"Oh? You think to fight me in the style of a Tilean streetfighter?’ -- ‘The trick is to employ the cape as not only shield but weapon. Catch your enemy’s blade in its folds, if you can, but there is many another trick. -- ‘Strike the hand of some handsome noble and watch them recoil from so minor a blow, dropping dagger or sword from fingers stung by so little a thing.’ -- ‘Then one can always cast one’s cloak about the enemy. He will panic, trying to fend off your cloak, and exposing himself for one instant to the steel in your hand."
Tilean Duellists ambushing their target
Tilean Duellists are top-of-the-range hired killers. Very flashy and very expensive, these professionals have a reputation for fighting dirty, even by Tilean standards.[3a]
The land of Tilea is famous for its numerous vendettas, as rich and poor families alike resolve their feuds with the use of duellists. They are usually equipped with a sword and a dagger, and with throwing knives for killing the enemy from the distance, yet the most notorious equipment in use by these fighters are their cloaks, used to deflect enemies' attacks and to confuse them.[3a]
All the duelling instructors of the city of Nuln in the Empire teach the Tilean style, which is disliked particularly by sergeants of the Reiksguard, who considered it a fitting style only for women and who preferred to hold their sword at waist height, pointed at their opponent.[2a]
Notable Tilean Duellists[]
- Savio - Savio was a duellist famous in Tobaro, Miragliano and Luccini. His name was reckoned as that of the greatest duellist to ever practise the art of the vendetta.[4a]
- Vespero - Vespero is one of the most infamous hired killers and bodyguards on the market.[1a]