The Scrolls of Prowess (IC, EMPIRE!)

[Lord_Burch]

Bordeux

Saisissant Vipère

Origin:In the mountains of this rugged northern nation, a few small monasteries continue the ancient practice of Saisissant Vipère. It began with the very first settlers of the region, despairing that there were no minerals to craft arms or armor with, searched for a method of defense in this cold, hostile land. A medicine man among their number, seeing the speed with which a snake could strike, and the deadly consequences of it's venomous bite, used his knowledge of the forest to harvest deadly plants for his poisons. Taking the hardwood staves common among his people, he sharpened and hardened the tips, and coated them with his deadly concoction. The people, already skilled with the quarterstaff, happily adopted this method.

Discipline:The Saisissant Vipère is based on fast, deadly strikes. The Vipère seeks kill with one deadly blow, but if that is not possible, to merely wound their opponent, as the poison requires but a simple wound to achieve it's deadly goal. After wounding their opponent, the Vipère simply must focus on dodging and blocking, as the poison does it's work. Most often, the Saisissant Vipère works best when in pairs or trios; one distracts, the other attacks.

Principles: The Vipère, firstly tries to attack with a single, deadly blow, but if that is not possible, they must always rely on their poison to kill their enemies. They wear little to no armor, as it would impede the lithe, agile movements necessary to attack. As such, they must seek to occupy their opponent by whatever means necessary. Whether that entails fleeing, or dodging and blocking, is based upon one's circumstances. More recently, the staff has evolved to one end a long, iron spear, and the other a quick slashing blade, both coated in poison.

Notable moves

A. Balayage Lézard: The Sweeping Dragon is an offensive move based on unbalancing your opponent. The object is to sweep in a low arc at their knees, preferably from behind, and knock them to the ground for a quick, brutal blow to the neck or chest. If they are merely unbalanced, then another blow, this time from above, is best.
B.Sauter Félin: The Pouncing Lion is exclusively used in tandem with a partner. One of them brings their stave over the neck of the opponent in a chokehold, while the other brings their staff in for a crushing blow to the chest or exposed neck. Often, this can kill fully armored knights if done properly.
C. Bondissant Sauvage: The Leaping Tiger requires the Disciple to leap upon their target, preferably from above, driving the tip through their chest. Obviously, this is not advised against heavily armored targets.
D. Venerse Tonnerre: The Oncoming Storm is a series of blows designed to confuse and distract an opponent. While among Disciples and Fathers of the Order, it varies wildly, the most common style taught to Followers begins with a slash at the abdomen, a series of crushing overhand blows, and culminates with a feint; what that entails is up to the Follower.

Notable Users

Benoît Archambault: A master of the discipline, and a renowned poet besides, he is the contemporary leader of the Saisissant Vipère order of monks.
Cordylion: While his surname has been lost to antiquity, Cordylion is the first of the Order, the medicine man who first saw the plight of his people and worked to alleviate their anguish. His knowledge of nature was paramount to the success of the Order, and his knowledge is still a closely gaurded secret among the Fathers of the Order.

Dansant Épée

Origin: A recent development, it began when a noblewoman sought to join the Order of the Striking Serpent, but was denied. Her brother, a Father of the Order, forsook it to tutor her. Under her encouragement, he opened an academy in Adessa, but began to use a weapon more familiar to those of the lowlands, the saber, the chosen weapon upon young new calvary officers, some of which, for the first time, were women.
Discipline: The Dansant Épée, the Dance of the Swords, is based upon the Saisissant Vipère's quick, darting movements, but instead of a focus on a single heavy, crushing blow, the Swordancer focuses on waiting for a single moment where they can elegantly execute their opponent. Unlike most forms of combat, the Dance is seen as appropriate for women- although only the rich can afford the academy.

Notable moves

A. Beguiling Strike: As most of the practitioners of the Dansant Épée are women, the Beguiling Strike uses their, ah, physical charms in order to distract their predominately male opponents. As an aside, this was, well, enlightening to say the least...
B. Elegant Pirouette: An integral part of the style, the Pirouette involves a complicated series of spins to add power behind their blows and to facilitate unconventional directions of attacks.

Notable Users

Cécile Chaput: A daughter of a merchant, she was one of the first to become a true master of the Dance, partially because of her history of ballet as a child.