9.13 AVOIDANCE

As you train in Avoidance, you will learn the art of controlling your
prana-musculature in order to avoid physical attacks (such as a sword) or
lessen the damage received from a physical attack by partially dodging it and
thus taking the wound in a less damaging place. This damage reduction can
be nearly as much as one part in seven. It applies to both major forms of
physical damage: cutting and blunt.

Yes, avoidance acts as this scroll describes.
Yes, avoidance works whether the attacker is a denizen or an adventurer.