Anyone studying the art of swordplay in the Wheel of Time must learn these sword forms. Whether you seek to be an Aes Sedai’s Warder or a blademaster in your own right, knowledge of these forms could mean life or death.

The names and descriptions were taken from the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan, and the stances were taken from The Academy of European Swordsmanship. The descriptions of sword forms that follow have been researched and taken from various sources on the internet, and then adopted as the generally accepted sword forms. The Wheel of Time RP claims no copyright or ownership of the sword forms, or their descriptions. However, should you use this information on your own site, acknowledgment would be appreciated as a great deal of time and effort went into compiling this information. Many thanks to Jeremy and Taryn for their work on this.

Terms — Stances — Forms

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Terms

• Basic Form – three special types of forms that are actually stances designed for you to flow into another attack. However, these are not used as normal stances, like the stances listed below, but rather in swordplay and just to initiate one sword form from.
• Defensive – an attitude or means of defence.
• Form - the motion used to attack, or defend in swordplay. Also forms are sometimes techniques or basic stances.
• Offensive – an attack or assault.
• Stance – the position you initiate a sword from.
• Strong Side- literally, your stronger side. It is usually the same side as your writing hand, eg: if you are left handed, your left side may be your strong side.
• Technique – a type of form that is not used to defend or attack, but designed to help you in swordplay. For example, Cat Crossing the Courtyard is designed to maximise your alertness and reaction potential.
• Weak Side – opposite to strong side, it is your weaker side. It is usually the opposite side as your writing hand eg: if you are left handed, your right side may be your weak side.

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Stances

• Los’Val (forward guard) — The sword is held in both hands, on your strong side. Your hands, and the rest of the hilt of the blade, are level with and behind your ear, and the sword, pointing towards your opponent, has a slight diagonal rise in it.
• Taer’Val (straight guard) — Both your hands gripping the sword, the top of the hilt is level with and close to your waist and the sword is pointed upwards towards your opponent’s face or throat.
• Mosiev’Val (lowered guard) — Both your hands gripping the sword, the top of the hilt is level with and close to your waist and the sword is pointed downwards towards your opponent’s shins or feet.
• Rahien’Val (dawn guard) — With both hands the sword is held above your head, your arms slightly bent so that sword is almost as far above your head as it can be. It is sloped upwards, the hilt aiming for the space between an opponent’s eyes.
• Ji’Val (side guard) — The blade is held by both hands on your strong side level with your waist. The sword is held low and on the side, and the blade is pointed backwards and down.

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Forms

Every sword form must be started off from a form and flow back into another so that the movement of swordplay is smooth and continuous. All sword forms listed are mentioned specifically in the books. Some executions of these forms may be inferred by context, but are accurate compared to how they are performed as Robert Jordan has written them. Some forms are listed as ‘unknown’ due to their introduction in Knife of Dreams, but as research is done on these forms, they will be described.

The forms have been broken up into ‘Primary Types’: Offensive, Defensive, at rest, Technique and Basic Forms depending on what their primary purpose is. As in all swordplay, however, even offensive can become defensive and techniques can be used to defend or strike.

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | K | L | M | P | R | S | T | U | W

Sword Form	Primary Type	Started In:	Finished In:	Description
Apple Blossoms in the Wind	Offensive	Mosiev’Val	Mosiev’Val	A versatile technique, intended for use against an ambush by multiple opponents. The blade is held low, but ready for use in a number of strike forms. Keep loose and move slowly.
Arc of the Moon	Offensive	Los’Val	Taer’Val	A simple slash, meant to take off an opponent’s head. Probably begins at mid body level, arcs to neck, and could end back at a guard stance such as Leopard in the Tree instead of a stance.
Black Pebbles on Snow	Offensive	Ji’Val	Taer’Val	A low, horizontal slash that is directed at the opponent’s ribs.
The Boar Rushes Downhill	Offensive	Los’Val	Mosiev’Val	Similar to The Boar Rushes Down the Mountain, only with a more diagonal cut instead of a vertical. Counters Cat Dances on the Wall.
The Boar Rushes Down the Mountain	Offensive	Rahien’Val	Mosiev’Val	A vertical slash, but one that can alter course in mid-swing quickly. Starts high and ends low. Try this with Tower of Morning.
Bundling Straw	Offensive	Taer’Val	Los’Val	Several quick chest-level thrusts, followed by an arc and a paired return arc that can return the blade to a guard stance such as Lion on the Hill or a stance. Try this against a quarterstaff opponent.
Cat Crossing the Courtyard	Technique	Any	Any	Not a sword-form or stance, but a method of movement which maximizes alertness and reaction potential. Weight should be on the balls of the feet, with head held high and eyes constantly shifting, watching for threats. Arms and hands should freely move, not in pockets or holding items. Each step should be taken confidently, but not hurriedly.
The Cat Dances on the Wall	Offensive	Any	Any	A feinting, tentative series of short slashes, thrusts, and parries. The swordsman must have good wrists and quick feet for this to be effective. Useful for buying time.
Cat on Hot Sand	Offensive	Any	Any	A faster, less tentative version of The Cat Dances on the Wall. Better for multiple opponents.
The Courtier Taps His Fan	Offensive	Rahien’Val	Mosiev’Val	A quick, powerful overhand blow, meant to split the head. A good move for anyone to have in his repertoire.
The Creeper Embraces the Oak	Defensive	Taer’Val	Los’Val	A slow, circling stance. The blade goes from high to low and back to constantly offer a new threat and to guard against others. Forms to use out of this: The Falling Leaf, Lightning of Three Prongs.
Cutting the Clouds	Offensive	Ji’Val	Ji’Val	A wide arc of the sword begun at that waist into an over hand strike at the opponent’s wrists.
Cutting the Wind				Unknown
Dandelion on the Wind	Offensive	Taer’Val	Taer’Val	A quick, horizontal blow that is directed at the opponent’s throat.
Dove Takes Flight				Unknown
Eel Among the Lily Pads				Unknown
Emptiness				Unknown
The Falcon Stoops	Offensive	Taer’Val	Taer’Val	An abbreviated version of The Kingfisher Takes a Silverback. A quick overhand thrust, returning to a stance or guard (such as Leopard in the Tree) position just as quickly.
The Falling Leaf	Defensive	Los’Val	Mosiev’Val	A more exaggerated and slower version of The Boar Rushes Down the Mountain. Starting high, the blade sweeps back and forth before reaching its lowest point. Can be used to parry effectively against multiple opponents, or just one. Can be used to move into The River Undercuts the Bank.
Folding the Fan	At rest	Any	N/A	The sword sheathing technique. The blade is smoothly swung around from guard stance and sheathed, all in one motion.
The Grapevine Twines	Defensive	N/A	Any	A circular motion when blades are locked, used to disarm an opponent.
The Heron Spreads Its Wings	Offensive	Los’Val	Mosiev’Val	The operational version of Heron Wading in the Rushes. A tighter cut, concentrated in one sector of the arc of the sword.
Heron Wading in the Rushes	Technique	Los’Val	Mosiev’Val	IMPORTANT: This form should only be used for practicing balance. It is possible to use this form in combat, but it is highly likely you will receive your opponent’s weapon in your chest before you take his head. A horizontal, pivoting slash done on one foot. Begun at shoulder or head height.
Hummingbird Kisses the Honeyrose	Offensive/Defensive	Los’Val	Los’Val	A quick thrust in the face. Will at least deter an opponent, and will usually kill a charging opponent outright. Blade should start from shoulder height, though it may be performed from any level less quickly.
Kingfisher Circles the Pond				Unknown
The Kingfisher Takes a Silverback	Offensive	Los’Val / Taer’Val	Los’Val / Taer’Val	Begun while the sword is at shoulder height or higher, a downward stab for the abdomen. Begun when the sword is lower than shoulder height, a downward stab meant to cripple a leg or the groin. May also be used to parry a midlevel strike.
Kissing the Adder	Offensive	Taer’Val	Los’Val	A thrust made at chest level directed at the opponent’s heart.
Leaf Floating on the Breeze	Defensive	Mosiev’Val	Los’Val	A horizontal guard position with a form similar to The Falling Leaf. The blade will move up and down according to the threat while moving horizontally to offer new threats. A good basic form. Attacks from this position should include Lightning of Three Prongs and Lizard in the Thornbush.
Leopard’s Caress				Unknown
Leopard in the Tree	Basic Form 1	Taer’Val	N/A	A preliminary form, begun with both hands on the hilt of the sword, knees bent, and leaning forward in a ready position. This form is used to prepare for Unfolding the Fan or another such drawing technique.
Lightning of Three Prongs	Offensive/Defensive	Los’Val	Los’Val	Beginning from a stance or a basic form like Lion on the Hill, a thrust that can either continue as a thrust or slash to either side. Can also be used to parry.
Lion on the Hill	Basic Form 2	Los’Val	N/A	A basic guard stance, with the sword held at shoulder height ready to move into a variety of other forms.
Lion Springs				Unknown
Lizard in the Thornbush	Offensive	Los’Val	Taer’Val	Used expressly against two opponents. One thrust to the chest, then pivot and kneel with either a thrust or a slash, usually a thrust. Good mid-level technique.
Low Wind Rising	Offensive	Any	Any	Can be done from almost any stance – even sitting. A diagonal slash, beginning low and rising cleanly. May be used to return to a guard stance after a form such as The Grapevine Twines or Lightning of Three Prongs.
Moon Rises Over the Water	Offensive	Taer’Val	Taer’Val	A vertical arc after a horizontal, tentative slash. The blade should begin and end in the same position – near the waist.
Parting the Silk	Offensive/Defensive	Taer’Val	Ji’Val	A more controlled slash, probably used as a precision block or strike. Directed at the abdomen, a good move to draw first blood or inflict non-lethal damage on an opponent.
Plucking the Low-hanging Apple				Unknown
Rain in High Wind				Unknown
Reaping the Barley				Unknown
Redhawk Takes a Dove				Unknown
Ribbon in the Air	Offensive	Taer’Val	Rahien’Val / Mosiev’Val	A horizontal slash that may change direction up or down at the tail end. Should be begun just below chest height. Both feet should be used in this form, unlike the Heron forms.
River of Light				Unknown
The River Undercuts the Bank	Offensive	Los’Val	Taer’Val	Can be done from a kneeling or standing position. A horizontal slash, used to disembowel or behead.
The Rose Unfolds	Offensive	Rahien’Val	Ji’Val	A diagonal slash that is primarily aimed at the opponent’s sword arm in a downward motion.
Sheathing the Sword	Technique	Any	N/A	More of a concept than a sword-form, this is used when what you can gain is greater than or equal to what you may lose in the process of gaining it. This might be using Heron Wading in the Rushes like Rand al’Thor, or it might be using Lizard in the Thornbush to take down two major opponents when you know a third, less important one is coming up behind you.
Soft Rain at Sunset	Offensive	Rahien’Val	Mosiev’Val	A quick but powerful overhand strike directed at the opponent’s face.
Stones Falling From the Cliff	Defensive/Offensive	Rahien’Val	Mosiev’Val	The medium difficulty version of Boar Rushes Down the Mountain. A good mainstay of a battle, this form is useful for both parrying and attacking. The sword should begin at least at shoulder height and come down.
Striking the Spark	Offensive	Rahien’Val	Mosiev’Val	A rapid series of powerful overhand blows, best begun on the return swing of a slash like Low Wind Rising or The Heron Spreads Its Wings as opposed to a stance, but either can be used. If you’ve got stamina this can win a battle for you.
The Swallow Rides the Air	Basic Stance 3	Rahien’Val	Rahien’Val	The guard stance assumed after performing The Swallow Takes Flight. More of an on-the-run stance, made for attacking or defending while mobile.
The Swallow Takes Flight	Offensive	Ji’Val	Rahien’Val	A diagonal slash beginning low and rising cleanly, followed by a short thrust. The form is angled more toward the opponent, though, so that the opening slash is more a guard for the thrust.
Thistledown Floats on the Whirlwind	Offensive	Taer’Val	Taer’Val	A short-range jumping spin-swipe, used for beheading. Best if done by surprise. An opening move in most cases. The sword should not move more than a foot or so; the main force is provided by the spin of the body. The blade should not extend too far out from the body, and be approximately chest high.
Threading the Needle				Unknown
Tower of Morning	Offensive	Mosiev’Val	Rahien’Val	A vertical slash, starting low and ending high. Can be finished with Boar Rushes Down the Mountain or The Courtier Taps His Fan.
Twisting the Wind	Defensive/Offensive	Any	Any	For use in a tight situation, when one is outnumbered. A quick, continual rotation of the body, using slashes and short thrusts to counter or attack as the situation dictates.
Two Hares Leaping				Unknown
Unfolding the Fan	Offensive/Defensive	N/A	Any	The exact opposite of Folding the Fan. Can be used as an opener, since this form can unsheathe the sword and stroke at the same time. Can also be used if caught off guard or in an awkward position.
Water Flows Downhill	Offensive	Rahien’Val	Mosiev’Val	A more complicated form of The Boar Rushes Down the Mountain. This form can and will change direction in midstroke; only the more advanced swordsmen use this form. Like its name, it takes the easiest route from high to low, avoiding contact with the other weapon while seeking its target.
Whirlwind on the Mountain	Offensive	Taer’Val	Taer’Val	A form of Thistledown Floats on the Whirlwind, except done while remaining on the ground. Can be modified for use for striking uphill or downhill simply by changing the angle of the spin. The sword also is extended further than with Thistledown Floats on the Whirlwind.
Wind and Rain	Offensive	Any	Any	Another complicated form. Begun with either Low Wind Rising or Parting the Silk, this form follows through with multiple short thrusts or quick overhand blows.
The Wood Grouse Dances	Offensive	Any	Any	Similar to the Cat Dances on the Wall, but from a more stationary point. Mainly to feel out an enemy, more than to do serious harm.