Two Arts

Two Arts is a skill that those of the Blademaster class possess. To be able to truly harness this skill, one must possess a unique blade; the smith Murad and the Hatha-yin maiden Kavaya will aid those who seek a blade of their own, and they can be located in an encampment east of Delos.

Originating in Kashar and most notably practised by the famed warrior Lucaine Pyramides, the Two Arts is an enigmatic style of combat combining swordplay with techniques resembling the kai energy used by monks.

The two "Arts" referred to are the Draw Art and the Blade Art. Vastly different to such techniques as Chivalry and Swashbuckling, a master of the Two Arts kills a man more easily by drawing a sword from its sheath than by swinging a naked blade. Lucaine Pyramides is recorded as unsheathing his blade for only a second at a time in combat - killing people in single motions of his sword, the Three Moons.

Another aspect of the Two Arts involves imbuing the blade with supernatural power, similar to the lost Templar ability of Bladefire. For example, the ability, "Desperate Angel", imbues one's blade with an individual's desperation, fear, anger, and rage, and sends them slashing through the opponent. This technique was performed by Pyramides on the serpent Lucius Errikale in the Battle of King's Tomb during the Wars of Succession.

Abilities in Two Arts

Ability	Description
Bladename	Every sword is unique.
Preparation	A scabbard is as important as one's blade.
Drawslash	A single, measured slash.
Gripping	Clench your blade with an unshakable grip.
Doya	Strike true with the slow might of the Earth stance.
Raze	Cleave through defensive auras.
Armslash	Cut across the arms.
Engage	Lash out at a cowardly foe.
Discernment	Quickly assess an opponent's wounds.
Legslash	Slash across the legs.
Thyr	The whirling Wind stance neglects power for speed.
Impale	Drive your blade straight through your target.
Centreslash	Carve up or down across the head and chest.
Balanceslash	Drive your enemy back with a balanced slash.
InfuseFire	Wreathe your blade in crackling flame.
Pommelstrike	Deliver a stunning blow with the hilt of your sword.
Mir	The adaptive Water stance favours defence.
Bladesuicide	If death must come, be it by your own blade.
Retaliationstrike	Unleash a fierce strike against your attacker.
InfuseLightning	Command lightning into your sword.
Bladetwist	Torment an impaled foe.
Arash	Aggressive and powerful, the Fire stance is one of attack.
InfuseIce	Suffuse your blade with ice.
Multislash	Spill blood with a succession of slashes.
CompassSlash	Send their blood to the points of the compass.
InfuseVoid	Wield the Void and your sword as one.
Impaleslash	Let their blood flow freely.
Sanya	The total focus of the Void stance amplifies inner power.
Brokenstar	Draw the broken star across your foe.