The Scrolls of Prowess (IC, EMPIRE!)

[Gengy]

Praelior Pilum, Strike of the Spear
To watch a master of the Strike of the Spear is to watch a relaxed man not move... but never be hit.

Country of Origin: Praeclarus

Description: The sea is vast, and can be calm and beautiful; or terrible and full of wrath. So too is the fighting style of the Makgrull who wield the Spears of Praeclarus. Developed ages ago, it is said, by Praeclar himself (some form of prohpet or explorer; it is difficult to say for certain, but he is well respected within Praeclarus), the fighting style is used primarily to fend off large sea creatures. That makes it effective against large targets, and working in co-ordination, but not as effective for single targets by one's self. The spears of the Praestes - warriors and guards of the city - are made of bone from Whales, and carved to be long and sharp, as well as particularly nasty under the water. Not surprisingly, when on land, the already quick style becomes quite deadly in the hands of a master of Praelior Pilum, as there is less resistance here then in the ocean.

Principles: The Strike of the Spear, surprisingly for it's name, is a defensive technique. It is meant to allow the enemy make the first move, and then, like the ocean's flow, twist and turn aside the assault to make for a strike at that point. That is not to say that it lacks offensive movement, but the principles of Praelior Pilum rely on a keen observing eye, and an ability to react, rather then enact.

Discipline: Those who practice Praelior Pilum are taught patience and a watchful eye. The users of the style must move with the currents of the ocean, and not against them, so they are well versed in feeling what is around them. Masters of the style are able to translate the flow of the ocean into the feeling of the wind on their skin, and the rumors are that this means they can feel a strike before it happens.

Notable Moves:

Stultus Balena
(Foolish Whale)
Predators whom attack first find their prey not where they thought it was, and instead many spears now are stuck within it's side. The wielder of the spear flows with an almost eerie side-step, and then stabs deep with the point of the weapon.

Sortem de Piscibus Pilum
(Many Fish, One Spear)
Swimming past a user of Praelior Pilum is not advised, if one is a fish... unless one wants to volunteer to be dinner. In one of the few offensive moves of the style, Sortem de Piscibus Pilum is a rapid strike, one after the other, capitalizing on a fighter's speed and insight. Masters of the technique never miss... and can stick a whole school of fish on a single spear. Sushi Shish kabob, anyone?

Tarda Tetsudo
(Slow Tortoise)
Though not an actual tortoise, the user of the Strike of the Spear can move at - what opponents would swear - are impossibly slow speeds... yet always seem to turn aside nearly every assault. If the wielder feels the time is right, following up this technique with an attack is not uncommon, and leaves the adversary with small pin pricks from the spear tip poking and prodding them. Most commonly utilized by guards and monster hunters of Praeclarus, to encourage a target to go a particular way.

Arma Autem Teuthis
(Arms of the Squid)
In the Arms of the Squid, something happens; something weird and wonderful... for the wielder of the spear. This move is meant to confuse and mystify the target, and entice them to attack. It is both daunting and taunting, and is less of an attack and more of a look; a behavior. It is inviting, and to the untrained, looks like the user of Praelior Pilum has dropped their guard. Do not be fooled. They are asking you to attack them, for that is how their style works best.

Delphinus Fabula Framea
(Dolphin's Playful Spears)
Extraordinarily difficult to pull off by one's self, this attack relies on the coordination of others of the same style, and cannot be used on land at all. Nick after nick, cut after cut, Makgrull swarm around the target, over and under it, in a deadly dance. Never do they let the target get a moment to rest; to make decisions. This is a finishing blow, utilizing numbers and positioning to cause a monster to be slain. The larger the beast, the more Makgrull are required... or the more skillful a single master must be.

Notable Users:
Praeclar (The First Sanctus Makgrull)
Chief Praestes U'ther (General of the Makgrull during Sanctus B'tman's time)
Praestes Y'grin (Personal Bodyguard of Sanctus Makgrull B'tman)
Praestes K'vfin (Personal Bodyguard of Praemonstrator T'lly)

Extras: Though exceptionally strong for a defensive prowess, Praelior Pilum was developed to fight sea monsters. Thus it is difficult to translate it's effectiveness against other, more intelligent beings. Spear-to-spear combat, it is still quite strong... but a heavy weapon that can break the bone spear or attacks that rely on feints and trickery can cause even a master of the style to lose their calm.