Institutions of Orm- The Wolves Den

In a dilapidated old terraced house overlooking the untouched corpse of trees that serves as the bridge between Ur-Dun and the Twilight Shores, the duelist Wolfgang has set up a school dedicated to the art of sword fighting-- The Wolves Den. The ruffian struggled to obtain the proper licensing to establish the institution. If not for the favor of one Sir Jerimue of Blackleaf Lodge, Wolfgang would have proven unsuccessful. Sir Jerimue's ward, Lady Elyn Hiley, had been impressed by a demonstration of arms Wolfgang had arranged early in the duelist's time in Orm. When the small talk around Blackleaf Lodge brought news that the swordsman behind the exhibition, now in possession of a blazing magic sword, sought to obtain property to establish a school detected to the art of the sword; Elyn persuaded Sir Jerimue to intercede upon Wolfgang's behalf. And intercede Sir Jerimue did on one condition: that Wolfgang take Lady Elyn Hiley on as his first student.

The Way of the Duelist*

What does it mean to learn the art of dueling taught at the Wolves Den? Until the duelist Wolfgang put on an exhibition of this martial style, it had gone unseen to the folk of Orm. That does not mean, though, that the people of Ur-Dun know nothing about the art and science of fencing. In fact, there are several stories and bits of gossip one could pick up from locals about Duelists. Here is some of what they know about those that practice the way of the duelist:

• While the martial arts of duelists have become worldwide and anyone can “become” a duelist, the art form itself originated from a small desert continent, where its inhabitants practiced near death forms of asceticism to train their bodies to deal with the harsh natures of their region. The act of dueling started as a form of entertainment, as the harsh dunes presented few forms of leisure. In time, this dueling became the standard form of most tribal decision making, disputes, leadership roles, etc. However, purposefully/accidentally killing another duelist within the tribe in a formal duel is strictly forbidden. If one does, they are forced to wear wrappings over your face and are exiled from their tribe until they can atone for the loss of their comrade.
• A duelist must accept any melee challenge presented to them, regardless of stakes. Most duelists prefer both participants to leave the duel alive, as is tradition in a formal duel, however a duelist will do whatever it takes to win.
• Duelists are rumored to move as quick as lightning but as silent as a mouse. It is said that they “dance in a flurry of steel” and “hypnotize those who watch.” Rumors also suggest, to miss an attack on a master duelist, is as fatal as not attacking at all.

Training at the Wolves Den

Wolfgang, interested in seeing his style of sword fighting grab hold in Orm has opened the doors to the school on a donation basis to all that wish to study the art of dueling. Non-dualist's that think that they have what it takes to learn the techniques mastered by Wolfgang can spend a downtime segment with the duelist in training (building off these rules as a template). At the end of the segment, they roll 2d6 + their Level in Fighter. If their total is 7+, they advance 1 tick in their training. Like the requirements for taking the Duelist class itself, any that study at the Wolves Den most have an Intelligence score of 9 or greater. The current available techniques are:

• Off-handed Defense- When wielding a cape or dagger in their off-hand, the user of this technique gains a +1 to AC. It takes three successful downtimes segments of training before they have mastered this technique to use it in combat.
• Swashbuckling- This dynamic fighting style doubles the AC bonus granted by their Dexterity while wearing armor equivalent to leather or lighter. Unlike the previously mentioned techniques, Swashbuckling must be kept up to form. After learning the style from Wolfgang in a downtime segment, it must be continually maintained. When a character spends downtime segment maintaining their form in Swashbuckling by training on their own or with a partner, the benefit of Swashbuckling is in effect until their next downtime segment.

Elyn Hiley- Student

Wolves Den, in the effort to promote the art of dueling, offers the services of its full-time beginning students to be hired for the rate** of 5gp per day along with a 1/2 share of any treasure they help acquire. The school, still in its infancy, currently has only one student available for hireling services:                   
Elyn Hiley- Level 1 Duelist: STR 12 INT 12 WIS 7 (Saves -1 vs Spells) DEX 13 (+1 AC and Missle Weapons) CON 12 CHA 10, HD 1d8 (Rerolled at the start of each session), AC 15, Saves Death 13 Wands 14 Paralysis 13 Breath Attacks 16 Spells 15 Special Abilities: Lighting Riposte, Disarm, Climb Walls 4-in-6 Chance, Stealth 1-in-6 Chance

Equipment: Short Sword (1d6 DMG), Cloak (used in offhand for AC bonus), Leather Armor

If a student of the Wolves Den is permanently lost, Wolfgang is unable to attempt to replenish their ranks until the institution advances its clock.

Complication- The Rashers

The aid granted by Sir Jerimue raised the profile of Wolfgang's efforts. Not all the extra attention was good. That was definitely the case of the interest Wolves Den piqued in The Rashers, a halfling clan that runs underground pit fights on the edge of Orm. Family head, Reward Rasher, has deemed that the Wolves Den falls under the family's realm of regulation. As a result, they demand 100gp per week for the privilege of training fighters in their territory. Now, if Wolfgang was to help with the fights or assist them with an issue they have been having with the Crooked Hand, then maybe a different arrangement could be worked out... 

*Folklore written by Wolfgang's player Charlie and edited by the DM Nick

**Rates are subject to change as students of various ranks are available