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Thursday, May 29, 2008

Do You Have What It Takes?

STRANGE LANDS NEWSLETTER

NEW FOR MAY!
This month we have a new prequel volume to Philip Pullman's His Dark
Materials, plus find out how you can get a free limited edition
Inheritance Cycle flash drive!

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DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES?
Be part of a new generation of dragon riders!

Pick up your free limited edition Inheritance cycle flash drive this
weekend!

CLICK FOR EVENT LOCATIONS:
http://www.ridersmap.com

You'll receive an exclusive message from author Christopher Paolini,
and a never-before-seen excerpt from Eragon!
--------------

Can't make it to one of the event locations? Don't fret. Visit
Shur'tugal.com for complete event coverage
http://www.shurtugal.com


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CITY OF EMBER MOVIE

Coming in October 2008!

VIEW THE TRAILER:
http://www.randomhouse.com/teens/booksofember/

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ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE NORTH
by Philip Pullman $12.99

In this new prequel volume from Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials
universe, Lee Scoresby--Texan aeronaut and future friend to Lyra
Belacqua--is just 24 years old, and he's recently won his hot-air
balloon in a poker game. He finds himself floating North to the
windswept Arctic island of Novy Odense, where he and his hare daemon
Hester are quickly tangled in a deadly plot involving oil...

READ A SAMPLE CHAPTER
http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780375845109&view=excerpt

BUY THIS BOOK
http://www.randomhouse.com/teens/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780375845109

VISIT HISDARKMATERIALS.COM!
http://www.hisdarkmaterials.com

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THE EDGE CHRONICLES 1: BEYOND THE DEEPWOODS

THE EDGE CHRONICLES 2: STORMCHASER

by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell $6.99

Finally, the bestselling Edge Chronicles series is now in paperback!

READ A SAMPLE CHAPTER OF BEYOND THE DEEPWOODS
http://www.randomhouse.com/teens/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780440420873&view=excerpt

READ A SAMPLE CHAPTER OF STORMCHASER
http://www.randomhouse.com/teens/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780440420880&view=excerpt

BUY BEYOND THE DEEPWOODS
http://www.randomhouse.com/teens/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780440420873

BUY STORMCHASER
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PLAY THE EDGE CHRONICLES ADVENTURE GAME!
http://www.randomhouse.com/kids/edgechronicles/bonus/
Enter Password: "caterbird"

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NOBODY'S PRIZE
by Esther Friesner $16.99

In this rousing sequel to NOBODY'S PRINCESS, young Helen of Sparta
refuses to be left behind when her older brothers join the quest for
the Golden Fleece. With her friend Milo, and disguised as a boy
herself, Helen joins the crew of heroes aboard the massive ship known
as The Argo. Not only does she have to avoid her brothers' detection,
but also a devastatingly handsome boy, Hercules...

READ A SAMPLE CHAPTER
http://www.randomhouse.com/teens/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780375875311&view=excerpt

BUY THE BOOK
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NOBODY'S PRINCESS – NOW AVAILABLE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN PAPERBACK!
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READ A SAMPLE CHAPTER
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HOW KICK BUTT ARE YOU? TAKE THE QUIZ!
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THE EYES OF A KING
by Catherine Banner $16.99

Fifteen-year-old Leo North's prospects in life are limited. He attends
military school, lives with his fearful grandmother, and looks after
his brother Stirling. He resists his innate powers, because those who
demonstrate any sort of magical ability are considered enemies of the
state. But when he finds a blank book in the snow, his typical
indifference melts away.
Read more

READ A SAMPLE CHAPTER
http://www.randomhouse.com/teens/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780375938757&view=excerpt

BUY THE BOOK
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Copyright © 2008 Random House, inc. All Rights Reserved.

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Do You Have What It Takes?

JUST ANNOUNCED!

DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES?

BE PART OF A NEW GENERATION OF DRAGON RIDERS!

PICK UP YOUR FREE LIMITED EDITION INHERITANCE CYCLE FLASH DRIVE THIS
WEEKEND!
CLICK FOR EVENT LOCATIONS:
www.ridersmap.com

YOU'LL RECEIVE AN EXCLUSIVE MESSAGE FROM AUTHOR CHRISTOPHER PAOLINI,
AND A NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN EXCERPT FROM ERAGON!

CAN'T MAKE IT TO ONE OF THE EVENT LOCATIONS? DON'T FRET.
VISIT SHUR'TUGAL.COM FOR COMPLETE EVENT COVERAGE.
http://www.shurtugal.com


BRISINGR, BOOK THREE IN THE INHERITANCE CYCLE COMES OUT SEPTEMBER OF 2008.
PRE-ORDER HERE:
http://www.randomhouse.com/teens/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780375826726

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND NEWS ABOUT BOOK THREE IN THE INHERITANCE
CYCLE, VISIT:
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newsletter will only be used by Random House, Inc. internally and will
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House, Inc., please visit:
http://www.randomhouse.com/about/privacy.html

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Record of Lodoss War - Episode 9

Record of Lodoss War - 9.1 (German)


Record of Lodoss War - 9.2 (German)


Record of Lodoss War - 9.3 (German)

Record of Lodoss War - Episode 8

Record of Lodoss War - 8.1 (German)


Record of Lodoss War - 8.2 (German)


Record of Lodoss War - 8.3 (German)

Monday, May 26, 2008

My Dios' Little Secret



The Little Secrets of the Dios

Oh well, just to satisfy some Mythology lovers out there, here are the derivatives or variants of Dios (Espers, Summons, and Guardian Forces) that exist in the Fantasy World of Eternia in the events of Fireheart compared to the ones in our world.
Here goes:

Yggdrasil the Ancient Tree of Life exists in Thyrine. It’s like the Tree of Life in Norse legend but it’s not the very root of life, just an immense source of nature mana that the Thyrinian Elves use for their magic. Yggdrasil’s spirit can travel and be summoned anywhere.
Masters: Carolyn Deneuve the Elf Queen (Fireheart ep1-2-3)



Barudan is definitely a Behemoth. Behemoth is rather a general term used in many games and fantasy novels.
Masters: J’kang the Orc Khan (ep1), Bragl Dar’gum the Orc Champion (ep3)



Petra, the Ancient Water Dragon is a Leviathan.
Masters: Res’marth the Water Elf Queen (ep1), Hernan y Parvaez (ep3)

Algaban, the Ancient Fire Dragon is a Bahamut.
Masters: Robert Chandler (ep3)

Omegron, the Ancient Dark Dragon is a Tiamat.
Masters: Zal’fira the Necromancess (ep3), Dakronn of Borgia (ep1)

The two-headed Ancient Ice Dragon is Fafnir in Fjorn. Said to be killed by Sigurd in Norse Mythology, but we didn’t cook up his existence in Fireheart yet.

The nine-headed Ancient Light Dragon is in Shima Empire (Japan or Nippon in our world), called Orochi.



Aegis is in fact the spirit inside Zeus’ shield, freed into the form of Thunder Bird.
Aegis is also called Quetzalcouatl in the Southern Vyrcon (America in our world) Continent. The name Vyrcon means “the continent of fire”.
Masters: Sage the Fireheart (ep1), Vivianne (Lust from Seven Sins) (ep2), Carolyn Deveraux (ep3)

Eshmyria is called Kamaitachi (Wind Fairy) in Shima Empire.
Masters: Keith Arnûviel, Elf Bard, The Loremaker (ep1-2), Lavennia Iris (ep3)

Galateia the Goddess of Protection and Mercy is called Kanon in Shima.
Masters: (Divine and her own master, helped occassionally)

Jokulion the Ice Knight Dio is also known as Jormagund in Bjordan and Fjorn. Upper body of a knight and lower body of a snake.
Masters: Hildrgrun the Valkyrie (ep2), Agustina Vyrakova (ep3)

Friday, May 23, 2008

Romance of the Three Kingdoms X

Source:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ewz9998OpPo

Romance of the Three Kingdoms VI 6 RTK Intro (High Quality)

This is the intro for Romance of the Three Kingdoms VI for Playstation, captured on TV Wonder Pro.

Source:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0w_cJ5jtzC4

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

3.2.11.8. Sovereign of the Seas (Exclusive Chapter)



‘I hope you know what you’re doing, Don Hernan,’ says the chronomage Eidos Crydias as the Airship Aurora flies them farther to Petravia Ocean. ‘Lord Adler will be very angry if you do things without consulting him first.’
Don Hernan y Parvaez Trinidad Besso sounds impatient, ‘I know, I know. But time doesn’t allow me to hesitate, to wait until Adler is conscious again. the great Petra called me, and I must meet him to see what he has to offer.’
‘Petra? You mean, the Ancient Blue Dragon, Petra the Leviathan? Sovereign of the Seas? Oh, come on, Don. An intelligent man like you wouldn’t give up your target just to follow a whisper, right? Oh, I know, this is Robert’s trick. He twisted your mind when he was losing to your skill, Symphony of the Seven Seas. ‘Twas a cowardly trick Vordac’s Heir and minions usually do.’
‘Is that what your scientific mind can produce? You were not down there, so you don’t know what I went through or whether Robert DID meddle with my mind. But the thing YOU must know – if you noticed it – is when I was disrupted and vulnerable, Robert let me and Adler go. If he’s Vordac’s Heir, he would CERTAINLY use that opportunity and slay us.’
‘And I would open fire and sink that ship.’
‘No. You will likely flee and search for a new benefactor.’
‘How dare you...!’ Eidos is about to get angry, but regains his composure by saying, ‘It’s only in your mind. Anyway, let’s just wait until Lord Adler wakes up and see his view upon this matter.’
‘What matter?’ Suddenly a voice comes.
Eidos becomes flustered and says, ‘Well, Lord Adler, Don Hernan has ordered...’
Adler von Bachmann flares up, ‘WHAT? Don Hernan? He can’t...’
‘I can,’ says Hernan. ‘Remember, I’m your partner, not your subordinate. So I am in charge in your absence.’
‘And still, I want to know what happened DURING my absence.’
‘Lord Adler, he...’ Before Eidos can finish, Hernan cuts in.
‘I need this ship to go to Petravia Ocean. The Leviathan Petra is waiting for me there with something to offer. We are now flying on the right course, just as he directed.’
‘HE? Since when we take directions from a dragon? A beast? You are being absurd here, Don Hernan. Now how about our hunt? Did we capture Robert, Sheena and the Le Partizane?’
‘We have lost the duels, Viscount. You lost to Robert, I defeated Sheena and Robert beat me.’
Eidos cuts in, ‘... Unless he was not distracted by this Petra fellow. I’d say Robert has meddled with his mind, but he didn’t believe me and followed Petra instead.’
Hernan snaps, ‘How many times must I tell you? If Robert really can control my mind, why can Petra talk with me now, in such a far place? Only the ancients, dios, demigods and guardian spirits can do this! Now you better believe me. With Petra by our side, our team will be stronger, no, the strongest!
Kyflynn’s team has Jokulion, Robert’s team has Eshmyria, Aegis and Algaban. Just face it! We need Petra’s help so the next time we meet Robert, he will have no choice but surrender!’
‘So, we’ve lost the fair fight to get the ship in one piece, huh,’ says Adler, trying to use his logic on this matter. ‘But this Petra is really dubious. How come he didn’t speak to me? How can I be convinced that he is for real?’
‘Well, here he is now,’ says Hernan coolly.
Suddenly, the far-seer shouts, ‘WHIRLPOOL ON PORT SIDE!’
Adler, Hernan, Eidos and Quazar the centaur, captain of the Aurora rush to the port to see the gigantic mass of whirlpool below them.
And then, a jet of water shoots up! The men moves back to avoid this attack, but that water doesn’t reach the airship! Instead, a gigantic, snake-like creature jumps up from the port, over the main mast and then dives down on the starboard side into the sea with a splash.
An old man’s voice echoes on the ship.
‘What’s the meaning of this? How dare you bring Algaban before me? Are you in league with my arch-rival? Then you must DIE!’
Hernan yells, ‘W-wait, Great Petra! Listen to us first!’
A Water Blast shoots up as answer.
‘Lift up! Lift up!’ Adler shouts. Quazar just makes a gesture and the helmsman lifts the ship as far up as possible to avoid the blast. The water only reaches the lower part of the airship, dealing minimum damage to the hull. Quazar then instructs, ‘Battle stations ready! All men to your posts! Ready the plasma cannons!’
Hernan tries to communicate with Petra.
‘Ancient One! Please listen to us! Algaban is not here! This is our ship Aurora, which figurehead resembles Algaban’s head! Please, we are here only to fulfill your wishes.’
There’s no answer. The people on the airship are looking at each other, confused upon this unexpected response. Suddenly, the gigantic sea wyrm (sea serpent-dragon) comes out about three hundred meters away from the bow. Looks like he’s observing the Algaban-like vessel in front of him, moving his head here and there and nothing else.
‘Prepare the Grand Cannon!’ Adler’s shout comes.
Hernan is shocked. He quickly interrupts Adler.
‘What the hell are you doing, Viscount? Are you going to blow him up?’
‘Yes. He seems preparing an attack – a big one! We must shoot him before he does!’
‘No, Viscount! Don’t! He just mistakes our ship as his rival! I know this is a bit strange for an ancient like him, but at least we should be patient. Maybe he’s just testing us.’
‘Testing? He blasted water at us, and you only call it a test? I’ve had enough of you and your idiotic Petra! He’s going down!’
‘Grand Cannon is ready!’ the gunner shouts.
Adler instructs, ‘Fir...’ and something stops him midway. It’s the thin blade of Hernan’s Albatross Rapier next to his throat!
‘Say “fire” and you can say goodbye to your life,’ says Hernan threateningly.
‘How dare you, Don. Pointing your sword at me, questioning my authority. I’d like to fire you as a partner, and this act of mutiny is punishable by death.’
‘In that case, I’ll fight you and see whether you can execute me or not. I cannot let your ego mislead you into acting without regards for other people. If you disregard the convention of heroes by firing me or killing me out of that reason, you will live in dishonor for the rest of your life!’
‘I’m being dishonored now, and you shall pay for this, Don Hernan.’
Suddenly, Petra’s voice comes, ‘Thank you, Hernan for standing up for me to the very end, defending me from that egomaniac who misunderstands me as a blithering idiot.’
‘So, O’ Ancient One, it was just a test?’ Hernan asks, feeling relieved now.
‘Well, no.’
‘WHAT?’ Hernan is surprised.
‘See? Doubts, doubts, doubts. Men always doubt anything that doesn’t agree with their logic. Are you still on my side?’
‘I’ve come this far,’ says Hernan. ‘I’ll be the blithering idiot if I’m not. I’ve been attached to you since the first time you whispered to me. I feel you’re as close as my family.’
‘Well, I’m glad to hear that. You see, I didn’t test you but I tricked you, to see your reaction. I pretended not to recognize this Algaban-like ship, and you used non-violence ways to solve this problem.
My soul partner, Mahfoud al Dazeeri was known as the “Old Man of the Sea”. He was a legend because of his unpredictable actions. He has no care for this world. He only did whatever he liked, disregarding what people might say to him, disregarding honor and scorn. It was because he has given up living a harsh worldly life and lived in solitude instead.
You can call him crazy, idiot, or whatever. But all he needed was a bit of sympathy, appreciation and motivation. I gave those three to him, and we became the closest of friends. When he passed away, his soul merged with mine. Now he is me and I am him.
Me as a friend, a family. That’s what I wanted to hear from you. As you are my family now, I promise I won’t trick you again. Now we are partners, Don Hernan, and you can summon me anytime you need me by chanting: An Petra’me Aschi. I’ll help you and guard you from harm, even from a man’s selfish ambition.’
‘From the bottom of my heart, I thank you,’ says Hernan in response.

End of Exclusive Sub-Chapter


Just Announced: A Second Spoiler Released for BRISINGR!

STRANGE LANDS NEWSLETTER

JUST ANNOUNCED!

A new spoiler for BRISINGR, Book Three in the Inheritance cycle, has been
released on Alagaesia.com!

TO VIEW THE SPOILER, VISIT:
http://www.alagaesia.com


Copyright © 2008 Random House, inc. All Rights Reserved.

To sign up for the Strange Lands Newsletter click here.
To unsubscribe, send a email to this address or email
unsub_scifi_fantasy@info.randomhouse.com

The Strange Lands Newsletter is owned and operated by Random House,
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House, Inc. internally and will not be sold or distributed. For the
complete Privacy Policy of Random House, Inc., please visit:
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Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Western Show on Super Mario World (スーパーマリオでウエスタンショー)

Translation of
スーパーマリオでウエスタンショーに絵を付けてみた
http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm3108399

Forgive my poor English ;)

Original:
スーパーマリオワールドで、ウエスタンショー 【ヒャダイン】
http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm2260616
http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=m5hQpND...

Monday, May 12, 2008

Alagaesia News: A Second Spoiler Released for BRISINGR!

JUST ANNOUNCED!

A spoiler for BRISINGR, Book Three in the Inheritance cycle, has been
released on Shurtugal.com!

VIEW THE SPOILER HERE:
http://www.shurtugal.com

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND NEWS ABOUT BOOK THREE IN THE INHERITANCE
CYCLE, VISIT:
http://www.alagaesia.com


To subscribe visit:
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To unsubscribe, forward this message to this email or
unsub_eragon@info.randomhouse.com

The Eragon e-mail newsletter is owned and operated by Random House,
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or older. Members' e-mail addresses and information collected via this
newsletter will only be used by Random House, Inc. internally and will
not be sold or distributed. For the complete Privacy Policy of Random
House, Inc., please click here.

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Dejan Pavlovic


Dejan Pavlovic the Animorpher
FireHeart Paladins (www.fireheart.tk by Andry Chang)

Other Name: Dejan, Jan
Nickname: Master of Three Realms
Race: Halfling / Hobbit
Gender: Man
Zodiac: Aries, The World
Age: 36
Nation: Regia (Edel, resides in Ekinmor Village)
Class: Fighter, Animorpher
Job: Guide, Guardian of the Greaves of Diligence

The martial-artist, animorphing hobbit from Regia Confederation, he is one of the twelve Paladins in the novel FireHeart - Legend of the Paladins (www.fireheart.tk)

Using no weapon, he relies on his beastly abilities plus his ability to morph into animals: wolf, eagle and dolphin. Kind-hearted and fun-loving, he also adapts 'wolfish' traits that causes him to become an outcast among hobbits.

Hometown: Ekinmor Village, Ekalla Windy Hills, Castoria Kingdom, Regia Confederation.
Skills:
- Spirit of the Wolf & Transform into Wolf
- Eagle Air Superiority & Transform into Eagle
- Dolphin Splash Blast & Transform into Dolphin

Download GetAmped Online Fighting Game Skin from:
Dejan Pavlovic from FireHeart (www.fireheart.tk)
dejanpavlovic-fireheart.skin
Free file hosting from File Den

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Rapier

A rapier is a relatively slender, sharply pointed sword, used mainly for thrusting attacks, mainly in use in Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries.

Rapier, first half of the 17th Century.
Rapier, first half of the 17th Century.

Contents

[hide]

[edit] Description

Rapier generally refers to a relatively long-bladed sword characterized by a complex hilt which is constructed to provide protection for the hand wielding it. While the blade might be broad enough to cut to some degree (but nowhere near that of the thicker, heavier swords in use around the Middle Ages), the strength of the rapier is its ability as a thrusting weapon. The blade might be sharpened along its entire length, sharpened only from the center to the tip (as described by Capoferro), or completely without a cutting edge as called "estoc" by Pallavicini, a rapier master who, in 1670, strongly advocated using a weapon with two cutting edges. A typical example would weigh 1 kg and have a relatively long and slender blade of 2.5 centimetres or less in width, 1 meter or more in length and ending in a sharply pointed tip.

The term rapier generally refers to a thrusting sword with a blade longer and thinner than that of the so-called side-sword but heavier than the smallsword, a lighter weapon that would follow in the 18th century and later, but the exact form of the blade and hilt often depends on who is writing and when. It can refer to earlier spada da lato (much like the espada ropera) through the high rapier period of the 17th century through the smallsword and dueling swords, thus context is important in understanding what is meant by the word. (The term side-sword, used among some modern historical martial arts reconstructionists, is a translation from the Italian spada da lato--a term coined long after the fact by Italian museum curators--and does not refer to the slender, long rapier, but only to the early 16th-century Italian sword with a broader and shorter blade that is considered both its ancestor and contemporary.)

It is important to remember that the word "rapier" was not used by Italian, Spanish and French masters during the apogee of this weapon, the terms spada, espada and epee (or espee) being instead the norm (generic word for "sword"). Because of this as well as the great variation of late-16th and 17th century swords, some like Tom Leoni simply describe the rapier as a straight-bladed, two-edged, single-handed sword of that period which is self-sufficient in terms of both offense and defense, not requiring a companion weapon. In order to avoid the confusion of lumping all swords together, some categorizes such swords by their function and use. For example, John Clements categorizes thrusting swords with poor cutting abilities as rapiers and categorizes swords with both good thrusting and cutting abilities as Cut & Thrust swords.[1] Some however see the rapier in its entire time-line and see that it never truly fits into any single definition. Largely all over Europe the weapon changed based on culture and the fighting style that was prescribed; be it Italian, Spanish, or some other instruction on the weapons use, so that lengths, widths, hilt designs and even the lack or placement of an edge or edges differed at the same time. One may wear a rapier with a wire hilt and edges on the same given day as another man having a cup hilt and an edgeless blade.

[edit] Parts of the sword

[edit] Hilt

Rapiers often had complex, sweeping hilts designed to protect the hand wielding the sword. Rings extended forward from the crosspiece. Later these rings were covered with metal plates, eventually evolving into the cup hilts of many later rapiers. Many hilts included a knuckle bow extending down from the crosspiece protecting the hilt, which was usually wood wrapped with cord, leather or wire. A fat pommel (often decorated) secured the hilt to the weapon and provided a balance to the long blade.

[edit] Blade

Various rapier masters divided the blade into two, three, four, five or even nine parts. The forte, strong, is that part of the blade closest to the hilt; in cases where a master divides the blade into an even number of parts, this is the first half of the blade. The debole, weak, is the part of the blade which includes the point and is the second half of the blade when the sword is divided into an even number or parts. However, some rapier masters divided the blade into three parts (or even a multiple of three), in which case the central third of the blade, between the forte and the debole, was often called the medio or the terzo.

The Ricasso is that portion of the blade, usually unsharpened, which extends forward from the crosspiece or quillons and which is protected by the complex hilt.

[edit] History

The rapier began to develop around 1500 as the Spanish espada ropera, or "dress sword"[citation needed]. The espada ropera was a cut-and-thrust civilian weapon for self-defense and the duel, while earlier weapons were equally at home on the battlefield. Throughout the 16th century, a variety of new, single-handed civilian weapons were being developed, including the German Rappier, another cut-and-thrust weapon used for sportive fencing, as described in Joachim Meyer's Fechtbuch of 1570. Nevertheless, the English word "rapier" generally refers to a primarily thrusting weapon, developed by the year 1600 as a result of the geometrical theories of such masters as Camillo Agrippa and Ridolfo Capoferro.

The rapier became extremely fashionable throughout Europe with the wealthier classes, but was not without its detractors. Some people, such as George Silver, disapproved of its technical potential and the duelling use to which it was put.

The etymology of the word rapier is uncertain. Charles du Fresne, sieur du Cange used the word Rapparia in 1484 to describe an espée in his Glossarium mediae et infimae Latinitatis. He proposed that the origin of the word may stem from the Greek ραπίξειν, to cut. However, Walter William Skeat suggested that "rapiér" may derive from raspiére, a poker, and that this may be a contemptuous term developed by older cut-and-thrust fencers for the new weapon. The most probable root of this term, however, appear to be from the Spanish ropera that cames from ropa, or elegant dress, thus a "dress Sword".

Allowing for fast reactions, and with a long reach, the Rapier was well suited to civilian combat in the 16th-17th centuries. As military style cutting and thrusting swords continued to evolve to meet needs on the battlefield, so did Rapiers continue to evolve to meet the needs of civilian combat and duels, eventually becoming lighter and shorter. This is when the rapier began to give way to the smallsword.

By the year 1715, the rapier had been largely replaced by the lighter smallsword throughout most of Europe, although the former continued to be used, as evinced by the treatises of Donald McBane (1728), P. J. F. Girard (1736) and Domenico Angelo (1787).

[edit] Historical schools of rapier fencing

[edit] Italian

[edit] Spanish

Main article: Destreza

[edit] French

[edit] English

  • Joseph Swetnam, The Schoole of the Noble and Worthy Science of Defence (1617)
  • The Pallas Armata (1639)

[edit] German

[edit] The classical fencing tradition

Classical fencing schools claim to have inherited aspects of rapier forms in their systems. In 1885, fencing scholar Egerton Castle wrote "there is little doubt that the French system of fencing can be traced, at its origin, to the ancient Italian swordsmanship; the modern Italian school being of course derived in an uninterrupted manner from the same source." Castle went on to note that "the Italians have preserved the rapier form, with cup, pas d'ane, and quillons, but with a slender quadrangular blade." [3]

[edit] Modern practitioners

In the recent past, there has been an increased interest in the recreation of the fighting arts of the European Renaissance, including the numerous systems of rapier play. Practitioners face a difficulty in their study as, unlike some eastern martial arts, there are no unbroken traditions reaching back to the time when these arts were put into martial practice. Because of this, practitioners must draw upon techniques from the few remaining period texts written by period masters.

[edit] Popular culture and entertainment

[edit] More information

For a more detailed explanation of the primary use of the rapier — dueling — see European dueling sword.

See also the Spanish espada ropera.

[edit] Literature

  • Clements, John. Renaissance Swordsmanship : The Illustrated Book Of Rapiers And Cut And Thrust Swords And Their Use. Paladin Press, 1997. ISBN 0-87364-919-2
  • Kirby, Jared. Italian Rapier Combat: Ridolfo Capo Ferro. Greenhill Books, 2004. ISBN 978-1853675805
  • Leoni, Tommaso. The Art of Dueling: 17th Century Rapier as Taught by Salvatore Fabris. Chivalry Bookshelf, 2005. ISBN 978-1891448232
  • Wilson, William E. Arte of Defence: An Introduction to the Use of the Rapier. Chivalry Bookshelf, 2002. ISBN 978-1891448188
  • Windsor, Guy. Duellists Companion: A Training Manual for 17th Century Italian Rapier. Chivalry Bookshelf, 2006. ISBN 978-1891448324

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ John Clements. Renaissance Swordsmanship : The Illustrated Book Of Rapiers And Cut And Thrust Swords And Their Use. Paladin Press, 1997. ISBN 0-87364-919-2
  2. ^ Rubboli and Cesari (2005) date this work to 1500-1525. Leoni and Reich of the Order of the Seven Hearts date it to "about 1550" (2006 class handout)[1]
  3. ^ Castle, Schools and Masters of Fence. London: George Bell & Sons, 1885. pp. iv, 257
  4. ^ The Three Musketeers (1973)

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:
Source Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rapier"

Estoc


The French estoc or English "tuck" was a variation of the longsword focused intensely on fighting against chain mail or plate armour.[1] It was long, straight and stiff, with a diamond or triangular cross-section. An estoc had no cutting edge, just a point. Examples from Poland are more than 1.57 m (62 inches) long, with a blade of 1.32 m (52 in.); however, others showed a more manageable 1.17 m (46 in.), with a 0.91 m blade (36 in.). The size seems to have been made-to-order. The blade's cross-section was nearly an equilateral triangle or square, with relatively obtuse angles (~60+ degrees). This geometry left hardly any cutting capability as a sharpened edge could simply not be ground, but allowed the weapon to become lengthy, stiff, and very acutely pointed.[2] Early on, the estoc was hung from the saddle when on horseback and simply hung from the belt when the soldier took to the ground. As the weapon developed, however, infantrymen using it began to wear it in a scabbard.[3] Most varieties of estoc provided a long grip like that of a great sword, though others mimicked the bihänder in providing a long ricasso with a secondary guard of parrierhaken. As on the two-hander, this extended grip gave the wielder the advantage of extra leverage with which to more accurately and powerfully thrust the long weapon. Some other forms provided finger rings, curved quillions, or other forms of a compound hilt.[1] Few, however, developed anything close to a full baskethilt.

As armor improved, so did the methods of attacking the armor. It was quickly realized that cutting weapons were losing their effectiveness, so crushing weapons such as maces and axes were utilized. But thrusting weapons that could split the rings of mail, or find the joints and crevices of plate, were employed. Long tapered swords could also be used as a lance once the lance was splintered. Thus was the estoc developed. Estoc is French, meaning thrust or point. Tuck is the English version of the word. Many consider the Tuck a forerunner of the Rapier, but more likely it is a merging of the civilian sword, the Espada Ropera with the effective, and lighter tuck, that produced the rapier. But the tuck was an effective weapon. The long, straight blade was very rigid and could be thrust with one hand, or the second hand could be used to grip the blade to deliver an even more powerful thrust.

While there is nothing to stop an Estoc being one-handed most were two-handed, being used half-sword or two hands on the grip.

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Tarassuk, Leonid & Blair, Claude. The Complete Encyclopedia of Arms & Weapons. Simon and Schuster, 1982. Page 491.
  2. ^ Clements, John. Sword Forms
  3. ^ Stone, G. C. A Glossary of the Construction, Decoration, and Use of Arms and Armour. Jack Brussel, 1961. Page 223.

[edit] See also

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