Firstly, i want you to know how this went down. I sat down with my 8y/o daughter and played out each fight. She had great fun, her first time actually playing and she loved kicking my butt.
There were no weapons allowed into the pit nor were bucklers/shields or heavy armor. Infact, everyone wore leather armor except for Madie who refused any armor at all.
First up were Madie and John 'Darlin'. Madie moved first and tried to take advantage using stealth in the low light. John spotted her however and moved in to base. To bad though, she was far too fluid in her movements and her hits stung like a wasp. Her great speed allowed her two strikes to his one and he was very quickly knocked out.
Saul asked if she was happy to fight again right away and she agreed to continue.
Next Madie faced Andrezi. This fight was almost the same as the previous but Andrezi did manage to hit Madie once before he too was knocked out just as quickly as John 'Darlin' had been. The invited guests were extremely impressed with the young ladies skill at hand to hand, even against armored opponents. She moved gracefully avoiding blows, almost as though her opponents were forecasting their attacks. Madie decided to take a seat whilst the next round went ahead.
Next were the two ex-guardsmen, Panril and Horrim. Both wearing their leather military issue armor. Horrim decided to use the shadowy light to make a stealth approach upon his comrade. It worked a charm, Panril didn't see the blow coming even though he had tried to make ready for it. This was more of a even fight, blows exchanged and no ground given between the two friends. Horrim managed however to land a critical hit which put Panril almost on the ropes. Panril got one last retaliatory blow in before being knocked out. This fight could honestly have gone either way. For if Horrim had not managed that stealth attack to begin with, the victory may have been different.
Now it was down to Madie and Horrim to punch it out. Saul asked if any of you would care to head down and aid in healing the contestants. A small break ensued allowing healing to be done so that Madie and Horrim would be fit to continue. Spirits were high between all the contestants and no animosity was harbored after the matches.
Madie and Horrim entered the pit for the last round of the trials. This was a more exciting fight. Madie, making the most of opportunities afforded by Horrim, who was not as well trained in hand-to-hand combat as Madie had been. The monks superior skill and training were obvious before the guests and other contestants. Even with his superior armor and large muscular physique, Madie convincingly defeated Horrim with more perfectly placed lightning fast strikes and claimed victory over the trials. Cheers erupted from above and every was very keen to speak with and get closer to the attractive, fit and powerful monk.
Eventually, Madie came up along with all the others to join the gathering ready to watch the final fight between Pigsaw and Zhelm. Everyone offered Madie drinks and food and some even passed her coin purses out of appreciate for her skills displayed. She declined all alcohol, took a bite to eat and humbly accepted the purses but handled them awkwardly as though she merely accepted them to be polite. Ethaniel hung by her side and it was obvious she appreciated the company.
After ten minutes of discussion and celebration, Saul broke the tension among the other potentials and said.
"You have all displayed skill enough this evening to be hired as bouncers by me to serve the Goblin. Madie however, demonstrating unmatched skill has earned a higher role, to be discussed later this evening. Congratulations all. Welcome to the 'family'. And now, for the main trial of the evening. The demonspawn and Pigsaw. Bojask, we are ready."
