JMadFour

Don't be short-winded for my sake. I'll read it all. I've got some more questions, but I am playing atm, so i'll post them later. but specifically, I'd like to know more about this Cordelia person, and how the Ul'Dah Pugilist Guild became the way it is. From the ambiance, early quest text, and the aesthetics and animations of the Pugilist class skills, It's quite safe to say that it is influenced by American-style Kickboxing(haven't seen any throws, grapples or elbows yet, which is why I say American-style, which doesn't generally include those as far as I know), and I'm curious as to how that particular style was ICly developed by the Pugilist Guild. Overall, I am moreso interested in the different Physical Combat styles, specifically between the Pugilist Guild of Ul'Dah, and whatever style the Fist of Ralgr Monks in Ala Mhigo practiced, and now you've piqued my curiosity about this Coeurlfist Style. so please, do go on.

So would it be safe to say the following? 1. A Pugilist is purely physical, a Monk adds Magic to the Physical. 2. The Difference between a Pugilist and a Monk, is the additional Techniques for absorbing and internally controlling Aether that a Monk is taught, and the Pugilist does not know. (I am assuming, of course, that the Aether manipulation that a Monk does is not Natural, but is the product of intense training in very advanced techniques) 3. The Difference between an Ul'Dahn Monk, and an Ala Mhigan Monk would be their fighting styles (Ul'Dah based on Kickboxing vs Ala Mhigo based on Kung-Fu)

Hi. Google Searched you guys. /bow I've got a few questions about the Lore behind Pugilists and Monks. I can't make new threads on the Official Lore forums yet though, sadly. I'd like to preface this by saying that I have only been playing FFXIV for a week or so (which has mostly been comprised of trying every class to 10, for the most part), and so I have only played the Pugilist/Monk storyline to level 10. I'm probably going to shoot for Monk as my first job. also, I never played 1.0, so I am going into this brand new. As I understand the Lore behind the Pugilist, based on the basic class descriptions, and quest dialogue, and the general look and feel of the class: The basic class' fighting style is (ooc) based somewhat on Kickboxing. IC, the style was created by an Ul'Dahn fighter named Cordelia, and was used to win competitions in the Gladiators Arena. Cordelia studied many different fighting styles (I am assuming she studied Lancer and Gladiator weapon-based styles as well) in the development of her personal style, which involved flowing naturally through three different combat Stances, or "Forms", Opo-Opo, Raptor, and Couerl(sp?) in combat, easily shifting from one form to the next and back with each move . She then became Coliseum Champion by defeated several fully armed and armored fighters, using only her hands, feet, and the style she developed. Afterwards Cordelia built a Dojo and began teaching her style to willing pupils, one of which could have been the current GuildMaster, Hamon the Holyfist (maybe? there is no record anywhere of how old Cordelia was, or whether she is still alive or not). After the Calamity, the Pugilist's Guild rebuilt its quarters in the manner of Cordelia's Dojo, and continue to teach her style as its primary function. (i embellished a little bit, just to add some detail.) One question I have about this tale is, is there an "Official" Name for the style that Cordelia created, which is the style that Pugilists use ingame? "Pugilism" is a generic term for all kinds of hand-to-hand fighting(boxing, kickboxing, karate, etc.), I don't imagine that she would name her specific style "Pugilism". (if I had to pick a name, I'd choose something like "Ul'Dahn Kickboxing". As for Monks, as I understand it, they practiced a completely different style, called Fist of Rhalgr, in Ala Mhigo, before it was conquered by the Garleans. right? Based (ooc) on Chinese Martial Arts, I am guessing? And now the Fist of Rhagyr style is believed to be dead, due to Garlean rule outlawing it? Yet it survives in Ul'Dahn for whatever reason (perhaps a Fist of Rhalgr Master fled Ala Mhigo when it was conquered, and taught the style to someone in Ul'Dah?) So, lore-wise, a Pugilist learns and masters the Ul'Dahn Kickboxing style, and then those who wish to take their skills/training to the next level, learn the Ala Mhigo Fist of Rhalgr style, and then incorporate it into their fighting techniques? please correct any of this that I got wrong...