From: owner-gm7thsea@darkedge.com on behalf of Schultz, Nancy [NSchultz@btopi.com] Sent: Wednesday, September 08, 1999 3:50 PM Subject: [7th Sea RPG GM] Drachentanze School, 2nd Ed Ok. Real life (and other games) intruded for a while. Here is a second edition of the Drachentanze school, with modifications based on additional ideas and suggestions I received. I know it's not proper German, but I am keeping the "e" on the end, because I like the rhythm better. :) *** Drachentanze Swordsman School Country of Origin: Eisen Description: Drachentanze was born of the Passion Plays and Morality plays from older days. At first highly stylized, its martial applications began when a troupe of actors was caught in the middle of a battlefield. The actors that traditionally played the Heroes and Villains in the plays took up the arms of fallen warriors and defended their fellows from the soldiers and knights of both sides. From there it developed into a full school of swordsman-ship over the decades, though it never gained the level of popularity that other schools, such as Eisenfist, did. Because of the performing aspects of the school it is seen as weak or "effete" by some, others say it is base or "common". Always few in number, the Drachentanze were devastated by the War of the Cross. Born in religion, many of the schools were torn apart as religious differences turned Masters and Students against each other. Now, only two teachers remain, and they are on opposite sides of the religious fence, and only the order of the Heirophant keeps them from trying to wipe each other out. With the number of new students on a steady decline, the school is slowly dying out. Still, the style is impressive to watch. Song, dance and dramatics are often a part of a Drachentanzer's arsenal, and are as important the sword he wields and the armor he wears. A Drachentanzer who can afford it, and find a smith skilled enough, will often commission a sword that is drilled and grooved to "Sing" in harmony with both the ring of the sword when it connects with another blade, and the voice of the warrior himself. The main weakness of the Drachentanze School stems from its origin of Stage Combat in passion plays. Every play is scripted, and if a Drachentanzer can be forced to assume a roll, then his moves become more predictable. If he can be forced into the roll of a villain, then he could even defeat himself. Basic Curriculum: Heavy Weapons, Performer Swordsman Knacks: Disarm (Heavy Weapons), Feint (Heavy Weapons), Tagging (Heavy Weapons), Exploit Weakness (Drachentanze) Apprentice: The Drachentanzer first learns how to use dancing to aid in his defense. He gains one free raise with Parry (Heavy Weapons) and may substitute his Dancing for his Footwork. **or** Apprentice: The Drachentanzer first learns how to use dancing to aid in his defense. He gains one free raise with Parry (Heavy Weapons) and may add his Dancing Knack to his Passive Defense Ratings (Parry (Heavy Weapons) 3 gives a PD of 20, with Dancing 3 the PD is 23) Journeyman: Journeymen Drachentanzers now incorporate the Battlesong into their fights, disheartening their opponents. The songs are often low and menacing or mournful, as the Drachentanzer sings of his opponent's death. At the beginning of combat, the Drachentanzer may roll Panache + Singing, TN 15 to gain +1 Fear rating. If the Drachentanzer does not have a fear rating, this provides a fear rating as one. Each round of combat, the TN increases by 5, and a successful roll increases the Fear Rating by 1. If the Drachentanzer makes the previous round's TN, but not the current one, then the Fear rating does not increase. If the Drachentanzer fails the roll, then the fear rating is lost Example: Katrin begins combat and makes her roll. She gains a fear rating of 1. Next round, if she makes the roll against a TN of 20 her fear rating goes to 2. If she only makes the roll if the TN were still 15, her Fear rating remains at 1. The third round, she has to make the roll against a 25 to increase her Fear Rating, or a 20 to keep it, and so on. Master: The Drachentanze is a master of the Dance, and can incorporate his opponent's moves into his own dance, avoiding his opponent's defenses almost completely. The Drachentanzer spends a Drama Die and receives a number of raises equal to his dancing. These free raises are included when calculating the target number for Active Defense by the target. **or** Master: The Drachentanze is a master of the Dance, and can incorporate his opponent's moves into his own dance, avoiding his opponent's defenses almost completely. The Drachentanzer takes an action to roll Wits + Dancing against a TN of his opponents highest Passive Defense. If successful, he receives a number of free raises equal to his dancing on his next attack. These free raises are included when calculating the target number for Active Defense by the target. *** Ok. Once again, open to suggestions and constructive criticism. The primary questions I have are: Which technique to use for a given level where I have two listed, and should I switch the Journeyman and Master levels. The fear mechanics aren't that spectacular, IIRC, producing a TN of 5x Fear rating that the opponent has to roll Wits against in order to attack, or something. --Nancy Schultz Isabelle of the Black Fox --- To unsubscribe, send a message to "majordomo@darkedge.com" and put "unsubscribe gm7thsea (or gm7thsea-digest)" in the body of the message. Contents Copyright (C) 1997,98,99 by ALDERAC ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, INC.