"Oohh... bad luck boy. Go ahead with your second arrow. Hope you can do better."
Markellus nods and squints down the range again before aiming and firing. Well, win some, lose some--as long as the harvest is made.
Attack Roll:
The second arrow barely hits the edge of the winged bullseye, drawing a cheer from the much larger crowd. "As good a shot as I got on the beast. Here boy." Provost tosses you a bottle of the red liquid, and holds out a small pie and a statue. "It's good to know we've got such a mighty hunter with us for the festival." He jokes, passing his bow to another man stepping up to the line.
Dorrak chuckles and gives two claps of his hands.
A few more sweat hours will have him collecting more rewards next year I think. I'll come around shortly with some salmon for you.
With that he heads off to The Rusty Dragon to collect some food and will very likely be peer-pressured into trying to catch a goblin there.
"If it were any effort to be beautiful, I might be more comfortable accepting your offer, Rohan," Zelaria answers. "for as it stands, I feel as though I have little place here beside you."
Zelaria arrests herself, realizing that she lent voice to her anxiety and spares a nervous glance for Vulf. "I wish there were an event that would measure my talent, as well, but unless I am mistaken about the definition of a duel one meets their opponent with a similar show of force. Sheriff Belor is no magician, and I am not certainly not a warrior."
As if to punctuate her lack of martial skill, a swallowtail flutters down from one of the trees to land upon one of Zelaria's flowers and beats its wings in a display of gentle beauty.
"Well I will do my best in this duel in any case." Says Rohan who suddenly feels like he said something wrong. Ignoring that feeling, he attempts to see how he can sign up for the duel.
The signup sheets are simple, with a space for name, preferred weapon and a small block of writing absolving the town and it's members from any injuries. It explains the rules. The tournament is a single elimination bracket. Weapons will be magically peacebonded to be unable to harm combatants too much, though they will likely still sting quite a bit. The spell to bind the weapons is also the scorer, with the weapons blades changing color depending on the amount of hits on the opponent. A golden blade represents victory. The victor of the tournament may face last years champion, Sherrif Belor Hemlock.
Rohan will sign up then.
Name: Rohan Drake
Preferred Weapon: Longspear
Zelaria glances warily at the amount of people gathered in the line to duel Sheriff Belor. Sensing Vulf's aggression at her side, she slows and presses his hand softly to indicate that she would like to attend him personally. When Rohan and Copper go ahead to register, she smiles up at him, and lets go his hand so she can untie her cloak and remove it completely.
Zelaria's auburn braid hangs at the small of her back, worked with many brightly colored ribbons, but the most prevalent colors are purple, pink and blue, as her tattoos. She works a length of royal purple ribbon from her braid, shaking loose a flower in the process, which she picks up and ties to it, then the set to Vulf's belt with deft fingers.
"I'd be lost among all these warriors," she explains as she works, "this is to show that I will still be beside you, even when you are in the ring. I will be cheering for you."
Vulf smiles down at her and and strokes the flower and ribbon slightly
Thank you Aria. I shall strive to win this tournament for your honr That said he takes her hand again and they walk over to fill out his sheet.
Name: Vulf Longfang
Weapon: Double bladed sword
Zelaria drapes her cloak over her arm and advances with Vulf. She wears a dagger (I imagine it something like a dirk, with a broader blade and short hilt) on the belt on her hip, but she hopes that with the flowers in her hair, and the butterflies fluttering in them that she cannot be mistaken for an entrant. And she has no intention of signing up on the sheet.
So many travelers, she thinks as she sees so many new faces in the line. Our sheriff must have a fearsome reputation indeed!
After elaborately signing his name: Florin, Lorenzo, De Poisse Esq. Rapier and Buckler (Taldan style).
Florin Sets to work, spying a group of children mock duelling with sticks he moves over and as one child hits the other on the leg he claps loudly “well stuck sir! Well struck. Tell me might you be competing later this day? Ha no foolish of me they don’t allow professionals to compete.” he says with a smile. “Truly I have need of a fighter of your stature to support me in my endeavour to win today.” He pauses for a second to let the complement sink in and gestures to the other children. “And I have not forgotten your noble competitors I offer to pay you 1 silver each if you walk around the crowd telling of my exploits and will cheer for me as I duel. Sound fair?” Turning to now address the boy who won the stick fight. ”As for the champion here I would be honoured if you would squire for me at the event. So much so I would give you a gold piece for your support.”
Addressing his new publicists ”Right to business at hand. Tell all that my name is the great Florin De Poisse. Famed adventurer, hero of all good people and a shinning beacon of chivalry. Right off you go.” with that he stuffs a silver into each of the grubby mitts presented to him. Shaking hands with the boys and bowing deeply to the girls.
The tournament rankings are set so that none of our intrepid heroes face each other in the first bout, but Florin and Vulf will fight in the semifinal second round, should both win thier first bouts. Rohan will be isolated until the finals.
A cryer gets into the middle of the ring, shouting for silence until it is had. "The first round fight begins, and it should be a doozy for everyone. Two travellers running through town for the Swallowtail Festival. In one corner we have the Elven Wanderer, a man who never even speaks, fighting with two kukris. In the other, Vulf Longfang, fighting with his people's two bladed swords." He takes his own blade out and taps it against his skin once, twice and thrice. The blade lights with first blue, then white, then gold energy, and he holds up his arm to show he is unhurt. "Safety first here folks, remember, the one whose blade turns golden first is the victor."
The small elven man in the scarf steps into the other side of the ring from Vulf, who is just getting his blade back from the mages. He spins his kukris in circles and his eyes seem angry.
The Cryer announces the bout begun the moment that Vulf looks ready.
Vulf bows to the elven man showing his respect and then twirls his longbladed swords around to warm up his muscles and then nods to the judge showing his readiness.
Initiative:
Zelaria takes a place near the rails of the arena. Knowing that their weapons have been peace bonded is a huge relief on her mind. She wears a broad smile and shores up her resolve and courage to maintain an strong and eager appearance should her champion look in her direction.
Florin watches the bout curiously as his new ‘squire’ helps him fasten the last of his armour. So now he sits in his high boots, leather britches light breast plate and Gorget with sleeves rolled up and heavy gloves on. Standing and flexing, allowing the armour to settle. He turns to the boy “Expertly done. Thank you.”
Mark smiles broadly nods in thanks to Joday. "Much obliged. Not often that I can manage such things." In quite a good mood now, he puts the statue and potion in his pack and whistles on his way through more of the festival, holding the pie as he goes. Thanks much, Deadeye. Appreciate the aid.
He approaches the dueling area just in time to seethe first match about to begin. Recognizing Vulf, he moves closer, interested enough in the contest that he doesn't see the others around. This should be interesting indeed.
Vulf murmurs to the man in Elven
He waits for the Elf to make the first move.
The child is eager to help Florin, especially for a whole gold piece, and his friends go out to spread word of "Florin De Poisse, The Great Knight." You're satisfied with the results for only losing 2 gold from your coinpurse.
The mysterious elf nods, seems to smile behind his scarf, and moves. He whirls into action with both kukris moving, closes the distance in a second, and one goes to strike.
Vulf easily parries his clumsy strike.
Zelaria looks up from her rumination about the nature of violence and scans the crowd. She is pleasantly surprised to find the tall archer has arrived, and has taken up a position near her. Markellus, he said his name was, Zelaria recalled, barely introducing himself to herself, Rohan and Copper before Vulf had pulled her away. She quits her choice place beside the arena, and begins moving towards him.
In the thick of the crowd anticipating the match, and, her vision clearly focused on Markellus's alluring hat, Zelaria's concentration is scattered, and she bumps into a small child. Well, small compared to her companions, surely, but the young girl is well passed Zelaria's waist.
"Oof! Pray, pardon me," Zelaria apologizes quickly. "I was not watching where I was going. Are you all right?" she inquires of the girl.
The young girl turns and favors Zelaria with a broad smile. She holds up a silver. "Mmm-hmm! The shinning man gave us silver. He said he was a hero! I'm sure he'll beat Sheriff Belor!" the child near recites, although Zelvaria doubts her accuracy.
Zelaria considers the girl for a few moments. A shinning man who employs children to advertise himself? Desna had brought some very colorful strangers to Sandpoint, indeed. "And what is the name of this shinning adventurer?" she inquires.
"Umm..." the girl appears lost in thought. "Flower...posse?" the little girl shakes her head, and blushes. "I don't remember."
"Do you think that you'll be able to recognize him if you did?"
The little girl nods several times. "Sure! He gave me a whole silver!"
Zelaria favor's the girl with a smile. She pulls a flower from her hair, and hands it to the child. "My name is Zelaria," she says, her voice a song, she begins casting prestidigitation on the flower to make it brighter, and more fragrant. "My magics can make it so this flower will attract butterflies. You would like to come and stand with me and my friend a while, so we can meet this knight of yours?"
The little girl seems hesitant for a moment, and then nods. "Okay! You're really pretty, like a princess!" she blurts out. "Is that how magic works? Oh! I'm Kayla!"
Zelaria is grateful that the little girl is so easily amused. She guides her through the crowd to where, by virtue of his large hat, Markellus is still visible.
"Hello again, Markellus," she calls when she nears. She places a protective hand on Kayla's back. "Might my new friend and I watch the matches with you? I am happy to have met you again in this crowd," she adds quickly, perhaps a little too quickly.
Am I still so frightened to be left alone?
Vulf lifts his sword and parries the other elf's blow aside and then falls into his dance like attack his tattoos visibly glowing in eagerness. He howls loudly as he launches an all out attack whirling both blades of his sword at his opponent.
1st sword:
2nd sword:
2nd sword damage if hit:
The elf avoids and blocks both of Vulfs blows. He is obviously grinning now.
The elfs blades begin glowing with a faint blue light around them as Vulf feels one strike his upper bicep.
Vulf grunts lightly from the blow to his bicep and then grins as he twirls his swords for another rain of attacks. However he misses with both attacks.
The man blocks once again as the cryer yells "And our mysterious stranger strikes once."
Another strike rakes Vulf's chest painfully. The blades hum slightly louder and clearer, glowing white.
"And another. Can our Shoanti friend get back from his underdog state?"
Vulf growls angrily and suddenly his tattoos glow white hot as his blows seem to gain speed and power, landing a single hit.
The elf's spins are thrown into a loop when he is hit with the blade of Vulf's blade. Vulf's blade begins to hum and glow blue. The cryer shouts "And Vulf Longfang lands one. We have a duel ladies and gentlemen."
THe elf shakes off his stumble and launches forward again, this time he shakes out something from his sleeve and throws his dagger as he backs away from Vulf.
Vulf dips below the whirling dagger and moves back up close to the nimble elf.
If five foot step Full round attack
If I need a move action, first dice would be a 18 not a 16; 1d20+5 while raging for single attack
Vulf's blades light white and hum louder. "It's an even match folks. Put down those tickets and watch the end of this one." The cryer is almost as excited as the crowd to watch the match. The elf, still smiling, makes another attack as he draws another kukri. (Putting him at dual wield status again.)
Mark nods cheerfully to Zelaria as he watches the match continue. "And hello again to you. Sure--feel free to watch with me. Least I don't have a crow on my head right now." He smiles at this last statement, wincing slightly as he sees the barbarian take a hit. "Your barbarian friend there seems to be doing fairly well," he adds after a moment. "Might be that he pulls off a win, even."
As he turns his attention to Zelaria, he notices the little girl with her. "Well hello to you too, little one. May Erastil guide your steps, strengthen your heart, and aid your family in the fields. What's your name?"
Kayla grins up at the tall man in the large hat, dimples showing on either side of her face. "Hi! My name's Kayla, and I'm this many," she offers brightly, then looks to her hands, one of which is occupied by a coin, the other holding Zelaria's flower. She stuffs the coin in the pocket of her festival apron and tucks the flower behind her ear, and displays six fingers for Markellus. "This pretty lady knows magic," she continues with no small hint of awe in her voice.
A barbarian, Zelaria ponders, momentarily transfixed to the scene unfolding before her. She spares Markellus a quick glance, upset that she has not watched the match as she promised, and does not intend to miss more.
"Kayla is a herald for a knight that will appear in this tournament," she informs Markellus. "Perhaps," she admits after a brief pause. "Beg pardon, Master Severian, but I do not believe that we were formally introduced, and... well... this is hardly the time," Zelaria winces as Vulf is struck. "I am called Zelaria.
"Might I ask how you know Vulf is a barbarian? I must admit that I am not very familiar with warriors," Zelaria says and blushes.
Tholamin growls and whirls his swords again closing in for the finish. Forgoing the full attack in favor of a single more powerful blow.
Edit: srry was reading a book of mine character got stuck in my head lol
The elf takes a final blow to the head and falls to his rump on the ground. A clear chime rings like a bell and a golden light clears through the air as Vulf stands triumphant. The cryer cheers along with all the other townsfolk. "And our barbarian friend wins in a come from behind victory!" the Cryer yells as a few people collect larger piles of coin (seems Vulf was not heavily favored in the odds.) A cleric from the cathedral looks over both combatants, announcing them 'bruised but fine' and several people begin shouting for the next match.
Markellus smiles at Kayla and comments, "Well, you're doing your job perfectly, Kayla. Here's a coin for your trouble." He gives her a silver coin before turning his attention back to Zelaria.
"Well, I suppose that introductions wouldn't hurt. I am, as you know, Markellus Severian, formerly of Nybor, but more recently of Varisia in general. Pleasure to not-so-formally meet you, Miss Zelaria." He takes his hat off and gives a bow, careful not to let his longbow hit anything. Under the hat, he has long hair, surprisingly purple-blue eyes, and is oddly light-skinned for someone who is comfortable outside. He puts the hat back on as he straightens, and responds to Zelaria's question. "As far as him being a barbarian, the tattoos are pretty rare. Unless of course," he adds quickly, "they're Varisian. But these look different as far as I can tell. Might be wrong, though."
Zelaria smiles at Markellus's treatment of Kayla. "I have invited Kayla to view the match with us, until we can help her find her friends, or parents," she says, and smooths the young girl's back again.
When Markellus removes his hat and she sees his eyes, Zelaria's become wide. "The color of your eyes!" she almost sings. "Does it mean anything among your people?" she blurts out excitedly, and then blushes at her lack of propriety. "Pray, pardon me, but the color is rare among my people. It is thought to be a mark of Desna's favor."
Vulf slumps as his rage is suppressed back down, he looks very tired after the energy he expelled during the fight. He walks down off the stage looking for Aria not seeing her where he left her, he looks around tiredly.
Zelaria does not wait for an answer, drawn to the match by the rising din of the crowd. She watches Vulf's opponent fall, Vulf being declared the victor, and then him seem to collapse after, looking in the direction she formerly inhabited. Looking for me, she muses, and flushes harder.
Zelaria thinks quickly, being only barely taller than the crudely constructed rails around the arena, and in the din of the crowd, she has little hope to alert Vulf to her presence using her voice. She casts prestidigitation to create thin waft of purple ether smelling like the fragrance she has used on her flowers and lets it float in his direction, and begins waving to him. She feels it is exceedingly prodigious that she decided to stand next to an extremely tall man with a very loud hat, sure that Vulf cannot miss Markellus in an eager crowd.
The little girl jumps excitedly at another silver piece. "Travellers are rich..." she said with pure awe.
The cryer yells out once more "Well that was sure a rounsing match wasn't it? The next is between Gorvi, one of the hands around town and our very own half-orc terror, and a new traveller, Rohan Drake, the dragon man!" The Cryer raises his hands toward both contestants. Gorvi sits on the other side of the ring, wearing only a light shirt and shorts and hefting a longblade. He steps into the ring carefully.
"Place your bets everyone! The tried and true semifinalist from last year, or new blood? Only the match will tell!"
Rohan watches Vulf's match with interest. He studies his technique in the chance that he would have to face him. He favors his right arm when fighting. His swings are wild when he tries to use his left. He seems to get stronger when those tattoos glow. He walks up to Vulf afterwards.
"Congratulations on your win. You earned it." He says while extending his hand for a handshake. "Yea, that was awesome. You were like wham and he was all like whoosh!" Comments the excitable drake by his side.
The little girl jumps excitedly at another silver piece. "Travellers are rich..." she said with pure awe.
The cryer yells out once more "Well that was sure a rounsing match wasn't it? The next is between Gorvi, one of the hands around town and our very own half-orc terror, and a new traveller, Rohan Drake, the dragon man!" The Cryer raises his hands toward both contestants. Gorvi sits on the other side of the ring, wearing only a light shirt and shorts and hefting a longblade. He steps into the ring carefully.
"Place your bets everyone! The tried and true semifinalist from last year, or new blood? Only the match will tell!"
Dragon man? I suppose that's not the worst nick name I've ever heard.. Rohan starts stretching a bit before his match starts. He casts a defensive spell before hand and draws his spear. He nods his head to signify that he is ready.
Casts Shield before match.
Gorvin steps forward and holds out his hand. "May the best man win, stranger." He says calmly through the handshake and readies himself.
" Agreed."
Vulf straitens after a while and finally sees Aria standing next to the strange man with the odd hat on his head, and makes his way towards her. Along the way he shakes Rohan's extended hand and nods to him but pauses and looks into his eyes for a minute.
"Try not to get beat it will be interesting to fight you." Vulf says and then continues on letting Rohan get up to the dueling arena.
Markellus nods at Zelaria's explanation of Kayla's presence, and cocks his head curiously as a strange scent fills the air and Zelaria starts jumping up and down. Realizing that Vulf is the focus of her attention, he directs a slight smile toward her and raises his own arm, waving for Vulf to come join them. Desna's favor eh? Well, more likely Old Deadeye, but the compliment is most welcome. Guess they don't have many of Azlanti decent here.
Gorvi lashes out in a simple, brutal attack with his blade.
The blade skims from the magical force around Rohan, causing sparks to fly but no damage.
Rohan takes a step back and lashes out with his spear trying to keep him at bay.
He is unable to connect due the half-orcs experience.
Gorvi's blade knocks the spear aside, gripping it for a moment with his off hand and pulling Rohan forward into his blades point. The stomach blow is extremely painful. Gorvi pushes the spear back and reestablishes distance as his blade begins to hum and glow blue.
Lucky strike, don't think it'll happen again.Rohan letting the pain from the blow to the stomach fuel his determination. He goes for a quick jab with his spear hoping to catch his foe off-guard.
The maneuver works as he is able to jab the half-orc in the shoulder as the summoner keeps his distance.
The half-orc rolls masterfully with the blow and comes up under the spear to hammer into Rohan's leg, almost knocking him from his feet, before moving back again. His blade hums higher and turns white. "An excellent blow. But you drop your guard far too easily." Gorvi says with a grin.