Re: OT: Corpses, etc. (was: Re: Gender in conlangs (was: Re: Umlauts (was Re: Elves and Ill Bethisad)))

--- John Cowan <cowan@...> wrote:
> Costentin Cornomorus scripsit:
>
> > > I expect that the soldiers are taught how
> to
> > > fight dirty,
> >
> > Nah. They have to _learn_ how to fight clean.
> > They learnt how to fight dirty when they were
> > kiddos wandering the streets of a big and
> > dangerous city!
>
> Street fighters don't have a chance against
> trained unarmed-combat
> or knife-combat soldiers, unless they have at
> least three-to-one
> preponderance or there is some other factor
> involved.
I wouldn't imply that "street fighter" equals
"untrained". Your _average_ city Guard comes to
the job with 10 to 15 years of back alley and pit
fighting. Many are experienced in various sword,
staff and empty hand techniques as well. Much of
this experience is gained in gangs, pits or
dojos.

> The only
> exception is a quarterstaff, which is effective
> simply because
> of its range; they're damned awkward in cities,
> though.
Quite. A standard staff of one and a half ells,
plus an average arm reach of say half and ell
means that you'd be whacking the alley walls as
often as not. Out in the open, they're great!

> (BTW, you don't throw your knife against
> another knife within less
> than five meters, and not further either unless
> you are a wizard at darts.)
You'd be a fool to throw a bronze dagger anyway.
They don't balance well, they're generally heavy
and get all bent and dinged on stone and brick
walls.

Padraic.


=====
fas peryn omen c' yng ach h-yst yn caleor peryn ndia;
enffoge yn omen ach h-yst yn caleor per la gouitha.
   [T. Pratchett]

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