Brevoy is a land of swordsmen, a land where physical combat is seen as honourable and a mark of social status. Many of the Northern Issians are followers of Gorum, whose noble families have grown from the warlords who first came to dominate the region. In the south, once part of the Taldan Empire, retains an affinity for the Rondolero style, while Restov is home to many of the descendants of Sirian Aldori, famous duellist and First Sword Baron. The mixing of people and cultures leads to a range of styles and competition between the best of each style. Consequently, while all sword schools teach a comprehensive range of weapon skills, the better schools also run specialist classes for their more able (or wealthier) students. There is always kudos for the school when one of their students does well, either in competition or in battle. However, there are some specialisations …

Aldori – A delicate and acrobatic style based on the use of a specialist ‘duelling’ sword. Mainly found in Restov and amongst the Khavortorov, although there are a few schools in New Stetven. It is also found in the rival city-state of Mivon, who base their whole government system on Aldori Duels. The Aldori style of fighting is equally effective on the battle field and in the duelling arena. One of the most respected, Traditional Styles.

Traditional (aka Rondolero) – A fast and furious fighting and duelling style from Taldan that is based on the Falcata and Buckler. There are schools in Silverhall, Restov and New Stetven. Rondolero fighting is equally effective on the battlefield and in the duelling arena. One of the most respected, across Avistan.

Light Blade - Also Known as 'The Modern Style' in Restov. A very common style of fighting (and therefore seen as lower status amongst traditional duelists) this style is particular favoured in areas that depend on the water. Schools are found in Silverhall, Port Ice, Winter Break and New Stetven – with lesser presence in Restov. Some duellists from this tradition use two weapon techniques such as Two (short) Swords or Rapier and Dagger. Many Light Blade fighters do not train in Duelling techniques - but those who do can be fairly effective in the duelling arena.

Spell-Hand – a highly specialized fighting style used primarily by magi – although a few bards, wizards and sorcerers practice the art as well - is often seen as a sub-school of the Modern Tradition. It is always viewed suspiciously in the duelling arena, and spell-hand duellists are generally restricted to fighting other spell-hand duellists as a demonstration bout. There is one specialist Spell-hand training school in New Stetven - and one of the schools in Restov provides training in spell-hand.

Basic – The fighting style of the common soldier, and rarely used for duelling. Most commonly used with shield and armour, it is the default training specialisation. You find these schools everywhere, but the style is not well suited to the Duelling Arena.

The Sword Schools are represented on the Council of Restov by:

• First Swordlord, Lady Jamandi Aldori (All Sword Lords - Aldori)
• Senior Swordlord Aldori-Porter (Aldori Academy – Aldori)
• Senior Sword Master Lebeda-Berain (Northern Schools - Rodolero)
• Senior Sword Master Goffin (Southern Schools – Modern)

The single largest and most impressive Sword School in the whole of the region, its extended training and classes makes it count as a full-blown Military Academy in its own right. Lady Jamandi Aldori, a half-elf, who is not only the best duellist in the region but also claims to be descended directly from Sirian Aldori, the original Sword Baron is the honorary chancellor. Day to Day management is provided by the head teacher, Senior Swordlord Aldori-Porter. They still pay lip service to the original Sword Pact, and all senior students who achieve Sword Lord status are expected to add Aldori as part of their name. Mind you, that is seen as an honour by students and alumni of the academy.

The Academy includes three smaller schools all operating in the same area, led by their own (more junior) sword lord teacher. Some are formal, with live in students who enrol for a yearlong package of training. Others are more casual, with live out students and shorter courses. However, all of them recognise Senior Sworlord Aldori-Porter as Head Master, and Lady Jamandi as their patron. Lady Jamandi gives occasional master classes to the whole academy.

In Kingdom Terms 1x Academy, 1x College & 2x Swordschools+

The Northern Schools are organised around an open courtyard, and are represented on the Council by Duelling master Lord Horatio Lebeda-Berain of Rondolero Court, who is the best Rondolero Duellist in Restov. Description As you arrive at the Northern Sword Schools, you realise that it is set in two distinct buildings on opposite sides of a courtyard. Rondolero House contains Lord Berain-lebeda's school, while Haldane House, across the courtyard, houses a number of other smaller schools. There are half-a-dozen aspiring duellists practising their forms in the courtyard.

Rondolero House specialises in the Traditional Taldan Buckler and Falcata style of duelling. Lord Horatio owns and manages Rondolero House.

Haldane House, which houses the second group of the Northern Schools, is managed by a businessman who leases training dojos to individual masters. Currently there is a Traditional school, a Modern school and a general military training school in residence.

They all look to look to Lord Lebda-Berain for leadership and representation.

In Kingdom Terms 1x College & 3xSword Schools+

The four Southern Schools are scattered across Riverside, and don’t have a formal court, college or academy. However, Duelling Master Lord Ambu Goffin is seen as their leader and represents them on the Council of Restov. While the other schools are more popular among Nobles, the southern schools cater to those with less money to spend.

The schools here are very informal and specialize in part-time students and less common styles. Lord Goffin, for example, is a brilliant Modern Duellist and uses a Rapier most effectively, his school takes both residential and casual students, and those who are capable of advanced training (Learned Duellist Archetype, Duellist Prestige Class). Gibb’s School of Duelling, a very casual school that covers general weapons training and basic duelling, is the only school able to teach the able to spell-hand technique used by Arcane Duellists. The other masters focusing on the ‘Modern’ Tradition. One Master focusses on Rapier and Dagger, the other on Short Swords - although both schools teach a range of weapons.

In Kingdom terms 4x Sword Schools

Terms:

Sword Lord: Think of a Black Belt Martial Artist – Swordlords have completed years of training and practice, internalised the main skills and are seen as masters of their art. To be considered a Swordlord one must: -

• Take the Swordlord prestige class. (Only available at the Aldori Academy)
• Advance to L5 in the Swordlord Fighter Archetype.
• Take the Duelling Mastery Feat (and be L6) (Only available at the Aldori Academy)

Duelling Master: is the equivalent title in non-Aldori disiplines. Senior Duelling masters are often given the title of Honorary Swordlord. To be considered a master one must: -

• Take the Duellist prestige class (Rapier) (Only available at Goffin's School)
• Take the Duellist Feat (Falcata and Buckler) (and be L6) (Only available at Rondelo House)
• Advance to L5 in the Buckler Duellist Fighter Archetype (and be proficient in Falcata)
• Advance to L5 in the Learned Duellist Fighter Archetype (Light Blades)

Styles:

• Aldori: The Aldori Academy teaches the Swordlord fighter archetype and the Swordlord prestige class. The college teach the defender archetype, while the other schools teach general aldori duelling skills. Each school will teach a few of the various specialist Aldori duelling feats.
• Rodolero: Rondolero Court teaches the Buckler Duellist fighter archetype and the Duellist feat. The other schools concentrate on Falcata Training (exotic weapon feat) and the Duellist Feat.
• Modern: The Goffin School teaches the Learned Duellist fighter archetype and the Duellist prestige class. Gibb’s school is the only school in Restov that teaches the Arcane Strike feat that is key to the Arcane Duellist bard archetype. The other two schools are much more generalist in their approach.