The Definitive History of the Warrior Arts

                                   by

                             Skythe Dentrum
                             Master Historian

   Some say the fighting arts are as ancient as the earth. Probably the most
important skill the clansmen of old had was the ability to defend themselves.
From the primitive flames of the ancient forges, clans rose from mere hand to
hand combat and battles wages with clubs into the bloody but highly effective
battles fought with heavy dull axes. The fighting arts back then were more of
strength and stamina than skill or dexterity. The armies that won glory on
the battlefield were those who were able to cut through the attacks of their
enemies with brute force and endurance. The hero of the era of clan wars was
the musclebound brute.
   As metalworking progressed, so did the weapons that it produced. Stronger
metals produced thinner weapons. Armies began to learn that the warrior who
could dodge instead of stopping the blows of the enemy could counterstrike
with deadly results. The clan brute soon found their heavy strikes would meet
nothing but air as a thin blade slipped into their ribcage. The discovery of
the sword had changed the face of warfare.
   This is not to say that the axe faded into obscurity. Anyone remotely
knowledgeable in the arts of modern combat knows that the axe can be a deadly
weapon if wielded correctly. Those born stronger than most found the axe 
still to be the weapon of choice, but not the heavy dull blades that did most 
of their damage by breaking rather than slicing. The stronger warriors took 
a lighter, yet still heavy, form of the old fashioned clan axe. With this, 
they were able to weave patterns in the air nearly as intricate as the 
experienced swordsman and with often deadly results.
   Many claim that war brings out the finest developments in weaponry and the 
clan wars were no exception. From the dust of conflict and the urging of 
necessity arose many weapons that still exist today. The Clan of Syxed, 
eventually assimilated by Rysnor's armies, realized that by striking the 
armies from a distance they could kill with smaller risk to themselves. 
The long-shafted spear was used by many an army to take down a charging mass 
of screaming warriors.
   While many weapons threatened to take the place of the sword, no weapon 
was more used than this simple blade. Nearing the end of the clan wars, many 
varied swords had come into use. The two-handed sword was for those stronger 
warriors who didn't mind trading speed and dexterity for the unstoppable force 
of this broad-bladed weapon. The narrow blade of the rapier was the weapon 
of choice for a walk through the park by the higher class during the few 
years of relative peace after the clan wars. Along with their Main-gauche, 
they could easily defend themselves from the starving and overworked peasants 
that would occasionally try to feed themselves at the expense of these lords.
   As skill in the sword increased, many different forms were developed. 
Some warriors during the reign of Rysnor began fighting with a narrow curved 
blade called the scimitar. Those blades made by the masters would hold enough 
balance to allow the warrior to wield both at the same time. With an offensive 
attack and a defensive potential previously unheard of, these blademasters 
could whittle through an entire regiment of well-trained soldiers.
   As Rysnor aged, visitors began appearing in the eastern mountains from 
across the great desert. These warriors fought with the grace surpassing 
even the best dancer. Every movement, the epitome of efficiency. Spinning 
hands and feet created a wall of death for any who became a target of these 
masters of the fighting arts. Without weapons, these "shadow warriors" as 
they were called, could take down an experienced armored swordsman. With 
weapons, a scattered few could take down hordes of men.
   Along with their skill in hand to hand combat, they also taught those 
who fled into the mountains the art of insurgency warfare. By whittling
away slowly at the armies of Rysnor and forcing him to make rash decisions, 
they eventually inspired the people of the nation to rise up against him. 
These masters of the art of war demonstrated that sometimes you can destroy 
an army and a nation from within with greater ease than a full frontal assault.
   The "shadow warriors" taught all that would learn their art. Soon the 
skill was spreading throughout the insurgents. With support for the tyrranical 
leader fading, it was easy to arrange for a small guard on that fateful 
night centuries ago. Several of the "shadow warriors" slipped into the 
castle and into the bedrooms of Rysnor and his family. Those arriving at 
the palace that morning would find all guards dead, and their evil ruler 
lying face-up in bed, with his throat cut. To a one, his family was 
murdered and his bloodline came to an end.
   Throughout the age of the intellect, many studied and improved the 
fighting arts. Schools were set up to perfect the art form, and many masters 
of the blade began to teach those who wanted to learn. While the land was 
finally being ruled by a man with ethics, it was still filled with evil 
that would gladly kill an easy target. Those who wandered along the roads 
or into the wilderness would have to know how to defend themselves. The
blademasters would offer this training, usually for a fee.
   Along with the creation of the wizards guild, a few of the best warriors
in the land created the warriors guild. This way, they could organize the
effort of training and create in the land a warrior force that could defeat
anything an enemy would throw at them. Created by Dalmar near the middle
of his reign, the knight was an expert at the combative arts and one
who had shown merit or pureness of character in one way or another. The
knight was expected to hold the highest ethics and demonstrate kindness
to even the lowliest of peasants.
   Throughout the history of the land, warriors often found alliance with
mages and wizards. From enchanted forges hidden deep in the eastern
mountains came magical weapons that were deadly in the right hands. 
   The deterioration of society and the loss of values by many ended the
enlightened age of the intellect and plunged the land into the age of
heroes. With this change came a greater need for the warrior than ever
before. Rogue wizards ravaged the land with magical fires and enemy
armies rode across the land, threatening our cities. The beasts of the
land, once nearly quelled during the age of the intellect, seem to be
emerging in greater force.
   The warrior/mage has emerged as the heroes of this age that will keep
our nation intact. Armed with both weapons and the flows of magic, these
deadly warriors must be the guardians of the way of life we all have
come to enjoy in the last few centuries. The call must go out for all
that can to take up arms and pursue the call to battle if we will get
through these dark times ahead of us.