Defend Theyself! [Dagger Training / Mod, Please]

[Lirael Galanodel]

It wasn't hard to find Li of Zinn'Sunn, though her hands shook slightly at the thought of learning how to harm another -- how to take their life.

Lirael drew in a deep breath, approaching the man with a small smile, waiting patiently for him to notice her before speaking.

"I am here foa' trainin' wi' daggers, an' dual wieldin' those if possible."

[Dignitas]

 

This Thread has been approved for Peer Moderation assigned to Peermod Lucian Divilli under the authority of Game Master Dignitas, as per the accepted Modplan Participants are advised that conditions and circumstances may be adjusted to ensure fairness and balance.

[Lucian DiVilli]

The small frame of Li was busy in the training stall where Lirael found him. His straight black hair had become streaked with silver highlights, telling his age. Across from him was an equally aged katta, though quite a bit taller and just as skinny. The moved in circles that belied their age, the circular dance was adjusted as one leaned forward with a swipe then spin to evade an incoming response. These two were not beginners, but experiecned professionals. With enough training and experience, the female could hope to met there expertise.

As the student got closer, the paused their dance and made a quick bow to each other. Legionnaire Li then made his way towards his student.

'Serale... It is good to meet you this brightening, you may call me Master Li, or Legionnaire Li. Yes we will be training you in the art of dagger training.' He made a short bow, and waved his arm for the female to enter. The katta covered his mouth as he began to cough, to which he took a sip of mug sitting near by. He nodded as the instructor then introduced him.

'This is a dear friend of mine. Master Krrithit, one the primer knife makers in the Empire. He will watch our session, and perhaps add a few bits.

If we are lucky,' He said with a wink and smile to the jagara

So Lirael, why is it that you seek to learn the art of wielding a dagger?' The aging master asked. 'And can you tell me what makes a dagger different from other weapons?'

The seemingly vague questions would help the man format his training to match his pupils needs. He did not want to waste either one of their time showing her what she did not want or need.

[Lirael Galanodel]

Lirael nodded, hands clasped behind her back as she considered the question -- and the man before her.

"A dagger can be hidden on yer person -- makin' ye appear less o' a threat than ye really are. 'Tis small, so people tend to be thinkin' ye are no' as much o' a threat as ye really are."

She smiled now, tilting her head to the side. "An' tha' can be quite useful, as I'm sure ye're knowin' already."

[Lucian DiVilli]

The katta had moved to a corner of the room, and leaned back on a stool. He flipped open a book, not really reading but watching the student respond to the questions asked. The old kemite nodded in approval, female was very correct in her reasoning.

'It is important to remember that knife combat generally done in pretty close quarters. That gives you a lot of opportunity to use your hands and feet as well.' The old man replied, his gaze dropping to his own weapon in his hand.

'Also, it can be thrown at an opponent a small distance away. Jar'lan is known for his skills with knife throwing. Also there are further tricks that can make a dagger even more dangerous... But we will cover those later.'

Moving a slender hand before him, the old kemite presented to his student a wooden dagger. Then began to describe what she held.

'This one is made of wood, for your safety during training. It is abit heavier, and will your speed when you finally use real dagger.

A quick break down of the components...

Here is the grip of the dagger, what is sometimes called the hilt. You want to hold the dagger only by the first two fingers and thumb. The last two fingers are lose and touch the hilt. The guard is the little piece here that keeps your hand from slipping up on the actual blade...

With a simple bend of wrist can point blade to an opponent, up, for slashing and thrusting and down, for stabbing, hooking or holding enemy.

Then there is the blade, a knife usually has one edge, a dagger two. Most people use the terms interchangeably, but don't do that around the old kat over there. He is a picky old fella.' Li said flicking a thumb back at Jar'lan, who looked up one eye squinted.

He looked to the student to see if there were any questions. He then asked another question, 'Soo... what do you consider the advantages, and the disadvantages for this weapon.' He had already gotten a bit of information form her, and even thrown in his own ideas. He now wanted to hear it from her lips, and Jar'lan was even now paying attention.

[Lirael Galanodel]

Ashandra accepted the wooden dagger with a smile, moving to copy the instructions the old kemite gave. Pausing to consider the question for a moment, she continued the motions her instructor have given her as she began to speak.

"Obviously, a disadvantage would be havin' to get in close to yer opponent. Even to be throwin' the weapon, ye must stand relatively close, aye? Wi' other weapons, ye can put a bit o' distance between yerself an' yer opponent. Howe're, ye have both a ranged an' close combat weapon in one, if'n ye know how to use it. An' one 'tis easy to hide on yer person, to boot."

Ashandra turned to watch her instructor expectantly, stopping her motions as she waited for his response.

[Lucian DiVilli]

The kemite nodded in appreciation of the response. He had gotton an answer that he was satisfied with. There were many intricities of the dagger, and though it was a small weapon it took much time an diligence to master. Even the basics required one to focus on the lessons, and practice on thier own. Though Lirael was just startin she would have a long road to travel.

'Ok next we shall go over the basic stnace' The instructor was once agian facing his student, where he lowered his body slightly into what she would soon learn to be the Forward Stance. His feet were spaced shoulder length apart, with the left a half a foot off set. He bounced slightly up and down, showing he was ready for any movement.

'From here we can react quickly, which is the hallmark of a knife fighter. Remain lightly on the balls of your feet, with your shoulder loose.' He in formed her waving his arms up and down, showing the range of motion he had.

'You can hold her dagger up, and out slightly... towards your opponent. Hold your off hand up... can you tell me why?' The Zinn'Sunn accent heavy on his lips. He showed Lirael that his off hand was held slightly behind the weapon hand, palm open as if prepared to push.

After the female followed along, he would move on to the next item of training.

Now.. how to hold the blade.

There are two grips used. For slashing and thrusting, dagger should be held with the blade up. But for stabbing, hooking or holding enemy, you should hold the dagger with its blade down.

Get in the stance we just worked on, you can practice on that wooden dummy.' He motioned over to the 'dummy' which was little more than a large wooden post. It was anchored to the ceiling and the floor with a metal hinge that allowed it to spin. There were many gashes, and nicks carved out from various students that Ki had trained.

[Lirael Galanodel]

Lirael nodded, moving in to the stance her instructor had shown her and doing her best to attack the so-called training dummy.

She was, perhaps, a bit timid in her movements, moved a bit too slow, thought a bit too long on just where she was going to strike, where she should move to get the best aim.

She kept a firm grip on the hilt of the training dagger, however,and seemed to go straight for the spots of the body that would inflict the most damage -- the heart, the sides, the throat.