French Smallsword

4 points

French Smallsword represented the apex of the fencing
arms race. As fencers placed increasing emphasis on the
riposte, they sought progressively shorter blades to give
them greater speed and maneuverability. The result was
the smallsword: a short, stiff thrusting blade. The atten-
dant fencing style became a gentleman’s martial art, with
the riposte and elegant form as its core values. Proponents
claimed that its defensive techniques applied to all combat
– not just to smallsword fencing. Such claims resemble
those of an “ultimate style” (see Ultimate Styles, p. 144). In
a cinematic game, smallsword fencing might indeed hold
all of the secrets of combat!
French Smallsword’s signature tactic is the Riposte
(pp. 124-125): a parry and counterattack “in one time.”
Disarms are also routine; a stylist might parry his enemy’s
blade, whip it from his grasp, and then dispatch his
unarmed victim. Some fighters even attempt this as an All-
Out Attack (Double) – but should it fail, the would-be pred-
ator is likely to end up prey. Smallsword fencers often use
All-Out Attack (Long) to lunge at a distant foe, typically
stabbing but occasionally making a Tip Slash (p. 113).
Advanced students learn to grapple, but the aim is always
to ward off the opponent’s attack and run him through.
Cinematic masters of this style are fluid, elegant, and
acrobatic. The Jumping and Acrobatics skills are as com-
mon as Enhanced Parry. Swashbucklers might swing from
chandeliers, slide down banisters, and disarm half a dozen
foes with a single sweep of the blade. They’re blindingly
fast and incredibly agile, and able to use their prodigious
defensive abilities with any weapon. High DX and Basic
Speed are a must!
This style was common from the early 18th century
until about 1830. Its main weapon was the smallsword,
but masters were still expected to train students in the cav-
alry saber and sometimes the cutlass. Smallsword fencing
was significantly more artistic than the rapier styles it
replaced. While it was a functional martial art, many stu-
dents learned an overly artistic form . . . yet believed in its
utter invincibility. Such students would often know secret
techniques (p. 86) or useless techniques (p. 95).
Skills:
Games
(Sport
Fencing);
Smallsword;
Smallsword Art.
Techniques: Bind Weapon (Smallsword); Close Combat
(Smallsword);
Disarming
(Smallsword);
Feint
(Smallsword); Retain Weapon (Smallsword); Targeted
Attack (Smallsword Thrust/Vitals).
Cinematic Skills: Flying Leap.
Cinematic Techniques: Flying Lunge (Smallsword);
Grand Disarm (Smallsword); Initial Carving (Smallsword).
Perks:
Quick-Sheathe
(Sword);
Quick-Swap
(Smallsword).
Optional Traits
Advantages: Enhanced Parry (All); Perfect Balance;
Status; Wealth.
Disadvantages: Code of Honor (Gentleman’s); Delusion
(“My style is inherently superior to all others”);
Overconfidence.
Skills:
Acrobatics; Broadsword; Broadsword Art;
Jumping; Main-Gauche; Main-Gauche Art; Riding (Horse);
Savoir-Faire; Shortsword; Shortsword Art; Staff Art; Two-
Handed Sword Art; Wrestling.