Whips

Skill Overview

The short whip used by gladiators (and originally for punishment and the control of animals) is made from braided leather strips. They are tightly coiled around a short length of wood, or a thicker piece of leather at the handle end, often with a wrist-loop for convenience. At the opposite end, they are either wrapped into a slightly stiff, very durable, narrow end with a bronze bit; or split for the last foot or so, with or without several smaller bits. The overall length of the whip is about six feet, and an average fighter can strike at someone who is standing seven to nine feet away with it.

Basic familiarity with the short whip means that the wielder won't take out her own eye or flay her own cheek, and can make it crack every time without having to think too hard about it. It also means that she can strike in a general area, such as "over that horse's head", with reasonable confidence. As a weapon, the short whip is a very difficult and complex style to learn and use well. In the hands of a master, however, the whip is capable of disarming and mutilating opponents with blinding finesse.

For guidance on using the skill set, see the Whips Guide.

					Skill Info			Ranks Taught by Trainer
Skills/Actions	Difficulty	Hands	Range	Wound	Prerequisites	Ariston	Vashren	**Prestis
Short Whip	Easy	-	-	-	-	300	500	154
Whip Fast Coil Stance	Easy	1	-	-	-	100	100	154
Whip Sky Circle Stance	Easy	1	-	-	-	100	100	154
Whip Triple Crack	Average	1	Long	-	-	100	175	154
Whip Precise Snap	Difficult	1	Either	Cut	20 Ranks in Simple Strike	300	500	154
Whip Simple Strike	Easy	1	Either	Cut	-	300	500	154
Whip Forward Snap	Average	1	Either	Cut	-	300	500	-
Whip Ankle Trap	Average	1	Short	-	-	300	500	154
Whip Neck Trap	Difficult	1	Short	-	-	300	500	154
Whip Slow Entangle	Average	1	Short	-	-	300	500	154
Whip Short Entangle	Difficult	1	Long	-	20 Ranks in Slow Entangle	300	500	154
Whip Face Strike	Average	1	Long	Cut	20 Ranks in Simple Strike	300	500	154
Whip Waist Trap	Average	1	Short	-	-	300	500	154
Whip Lykatos' Scourge	Average	1	Either	Cut Cut Cut	20 Ranks in Simple Strike 20 Ranks in Triple Crack	300	500	154
Whip Flick Strike	Average	1	Either	Cut	20 Ranks in Simple Strike	300	500	154
Whip Sky Circle Slash	Average	1	Either	Cut	Sky Circle Stance	300	500	154
Whip Sky Circle Rake	Difficult	1	Short	Cut Cut	Sky Circle Stance 20 Ranks in Sky Circle Slash	300	500	154
Whip Sky Circle Scourge	Difficult	1	Either	Cut Cut Cut	Sky Circle Stance 40 Ranks in Sky Circle Slash 40 Ranks in Sky Circle Rake	300	500	154
Whip Coil Block	Average	-	-	-	Whip Fast Coil Stance	300	500	154
Whip Flogging the Bull	Average	1	Either	-	40 Ranks in Simple Strike 40 Ranks in Precise Snap	300	500	154
Whip Accuracy	Difficult	-	-	-	-	100	100	154
Whip Grip	Impossible	-	-	-	-	100	100	154

Directions to Ariston (Iridine): Walk to Bronze, Ex2, NEx2, N, Ex4, N, W
Directions to Vashren (Seld): Walk to Seld (Town Square), Nx2, W
Directions to Prestis (Colosseum): Walk to Colosseum, Nx2, Wx2, N.

Notes on Learning

Prestis will only teach you once you have enough reputation#Aralex.

Skill Details

Whip Fast Coil Stance fastcoil

The wielder jerks the whip from full extension to a coil gripped in her hand in a split-second. While also visually impressive, it serves to provide a small bonus to the next snaring strike. At slightly above the grand mastered level, this move reaches it's full potential; the wielder will be able to coil her whip instantaneously almost without thinking about it, giving her a better chance at landing any whip trap or entangling maneuver.

The maximum bonus for a weapon stance is generally achieved at 100 ranks.

When you see this in use you see:

A gladiator flicks her wrist, making her short whip coil up into her hand.

Whip Triple Crack triplecrack

The wielder cracks the whip swiftly forwards, backwards, and then forwards again. If it hits something, the timing is completely lost. This is a means of showing off, and it is especially useful at intimidating gladiatorial opponents. It can distract an opponent momentarily, providing a bonus to the whip wielder's next attack. Naturally, it can't be done with anyone close by.

• This maneuver provides a bonus to the wielder's next attack. The bonus does not appear to increase with higher ranks in this skill, so it is not necessary to train beyond what is required to obtain a 5 success.

When you see this in use you see:

In several masterful wrist motions, a gladiator brings her arm forward, back and forward again, snapping her short whip three times, each bringing forth a loud *CRACK*.

Whip Precise Snap psnap

The wielder cracks the whip somewhere specific- like an eye, or mouth, or ear, or lips. With a single-bit whip, this will result in minimal damage three times in four, but the fourth will usually be so surprising as to stun the opponent for a few moments.

When you see this in use you see:

You curl your wrist into a tight loop, causing your short whip to snap out at a gladiator! He suffers a cut to his face. You curl your wrist into a tight loop, causing your short whip, to crack at a gladiator, but miss. A gladiator is stunned! You curl your wrist into a tight loop, causing your short whip to snap out at a gladiator! He suffers a cut to his face. The solid blow stuns him!

Whip Simple Strike strike

The most basic lashing strike using the bit of the short whip, simple strike is often used for purposes of flogging and punishment, as well as in combat.

When you see this in use you see:

With a fluid back and forth motion, a gladiator strikes at a thug with the tip of her short whip, but misses.

Whip Forward Snap fsnap

A sudden forward-snapping motion of the whip that is capable of bypassing a portion of the opponent's defense, similar to the "upswing" type attacks of other weapons. As a result of its defense penetration, this attack is highly accurate.

When you see this in use you see:

You swing your scale whip forward and suddenly pull back as it reaches length, snapping the tip at a gladiator! He suffers a devastating cut to his right thigh.

Whip Ankle Trap ankle , yank

A specialized short entangle, this is harder to do because of the angle involved, but it is also much harder to defend against than most other entangling maneuvers. If successful, the wielder has a few seconds to yank the whip and try to topple her opponent, a contest of balance and strength more than skill. The victim can free himself, if strong enough (free me). The snare can be avoided completely by a well-timed jump or leg dodge, but it is nearly impossible to block. The attacker can also release the snare if they so choose (free whip).

When you see this in use you see:

With a deft wrist motion, a gladiator snaps her short whip downwards at a thug's feet. The length of her short whip wraps around a thug's ankle, pinning him in place.

Whip Neck Trap neck , yank

The wielder lashes her whip forward, attempting to wrap it around the opponent's neck. The attacker can then yank the whip to hurt the victim while the whip remains snared. If the entangle is successful, any kind of neck protection is extremely valuable for the victim unfortunate enough to be on the receiving end of the entangle. The victim can free himself, if strong enough (free me), or he can choose to continue attacking while snared. However, the latter option may not be wise. A strong whip wielder may throttle her opponent into unconsciousness, or even crush his windpipe. The attacker can also release the snare if they so choose (free whip).

When you see this in use you see:

In a single rapid motion, a gladiator lashes out at a thug with her short whip. The length of her short whip wraps around a thug's neck, squeezing tightly!

Whip Slow Entangle entangle , yank

The wielder tries to entangle a weapon with about half the whip's length. Only usable in close quarters -- close enough for the opponent to stick a sword in you -- and not very fast, this is unlikely to work unless the opponent is not skilled enough to dodge the snare. If successful, a sharp yank of the whip may pull the victim off balance, disarm him, or even fling the weapon completely out of his hands. The wielder of the entangled weapon has a chance to free it as well, but must be quite a bit stronger than the whip wielder (free ).

When you see this in use you see:

A gladiator snaps her short whip forward at a thug. The length of her short whip wraps around a thugs tin dagger, binding it tightly!

Whip Short Entangle short , yank

This more difficult version of the weapon entangle takes a steady, precise hand to accomplish. The wielder strikes from farther away, attempting to use that distance to surprise her opponent, who probably does not expect to be snared from so far way. This technique uses only the last foot or so of the whip to entangle a spear-shaft, sword blade, or similar exposed part of the opponent's weapon. If it succeeds, it's very hard for the opponent to avoid, very fast, and results in an very tight snare. At this point, a sharp yank of the whip can often fling the opponent's weapon completely out of his hands. The wielder of the entangled weapon has a chance to free it, but must be quite a bit stronger than the whip wielder (free )

When you see this in use you see:

Pulling her wrist above and behind her head before snapping forward suddenly, a gladiator sends her short whip lashing out towards a thug, but misses.

Whip Waist Trap waist , yank

Usable at sword-reach, this maneuver tries to wrap the whip all the way around the opponent's waist. The victim can free himself, if strong enough (free me). It is very unlikely to pin or trap an arm, and as a result the opponent can often continue attacking. However, if the wielder gives her whip a sharp yank it may pull her opponent off balance or even onto his knees, while still maintaining the snare around the waist. The attacker can also release the snare if they so choose (free whip).

When you see this in use you see:

The length of her short whip wraps around a thug's waist, binding him tightly.

Whip Face Strike facestrike

The wielder uses the last foot of the whip to snap a vicious lashing arc across the target's face. Usable only at a distance, it is very useful for distracting and causing extreme pain to an opponent. Obviously, it can only be used against targets with some kind of face and head.

When you see this in use you see:

With a deft wrist motion, a gladiator snaps her short whip overhead at a thug, the bit arcing viciously across his face! He suffers a cut to his face.

Whip Lykatos' Scourge scourge

This ancient technique is a variation of Triple Crack and similar lashing attacks, causing multiple cuts on an opponent's upper body almost instantaneously. Stunning in the arena and frightening elsewhere, it is an extremely difficult series of attacks to block or dodge, and has often signaled the end of an intense battle in the arena for the unfortunate foe that is on the receiving end of the scourge.

When you see this in use you see:

A gladiator brings her arm forward, back and forward again, lashing her short whip across a thug viciously! He suffers a cut to his neck. He suffers a cut to his head. He suffers a cut to his face.

Whip Flick Strike flick

After learning the basic method of using one's whole arm to cause the whip to crack, the wielder learns how to shorten the necessary movement until all that is needed is her forearm and wrist. The result is a quick, snap-like attack which is extremely fast, but at the same time extremely hard to control. Failure can result in self-inflicted wounds as the poorly-controlled whip cuts its wielder. Flick Strike cannot be aimed. The location it strikes is entirely random. It is weaker than Simple Strike, but much faster. Because of this speed, Flick Strike is harder to block than Simple Strike.

When you see this in use you see:

Flicking her wrist and forearm, a gladiator quickly snaps her short whip at a thug! He suffers a shallow cut to his right hand.

Whip Sky Circle Stance scircle

This iconic motion is easy to learn, and most experienced whip users can pull it off with little effort. Twirling the arm from the elbow, the wielder creates a spinning circle above her head. Though it can be used to impress small children, this technique's usefulness lies in the attacks that can be spun off of it. A whip wielder who has mastered this stance can assume it instantaneously as part of the motion of any other Sky Circle attack. This can be a deal breaker in a fight, when those few seconds saved could mean the difference between victory or defeat. Grand masters of this stance often maintain it even while using other maneuvers, always ready to rain down a terrifying Sky Circle slash, scourge, or rake on their foes.

The maximum bonus for a weapon stance is generally achieved at 100 ranks.

When you see this in use you see:

With a graceful motion of the wrist, a gladiator twirls her short whip until the length forms a spinning circle above her head.

Whip Sky Circle Slash cslash

With the whip's lashing end twirling in a circle above the head, the wielder gradually expands the size of the arc while increasing the speed, and therefore the cutting power, of the whip's length. The wielder directs the arc towards her target, resulting in a painful slashing strike that is extremely hard to defend against. This maneuver can only be performed after the wielder has assumed the Sky Circle Stance. It is aimed high by default but can also be aimed at the mid. It cannot be aimed low, nor is it accurate enough to be aimed at specific body parts.

When you see this in use you see:

A gladiator expands her short whip's twirling circle into a powerful slash aimed at a thug! He suffers a cut to his left hand.

Whip Sky Circle Rake crake

This is an advanced variation of other more common Sky Circle maneuvers. With the whip twirling above him, the wielder, instead of expanding the arc, kneels down and draws the spinning circle tighter. At a precise moment, she lets it spin out of control, raking the target's lower body with up to two damaging strokes. This maneuver can only be performed after the wielder has assumed the Sky Circle Stance. This attack can only be aimed low and it is not accurate enough to be aimed at specific body parts.

When you see this in use you see:

A gladiator kneels down, pulling the twirling circle of her short whip around her before spinning it out of control and raking a thug! He suffers a deep cut to his left leg. He suffers a deep cut to the left foot.

Whip Sky Circle Scourge scscourge

One of the most advanced variations of the sky circle techniques, Sky Circle Scourge requires extensive knowledge of both Sky Circle Slash and Sky Circle Rake. Once the whip user has established a good twirling motion with her whip, she moves aggressively towards her opponent, stepping forward towards them and twirling in place with each diagonal slash, while continuing the rapid twirling motion of the whip. The result is a very fast and powerful series of up to three slashes that rake the opponent. This attack is traditionally and most easily aimed high, but may be aimed toward the middle or lower areas of the opponent if enough extra effort is put forth. It is not accurate enough to aim at specific body parts.

When you see this in use you see:

A gladiator expands the spinning whip above her head into a series of diagonal slashes aimed at a thug, stepping forward and twirling in pace with each cut!

Whip Coil Block

Whips' only blocking maneuver. Protects against certain maneuvers that are not otherwise easily dodged or blocked, such as weapon hooks and catches.

When you see this in use you see:

A gladiator attempts to catch your hair whip with his arena trident, but misses. With an inside-out motion, you block the attack with your coiled whip!

Whip Flogging the Bull feint

After the wielder is capable in both basic striking techniques and using pin-point strokes, she is now fast and accurate enough to cause several rapid cracks at the same spot in succession. In combat, one use of this skill is disorienting and confusing an opponent by delivering a barrage of whip cracks around his face. The sight of a heavily armed warrior reeling from this technique is similar to that of an angry bull confounded by an animal trainer with a whip. This maneuver works much like other feinting techniques. It is automatically aimed high, and cannot be aimed elsewhere. Due to the various whip attacks that automatically aim high, Flogging the Bull is one of the most effective feinting techniques available, and can devastate opponents if used correctly.

When you see this in use you see:

With pinpoint precision, a gladiator cracks her short whip several times around a thug's face! A thug has left a large high defensive opening.

Whip Accuracy

With enough training in Accuracy, you are able to raise your perception in combat situations. A grandmaster in this skill will be equivalent to low-end great perception.

When you see this in use you see:

(This is a passive skill that improves your perception, making it easier to hit targets.)

Whip Grip

With enough training in Grip, you are able to raise your dexterity in combat situations. A grandmaster in this skill will be equivalent to low-end great dexterity.

When you see this in use you see:

(This is a passive skill that improves your dexterity, making it significantly easier to hit targets.)