Location [Syliras Location] Antinous Training Grounds

[Dusk]

Antinous Training Grounds Dyres District, First Tier East Squires, Knights, and special permission only! Though any equestrian training is done in the Windmount District, that encompasses only a part of what the Squires and Knights are required to know. All of them must fight on their own two feet, and they're taught to do so at the Antinous Training Grounds. The Grounds are located on the eastern part of the First Tier - which really just means the roof of the Dyres District. While the western side of the First Tier is given over to the Dyres' personal suites and the family homes of the highest ranking knights, the eastern side stood long unused. This changed about a hundred and fifty years ago after the second big expansion of the city. Land within the Wall became much more important for housing and businesses, and the knights were finding it difficult to keep space clear for the necessary (and often expansive) training exercises needed to keep their Order in top condition. One of the Weaponsmasters at the time, Lucius Antinous, came up with the idea of refitting the roof of the Dyres District to serve their purpose. It took nearly a full year of construction to reinforce the roof, build half-walls and archways around the outer edges, and separate the space into smaller arenas. The Grounds themselves are a mish-mash of strange architecture that at first glance may seem utterly confusing. However, each salle serves to teach the knights how to both attack and defend in a variety of terrain. There are mock-hallways used to teach fighting in close quarters, huge boulders and detritus that one must climb over while fighting, and even a grove of small trees to simulate wooded areas. With the exception of the indoor simulations, the entirety of the Antinous Grounds are open to the air, which means that the students are exposed to the elements while they train. While Syliras is known for its temperate climate, it has its own share of rough weather and those who've battled their Patrons atop the city will be the first to groan when they see a thundercloud on the horizon. Only those who have joined the Order may train here, unless they are given special permission by the Weaponsmaster. This is a rare thing indeed, and as such it is usually just the brothers and sisters of the Windoak who find themselves getting shieldbashed over the exquisite view of the city. The Weaponsmasters themselves are a bit of an anomaly within the Syliran Knights. They are part of no Company, and hold no rank other than that of Weaponsmaster; any rank held before they ascend to this post must be abandoned. When they are outside the Grounds, they are considered unranked and have no authority within the Order. Within the Grounds, however, they are without superior. Even Loren Dyres must follow their orders without hesitation when he steps into their territory, or face the same consequences as the rest of his men. They stand unquestioned within their domain, and are disobeyed at utmost peril. There are currently fifteen Weaponsmasters within the Order. NPC : Weaponsmaster Knight Lucius Antinous VI Reports directly to Loren Dyres The direct descendent of the man who built the grounds, Lucius Antinous is as hard and unforgiving as those who came before him. When training those of the Order, he is pitiless and accepts nothing less than everything a man or woman can give. Lucius is the highest ranking Weaponsmaster, and is responsible for the entirety of the Grounds. This reputation is somewhat offset by a more compassionate side when he leaves the Grounds. It is said that there is no better counsel than his, and Loren Dyres is known to seek him out often when he himself is at a loss. Gnosis: 1 Sylir Skill List Tactics: 100 pts Weapon (Swords): 100 pts Weapon (Axes): 95 pts Weapon (Shield): 100 pts Riding (Horse): 30 pts Teaching: 90 pts Leadership: 45 pts Weaponsmaster Knight Miriam Antinous Reports directly to Lucius Antinous Miriam is the eldest child of Lucius, and has trained at his knee since she was old enough to toddle after him. She served as Page to one Weaponsmaster, and had another as her Patron. Because of this, she is years ahead of the rest of her class, and was offered a position at the Antinous Grounds two years ago at the age of twenty. While she is serious and determined as her father, she is not nearly so harsh. Even so, a whispered word of condemnation from her can often carry as much weight (if not more) than all of Lucius' screaming. She is often in charge of training the younger pages and squires, and delights in shattering their delusions of superiority the first time they face this small, dirty girl. Gnosis: 1 Sylir Skill List Tactics: 65 pts Weapon (Daggers): 100 pts Weapon (Spears): 75 pts Weapon (Shield): 70 pts Riding (Horse): 30 pts Teaching: 65 pts Leadership: 35 pts

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