Class: equipping yourself for battle (taught by Isolet)

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Isolet
Posts: 10
Joined: Fri Apr 09, 2021 3:04 am

Class: equipping yourself for battle (taught by Isolet)

Post by Isolet » Thu Oct 21, 2021 8:40 pm

Summary: Accepted Isolet teaches a class on choices you can make when equipping yourself for battle
Point of view: Isolet
Main character: Isolet
Minor Characters: Relena, Tolza, Ominas, Draz, Penzei

Relena says 'ok, lets begin Accepted.'

Isolet says 'Tolza is coming as well'

The door is opened from the other side.

Tolza has arrived from the west.

Tolza closes the door.

Isolet smiles happily.

Relena nods, bells jingling.

Tolza stops using an ivory and gold-hilted longsword.

Tolza spread her dress with colored bands, in a precise curtsy.
Ominas kneels solemnly on the ground.

Relena says 'please wield your weapons'

Tolza wields an ivory and gold-hilted longsword.

Draz says 'sorry may I ask that you keep weapons wielded for security reasons'

Isolet nods vigorously.

Isolet walks slowly towards the front of the classroom.

Isolet looks at those in attendance, and smiles brightly.

Relena beams a radiant smile at you.

Isolet says 'Hello, I am Accepted Isolet'

Tolza juggles a large note book, as well as her sword and shield.

Tolza gives Isolet a faint smile as her eyes dart to her book.

Ominas grins evilly.

Isolet says 'This class will be on equipping yourself for battle. If you have found yourself in the
wrong room, now is your chance to leave before I begin.'

Isolet grins evilly.

Isolet says 'Now is also a good time to eat and drink so that you do not disturb the others during the
class with the sounds of slurping and chewing!'

Ominas pulls out a fresh quill and peers at the tip.

Isolet stops using a leather water flask.
Isolet puts a leather water flask on her belt.

Ominas nods in satisfaction and begins to take notes.

Isolet gets an apple from an embroidered, cotton shoulder bag.
Isolet eats the apple.

Tolza hand is a blur as she takes notes.

Isolet rummages through her bag, taking out a battle-worn notebook, and sets it on the desk next to
her.

Isolet drops a shining steel breastplate.

Isolet drops a bearskin tunic.

Isolet arranges the armor meticulously, making sure they can be seen by everyone in attendance.

Relena grins evilly.

Ominas squints at the display of armor.

Isolet scans the room for any lingering signs of eating and drinking, before taking a deep breath,
and beginning...

Isolet says 'When looking at the various novices, accepteds, and Aes Sedai heading out on business for
the tower, or to fight the Shadow, you can notice lots of different choices have been made in the
equipment they wear'

Isolet says 'Some wear heavy armor, almost like the full plate worn by some of the Gaidin'

Relena looks at Draz.

Relena looks at Ominas.

Isolet says 'Others wear various items of furs and cloth, which would do little to defend against a
trolloc catchpole if one were struck'

Relena has an unreadable expression.

Isolet says 'There is lots of waiting in battle, and in my time as an apprentice to the Green, I began
wondering why some prefer specific sorts of armor, while others make completely different choices'

Isolet says 'Now then, although I've brought these pieces of body armor up here as a display, there is
actually a very important choice that gets made before considering what you wear on your body, and
that would be what you hold in your hands.'

Isolet brandishes her weapon.

Relena stops using a nimble blade with a cuendillar pommel.

Relena wields a nimble blade with a cuendillar pommel.

Isolet smiles at Relena.

Isolet says 'Your choice of weapon, and level of comfort in engaging the enemy with it, actually matters
a lot when it comes to selecting the rest of your equipment.'

Isolet says 'So I'll spend some time talking about a few general categories'

Isolet says 'I'll start with the most common weapon I see wielded by Accepteds and Aes Sedai alike - the
one handed staff'

Isolet says 'The yew staff is a timeless classic, because it pairs so nicely with what can be
accomplished with the One Power.'

Relena looks at Isolet.

Isolet says 'The theory here being that since weaves like ice spikes, fireball, or lightning can be used
for great effect, the channeler should use a weapon that maximizes their ability to avoid getting
hit by an enemy, which would interrupt their ability to weave'

Relena nods, bells jingling.

Isolet says 'This is a very common choice because of how well staves can be used to parry hits. It is
also not a very heavy weapon, allowing the channeler to dodge unencumbered'

Isolet says 'Most importantly, a one handed staff can be used in conjunction with a shield'

Isolet says 'For the most pure defensive setup, this is what I would recommend. It is a very common
choice for good reason'

Isolet says 'As far as the other one handed weapons go, there is somewhat of a sliding scale'

Relena says 'Since the equipment is driven by the weapon as you say. . . what gear would you suggest
with this classic setup?'

Isolet brightens at the opportunity to answer a question.

Isolet says 'Oh! I would say that in line with the philosophy to simply avoid getting hit, most people
use one handed staves would maximize their defense with the lightest equipment possible'

The door is opened from the other side.

Penzei has arrived from the west.

Relena nods, bells jingling.

Penzei closes the door.

Penzei curtseys gracefully.

Isolet smiles at Penzei.
Relena looks at Penzei archly.

Penzei says 'My apologies for being late!'

Isolet says 'Of course, there are other choices that can be made. I can get into that a bit later.'

Isolet says 'Now then, let's talk briefly about the drawbacks of the yew staff'

Relena whispers something to Penzei.

Isolet says 'First, it lacks a blade, or any real heft. And so if you find yourself having to fight a
trolloc (or worse) off with it, you would be hard pressed to do any real damage'

Penzei whispers something to Relena.

Penzei nods jotting down notes as she listens...

both weapon and shield, which can take a lot of effort
Isolet says 'Secondly, like all other one handed weapons, you will need to train your ability to fight
with both weapon and shield, which can take a lot of effort'

Isolet says 'Let's talk about the other one handed weapons briefly.'

Penzei raises her hand.

Isolet says 'Yes?'

Penzei says 'What weapons have we already spoken about ?'

Isolet says 'one handed staves so far.'

Penzei says 'Okay! good! I didn't miss much!'

Penzei continues writing in her notes.

Isolet says 'It is the one we spent the most time discussing, because it is by far the most common
choice'

Isolet says 'And to some extent, the rest of the choices will be compared to it'

Isolet says 'Now, taking Relena Sedai's masterfully crafted blade as a next example'

Relena stops using a nimble blade with a cuendillar pommel.

Relena wields a nimble blade with a cuendillar pommel.

Relena nods, bells jingling.

Isolet says 'I have seen her fight with it, and there are slightly more openings in her defense compared
to when I have seen her fight with a yew staff'

Relena nods, bells jingling.

Penzei nods in agreement.

Penzei continues jotting down her notes... possibly even sketching drawings...

Isolet says 'But the tradeoff is that the blade deals much more damage when striking shadowspawn'

with shadowspawn as frequently as say, an accepted
Isolet says 'Also, since she has her warders, it is also possible that she does not have to stand toe to
toe with shadowspawn as frequently as say, an accepted'

Relena winks at Draz.

Isolet winks suggestively at Draz.

Penzei giggles.

sword would be a good example of this type of weapon that might be suitable.
Isolet says 'From here, there are more possibilities, such as the one handed long blades. An ivory and
gold sword would be a good example of this type of weapon that might be suitable.'

Relena says 'Accepted, do you know why I do not use the long blades?'

Isolet thinks really hard.

Tolza looks at Relena.

Penzei raises her hand.

Isolet says 'Perhaps they bang frustratingly into doorways you walk through, Relena Sedai?'

Isolet giggles.

Penzei giggles.

Relena strikes a pose and flexes.

Relena says 'My noodle arms cannot wield them effectively.'

Isolet says 'Ahhhh'

Penzei nods in agreement.

Penzei continues to draw on her parchment...

Isolet looks at Penzei.

Penzei is in excellent condition.

Isolet says 'Yes?'

Penzei says 'Oh was just raising my hand to answer the question, please continue Accepted Isolet'

Isolet says 'Well, since we're all looking at you for the moment..'

Relena looks at Penzei.

Isolet says 'Accepted Penzei uses a dagger it seems.'

Relena nods, bells jingling.

Penzei face turns slightly reddish for a moment...

Tolza looks at Penzei.

Penzei says 'I do!'

Isolet says 'Maybe you can tell us why you made this choice?'

Isolet looks pleased with herself, having given herself a brief opportunity to rest her voice.

Isolet stops using a leather water flask.

Ominas says 'excuse me'

Isolet sips from a leather water flask.

Ominas opens the door.

Ominas leaves west.

The door closes quietly.

Penzei says 'Well, not the most defensible weapon, but is ultra light and allows me to score extra
hits during combat... especially between weaves I get to sometimes poke a trolloc with my dagger
and then continue my weaves!'

Isolet smiles happily.

Penzei says 'More than a few times I've been able to out melee trollocs in the heaviest armor
because they were unable to hit me or dodge my attacks'

Isolet says 'Well said'

Relena nods, bells jingling.

Isolet says 'Yes, these short blades are extremely light, and offer lots of opportunities to get extra
attacks in'

Isolet says 'That particular variety of dagger - the clear curved kind - actually is not terrible in its
defense'

Isolet says 'Though it is at this point several notches below the yew staff we began this class talking
about.'

Penzei says 'So far has treated me well enough not to alter my martial ability'

Isolet nods vigorously.

Isolet says 'And this is the first big realization I had, around choice of weapon'

Isolet says 'Let's say you are fighting another dagger user'

Isolet says 'Are you able to hit each other at all?'

Draz bows deeply.

Draz opens the door.

Draz panics, and attempts to flee!
Draz leaves west.

The door closes quietly.

Isolet snickers softly.

Penzei says 'often times, one versus one against a sneakier trolloc in melee combat we will not be
able to get an upper hand on one another, however this is to my advantage because I can weave and
the trolloc cannot.'

Isolet nods vigorously.

Penzei says 'The only time this has proved false is went I ran into a trolloc rogue that could throw
sharp objects'

Isolet nods vigorously.

Penzei says 'because throwing is faster than even that fastest weave'

Isolet says 'The point I'd like to make here, is that your defense only matters as far as you avoid
getting hit.'

Penzei nods in agreement.

Penzei starts writing in her notes again.

Isolet says 'If you were using yew staves in that example, you would perform almost exactly the same'

Penzei nods in agreement.

Penzei says 'Yes'

Isolet says 'So all of the benefits of the yew staff are wasted, in a sense.'

Isolet says 'Now, let's take almost the opposite example'

Isolet says 'If you find yourself fighting an extremely dangerous opponent - one with a heron mark
blade, perhaps, and they are able to hit you every single round.'

Isolet says 'Does it matter which weapon you are using?'

Penzei says 'I suppose the only weapon that could mitigate that kind of attack would be that of an
Obsidian Staff'

Penzei says 'possibly sungwood staff'

Isolet shakes her head.

Isolet says 'In this hypothetical, you are getting hit every round no matter what'

Isolet says 'What would you choose as your weapon then?'

Tolza says 'Weaves.'

Penzei says 'I think, yes, weave and our enviroment would have to be it'

Penzei says 'while we capable of almost impossible things... melee combat is not our strong suit...'

Relena says 'I believe you are looking for the highest Defensive weapon to allow you to weave.'

Isolet says 'If you find yourself against an opponent that will hit you every round...'

Isolet says 'It may even make sense to fight with the most damaging weapon you can. You are assured to
get hit every round no matter what, so you may as well deal as much damage back as you can.'

Isolet says 'Of course, this isn't a practical example, but I am only bringing it up to show the two
extremes'

Penzei nods acceptedly continuing her notes.

Relena says 'A counter-intuitive result.'

Isolet says 'One where any extra defense no longer matters, because you are already avoiding all hits,
and one where your defense does not matter at all, no matter how high you can get it.'

Isolet says 'If you have ever fought any opponents such as Shaidar Haran, or Blargg, you can see this
principle in action.'

Penzei nods in agreement.

Isolet says 'For two handed weapons, I will only mention them briefly.'

Isolet says 'These allow you to avoid carrying a shield. This is a choice many make because it allows
you to focus on other things, like tracking, being able to ride a horse better, or other things'

Isolet says 'The obsidian staves you mentioned earlier are quite nice, as they provide excellent
defense, deal very nice damage on account of the obsidian, and also allow you to forego a shield'

Relena says 'I did not realize that weapons would be such an in-depth discussion. We may need to
reconvene for part 2 to discuss the sets of armor as well. This has been very detailed, Accepted but
I fear we may need to wrap it up here.'

Isolet nods vigorously.

Isolet says 'Let's wrap here, however I will leave you with this thought'

Tolza nods in agreement.

Isolet says 'Which is the idea that offense and defense is a balance, and something you can adjust,
depending on the circumstances.'

Penzei nods, finishing up her notes before packing away her supplies.

Isolet says 'For a Red hunting male channelers, their needs are very different from that of an Aes Sedai
fighting in the borderlands against hordes of shadowspawn'

Isolet says 'Think about what makes sense for you, and choose accordingly'

Isolet smiles happily.

Penzei nods in agreement.

Isolet says 'Thanks for your attention. Class dismissed!'

Relena says 'I would add to test and try out different things. You may find a new weapon that didn't
seem feasible before.'

Penzei smiles happily.

Relena says 'The class is concluded. I will be back'

Isolet breathes out a huge sigh of relief.

Relena opens the door.

Tolza spread her dress with colored bands, in a precise curtsy.

Penzei curtseys gracefully.

Relena says 'sit tight a second'

Relena leaves west.
Isolet follows Relena.

Hallway Outside the Classrooms
This unremarkable gray stone hallway and landing off a stairwell is lined
with a number of doors, marked with the numbers one through twenty. Two
large double doors sit in a pointed archway on the northern end of the
corridor. A portrait of a woman wearing a seven-striped stole surrounded by
battle scenes hangs on the wall opposite the stairwell.
[ obvious exits: N E S U D ]
Zone: White Tower Upper Floors
Door east: door
Lady Relena ni Arbela is standing here.
A large man eyes the surroundings warily, every movement fluid.
A young girl in a plain white dress stands here.
A young girl in a plain white dress stands here.

Relena closes the door.

Relena opens the door.

Relena leaves east.
Isolet follows Relena.

In the Classroom
A board of black slate hangs on the wall near the door, suggesting this
room is used as a classroom. The room is plain and windowless and has
enough place to seat thirty students. A dais with a desk sits at the front
of the room, where the Aes Sedai or Accepted teaching the class can sit.
[ obvious exits: W ]
Zone: White Tower Upper Floors
Door west: door
A tunic made of bearskin has been dropped here.
A shining steel breastplate lies here gleaming in the light.
Lady Relena ni Arbela is standing here.
Tolza the Tower Accepted is standing here.
Penzei Perets, Tower Accepted, Yellow Ajah Apprentice is standing here.
A young Tower Guard is on duty here.
A haughty young woman strides by practicing Aes Sedai serenity.

Relena panics, and attempts to flee!
Relena leaves west.

The door closes quietly.

Tolza says 'Part 2, throw a dagger at some one for a example.'

Tolza gives an impish grin. How adorable.

Penzei giggles.

Isolet chuckles politely.

Tolza says 'Spice it up.'

Isolet says 'I have seen it once or twice'

The door is opened from the other side.

Relena has arrived from the west.

Relena says 'I trust you have all now received your merits?'

Tolza says 'Yes, thank you Relena Sedai.'
Relena says 'Consider those AQP from the Green Ajah'

Penzei says 'I have Relena Sedai, thank you!'

Relena says 'Thank you Isolet, we'll discuss the class and future installments later.'

Isolet nods vigorously.

In the Classroom
A board of black slate hangs on the wall near the door, suggesting this
room is used as a classroom. The room is plain and windowless and has
enough place to seat thirty students. A dais with a desk sits at the front
of the room, where the Aes Sedai or Accepted teaching the class can sit.
[ obvious exits: W ]
Zone: White Tower Upper Floors
Door west: door
A tunic made of bearskin has been dropped here.
A shining steel breastplate lies here gleaming in the light.
Lady Relena ni Arbela is standing here.
Tolza the Tower Accepted is standing here.
Penzei Perets, Tower Accepted, Yellow Ajah Apprentice is standing here.
A young Tower Guard is on duty here.
A haughty young woman strides by practicing Aes Sedai serenity.
Relena nods respectfully to you.

get all

Isolet gets a bearskin tunic.
Isolet gets a shining steel breastplate.

Someone is now a member of Relena's group.
Someone is now a member of Relena's group.
Someone is now a member of Relena's group.

Isolet senses Penzei connecting to the True Source.

Relena has disbanded the group.
Isolet stops following Relena.

Relena leaves west.

The door is open.

In the Classroom
A board of black slate hangs on the wall near the door, suggesting this
room is used as a classroom. The room is plain and windowless and has
enough place to seat thirty students. A dais with a desk sits at the front
of the room, where the Aes Sedai or Accepted teaching the class can sit.
[ obvious exits: W ]
Zone: White Tower Upper Floors
Door west: door
Tolza the Tower Accepted is standing here.
Penzei Perets, Tower Accepted, Yellow Ajah Apprentice is standing here.
A young Tower Guard is on duty here.
A haughty young woman strides by practicing Aes Sedai serenity.

Isolet says 'thanks for coming'

Isolet senses Penzei is channeling saidar.

Tolza gives you a faint smile as her eyes dart to her book.

Tolza says 'Of course.'