Schools of Fencing

[dqn@bignet.net]

Proposed New Optional Rule:

In place of optional rule 18.5 (don't have a book at hand at the 
moment, so I'm not 100% sure that I have the exact rule number correct; 
it's the optional rule for additional damage with A-class weapons based 
on Rank).

New rule introduces different rules for added damage, SC bonus, and 
bonus to defense.  These rules would also supercede the Fencing combat 
talent in Poor Brendan's Almanac.

Different schools of fencing teach different forms and styles of 
combat.  Some emphasize offense, others defense or use of two weapons, 
or other things.

Precedent: Italian fencing vs French fencing vs Russian fencing.  
Different people emphasize different things in combat, so different 
fencing styles arise.

Study of a particular school of fencing provides bonuses affecting SC, 
DEF, Dam.  Cost to study a school of fencing is a small percentage of 
cost to study weapon.  Studying a particular school of fencing can be 
done simultaneously with the study of the appropriate weapon, or can be 
done separately at a later time.

This is not unlike studying True Names in order to improve spell cast 
chances.  It also allows the GM to introduce additional flavor to 
combat.  Any schools of fencing created by the GM need to be reasonable 
and balanced.  This also allows for an additional level of mastery and 
distinction above and beyond basic weapon skill.

A character may learn more than one school of fencing, but each 
additional school adds +25% to the experience cost.  A character's Rank 
in a school of fencing may never exceed that character's Rank with the 
weapon.

Example:
Arolic School Fencing
  This school of fencing emphasizes defense and self protection until 
the opportunity to land a strike appears. 
  Effects: +5 + (1 per 2 Ranks) DEF; Dam +1 at Rank 4, +2 at Rank 7, +3 
at Rank 9; subtract (10 - Rank) from SC.
  Examples: Alphonse has Rank 3 in Rapier and Rank 2 in Arolic Fencing.  
He adds +6 to his defense, does no additional damage, and subtracts -8 
from his SC.  Aramis has Rank 7 Estoc and Rank 7 Arolic Fencing.  He 
adds +9 to his defense, does +2 additional damage, and subtracts -3 
from his SC.

This is just a first draft at this idea.  My current gaming group is 
going to playtest this once we have a working draft.  

Comments?  Suggestions?  Like it or hate it?