From: owner-gm7thsea@darkedge.com on behalf of Preliathor@aol.com
Sent: Sunday, September 05, 1999 7:22 AM
Subject: [7th Sea RPG GM] New sword school

Please give me your thoughts on the game balance and concept of this new 
fighting style.  It has not been playtested yet, but I tried to match the 
relative power of the various Techniques with those of the official schools.

Enjoy . . .
================================
Drachen Style (aka Dragoon Style)

Country of Origin:  Eisen

Description:  The Drachen style employs the pistol much as knights of old 
employed the lance, to inflict heavy casualties at somewhat greater than 
melee range.  Originally an informal battlefield adaptation, the technique 
proved itself during the War of the Cross and is now widely taught in Eisen’s 
better military academies.  A heavy cavalry saber is carried in one hand, and 
a pistol in the other.  Practitioners commonly wear armor of some sort and 
carry several pistols in saddle sheaths.  Generally, the pistols are used 
prior to crossing swords.  

The weakness of the Drachen style is its emphasis on mounted combat.  It is a 
soldierly discipline that, though highly effective in the field, does not 
lend itself to dueling.

Basic Curriculum:  Heavy Weapon, Firearm

Swordsman Knacks:  Beat (Heavy Weapon, 2 Free Raises during mounted charge), 
Pistol Whip (as Pommel Strike*), Lunge (Heavy Weapon), Exploit Weakness 
(Drachen)

* The Drachen "Pommel Strike" is made with the butt of a pistol rather than 
the pommel of a sword, but the effect is identical.  The wise Drachen uses an 
unloaded pistol for such attacks.  

Apprentice:  Developed largely by Eisenfaust swordsmen, Drachen retains some 
similarities with its parent school.  The style allows the use of a cavalry 
saber (Heavy Weapon) in one hand and negates the off-hand penalty when using 
a pistol in the other.  At point blank range (within 10’ of your opponent) 
you receive a Free Raise to hit with your pistol.

Journeyman:  At point blank range (within 10’ of your opponent) you receive 
two Free Raises to hit with your pistols.  You are able to draw and fire a 
loaded pistol in a single phase.  

Master:  Striking (not shooting) opponents from horseback, you are able to 
put the mass of your mount behind the blow.  When your opponents fail a Wound 
Check they suffer one Dramatic Wound plus an additional Dramatic Wound for 
every 10 points they missed the roll by, as if they had been hit by a 
firearm.  

Jason
--
Contents Copyright (C) 1997,98,99 by ALDERAC ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, INC.