Martial Training Recap

[Sapper Woody]

Scribed By Seeker Reineke Ingenium concerning the events on 3 Hammer 1353;

It was announced that there was to be a martial training in the arena north of Baldur's Gate. Acolyte Ragnon expressed interest in participating, so I teleported both him and I to the farmlands, and we walked to the arena.

There were many contestants already there. Acolyte Ragnon went into the pit, while I stayed in the stands to take notes.

Fighters were split into two categories, top tier and trainees //Epic and non-epic// to ensure a minor semblance of fair play. Though the announcer clearly stated that sometimes the matches would be lopsided, so as to see how the contestants handled themselves. The default rules were no magic that absorbed damage; bardic inspirations were ok, songs were not.

Bout 1: Gaven v Urth; Gaven's sword and shield style gained an early upper hand to Urth's greatsword. After adjusting to this, Urth made some strikes of his own count. In the end, however, the shielded style of Gaven won. His last strike ended up with the healer needing to be called to tend to Urth's wounds.

Bout 2: Wulfrik and Derfal v Adallan and Morag; Derfal chose the greataxe, with Wulfrik's flaming greatsword. Adallan used fists and feet with Morag choosing a sickle. The announcer spent some extra time in Adallan and Morag's corner, speculatively to give them either special instructions, or a bonus. Adallan began by knocking Wulfrik off his feet, and had the upper hand. But one good strike from Wulfrik brought the balance back. Adallan went down, leaving two on Morag. But Wulfrik did not engage, leaving him to Derfal. Morag had the clear upper hand, downing Derfal. The remaining two then engaged, with Wulfrik squeaking out a lead to fell Morag.

Bout 3: Msciwoj and Shalar and Gaven v Urth and Emela and Talas and Wulfrik; Msciwoj had his greataxe with Shalar's sword and shield, while Emela and Gaven had swords and shields with Urth's greatsword, Talas had sword and shield, and Wulfrik had his flaming greatsword. The battle was a royale of epic proportions, with Emela going down first, followed by Wulfrik. Urth was next, then Msciwoj stopping fighting when it was 3 on 1, because it was not a good fight. Shalar fell, and Talas fell soon after.

Interlude 1 After not wanting to fight 3 on 1 because it wasn't fair, Msciwoj took it upon himself to be on the losing end of a 2 on 1. The fighters kept their same weapons from the last match. At first, the two were going to decline due to their injuries, but healers saw to their injuries. The fight still did not go on, however, but Msciwoj was told he'd get another opportunity.

Bout 4: Damariel v Tirion; Tirion had dual blades, against Damariel's single blade. Damariel got in the first strike, and the second, with Tirion delivering the third. It was a short dance of blades however, as Damariel's third hit struck home, driving Tirion to the ground.

Bout 5: Msciwoj v Gaven and Urth and Talas and Shalar and Frigo; Msciwoj finally got his fight, five on one. All fighters from before kept their styles - Gaven, Shalar and Talas in sword and shield with Urth using a greatsword and Msciwoj wielding his greataxe. Frigo seemed to have dual daggers. The fight had a false start, as someone cast magic at the beginning. Before he could be stopped, Urth was downed. He was quickly healed to restart.
- Take 2; Frigo stepped out, making it four on one. There was a slight pause while waiting for the magic to wear off. Msciwoj went directly after Urth, and felled Urth quickly. He was felled soon after.

Bout 6: Msciwoj v Fingal; Fingal was allowed to use wards versus Msciwoj. He used almost everything in a ward repertoire, from mage armor to haste. Msciwoj came out strong, knocking his opponent down. His opponent was allowed a song, which helped him. In the end, the healing of the bard won out, and Msciwoj was felled and had to be raised on the spot by Damien Pascal.

Bout 7: Adallan and Urth v Emela and Gaven; Adallan used fists and feet with Urth's greatsword and Emela and Gaven used sword and shield. Adallan felled Emela wuickly, leaving 2 on 1. Gaven went down next, but not before almost felling Urth.

The training was then called complete, and all the contestants seemed to still be on friendly - if not friendlier - terms with one another.