -2 | - | disarm ST+Sk/2, Hit +1 |
| 1 | DX | The Twining Vine | 0 | +1 | -2 | n/a | weapon bind, ST+SK/2 |
| 1 | DX | Lunge | 0 | 0 | -1 | +Sk/10 | |
| 1 | DX | Distract | 0 | 0 | -1 | Cr | thrust only, opponent defends at 2 |
| 1 | DX | Long Stroke | 0 | -1 | 0 | - | step 1 hex forward |
| 1 | IQ-1 | Sign Language | TACTICAL SUGGESTIONS |
| 2 | IQ | Profession Skill: Swordsman | (a) Twining Vine followed by A-O Distract |
| 4 | Strong Will 1 lvl | (b) Advancement |
The Long Style
Package cost: 6 points
Specifically for the longsword, and intended to ameliorate the tactical drawbacks of that weapon.
| cost | level | the kata | hit | parry | dodge | damage | notes |
| 2 pts | DX+1 | Crouching Thrust | +1 | 2 | +Sk/5 | +Sk/10 | thrust only; not A-O Attack |
| 2 | DX+1 | Bladestrike | +1 | -2 | +Sk/5 | - | feint; thrust only, not A-O |
| 1 | DX | Evade | -1 | 0 | +Sk/5 | - | |
| 1 | DX | Disarm | -5 | 0 | 0 | n/a | disarm, ST+Sk/2 |
| 1 | DX | Edge Sideways | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | lateral step; not A-O Attack |
| 2 | IQ | Professional Skill: Swordsman | TACTICAL SUGGESTIONS |
| (a) Bladestrike followed by Crouching Thrust | |||
| (b) Versus heavily armoured foes: Evade, sw/cut (dodge) |
Duelling Academy
Package cost: 6 points Package cost: 6 points
Enables a stylist to look good in the Hirilakte. The emphasis on one kata limits flexibility
Specifically for the longsword, and intended to ameliorate the tactical drawbacks of that weapon
| cost | level | the kata | hit | parry | dodge | damage | notes |
| 8 pts | DX+3 | The Four Measures | 0 | +1 | -2 | - | not A- O Attack |
| 4 | DX+2 | Disarm | -5 | 0 | 0 | n/a | disarm, ST+Sk/2 |
| 1 | IQ-1 | Gambling |
| 2 | IQ | Professional Skill: Duellist |
| 2 | IQ | Professional Skill: Swordsman |
| 1 | IQ | Savoir-Faire |
| -10 | Code of Honour: the Manifesto of Noble Deliverance |
The Way of Glory
Package cost: 6 points
An ancient style incorporating the use of spiked cesti for infighting. Some stylists carry shields
| cost | level | the kata | hit | parry | dodge | damage | notes |
| 2 pts | DX+1 | Hard Cut | 0 | 0 | -2 | +Sk/10 | no move; cut only, 1/2 DR, not A-O Attack |
| 2 | DX+1 | Angular Lift | +1 | -1 | +1 | n/a | weapon bind ST+Sk/2, must step forward |
| 1 | DX | Edge Sideways | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | lateral step 1 hex; not A-O Attack |
| 2 | DX+1 | Cestus Punch | +1 | -1 | -2 | +Sk/5 |
| 2 | IQ | Professional Skill: Swordsman | TACTICAL SUGGESTIONS |
| 4 | Strong Will 1 lvl | (a) Angular Lift followed by Cestus Punch |
SMALL CESTUS: +1 punch damage; -1 to weapon skill with that hand. On 10- a spike digs in for +1 damage.
CESTUS: +2 punch damage; -2 to weapon skill with that hand. On 10- inflicts extra +1 damage.
The Way of Glory: a right then a left | The Vindicating Blade: Sapling Vs Vindication
The Vindicating Blade
Package cost: 6 points
Exponents are usually lightly armoured and shieldless (a possible Quirk). Vindication is difficult to deliver past a shield.
| cost | level | the kata | hit | parry | dodge | damage | notes |
| 1 pt | DX | The Sapling | -1 | -1 | +2 | +Sk/10 | |
| 1 | DX | Vindication | -1 | -1 | +1 | +Sk/5 | cut only; foe gets 11/2 PD |
| 1 | DX | Set Up | 0 | 0 | 0 | n/a | feint |
| 1 | DX | Lock Blades | 0 | 0 | 0 | n/a | weapon bind ST+Sk/2 |
| 1 | DX | The Four Measures | 0 | +1 | -2 | - | not A-O Attack |
| 2 | IQ | Profession Skill: Swordsman | TACTICAL SUGGESTIONS |
| (a) Feint: Four Measures (parry) followed by Vindication | |||
| (b) The Sapling (dodge) |
The Edge of Kureshma’a
Package cost: 5 points
A forthright, indomitable style
| cost | level | the kata | hit | parry | dodge | damage | notes |
| 1 pt | DX | Standing Strike | -1 | 0 | +2 | - | feint; no move |
| 1 | DX | Swordline | 0 | 0 | -2 | - | weapon bind ST+Sk/2 |
| 1 | DX | Set Up | 0 | 0 | 0 | n/a | feint |
| 1 | DX | Long Stroke | 0 | -1 | 0 | - | step 1 hex forward |
| 1 | DX | Thrust | +1 | 0 | -1 | - | thrust only |
| 2 | IQ | Profession Skill: Swordsman | TACTICAL SUGGESTIONS |
| (a) Step into reach with Swordline |
The Red Hand
Package cost: 5 points
A death or glory style
| cost | level | the kata | hit | parry | dodge | damage | notes |
| 1 pt | DX | Deadly Monolith | 0 | 0 | -1 | +Sk/10 | 1/2 DR, cut only; no move; +1 to being hit |
| 1 | DX | Avoidance | 0 | -1 | +2 | n/a | feint |
| 1 | DX | Sacrifice Lunge | 0 | -2 | -1 | +Sk/10 | thrust; foe parries at -2 |
| 1 | DX | Downward Cut | +1 | 0 | 0 | - | cut only, not A-O Attack |
| 1 | DX | Disarm | -5 | 0 | 0 | n/a disarm ST+Sk/2 |
| 2 | IQ | Profession Skill: Swordsman | TACTICAL SUGGESTIONS |
| (a) Avoidance followed by Deadly Monolith |
The Arch of Honour
Package cost: 5 points
Uses feints to deliver telling blows
| cost | level | the kata | hit | parry | dodge | damage | notes |
| 1 pt | DX | Golden Arch | 0 | -1 | -2 | +Sk/5 | |
| 1 | DX | Imminent Destiny | +2 | 0 | -1 | - | cut only; foe parries at +1 |
| 1 | DX | Edge Sideways | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | lateral step 1 hex; not A O Attack |
| 1 | DX | Evade | -1 | 0 | +Sk/5 | - | |
| 1 | DX | Long Stroke | 0 | -1 | 0 | - | step forward 1 hex |
| 2 | IQ | Profession Skill: Swordsman | TACTICAL SUGGESTIONS |
| (a) Feint: Imminent Destiny (parry) followed by Golden Arch | |||
| (b) Defensive: Evade (dodge) |
The Sending into the Arms of Death
Package cost: 5 points
A grim, hard style with a feared reputation
| cost | level | the kata | hit | parry | dodge | damage | notes |
| 1 pt | DX | Accession | 0 | 0 | -2 | - | -1 on chances of being hit |
| 1 | DX | Stillness | 0 | +1 | 0 | - | no move |
| 1 | DX | Downward Cut | +1 | 0 | 0 | - | cut only; not A-O Attack |
| 1 | DX | Edge Sideways | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | lateral step; not A-O Attack |
| 1 | DX | Long Stroke | 0 | -1 | 0 | - | step 1 hex forward |
| 2 | IQ | Professional Skill: Swordsman | TACTICAL SUGGESTIONS |
| (a) Accession (all-out attack) | |||
| (b) Defensive: Stillness |
The Tsamra Style
Package cost: 5 points Package cost: 5 points
Characteristically devious use of the chidok
| cost | level | the kata | hit | parry | dodge | damage | notes |
| 1 pt | DX | Chop | 0 | 0 | 0 | +Sk/10 | cut only; not A-O Attack |
| 1 | DX | Slice | 0 | +1 | +1 | - | cut only; opponent dodges at +2 |
| 1 | DX | Sidecut | 0 | 0 | -2 | - | cut only; opponent dodges/parries at -1 |
| 1 | DX | Lock Blades | 0 | 0 | 0 | n/a | weapon bind ST+Sk/2 |
| 1 | DX | Disarm | -5 | 0 | 0 | n/a | disarm ST+Sk/2 |
| 2 | IQ | Professional Skill: Swordsman | TACTICAL SUGGESTIONS |
| (a) All-out Lock Blades followed by All-out Slice | |||
| (b) Alternate Slice (easy to dodge) with Sidecut (hard to dodge) | |||
| (c) Defensive manoeuvre: Slice |
Matriculation
The more prestigious schools all restrict entrants on the basis of status, temple, party affiliation and/or physical aptitude:
| School | Entry Requirements |
| Military | ST 11, DX 12, HT 11; must be current or former legionary |
| The Method of the Soaring Hunter | DX 13, HT 13 |
| The Jakállan Technique | DX 13, HT 11; must be located in or near the city |
| The Style of Silent Infliction | DX 11, IQ 11, HT 11; high pain threshold |
| The Long Style | ST 12, DX 12 |
| Duelling Academy | exponents are usually of very high clan |
| The Way of Glory | ST 12, DX 12 |
| The Vindicating Blade | DX 12, HT 12 |
