Malthir makes two powerful swings against his general, hoping to score the first hit. Both are successful, and he makes him pay for his hasty advance...the first one is a hard downward drive to his shoulder that almost finds the space between his armor, the other a powerful slam to his abdomen...
Longsword confirm main
Longsword Confirm secondary
Kalev settles into a rhythm of feinting to one side, then moving the other way and swinging Cleft at Casimir, hoping his greater fatigue would keep him standing the longest.
Even though he has seen Kalev move in combat many times, Casimir is still thrown off by his deer-like swiftness. When Kalev moves again, he tries a different tactic.
Unable to dislodge Cleft from Kalev's firm grasp, Casimir grits his teeth against another numbing blow and moves in again to strike at the elusive ranger.
- fail! AoO for Kalev.
Kalev easily dodges Casimir's attack, continuing past the now tired and bruised duelist, and swings Cleft at his briefly exposed back this time holding back a bit, fearing the swing might be too much. Still, the hit is a little high and hits Casimir square in the back of his head instead.
Seeing his weapon flying from his hand, Kalev lunges forward, a hugh fist connecting with and breaking Casimir's nose.
Leaving the arena, Kalev walks past Kressel, putting a hand on her shoulder and saying in a low voice, only audible to those closest to them, Hope I haven't ruined his good looks permanently, Kress.
Kressle's face was grim as she finished watching her husband get beaten to a pulp by the half-orc, but she shook her head.
Nothing Jhod can't fix, i'm sure Kalev. Besides, he already has one sash... I think he'll be satisfied.
Between rounds Malthir spends some time with the Hellknights, getting to know more about them with his easy manner.
He then speaks with Grachius, Not exactly the kind of fight you were expecting eh Grachius?
Casimir is more cunning than he is given credit for. Even without his magic he is a potent warrior. Of course without our divine protection from Iomedae, fights such as this are not what we are trained for but you have done what was asked of you, for that you have my gratitude. he recites a common proverb from Iomedae's teachings, Justice and honor are a heavy burden for the righteous. We carry this
weight so that the weak may grow strong and the meek grow brave.
The people profit from our valor, whether in victory or defeat...
Grachius nodded gravely to Malthir's words.
He was quick and fluid First Sword Brother; though the fight may have been very different on an open battlefield. My sword found his armour too many times. Still, I am not displeased.
He then goes to Kressle and Akiros and chats with them about their wins and then the upcoming matches.
Just before the next match started he made sure his armor was cleaned and shining for the next match with Ricter.
Kressle smirked and seemed a little smug about her victory- Malthir got the distinct impression that she was enjoying being the only woman in the tournament. Akiros, he found praying between bouts, solemnly.
Much like the previous armiger she went up against, Kressle utterly decimated Armiger Ursion's defences, pinning his flail to the full plate armour with one handaxe and ramming the haft of her other into his helm over and over. Kressle's defence was not strong and he managed a couple of bruising blows before he yielded.
Warden Akiros VS Hellknight Pellius
This time, the Hellknight had come prepared- armed with a tower shield and a rarely seen weapon; a Swordbreaker dagger, designed to catch swords and other bladed weapons in its grooves and disarm them.
As the whistle blew, Pellius moved cautiously forward to meet Akiros. He hooked his swordbreaker dagger expertly against the haft of Akiros' massive hammer and with an masterful maneuver that drew an appreciative gasp from the crowd, sent the weapon flying through the air from the warden's grasp- it hurtled over the fence, fortunately landing without seriously injuring anyone. Akiros did not appear to have brought a backup weapon to the fight.
Warden Akiros VS Hellknight Pellius
Growling in anger for his lost hammer, Akiros flexed the metal gauntlets he wore along with his breastplate and simply hurled himself bodily at Pellius. The Hellknight was taken by surprise by the ferocity of Akiros' tackle and Akiros drove him to the ground- the warden slammed his gauntlet into the man's head even as he forced him prone. Akiros seemed to fight with utter ferocity, paying absolutely no heed to his defence as he fought.
Warden Akiros VS Hellknight Pellius
Hellknight Pellius rose to his feet carefully and Akiros backhanded the Hellknight with a clumsy blow designed to send him flying; even with an awkward connection, the blow still nearly sent Pellius reeling. Up on his feet once again, the Hellknight hit Akiros in the shoulder with the flat of his dagger. The warden grunted as the blade struck him but paid it little heed.
Warden Akiros VS Hellknight Pellius
With both men on their feet once more, Akiros pummelled Hellknight Pellius with his gauntlets and ignored the swordbreaker dagger that glanced from his breastplate; he found that the Hellknight's tower shield continually thwarted him even as he attempted to force him back.
Warden Akiros VS Hellknight Pellius
Hellknight Pellius began to slowly move around Akiros with small steps, using his momentum to his advantage as he struck. Akiros' breastplate continued to serve him well against the dagger the Hellknight expertly wielded.
Warden Akiros VS Hellknight Pellius
Akiros rushed the Hellknight, once more slamming into him with a mighty tackle and smashing an elbow against the man's helm as he fell.
Warden Akiros VS Hellknight Pellius
Hellknight Pellius began to get up to his feet again, only for Akiros to savagely ram his gauntlet into his face, followed by ramming his heavy set shoulder into the man's plate armour as he was almost on his feet. Pellius was hurled ten feet into the fence of the enclosure, almost as though he was fighting a bull rather than a man. He moved back into melee range with Akiros...
Warden Akiros VS Hellknight Pellius
As Akiros pressed his advantage with his gauntlets, Pellius' dagger was brought up too slow to adequately be useful. Akiros himself still struggled with the tower shield preventing him from harming the man behind it.
Warden Akiros VS Hellknight Pellius
Hellknight Pellius used his dagger to good effect as the melee became a nasty brawl. He scored several bruising blows on Akiros despite the tower shield hindering his attack.
Warden Akiros VS Hellknight Pellius
Akiros once again savagely tackled Pellius to the ground, this time driving his knee into Pellius' head as he did so.
Warden Akiros VS Hellknight Pellius
Pellius once more rose from the dirt, using his tower shield as a prop to get to his feet. Akiros kicked the shield with enough force to send Pellius staggering back several feet and the power of the blow.
Pellius got to his feet.
Enough! I yield... he said wearily, apparently tired of being battered around the arena.
Could Malthir overhear who Akiros was praying too?
It appeared to be Erastil, his former deity of choice back in his Paladin days.
Realizing his caution is in vain, Ricter goes on the attack with all his considerable might. He swings the flail with lethal force, but as before in his fight with Rutilus he ensures he only strikes the strongest parts of the Baron's armour:
Malthir continues his measured attack on Ricter, trying to wear his general down.
and barely misses with both attacks...
Malthir's armour protects it's occupant far better than that of Ricter's previous opponent, and his first strikes are deflected without effect. Seeing this, Ricter summons a reserve of strength and somehow smashes his flail through an opening in the paladin's guard with even great force, leaving a deep dent in the magical metal.
With both combatants battered, the fight begins in ernest:
Malthir takes the battering in stride, hoping his caution will outlast the heavier attack from Ricter striking back...
Confirmation from Round 2 Crit:
As attack after attack is deflected by Malthir's cunning shieldwork and formidable armour, Ricter begins to make more precise swings at weaker points.
Malthir swings away at Ricter's armored form
But is only able to find one hole in Ricter's defenses ...he can feel his arms..the weight of the sword...
Though to the audience he stands faceless and formidable, inside Ricter's helm his face is bloodied and his breathing becomes ragged as the fight stretches into it's second minute:
The duel between the Baron and Kardas' new General was a long one, but eventually, Malthir knocked the Hellknight unconcious with the flat of his blade- barely able to stand himself. The crowd seemed please that Malthir had won again but the long and close fight seemed to also meet their approval.
An interlude for healing and refreshments began while the details of the next round were determined.
Baron Malthir VS Kressle-
Malthir init
Kressle init
Kressle began the fight by hurling an hand-axe at Malthir's legs, but the short hafted weapon merely glanced from his armour. Scowling, Kressle drew another of the many axes she wore on her belt but did not approach him.
Marshall Kalev VS Warden Akiros-
Kalev init
Akiros init
Akiros was poised and ready when the whistle blew- with his hammer held in both hands. He hurled himself at the Marshall recklessly and ferociously, allowing Kalev an easy strike on him as he rushed in, hammer raised high overhead. He brought the hammer crashing down onto Kalev's shoulder with a distinct crack as Kalev's bone shuddered against the powerful impact.
Malthir channels again and helps his general up from the field. It wasn't pretty, but you stood strong Ricter. It could have gone either way I think...I guess lady luck was with me...
He thanks Iomedae for his victory again and heals up for the next fight.
Malthir strides up to Kressle, Ready for an afternoon stroll milady? he says jokingly, then tries to slam his blade into the side of her chest with a more powerful blow to knock the wind out of her.
Baron Malthir VS Kressle-
Kressle grinned wolfishly at Malthir's nonchalant comment and the grin only widened as his sword clanged off her breastplate harmlessly. She retaliated with a dizzying flurry of axe haft blows- with every blow at least passing the Baron's guard and hitting his full plate. The first of her blows that struck the Baron of Kardas was in combination with a low swing that struck Malthir's leg, cruelly hobbling him and hindering his stance- she struck another powerful blow as she slammed the haft of her handaxe into his armour and took advantage of his stumbling.
Malthir attacks once and then moves away 15 feet .
Well done, solid hits...
Malthir's blade slammed into Kressle's shoulder and she grunted as he withdrew. Her axe sang out through the air as it glanced off Malthir's plate shoulder.
Kressle refused to be baited into approaching Malthir and watched him in a crouched stance, seeing what his next move would be.
Malthir waits for the entangle to wear off then, I suppose if we must dance. he moves up again fighting defensively.
Kressle mirrored Malthir's movements and also fought on the defensive, wary of his heavily enchanted blade. Although she frequently struck his shield and armour, the ranger did not harm Malthir with any of the rain of blows she inflicted on him.
Malthir drops the defensive stance and goes on the offense.
Potential Crit:
Kressle winced as the flat of Malthir's blade glanced from her temple and retaliated, landing several hits on Malthir's armour and one with the haft of her axe to his neck.
Striking back Malthir tries to wear her down.
Potential Crit:
But is able to land two solid hits.
Badly bruised by Malthir's sword thwacks, Kressle threw caution to the wind and gave the fight her all. She repeated her earlier trick of hobbling Malthir with a blow to his ankle and landed another brutal blow to his head.