Open A friendly bit of sparring

[Danough Trema]

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Danough Trema 1st of Winter, 513 AV Syliras. A chance meeting The Antinous Training Grounds. Ser Danough surveyed the grounds carefully. He had not been here in some time and he was aware that he was a bit rusty. But he still enjoyed coming here, and he knew the place well. He knew that the training grounds were located on the eastern part of the First Tier, and as a Trema-- his family had many architects in it-- he knew that this meant that they were on top of the Dyres District. It was his family that had helped Lucius Antonius build up this area, after all. At least partially. Personally he found the terrain a bit of a mess and could not imagine any single Trema doing this: the entire place was a complete medley of many different places. One area had a wall, one had several trees, and one somehow mocked up a cliff face. There was a patch of sand and a long row of grass, a muddy marshy area and a grove of dense trees. Danough did not yet understand the value or need in such an aesthetically displeasing arena, but he accept the Training Grounds for what they were and assumed he would understand it all the more seasoned he became. But for now he would have to put such musings aside. It was time to practice his craft. And for Danough, that meant time with his sword and shield. 'A bit of the old sword and board' his father had called it. He pointed at a squire that had been standing around looking for a partner. "You there, lad! I am Ser Danough Trema! I would have the pleasure of your company in a friendly bit of spar while I warmed up."

[Rodistair]

Rodistair had woken early as he had done for nearly everyday of his life, the sun hadn’t even started to shed its amber light across the city when the squire rose, and began his day. A day of training, and fighting, the same as every day before, for almost 7 years. The crisp air infiltrated the squire dorm, and the young boy tried to shake the chill off as he poked and prodded the dim hearth, to keep it lit, and to keep the winter air from completely invading the wing his bed was situated in. He didn’t stay long, he patron Iros wanted him to keep training, and that was indeed the best way to keep warm. “You doughy shortcake of a squire!” Iros would exclaim, “you need to spend some time baking that dough off of you!” Rodistair swiftly jogged to the training grounds, warming up and beating back the chill. He had only spent a few hours at the pell before a loud challenge interrupted his routine. He turned to the man, a full knight by the look of him, Ser Danough Trema , he called himself. Rodistair turned and stood at attention “The pleasure would be mine, Ser Trema.” He saluted, lowering his wooden jousting shield, and touching his forehead with the flat of his wooden sword. “I am Rodistair Mooring, squire of Ser Iros.” He lowered the salute.

[Danough Trema]

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Danough Trema 1st of Winter, 513 AV Syliras. The Thread is titled. Ser Danough returned the salute and nodded at the lad. "At least in the matter of manners and courtesy, you have already been trained well, Rodistair Mooring, squire of Ser Iros. I have no doubt you will someday be leading the Orange Company. I shall commend you to Ser Iros next time we meet.” He pointed at a woman standing off to one side. "And in case you did not know-- forgive me if I speak the obvious but I do not know where you are in your training-- that is a weapon master. Unranked outside of these grounds but without peer here. Even myself or Knight or any Sergeant Major here must defer to her and those like it. Because a member of or order upholds many fine and noble principles, but unless you are a mage, a sharp mind and quick wit will avail you not at all if you don't have a strong right arm to use in your defense. And even Mage Knights undergo rigorous training." Though Danough had with him an ornate sword unlike any Rodistair might have seen before, he went over the quartermaster and had it sequestered, returning with a wooden sword and shield to match Rodistair's own. "I assume you have some basics down pat, but I myself am a bit rusty, so please do go easy on these old bones, Squire Rodistair." If Rodistair had been hoping for some flashy swordsmanship, he would find the next few bells and chimes very disappointing. They did not even exchange blows or attack each other. Ser Danough instead insisted that the lad watch his legs and feet. "Weight can be your friend or it can be your enemy. Much depends if you are on horseback or on foot. When on foot a knight who doesn't know his stances can be in big trouble. Before you go sticking a poke at anyone, you need to know what all your limbs are doing, and you need to know this before you know it. That's a bit hard to explain, but what happens is, if you do something enough times your arms and legs seem to remember the movements. That's the whole point of practice, of marching and drills. And this counts at much as anything else. I don't know many fancy moves myself, but I have seen my family and friends fight and spar and joust and melee, and at the end of the day, the person who is sure of foot and sound of mind will come out on top." And so this first bit might have seemed silly and pointless, but Danough made Rodistair parrot his movements even though to an untrained eye it would seem like he was mostly going backwards and forward in place. However he assured Rodistair that this was the first step to good parry and block technique and thus this would eventually make Rodistair better with the shield.

[Rodistair]

The drills were simple, and something the squire had done many times in his life. But they were almost comforting, they harkened back to simpler times, when the world made more sense, and the young boy still had drive. He followed the drills with what would almost seem like happiness, though as the drills continued, the weight of boredom started to creep back into the boy. He kept following the drills, slowly as his limps grew sore from moving the same muscles continuously. And the trainings from days before still took their toll on the squire.

He turned to the knight, “Not to be out of line, ser, but these drills are something I frequently do with my Patron. Perhaps some other piece of knowledge would be beneficial to my training?’ he said, with confidence, but also with a hint of docility, and humility. He would follow the order, no matter the borningness that would ensue from such an act.

[Danough Trema]

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Danough Trema 1st of Winter, 513 AV Syliras. The Thread is titled. oocCredit for Ser Whitevine senior to Perplexity. Danough paused. He looked curiously at Rodistair for a moment, observing the squire as he moved. He watched him drill through his stances and he saw the look in his eyes and he observed the lad's limbs. In his opinion, there was definitely good form there. "You do this frequently with your Patron? Indeed? Yes, I believe I can see that." He pointed up the field to where two squires were trying to battle each other but both kept dropping their swords or shields. Not continuously, but it was clear they had not yet learned how to grip. "Then you are well ahead of most squires your age. You are certainly a good two years ahead of where I was. And I also commend you on your deference and patience. Everything you do reflects well on Ser Iros." He shrugged and actually looked deferential to the squire. "And I apologize for going over what you already know. I was doing this for my own benefit as well as your own. I have only just returned to Stormhold from an interesting adventure and am due to go on patrol of the Cabrin Road later, so I have had too much time in the saddle and not enough practicing these shield stances." Danough gestured at the fields around them. "But that is all right. It is an oversight I mean to correct today. If there is one thing I truly appreciate about our order, it is that here on these fields, all are treated equally and according to their merit. Especially here on these fields we are all subordinate to the Weapon Masters and each of us can learn something from the other." He smiled at Rodistair, and he motioned for an older knight to come join them. "And since you've asked, here is a technique I am picking up from Ser Whitevine here. I won't pretend that I've mastered it and you won't be able to really use it until you're a bit stronger, but knowing it know will let you keep practicing with it so that when you are capable, it will be that much more effective and you'll be that extra bit ahead of the other squires..." He stared ruefully at the woeful pair, and asked the next Weapons Master who passed to keep an eye on them. To him, this wasn't a competition; this was a team effort and he wanted all knights and squires to do well. '"I've never been much of a leader, but I do care very much about whatever company or regiment I get assigned to. The more a person knows what he or she is doing, the more they like it. Unit morale goes up and you're one step closer to an elite force." Then he turned back to Rodistair. Danough spent the next several minutes making very minute adjustments to Rodistair's stance, making him turn one foot so that it was pointed to the one o'clock position and and bringing his other leg down a bit more than he was used to so that his center of gravity and he was better braced; Ser Whitevine then spent several more minutes adjusting Rodisitair's wrists and the positions of his elbows. The older knight spoke slowly but with deep voice. "You are probably a bit uncomfortable right now. This is not a position a squire normally learns, as you can see immediately that it has one disadvantage to your normal drill stances-- it requires a bit of observation or otherwise you're liable to sprain a wrist or ankle if you try your normal techniques. And another disadvantage is that you can't easily spring from this into a neutral or attack stance. Finally, this sort of position works best in formation when you have other knights on each side of you." He looked from knight to squire. "But of course, I wouldn't be showing this to you if I was just trying to handicap you with a terrible technique. Observe the benefit of this stance. Ser Danough, proceed." Danough adopted it, and called another squire over to attack him with everything he had. The squire did, using some very intricate attack techniques, slashes mixed with feints and thrusts, but he only used his sword to attack and kept stepping back and bringing up his shield to defend, just as Rodistair's drills-- just as the drills for all squires taught them. Danough did not counter-attack, or at least he did not step forward. He kept nodding for the squire to keep attacking, and there was a subtle shift. He wasn't just using his shield, but had brought his sword up into a guard position and began using that to block the other sword while he thrust out with this shield, effectively reversing the intended point of both pieces of equipment. Danough deliberately moved his shield arm slowly forward and Rodistair could see that this was to prevent braining the other squire, but had he moved quickly and used some follow-through this would have been a most effective shield bash. Against the young squire, anyway. Danough was the first to admit that he was out of shape and rusty and would get his nose clocked by any seasoned or ranked Knight. It was why he was here, after all. Ser Whitevine nodded. "Good. But even you need more work, Ser Danough. Squire Jane, you may rest for a bit." He took over and showed Rodistair some advanced shield techniques that would be waiting for him further down the line once he was a bit more skillful. Here was the point of all the drills and the practice: he adopted the stance, and against him Ser Danough might as well have been a page-boy. Back and forth went the Knight, and suddenly he was clocked with a shield bash that sent him flying to the ground. It was a dazzling display and it showed that each incremental bit of knowledge and practice gained would help down the line. And it was chance to see Ser Danough knocked down on his rear end, at which point he declared that he needed a breather. And so now they bade Alistair to practice what he had seen, both on the attack and on defense. It didn't matter if the squire messed up or fell down or dropped his sword... Ser Danough assured him that it would be worth it in the end, and anyway he hoped that this was more exciting to Rodistair than endless drills.

[Rodistair]

Rodistair almost cursed himself out loud for being so brash, and impatient with a senior knight, but he was quickly reabsorbed back into the training session. He followed where Ser Trema had pointed, watching as a pair of squire spar. He could see that they were about his age, but they didn’t have a bulking Akalak to train with all day and night. The young boy nodded as he watched, and listened to Danough’s encouraging words. He turned back to face the knight- someday maybe he would have time to hear about the adventures that this man had been on.

Rodistair quickly surveyed the massive training ground that made the roof of the Dyres District. It was a beautiful, and chaotic place, that the squire had made his home. His bed was just a place to sleep, the training grounds was where he felt drawn too each morning, and every day when he leaved after sundown, he felt the ache to return as soon as he turned his back.

He listened intently to what his seniors had to say, and as his stance was slowly adjusted, he thought it would feel more natural, but with every adjustment he could feel a new set of muscles strain, and ache from the weight of his weapons. He couldn’t contain the grin as he enjoyed the dull pain of aching muscles. He nodded as he listened to their advice, and he ignored the complaints of his muscles.

The young squire watched the two veteran knights fight, it was an impressive display- both men were far more advanced than he was, and it was interesting to see how a fight between two experienced men would turn out. It was more intense than any fight he had been in with another squire.

The young boy faced Ser Trema, and waited until the man was ready before assuming the stance he had just learned. It was slow, and almost painful to enter into it, but with some careful and delicate work- and a few reminders from the senior knights he finally got it. It was sloppy, and awkward still, but the boy lived for challenges. He stepped forward swiftly, this was his favorite part of a fight, stepping closer, making the opponent act. With his arms in such an unusual position, his opening thrust was slow, and awkward.

[Danough Trema]

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Danough Trema 1st of Winter, 513 AV Syliras. The Thread is titled. They went through some basic maneuvers, knight and squire. Beyond a certain point, there was no way to learn shield techniques without also getting in a bit of sword-play, and so now they traded blows under the watchful eye of Ser Whitevine, senior. The fact that Rodistair could keep up at all was more a testament to the truth of Danough's admission that he'd been spending so much time working on his riding and his lance techniques that he'd grown a bit rusty at basic sword play. And he'd spent so much time on a horse that he was not as adept at moving on the field as he should be. He'd have to add a bit of running and exercise to his own workout techniques, Danough decided. For now, though, he hacked and slashed at Rodistair with gusto, allowing the squire to get practice time in with the shield; then they would reverse and the squire would be free to attack while the knight attempted to keep up with the tips Ser Whitevine was giving him. Ser Danough Trema watched Squire Rodistair Mooring carefully. The lad seemed eager enough but so far it was too soon to tell if he was full of boasting and bravado or truly could hold his own and live to tell the tale. Danough's normal method for making sure a squire was up to speed was to spend a few chimes warming up, do about a bell's worth of footwork, then another bell's worth of stances and positions, then go through some basic slashes and thrusts. Knowing how to parry, block, slash, feint, and thrust would get a squire through most sword-and-shields. Rodistair, however, had been quite insistent that he was up to par and knew all that stuff, but without having seen it there was not way to know for sure. Trying to gauge all that while measuring how well Squire Mooring was doing at trying to master the basics of a technique he really shouldn't be using until he was at a higher level of skill was very tough to do. In fact, it was actually beyond Ser Trema at the moment as his current squire was... well, best case scenario the body was still more or less in one piece and was supplying some Nuit with a fresh host for a bit. Damn Cougars... why did they always attack the weak, very old or very young? He'd faced creatures out of a nightmare that were less brazen than the big cats. People feared Rhysol, sometimes Nysel and Ssena or Uldr. But no monster, no monstrosity was worse than some of the natural predators Caiyha herself nourished. How many twisted and vile creations could go toe to toe will an enraged bull elephant? He'd tried teaching his own squire this, but no matter how well you prepare a teenager to wield a blade or use a shield, you just can't teach them that they're not invincible and immortal. Fill a lad's head with too much jingoism, too many tales of heroism and bravery, convince him that he's an unstoppable force for good with the gods forever on his side, and you chance having him forget that their are many gods out there. And all demand at least a modicum of respect when in their respective domains, especially Caiyha when one was out in the wilderness. Damn fool of a boy should have listened to him when he told him to stay on the Cabrinn Road-- but Danough didn't blame the lad, he blamed himself. "Squire Rodistair Mooring, you acquit yourself well. Should Ser Iros allow it, I would have you accompany me on a transit of the outer patrol, so that you can get a feel for the perimeter guard patrol. We shouldn't be too far out of sight of Stormhold at any time, but it is still outside so you'll need permission from your Patron. I don't believe we'll go more than four bells in either direction and always on or near the road, but rules are rules." "We'll leave in two bells, after you've had time to go to Stormhold Salves. Oh, and one more thing. You can't thrust like that from a defensive stance without first shifting into a neutral stance." He prayed to Yahal to give him the strengh to do what he needed to do next. Not strength in his arm-- he didn't need that against the young squire-- but strength in his heart. He really hoped the future Ser Mooring would look back on this next bit one day and realize that it hurt Danough more to do this than it would hurt Rodistair. Ser Danough Trema easily parried the thrust with a single flick of his wrist. Perhaps it wasn't easily done. Maybe it was a lucky move or maybe it was years of practice. Rodistair wouldn't know or remember what Ser Trema had been doing with his right hand. The left hand came up with full force and speed and bashed Rodistair in the face hard enough to send the lad to one knee, blood now quickly running out of one nostril. There was no way around this: it would really, really hurt. oocRodistair asked to be bopped on the nose in chat. I assume he's got some adventure connected to Stormhold Salves he's itching to get to.

[Rodistair]

Rodistair enjoyed the training with Ser Trema, but it was hard work, training this new set of muscles caused much more pain than any of the blows he received from the knight. But with each set of parries and thrusts, and slashes, and any other strike he could manage gave the boy a little more confidence. His arms screamed in protest, still but it felt almost enjoyable to the squire. He would learn this stance if it was the last thing he would do.

But, as Ser Tream began to speak, the boy could feel something painful coming, he couldn’t see what, maybe he was distracted by the prospect of going on patrol, or many Ser Trema’s skill was far superior to what the squire possessed. And when the blow came, it completely took the squire by surprise.

As Danough’s hand came down on the squire’s face he would burn the last word of advice he received during the training session. “You can’t thrust from a defensive stance, without shifting into a neutral stance.” Then his world went topsy turvey. As the fist connected, he smelled blue, and red, then saw the smell of copper, before tasting blood. He didn’t remember going to his knees, but as he slowly regained his wits, a broad, warm smile crossed his face- perhaps an affect of the blow. He stuck his blood soaked hand out to Ser Trema “It was an honor to meet you Ser, I’ll see you at the gate in two bells.” As he spoke, the blood was already starting to fall onto the squire’s armor.

[Danough Trema]

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Danough Trema 1st of Winter, 513 AV Syliras. Epilogue. Of course Ser Danough would not leave it at that; it would go against every principle he stood for. He made sure Squire Mooring was properly escorted off the training field and to a place he could be looked at, and he funded all medical expenses-- such as any items needed from Stormhold Salves-- out of his own pocket. Then he went back, and with some bells and chimes to kill, spent a little time warming up and stretching, then did his exercise routine. First some basic push-ups and squat thrusts, then some jumping-jacks-- never easy to do in full plate- and then a run around the perimeter of the training field. A run that often became a run/walk or just walk, but he did his best to at least complete the laps he had assigned himself, praying to Yahal for strength to keep going. And he was as good as his earlier word. Once the training session was over-- he spent a bit of time running around and doing some push-ups, as he wanted to improve his physique--he went to his room and sat down and composed a letter to Ser Iros, commending Squire Rodistair Mooring for his aptness on the field and for his deference and respect off of it. The squire reflected well on his patron, and Ser Danough wanted to make sure the older man knew it. Without flattery he simply listed the positive attributes of Rodistair that he had already observed and commented on, and he wrote a few queries about the Mooring family itself as it was not one he was familiar with. He closed it off with an apology for his own clumsiness-- that was true enough, he was not as agile as he could be-- and he went through the proper protocols asking leave of Ser Iros to allow Rodistair a properly escorted taste of the Kabrin Road. He signed and sealed it, and personally made sure it was delivered to Ser Iros. And that concluded the portion of his day inside Stormhold Castle.

[Orion Michaels]

Lt. Dan
+2 Observation
+1 Teaching
+1 Rhetoric 
+1 Weapon: Shield
+1 Weapon: Longsword
+1 Tactics
+1 Bodybuilding
+1 Writing

Lore :

Location: Antionous Training Grounds
Rodistair Mooring: Squire of Ser Iros
Teaching Technique: Demonstrate First
Knight Formation: Holding the line

Danough Notes
It's refreshing to see knight players about again. Just something to mind. There's no such thing as a Sergeant Major in the Syliran Knights. Check out their lore page and you'll find a listing of the ranks. Also, details are everything. Rather than saying they went back and forth, detail the back and forth, if that makes sense. 

Hot-Rod
+1 Running
+2 Observation
+1 Tactics
+1 Weapon: Longsword
+1 Weapon: Shield
+1 Bodybuilding

Lore :

Location: Antinous Training Grounds
Weaponmasters are the absolute authority within the grounds
The importance of good footwork 
Learning Through Observation
Knight Formation: Holding the line

Rod Notes
In the future you're going to have to put a lot more detail in order to get XP for running. A jog from the Dorms to the training grounds for someone with no skill in running would be quite the task.

Final Notes
I touched on it in both of your personal notes, but the biggest thing I'm noticing is a lack of description about what you all are doing. There's nothing wrong with glossing over the back and forth, but if you're hoping to gain XP, especially as you move away from low to mid novice, it's not going to get you anything. Let me know if you have any questions and don't forget to remove the request from the grade queue.