"I will parry your prima attacks on my three-quarters radial, and take zeh high ground. With just a fifty-three inch reach, you can't win this fight using a cutting blade. Not with such a poor stance, senor."
- —Anonymous Diestro[2a]
![An diestro[1a]](https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/warhammerfb/images/b/b1/Estalian_Diestro.png/revision/latest?cb=20161219224315)
Diestros are skilled swordsmen hailing from the southern realm of Estalia who are adherents of the Figueroa fighting style. Having studied fighting styles from across the Old World, these adventurers are nearly unbeatable in combat and inspire utmost confidence in their companions.[1a][4a]
The Estalian kingdoms lie southwest of the Empire. There the threat of Chaos seems remote. The Chaos Wastes are quite distant from this sunny land, which has never witnessed the wrath of bloodthirsty hordes the way the Empire and Kislev have. Its people engage in other pursuits, from science and scholarship to crime and vendetta.[1a]
One thing Estalians dearly love is swordplay. Its cities sport many fencing schools, each with its own style. Many of these styles are descended from the teachings of Master Figueroa, a legendary swordsman who applied the latest scientific theories to his swordplay with spectacular results. Followers of the Figueroa style, known as diestros, fight and duel across Estalia. Some, bored with their homeland, seek excitement elsewhere, favouring Tilea and Bretonnia. The bravest travel northeast to the Empire to test their rapiers against worthy opponents, and to see a land in the front line of the struggle against Chaos.[1a]
The knights of Bretonnia and diestros of Estalia have been known to harbour rivalries. They have very little understanding of one another's fighting styles, and this incomprehension has been responsible for much of the existing tension between the realms.[3a]
Outcast nobles and skilled duellists from distant lands band together in their exile in the Border Princes, driven from their home due to intrigue and treachery, forming companies of deadly warriors, sometimes composed of Estalian diestros and Tilean Duellists.[6a][6b]
Sparring Words[]
Estalians are known to be a talkative and vivacious people, both in love and quarrel. Between diestros, engaging in dialogue during combat is expected. Non-diestros, although not expected to reciprocate, aren't spared the verbal assault that accompanies a diestro's rapier.[2a]
- Introduccione - Diestros consider it poor form to cross swords without first introducing oneself. In a tournament, the fighter who draws steel before exchanging formalities is disqualified. This is an appropriate time to comment on reputations and parentage.[2a]
- Metodologia - Amid the opening thrusts and parries of combat, a diestro explains how he will win, in technical or even mathematical terms. Tournament discourse follows a strict code, allowing either party to question the other's calculations. Street fights are somewhat less orderly, sounding more like jargon-shouting contests.
- Critica - After several blows have been traded, diestros vocally analyse the other's technique. Individual personalities set the tenor of this analysis, but usually the goal is to demoralise the enemy. In theory, tournaments enforce polite conduct, but in practice this only encourages veiled insults and false platitudes.[2a]
- Ultimos Floreo - The winner customarily salutes his fallen opponent with a dazzling flourish. If the opponent is still alive, a verbal summary of the fight may follow. Tournament fighters must yield the last word to the victor.[2a]
Notable Diestros[]
- Bastello - Bastello of Magritta is a contemporary sword master. He has passed his art on to the Bright Wizard Sienna Fuegonasus.[5a]
- Claudius Estevan and Manuel Casanova - Two of the greatest Estalian swordsmen in recent memory[2a]
- Figuera - Master Figuera, also called Figueroa, was a legendary swordsman who established the foundation of the sword-fighting styles used by Estalian diestros.[2a]
Trivia[]
The Spanish term diestro refers to a person who uses his right hand for most activities. From this it came to describe someone skilled, capable or clever in a particular field. In the world of Spanish bullfighting, the word took on a more specialised meaning, designating the torero or matador, the expert who demonstrates mastery in the arena and kills the bull.
Sources[]
- 1: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd Edition: Core Rulebook (RPG)
- 1a: pg. 38
- 2: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd Edition: Career Compendium (RPG)
- 2a: pg. 69
- 3: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd Edition: Knights of the Grail (RPG)
- 3a: pg. 29
- 4: Man O' War: Corsair (PC game)
- 4a: Estalia Crew
- 5: Vermintide II (PC game)
- 6: Warhammer The Old World: Arcane Journal - The War of Settra's Fury (Specialist Game)