Brad writes: >fence much.) Modern saber fencing was developed in Hungary, which >really ought to answer any questions about what style Vlad is using. >Er...which is to say that the most popular style among modern saber >fencers is Hungarian -- the actual type of combat was mostly developed >in Italy [and the Italian style is still somewhat closer to the >dueling sabre rather than designed exclusively to win tournaments with >practice weapons]. >Which doesn't, of course, answer the question of what weapon Vlad is >using, in modern rather than his own parlance. :) It seems to me that when Vlad claims to use Eastern style fencing, wielding a rapier, as opposed to the Dragaerean "hack hack slash" type, he's trying to say that eastern fencing is more evolved and refined then dragaerean sword-play. Dragaereans use sword and dagger, but then so does Vlad - the main difference is the stance and footwork. When he identifies his blade as a rapier, I think it is just that (or maybe a smallsword - the difference between a rapier and a smallsword is really one of length, and that only a half dozen inches)- a blade lighter then a longsword that is excellent for both thrusts and cuts. Khaavern is shown in a classic epee stance (high ward I think), but that doesn't assume he is an epee fighter. The Italians (cappo ferro maybe?) also "discovered" the lunge before "modern" fencing, the sport, evolved (and kept it a secret). I see elements of both the sport and dueling art in Steve's descriptions. Vlad uses lunges and tip cuts, but no ballista (sp?). This is logical because Vlad's ancestors had thousands of years to perfect their art and "discover", or develop, the best of both the sport and the art. Rapier fighting uses all the moves of epee, foil and sabre, because those sports evolved from the art. Vlad seems to use them all as well.