Ortega School

Country of Origin: (Occupied) Castille

Description: A priest of unorthadox disciplines, Padre Ramon Santiago Ortega was known for his philosophy of "pensamientos", or deep thoughts, used to guide actions. He applied these proverbs most often within his ecclectic university, which taught everything from theology to swordplay. After his assassination, his daughter and student, Inez Rodriguez Ortega, began an order of philosopher swordsmen to fight the Inquisition.

The concentrated discipline of the Ortega style of swordplay allows for impenetrable focus. No disciple of Ortega's is allowed to graduate if anything proves a distraction to him or her, as focus is the key to victory. Their studies provide for a calculating wit that gives their mind as much edge as their blades.

The narrow focus of an Ortega fencer allows more open minded opponents to use non-traditional techniques to pass as "distractions", right through any defenses.

Basic Curriculum: Fencing, Scholar

Swordsman Knacks: Disarm (Fencing), Feint (Fencing), Lunge (Fencing), Exploit Weakness (Ortega)

Apprentice: "To remember the words, you must remember the meaning." By recalling just the right saying at the right time, an Ortega student can gain the inspiration to defeat his opponent. A journeyman may spend an action to concentrate and roll his Resolve+Philosophy, TN 20. Success grants a Drama Die usable only for this combat, with an additional Drama Die for each raise called.

Journeyman: "You must focus to be able to see the details." After rolling initiative, you may immediately turn any (or all) of your Actions into Drama Dice. This must happen before the first phase of the round. These Drama Dice are good for this battle only; they disappear after combat.

Master: "To master the blade, you must first master your heart." When in a duel that involves something of great importance to him, an Ortega master can turn his emotions into deadly focus. If combat involves one of the Master's Backgrounds, all attacks, parries and initiative have a number of unkept dice equal to the number of point invested in the Background. Example: Alonzo Madera Rosita, a master of the Ortega style, is facing the man who killed his father in a duel to the death. Since the villain is a Nemisis 3, Alonzo adds +3k0 to his initiative, parries and attacks.

Last updated: April 1, 2004
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