The Blademaster is an elemental swordsman, pairing physical strikes with slashes of his named blade.

Blademasters

Unarmed, a Blademaster is a formidable opponent, well-versed in the

vulnerabilities and pressure points that can leave a foe reeling and helpless. With his sword at his side, each one bearing a name unique to its wielder, a Blademaster is a force of death. Drawing and resheathing their blade with each attack, swift slashes accompanied by precise, unarmed strikes, a Blademaster's furious onslaught is further strengthened through the rhythms of the Shin trance.

Blademaster

Originating from the distant nation of Kashar, the Two Arts and their companion martial methods came to the shores of Sapience with the mercenary Lucaine Pyramides. Rising to spectacular prominence in the succession wars of the troubled Seleucarian Empire, he fought for the beleaguered Empress, cutting a swath through enemy forces to turn many a battle with the impossible precision of his weapon, Three Moons.

Centuries later, questing Kashari marauders set about a series of events that lead to the return of the way of the sheathed blade. Now taught by the Hatha-yin maiden Kavaya, descendent of the bloodline of Lucaine, the path of the Blademaster is one of physical training, mental discipline, and supreme combative prowess.

Two Arts

Known individually as the Draw Art and the Blade Art, the Two Arts are a formidable and unmistakable style of swift, focused, and brutal swordsmanship. As it is said, it is easier for a trained master to kill by drawing the blade from its sheath than by swinging a naked sword. Advanced techniques involve the channelling of Shin energy into one's weapon to wield a blade empowered with fire, ice, and other potent forces.

Abilities in Two Arts

Preparation	A scabbard is as important as one's blade.
Bladename	Every sword is unique.
Drawslash	A single, measured slash.
Gripping	Clench your blade with an unshakable grip.
Doya	Strike true with the slow might of the Earth stance.
Raze	Cleave through defensive auras.
Armslash	Cut across the arms.
Engage	Lash out at a cowardly foe.
Discernment	Quickly assess an opponent's wounds.
Legslash	Slash across the legs.
Thyr	The whirling Wind stance neglects power for speed.
Impale	Drive your blade straight through your opponent.
Centerslash	Carve up or down across the head and chest.
Balanceslash	Drive your enemy back with a balanced slash.
Infusestrike	Wreathe your blade in crackling flame.
Pommelstrike	Deliver a stunning blow with the hilt of your sword.
Mir	The adaptive Water stance favours defence.
Predict	Know yourself, know your foe.
Bladesuicide	If death must come, be it by your own blade.
Retaliationstrike	Unleash a fierce strike against your attacker.
Infuselightning	Command lightning into your sword.
Bladetwist	Torment an impaled foe.
Arash	Aggressive and powerful, the Fire stance is one of attack.
Infuseice	Suffuse your blade with ice.
Multislice	Spill blood with a succession of slashes.
Compassslash	Send their blood to the points of the compass.
Infusevoid	Wield the Void and your sword as one.
Impaleslash	Let their blood flow freely.
Sanya	The total focus of the Void stance amplifies inner power.
Brokenstar	Draw the broken star across your foe.

Striking

With trained knowledge of the anatomies of many of the sentient races that walk Sapience comes the ability to exploit their physical vulnerabilities. Precise, unarmed strikes to pressure points and sensitive locations allow a master of Striking to leave a foe collapsed upon the ground, unable to breathe, or rigid with paralysis. Wielding the closed fist, spear hand, and open palm, a Blademaster may strike in tandem with many sword attacks.

Abilities in Striking

Constitution	Maintaining your intestinal equilibrium.
Sternum	A painful blow to the breastbone.
Shoulder	Induce a state of weariness in your target.
Hands	Send a numbing pain into your foe's hands.
Fitness	Control your breathing.
Ears	Turn your opponent into a clumsy fool.
Nose	A disfiguring strike to turn even the most loyal.
Knees	Send your target sprawling to the ground.
Alleviate	Cure yourself of pesky afflictions.
Neck	Cause your opponent's limbs to lock up.
Kidney	Impede your foe's ability to process elixirs.
Eyes	Force your enemy to witness madness.
Hamstring	Cripple your target's movement.
Temple	Send your foe into a stupor.
Feet	Send your mounted target sprawling to the ground.
Chin	Envelop your opponent in a restful sleep.
Icefist	Channel Shindo into an icy strike.
Flamefist	Channel Shindo into a fiery strike.
Airfist	Channel Shindo into a blustering gale.
Voidfist	Channel Shindo into a powerful vortex.
Groin	Instill a sense of heroism into your target.
Chest	Afflict your enemy with constant affliction.
Throat	Remove your foe's ability to breathe.
Stomach	Imbue a loss of desire to eat.
Underarm	Force them to secrete a slick sweat.
Deathstrike	Unleash the fury of your martial prowess.

Shindo

Intense training of the body, the senses, and the mind are requisite steps on the path to becoming a true master swordsman. While such training will enable feats of speed, agility, and mental acuity that are breathtaking in their own right, the practise of Shindo is defined by the accrual and spectacular unleashing of Shin energy. The surging flow and heady rhythm of battle is known to all warriors, but students of Shindo learn to enter the Shin trance, greatly enhancing their sensitivity to its power.

Many advanced TwoArts and Striking abilities require Shin energy to perform. Their use will not be possible without first learning the ShinTrance ability.

Abilities in Shindo

Weathering	Rigorous training yields a toughened physique.
Augment	Your bladework reaches new heights of potency.
Breathing	Control your breathing to resist choking attacks.
Shintrance	Sink into a reverie of battle.
Shadow	Surveil from the shadows.
Detect	Find others throughout the land.
Deaf	Will silence upon the world.
Hearing	Restore aural sensation.
Blind	Render your eyes unseeing.
Sight	See the world anew.
Nightsight	Vision in darkness as in light.
Bind	Brace yourself with Shin energy.
Blocking	Deny them escape.
Toughness	Strengthen your body against assault.
Projectiles	Weave and dodge missiles.
Dodging	Elude attacks from the air.
Sturdiness	Stand steadfast against acts of force.
Leap	Vault over obstacles.
Immunity	Withstand the foulest of poisons.
Burst	A crude release of force.
Dash	Fly across the ground.
Waterwalk	Dance over the waves.
Clarity	Behold no deception.
Mindnet	Know of all who approach.
Consciousness	Maintain awareness at all times.
Healthtrans	Heal your wounds with Shin power.
Manatrans	Fortify your mind with Shin power.
Highleap	The sky is within your reach.
Annihilation	Fury given fiery form.
Thunderstorm	Unleash a galvanic surge of power.
Blizzard	Quench your foes with a storm of ice.
Bounding	Leap great distances in but one soaring step.
Vitiate	Your strength becomes another's frailty.
Meditate	Your focus is without compare.
Fullsense	Reach out with your mind to touch others nearby.
Phoenix	Rebirth through cleansing flame.