The Style features 3 routines each designed to give the user versatility in combat. While these routines have specific moves that are trained until fully established in memory, they were to be used as guidelines rather than something done over and over until the enemy falls to ground dead. Often times, the maidens thought of them as tools. Each move set has a specific purpose and a situation for use that can change from one fight to another.
The fortress routine
The fortress routine focuses strictly on defense and counter-attacking. The user reads every movement of their foe and waits for an opening and if none are made, makes her own. This routine fostered a superstition that still holds sway over many. The shield maidens brace for an attack and appear to be unphased no matter how strong their opposition seems to be, deflecting blows from mauls and makes and landing a killing blow as if they felt nothing. The secret lies in their shield. The shield has a special notch for their spear. The soear takes most of the force making the user appear like an immovable object.
The routine has 6 move sets
shield maidens poise.
The shield maidens poise is the neutral stance of all 3 routines. The user finds their center of gravity and faces their opponent from the side. They cover their chest with their shield and lower their head behind it just enough to see over the shield. The spear is braced In its notch and the maiden lives to the next step in the routine.
In the fortress routine, the maiden is reactive, she will remain in this stance until the attacker makes a move.
Castle wall
The next two steps are referred to as the castle wall and while they are the same note, differ depending on the direction of an incoming attack.
If an attack comes from the same side as the maidens dominant hand, which controls her spear, she tilts her shield to catch and deflect the blow to her none dominant side. As the opponent recovers she uses the brief moment to jab the spear forward into the opponent.
If the attack comes from the non-dominant side, the maiden will dart forward and catch the blow while her spear lunges into the opponent.
Regardless, finishing the move will mark a return to the neutral state.
The inner wall
The inner wall is a move that is used if multiple opponents are attacking. The maiden darts back and swings the spear in a wide arc as she does to get the distance. She may then move into neutral of the next step
Fortifying dash
The dash is a move used after the inner wall. After the wide swing if the first, the maiden swing again down low to catch the nearest attackers legs. The force can knock someone to the ground or cut into their legs making mobility difficult. This can lead to the final move.
Rubble and dust
This move is used on a downed opponent or injured opponent. The maiden takes a leaping stab at the opponent while they're open, aiming for a killing blow.
The fortress routine has little to offer and is usually melded with the other two to make a more cohesive moveset. Its purpose is to teach the emphasis on defense that the style requires. Often times, new students are impatient and impulsive. The shield maidens are quick to remedy these traits as it can lead to the death of the student in their first real fight with the style.
Breach routine
The breach routine is a balanced one. While still focusing on defense, the user is more aggressive and often utilizes their spear more than in the fortress.
Breach is more focused on controlling the opponent once one finds a way to read the opponent. For this reason, the moves often feature quick bashes with a shield and more wide swings of the spear to force opponents back.
There are 4 movesets that are designed to work in unison with the fortress to work in utility in the style.
Shield maidens poise
As with all routines, shield maidens poise is the first move set and neutral position.
Call to arms
If an opponent attacks from the side of the maidens shield she will let out a booming battle cry and dart forward. She will block the blow and the shield will travel down the blade of a sword for example, and collide with the opponent's arm as a means of crippling it.
The spear is then thrust forward repeatedly until the opponent is dead or recovers.
Guardians bane
When the opponent goes into a more defensive style the shield maiden may be forced to be aggressive. The guardian's bane is designed to maximize the damage one can do when breaking that defense.
The shield maiden will get attacks in hopes of catching an opening, often making wild motions as if to open herself up to an attack, only to brace back to neutral and follow through will controlled stabs and swings if the opponent takes the bait.
This move set is actually several as the shield maidens learn numerous ways of fainting an attack.
Ravens beak
Raven's beak is a string of attacks that poke at the opponent to apply pressure during a fight. While the user wants to land their hit, the real purpose is to feint an opening in the user's defense to bait the opponent into an attack.
Guardian rage
Almost any combat style that comes from
Mhirriah and
Ozlith makes use of
Rage . This is a truly aggressive routine that is meant to serve as a last resort for the shield maiden. This routine, however, is the reason that people as far away as the freeholds know the shield maidens as ferocious and brutal warriors. The routine is styled after the Aesir pantheon, specifically the Valkyries, who the shield maidens often petition for blessings.
The routine has 4 move sets. Beginning with Shield Maidens Poise and moving into the routine.
Ragnarok
Named after the end of the world, the move set is used to boost morale and build up the rage within the shield maiden. Once in neutral the maiden will beat on the shield like a drum with their spear instead of placing it in its slot. The maiden will hum and sing a war song and harness her rage until she is prepared to attack.
Brunhilden bells
The move set is comprised of a series of bashes with the maidens shield which leads to concussions and at their worst, crushed skulls. The bashes alone can be quite lethal and are followed up by poking of the spear in between each bash.
The name refers to the ringing sound those on the receiving end often hear after receiving a blow.
Last stand
The last stand is a series of violent swings of the spear. The maiden is trying to use brute force to knock opponents off balance. Being on the receiving end can be overwhelming and the maiden launches herself into you, using the spear as leverage as she pummels you. The frenzied display is
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