Two-Worlds-as-One Style
in life, there are many distractions
but one must not become perplexed
for all are called to their duty
and all are called to enlightenment
The Two-Worlds-as-One Style is a Terrestrial Martial Arts Style dating from the time of the Shogunate. Philosophically the Style was rooted in Immaculate (or, some might, argue, proto-Immaculate) religious teachings and the anti-intellectual trends that reached their height near the midpoint of the Shogunate era, and on the wielding of two blades at one time: in one hand the long slashing sword favoured in the Shogunal Court, in the other a curved short sword. Practitioners of the school sought to join the quest for personal perfection, enlightenment, that was the ultimate goal of all things, with the demands of duty and obligation that preserved Creation, just as they joined the wielding of two different types of blade into a single set of techniques. It taught that mastery of two swords, and of both duty and enlightenment, required a practitioner to strip away the distractions of philosophical discussion or textual reference, achieving an empty mind that could react without hesitation.
Unlike many of the 'Iaijutsu' styles which embraced the slashing sword, Two-Worlds-as-One was never considered a dueling style, a single blade believed to always overcome two blades in combat when skill was equal. Rather, it was a battlefield style, able to strike well with its larger blade while the smaller provided defense and flanking attacks, particularly effective in working around shields or engaging multiple opponents.
Due to its anti-intellectual elements, Two-Worlds-as-One Style did not pass on its teachings in manuals or technique scrolls, limiting teaching to masters of the style willing to convey it in its entirety. It was never a widespread Style even during the Shogunate, and after the losses suffered to the population in that time it persisted only in small pockets, including a line in the mountains of Juche Prefecture, from where it has been adopted by a handful of still-living Dynasts. Prince Cathak himself is said to have studied the Style in his youth, but to have later come to favour Fire Dragon Style as a more enlightened path.
ELEMENTAL ASPECT: Two-Worlds-as-One Style is aspected towards Fire.
FORM WEAPONS: The form weapons of Two-Worlds-as-One Style are slashing swords and short swords. Several charms specify the need for one wielded in each hand tro access certain effects.
KNOWN PRACTITIONERS: Gao Jie (daimyo, deceased), Cathak (Imperial Prince, deceased), Cathak Kanshu (5th Imperial Legion officer, deceased), Carpenter Genzaburo (2nd Imperial Legion), ? .
