Elven martial schools

MAEN'BAUGLUTH

'The Way of Power Restrained' is a common martial art among The People. It incorporates acrobatic kicks and advanced grapples and throws, in addition to training in the sword and staff. Apart from the lack of the jutte among its weapons, it looks exactly like our world Hapkido.

MAEN EN AMAD'AREDHEL

'The Way of Flowering Elfhood' [last word literally means 'Honourable Elf') is an elven martial art that looks much like Hwa Rang Do of our world, although the bow is emphasised more and the sang-jyel-bong is absent. It teaches healing techniques as well as combative ones, moral philosophy as well as tactics. All students must master the five rules and the nine virtues.

MYTH DRANNOR STYLE

Cormanthor, Cormyr, Dalelands, Elves Warriors trained in this style are adept at fighting orcs and goblinoids. They gain a +1 to attack rolls and a +1 to all damage rolls when fighting orcs or goblinoids.

VELAR'FAEN

'The Defence of Life' is as much a meditation technique as it is a martial art. It resembles our world's Aikido, with elements of T'ai chi ch'uan, principally the use of slow katas for solo exercise and meditation. Many elves learn it to keep fit and limber during long periods of sedentary work. Serious stylists can use it for self-defence with good effect, however. It's often studied by priestesses of Angharradh, Hanali Celandil or Sehanine Moonbow; although the art is by no means confined to clergy or females. It emphasises the mental connection elves feel toward each other and the Weave in all things and teaches healing and fighting even-handedly.

BLADESINGING

In elvish, 'Megilhiniue' or "Hinue'Kerym" (which I'll confess a partiality towards). This quintessential elven style would have to be included in any writeup, of course. I was thinking about having there be a subtle difference between the Aryvandaaran tradition, today melded with surviving Illefarn/Keltomir/etc. traditions and evolved into a style associated with Evermeet and the Cormanthyr tradtion. I also believe there would be a seperate Evereska tradition. Most of them would be close to each other, with the possible exception of pure Aryvandaaran Hinue'Kerym. Then, of course, there is Nael'kerym.
Kerymvian "graceful sword" Keryth "war-sword” the sword style that elven soldiers teach to new recruits, what we'd call "basic training" Kery'faen "life-sword" which focuses on defense and non-lethal combat--i.e., dealing subdual damage and making your opponent defeat himself without harm Mhaor'arkerym "greatsword of the corruptor" a style that utilizes two-handed swords and works to wear down an opponent stylishly and with debilitating magic channeled through one's strikes Natha kerymvian a dueling style developed by the Nathalans of Evermeet (of which Yldar Nathalan is a practitioner, albeit not a skilled one toward the beginning of his career (in 1362 ["tGT"] he's only about 5th level, though by 1374-5 he's about 16th level). kerym syolkiir "shooting star sword" which relies on blasing fast attacks at a distance (similar to what he tries on Walker in the end of the duel) Nyr'iolaa “flash-arrow" for its emphasis on "flashy" (Elvish: nyrrt) moves and feints to distract you and lightning fast "arrow" (Elvish: iolaa) thrusts (generally as ripostes to a missed blow) to finish you Biir-kerym ("junk-sword") is a general term elves use to describe any sword-school they consider inferior to their own (generally speaking, *any* sword-style not taught by elves), and more specifically refers to self-taught swordsmanship

Bladesinger Styles

From its inception as a martial and magical art, Bladesinging has been tied to the sword, more specifically the longsword. Yet many generations of study gave rise to various styles of Bladesinging based on the melee weapon employed. The techniques of these styles are passed from master to students in small schools, some of which have a building dedicated to instruction. Even the newest styles are hundreds of years old, but are still taught by their original creators due to the long lives of elves. Most schools of Bladesinging are in Evermeet or Evereska. One was started in Myth Drannor, but the city’s destruction has scattered those students who survived. Styles of Bladesinging are broadly categorized based on the type of weapon employed, and each is associated with a category of animal. Within that style are specializations named after specific animal types, based on the types of spells employed, the techniques of the master, and the particular weapon used. Bladesingers who apprentice to a master typically get a tattoo of their chosen style’s animal. Some bladesingers learn multiple styles and bear many tattoos, wearing a warning on their skin of their deadly skills.

Cat

Styles that employ a sword belong to this family. The lion style, the eldest, trains practitioners in the use of the longsword and doesn’t favor any particular type of spells. Leopard style focuses on the shortsword and spells of illusion and stealth. Red tiger, a style just three centuries old, has its bladesingers using the scimitar in a whirling dance of defense from which they launch into sudden leaps and attacks.

Bird

Styles that focus on the use of a hafted weapon, such as an axe or hammer, have been grouped together as bird styles, yet they vary wildly. All relatively new styles, they use weapons not typically favored by elves. Eagle-style bladesingers use small handaxes, and many maneuvers in the style focus on fluid ways to throw the weapon and draw a new one. Raven style uses a war pick, and spells associated with it grant the bladesinger more agility in combat.

Snake

Practitioners of these styles use a flail, chain, or whip. Viper style uses a whip, despite its inelegance as a weapon, and has almost as long a history as the lion style. Its masters punctuate their bladesong with a stunningly rapid rhythm of whip cracks, which can keep many foes at bay and allow the bladesinger space to cast the cruel spells of poison and disease favored by the style.

Ahmaquissar Bladesong

This bladesong style uses very fast strikes that come in from the oddest conceivable angles manageable by the lanky practitioners of this style. The wielder must be a Bladesinger or have the Bladesong proficiency. This fighting style comes from the idea that the user can kill off his enemies before they have a chance to mount a battle strategy. And while his enemy's try to follow his rhythms, he is speeding them on to their own demise at his hands. It is almost forgotten today, even amongst high level and ancient Bladesingers. This style is comprised of very fast strikes. This style grants the Bladesinger a bonus to his initiative with his or her chosen weapon. Like the Bladesong style, this style may be purchased twice to gain a to initiative bonus. This proficiency is cumulative with single weapon style.

Evanero Bladesong

This bladesong style uses the powerful and beautiful strikes seen in the elven Blade Dance to cause vicious wounds. The wielder must be a Bladesinger or have the Bladesinging proficiency. This fighting style comes from a nearly extinct elven family that once patrolled the outskirts of Cormanthyy, before the Standing Stone was erected. It is infrequently seen today, even amongst Bladesingers. (One Baelnorn Bladesinger in Myth Drannor, one Stadius Evanero, is known to possess it; as well as his closest relative Wiquaestreal Evanero, his student and nephew. Masol picked it up from Wiquaestreal recently.) This style is comprised of gentle, but swift and decisive strikes to the vulnerable areas of the elf's enemies. This style grants the Bladesinger more damage with his or her chosen weapon. Like the Bladesong style.

Evanero Bladesinging

BA+4, Bladesinging, Dodge, Perform: Dance Elves with this feat gain a +1 to damage rolls when fighting. Evanero Bladesinging This proficiency costs 1 slot. The wielder must be a Bladesinger or have the Bladesinging proficiency. This fighting style comes from a nearly extinct elven family that once patrolled the outskirts of Cormanthyr, before the Standing Stone was erected. It is infrequently seen today, even amongst Bladesingers. (One Baelnorn Bladesinger in Myth Drannor-Stadius Evanero-is known to possess it.) This style grants the Bladesinger a +1 to damage with his or her chosen weapon. Like the Bladesinging style, this style may be purchased twice to gain a +2 to damage.

Lecvero'estrii Bladesong

This bladesong style uses very slow and rhythm-laden strikes, like the elven Blade Dance in slow motion. The wielder must be a Bladesinger or have the Bladesong proficiency. This fighting style comes from the ideas that the user can slow down the tempo of the battle and make his enemy's follow his rhythms, during which he is now thinking three or more steps ahead of them (in this respect it is like a physical game of chess). It is almost forgotten today, even amongst high level and ancient Bladesingers. This style is comprised of slow and deceptive strikes that also serve to cover his person in a protective sphere of blades.

Staryn's Bladesong

Started by Jediah Starym, this bladesong style was simple in one thing and served one purpose only, it was also only able to be used with one weapon. The Moonblade. Though the moonblade would only draw blood it deemed worthy, once unsheathed it would permeate the battlefield in what was called in the common tongue, Mortal Maker. It rid the area of metaphysicial abilities, including the weilders, making the unnatural, natural, mortal, making what might be a supernatural fight, completely natural, leaving the combatants with only their wits and prowess with their weapons to fight.