(09-04-2015, 12:46 PM)Desitjant Wrote:(09-03-2015, 04:18 PM)Sylentmana Wrote: As for the Lancer skills, that one is still a little iffy. I thought I could do something with the naginata as it was considered to be a feminine weapon in medieval Japan. I might just have to drop it from her background though and have her learn the skills later in Gridania. This is what I'm going to have her do for the Pugilist class, so in regards to her background, she actually hasn't learned any hand-to-hand combat techniques yet and I shouldn't have put that in there.
For my two gil, I would say either make the the lancer skills another part of her backstory (distinct in some way from her role as a shrine maiden) or incorporate them into her current narrative trajectory. It is true that the naginata was used by certain women in Japan in defensive and even military capacities, but the women who used them were somewhat different from the character you're describing:
1) Most of the female naginata-wielders were not warriors, but they would have been members of the warrior class/caste. Naginata may not have the same cultural significance as the set of samurai swords, but not just anyone would have them. They required a higher level of craftsmanship than other polearms (the construction process of the blade is no different from a katana), making them objects of value - part of a bride's dowry, even.
2) An onna bugeisha, the iconic naginata-wielding woman appearing in art or literature, was kinda on a different level from those who were simply trained in its use. This description of one Tomoe Gozen may have exaggerated some of her exploits (as so many legends do), but the perception of her as an emblematic "warrior woman" is not innaccurate:
...She was also a remarkably strong archer, and as a swords-woman she was a warrior worth a thousand, ready to confront a demon or a god, mounted or on foot. She handled unbroken horses with superb skill; she rode unscathed down perilous descents. Whenever a battle was imminent, Yoshinaka sent her out as his first captain, equipped with strong armor, an oversized sword, and a mighty bow; and she performed more deeds of valor than any of his other warriors.Â
TLDRÂ
I think that with her current history/origin story, Ryoko would not be quite that martially inclined, but the bow, and even some hand-to-hand combat, would be very appropriate. However, that certainly doesn't preclude her from learning its use now, and spearing Garleans with it like meat on a miq'abob.
Also, apologies if that was more about the naginata than you ever wished to know. It has so many interesting distinctions from other polearms; I always feel that if you're gonna use it, swing for the fences XD
That was very useful information, actually. I know the story of Tomoe Gozen from my Japanese Literature classes when I was in college and I was considering having Ryoko grow from a simple shrine maiden into a kind of divine onna bugeisha, so to speak. That largely depends on whether or not SE releases a Samurai class, though.
I do think I'll just have learn polearm skills later.
