Shadow Fighting

From Duels Content

[edit] The Creation of the Kage-musa or Shadow Fighting Effect

For a hundred years, among the ruling elite, dueling became a fashionable way to settle disputes of clan and family honor. In time, these duels gained popularity among the lower classes and the first, clandestine dueling arenas were created. Not long after, wagering on fights becomes a lucrative business, and one the nobility would not be able to ignore for very long...

In 200 MKII, Prince Arkiras of Parathas, son of Queen Ophiris, was killed in a duel with Machanite Baron Tavian. Fearing unrest in the newly conquered Parathian states, Emperor Machanas I made dueling among the nobility illegal and punishable by death. Baron Tavian was executed for his part in the duel.

The Arkiras Dueling Prohibition gave rise to the use of the kage-musa effect among duelists as a way of hiding their identities, who consequently became known as Shadow Fighters. Through the use of this illusion all that can be seen by spectators are the silhouettes of duelists. Despite the occlusion, some Duelists would still choose unusual armor or weapons that allowed them to display dramatic outlines--and from this, the fans could often differentiate the combatants.

To this day, even though dueling is now officially sanctioned by the Archons of Phyrra, this kage-musa effect, under the guidance of the Shadowmancers, is still in use in the Arenas of Phyrra out of respect for traditionalism.