Fencing (Sante Reze)

Fencing in Sante Reze refers to martial swordsmanship of Rezese origin, used particularly to refer to forms currently still extant - as opposed to historical fencing, which refers to schools of swordsmanship formerly practiced but having since died out or evolved into very different forms.

Many forms have survived the centuries or otherwise been combined into new schools, and as such there is much existing documentation, notably technical treatises or combat manuals. Most manuals date between 1400 and 1800, a period considered to be the renaissance of Rezese fencing. Rezese fencing includes many styles, from traditional stick fighting methods to longsword and rapier.

Fencing has today survived as a sport, with very little detachment from its origins except for some regulations regarding safety equipment and protocols.

History

Early history (before 1000)

The roots of Rezese fencing are in combat, with swordsmanship coming from soldiers of wealthier classes who could afford swords; and pole-arms, staff, traditional stick-fighting from the lower classes. The oldest surviving manual is from 1180, regarding personal combat with longsword and shield.

Late Middle period (1300 to 1500)

Manuals of this time covered a wide range of fighting forms including grappling, dagger, arming sword, longsword, pole-arms, armored combat and mounted combat. In this period, fencing became more refined, with increasing focus on faster thrusting blades as primary melee weapons toward the end of the period, especially as combat in Sante Reze became generally smaller and more focused around goals which did not require large armies meeting in the field.

Early Modern period (1500 to 1700)

By this time, Rezese fencing had fully evolved from its roots in combat martial arts to civilian self-protection (or, as some critics say, thuggery) on the street, notably coming from and designed for wealthier classes, as it was nobles that were the most likely to be involved in street attacks on either side. This period also introduced a resurgence in the use of polearms, as large field engagements had become increasingly common toward the beginning of the era.

Modern fencing (after 1700)

idk, something about duels and fighting being more subtle and less in the open

Sport fencing

it evolved somehow

Rules

Rezese sport fencing is fought in the round as opposed to in a line; a large circular or square area is available for movement in any direction, allowing for more realistic and dynamic competitions. No parts of the body are consider invalid targets, and there is no point system. Incapacitating blows end bouts, and are considered to be hits to the head, torso, and legs. Disabling blows are also considered, as hits to the arm require the competitor to fight with that arm behind their back or otherwise immobilized.

At lower levels of competition, sport fencers may not use any kind of electronic monitoring, operating instead on an honor system requiring the acknowledgement of blows. At higher levels, however, protective equipment comes with many pressure sensors designed to determine whether or not a hit has landed, and if it counts as debilitating. Referees do not judge the validity of blows in most circumstances, but will call forfeit on obvious cheating.

Valid attacks

The entire body is considered a valid target and there is no right-of-way rule, unlike foreign sport fencing. A valid blow is scored with either a thrust in line with the blade or a cut with the edge of the blade. Under normal rules, the edge may only be used for draw-cuts (placing the blade edge against the opponent and pulling or pushing it along their body), though some competitions allow for percussive blows with the edge, even though such blows with rapier are not typically effective. Usually, only a sword or dagger may be used to strike an opponent; competitors cannot punch, kick, grab, body check or otherwise make physical contact with their opponent's body (beyond unintended fleeting contact), and may not strike an opponent with a shield, cloak, stick or any other device meant primarily for parrying.

Weapons

A wide variety of different blades and sword styles are permitted, but must all fall into the heavy rapier class. Light rapiers consist of foil and épée, often very close or the same as those used in modern, foreign sport fencing, as well as fiberglass blades, which are prohibited from competition. Heavy rapier are full sized swords with blunted edges and tips covered with a cap made of rubber and leather. Besides strictly "rapier" hilt and blade types, other period swords, including two-handed, are permitted so long as the blade is of an approved size and weight. These include side-swords, longswords, sabers, and scimitar.

Besides a primary sword, competitors are permitted to use a parrying item in their off-hand. These include daggers, bucklers, cloaks, batons, or even a second sword (known as a case of rapier). The only qualification an off-hand item must meet is that it has no sharp edges and is not likely or designed to trap an opponent's sword in an unsafe manner - this means that almost anything else (such as flagons) can and sometimes have been used. An empty off-hand may be employed to parry as well, but is vulnerable to normal thrusts and cuts from the opponent's weapon.

Protective gear

Since the entire body is a potential target, a participant's entire body must be covered. No bare skin may show, and all clothing must be at least durable enough to not snag open or tear from light abrasions. Certain areas of the body must have stronger protection, such as the front of the head, the neck and the top of the spine, which must be protected by rigid items. Most competitors use steel helmets, especially those of middle period design, to protect their heads. The neck, throat, and top vertebrae are protected by a gorget most typically made of heavy leather and steel. The torso, thighs, and armpits must be covered with leather and usually a heavy fabric that is sufficiently strong to resist puncturing if a blade were to break during a bout.

Tournaments

Tournaments are usually conducted in rounds with winners of each round advancing towards the finals. Common tournament formats are single and double elimination, Rossi five (five-competitor free-for-all), and scenarios including group combat, special terrain and obstacles.

Melees

Melees between groups of fencers often take place around tournament competitions for both practice and entertainment. At smaller competitions, these may just be small mock street brawls between two disorganized, fictional factions, but at larger and more prestigious events, sophisticated small unit tactics are often seen, often with up to two hundred fencers fighting on each side.