From: owner-gm7thsea@darkedge.com on behalf of Preliathor@aol.com
Sent: Sunday, September 05, 1999 8:32 PM
Subject: [7th Sea RPG GM] Dragoon Style v2.0

Mr. Vogan's point that the cavalry saber should be a fencing weapon and my 
rationale for treating it as a heavy weapon have led me to a new solution.  

Although the cavalry saber is heavier than fencing weapons, it is not so 
heavy that it would normally require two hands to use (as Heavy Weapons do in 
7th Sea).  My reasons for treating it as a Heavy Weapon were all premised 
upon its mounted use.  

Therefore, I propose that it is a Fencing Weapon but that when used by a 
mounted Drachen swordsman it does damage as a Heavy Weapon (one additional 
unkept die).

I've changed the style in other ways as well including its Description and 
the ordering of the Techniques.  See below:

Your feedback is welcome.
============================
Dragoon Style

Country of Origin:  Eisen (War of the Cross)

Description:  The Dragoon style employs the pistol much as knights of old 
employed the lance, to inflict heavy casualties at somewhat greater than 
melee range.  Originally an battlefield adaptation, the technique proved 
itself during the War of the Cross and is now informally taught by some 
cavalry commanders.  A 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 Dragoon 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.  Because of the style’s lowly origins, Dragoons are 
disdained by Sword Guild members.  Dragoons do not receive the free Sword 
Guild Membership advantage and are therefore unable to initiate duels unless 
they purchase the advantage normally.

Basic Curriculum:  Fencing, Firearms, Riding

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

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

Apprentice:  The Dragoon style negates the off-hand penalty for using a 
pistol in the off-hand.  At point blank range (within 10’ of your opponent) 
you receive a Free Raise to hit with the pistol.  When attacking with a 
cavalry saber from horseback you are able to inflict damage as if it were a 
Heavy Weapon (+1 unkept die).

Journeyman:  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.  

Master:  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.  

Jason

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