Post by songstress on Nov 10, 2006 13:35:15 GMT -5
Style Description: The weapon Swallow is said to be named as such due to its resemblance to the tail feathers of the bird itself. Battle modifications to the weapon have increased its effectiveness, but it loses most of the shape that brings it its name. The style of fighting with a swallow is very much like a dance, but users of the style dare not call it that. It is more precise, more honed into perfection than any frivolous dance, more deadly in precision than any step. The style prides itself on the philosophy of linear movement, stepping from one attack into another without a moment’s hesitation. Spinning motions, both with body and weapon, are a central part of the style as well. The style itself has no special techniques, and few normal ones at that. Instead, the individual is encouraged to develop his own path, for there are more than one ways to wield perfection.
Style History: Naturally, due to the oar basis of the weapon, it was conceived by islanders from Hidden Mist’s outlying isles. They effectively were separate from Kirigakure’s laws, and lived a peaceful life fishing and hunting for survival. But as the reality of pirates became more and more prevalent the islanders needed protection from having their ships raided. So they, the non-shinobi, sharpened down the blades of their oars and began training in cutting effectively with it. Eventually a pirate captain came aboard a small dinghy, and was swiftly decapitated. Sparrows are said to have descended upon the corpse, in an uncharacteristic maneuver, and scavenged the corpse clean. His bones were thrown back aboard the pirate ship, thus ending the reign of terror for the village.
The village chieftain was a shinobi himself, and brought the style back with him to Kirigakure. From there the weapon spread, being known by it’s common-tongue name, the swallow, rather than its traditional name of Tsubame. The art and school developed under the true name of Tsubame no Ryuu. Thus the art has been disassociated with the weapon, and only those who religiously study its history know the weapon and the art by the same name.
Style Basis: Weapon
Training Methods: The art has developed into a master-student relationship on isolated communities, whereas in the big cities and Hidden Villages it is taught to many by one in a dojo or similar area. Somewhere along the line flashy chakra attacks were added as special techniques within the tree, with a clear progression, gaining one as the shinobi gained each rank. They were invented by the user, similar to how he shapes his own swallow, reminding the current generation of the way the original mist fisherman created the style. As the user gains prowess, he is awarded swallows of increasingly powerful materials, similar to a belt rating in the traditional martial arts. Most likely the user will not actually use these swallows, as he generally has his own designed version of strong materials like steel. Users are trained to be completely ambidextrous, able to write with both hands evenly as well as wield weaponry.
Stances: There are two main stances in the style, conferring no bonuses, but rather a state of mind. The first, Forward Stance, has the swallow in front of the user, with both hands gripping the staff portion as far apart as possible. The left hand is lax, with palm up, balancing the weight on the inside of the fingers, while the right hand is palm down, gripping around the staff and elevated slightly. The swallow is now held diagonally down-right, with the left hand blade pointing to the ground due to this elevation.
The second stance is Battle Stance, with the right hand extended behind the user’s back, gripping the swallow in the center of the staff. It is held horizontally, making room for any attack to have the greatest range of motion for maximum momentum. The left hand is clenched in a fist, pointed downward. Jutsu are usually performed in this position.
A=Strength
B=Speed
C=Stamina
D=Power
E=Control
Stage One
Stat Requirements: 4 strength, 4 speed
Stage Bonuses: 3 strength 3 speed 3 stamina
At this stage there is generally no sort of art behind the user’s motions. They are lucky not to cut themselves, and attacking with any sort of accuracy is but a dream. They have a slight advantage over those not schooled in taijutsu, however. The user is given a wooden swallow at this stage, quite literally a carved oar.
Stage Two
Stat Requirements: 7 strength, 7 speed, 6 power
Stage Bonuses: 3 strength 3 speed 3 stamina
Cumulative Bonuses: 6 strength 6 speed 6 stamina
Practitioners can now call themselves taijutsu users. They have a clear definition behind their attacks, they know where their blades are at all times, and they move very linearly. The basic strikes are taught at this stage, though they are not quite ready for actual combinations. Their strikes are quick but weak, they know not how to balance power with speed. As a rank measurement they get a bone swallow, carved from sea beasts usually, further connecting back to their Mizugakure roots.
Regular Techniques
Thrust
Simple, a thrust with one blade, coming from underneath. They aim to stab right under the ribs, beneath the opponent’s guard.
Slash
Again, simple. The user brings forward their right hand from battle stance and grips the swallow with both hands close together. He then slashes, aiming to cut from the opponent’s right shoulder diagonally down, to their left hip.
Stage Three
Stat Requirements: 10 strength, 10 speed, 8 power
Stage Bonuses: 3 strength 2 speed 2 stamina
Cumulative Bonuses: 9 strength 8 speed 8 stamina
This stage is where the practitioner develops his first unique technique. Many base their techniques off their sensei’s level three special, but this is not required. The general consensus among the style users is that these “special techniques” be simply called Techs, as a short hand version of saying them. In regular combat, more and more are users using flowing motions, leading from attacks into others with minor hesitation. They know now medium-strength techniques, slower than before, but still quick enough for regular use. The award swallow for this stage is made of polished copper, not too strong for battle but beautiful for display.
Regular Techniques
Spin Slash
The user makes the same basic move as a slash, but instead cuts from the other side, spinning around while doing so for full momentum. This strike has much more power behind it due to the spin.
Uppercut
A fundamental increase on thrusting, this instead uses the reverse blade of the swallow, using both hands to bring it up, ending with the user’s elbow parallel to the back blade. This aims to cut vertically up the chest of the enemy, and similarly to the other technique in the stage has more power behind it than thrusts.
Special Tech Level 3 (Swap)
Stage Four
Stat Requirements: 15 strength, 14 speed, 14 stamina, 14 power
Stage Bonuses: 3 strength 3 speed 3 stamina
Cumulative Bonuses: 12 strength 11 speed 11 stamina
By now the user is fully attuned to their swallow. They know when to use the strongest attacks, when to use fast jabs, and when to balance. Their form is impeccable, you can clearly recognize a repetition of attack patterns and individual moves. Their Tech is now fully integrated into their combat repertoire, and can easily be spotted as well. It begins showing some of the flashy dance motions associated with it in this stage. Their first battle-ready swallow is received here, made of steel. It is in traditional shape, however, so most users stick with their preferred style rather than use these award ones.
Regular Techniques
Hurricane
The end result of the slash series of maneuvers, the user first brings the swallow behind their head with the right hand, reaching up to grab it with the left. With a spread out hand position, the user brings it down upon the enemy, performing a full spin as they then cut them with the other end. Slow and deliberate, this leaves two deep gashes upon the unlucky opponent if it connects.
Brutal Blow
Again, a development upon the thrust series, the user puts all his strength into performing an uppercut. This adds the spin from spin slash for maximum momentum, and if this hits perfectly it will generally cleave the enemy in two. Slow, but powerful.
Stage Five
Stat Requirements: 19 strength, 19 speed, 18 stamina, 16 power
Stage Bonuses: 3 strength 2 speed 2 stamina
Cumulative Bonuses: 15 strength 13 speed 13 stamina
Stage five is the next Tech stage, and after creating his level five Tech he can then take on an apprentice of his own, though he is not recognized as a master of the style yet. Now the style is accurately called a dance. By now they move from technique to technique without hesitation, and can perform combinations that are deadly, but taxing on stamina. Their award for this stage is a swallow of polished silver, lustrous beyond compare.
Regular Techniques
Blade Flurry
The first combo in the tree (obviously requiring permission), it’s a simple progression: slash, spin slash, hurricane. If done well enough it negates the speed differential for the higher attacks, and deals a ton of damage.
Sweeping Strikes
A combination technique along the thrust line, it aims to get under a standard cross-armed block and effectively pierce limbs. (With the opponent’s permission,) The user aims a thrust underneath, leading into a uppercut switching back into battle stance for a final brutal blow. Slower than blade flurry, but overall faster than the sum of its parts.
Special Tech Level 5 (Swap)
Stage Six
Stat Requirements: 25 strength, 25 speed, 25 stamina, 18 power, 18 control
Stage Bonuses: 3 strength 3 speed 3 stamina
Cumulative Bonuses: 18 strength 16 speed 16 stamina
The penultimate stage only available to the strongest of users, the user is now called a master. Most have already taken on apprentices, and passed on at least one Tech to their protégés by the time this stage is reached. Their movements are forceful, with deliberate foot motion to move into the enemy as they push forward with every strike. This is the highest stage most will reach. Their mark of honor is equivalent to a black belt in certain circles, a stone swallow, made of polished onyx and sharpened to a great extent. It is solid black, and is displayed proudly by all, never used.
Regular Techniques
Disarm
Rather late in their training to be learning a basic maneuver, nonetheless it requires utmost precision. A simple twist of the wrist hooks the swallow around the opponent’s weapon and disarms them, if done correctly. By keeping the weapon away from the swallow blades the enemy can avoid this technique.
Stage Seven
Stat Requirements: 33 strength, 33 speed, 33 stamina, 22 power, 22 control
Stage Bonuses: 1 strength 3 speed 3 stamina
Cumulative Bonuses: 19 strength 19 speed 19 stamina
The user is now a grandmaster. His motions cannot be read, his attacks cannot be dodged, he is perfect. His combos flow, he never hesitates, and his strikes always hit their mark. It is as if the swallow is an extension of his body, he knows where it is at all times, and can even hit people behind his back with pinpoint accuracy. The mark of his station is one all grandmasters actually use in battle: an indestructible, razor sharp rainbow metal. It glows faintly, and is prismatic in nature, shifting colors from every angle. This weapon is awarded by the council of Tsubame itself, which presides over all use of the style. Even the insiders of the council know not where this material comes from or whom smiths these elegant weapons, but nonetheless it is a beautiful mark of station. With the spectral swallow in hand, grandmasters develop a seventh stage Tech, made for sheer destructive purposes.
Special Tech Level Seven (Swap)
Style History: Naturally, due to the oar basis of the weapon, it was conceived by islanders from Hidden Mist’s outlying isles. They effectively were separate from Kirigakure’s laws, and lived a peaceful life fishing and hunting for survival. But as the reality of pirates became more and more prevalent the islanders needed protection from having their ships raided. So they, the non-shinobi, sharpened down the blades of their oars and began training in cutting effectively with it. Eventually a pirate captain came aboard a small dinghy, and was swiftly decapitated. Sparrows are said to have descended upon the corpse, in an uncharacteristic maneuver, and scavenged the corpse clean. His bones were thrown back aboard the pirate ship, thus ending the reign of terror for the village.
The village chieftain was a shinobi himself, and brought the style back with him to Kirigakure. From there the weapon spread, being known by it’s common-tongue name, the swallow, rather than its traditional name of Tsubame. The art and school developed under the true name of Tsubame no Ryuu. Thus the art has been disassociated with the weapon, and only those who religiously study its history know the weapon and the art by the same name.
Style Basis: Weapon
Training Methods: The art has developed into a master-student relationship on isolated communities, whereas in the big cities and Hidden Villages it is taught to many by one in a dojo or similar area. Somewhere along the line flashy chakra attacks were added as special techniques within the tree, with a clear progression, gaining one as the shinobi gained each rank. They were invented by the user, similar to how he shapes his own swallow, reminding the current generation of the way the original mist fisherman created the style. As the user gains prowess, he is awarded swallows of increasingly powerful materials, similar to a belt rating in the traditional martial arts. Most likely the user will not actually use these swallows, as he generally has his own designed version of strong materials like steel. Users are trained to be completely ambidextrous, able to write with both hands evenly as well as wield weaponry.
Stances: There are two main stances in the style, conferring no bonuses, but rather a state of mind. The first, Forward Stance, has the swallow in front of the user, with both hands gripping the staff portion as far apart as possible. The left hand is lax, with palm up, balancing the weight on the inside of the fingers, while the right hand is palm down, gripping around the staff and elevated slightly. The swallow is now held diagonally down-right, with the left hand blade pointing to the ground due to this elevation.
The second stance is Battle Stance, with the right hand extended behind the user’s back, gripping the swallow in the center of the staff. It is held horizontally, making room for any attack to have the greatest range of motion for maximum momentum. The left hand is clenched in a fist, pointed downward. Jutsu are usually performed in this position.
A=Strength
B=Speed
C=Stamina
D=Power
E=Control
Stage One
Stat Requirements: 4 strength, 4 speed
Stage Bonuses: 3 strength 3 speed 3 stamina
At this stage there is generally no sort of art behind the user’s motions. They are lucky not to cut themselves, and attacking with any sort of accuracy is but a dream. They have a slight advantage over those not schooled in taijutsu, however. The user is given a wooden swallow at this stage, quite literally a carved oar.
Stage Two
Stat Requirements: 7 strength, 7 speed, 6 power
Stage Bonuses: 3 strength 3 speed 3 stamina
Cumulative Bonuses: 6 strength 6 speed 6 stamina
Practitioners can now call themselves taijutsu users. They have a clear definition behind their attacks, they know where their blades are at all times, and they move very linearly. The basic strikes are taught at this stage, though they are not quite ready for actual combinations. Their strikes are quick but weak, they know not how to balance power with speed. As a rank measurement they get a bone swallow, carved from sea beasts usually, further connecting back to their Mizugakure roots.
Regular Techniques
Thrust
Simple, a thrust with one blade, coming from underneath. They aim to stab right under the ribs, beneath the opponent’s guard.
Slash
Again, simple. The user brings forward their right hand from battle stance and grips the swallow with both hands close together. He then slashes, aiming to cut from the opponent’s right shoulder diagonally down, to their left hip.
Stage Three
Stat Requirements: 10 strength, 10 speed, 8 power
Stage Bonuses: 3 strength 2 speed 2 stamina
Cumulative Bonuses: 9 strength 8 speed 8 stamina
This stage is where the practitioner develops his first unique technique. Many base their techniques off their sensei’s level three special, but this is not required. The general consensus among the style users is that these “special techniques” be simply called Techs, as a short hand version of saying them. In regular combat, more and more are users using flowing motions, leading from attacks into others with minor hesitation. They know now medium-strength techniques, slower than before, but still quick enough for regular use. The award swallow for this stage is made of polished copper, not too strong for battle but beautiful for display.
Regular Techniques
Spin Slash
The user makes the same basic move as a slash, but instead cuts from the other side, spinning around while doing so for full momentum. This strike has much more power behind it due to the spin.
Uppercut
A fundamental increase on thrusting, this instead uses the reverse blade of the swallow, using both hands to bring it up, ending with the user’s elbow parallel to the back blade. This aims to cut vertically up the chest of the enemy, and similarly to the other technique in the stage has more power behind it than thrusts.
Special Tech Level 3 (Swap)
Stage Four
Stat Requirements: 15 strength, 14 speed, 14 stamina, 14 power
Stage Bonuses: 3 strength 3 speed 3 stamina
Cumulative Bonuses: 12 strength 11 speed 11 stamina
By now the user is fully attuned to their swallow. They know when to use the strongest attacks, when to use fast jabs, and when to balance. Their form is impeccable, you can clearly recognize a repetition of attack patterns and individual moves. Their Tech is now fully integrated into their combat repertoire, and can easily be spotted as well. It begins showing some of the flashy dance motions associated with it in this stage. Their first battle-ready swallow is received here, made of steel. It is in traditional shape, however, so most users stick with their preferred style rather than use these award ones.
Regular Techniques
Hurricane
The end result of the slash series of maneuvers, the user first brings the swallow behind their head with the right hand, reaching up to grab it with the left. With a spread out hand position, the user brings it down upon the enemy, performing a full spin as they then cut them with the other end. Slow and deliberate, this leaves two deep gashes upon the unlucky opponent if it connects.
Brutal Blow
Again, a development upon the thrust series, the user puts all his strength into performing an uppercut. This adds the spin from spin slash for maximum momentum, and if this hits perfectly it will generally cleave the enemy in two. Slow, but powerful.
Stage Five
Stat Requirements: 19 strength, 19 speed, 18 stamina, 16 power
Stage Bonuses: 3 strength 2 speed 2 stamina
Cumulative Bonuses: 15 strength 13 speed 13 stamina
Stage five is the next Tech stage, and after creating his level five Tech he can then take on an apprentice of his own, though he is not recognized as a master of the style yet. Now the style is accurately called a dance. By now they move from technique to technique without hesitation, and can perform combinations that are deadly, but taxing on stamina. Their award for this stage is a swallow of polished silver, lustrous beyond compare.
Regular Techniques
Blade Flurry
The first combo in the tree (obviously requiring permission), it’s a simple progression: slash, spin slash, hurricane. If done well enough it negates the speed differential for the higher attacks, and deals a ton of damage.
Sweeping Strikes
A combination technique along the thrust line, it aims to get under a standard cross-armed block and effectively pierce limbs. (With the opponent’s permission,) The user aims a thrust underneath, leading into a uppercut switching back into battle stance for a final brutal blow. Slower than blade flurry, but overall faster than the sum of its parts.
Special Tech Level 5 (Swap)
Stage Six
Stat Requirements: 25 strength, 25 speed, 25 stamina, 18 power, 18 control
Stage Bonuses: 3 strength 3 speed 3 stamina
Cumulative Bonuses: 18 strength 16 speed 16 stamina
The penultimate stage only available to the strongest of users, the user is now called a master. Most have already taken on apprentices, and passed on at least one Tech to their protégés by the time this stage is reached. Their movements are forceful, with deliberate foot motion to move into the enemy as they push forward with every strike. This is the highest stage most will reach. Their mark of honor is equivalent to a black belt in certain circles, a stone swallow, made of polished onyx and sharpened to a great extent. It is solid black, and is displayed proudly by all, never used.
Regular Techniques
Disarm
Rather late in their training to be learning a basic maneuver, nonetheless it requires utmost precision. A simple twist of the wrist hooks the swallow around the opponent’s weapon and disarms them, if done correctly. By keeping the weapon away from the swallow blades the enemy can avoid this technique.
Stage Seven
Stat Requirements: 33 strength, 33 speed, 33 stamina, 22 power, 22 control
Stage Bonuses: 1 strength 3 speed 3 stamina
Cumulative Bonuses: 19 strength 19 speed 19 stamina
The user is now a grandmaster. His motions cannot be read, his attacks cannot be dodged, he is perfect. His combos flow, he never hesitates, and his strikes always hit their mark. It is as if the swallow is an extension of his body, he knows where it is at all times, and can even hit people behind his back with pinpoint accuracy. The mark of his station is one all grandmasters actually use in battle: an indestructible, razor sharp rainbow metal. It glows faintly, and is prismatic in nature, shifting colors from every angle. This weapon is awarded by the council of Tsubame itself, which presides over all use of the style. Even the insiders of the council know not where this material comes from or whom smiths these elegant weapons, but nonetheless it is a beautiful mark of station. With the spectral swallow in hand, grandmasters develop a seventh stage Tech, made for sheer destructive purposes.
Special Tech Level Seven (Swap)