Shadeclaw Combat Manual, Entry Three - Whispering Fang

  • Shadeclaw Combat Manual, Entry Three

     

     

    Soft Techniques – Whispering Fang

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

                      Whispering Fang is one of the oldest martial arts practiced in Tamriel today, believed to have originated in the early First Era. Along with Goutfang, it made up the Po’ Tun’s Two Claw Arts, which later became the Three with the addition of Rawlith Khaj.

     

                    The principle of Whispering Fang suits the shinobi particularly well. An adherence to minimum exertion, maximum damage means that a master of Whispering Fang can take down a foe with a single, well-placed blow – though few in our age ever attain such proficiency.

     

                    It is unfortunate that, unlike Rawlith Khaj, we no longer remember how Whispering Fang came to be. It is likely that the Po’ Tun of ancient Akavir developed the system as a more sophisticated – some would say elegant – variant of Goutfang, focusing on the natural weaknesses of the body to render an opponent unconscious or dead, instead of incapacitated with pain as is the practice of traditional Goutfang. It should be noted that this more complex approach often means that Whispering Fang users have a harder time eliminating a threat than Goutfang users or Rawlith Khaj users, but it comes with the advantage of being much cleaner, less painful, and as a consequence, less noisy.

     

                    Whispering Fang makes heavy use of Soft Techniques. Practitioners should focus on diverting an opponent’s attacks and using it to their advantage. Masters of Whispering Fang are in perfect control of the flow of momentum in combat, nullifying incoming blows and opening up a target for their own strikes.

     

     

     

    Stance

     

                    Whispering Fang is a reactive combat system. There is no fixed starting stance, and you should vary your position depending on the enemy (or enemies) you face. Always position your hands in a manner that allows you to approach an enemy attack from the sides. Depending on the size and height of your opponent and where they intend to deliver their blows, this can mean anything from holding your hands high above your head or dropping to a low crouch and guarding your torso. Change your stance constantly in response to your enemy’s movements. The Yellow Flask will greatly accelerate your reaction time in this regard, as will constant training with mock scenarios. The iron rule of Whispering Fang is to always remain centred. If you keep your core body in balance by constant movement and reaction, enemies will not be able to topple you. Always attempt to position yourself to the side of your opponent. This allows you to easily make their momentum flow past you, instead of flowing through you.

     

     

     

    Defence against unarmed attacks

     

                    Do not exert force against force. Direct clashing is not the philosophy of Whispering Fang. When a blow comes towards you, deflect it at an angle. Use your hands or legs to redirect it to the side. When this approach fails or your opponent is too fast for you to attempt a redirection, dodge and wait for another opportunity.

     

                    Meet the attacker’s limb or weapon before their strike comes within one foot. Do not push against the blow – push along it. Make contact with the palm or back of your hand or your own forearm if possible, as they offer the greatest precision, but alternatively you can use your lower legs and feet as well. Move with the blow in a circular motion, either inwards or outwards in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction. Keep your connection to the limb or weapon until it flows past you, exerting small amounts of force to throw it off its intended course.

     

                    Listed below are defences against common types of attacks. Keep in mind the various contact points for deflection. These are the areas of highest leverage for your opponent’s limb, and allows you to redirect their momentum with minimal exertion, throwing them off balance and creating openings. Consult your instructor for more details.

     

    Punches, pushes, and other strikes with the hand

     

                    The contact point for such attacks begins from the opponent’s wrist and runs down the length of their forearm. Ideally, you would divert such blows to the side of your head or torso, and your opponent’s body will follow their arm, putting them in a disadvantageous position.

     

    Kicks

     

                    The contact point for attacks with the legs and feet begins from their ankle and runs down the length of their lower leg. If the kick is high, move under it and divert the momentum over and behind you. If the kick is low, divert the momentum around you.

     

    Charges and running grapples

     

                    The contact point for opponents rushing you is their centre of balance, usually their torso. Duck to the sides or even below your opponent to avoid meeting their momentum directly. Wait until they miss their intended moment of impact and begin your own input of force. As they speed past or above you, plant your hands or feet on their abdomen or their backs, then shift your body in the opposite direction and push – again, push along with their momentum, not against it. As you substitute the weight and impact they expect to meet for non-resistance and apply it in the opposite direction, your opponent will over-exert their own momentum and as such lose their balance.

     

    Downward attacks, leaps and drops

     

                    Move out of the way and let your opponent hit the ground of their own accord. If possible, manipulate their position by trips or pushes so they fall flat, instead of impacting with their strikes.

     

     

     

    Defence against weapons

     

                    Note that diverting weapon attacks comes with a far greater risk than diverting unarmed attacks – not just because of the greater potential for harm (which should be obvious) but also because of the lesser amount of control you have over an opponent by making contact with his weapon instead of his body. One exception would be short blades such as daggers and knives, in which case you can consistently make contact with the wrist. It is always best to connect with an opponent’s body directly, but this is not always possible with larger, longer weapons. Create more of such opportunities by moving inwards and closing in on an opponent as you deflect their attacks.

     

    Longswords and greatswords

     

                    The contact point for long blades designed for both one-handed or two-handed use is the flat of the blade. Be sure to always line it parallel to your body – skilled opponents can easily turn their blade downwards and try to slash you again after a failed cut or thrust.

     

    One-handed axes, hatchets and maces

     

                    The contact point for short hacking or blunt weapons is the haft, the hilt, or even the wrist and arm if possible. An additional opportunity for connection presents itself in the side of the axe-bit if the surface is even enough. Most maces are flanged or spiked, however, and it is generally not advised to brush against them even from the sides.

     

    Warhammers and two-handed battleaxes

     

                    These large weapons have a great deal of momentum. The best way to approach them is from the back, as the broad heads of two-handed hammers and axes make trying to connect from the side too dangerous. Wait for the blow to pass you, then immediately move in and make contact with the haft. Again, if the side of the axe-bit is smooth enough, you can attempt to divert it from the side – but shifting momentum of such magnitude will not be easy, and will require great precision and timing.

     

     

     

    Striking

     

                    Once an enemy is off-balance from a properly executed counter, his guard is lowered, he is otherwise distracted, or an opportunity presents itself in any other way, you are free to launch your own attacks. Whispering Fang places accuracy above strength, so concentrate your attack onto a single point of your body.

     

    Palm strikes and thrusting kicks

     

                    Strikes with the palm and the sole are not meant to damage your opponent (though they certainly can) but to throw them off balance actively. They allow you to exert momentum much more evenly than a punch, and thus break the flow of your opponent and create openings. A clap to the ears can also disrupt your opponent’s equilibrium by vibrating the workings of their inner ears.

     

    Chops

     

                    By making use of the heel of your hand, you create a relatively thin edge for accurate strikes to the joints, tendons, and other weak lengths of your opponent’s body.

     

    Knuckle strikes

     

                    Unlike punches, these attacks connect with the minor knuckles of your hand. By bending your index finger over and holding it in place with a thumb, you create a smaller striking surface for precise attacks.

     

    Thumb and finger jabs

     

                    For thumbs, clench your hand into a fist but press your thumb over your index finger. For fingers, press your index and middle finger together in a strong poking motion. You may also use a single finger for pinpoint accuracy (note that this may cause injury if you are not sufficiently trained or you have not yet consumed the White Flask). Occupies a similar function to the knuckle strike, but has the additional advantages of being able to use your claws and being more precise.

     

    Spearhands

     

                    A rigid, three-finger or four-finger strike, usually to weak points of the body where there is little to no bone. This strike is more powerful than the thumb and finger jabs, and it is generally unwise to use your claws when performing it.

     

    Kicks

     

                    Use the tips of your feet to attack and the fast-contracting muscles of your knee to fuel a rapid whip-like motion. You may require some practice for such attacks to attain the same accuracy as your jabs, but once you perfect your aim, you will find the extra reach helpful in many scenarios.

     

     

     

    Target Areas

     

                    As stated multiple times above, Whispering Fang strikes are meant to exert minimum force but maximum damage. As such, you will need to target the natural weaknesses of the body. The first step to doing so effectively is to memorise the openings in the human skeleton and the connections of the joints. These are your primary strike targets.

     

                    Strikes to areas such as the base of the skull, the opening of the lower mandible and the soft palate, the temples, and behind the ears can cause unconsciousness.

     

                    Strikes to the gaps between the collarbones and shoulders, the entirety of the neck, the first section of the spinal cord and to a lesser degree the curvature of the spine, the armpits, the crooks of the elbows and wrists, the backs of the knees, and the ankles can cripple.

     

                    Strikes to the windpipe, the trachea, and the solar plexus can disable breathing. Windpipe damage in particular can lead to asphyxiation and death.

     

                    The next step is much more advanced. It involves the memorisation of acupoints.

     

     

     

    Acupoints

     

                    Within all living creatures dwell the energies of Magicka and ki. Some use the two terms interchangeably, but there is an intrinsic difference. Magicka is carried in your nervous system, with the most of it residing in your brain, since there are the most synapses there. This is why more intelligent beings are usually more gifted in conventional magic. Ki is carried with your flow of blood, where it is known as myaku. Many different peoples have learned to manipulate their ki, giving rise to various different abilities depending on how their ki is moulded. The Nords have their signature Thu’um, or Voice. Similarly, Akaviri samurai practiced the kiai to vocalise and concentrate their will, giving their katana an abnormal keenness when cutting. This particular ability has passed down to the Emperor’s Blades, though many other techniques have died out over time, along with the last of the samurai in Tamriel. The Ansei of Yokuda and Hammerfell used the Shehai, a manifestation of their spirit in the form of a sword, but they too have become extinct. There are theories that the Argonian Hist is a unifying confluence of ki, though they have yet to be verified.

     

                    Regardless of how well a person uses Magicka or ki, the fact remains that the flow of both is essential to survival. The electric signals of Magicka sparking throughout a being’s nerves allows the mind and body to communicate, while the circulation of myaku carries life-sustaining energy and nutrients to the organs and limbs. A weak flow of Magicka leads to dulled senses and numbness, and a weak myaku leads to drained physical strength and sluggishness. Severe damage to either can cause a loss of motor functions, paralysis, unconsciousness and death.

     

                    Acupoints are points of concentration and convergence on these two circulation systems, where the flow is particularly narrow, weak, or otherwise vulnerable. Your thumb and finger jabs are the ideal tools for attacks on acupoints, as the point of contact is roughly the same size. For longer-lasting damage, attack with your claws unsheathed.

     

                    Attached is a sketch of the forty-eight primary acupoints common to all known sentient beings, as well as seven more spread across the different races – the red highlights are for the races of man, blue for mer (excluding Orsimer), green for Argonians, yellow for Khajiit, purple for Sloads. The positions of the points are relative to skeletal structure, and you may approximate their location with practice – though you may experience difficulty with Argonians and Sloads.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

                          Harrow raised his hands and kept his eyes levelled at Jorra, who returned his stare evenly. The Po’ Tun’s black eyes reflected in his own silver irises.

     

                    Jorra made the first move, a vicious chop to the temple. Harrow dodged lightly, and he followed it up with a knuckle strike to the side of the neck. Harrow pushed his hand into his wrist and let his arm slide past, then retaliated with a palm strike to his chin. Jorra slipped his own hand into his forearm, nudging Harrow backwards and off his feet as he sidestepped past him. The young elf stumbled, then regained his balance and lashed out with a kick at the same time, preventing Jorra from exploiting his opening.

     

                    Not relenting, Jorra spun to Harrow’s flank and launched six consecutive finger jabs to the acupoints on his ribcage. The first four were intercepted with two sweeps of the hand, but the last two were feints. He flicked his arm to the right at the moment Harrow tried to counter, and his forefinger found an acupoint on the wrist. Harrow’s left hand fell open, slackened and numbed.

     

                    Harrow extended his right index and middle fingers and thrust them forwards at an acupoint in his shoulder. Hmm. I’m not surprised, Jorra thought as he blocked it with an elbow. He is a quick study, after all.

     

                    And then he was surprised nonetheless as Harrow whirled from his front to his flank, jabbing at ten acupoints scattered in his neck, arm, back and leg. Well, well. He’s memorised all of them already?

     

                    In his aggression, however, the boy had allowed his footing to stray and his centre of balance to shift outwards. Jorra wasted no time in reminding him of that. He set a palm against the inside of Harrow’s arm as he lunged, and another palm against his chest, then pushed his right side to the left and his left side to the right.

     

                    Harrow’s spin went out of control as he spiralled counter-clockwise wildly. Jorra simply put out his leg and tripped him as he passed, then leant and pressed a spearhand against his throat as he fell.

     

                    ‘Your skill remains as impressive as ever, Jorra,’ Harrow gasped, breathless. ‘The kits would benefit greatly if you were to ever commit yourself to the role of instructor.’

     

                    ‘Mokko-do is more than a sufficient teacher,’ Jorra said, helping him up. ‘He’s at least five times more skilled than I am. I understand that you’re learning kenjutsu under Unaka-ko as well.’

     

                    ‘“The way of the sword does not translate perfectly to unarmed combat, but skill with using your body as a weapon lends itself to proficiency with all other weapons.” Hand-to-Hand Techniques by Twentieth Grandmaster Kara,’ Harrow replied, quoting one of his books. ‘And Master Mokko may be five times more skilled than you are, Jorra – which I doubt – but he’s not as well versed in Whispering Fang.’

     

                    ‘Perhaps not,’ Jorra acquiesced.

     

                    ‘Tea?’ Harrow offered, going over to a table on the side of the training hall and raising a pot. A small wisp of steam was rising from the spout.

     

                    ‘Another one of your brews? Let me guess,’ Jorra took a deep sniff. ‘Mm. Wilted and charred leaves, so it’s a black tea, obviously. Aromatic scent… lily, but there’s subtle undertones of something else as well. Steeped hibiscus?’

     

                    Harrow smiled as he poured the tea into two cups. ‘You certainly know your plants.’

     

                    ‘I am the gardener, you know,’ Jorra quipped, taking one of the cups and sipping.

     

                    ‘Your Jade Iris is growing well?’

     

                    ‘Yes. The plant grows slowly since I don’t want to feed it too much Magicka at once, but the buds are beginning to form and it should flower in two to three years, then reach full bloom in another. But back to the topic of your training. You’ve become quite proficient with targeting acupoints. Have you memorised all the fifty-three points and five racial variations already?’

     

                    ‘It took me slightly longer than expected and even longer to actually implement it in combat, but yes.’

     

                    ‘Slightly longer than expected?’ Jorra shook his head. ‘Most kits who study Whispering Fang spend at least one year repeating a mantra of the primary fifty-three points and practicing them in combat. You’re telling me you did it in a month?’

     

                    Harrow was trying not to look pleased with himself. And failing.

     

                    ‘Well,’ Jorra sighed, scratching his head. ‘I suppose there’s no reason to keep you from the next step.’

     

                    He rummaged in his pocket for a while, then slid a piece of parchment with two diagrams on it onto the table. ‘Here.’

     

                    Harrow looked at it and his eyebrows slowly crept up his forehead. Jorra grinned as he finished his tea and stepped out of the dojo.

     

                    ‘This is a sketch of the three hundred and sixty-five primary, secondary and tertiary acupoints of the body. You should visit the library after this, they have an entire series of tomes detailing their effects when pressed or punctured. Most Whispering Fang students only manage to execute attacks on these points when they become Shadeclaws, but since you’re obviously so good at rote memorisation, I expect you to reliably hit all of them in three years.’

     

                    He left Harrow there, squinting painfully at the tiny Akaviri words and the hopeless, tangled mess of lines.

     

     

     

     

     

    *Author's Note: The principles of the Three Claw Arts of Goutfang, Rawlith Khaj and Whispering Fang are not the products of pure imagination. My rendition of Goutfang is based loosely off of the techniques of Israeli Krav Maga, which incorporates very similar tactics. Rawlith Khaj can be thought of as a combination of Muay Thai and Long Fist Style Kung Fu, with the Sand Style Khajiit monk training inspired by the Shaolin Iron Sand Palm training regimen. Whispering Fang is a fancy blend of Tai Chi Chuan, Wing Chun, Ba Gua Zhang, Judo, and the combat acupressure techniques of Jin Rong's wuxia novels.

     

     

    The bits about claws were pulled completely out of my arse, though.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    This entry is part of Roaring Thunder, Hissing Lightning - Assorted Lore.

Comments

7 Comments   |   Karver the Lorc and 2 others like this.
  • Sotek
    Sotek   ·  January 23, 2017
    Aela prefers the 'Grab 'em by the balls and squeeze till they scream; then squeeze harder till they stop. 
    The ancient art of... "A girl getting her own way"...
    :/
    • The Sunflower Manual
      The Sunflower Manual
      Sotek
      Sotek
      Sotek
      Aela prefers the 'Grab 'em by the balls and squeeze till they scream; then squeeze harder till they stop. 
      The ancient art of... "A girl getting her own way"...
      :/
        ·  January 23, 2017
      So many characters in TSC would be naturals in Goutfang.

      Aela even has the claws to go with it! Although I doubt Red would be able to restrain herself enough to target specific areas.

      Hmm. Werewolves and the Three Claw Arts. That...  more
  • Karver the Lorc
    Karver the Lorc   ·  January 23, 2017
    Ah, yes. Good old redirection of momentum. Very useful when it comes to sword vs heavy weapons like axes and maces. It can even disarm an opponent when done right, especially blade vs blade. Nice one, Harrow :)
    • The Long-Chapper
      The Long-Chapper
      Karver the Lorc
      Karver the Lorc
      Karver the Lorc
      Ah, yes. Good old redirection of momentum. Very useful when it comes to sword vs heavy weapons like axes and maces. It can even disarm an opponent when done right, especially blade vs blade. Nice one, Harrow :)
        ·  January 23, 2017
      There is another Whispering fang technique, though, ancient and powerful. Practiced by a certain Orc.
      • Karver the Lorc
        Karver the Lorc
        The Long-Chapper
        The Long-Chapper
        The Long-Chapper
        There is another Whispering fang technique, though, ancient and powerful. Practiced by a certain Orc.
          ·  January 23, 2017
        Lol. "Watch my hands!" :D
        • The Sunflower Manual
          The Sunflower Manual
          Karver the Lorc
          Karver the Lorc
          Karver the Lorc
          Lol. "Watch my hands!" :D
            ·  January 23, 2017
          Hmm. Now that I think about it, blows to the crotch are more Goutfang
          than Whispering Fang. There are scattered clusters of acupoints located
          in the groin... but I don't think Grulmar was aiming for one in
          particular. XD
          • Karver the Lorc
            Karver the Lorc
            The Sunflower Manual
            The Sunflower Manual
            The Sunflower Manual
            Hmm. Now that I think about it, blows to the crotch are more Goutfang
            than Whispering Fang. There are scattered clusters of acupoints located
            in the groin... but I don't think Grulmar was aiming for one in
            particular. XD
              ·  January 23, 2017
            He was aiming for the left one... xD