Shyarn-ado has a long history with the Cerean people. This style was rare and complex, often involving a lifetime commitment to one’s master, brain, and chosen style. This ensured complete mastery of the form and responsible use of the techniques in theory
This complicated form was developed originally for wielders of the Shyarn blade. The blade is a curved, single edged sword with a gracefully rounded hilt and a slightly curved handgrip. These masterful exotic swords are made from extracted metals and minerals by the duty-bound Cereans. The weapons are attracted to other blades magnetically on occasion, and this makes for deadly and vibrant duels.
The Art has since spread to other races as the Cereans have spread across the known Galaxy as intellectual giants. The Cerean culture values sheer intelligence, and this style reflects their complex cultural origins. The draconian weapons were often used in duels of honor and status. The Body and the Blade became an intellectual status symbol and state of mind. As well, if you were weak you would rapidly be separated from your weapon and your existence on this plane. Stolen or lost weapons were often retrieved at any and all costs, as it was believed that their soul was inexorably linked to the weapon.
The attacks and parries used by these stylists involve flexibility, speed, and quick tactical thinking. Shyarn Stylists are known for acrobatic, precise, misleading and evasive attacks. Twisting strokes, complex parries, and even sweeping the blade across one’s body to reinforce the weak flesh or parry a wicked potent blow are accepted maneuvers. This style views the sword and body as a complete weapon, each reinforcing the other, each growing stronger through decades of study and tireless practice.
Stance
Stances tend to be flowing. Practitioners do not adopt solid stances, eschewing the rigidness of said stances for fluidity, and ease of free motion. A neutral position often entails knees relaxed, feet placed beneath the shoulders.
Strikes
Slashing cuts, thrust-stabs, pommel strikes and draw cuts make up the majority of the Shyarn-ado repertoire. Extending from the shoulder, rather than the bicep or forearm, the motion is carried from the hip to the sword, the full body motion translating into more devastating strikes. It is important to note that the Shyarn weilder will not strike with his sword arm, but rather with his whole body.
Defense
While most amateur Shyarn weilders will favor using the blade to parry and block the strokes of their foes, even to the point of using their forearms to reinforce the block, more tenured students of the Shyarn do not. Favoring evasion and countercuts saves the strain on the masterwork blades, showing the adepts high regard for the weapon. Static blocks and parries remain in the repertoire, but are used less and less often as one progresses.
Movement
Shyarn-Ado is a reactionary art, typically moving only in direct response to an enemy's motions. Most practitioners adopt a typical set of motions to go through while in the neutral state, keeping their Shyarn moving in order to make attack and defense more natural and flowing. While many of the movements seem showy or 'flowery', they are meant to confuse an opponent while simultaneously setting up the next avenue of attack.
Training
Shyarn-ado is taught with a nearly religious dedication. An aspiring student may enroll at any of several academies, but must be prepared for long periods of tedious exercise. This exercise is thought to hone the body into such a state that it can properly accommodate the Shyarn. Masters will teach the students one on one for best effect, but will often bring their students together to spar with wooden training swords to test their training. Very often, a student who does not take his studies seriously will be released, allowing the master to take on a more worthwhile student.
Weapons
The Shyarn, a long, single-edged blade with ornate furniture, is central to this art. Crafted by special craftsmen who specialize in the manufacture of the Shyarn will often set up shop near Schools. Many affluent Masters of the Art will have a Craftsman on retainer to keep him and his students supplied. Shyarn-ado uses no other weapons.
Level: Advanced
Prerequisites: Kartranin 3, Dulon 3, STR 18
Style: Soft
Weapons: Curved Sword
- • Slice, Basic Parry, Basic Stab
- •• Lunge, Slashing Attack, Drawcut
- ••• Reinforce limb, Power Slash, Blade Defense, Pommel Blow
- •••• Throw Sword, Whirling Strike, Flurry of Blows, Evade Blow
- ••••• Twisting Body, Whirlwind Attack, Sever Limb, Pinpoint Stab, Eviscerate