Shielded Brute

Brutes armed with a short blade and round shield. Their stances look convincing until the flaws show: too slow to begin, too quick to recover. When the shield rises, the legs are exposed. Still, their light feet can punish anyone who relies on strength alone.

No master taught them these forms. They picked them up at market fighting rings and caravan resting places. Once, they hoped to save enough to seek a teacher. Then they counted the household grain and their elders' medicine, and put the dream aside... Transcension took only days, with no money and no journey required.