Bella Lotta
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 Nobility practising at the Società di Bella Lotta di trossera | |
| Country of origin |  Caphiria |
|---|---|
| Creator | Unknown |
Bella Lotta (literally "beautiful fight") is a Caphiric Latin term used to refer to various forms of both unarmed and armed combat developed in Caphiria. Bella Lotta has a long tradition in the Aciric culture of the Eastern Imperium, with its most rudimentary form originating from the later years of the Glaistic civilization. Contrary to most martial arts, most forms of Bella Lotta are not practical in actual combat, intended only for showmanship. The practical forms of Bella Lotta began developing in the late 17th century due to the instability present in Caphiria at the time.
History
Bella Lotta has had a near constant presence in Acirium - Caphiria's eastern frontier province which bordered Istroya - since the Glaistic civilization, with only occasional waning interest in the art form. The earliest written records of Bella Lotta are from the Istroyan historian Mydoros, who described a fight both unusually long and calm, where the participants seemed to fight not to win, but to provide entertainment the same way Istroyans watched plays. Mydoros also noted that the locals refused his requests to teach him or any of his entourage the practice. Mydoros later wrote that these theatrical fights were held for not only entertainment purposes, but to appease the gods, honour the dead or court someone. The practitioners of this form of combat seemed to come from any background, not limited to upper or lower class, even on occasion witnessing slaves taking part in it.
Weapons were not introduced until around the 3rd century BC. Surviving written accounts mention the development of fine blades of silver with elaborate engravings, intended for ceremonial fights referred to as chopidon by Istroyan writers, meaning "blade dance". Descriptions of the events themselves are lacking, but the discovery of small arenas near upper-class estates alongside the elaborate engravings used in the silver blades suggest it might've been more exclusive to the upper class than its previous iteration.
Rising Latin influences from the west eventually caused loss of interest in the art form, with rural regions such as modern Castra Beatrix or islands like Viridimonte and Sarzano had a continued strong tradition in the art form. The secluded locations where Bella Lotta continued to thrive allowed the further development of forms, giving birth to the aggressive Rosanguina form of Sarzano, which some also consider the first form of Bella Lotta with practical use. It wasn't until the collapse of the Eastern Imperium in 1625 that a resurgence of Bella Lotta occured, leading to various forms with practical uses being developed across the nation, based in both unarmed and armed forms. During the 18th century, Bella Lotta's popularity as an art form grew in popularity as the Latin aristocracy of pursued native Caphiric sports such as Pugură boxing. The Archduke of Aciria Giovanni I was both a practitioner- and an avid fan of Bella Lotta as an art form, which made the nobility interested in pursuing the art form as well to gain the new Archduke's favour. The first formal school for Bella Lotta was established in 1799 in Trossera by Giovanni I, still operating today.
Principles
Due to the vast differences between traditions in forms that have developed independently, it wasn't until the 1970s when an official Bella Lotta guidebook was published, with sections dedicated for each form. The guidebook to Bella Lotta did establish some points that trainers and practitioners alike should take into consideration:
- Do not rush to finish the fight.
- Do not aim to maim, but to disarm (if applicable).
- Consider the audience.
Practical forms
The guidebook gave the practical forms of Bella Lotta separate guidelines.
- Do not necessarily extend the fight.
- Aim to maim.
Forms
Spiraglio
Sometimes seen as the most popular form of Bella Lotta, Spiraglio is characterised by its swift strikes, intended to quickly take out the opposition. Though technically usable as an art form, it's frowned upon due to the forms root being in ending a fight quickly which contrasts with the guidelines provided in the guidebook.
Rosanguina
Originating on the island of Sarzano, Rosanguina can be used in both practice and in art. A highly aggressive, armed form of Bella Lotta, the form requires lots of room for space to maneuver in and for wide, flashy swings. The name Rosanguina means "Bloody Rose".
Cupola
Created in the Bella Lotta Society of Trossera in 1821, it was designed to counter the highly aggressive form Rosanguina, holding your ground with expert deflections and fatiguing the opponent.