WEAPON SPECIALIZATION 'WARRIOR SPECIALIZATION' (627)
-Sword- Just like the diversity of its forms, the art of the sword has many facets. The two main schools of swordsmanship, power and control, are both represented in the skills of sword specialization. A weapon for the barbarian or the noble, the sword represents the diversity in the warrior class. A student who masters this weapon will learn the following skills: flourintine, cross, doublethrust, jab, riposte, and flurry. -Mace- Long looked down upon for a perceived weakness in combat, the effectiveness of a mace is directly related to the prowess of the wielder. Its sheer bludgeoning power is unmatched by any other weapon, and in the hands of a master, it can be one of the most fearsome weapons you will encounter. A student who masters this weapon will learn the following skills: backhand, deflect shield, cranial, boneshatter, dent, and drum. -Axe- The weapon of choice for those who favor brute strength, the axe offers little in the way of subtlety or guile. The main purpose is to cause as much damage and pain as possible, and an encounter with a proficient axe wielder can cause fear in even the mightiest of foes. A student who masters this weapon will learn the following skills: whirl, weaponbreaker, hook, pincer, overhead, and disembowel. -Polearm- Many people tend to avoid polearms due to their length since it requires them to be used with two hands. For those who choose to attempt to master this weapon, its many advantages become apparent. The length of the polearm is its strength, increasing both offensive and defensive capabilities. A student who masters this weapon will learn the following skills: distance, entrap, legsweep, charge set, and cutoff. -Whip/Flail- Perhaps the most exotic choice for weapon specialization, whips and flails call for patience and dedication. Not particularily good for causing damage, instead they are the weapons of choice for controlling an opponent and keeping them on the defensive. Only those who specialize in whips and flails may dual wield these weapons. A student who masters this weapon will learn the following skills: strip, eyejab, choke, entwine, pull, sting and bludgeon. -Staff/Spear- It is true that many people forego the use of a staff or a spear due to the necessity of using two hands, it is perhaps the best all around weapon. Shorter than a polearm, the spear/staff gains speed without sacrificing the defensive ability of long weapons. A student who masters this weapon will learn the following skills: defensive spin, leverage, legsweep, crescent, misdirect, and impale. -Hand To Hand- Though many people would balk at the idea of foregoing weapons, a shield, and/or any held item to fight barehanded, the skills of those who dedicate their lives to hand fighting can be as deadly as any weapon. This improves on the existing style of hand to hand that is available to others. To use these abilities, both hands must be empty. A student who masters this weapon will learn the following skills: ironhands, evasion, vital area, pummel, stun, and crushing blow. -Dagger- Not just a weapon for a thief's backstab or a complimentary choice for a heavy primary weapon, the dagger is extremely deadly in the hands of an expert. One reason that the dagger is so hard to master is that it requires the wielder to get in very close. Once inside the victim's defenses, the dagger is very formidable. A student who masters this weapon will learn the following skills: stab, hurl, underhand, hamstring, artery, and twist.