Skill Overview
For centuries prior to the founding of the Republic, battlefields between the civilized nations were dominated by phalanxes. Rows upon rows of disciplined spears were enough to break cavalry charges and rout disorganized foot soldiers. Battles between two well-trained armies amounted to little more than a pushing match between two heavily-armored formations grinding against each other. These conflicts were often won on the flanks, wherein the first army to gain an edge over their enemy could turn the entire battle line.
This changed with the birth of the Iridine Legio. Retrained sometime during the age of Quintus the Marauder by an obscure officer by the name of 'Pardelian', the Iridine army was designed for one thing: to frontally shatter the opposition. A rain of javelins would disrupt the enemy formation, after which the soldiers would charge directly into shock combat. In the shoulder-to-shoulder conditions of line fighting, the short gladius viciously prevailed over much longer weaponry. Holes created in the enemy formation could be easily exploited by additional waves of centuries, battlefield units of men far smaller than anything else seen at the time. It was through this unique and deadly military system that Iridine has maintained an edge over many of its powerful neighbors.
The Pardelian family still exists and has grown to occupy a few seats in the senate. One of the most famous of those senators was Lantraste Pardelian, who was summoned out of retirement on the 54th year of the Republic to rebuild the Iridine army after it was nearly wiped out in several quasi-battles against the Kelestian's. While the Pardelians of today are not especially talented at warfare, they are still considered "lucky" after all this time, and often find themselves with exceptionally loyal troops without doing anything special.
Over the centuries, the style of swordsmanship suited for the aggressive warfare of the Iridine Legio has refined into standardized techniques taught to every soldier of the Republic.
Pardelian swordsmanship does not possess the elegance of Avros or the flair of Nelsor, having been made specifically for the harsh demands of line combat. While this style is not likely to impress onlookers, it has proven itself as the most practical on the battlefield.
As Iridine soldiers are usually expected to bear shields when waging war, many maneuvers in this style require both a gladius and a large shield. With this in mind, all skills require only a one-handed grip on the gladius.
This skill set is a style of combat, meant to be used with existing knowledge of One Handed Swords.
For guidance on using the skill set, see the Pardelian Guide.
Notes on Learning
- Varga in Monlon teaches this style to 154 ranks. NPC trainers for this style of combat are available to active Legionaries and teach to 500 ranks.
- You must wield a shield in order to use the Pardelian style.
- You can also use Skill Points (SP) from Swords to learn Pardelian.
Skill Details
#Pardelian Turtle Stance turtle
A specialty of the Iridinian Legion, a front line comprised fully of upright, braced wall shields is a sight to behold. The Pardelian's wall shield is arguably the most noticeable aspect of this style. The user must enter a properly turtled stance before any Pardelian maneuvers can be attempted.
When you see this in use you see:
[Success: 1, Roll: 91] Pulling your retalq gladius back into a ready position, you position yourself behind your upheld Iridine wall shield.
#Pardelian Side Jab sjab
This attack is relatively easy to land, but more often than not does little more than a scratch.
- This attack receives an added bonus when performed on a surrounded (approached) target.
When you see this in use you see:
[Success: 95, Roll: 60] Targeting the flank, you jab at a man with the point of your retalq gladius, but miss.
[Success: 5, Roll: 96] Targeting the flank, you jab at a cut-throat mercenary with the point of your retalq gladius! He suffers a severe puncture to his right thigh.
#Pardelian Shield Charge scharge <target>
With shield pressed to shoulder, a Pardelian attempts to quickly close ground with a foe using this charge, and inflict damage with the impact. A slight misstep can result in one losing their own balance and landing face first into the dirt.
- This maneuver has a chance for the attacker to fall down on a missed attempt.
When you see this in use you see:
[Success: 95, Roll: 10] Ducking your entire body weight behind your shield, you try to charge directly into a man but miss. The sheer momentum causes you to lose your balance!
#Pardelian Hidden Thrust hthrust <target>
Hidden Thrust is a mid-aiming stabbing attack, used by Pardelians to particularly deadly effect by being hidden behind a wall shield until late in the maneuver. Foes often do not have enough time to mount a defense before this blow comes to bear.
When you see this in use you see:
[Success: 95, Roll: 49] Tilting your Iridine wall shield on a vertical axis, you make a sudden stab at a man with your retalq gladius, but miss.
[Success: 5, Roll: 36] Tilting your Iridine wall shield on a vertical axis, you make a sudden stab at a cut-throat mercenary with your retalq gladius! He suffers a deep puncture to his waist.
#Pardelian Killing Thrust kthrust <target>
For decisive damage, a Pardelian can attempt this devastatingly heavy thrust. The user must be wary of many factors - including that only fallen foes may be struck in this way, and that an improperly prepared Pardelian will find her or himself vulnerable, too.
- This attack will leave the attacker prone. This can be negated by others in a Pardelian Turtle Stance surrounding (approached) to the same target.
- This attack can only be performed on a prone target.
When you see this in use you see:
[Success: 95, Roll: 87] Flipping the tip of your retalq gladius and forcing your bodyweight downwards, you stab a man with a vicious overhand thrust, but miss.
#Pardelian Lion's Gambit gambit <target>
The cost of attempting this quick, lunging shift to a berserk stance is great - the Pardelian must drop the wielded wall shield entirely, and will soon find him or herself out of stance.
- This attack is a stepping maneuver directly into a berserk stance.
- This attack will drop the attacker's shield.
When you see this in use you see:
[Success: 95, Roll: 77] Casting your Iridine wall shield towards one side, you lunge suddenly at a man with your retalq gladius, but miss.
#Pardelian Reaper Slash reaper <target>
This is a mid-aiming slash often used by a Pardelian to cut a foe down to size despite wide attacks being an oddity for a shield wall. The heavy slash comes in from the right or left depending on the wielder's dominant hand.
When you see this in use you see:
[Success: 95, Roll: 59] You make a wide, heavy-handed, slashing attack at a man, cutting from left to right with your retalq gladius, but miss.
[Success: 5, Roll: 45] You make a wide, heavy-handed, slashing attack at a stoic Kelestian warrior, cutting from left to right with your boison gladius! She suffers a cut to her waist.
#Pardelian Ankle Thrust ankle <target>
A well-timed ankle thrust, often resulting in a crippling wound is something that can turn the tide of a battle. Even though this thrust attempts to take advantage of fighter's frequent deficiencies in low defenses, this strike is notoriously difficult to land.
When you see this in use you see:
[Success: 95, Roll: 75] Raising your Iridine wall shield above your head, you dive downwards into a low thrust aimed at a man, but miss.
[Success: 5, Roll: 26] Raising your Iridine wall shield above your head, you dive downwards into a low thrust aimed at a fairly vile mercenary! He suffers a severe puncture to his left foot.
#Pardelian Shield Sap ssap <target>
Similar to Slash and Sap, this attack is favored due to it's ability to leave an opponent dazed and vulnerable. Instead of striking with the pommel the wielder strikes with the boss of their shield. Against a heavy helmet, this attack's effectiveness is reduced greatly.
- This attack had a chance to stun your opponent.
When you see this in use you see:
[Success: 95, Roll: 37] Stepping forward with the lead foot, you bash at a man's head with the knob of your Iridine wall shield, but miss.
[Success: 5, Roll: 67] Stepping forward with the lead foot, you bash at a dashing Kelestian warrior's head with the center of your Iridine wall shield! She suffers a major bruise to her head.
#Pardelian Slash and Sap sls
Slash and sap is a favorite among soldiers due to it's good chance to daze an opponent. This attack always aims for the head and can be hindered if the target is heavily armored.
- This attack had a chance to stun your opponent.
When you see this in use you see:
[Success: 95, Roll: 3] Making a wide, false slash, you point the pommel of your retalq gladius at a man and aim for the head, but miss.
[Success: 5, Roll: 40] Making a wide, false slash, you point the pommel of your retalq gladius at a cut-throat mercenary and aim for the head! He suffers a ugly bruise to his head. The solid blow stuns him!
#Pardelian Tag and Strike tag <target>
In the right hands, this attempts to be a fast, if weak jab at an opponent. When it fails, it becomes a flimsy diversion for a follow-up slash that will graze skin.
When you see this in use you see:
[Success: 95, Roll: 1] You snap out your arm and let your wrist go limp at the last minute, sending your retalq gladius lashing out at a stoic Kelestian warrior at high speed, but miss. A stoic Kelestian warrior steps to the side, avoiding your attack.
[Success: 5, Roll: 70] You snap out your arm and let your wrist go limp at the last minute, sending your retalq gladius lashing out at a stoic Kelestian warrior at high speed! She suffers a puncture to her waist.
#Pardelian Downward Block n/a
This block bolsters a Pardelian's defenses by protecting the waist and legs from several mid-ranged and low attacks.
- This block counts towards the same layer as other swords blocks. If it overlaps with a block, the one with the higher Rank Bonus is taken. See the Blocks & Dodges spreadsheet for an idea of where there may be an overlap. The wielder must be in Pardelian Turtle Stance to use this block.
When you see this in use you see:
[Success: 78, Roll: 77] A gaunt grey rat misses you with its teeth! You deflect the attack by chopping downwards with your retalq gladius!
#Pardelian Stab and Twist n/a
While not an attack outright, this technique adds a measure of ruthless effectiveness to the standard stabs and thrusts most Pardelians are known for.
- Ranks in this skill increase damage on certain sword stabbing attacks.
- Damage increase caps at rank 100 in this skill.