Country of Origin: Eisen
Salon: Insel (Average)
Founded: 1572

Description: Johanna Liechtenauer was a cavalry officer in the Pösen army, serving with distinction in a number of border skirmishes with the Königreich of Wische and in military campaigns launched against other Théan nations. After eight years in the army, Johanna’s beloved steed Donner passed away. Rather than find another mount, Johanna transferred into the infantry, taking with her a number of techniques she had developed for fighting with her trusty cavalry sabre. She did not codify her practices into a formal style until she retired from active duty, creating a mnemonic poem called the Zettel to pass down her teachings rather than writing a fencing manual as many Master Swordsmen do. Thus, the School has been passed down entirely by word of mouth; no formal written instructions exist describing the School. The current Maestro of the Liechtenauer School is the founder’s great-granddaughter, Claudia Scholl, though she is nearing retirement and plans to pass on leadership of the School to her son Stefan.

The Zettel describes a fighting style predicated on the use of the sabre, with advanced lessons detailing the use of two sabres simultaneously. The emphasis is on calculated blows and many defensive maneuvers; those who study the poem learn to practice patience in combat, waiting for the perfect opening in an enemy’s defenses before striking. Until then, the Swordsman does little more than defend himself while he waits for the opportune moment to attack. In fact, early training in the School requires students to face one, two, or more seasoned Swordsmen while he is forbidden to attack for ten minutes…or more.

Students of Liechtenauer also learn the weaknesses of the School. A Liechtenauer Swordsman can become so focused on his own defense that he sometimes stumbles when faced with an opponent willing to stall and look for his own opening rather than attacking immediately.

Basic Curriculum: Athlete, Fencing
Knacks: Double Parry (Fencing/Fencing), Exploit Weakness (Liechtenauer), Riposte (Fencing), Sidestep, Wall of Steel (Fencing/Fencing)

Revised Swordsman Knack: Wall of Steel. Your weapon is an ever-present blocking device, and you use it like a tortoise uses its shell. If you have not attacked yet this Round, then each Rank of this Knack increases your TN to be hit by two. You cannot use your Parry Knack with the relevant weapon for Active Defenses in any Phase where you benefit from this Knack.

Apprentice: Liechtenauer Swordsmen are trained to use two cavalry sabres at once (though many of the School’s Knacks and Techniques may be used by a Swordsman wielding only one sabre). The off-hand penalty is negated whenever the Apprentice wields a sabre in his left hand, and he may wield a sabre in each hand without penalty. In addition, whenever the Swordsman uses an Action for an Active Defense, he may subtract his Mastery Level in Liechtenauer from the value shown on the Action Die to determine whether or not it is “legal” (though the actual value of the Action Die is not changed).

The Liechtenauer School has not been submitted for Guild sanction, and with the Guild’s current political climate, it is unknown whether it would be approved anyway. Accordingly, a Liechtenauer Swordsman receives a free Rank in one of his Swordsman Knacks in lieu of Guild Membership.

Journeyman: A Liechtenauer Journeyman has nearly perfected the defensive stances and maneuvers described in the Zettel. While using this Swordsman School, the Journeyman may add five to his TN to be hit.

Master: Masters of Liechtenauer have honed their ability to find the perfect moment to attack, and can strike with great force before settling back into a defensive position. Once per Round, the Master may add the value of the Action Die used to make an attack directly to his Damage Roll.