The House of the Five Rings - The Sword's Crucible
The House of Five Rings is Alexaria premier school of swordsmanship, a prestigious dueling academy whose students have gone on to serve as champions, military officers, and elite instructors across Korinthos and beyond. Known for producing legendary swordmasters, the House maintains deep ties to the Korinthian dueling circuit, its alumni shaping the very nature of noble combat, honor, and the philosophy of the blade.
The House is more than just a school—it is a tradition, a lineage, a philosophy, where only the most dedicated fencers are granted the Five Rings, a title that forever marks them as one of the greatest swordfighters of their generation.
The Current Master of the House
Grandmaster Aurelius Varro, "The Last Fang" (Lacertian, Age Unknown)
A towering Lacertian swordsman, descendant of the original Remus Varro.
Known for his calm, analytical approach, rarely raising his voice or showing emotion.
Rumored to have once dueled an assassin in the middle of a noble gala, cutting his throat in a single motion without spilling a drop of wine.
Rumors About Aurelius Varro
"He has never been seen sleeping. Some say he meditates with his sword, entering a trance beyond mortal needs."
"He has refused duels for decades. Not because he is afraid—but because there is no one left worth fighting."
"His sword, Fang of Varro, is enchanted. They say it drinks the souls of those it slays."
The House is more than just a school—it is a tradition, a lineage, a philosophy, where only the most dedicated fencers are granted the Five Rings, a title that forever marks them as one of the greatest swordfighters of their generation.
The Current Master of the House
Grandmaster Aurelius Varro, "The Last Fang" (Lacertian, Age Unknown)
A towering Lacertian swordsman, descendant of the original Remus Varro.
Known for his calm, analytical approach, rarely raising his voice or showing emotion.
Rumored to have once dueled an assassin in the middle of a noble gala, cutting his throat in a single motion without spilling a drop of wine.
Rumors About Aurelius Varro
"He has never been seen sleeping. Some say he meditates with his sword, entering a trance beyond mortal needs."
"He has refused duels for decades. Not because he is afraid—but because there is no one left worth fighting."
"His sword, Fang of Varro, is enchanted. They say it drinks the souls of those it slays."
Structure
The Five Rings & The Path of Mastery
Every student of the House follows the Path of the Rings, an arduous training regimen that can last anywhere from 7 to 15 years, depending on their talent and dedication.
Each Ring represents a stage of mastery, and only those who obtain all five are recognized as true Masters of the House.
The Path of the Five Rings – Trials of Steel & Will
The House of Five Rings does not train warriors—it forges legends. To ascend through its ranks, a student must endure grueling physical, mental, and philosophical challenges meant to test not only their skill with the blade, but their discipline, endurance, and understanding of the art of combat.
From the moment an initiate enters the House, they are subjected to ruthless training regimens that break the weak, sharpen the determined, and temper the greatest into master duelists. Only a fraction of those who enter ever earn the final Ring.
The Iron Ring (Novice, 1–2 years) – The Foundation
"Your blade means nothing if your body fails you."
Focuses on basic forms, balance, discipline, and endurance.
Exhausting daily drills such as swinging weighted wooden swords for hours, standing in kneeling stances until legs give out, running miles in full armor, and sparring until they can no longer lif their arms.
Novices train with wooden swords, learning footwork and discipline before ever touching steel.
Many wash out at this stage, deemed unworthy to progress.
The Test: A student must spar against five Iron Ring duelists in a row, winning at least three matches. If they fail, they must restart their training.
Failure Rate: 50% of students wash out, unable to endure the physical toll.
The Bronze Ring (Apprentice, 3–5 years) – The Blade’s Awakening
"Steel is but an extension of hte mind. A fool with a sword is still a fool."
Here, students begin studying formal dueling philosophy, tactics, and strategy.
They must learn to fight with intelligence, predicting opponents’ movements, countering techniques, and manipulating the flow of combat.
Students must master three separate fighting styles, including both offensive and defensive forms.
The Test: A student must win five consecutive duels against Silver Ring duelists—any loss forces them to restart training from the beginning.
Failure Rate: 30% of students falter here, unable to master the mental aspect of the blade.
The Silver Ring (Adept, 6–9 years) – The Art of the Duel
"A true swordsman fights not for victory, but for mastery."
Students master precision, feints, and psychological warfare.
They are allowed to use live steel, fighting under the House’s strict dueling laws.
At this stage, students are often contracted as tutors to noble houses.
Students must compete in formal duels within the Korinthian circuit, proving themselves against the best fencers in the empire.
They must train under a Gold or Obsidian Ring master, who will not accept a student unless they see something worth honing.
The Test: The student must fight an open challenge duel against three Gold Ring duelists.
All fights are public, and failure means permanent expulsion from the House.
Failure Rate: 10% remain. Only the elite survive.
The Gold Ring (Elite, 10–12 years) – The Warrior’s Spirit
"To wield the Obsidian Ring is to be the embodiment of death itself."
Represents mastery over multiple forms of armed combat.
Only those with a perfect dueling record are considered for advancement.
Gold Ring fencers are invited to participate in Korinthos’ elite dueling circuits.
his is the final, legendary test, reserved only for those who have proven themselves beyond all doubt.
The student must face five of the greatest duelists in the House in a single day, without rest.
Victory is not required—but demonstrating perfection of form, resilience, and understanding of combat is.
Few even attempt it, and fewer still succeed.
Failure Rate: Less than 1% ever earn the Obsidian Ring.
The Obsidian Ring (Master, 13+ years) – The Shadow of Death
The highest rank, granted only to those who have proven their skill beyond mortal limits.
Masters must complete the Trial of Five, a ritual duel where they fight five elite challengers in a single day.
Those who succeed become swordmasters of legend, their names etched into the House’s walls for eternity.
Every student of the House follows the Path of the Rings, an arduous training regimen that can last anywhere from 7 to 15 years, depending on their talent and dedication.
Each Ring represents a stage of mastery, and only those who obtain all five are recognized as true Masters of the House.
The Path of the Five Rings – Trials of Steel & Will
The House of Five Rings does not train warriors—it forges legends. To ascend through its ranks, a student must endure grueling physical, mental, and philosophical challenges meant to test not only their skill with the blade, but their discipline, endurance, and understanding of the art of combat.
From the moment an initiate enters the House, they are subjected to ruthless training regimens that break the weak, sharpen the determined, and temper the greatest into master duelists. Only a fraction of those who enter ever earn the final Ring.
The Iron Ring (Novice, 1–2 years) – The Foundation
"Your blade means nothing if your body fails you."
Focuses on basic forms, balance, discipline, and endurance.
Exhausting daily drills such as swinging weighted wooden swords for hours, standing in kneeling stances until legs give out, running miles in full armor, and sparring until they can no longer lif their arms.
Novices train with wooden swords, learning footwork and discipline before ever touching steel.
Many wash out at this stage, deemed unworthy to progress.
The Test: A student must spar against five Iron Ring duelists in a row, winning at least three matches. If they fail, they must restart their training.
Failure Rate: 50% of students wash out, unable to endure the physical toll.
The Bronze Ring (Apprentice, 3–5 years) – The Blade’s Awakening
"Steel is but an extension of hte mind. A fool with a sword is still a fool."
Here, students begin studying formal dueling philosophy, tactics, and strategy.
They must learn to fight with intelligence, predicting opponents’ movements, countering techniques, and manipulating the flow of combat.
Students must master three separate fighting styles, including both offensive and defensive forms.
The Test: A student must win five consecutive duels against Silver Ring duelists—any loss forces them to restart training from the beginning.
Failure Rate: 30% of students falter here, unable to master the mental aspect of the blade.
The Silver Ring (Adept, 6–9 years) – The Art of the Duel
"A true swordsman fights not for victory, but for mastery."
Students master precision, feints, and psychological warfare.
They are allowed to use live steel, fighting under the House’s strict dueling laws.
At this stage, students are often contracted as tutors to noble houses.
Students must compete in formal duels within the Korinthian circuit, proving themselves against the best fencers in the empire.
They must train under a Gold or Obsidian Ring master, who will not accept a student unless they see something worth honing.
The Test: The student must fight an open challenge duel against three Gold Ring duelists.
All fights are public, and failure means permanent expulsion from the House.
Failure Rate: 10% remain. Only the elite survive.
The Gold Ring (Elite, 10–12 years) – The Warrior’s Spirit
"To wield the Obsidian Ring is to be the embodiment of death itself."
Represents mastery over multiple forms of armed combat.
Only those with a perfect dueling record are considered for advancement.
Gold Ring fencers are invited to participate in Korinthos’ elite dueling circuits.
his is the final, legendary test, reserved only for those who have proven themselves beyond all doubt.
The student must face five of the greatest duelists in the House in a single day, without rest.
Victory is not required—but demonstrating perfection of form, resilience, and understanding of combat is.
Few even attempt it, and fewer still succeed.
Failure Rate: Less than 1% ever earn the Obsidian Ring.
The Obsidian Ring (Master, 13+ years) – The Shadow of Death
The highest rank, granted only to those who have proven their skill beyond mortal limits.
Masters must complete the Trial of Five, a ritual duel where they fight five elite challengers in a single day.
Those who succeed become swordmasters of legend, their names etched into the House’s walls for eternity.
Culture
Rules, Traditions, & Culture
The House of Five Rings follows strict codes of honor, ensuring that their students become not just warriors, but paragons of discipline and wisdom.
1. The Code of the Rings
"A blade drawn without purpose is a crime against steel." (No student may duel for vanity or cruelty.)
"Honor is not won in victory, but in restraint." (Killing an opponent in a non-lethal duel is disgraceful.)
"A master is nothing without a student." (Every Gold and Obsidian Ring is expected to take apprentices.)
2. The Ritual of Names (For Orphans & the Worthy)
Those taken in by the House as orphans or adopted students are given the last name Rinatus, meaning Reborn, signifying their entry into a new family bound by steel, not blood.
Some of the greatest duelists in history have carried the name Rinatus, proving that talent can be forged from nothing.
3. The House’s Role in Korinthos’ Dueling Circuit
The House trains the finest duelists in the empire, many of whom compete in Korinthos’ grand dueling arenas.
Nobles pay handsomely for a tutor from the House, knowing that even a Bronze Ring instructor is worth ten lesser swordsmen.
Korinthian gladiators and duelists often seek training at the House, though few pass its rigorous tests.
How Gold & Obsidian Ring Masters Choose Students
The House of Five Rings believes that a master must see something unique in their student—it is not just about talent, but potential, mindset, and hunger.
Masters do not take many students—most train only one or two apprentices in their lifetime.
A student cannot request a master—a master must request a student.
A master may test a prospective apprentice by engaging them in an impromptu sparring match. If the student shows the right level of adaptability, creativity, and precision, they are chosen.
Some masters seek students who reflect their own style, while others deliberately choose wild, untamed talent to refine into something greater.
Those who are not chosen remain Silver Ring duelists forever, never achieving the final path to Gold.
The House of Five Rings follows strict codes of honor, ensuring that their students become not just warriors, but paragons of discipline and wisdom.
1. The Code of the Rings
"A blade drawn without purpose is a crime against steel." (No student may duel for vanity or cruelty.)
"Honor is not won in victory, but in restraint." (Killing an opponent in a non-lethal duel is disgraceful.)
"A master is nothing without a student." (Every Gold and Obsidian Ring is expected to take apprentices.)
2. The Ritual of Names (For Orphans & the Worthy)
Those taken in by the House as orphans or adopted students are given the last name Rinatus, meaning Reborn, signifying their entry into a new family bound by steel, not blood.
Some of the greatest duelists in history have carried the name Rinatus, proving that talent can be forged from nothing.
3. The House’s Role in Korinthos’ Dueling Circuit
The House trains the finest duelists in the empire, many of whom compete in Korinthos’ grand dueling arenas.
Nobles pay handsomely for a tutor from the House, knowing that even a Bronze Ring instructor is worth ten lesser swordsmen.
Korinthian gladiators and duelists often seek training at the House, though few pass its rigorous tests.
How Gold & Obsidian Ring Masters Choose Students
The House of Five Rings believes that a master must see something unique in their student—it is not just about talent, but potential, mindset, and hunger.
Masters do not take many students—most train only one or two apprentices in their lifetime.
A student cannot request a master—a master must request a student.
A master may test a prospective apprentice by engaging them in an impromptu sparring match. If the student shows the right level of adaptability, creativity, and precision, they are chosen.
Some masters seek students who reflect their own style, while others deliberately choose wild, untamed talent to refine into something greater.
Those who are not chosen remain Silver Ring duelists forever, never achieving the final path to Gold.
History
History & The Tradition of the Rings
The House of Five Rings was founded over three centuries ago by the Lacertian master-duelist Remus Varro, a lizardfolk warrior-philosopher who believed that true swordsmanship was not just a skill, but a way of life.
Rejecting the Korinthian obsession with dueling for spectacle, he established the House as a sanctuary for true students of the blade—those who sought not just to win duels, but to master the essence of combat itself.
From the beginning, the House took in orphans and outcasts, recognizing that true warriors are forged, not born. These students were given a shared last name—Rinatus, meaning "Reborn"—symbolizing that they were now of the Five Rings, bound by discipline rather than blood.
To earn their place, students train for years, progressing through five ranks, each represented by a ring—the ultimate sign of mastery.
Rival Dueling Schools of the Five Rings
The Colosian Academy (The Arena's Path) - "A duel is no different from war. You fight to survive, or you die."
Philosophy: Victory through aggression, adaptation, and overwhelming force.
The Colosian Academy is the oldest dueling school in Korinthos, founded by gladiators who earned their freedom and sought to refine their brutal skills into an art form. Unlike the House of Five Rings, which sees dueling as a discipline of self-mastery, the Colosians believe that all combat is survival.
Fighting Style:
Highly aggressive, strength-focused fencing meant to overpower opponents.
Masters use heavier dueling swords, paired weapons, and brutal counterattacks.
Encourages feints, traps, and raw force to break an opponent’s guard.
Training Methods:
Students are taught in the arena, often fighting live opponents in full-contact sparring.
Each student must endure "The Ordeal"—a gauntlet duel against multiple armed opponents to prove their ability to adapt under pressure.
Emphasizes psychological dominance, teaching duelists to unsettle opponents through intimidation.
Rivalry with the Five Rings
The House of Five Rings considers the Colosians brutish and undisciplined, lacking the finesse of true masters. The Colosians, in turn, mock the Five Rings as duelists who fight for art rather than survival.
Famous Colosian Duelist:
Gaius "The Iron Fang" – A former pit-fighter turned dueling champion, known for shattering opponents' swords mid-duel.
The Argentum Order (The Noble Tradition) - "A duel is a sacred contract. Strength without honor is nothing."
Philosophy: Dueling as a code of honor, nobility, and civic duty.
The Argentum Order is a prestigious academy, where nobles, officers, and statesmen train in the art of formal dueling. Unlike the Five Rings, which sees the blade as a lifelong pursuit of perfection, the Argentum Order believes that dueling is a tool of diplomacy, meant to resolve disputes and uphold one’s standing.
Fighting Style:
Defensive, calculated, and precision-based fencing.
Students are trained to fight in full ceremonial attire, practicing duels with rigid, rule-bound formality.
Emphasizes footwork, timing, and exploiting enemy mistakes.
Training Methods:
Every student must study dueling law, memorizing Korinthian combat codes and the etiquette of high-society combat.
Sparring is highly structured, emphasizing clean execution over brute force.
Duelists must complete the "Challenge of Blood"—fighting a non-lethal duel before an audience, proving their control over both blade and emotion.
Rivalry with the Five Rings
The Argentum Order views the Five Rings as reckless and undisciplined, allowing too much personal freedom in combat. The Five Rings, meanwhile, consider the Argentum Order stiff, restrictive, and more concerned with appearances than true mastery.
Famous Argentum Duelist:
Sir Lucius Valerion, "The Unbowed Blade" – A noble swordsman renowned for never taking a life in combat, yet never losing a duel.
The Umbral Court (The Duelists of the Silent Dance) - "The best duel is the one your opponent neveer realizes has begun."
Philosophy: Dueling is not about fairness—it is about control, deception, and the art of striking first.
The Umbral Court is an infamous, secretive school, known for producing duelists who fight in the shadows of politics, espionage, and intrigue. It is whispered that their alumni include spies, assassins, and even rogue noblemen who use dueling as a means of political maneuvering.
Fighting Style:
Deceptive, elusive, and ruthlessly efficient.
Uses light dueling blades, rapier-dagger combinations, and hidden weapons.
Teaches how to manipulate an opponent’s expectations, disguising intent and using misdirection to create openings for lethal strikes.
Training Methods:
Students must master the "Seven Hidden Stances", allowing them to switch between defensive, offensive, and deceptive techniques effortlessly.
Every duelist must pass "The Shadow Trial"—a duel where neither combatant knows when it will begin.
Many students train in dual-purpose combat—fencing mixed with subterfuge, poisons, or political manipulation.
Rivalry with the Five Rings
The House of Five Rings considers the Umbral Court dishonorable, while the Umbral Court views the Five Rings as naive, bound by unnecessary rules. Their students have clashed more than once in both dueling circles and in the alleys of Alexaria.
Famous Umbral Duelist:
Severian "The Night Thorn" – A master fencer who once defeated three challengers at once in a duel—only for them to realize they had already been poisoned before the fight began.
The Crimson Gate (The Bladed Ascetics) - "A duel is not just steel against steel. It is a conversation between two souls."
Philosophy: Dueling as a form of meditation and self-discovery.
The Crimson Gate is the most enigmatic of the dueling schools, blending philosophy, spiritualism, and swordplay into a single discipline. Its students are warrior-monks, trained in the art of absolute control over body and mind.
Fighting Style:
Flowing, unpredictable, and dance-like fencing.
Masters use single-edged curved swords, designed for fluid counters and continuous motion.
Teaches how to read an opponent’s intent, striking not where they are, but where they will be.
Training Methods:
Students must train in absolute silence for their first three years, learning to move by instinct rather than sight or sound.
They must pass the "Test of the Still Blade", where they must defeat an opponent without moving from a single point.
Every student must create a unique dueling style, blending philosophy with combat.
Rivalry with the Five Rings
The Five Rings respect the Crimson Gate but view their methods as overly philosophical and impractical for true combat. The monks of the Crimson Gate, meanwhile, believe the Five Rings focus too much on the sword, rather than the warrior wielding it.
Famous Crimson Gate Duelist:
Master Atellus, "The Blade of Falling Leaves" – Known for winning duels using only a single step per match, countering every strike with perfect precision.
The House of Five Rings was founded over three centuries ago by the Lacertian master-duelist Remus Varro, a lizardfolk warrior-philosopher who believed that true swordsmanship was not just a skill, but a way of life.
Rejecting the Korinthian obsession with dueling for spectacle, he established the House as a sanctuary for true students of the blade—those who sought not just to win duels, but to master the essence of combat itself.
From the beginning, the House took in orphans and outcasts, recognizing that true warriors are forged, not born. These students were given a shared last name—Rinatus, meaning "Reborn"—symbolizing that they were now of the Five Rings, bound by discipline rather than blood.
To earn their place, students train for years, progressing through five ranks, each represented by a ring—the ultimate sign of mastery.
Rival Dueling Schools of the Five Rings
The Colosian Academy (The Arena's Path) - "A duel is no different from war. You fight to survive, or you die."
Philosophy: Victory through aggression, adaptation, and overwhelming force.
The Colosian Academy is the oldest dueling school in Korinthos, founded by gladiators who earned their freedom and sought to refine their brutal skills into an art form. Unlike the House of Five Rings, which sees dueling as a discipline of self-mastery, the Colosians believe that all combat is survival.
Fighting Style:
Highly aggressive, strength-focused fencing meant to overpower opponents.
Masters use heavier dueling swords, paired weapons, and brutal counterattacks.
Encourages feints, traps, and raw force to break an opponent’s guard.
Training Methods:
Students are taught in the arena, often fighting live opponents in full-contact sparring.
Each student must endure "The Ordeal"—a gauntlet duel against multiple armed opponents to prove their ability to adapt under pressure.
Emphasizes psychological dominance, teaching duelists to unsettle opponents through intimidation.
Rivalry with the Five Rings
The House of Five Rings considers the Colosians brutish and undisciplined, lacking the finesse of true masters. The Colosians, in turn, mock the Five Rings as duelists who fight for art rather than survival.
Famous Colosian Duelist:
Gaius "The Iron Fang" – A former pit-fighter turned dueling champion, known for shattering opponents' swords mid-duel.
The Argentum Order (The Noble Tradition) - "A duel is a sacred contract. Strength without honor is nothing."
Philosophy: Dueling as a code of honor, nobility, and civic duty.
The Argentum Order is a prestigious academy, where nobles, officers, and statesmen train in the art of formal dueling. Unlike the Five Rings, which sees the blade as a lifelong pursuit of perfection, the Argentum Order believes that dueling is a tool of diplomacy, meant to resolve disputes and uphold one’s standing.
Fighting Style:
Defensive, calculated, and precision-based fencing.
Students are trained to fight in full ceremonial attire, practicing duels with rigid, rule-bound formality.
Emphasizes footwork, timing, and exploiting enemy mistakes.
Training Methods:
Every student must study dueling law, memorizing Korinthian combat codes and the etiquette of high-society combat.
Sparring is highly structured, emphasizing clean execution over brute force.
Duelists must complete the "Challenge of Blood"—fighting a non-lethal duel before an audience, proving their control over both blade and emotion.
Rivalry with the Five Rings
The Argentum Order views the Five Rings as reckless and undisciplined, allowing too much personal freedom in combat. The Five Rings, meanwhile, consider the Argentum Order stiff, restrictive, and more concerned with appearances than true mastery.
Famous Argentum Duelist:
Sir Lucius Valerion, "The Unbowed Blade" – A noble swordsman renowned for never taking a life in combat, yet never losing a duel.
The Umbral Court (The Duelists of the Silent Dance) - "The best duel is the one your opponent neveer realizes has begun."
Philosophy: Dueling is not about fairness—it is about control, deception, and the art of striking first.
The Umbral Court is an infamous, secretive school, known for producing duelists who fight in the shadows of politics, espionage, and intrigue. It is whispered that their alumni include spies, assassins, and even rogue noblemen who use dueling as a means of political maneuvering.
Fighting Style:
Deceptive, elusive, and ruthlessly efficient.
Uses light dueling blades, rapier-dagger combinations, and hidden weapons.
Teaches how to manipulate an opponent’s expectations, disguising intent and using misdirection to create openings for lethal strikes.
Training Methods:
Students must master the "Seven Hidden Stances", allowing them to switch between defensive, offensive, and deceptive techniques effortlessly.
Every duelist must pass "The Shadow Trial"—a duel where neither combatant knows when it will begin.
Many students train in dual-purpose combat—fencing mixed with subterfuge, poisons, or political manipulation.
Rivalry with the Five Rings
The House of Five Rings considers the Umbral Court dishonorable, while the Umbral Court views the Five Rings as naive, bound by unnecessary rules. Their students have clashed more than once in both dueling circles and in the alleys of Alexaria.
Famous Umbral Duelist:
Severian "The Night Thorn" – A master fencer who once defeated three challengers at once in a duel—only for them to realize they had already been poisoned before the fight began.
The Crimson Gate (The Bladed Ascetics) - "A duel is not just steel against steel. It is a conversation between two souls."
Philosophy: Dueling as a form of meditation and self-discovery.
The Crimson Gate is the most enigmatic of the dueling schools, blending philosophy, spiritualism, and swordplay into a single discipline. Its students are warrior-monks, trained in the art of absolute control over body and mind.
Fighting Style:
Flowing, unpredictable, and dance-like fencing.
Masters use single-edged curved swords, designed for fluid counters and continuous motion.
Teaches how to read an opponent’s intent, striking not where they are, but where they will be.
Training Methods:
Students must train in absolute silence for their first three years, learning to move by instinct rather than sight or sound.
They must pass the "Test of the Still Blade", where they must defeat an opponent without moving from a single point.
Every student must create a unique dueling style, blending philosophy with combat.
Rivalry with the Five Rings
The Five Rings respect the Crimson Gate but view their methods as overly philosophical and impractical for true combat. The monks of the Crimson Gate, meanwhile, believe the Five Rings focus too much on the sword, rather than the warrior wielding it.
Famous Crimson Gate Duelist:
Master Atellus, "The Blade of Falling Leaves" – Known for winning duels using only a single step per match, countering every strike with perfect precision.
"A sword is more than steel. It is discipline, will, and purpose. Without these, it is nothing but metal in the hands of a fool." — Master Aurelius of the Five Rings
Famed Masters of the Five Rings
The House has produced countless warriors of renown, but a few names are legendary across Alexaria and Korinthos.
Master Servius Rinatus, the Unbroken Blade (Obsidian Ring Master, Age 67)
Fought 233 duels without a single defeat.
Known for his impossible counterattacks, reading his opponents as if seeing the future.
Once fought an entire bandit warband alone, cutting down fifty men in a single night.
Cassia Rinatus, the Silver Viper (Gold Ring Champion, Age 34)
A brilliant duelist who specializes in rapid, unpredictable strikes.
Known for defeating three challengers at once in a Korinthian arena.
Trained the personal guard of Leya Fayed, the Exarch of Alexaria.
Grandmaster Remus Varro, the Eternal Fang (Founder, Deceased)
The Lacertian warrior who created the House of Five Rings.
His writings on swordsmanship are still studied today.
It is said that he once faced a demigod in single combat—and won.
The House has produced countless warriors of renown, but a few names are legendary across Alexaria and Korinthos.
Master Servius Rinatus, the Unbroken Blade (Obsidian Ring Master, Age 67)
Fought 233 duels without a single defeat.
Known for his impossible counterattacks, reading his opponents as if seeing the future.
Once fought an entire bandit warband alone, cutting down fifty men in a single night.
Cassia Rinatus, the Silver Viper (Gold Ring Champion, Age 34)
A brilliant duelist who specializes in rapid, unpredictable strikes.
Known for defeating three challengers at once in a Korinthian arena.
Trained the personal guard of Leya Fayed, the Exarch of Alexaria.
Grandmaster Remus Varro, the Eternal Fang (Founder, Deceased)
The Lacertian warrior who created the House of Five Rings.
His writings on swordsmanship are still studied today.
It is said that he once faced a demigod in single combat—and won.
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