(I found this school at http://seventhsea.itgo.com/7thsea/fancymoves/school05.txt, and they apparently took it off of the GM's listserv. All Props to Nancy Schultz)
Country of Origin: Eisen
Description: Drachentanze was born of the Passion Plays and Morality plays from older days. At first highly stylized, its martial applications began when a troupe of actors was caught in the middle of a battlefield. The actors that traditionally played the Heroes and Villains in the plays took up the arms of fallen warriors and defended their fellows from the soldiers and knights of both sides. From there it developed into a full school of swordsman-ship over the decades, though it never gained the level of popularity that other schools, such as Eisenfist, did. Because of the performing aspects of the school it is seen as weak or "effete" by some, others say it is base or "common". Always few in number, the Drachentanze were devastated by the War of the Cross. Born in religion, many of the schools were torn apart as religious differences turned Masters and Students against each other. Now, only two teachers remain, and they are on opposite sides of the religious fence, and only the order of the Heirophant keeps them from trying to wipe each other out. With the number of new students on a steady decline, the school is slowly dying out.
Still, the style is impressive to watch. Song, dance and dramatics are often a part of a Drachentanzer's arsenal, and are as important the sword he wields and the armor he wears. A Drachentanzer who can afford it, and find a smith skilled enough, will often commission a sword that is drilled and grooved to "Sing" in harmony with both the ring of the sword when it connects with another blade, and the voice of the warrior himself.
The main weakness of the Drachentanze School stems from its origin of Stage Combat in passion plays. Every play is scripted, and if a Drachentanzer can be forced to assume a roll, then his moves become more predictable. If he can be forced into the roll of a villain, then he could even defeat himself.
Basic Curriculum: Performer, Heavy Weapon
Swordsman Knacks: Disarm (Heavy Weapons), Feint (Heavy Weapons), Tagging (Heavy Weapon), Exploit Weakness (Drachentanze)
Apprentice: The Drachentanzer first learns how to use dancing to aid in his defense. He gains one free raise with Parry (Heavy Weapons) and may substitute his Dancing for his Footwork.
Journeyman: Journeymen Drachentanzers now incorporate the Battlesong
into their fights, disheartening their opponents. The songs are often low and
menacing or mournful, as the Drachentanzer sings of his opponent's death. At
the beginning of combat, the Drachentanzer may roll Panache + Singing, TN 15
to gain +1 Fear rating. If the Drachentanzer does not have a fear rating, this
provides a fear rating as one. Each round of combat, the TN increases by 5,
and a successful roll increases the Fear Rating by 1. If the Drachentanzer makes
the previous round's TN, but not the current one, then the Fear rating does
not increase. If the Drachentanzer fails the roll, then the fear rating is lost.
Example: Katrin begins combat and makes her roll. She gains a fear rating
of 1. Next round, if she makes the roll against a TN of 20 her fear rating goes
to 2. If she only makes the roll if the TN were still 15, her Fear rating remains
at 1. The third round, she has to make the roll against a 25 to increase her
Fear Rating, or a 20 to keep it, and so on.
Master: The Drachentanze is a master of the Dance, and can incorporate his opponent's moves into his own dance, avoiding his opponent's defenses almost completely. The Drachentanzer spends a Drama Die and receives a number of raises equal to his dancing. These free raises are included when calculating the target number for Active Defense by the target.