Roelof Braam, Master of the Axe and Longsword
Roelof Braam is a name whispered with respect and awe in the martial circles of Seregon and beyond. A former Thalaxe, or royal bodyguard, from the Confederation of Thaloros, Roelof once stood at the side of kings, safeguarding the lives of rulers while silently perfecting his craft. Though known publicly as a master of the longsword, Roelof's true mastery lies with the axe, a weapon that symbolizes both his heritage and his unmatched skill. It is a secret he only reveals to his most advanced students, who have proven themselves worthy of his knowledge.
Tall and imposing, with the weathered look of a seasoned warrior, Roelof moves with a fluidity that belies his size and strength. His slitted green eyes, always calculating, seem to anticipate every movement around him. His hair, streaked with silver, is tied back, and a closely cropped beard frames his strong jaw. Despite his martial prowess, Roelof speaks with a calm, soft voice, his words measured, his tone that of a man who commands respect without ever needing to demand it. His presence is so powerful that the mere act of standing in his proximity feels like a lesson in grace and focus.
Roelof's School of Longsword Fighting
Founded by Roelof Braam in the bustling city of Seregon, the School of Longsword Fighting stands as a beacon of martial excellence, drawing students from across the world. Though the school’s name emphasizes the longsword, Roelof teaches a variety of bladed styles, each known for its unique approach to combat. Students of the school are drilled in techniques that cover a wide range of fighting philosophies, from the elegant Albareas Court Fencing to the brutal Seven Sins knife fighting. Roelof ensures his students leave as versatile warriors, prepared for any battle.
Roelof's philosophy revolves around the mental and physical refinement of his students. Training under Roelof is rigorous, demanding both strength of body and clarity of mind. Students spend as much time perfecting their footwork and balance as they do honing their swordsmanship. Roelof’s unique drills, such as practicing on the narrow edge of the city wall or learning to dance to master rhythm and timing, challenge students to understand that true martial mastery is a blend of precision and grace.
A Master of Many Disciplines
Roelof's curriculum is famous for its breadth, pulling from elite schools of swordplay from across the world:
- Albareas Court Fencing, known for its elegance and precision, teaches finesse and lightning-quick strikes, favoring noble styles of dueling.
- Vander of the Thunderwardens (King's Guard), a powerful and disciplined style practiced by the King’s Guard, emphasizing strength and endurance.
- Eight Leaves One Blade, the deadly art of the Immortals of Karsis, where each movement is executed with lethal efficiency and grace, blending philosophy with combat.
- Seven Sins knife fighting, a close-quarters combat technique, brutal and efficient, often taught as a backup in case larger weapons are lost or unavailable.
Roelof often invites other masters to teach their specialized forms, such as Wilma "Weird" Maarschalkerweerd of the Order of the Dawn, whose infamous Weerdblade Strike is both feared and revered for its unpredictability and savagery.
The Axe: Roelof’s True Weapon
While Roelof has built his reputation as a master of the longsword, he remains a peerless wielder of the axe. His time as the head Thalaxe for the King of Thaloros gave him a profound understanding of this often-underestimated weapon. In his most private sessions, Roelof reveals the secrets of axe combat to his elite students. Those who are lucky enough to learn from him soon realize that his true deadly art is not the sword but the axe, and his teachings on balance, leverage, and raw power take them to another level of combat mastery.
Training and the Path to Mastery
Training at Roelof’s school is not for the faint of heart. Every lesson is a test, both of martial skill and mental discipline. Students are pushed to their absolute limits, undergoing exercises designed to break them down so they can be rebuilt as warriors. Among the most famous drills is the practice of fighting on the narrow edge of the city wall, where one misstep means failure, or learning to dance to master timing, often to the bemusement of new students.
Roelof teaches his students to pray to the indifferent god Crom before duels or battles, a form of meditation that strips them of ego and sharpens their focus. This practice, which Roelof himself has followed for decades, instills in his students a humility before combat, ensuring they respect their opponents and the forces of fate.
The school has attracted elite warriors from across the globe, including members of the Iron Guard, Ithosian Talons, and the Immortals of Karsis. Many come to not only refine their own techniques but to learn those of their enemies, making Roelof’s school a crossroads of international combat styles.
Roelof’s Master Class
Only the most skilled and dedicated students are allowed into Roelof’s master class, a selective group that receives his personal instruction. In these sessions, Roelof teaches the most advanced techniques—strategies known to few outside the walls of his school. His master class comes with a steep price—30,000 gold pieces—but the investment often results in warriors whose strength, dexterity, or constitution increases dramatically after completing their training. Many of these elite students go on to become bodyguards for kings, generals, or even legendary adventurers in their own right. On rare occasions, Roelof offers scholarships to those who deems worthy of training.
A Legacy of Martial Excellence
Roelof Braam’s school is more than just a training ground—it is a forge for legends. His teachings have shaped some of the greatest warriors in the world, and those who survive his intense regimen emerge as masters of their craft, their body and spirit tempered by Roelof’s relentless pursuit of perfection. For Roelof, martial skill is more than technique—it is a way of life, a pursuit of honor and mastery that goes beyond the battlefield.
Those who train under Roelof Braam do not merely learn to fight; they learn to become warriors—in every sense of the word.