#swordlord

Another exotic fighting style from the Golarion campaign setting, (Though I don’t have Inner Sea Primer, so I don’t know where from, exactly) Today’s subject focuses on a curved dueling sabre, resembling a longsword in length and weight, but having only one edge.

The dueling sword itself can be used as a mere longsword by anyone with martial training, but those trained in the blade’s intended style can move and swing with blistering speed and dexterity, while still being able to apply power when they need to. Those who specialize in them prefer to fight defensively, parrying strikes before delivering their own, surrounding themselves in a cyclone of steel.

  The blades of these warriors move at such speed that while in the full fury of their attacks, their steel often blocks and parries many more strikes than normal.

Disarming foes is an important part of this style, and these swordspersons perfect the art to the point where they can slice into foes with the same motion that relieved them of their weapon.

These blademasters are so at home when fighting on the defense that they gain even more protection from it, and yet can make strikes with more accuracy than most others that fight defensively.

Finally, whenever a foe actually lands a strike upon them, these warriors react quickly to punish their opponent, striking right back.

Looking for a defensive fighter, but don’t want to lug around a shield? This one might pique your interest. Build for fast approaches so you can use full attacks and fight defensively, keeping foes on their toes and shredding them to bits with little hope of escape barring a full retreat.

  I still don’t know exactly where swordlords reside in Golarion, but from a setting-neutral perspective, these swordspersons make me think of graceful combat styles, and a focus on combat as art, which implies a culture with a warrior mentality that has enjoyed a long peace, and thus, has had taken to perfecting their combat skills into an art form so they do not grow rusty.

    Blademasters from miles around come to the annual Festival of the Blade, performing in mock battles for the crowd, purchasing weapons from master smiths, and representing their country in the Grand tournament. This year, however, hussars from the newly inducted nation of Nuvai come to show off their skills for the first time, performing with their single-handed, curved blades. Not everyone is happy to see the Nuvainese competitors, however.

  The Seleth Kanth, or Wind Blades, are a select cabal of elven warriors devoted to the art of combat. Some say they were once part of the elite fighting forces of the elven army, but the fair folk have been at peace for hundreds of years. Some of the younger nobles have begun to question the need to devote a portion of the taxes to their upkeep. Meanwhile, dark forces stir from the mountain.