The Cinder Hierophant
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
- Intent: To codify a martial tradition particular to the Sithsword and signature to the Sith Eternal.
- Image Credit: ~}&{~
- Canon: Form VII
- Permissions: N/A
- Links: I, II, III
- Tradition Name: Immortal Bladecraft Sword of The Corpse, Sword of The Slave, Sword of the Eternal
- Tradition Type: Sword Form
- Tradition Focus: Overwhelming power, superior cunning
- Influence: Minor
- Orientation: Dark
- Influence Area: Saijo, Palace of Silver Rain, The Sith Order, The Sith Eternal
- Symbol: A broken sword. A manacle hangs on the crossguard. A skeletal claw grips the handle.
- Description: Developed by the Sith Eternal as a technique system tailored for the Sith warblade, the three styles of the Immortal Bladecraft cement a foundation upon which more advanced techniques, and lightsaber forms, may be laid.
- Membership: The Immortal Bladecraft is a tradition widely available within the Sith Order. It is taught to acolytes of the Palace of Silver Rain, regardless of their sect or affiliation within the Order.
- Motives: Codified with the Sithsword in mind, this sword form seeks to train up warriors for the Bogan possessing overwhelming power and superior cunning.
- Rules and Teachings: In battle, their are two worthy goals the warrior pursues: Zeâhacas, meaning a singular killing blow, and Palthos, which is the state of frantic mayhem that possesses a panicked enemy. The fundamental purpose of the Immortal Bladecraft is to outline the two paths the student may walk to achieve these dual aims in combat. These paths are Canhođân, roughly meaning circumvention, and Canganorîl, literally 'to overpower'.
- Reputation: The styles contained within the Immortal Bladecraft are named for monikers and epithets held by Darth Empyrean, once called Maliphant. This, along with the Immortal Bladecraft being the creation of the Sith Eternal, identifies it with that sect inextricably. Out of pride, the other Sith sects do not widely study this art, though it is no secret tradition by any means. On the contrary, at the Palace of Silver Rain on Saijo, the Immortal Bladecraft is given freely to any acolyte who earns their Sithsword.
- Characteristic Equipment: The main body of the Immortal Bladecraft is written with a one-handed or a versatile longsword in mind, (versatile here meaning the sword can be wielded comfortably with one or two hands). While there are a handful of appendices mentioning application for polearms or dual-weapon fighting, these alternative resources are by no means exhaustive.
- Variant Styles:
- Sword of the Slave: The path of Canhođân (circumvention). Fast dynamic footwork is paired with broad lateral slashes, maneuvering the enemy to set up a lethal stab, the Zeâhacas. Most techniques make ample use of room to run, and involve a feint, ending with a single killing sword thrust. Any fight can be ended in one move, if it is the right one.
- Sword of the Corpse: The path of Canganorîl, (overpowering). This style is characterized by many different overhead swings, and defense that relies on deflection and blocking. Footwork is slow, prizing a firm stance. Usual techniques will involve furious onslaughts meant to shatter defenses and inspire Palthos. Once the mayhem takes hold, the will to fight is lost.
- Sword of the Eternal: The third and final sword style of the Immortal Bladecraft. To be attempted once the warrior has mastered the two initial styles, the Sword of the Eternal represents the perfect synthesis of the Swords of Corpse and Slave. When one can use every technique of both styles interchangeably, pairing strikes with antithetical footwork and flowing in uninterrupted violence.... then a Sith may teach the Ashlan why this style is sometimes called Sword of the Sith'ari.
- Notable Limitations: Besides having few resources for those not employing a single sword, the Bladecraft teaches almost nothing in the way of projectile defense. Sithswords being unable to deflect a blasterbolt, the text simply calls on the initiate to sense danger using their precognition, and to cut anything flying at them in half. Additionally, all of the styles encompassed by this tradition are meant to kill quickly, or create room for a sorcerous attack. If a practitioner is drawn into a lengthy duel, a true test of stamina will begin, as the Bladecraft calls for all available strength to be poured into every strike.
MEMBERS
Venn Kolis
Acolytes of the Grey Annex
HISTORICAL INFORMATION
Until the day comes when the average Sith Neophyte masters telekinetic combat inside of a week of training (unlikely,) those of subpar sorcery within the Sith Order will forever carry weapons to defend themselves as they grow stronger in the Force. For centuries, alchemized warblades have been presented to those hopeful initiates who have not yet earned the right to carry a lightsaber, that scarlet symbol of the undying Sith. Despite this long tradition, the fixation on lightsaber combat within the Order has long meant that specialized arts for warblades have gone largely unpracticed, untaught, and unsung for many generations. While lightsaber forms have some practical application to 'dead' blades, they leave much to be desired. A lightsaber, weightless and humming with gyroscopic forces generated by its beam emitter, cannot be compared to a length of cold sharpened steel with a handle.
Enter Venn Kolis, apprentice to
Darth Empyrean
and 'heir' of the Sith Eternal. After the disaster on Odavessa, while organizing the rejuvenation efforts of the Order in the galactic west, the young sorcerer was faced with a hard truth: his swordsmanship was sorely lacking. Seeking to establish a martial school for the Order, the decision was made with the help of close friends and Eternalist advisors. The old texts would be scoured, the depths of the holocrons plundered, so that the legacy of the Sith Warblade might be reforged from its scattered glimmering pieces. Scholars and instructors within the Palace of Silver Rain and throughout the Order worked for months to assemble their work. The result? Overwhelming Power. Superior Cunning. An undying blade.
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