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illarian-rambling · 10 hours

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I think Ivander interacting with any kid would be honestly hilarious. I think he'd be impressed by Maddie's ability to dish out what he throws, and he appreciates any bold fashion choices, even if he would never wear it himself. Honestly, I think they'd get along surprisingly well

OC interaction

Thanks to @mysticstarlightduck here and @illarian-rambling here!

Rules: describe an OC and then how they would interact with the OC of the person who tagged you!

The descriptions added up and now it's long. Under the cut!

Mystic's OC 1:

Nimwen is an 18 year old girl who has spent most of her life (since she was 8) travelling through the uncharted forests of a region popularly called "the wilds", with her adoptive brother Scarlet and their little band of misfits. They live on the outskirts of society, since their kingdom has been so dilligently outcasting them, but they don't seem to mind it. All in all, Nimwen is an awkward, overly anxious, often paranoid but incredibly sweet girl, though she rarely lets strangers get too close to her. She embodies the energy of a skittish deer that will bolt at the nearest sign of danger, even if its a false alarm, though she has very good reasons to be that way - her father was wrongfully executed for treason, and the people of the kingdom didn't exactly give her much reason to trust them after what they did, so yeah. She's very in touch with nature and other people's feelings though she somehow seems very much oblivious to her own. She prefers to avoid confrontation, and will only fight if that's the absolute last resort in a life or death situation. She loves very deeply and makes strong bonds once you get to know her properly.

Mystic's OC 2:

Renn is a young man in his late teens (his exact age hasn't been specified yet, but he's suspected to be around 16-19) with a penchant for dark humor and a love for all that's mysterious and slightly macabre. He has a very strong vibe that is reminiscent of those early 2000s goth/emo kids, minus the angst - just the aesthetics and the sometimes deeply philosophical existential crisis - despite his fantasy medieval setting. He is a rule breaker and likes to question authorities at every chance he gets, and is also very savvy about the true inner workings of their seemingly perfect kingdom. It is implied that he has some kind of secret he is keeping hidden at all costs, and that implication would be true, but its not what most people would assume. While the townsfolk mostly label him as this unhinged/"crazy" reject who is always causing trouble and is up to no good, he is actually a really sweet kid that just had some truly fucked up stuff happen in his past. He is a loyal friend and values honesty and integrity above all else, even if it means he'll have to go down fighting for what he believes in. Despite all of this intensity, he just wants someone to truly understand him and have a pure friendship towards him. He is also implied to be gifted in some kind of magic, though it isn't specified which, and that he has knowlege of "forbidden arts".

Katie's OC:

Ivander Montane is a 30 year old corrupt detective from the trade city of Unity. He has blue blood and double-pointed ears, wears fancy suits, and walks with a cane. His estranged family runs the banks of Unity, however he left them years ago, and in doing so, broke a divine contract, which left him cursed to slowly and painfully be transmuted into mist over the course of many years. Personality-wise, he's kind of a privileged shithead. He's got the catty attitude and love of gossip of a middle school girl, and can insult your outfit just as acutely. He doesn't have a sincere bone in his body and is afraid of any form of intimacy. However, deep down, he really just wants a friend and to not be in pain anymore. Show him the slightest hint of compassion and he will crumble. His hobbies include being a hater, fashion, and marksmanship (he's a crack shot with a rune rifle). All in all, he's got the snark of a drag queen, the heart of a lonely noir detective, and a body that's been through a cheese grater.

My OC:

Maddie is an 11-year-old girl who is quiet, curious, and a bit of a risk-taker. She's generally well-liked but isn't sure why people like her. She fidgets and squirms and likes to remain active, especially with her hands. She's a STEM kid through and through, loving each letter in the acronym. Maddie takes things apart, such as pens, to see how they work and eventually joins her school's robotics club. She believes in direct fairness - will match your tone with her - and gets a little upset if she is misunderstood, which is often, since she thinks she's straightforward. Her honesty leads to her being nosy, as she believes everyone should be open. Maddie is an animal shapeshifter, and enjoys the physical sensation of morphing as well as pushing her limits a little too much. She's a gamer who prefers consuls with buttons and enjoys old sci-fi shows and modern cartoons. Despite not quite understanding emotions, she does try to be there for the people she cares about, and usually tries to defuse a serious situation with a little joke.

Maddie + Nimwen:

Maddie likes adventure and risk, so I think she would be interested in hearing Nimwen traveling through uncharted forest for a decade. Her sibling is much more comfortable staying in, well, her comfort zone, so the idea of two siblings doing this would be a little foreign to Maddie. Being overly anxious and sweet would remind Maddie of her sister, but Lexi is a lot more outgoing. She wouldn't really understand Nimwen being skittish, but maybe Maddie's more adventurous nature would rub off on her. She may be a little caught off-guard by Maddie's shapeshifting. Nimwen being in touch with nature combined with Maddie's animal morphing will be interesting. Maybe Ninwen's knowledge of animals can help Maddie understand them more, since she's more of a hands-on person and is functioning based on reading up on animals - something she can only tolerate knowing she'll shapeshift later. Nimwen could also give Maddie more emotional advice, though it would take a while for Maddie to understand why Nimwen wants to talk with her. Maddie is a little over-eager to fight, so Nimwen may have to hold her back, or Maddie may try to get Nimwen to fight with her. I think this would be a fun little sister-esque dynamic!

Renn + Maddie:

Maddie is best friends with an emo/goth leaning person, so I feel like Renn is familiar territory. Maddie also likes breaking rules for the thrill and questioning authority, so I think they'd be an unstoppable force. Maddie is nosy, though, so I think she'd be a little too curious about Renn's secrets and business. They're both honest, Maddie almost blunt, so I feel like they'd get along. She'd also be curious about his own magic, and would probably show off her powers. I think Maddie would be a little weirded out if Renn wants to be friends with her - and since they seem to understand each other, that may be possible, though not sure how he'd feel about her being a kid - but I think in the end they'd be an unstoppable duo.

Ivander + Maddie:

Now this is an unlikely pairing. Maddie's nosy nature would probably get on his nerves. She'd be curious about the cane, why he's always in pain, etc and may ask too many questions and not pick up on how he doesn't want to answer them. She would probably though recognize his shitheaddedness and would just match his attitude with her fairness policy. Maddie has an odd fashion choice - bright and colorful with mismatched patterns, but I don't think she'd be that hurt by any insults, just confused. And of course would get him back. Maddie is a nice and kind person but isn't good about empathizing, and if Ivander doesn't show her compassion, she won't show it either. They'd annoy each other, and honestly they may have fun doing it. At least Maddie will find it very exciting to poke at his patience.

To describe OCs to pair with Maddie --

@monstrouswrites @mrbexwrites @elsie-writes @steh-lar-uh-nuhs @stesierra @sarandipitywrites @sarahlizziewrites @mk-writes-stuff @jezifster @jessicagailwrites @leahnardo-da-veggie @pb-dot @ohnomybreadsticks + anyone else!

TSP intro

TSP tag list (ask to be +/-): @thepeculiarbird @illarian-rambling @televisionjester @finchwrites - y'all can hop on if you want!

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illarian-rambling · 11 hours

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Thanks for the tag @mk-writes-stuff!

Personality Through Quotes Tag

My prompt is a quote about rest

Izjik: "You can't work hard or play hard if you don't rest hard too. There's no shame in taking a day off and kicking back, preferably on a dock with a fishing pole and a bottle of tyri."

Sepo: "If you don't take time to rest, unfortunately, your body will take time for you. I should know. I slept for twenty-three hours once."

Twenari: "I do my best to take time off, though I'm not always successful. It's just so easy to get lost in my work. I wish humans didn't need to sleep."

Djek: "Hah, you know, I think people wish I rested more! I can't help that I've got a lot of energy."

Astra: "Rest? Who needs rest? I mean, you do, but not me. I got a different mindset, love."

Mashal: "Even though I can't sleep, I still need rest. I try my best to meditate at night or do something else that gives my mind a break."

Ivander: "My curse tends to sap my energy, so I usually spend a few days a month pent up in my apartment. I wouldn't call that rest, per se, more like enforced time off."

Elsind: "By the gods, there's nothing better than a good midday nap! I drink some tea, snuggle up in my hammock, and everything's great."

Avymere: "Given my duties as the heir to Salis, I don't get much time to relax. Usually, the mornings are my time to breathe. I get up, read the newspaper, and watch the sunrise."

I'll tag @solastiaasworld @somethingclevermahogony @raiden-makoto @televisionjester and anyone else who wants to play :)

Your prompt is a quote about your primary weapon

#writing #writerscommunity #writblr #my ocs #quote tag

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illarian-rambling · 13 hours

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*old southern cowboy drawl* listen, pardner. this bed IS big enough for the both of us so come cuddle already

#POV Astra trying to reassure Mashal that her hammock can withstand his 1000lbs steel and bronze body weight #Knowing her construction skills it probably could tbh

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illarian-rambling · 13 hours

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All of these are good, but the Robbie and Akash ones feel especially spot on :)

Happy STS! If your characters could pick a fictional character they relate to the most, who would it be?

Happy STS! Thanks for the ask!

This is surprisingly difficult? Have to give this a lot of thought... I've decided to just find like,,, one thing where I can compare.

For Lexi, I was trying to think of a character who overstrained themselves trying to hang out with everyone, since that's her main arc of Part Two, and like the only character I can think of is freaking Pinkie Pie, at least in like one of the few FiM episodes I remember lol. But then I thought more, and realized also Mabel Pines. Her final arc was refusing to leave her friends because she was scared of the unknown.

For Maddie... I feel like maybe Tech from Bad Batch or Phineas and Ferb together. Just for the autism coding and STEM love. Can't wait until I get to write her robotics club in Part Two.

Ash...man I hate to say it: Sam Winchester pre-season five SPN and Jayfeather from Warriors but for like very specific reasons. Sam's demon blood to fuel his powers vs her probes for hers? Then Jayfeather's whole visions (ish) to the past and obsession with that and his stick are also similar.

Gwen...idk I'm feeling Remi from unOrdinary. Admittedly I am not caught up, haven't read since like 2021-22ish, but her demeanor and also vigilante work is similar to Gwen in Part 3-4 idk. Maybe Katara actually. Her maternal and empathetic instinct at a young age, but I stoke her fury later hehe.

Robbie... Idk I'm feeling maybe Percy Jackson from the ADHD + being powerful and capable and smart yet a fucking dumbass? Peter Parker? Why is this hard.

Akash is also hard but I'm going with vibes given from Sokka from atla and Gus from Psych. For Sokka it's like he's goofy but also like the braincell. Gus for the "he radiates Good Kid energy but his best friend since forever is a little chaos machine so it rubbed off on him and he looks normal next to his friend but weird next to anyone else".

Jedi... Ok I know but it's not his name - Anakin Skywalker to some extent. Like part of one corrupt organization, move to another one rip. Also a lot of trauma rooted in parents and attachments and all.

Carmen I'm feeling Pearl from Steven Universe. Admittedly I haven't seen SU but from what I can tell Pearl's obsession with Rose Quartz is similar ISH to Carmen's with Atsila, so I'll make the connection. I feel like this is a very fitting red flag.

Why was this hard it took like an hour of thinking.

Thanks for the ask though! It was fun!

TSP intro

TSP tag list (ask to be +/-): @thepeculiarbird @illarian-rambling @televisionjester @finickyfelix

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illarian-rambling · 14 hours

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Why not both? Juxtaposition is the heart of both horror and comedy, after all

Writers who prefer to write in easy to read, non-flowery language RISE UP

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illarian-rambling · 15 hours

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She's still got that youthful curiosity even as a professor, but Astra just pushes all her trauma buttons. I imagine she's some sort of Indiana Jones figure at NUU where she teaches. Just a mild-mannered Araunian studies prof who dissapears every once in a while and one time whipped out the most terrifying display of sorcery you've ever seen when some student tried to jump out and scare her. She never mentions this again

God I love writing adult Twenari. Astra is her karmic punishment for giving Sepo five consecutive heart-attacks because she kept fucking around with the spooky desert magic

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illarian-rambling · 15 hours

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I don't know much about Suru, so I couldn't say, but if he's anything like Djek, I'd probably like him ;)

Happy STS! Which of your OCs is the bravest and why?

Oh, this is a tough one, I'm really not sure. They're all brave in different ways. My initial thought was Mashal, but I think it's easier to be brave when you're made of unfeeling steel and runes. It's less easy when you're a scrawny sorcerer who knows only one spell.

Djek is by far the 'weakest' member of the Outcasts quartet. Physically, magically, strategically; you name it, someone's better at it. I, personally, could probably beat him hand-to-hand. His main strength is his creativity. Djek wins fights because he finds a way to get around them. However, he can't always do that. Sometimes, he has to plant his feet and take the blow. And despite all his shortcomings, Djek never fails to do this, even if he's dead terrified.

This man has dragged his friends out of fires, faced down divine champions with nothing but a box cutter, and even gone blow for blow with the physical embodiment of the apocalypse. Did he lose a lot of these battles? Absolutely. But he fought anyways because he knew his friends would pull through to win the war. Djek is brave because he has complete faith in his forged family. He knows they'll always pull through for him, always fight for him, so he does the same for them, even when he's hopelessly outmatched. He knows they've got his back.

Also, Djek believes in luck. He might know his opponent is more skilled, but that doesn't mean he can't get in a lucky blow. Most of the time, he doesn't, but occasionally - or on a single very memorable occasion - his gamble works spectacularly.

So yeah, props to my man Djek for throwing hands with End itself. He might’ve got his ass beat, but goddamn if he didn't get up there and try.

Thanks for the ask!

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illarian-rambling · 15 hours

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Sick, voice acting! I can do Astra's voice really well, since she started as a dnd npc, but I struggle with the guys. Wanna give Ivander a whirl? I have this picrew of him I like

I always imagine him with a campy villain voice, like James from Team Rocket or something. He's probably British and doesn't have sincere bone in his body. He's also a detective if that helps or anything. Here's some dialog:

"No, I'm no sorcerer. The gods simply granted me a silver tongue in exchange for my ability to scale ladders. Care to give me a hand up?" (He's trying to talk to a hot lady here)

"The letter? You didn't receive it? It was stamped with Captain Moorfell's personal seal and had the signatures of over half a dozen merchant councilmen. It would- Oh, it would be such a travesty if it was stolen before it could arrive." (Here he's doing a little gaslighting)

"Don't say things like that in places like this. You're just tempting fate."

"The investigation shall not be impeded by any more of my melodramatics, I promise. You and your witchy friend are free to go at it any time though."

I’m bored. You have any OCs* you want me to attempt to VA?** if you do then show me the oc and a bit of dialogue.

*preferably male and somewhat young as that’s about the extent of my vocal range

**my voice sounds weird when it’s recorded, at least to me, so be ready if it’s not what you expect

#voice acting #ocs #original character

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illarian-rambling · 15 hours

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Indigo, crow, and the ginger ice cream my karate instructor makes for parties :)

@mk-writes-stuff @elsie-writes @kaylinalexanderbooks wanna give this a whirl?

A person's favorite color, favorite animal, and favorite flavor of ice cream can say a lot about them when considering the answers as a whole. Some prime examples I've heard are:

~ Silver, Artic Wolf, and Mint Chocolate Chip.

~ Pink/Yellow, Putu Bird, and Cotton Candy.

~ Light Brown, Tree Kangaroo, and Rum Raisin.

~ Green, Pig, and Cookie Dough.

Mine are:

~ Burgundy, Fox, and Moose Tracks.

Tag some friends and get a sense of who they are! :)

@notable-bumblr @persistentchaos @enterfandomreference @valerietompson @paper-crowns-and-tiaras @ironxprince @acecuddle @angst-dealer @hey-you-i-just

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illarian-rambling · 15 hours

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Happy STS! Which of your OCs is the bravest and why?

So yeah, props to my man Djek for throwing hands with End itself. He might’ve got his ass beat, but goddamn if he didn't get up there and try.

Thanks for the ask!

#writing #writerscommunity #writblr #my ocs #sts asks

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illarian-rambling · 15 hours

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Sir, if this isn't an in-depth answer, then I don't know what is. This is all fascinating, especially the different boxing lineages and weapon traditions shaped by the environment! It reminds me of how my own branch of karate uses shorter bō staffs solely because we used to practice in a building with a low ceiling. I also like the bit about Dati using his tail to fight

Happy STS! I know you've got lots of warriors and fighters among your characters, but do any of them have a specific fighting style? Where did they learn to fight?

Hello and thank you for the question! I won't go too in-depth for this question. Edit: (Damn it, I accidentally posted this before I put tags)

(Some of) The Arts of Combat in the Green Sea

In the first three books of the Testaments of the Green Sea (The Ninma Cycle) there are a number of named characters who have received actual training in the arts of dueling and combat. These people are differentiated from characters like Jani and Imn, who while trained to function as part of a formation, have not received training when it comes to one on one battle. This also does not include sages who have been trained to use magic in a martial context such as Kerim and Zenit. Narul will also not be addressed as he is both untrained and not particularly skilled, he is reliant on his strength and durability to get him through a fight.

I will not be addressing every fighter as that would take ages and would get repetitive.

Basics

Central to nearly all traditions of combat in the Green Sea is the use of the spear and of the shield. Axes, hammers, maces, slings, and bows are additionally well-represented. The sword is a relative rarity, typically reserved for nobility, particularly in the Kishite culture.

Several cultures have strong dueling cultures, and it is from these cultures that these specific fighting arts arise. These are in large part influenced by their environment, the fighting arts of Apunian nobles for example, are quite different from those of pirate groups in Ikopesh and Makora.

Hutbari

Kishite Chariot Archery, Kishite Wrestling, Kishite Dueling

Kishetal

As a prince of Labisa and not the immediate heir to the throne, Hutbari spent much of his youth learning the arts of war. He was trained in the art of archery both on foot and from a chariot, as is befitting of Kishite nobility. In addition he received training in Kishite wrestling, used to sharpen the body and mind, and in the art of dueling. Hutbari’s weapon of choice was a particular variety of long hook-like sword, the ishkapa. Hutbari was a large and powerfully built man in his youth and excelled at these arts, he even won awards for his prowess in wrestling. Unfortunately his old age and increasingly sedentary lifestyle have tempered much of his skill.

Hutbari was trained by a number of tutors, including his father, King Mushadi.

Kishite wrestling is primarily concerned with grappling and pushing, while mostly used for sport, it can have marital uses as well, practitioners are often taught how to break or dislocate bones, and this knowledge can at times be used in combat.

Kishite Dueling is a strictly noble art, not practiced by commoners, and the event of a duel is a highly organized and rule bound affair. Locations, weapons, and time must be agreed between participants. Armor, spears, and shields are all typically banned in such confrontations. Duels are typically based around the use of bladed weapons, swords and axes. Thanks to its design, and resultant fragility, the ishkapa is not used for warfare, as against a shield or armor it is likely to break. However the ishkapa is used in duels. Its hooked shape does not allow for stabbing, so rather the weapon is meant to slash, the hook may also be used to grab or disarm. The long thin blade is particularly suited to slipping between joints and vertebrae. The sign of mastery with the ishkapa is the ability to decapitate an opponent without breaking the blade. Dueling with the ishkapa is a fast paced and vicious affair, for this reason, the art of combat with the ishkapa is sometimes called “viper fighting.”

Akard

Kasesh Dueling, Namut Longbow Archery, Apunian Boxing (Pykhema)

Apuna

Akard was raised in the Apunian Palace at Nashawey and was educated in the ways of warfare as an officer in the Fapacha’s army both in Namut and in Pyria.

Archery and bow-hunting is a regular past-time for Apunian nobility. The Apunian use two primary kinds of bow, the native shortbow, and the adopted Namutian longbow. The shortbow is favored for its speed and accuracy while the Namutian bow is favored for its power. It is said that a warrior with a strong enough bow can shoot an arrow clean through the hide of a crocodile. Akard was initially trained in the art of the long-bow by a Namutian servant by the name of Jwa, held in captivity at the palace of Nashawey. He would further hone his skill with the weapon well fighting Namutian raiders in the south. Learning more about the practice from and in the process befriending the Namutian prisoner, Qiruk.

The Kasesh is a sickle-sword, relatively long when compared to the shorter leaf-bladed short sword favored by most Apunians. It has roots in the lands of Jezaan, roots which it shares with the Kishite ishkapa. However the kasesh is not so drastically curved and is much more sturdy in its build, because of this, the sword may be used in battle, though it typically only used as a secondary weapon. Kasesh dueling typically involves an even number of participants (2-10) with even numbers on either side. Participants use a sword and shield and are otherwise unarmed. Kasesh dueling is a close quarters style of combat, often shield to shield. Many duels are ended when one combatant is shoved off of their feet, thus allowing for the application of a killing blow. Akard was trained by the Apunian lord, Khuti.

Apunian boxing or Pykhema is viewed as the purview of the common people, brutal and crude. It constitutes not only strikes with the fist, but also with the elbow and knee. Participants typically wrap their hands in linen before a fight in order to prevent damage to the knuckles. Pykhema is not a particularly subtle practice and often the strongest combatant (or at least the one that can deal the hardest and fastest strike) will be the winner. Akard learned boxing from his soldiers while fighting in Pyria. He is a relatively amateur boxer.

Zatar

Kishite Wrestling and Spear-Dancing

Kishetal

Zatar is a prodigy when it comes to combat. His supernatural heritage has afforded him a speed and strength unmatched by normal men. Even before receiving training under the rule of Akard, Zatar was a skilled wrestler and a deadly hunter. He learned his craft on the streets of Labisa and the surrounding forest. He made his first spear from wood and stone at the age of 13, and killed his first boar at 14. After joining Akard’s court he was trained in the art of the spear by the palace spear-master, Mosiru. He would quickly surpass his master in skill, as evidenced by the fact that he killed Mosiru in a fit of rage during a spar, using nothing but a wooden stick.

Zatar’s style of fighting is unique to him, he moves with a speed and grace which is comparable to dancing. He moves with an ease which does not seem befitting of a man of his size, which makes him all the more dangerous. He fights with a short spear, 6 feet in length, a shield, and a small curved sword. In battle he roars and howls like a beast. He is called the Wrath and the Blood-Dancer. Zatar is far and away the greatest and perhaps the most vicious warrior and duelist of his age.

Even without his weapons he is force to be reckoned with, with a punch he can kill a man, and he is not afraid to rip, gouge, or bite.

Galatides

Atamasian Dueling

Korithia (Atamis)

Galatides is the head mercenary of a band of Korithians under the employ of the Kishite merchant, Wadakir. In his youth Galatides was a traveling duelist, fighting in the Atamasian style. He won renown and fame, unbeaten in his discipline, before moving to Chibal to enjoy the privileged position as an employee of Wadikir.

He learned his art from his father, the general Akamalenon. Atamasian dueling and Korithian dueling in general is far less organized and rule-based than its Apunian and Kishite equivalents. Duelists may wear armor, use a shield, and use any weapon they choose (with the exception of the bow or sling). Atamasian and southern Korithian styles are unique in their use of the waphios a long and thin sword, somewhat similar to the rapier. The waphios is designed to slip between armor to deliver a killing blow. The most famed expression of this is a downward strike behind the collarbone and down into the chest-cavity, typically done after an opponent has been driven to their knees.

Galatides fights with a typical Korithian spear, 7ft, with the waphios acting as a side arm.

Istek

Ikopeshi Knife Fighting and Knoshic Boxing (Pyokem)

Ikopesh, Makora, and Knosh

Istek received most of his training later in his life after escaping from the Cult of the Golden Poplar. He learned the art of Ikopeshi knife fighting as a pirate. Ikopeshi knife fighting, while it originates in Ikopesh, has been adopted by most sea-faring peoples. It involves the use of one or two small knives, and is reliant on speed and attacking vital areas such as the throat and under the arm. Istek fights with two stone knives, which he replaces with relative frequency. These knives are often favored at sea as the salinity of the air and water does not cause corrosion as with iron, copper, or bronze. This particular style of fighting was developed for use on the crowded decks of ships, where a spear may not be practical. This style is not particularly well-suited in combat with armored individuals.

Istek learned Knoshic Boxing (the ancestor of Apunian Boxing) from his first mate and partner, Dati. While he lacks Dati’s finesse and speed as a boxer, he makes up for it in force. Istek is a rough and rugged brawler.

He has combined Knife fighting and Knoshic boxing in his own way.

Dati

Ikopeshi Knife Fighting and Knoshic Boxing

Ikopesh and Knosh

Dati is the opposite of Istek in many ways. He learned Knoshic boxing from a young age. Compared to the Apunian style, Knoshic boxing is not quite as brutal, it's faster, more reliant on jabs and swift kicks rather than haymakers and other hard and high-intensity attacks. Dati was taught this style of boxing from a young age from his father and older brother. The particular style of boxing used by Dati and his tribe is unique, in that it makes use of the prehensile tail found in his people. The tail is used to grip and unsteady a person, causing their guard to drop.

Dati learned knife fighting from Istek, and like Istek combined it with his own experience with boxing. Dati is faster and more fluid fighter compared to his partner, and while he may be quieter overall, he is a better fighter. Dati uses stone knives, much like Istek, however Dati’s tail makes his style of combat unique, and on rare occasions he may even use it in order to fight with an additional small knife, used to attack the unsuspecting ankles of an opponent. Sihunu, his other opponent has affectionately referred to him as “The Scorpion”.

Ninma (Teenage and Adult)

Ikopeshi Knife Fighting and Kishite Boxing (Inspired)

Ikopesh and Kishetal

Ninma, against the wishes of Narul and Otilia, was taught the art of knife-fighting by Dati. Because of her relatively small size, she is largely reliant on speed rather than strength. Unlike Dati and Istek, she typically only fights with one knife, one which was gifted to her by Dati.

Her particular style of knife fighting has also been influenced by Kishite Wrestling. While she herself has never been taught in the art, she did watch her brothers practice and was subsequently able to pick up certain parts even from such a young age. She would later apply these skills when learning to fight later in life. She grapples, using her body to trip up and partially immobilize an opponent before striking with her knife. She is quite adept at using her opponents' greater size against them.

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