[Icelander]

Halruuan Magestaff __________________________________________________ __________________6 points

Halruuan Magestaff is a supremely flashy style that is usually practised only in Art form (remove all weapon skills for such styles). It does teach some useful defensive moves with a wizard's staff and advanced practisioners can be deadly if enhanced with magic. Some martially-minded battle wizard's among the Halruuans learn the full version of this style and the self-defence version of it is enjoying somewhat of a surge in popularity among the younger generation.

Attacks are more common than Committed Attacks, but both cautious defensive stances and all-out attacking ones see some use in demonstrations. Sweeping the staff in large defensive circles while using acrobatic dodges to stay out of harms way is one of the most recognisable moves of this style. It is an All-out Defense (Dodge) or All-out Defence (Parry) depending on how important the movement portion of the manuever is. Perfect form, as well as defending successfully from many attacks, can allow an Intimidation roll after such a manuever. It is popular to enhance the effect with an illusion or flashing lights spells.

Mobility is emphasised and a series of circular retreats/sidesteps prevent opponent's from closing. The style lacks any kind of close-combat element and teaches neither grapples nor any strikes beyond a few acrobatic kicks using the staff as a base for launching. Such common brawling is usually seen as beneath a powerful Halruuan mage.

Cinematic stylists use the staff to deliver touch spells as well as defend themselves from multiple angles. Haste and other Movement spells are used to improve the wizard's defence and offence is mostly spell-based.

Skills: Acrobatics; Staff; Staff Art; Two-Handed Sword; Two-Handed Sword Art.
Techniques: Acrobatic Stand; Breakfall; Disarming (Staff); Evade; Feint (Staff or Two-handed Sword); Retain Weapon (Staff or Two-handed Sword); Spinning Strike (Staff or Two-handed Sword); Sweep (Staff or Two-Handed Sword).
Cinematic Skills: Flying Leap; Light Walk; Mental Strength.
Cinematic Techniques: Dual Weapon Defence (Staff); Grand Disarm (Staff); Roll with Blow, Timed Defence (Staff); Whirlwind Attack (Staff or Two-handed Sword).
Perks: Acrobatic Kicks; Form Mastery (Magestaff); Grip Mastery (Staff); Mobile Parry (Staff or Two-Handed Sword); Shtick (Spinning Flourish).

Optional Traits

Secondary Characteristics: Increased Basic Speed.
Advantages: Enhanced Dodge; Enhanced Parry (Staff); Magery; Perfect Balance.
Disadvantages: Overconfidence.
Skills: Aerobatics; Body Sense; Innate Attack; Jumping; Parry Missile Weapons.
Cinematic Techniques: Jump Kick (Acrobatics); Pole Vault Kick (Acrobatics); Spinning Kick (Acrobatics).