Sirda Drád

"Our champion (Gorbian) jumped up and bore down on his foe with many powerful blows and strikes, but his foe remained just out of reach of danger, and it never seemed that he put any more effort into his movements than he had to. Nay, never did he move a foot this way or lift a hand here if he did not deliberately mean to do so, and always his eyes were fixed on the face of Gorbian, his opponent. After some time Gorbian was sweating and panting, he could hardly lift his sword, while the Eorian was as swift and vigorous as though he had only just begun to fight. But he did not immediately finish his opponent off, he toyed with him and made him give chase to him. What a sight it was to see our esteemed champion plodding after the other man with his sword hanging and the sweat dripping from his brow. The crowd started to laugh then, whenever Gorbian would finally catch up to the Eorian. Or, rather, whenever the Eorian allowed Gorbian to catch up to him, and then, after patiently waiting for him to finish delivering his weary attack, striking him here and there with his sword. Then he withdrew again, and foolish Gorbian followed after him again, it was as if he could not help but fall into the other man's hands.
  The final blow came when the Eorian ran right up to the wall, with Gorbian chasing after him. They were standing so that I was right there to watch this, so I know very well what happened. The Eorian, who by all outward appearances seemed to be unwisely cornering himself between Gorbian and the wall, bounded towards that wall, quite deliberately. In one movement he jumped and tossed his sword into the air -- some people thought he had dropped it -- and still rising into the air, he struck his feet against the wall and bounced off of it. He landed on his feet, much like a cat, and he caught his sword in his left hand and, again in one motion, he struck a final blow against Gorbian... He stepped away from his fallen opponent and, facing the crowd, he beat his fist against his right shoulder several times. We did not know what exactly he meant by this but, regardless, it garnered a yet noisier and wilder round of shouting and cheering for the new champion. Then the Eorian struck his fist against his chest, over his heart, and he silently spoke to his defeated foe." - Orozonek, arena spectator

 

Origins

During the Ferlovro War, the famed warrior queen of Erlagon, Aryn Jasahn, developed a unique combat style for which she became well known and admired, both by her allies and her foes. It arose from a number of sources, such as her unusual childhood and early training, and from the challenges she faced in the war. Her opponents were often far larger, stronger, more well equipped, and with many more years of experience than she had, and there were many times she found herself engaged in battling such foes in large numbers, without any aid or support from others.   Her style was particularly recognized for its persistence and its efficiency. She could spend many hours in combat against a foe without growing overweary, while the foe would find himself increasingly worn out from the strife. If it was necessary to make swifter work of an enemy, she did this well enough, too, for she, in essence, controlled the pace of the fighting, as well as the minds of her foes. She might remain seemingly passive for some time, and then strike with such quick and deadly force that her enemies' tiring hearts would fade away entirely, and they would be left vulnerable to her attack. If she found herself in a hard place, she would fight with two swords, rather than one, for she had trained herself to dual wield, and this was one of the most impressive parts of her style. Even when she used but one sword she could easily switch her blade to either hand as needed, and she was not so limited by her dominant hand as other fighters often are.   In addition she learned much from the creatures of the wilderness while she was a girl in the mountains, and she paid especial attention to the wolves. She marked the way they stalked their prey and looked with keen eyes for every weakness, how they held back, never rushing headlong into a pursuit, until they had found just the right time, and how they, in the chase, paced themselves so that they would not grow tired, and would be ready at all times for the attack. Moreover, because of her time in the mountains and the forests, Jasahn was familiar with all manner of geography, terrain, and natural obstacle, and these she, like many of her people, knew how to turn to her advantage.   The warrior maiden further honed her technique after studying the methods used by the Deraspans of her army, for she was intrigued by their martial prowess. Even in the midst of battle those warriors would not flinch unless they willed it, such was their resolve, and they rarely tired from the fray. Besides this they were rugged men, well acquainted with the things of nature, and they had many ancient tricks for using the things of the wild against their foes. They were all very strong men, but they never relied on sheer force alone, and were always clever to use it alongside their wits. So Aryn learned from Terdelós and the Deraspans, and their wisdom also was incorporated into her style.   This, then, is the method of combat that would one day come to be called Sirda Drád. The name was given it by Teldez, and derives from an Eorian term for a style of hunting. Teldez, along with his brother Jeitór, were trained in this technique by their mother and their father, and they studied and mastered it. Teldez worked to refine the technique further, and he wrote a manuscript detailing its purpose, its uses, and its principles.  

Rise in Renown

In our day tales of the valorous and remarkable duels of the Wolf-lords have spread to nearly every corner of the world where there is even a sliver of civilization. If one should present to a group of barbarians upon the far shores of Siperske one of the princes of Erlagon to fight for their amusement, though they know naught of the customs and the histories of any of the Eorics, they will surely recognize the gladiator immediately as one of the Wolf-lords. To watch this style in action thrills the hearts of spectators, and any student of the martial arts or well trained warrior is filled with childlike joy to witness such a show, or to speak of it to those that are learned in its art.   This was not always so. In the years after Aryn Jasahn and Teldez Redelko the method was practiced and taught to their descendants, passed down generation after generation. Trained in this style Nekelós won countless victories in his campaigns against the people of Ufkaitól, and his son Kirin, likewise a warrior of distinction, delivered a crushing defeat against the kingdom of Sirle and thus won peace for his land. Drerik, too, studied it, though his father had refused to instruct him in it, and after him his son and grandson were schooled in it. But Sirda Drád was cast aside and forgotten during the darkness of the reign of Aryan, as was the case with many other noble customs and traditions.   It was after the restorations of Zalkojór that the art of Sirda Drád began to rise again in the House of Sagarto. Pedo rediscovered the lost manuscript of Teldez, and, studying it carefully, he recreated the style. He taught it to his son, Vidak who was called Lirdarjór, and this was, it seems, the source of Vidak's success as a warrior and swordsman. It was in the middle of one of his battles that the method of fighting was referred to, by an onlooker, as the "style of the Wolf-lords". Thus it saw a revival and was once more being passed on from father to son through the generations.   But the height of its fame did not come until after Hederáz was sold as a gladiator to some traders in Siperske. Hederáz was the root of the technique's mad rush to acclaim, for he was carted all throughout the southern regions of Mandilár to fight in their many arenas against their many champions, and he had great success at this. But even his success was nothing compared to the glory and reputation that his son Kernak would gain, for himself and for Sirda Drád, when he willingly traveled into Siperske to test his mettle against their champions. It was not long ere the people would crowd into the streets chanting for the Wolf-lord whenever they heard a rumor that he might be passing through, and even those who once had been staunchly loyal to fighters from their own tribes and countries forsook them in favor of the more impressive warrior of Erlagon.   So popular had this style become in the arenas of the south that it was the cause of the unfortunate situation which befell Rark's daughter, Lisra. For Lisra was trained in the style of Sirda Drád, and though she never had any intention of using it, fate, and the demanding audiences of Siperske, had other plans for her. She ended up in Siperske, in their dusty arenas, fighting for the amusement of their people, as her father and grandfather had before her. To see a woman disciplined in this art was all the more delightful and exhilarating to behold, and again tales of the technique of the Wolf-lords spread across far distant lands.  

Principles

The famed fighting style of the Wolf-lords requires a number of virtues in order to be properly utilized, but among them all the most valuable is temperance. This virtue is the mother of the many others which have made Sirda Drád so successful and so appealing to outsiders. But it is not a skill which may be obtained by anyone, anywhere. After these many centuries it has become deeply rooted in the bloodline of the House of Sagarto, and if anyone tries to transplant it, it immediately transforms into some other thing entirely, or it withers away.  

"One must, of course, be nimble and swift, both physically and mentally enduring, and, above all, always training in virtues. You must be full of patience, for you must not give into your need to do things quickly, here and now, and you must be full of fortitude, lest you break under the pressure. It is temperance that guides you to know when to hold back, when to strike, how fast and hard to attack, how much to retreat, how to win graciously, and how to win courageously.   Your eye must be keener than your blade, and it, like your mind, must be focused on the task at hand. Your careful sight should reveal to you the most imperceptible shifts in your opponent's stance, the slightest imbalance, their most secret weakness. Until you have some knowledge of this you ought to remain reserved, do not rush headlong into the fray without knowing anything, but stay back out of reach while you watch.   Wear down the opponent. Let them do the work so that you do not have to. His own movements, his attacks, his dancing about will weaken him with every smallest action. Therefore you must not waste any of your own energy, do not throw it away with needless movement. At the same time this must be balanced, for you ought not, unless for very good reason, ever cease to move, but all your actions and movements should be smooth and effortless, and always deliberate, as with all that you do. If you train in this way you will never truly lose your wits.   The gods have blessed you, for all around you there are things to better your position and weaken your foe. Lo, there is the light of the sun, the breeze blowing through your hair, the sounds of the birds, the rocks and the uneven dirt beneath your feet. Perhaps man has unwittingly blessed you too, for there may be structures, walls, doors, windows, chairs, or candlesticks. All these things are there so that you may use them. Use them.   Do not forget that you are a man, and not a beast. You do not kill to slake your thirst with blood. Remember your foe is a man, also, even if he does not act it. If anyone is watching you at play, remember that they, too, are men. Life is fleeting, and there is glory to be won in combat. There is prowess and skill to be displayed, virtue and honor to defend, and there is reason for laughter and rejoicing. Do not forget this. Remind others of it." - Teldez, The Art of Sirda Drád

  In some ways Sirda Drád is more than a mere style of combat used to overcome an opponent or win a battle. It is founded on tradition and the appropriate training, and it is almost as if it were a custom precious enough to the gods themselves that they protect it from being soiled by unjust men or foreigners. It certainly seems, in a sense, to be sacred, for it was the method of Sirda Drád that was taught to Aryn Husrandur by Mirhór and Mandal. This is only logical, for if the House of Sagarto has been chosen by the gods, then Sirda Drád has been chosen as their form of combat.