Gaerscyth

The sword is the master of all Men. To master the sword is to master reality itself.
_{-Akthein, high-ranking member of the Hruntir cult.}

Gaerscyth is an unknowably ancient school of swordsmanship and accompanying philosophy that originated in Mankind’s homeland of Theodr. It is practiced by the Order of the Raven who guard it closely. The Order itself developed from a group of Hruntir-worshipping warrior-monks, known in modern times as the Hruntir cult, who were active in Theodr. Many of Gaerscyth's central texts and artefacts date back to this time.
Gaerscyth, in the ancient human tongue, roughly means ‘the Way of the Sword’. It’s origins are disputed, but the Knights of the Raven claim it was a gift from Hruntir himself in elder days.

Tenets and Beliefs

The philosophy of Gaerscyth is mostly pacifistic. Practitioners believe that the tremendous power they wield should only be used as a last resort, in self-defence or protection of the helpless. Some Knights have disregarded this teaching, including Leofwine One-Eye, and have been expelled from the Order of the Raven as a result.
The end goal of the study of Gaerscyth is to attain enlightenment- to become a so-called Sword-Saint. A Sword-Saint is one who has won the Universal Argument through their skill with the blade. Such individuals do not need a sword, as they are able to project their vital essence forth into a blade of pure willpower, more powerful than any that exists in the physical world.

Abilities and Granted Powers

Those who master the art of Gaerscyth are among the most powerful warriors in the known world. Gaerscyth is a combination of magic and swordsmanship, that grants its wielders speed and resilience beyond mortal reckoning.
The Swiftness of the Raven is the name given to the incredible speed that practitioners of Gaerscyth can call upon. In some cases, they can move so fast over short distances that they appear to teleport.
The Ethereal Feint is an advanced technique whereby the swordsman appears to be performing multiple different attacks at once, throwing his opponent off guard for a decisive blow. Those skilled at this technique can appear differently to multiple individuals around them, allowing them to effortlessly cleave their way through their disoriented opponents.
The ultimate technique of Gaerscyth is the Spirit-Sword, the ability to project one’s vital essence into a sword of pure willpower that surpasses any ordinary blade. This is only attainable by the Sword-Saints of legend. When one can perform this feat, they are considered to have mastered Gaerscyth entirely.