Country of Origin: Avalon
Salon: Catterick (Tiny, though it used to be larger)
Founded: 1646

Description: When the legendary Lester Peecke passed away in 1642 with no heirs and no students, the secrets of his signature fighting style were lost. But stories of his triumph in Montaigne and his adventures throughout the Triple Kingdoms persisted, and the public’s fascination with the quarterstaff soon began to rival that of the buckler-and-smallsword combination practiced by Donovan or Edwards Swordsmen. Peter Flynn drew upon that fascination and created his own quarterstaff style which proved incredibly popular…until Jasper Peecke appeared and Peter’s students flocked to study under the grandson of the legendary Lester. Peter still carries a chip on his shoulder about this, even fifteen years after the fact.

The Flynn fighting style relies on a “win at all costs” philosophy, combining a strong defense with a less-than-gentlemanly offense. Flynn’s students hold their weapons in a wide grip, allowing them to easily attack with either end of the staff (or with both ends, for that matter) and providing a larger area for intercepting incoming attacks. Rather than focusing on balance like its rival style, Flynn relies on movement: side-to-side against a single opponent, in a wide circle when facing multiple opponents, and sometimes incorporating a full spin when attacking. Strikes come quickly and with great force, occasionally directed at the opponent’s eyes, throat, groin, or some other vital area.

While fighting like a whirling dervish has its advantages, it also exposes the fighter’s blind side to an attacker during an offensive spin. In addition, there is little attempt at deception in the fighter’s attacks: a blow aimed at the head is going to strike at the head, giving a cagey opponent clues regarding where (and when) to defend himself.

Basic Curriculum: Dirty Fighting, Staff
Knacks: Double Attack (Staff/Staff), Exploit Weakness (Flynn), Lunge (Staff), Pommel Strike (Staff), Whirl (Staff)

Apprentice: Flynn teaches his students that simply staying alive in battle is more important than winning, and his basic lessons center around blocking attacks rather than striking. When being attacked by a Brute Squad wielding melee weapons, the student may choose to apply the bonus from his Whirl Knack to his TN to be hit. If he does, he will not gain the offensive bonus until the beginning of the next Round of combat.

While there have been some murmurings of interest in the Flynn fighting style (and its rival, Peecke) among senior members of the Duelist’s Guild, no action has been taken to bring either fighting style into the Guild’s fold. Apprentices of Flynn receive a free Rank in one of their Swordsman Knacks in lieu of Guild Membership.

Journeyman: A poke in the eye or jab to the throat can be an easy way to win a fight. Journeymen of Flynn often use these tactics against opponents with superior skill, hoping to negate the advantage of their training or experience. The Journeyman may use any attack Knack from the Dirty Fighting Skill while wielding his staff, even if he is holding it in both hands. In addition, to reflect the Journeyman’s use of the staff in these dirty tactics, he may add his Rank in Attack (Staff) to any attack roll using the Knacks in the Dirty Fighting Skill.

Master: Flynn Masters have become whirling blurs of oak in combat: whirling blurs that hit incredibly hard! The Master receives one free Rank in his Attack (Staff) Knack and one in his Whirl (Staff) Knack. This may (and in the case of Whirl, should) increase these Knacks to a Rank of six. If it does not, the Master may increase them from a five to a six later by spending 25 XP each.