Ti Bet Chi

Ti Bet Chi is a rare swordfighting technique, with emphasis on constant swirling movement, meant to provide mobility, confuse opponents, and establish a defensive radius around the fighter. It was designed for situations where the fighter is outnumbered and unable to focus on one threat at a time. It was made famous by a Jeceau swordfighter named Dervish, during the Myriad. Dervish performed Ti Bet Chi for show, and the technique became colloquially known as the "Dervish dance" even though he did not invent it.

Proper, traditional Ti Bet Chi requires two swords and a specific costume. The swords are lightweight, slightly curved, and designed for slashing (rather than thrusting). Long, colorful, lightweight satin ribbons are tied to the fighter's wrists. As the fighter twirls, the ribbons trace a swirling, tornado-like pattern in the air, obscuring the fighter's body, her movements, and the positions of her swords. Additional ribbons may be tied to the head (as a headband), the hair, the elbows, the ankles, or the hilts of the swords. Other than optional bracers at the wrist cuffs, traditional Ti Bet Chi is unarmored. Instead, the fighter wears lightweight clothes and prioritizes mobility, speed, and evasion.

Alternatively, the fighter may opt to use only one sword and one ribbon, in opposite hands. The form is defined by the constant twirling movement and slashing strikes, rather than by the costume.

Ti Bet Chi is more defensive than offensive, designed to confuse groups of enemies, evade and parry attacks from multiple directions at the same time, maintain strong situational awareness, and create distance between the fighter and his foes. It is not designed for dueling, nor for use against heavily armored enemies. Nor is it appropriate for pitched battle between armies in the open field. Nonetheless, a skilled Ti Bet Chi warrior can resemble a blender against crowded, disorganized, unarmored foes -- twin spinning blades steadily cutting down the crowd, never stopping.

In present-day Landfall, there are only two Ti Bet Chi masters remaining: Samurrian and Fiorah of the Chalice Moon. They perform the style as a dance for audiences, often with only the ribbons and no swords at all. Samurrian taught it to Fiorah when they were both young, but Fiorah has far surpassed her teacher and is now the expert. It is not clear how Samurrian learned it.

In ancient Elder, ti'bet shi means "The Shield of Colors" or "The Wall of Colors" wherein the "Shield" or "Wall" is a reference to a proper noun whose significance has been forgotten.