Summer Festival Campian - Tournament of Champions - We have a Champion!

[Allacan ob Burzum]

The esteemed halls of Campian had once again been thrown open to the warm summer air. Fabled for being a neutral training-ground for warriors from all across Middle-earth, the high rafters echoed with the sounds of blades being sharpened, the thuds of weapon against padded targets, and the hearty laughter of mutual respect and comradeship. Allacan was rushing about making the final (slightly late) preparations; streaming brightly coloured festival pennants between the training dummies that circled the central arena like an expectant audience. Near bouncing with enthusiasm, stray cob-webbing still caught in the kerchief covering her uncharacteristically tousled hair (recently dyed black, it’s a new look!), she leaps onto a mounting block and claps her hands loudly for attention.

"Fine warriors and fellow combatants, welcome to Campian! Today we re-open these fabled halls for a very special event; a Tournament of Champions. The prize; a chest of prizes and the honour of being the first (and currently only) person to ever hold the title of Tournament Champion of Campian.

"Any and all who wish to compete in the melee challenge need only present themselves for inspection, choose a weapon from those provided and enter the arena in readiness. In the spirit of Campian, your loyalty or allegiance does not debar you entry, for here we are all warriors alike, bound with mutual respect and a shared appreciation for the art of combat..

"A brief reminder of the rules; only blunted and dulled weapons provided here may be used within the arena, including slow-flight padded arrows or crossbows if you wish. No intentional head-shots or potentially lethal attacks are permitted, and you fight to the yield. Healers are at hand in the event of an accident, as are a number of 'adjudicators' in the event of rule-breaking. Good luck!"

Ok, so how does this work?

The mechanics look complicated and scary I know, but honestly you don't need to read them all (13, 14 and 15 are the important ones, the rest are just boring ref stuff). In simple terms, each round you roleplay two attacks and one defence. You can attack the same person twice, or two separate people. You can defend yourself or someone else. At the end of the round I’ll tell you if they hit or not and when you are out of lives, you get eliminated. Last standing wins.

For those interested (the detailed mechanics):-

1) Every competitor enters the same arena. The melee is a free-for-all that begins as soon as the horn is sounded.
2) Each player has 3 'lives'. If you lose your last life, you are eliminated and must yield to your opponent(s) and leave the arena.
3) The competition will be broken down into rounds. Each round will have a deadline for posts; anyone missing the deadline will be assumed to have spent their entire round defending themselves (repeated missing of the deadline will result in elimination). If every competitor gets their submissions in before the deadline then I may move on and allow extra time for the next round.
4) For each round, players have four dice in total; two active attacking dice (six-sided) and two passive defending dice (eight or six-sided depending on the player's decision, see rule 6 below).
5) Each round, players choose one or two opponents from the remaining field of fighters to attack. Please role-play the nature of your attack, being limited to a couple of manoeuvres or one lunge/slash. You can feint at a target, but will only do damage if you actually attack them. You can either use both attacks against a single target, or move around the field and attack two separate targets.
6) Additionally, players choose whether they will be using their second defence dice to defend themselves, or someone else. If you choose to defend yourself, the second defence dice will be a six-sided dice. If you defend another, it will be an eight-sided dice.
7) The first defence dice will always be an eight-sided dice and automatically will be used to defend yourself from the first attack by attempting to block that attack.
8) In the event of a second attack on a single target, any additional defence dice that person has (either from themselves or another person) will be used to try and block that attack. If no second attack is directed at that person, the dice will be wasted.
9) Only one defence dice can be used per individual attack. Where a player has more than one remaining defence dice, the highest dice will always be used first.
10) You cannot 'save' your dice until the next round. Any unspent dice will be expended at the end of the round and new dice distributed at the beginning of the next.
11) For each attack, the defence dice and attack dice are rolled against each other. If the resulting number of the defence dice is equal to or higher than the number on the attack dice, the attack misses. If the attack dice rolls a higher number than the defence, the attack hits and the target loses a life.
12) If you have no defence dice left to block an incoming attack, it automatically hits and you lose a life. Please role-play as appropriate.
13) Please clearly identify your two Attacks and the target of the second Defence dice (which can be yourself) by highlighting them in Bold BLACK Text in a separate paragraph at the end of your post.
14) As GM, at the end of each round I will roll all dice together and post the outcomes. To help with role-play, imagine that a number of attacks happen simultaneously or your character may not feel the shock and pain of an hit until a few moments after it happens.
15) BONUS DICE!!! The GM has bonus attack dice and/or bonus defence dice to 'gift' to any players for good role-play or impressive contributions. Spectators or eliminated combatants can also nominate players to receive these - please post nominations in Bold BLACK Text at the end of your post.
16) I reserve the right to adjust rules for the final combatants to ensure we end in a single victor and not a simultaneous elimination; no double knock-outs.


OOC Rules:-
~ The usual plaza rules apply.
~ Please assume inspection will include removal of hidden weapons, poisons, mysterious vials of liquid, sharpened armour or other dangerous implements not in the spirit of Campian, etc. Yes, even your staff Mithrandir!
~ IC Weapons provided are any style or design wooden training weapons or the equivalent of current-day LARP-safe weapons, please role-play appropriately.
~ I have prepared an infinite supply of healer NPCs and soldier NPCs at my beck and call, so no dying or killing on my watch please. The odd accident or clumsy fumble can be entertaining, but remember this is meant to be fun.
~ The nature of this game involves interacting with other players through combat. Brief alliances, betrayals, teaming up and 'traitorous back-stabbing' is all the spirit of the game, but please remain respectful and upbeat at all times. By all means feel free to attempt one-on-one duel-like challenges, but be warned there is also nothing wrong with taking advantage of a turned back. Its a free-for-all, roll with it.
~ Targeted harassment and foul language will not be permitted.
~ Minimum 200 characters for IC posts
~ Respect the GM and the dice-rolls; please role-play the outcomes as best you can.
~ Please refrain from posting in Blue - this colour will be used for thread updates and round results.
~ Competitors please post their character name and remaining 'lives' at the bottom of each post so I can find your posts more easily.
~ Spectators are very welcome and encouraged to help their favoured champion (see rule 15 above)

This is an experiment and will need a little bit of timey-wimey imagination to work, bear with me if I have to tweak things a bit. I appreciate that posting early/late may impact on choices and provide some advantage/disadvantage, but I figure the limitation of people's availability and time-zones will help neutralise that.


LIST OF ENTRANTS AND RESULTS
Frost (Frostbite) - ELIMINATED
Turin (Turin Ringhûn) - ELIMINATED
Zarâm (Dimcairien Luiniel) - ELIMINATED
Taethowen - ELIMINATED
Ducky (KingODuckingham) - ELIMINATED
Oghren (Dwarrow Elf) - ELIMINATED
Ula Rhianri (Gliterati_Goblin) - ELIMINATED

Third Place
@Eldrith

Runner Up
@Elvheimdros

Champion of Campian
@Arnyn

[Elvheimdros]

The halls of the Campian seemed relatively quiet as Elvheimdros made his way past the outer fence. Plenty of chatter as the training hall's sergeants moved around checking preparations and speculating on the day's fighting, but none of the usual clatter of arms themselves at the moment. Understandable, as the fairgrounds were crowded, to say nothing of the other contests taking place, but word of the Tournament of Champions was making its way through the crowds and he had no doubt he'd have company later. On his way to the ring he'd stopped by his current lodgings to pick up his own shield and armor in its wrappings, both now slung over his back: no need for martial display in the main festival. His own weapons he'd left behind except the short knife he carried everywhere.

He walked across the outer training grounds, a little surprised the Tournament was being held inside, but on the whole that seemed a positive given the warm Summer sun. A number of the sergeants seemed to be on duty outside the Campian's great doors to enroll combatants and inform them of the rules. Elvh handed over his knife, and went along the racks that had been dragged outside, to pick up training weapons to replace his normal gear: longsword, a dagger as long as his forearm, belts and scabbards for each, and even a wooden "knife" not unlike the one he'd just surrendered. He ran through a few stretches, then ducked into one of the pavilions set outside to assemble himself: tunic off, leather undercoat over his shirt, mail over leather. Belts over the mail, little knife down his boot, and the training weapons properly holstered in their borrowed scabbards. The nice thing about showing up first was a little more room to warm up, so Elvh made a few lunges and slashes until the staging area started to fill up with other people.

As the crowd gathered, the sergeants started directing fighters into the Campian's main ring. Elvh didn't make it in first, but walked over near the edge of the ring, opposite the main entrance to the ring: he wanted to see as many of his opponents and their gear as he could before the actual fighting started.

OOC: To the extent the timeline matters, I am currently assuming that the Tournament is taking place after the conclusion of the Tub Race, but I'm willing to be corrected or ignore continuity completely as appropriate.

Elvheimdros
3 Lives

[Baphởmet]

Frost was not much of a fighter. He was much more of a lover at heart. Sure, he could kill someone but he usually preferred to either trick someone else into killing his opponent or simply use a spell. But there was something alluring about this place, this “Hall of Campian.” He could not put his finger on it, not quite. Perhaps it was all the stories he had heard about it, grandiose tales of bravery and blood and wild nights.

Whatever the reason, he had decided he was going to enter this tourney. He would likely be knocked out quickly, but maybe not.

Much to his consternation, however, all of his weapons were removed and taken, as were all the scrolls and odds and ends required to make magic work. They even found the long needle he kept in his sock. They were thorough, he could give them that at least. And touchy!

Once he was stripped of all his finery and weapons, Frost entered the hall. It was large, that much had not been an exaggeration. But it was largely empty. Had he arrived too late? Or far too early? What was that saying about wizards?

A wooden hand-and-a-half bastard sword was shoved into his hand by a grumpy looking only man with shining white hair. Before he had a chance to speak, the man disappeared around the corner.

“Alright then,” he muttered to himself as he began to take a few practice swings before moving through the basic forms he remembered for his youth.

Frost
3 Lives

[Turin Ringhûn]

Turin hadn't taken part in a fighting competition in a very long time, if ever. But he'd seen the banner, inviting contestants to the contest. So, with his wife's permission, he made the journey to Rohan to try his hand. In contest like this, there was always a slight chance of significant injury, but with his amount of combat experience, he felt he could stop himself from seriously injuring anyone.

Finding his way was not simple, but once he got the the general area, there were signs about for the “Hall of Campian.” He made his way there and signed up. He was told good luck and pointed towards the arena, but not before having his sword and knives confiscated. He was told they would be held until the end of the tournament at which point he would have them returned. In their place, he was given a wooden practice sword and knives.

"Ah, that makes more sense." he said upon receipt. He nodded and made his way into the arena. There were only a couple other people present so far. He wondered how many more would arrive before things got fun. But only the Valar knew.

He nodded to the others present, and went off to a shaded side himself to await the announcement of the beginning.

Turin
3 Lives

[Eldrith]

It was a mistake. Surely it must be a mistake. Yes, she'd said she'd join the cavalry, but that had been entirely as a dryht, she would cook! She would make sure leather rolls were ready. Perhaps see to some inventory. She would help. She'd made it clear, absolutely crystal clear, that she was not going to wield a sword. Then why in Bema's name was Eldrith entering the Campian. The slightest of smiles at the look on the sergeant's face, someone she'd had in the Aeldsel at the time and quite possibly given a look. What would a five foot two woman be seeking here? Perhaps she was coming to bring lunch to someone? That would make sense, right?

Instead without any explanation, without a word, she put a pen to the rolls and wrote down a single name. Eldrith. Rohan, entering herself.

She was wearing the wide skirts, that she had worn in the tavern, to allow her to work unhindered. Wide enough that they would not hinder her movement and as they were hiked now, only reaching halfway to her calves. Without further explanation she moved the racks, looking at the wasters provided. She selected two, a dagger of about 8 inches long (20 cm) and a short sword. The reach was less than either a bastard sword or a longs word would provide but it suited better to her posture at least. She considered for a moment before finding the sheath of both and belting them around, then choosing a last, less common object: a buckler that she strapped to her left forearm, allowing her access to the grip inside, but leaving her hand free as well.



Eldrith
3 lives

[Dimcairien Luiniel]

Zarâm was the type to never walk away from a battle so when it was announced that there would be a melee tournament as part of the Summer Festival, she grinned in evil excitement and hurried over to sign up. Much to her dismay, upon signing up, she was promptly stripped of all her weapons, including the ones that were stashed in various unmentionable areas. How they knew to search for them was beyond her one-track mind. She still had her teeth though if necessary, though it would be a very low-class thing to use them in a fight.

She begrudgingly selected two of the so-called "practice weapons". Why would anyone want a practice weapon? A fight in Mordor was "kill or be killed" and no one bothered with any of these so-called practice items. It would be risking certain death if you dared to carry one with you.

A quick glance around the room showed that it was still very early and there were hardly any other fighters around yet. And most of the ones who had arrived appeared to be of very little threat. But Zarâm did spot Frost and he looked just as annoyed as she did at the mere thought of using blunted and padded weapons. She sidled up to him and said, "Who do these people think they are, handing out fake weapons? We both know just the right ways to seriously harm someone without actually killing them." Harming people without killing was an art and something that very few minions were good at, but from the little Zarâm knew Frost, she was certain he knew how to do it.

Zaram
3 lives

[Taethowen]

As Taethowen stepped through the Campian gates, there was a spring to her step that hadn't been in a very long time. By appearances, most people never suspected that she enjoyed a good joust or archery competition. She loved wearing dresses and fixing her hair, and sometimes even donning some fine, exquisite jewelry.

Today, though, none of those things were present. Today, she'd donned brown leather pants, a loose linen shirt (in red), her most broken-in, flat-soled pair of leather boots that laced up nearly to her knees, and over the shirt she wore a leather cuirass and matching leather bracers. Her long, brown hair was pulled back tightly, braided and coiled and pinned up to be as much out of her way as possible.

And she'd left most of the weapons she was used to carrying behind. It's not like she was traipsing through Umbar... just Edoras.

Taeth was surprised to see, though, that there was a line of people waiting at the inspection point. Clearly, she should have been here earlier, and as she waited to get in, she worried that the weapons racks would be picked over.

Finally, she made it in. She'd relinquished the knife tucked inside her left bracer, let them check her boots for hidden daggers--there were none, not now, anyway--and then eyed the inspectors, askance, as they asked to inspect her hair. She'd complied with a loud sigh. She'd selected hair pins instead of a hair stick for precisely this reason, but appparently she just should have worn her braid down.

She was ushered through to the weapons racks at last, and with relief saw that there were plenty of weapons remaining which were not swords. It had been far too long since she trained with a sword, as she'd come to prefer fighting knives in recent years, if she couldn't have her bow. Perusing the remaining options, she whispered a quiet "yes!" under her breath as she found a pair of practice knives that settled nicely into her hands, and also tucked perfectly into the tops of her boots.

Briefly, she considered a polearm or quarterstaff as her final weapon, but as with a sword, it had been a very long time since she truly trained with them, and at last her eyes settled on a bow. The accompanying quiver contained a dozen padded arrows. The bow felt far flimsier than the one she was used to carrying, but it would do.

This was just a game, after all.

With a breath to calm her jittery--mostly from excitement--nerves, she approached the arena, and began to size up the other participants as she tested the bow's draw and made any necessary adjustments to the string.

She saw one Rohir (Elvh) who looked... familiar, standing not far from her. From the way he stood, tall and straight with an ease that suggested former command, she figured he must be someone she'd served in the Cavalry with in the past, but had been among those memories lost.

Then there was... Frost. She tilted her head, evaluating the Numenorean's form as he moved through a few simple drills with a sword. He'd not mentioned any interest in the tournament, but neither had she. The corner of her mouth curled up just a bit. This could be... interesting.

As she watched, a female orc (Zarâm) sidled up next to Frost, and Taeth's eyes narrowed as the orc said something, though she was too far away to catch what it was with the crowd of people gathering.

With a huff, Taeth pulled her eyes away, and tried to spot the other participants. It appeared the rest so far were human, at least. There was one man (Turin Ringhun) she didn't recognize in the slightest, and then there was... Eldrith. Eldrith she remembered, if vaguely, from many years past in Rohan. Taeth's gaze dropped down the woman's form, examing her... garb. Why the woman had chosen full skirts for a melee was beyond her, but she gave her a friendly smile nonetheless.

Taeth slung the quiver in place over her shoulder, and let the bow hang gently from an upturned palm. Now just to wait until it was time for the match to begin. Wait... and plot.


Taethowen
3 Lives

[KingODuckingham]

"Oh yeah, baby, totally, just workin' my biceps, triceps, maybe my flyceps if you know what I mean. Ungh, yeah, feelin' the burn. I don't know if I mentioned it, but I'm already on rep 635. Going for a thousand, you know. Yeah, totally casual, just my daily thing you know. Right on."

Ducky wiped his forehead where he was pretending there was a sheen of sweat. He had only actually done a single "rep", and he didn't even really know what that meant--he had just been bending his elbow or something. He was trying to be tough, though. He was channeling his memories of Tulkas from so long ago, in Valinor, and doing his best impression. And trying to impress people. He made sure to step long and slowly toward the arena, flexing here and there as he went. He kept changing the direction in which he looked, winking at folks when he caught their eyes.

"Oh yeah, people, here we go!" he shouted. "You ain't never seen anything like this before. Check it out! A wizard stands before you. That's right, you heard me. You may as well just give up now. You see these forceps?" he flexed his arms again. "Well they lift a staff DAILY." He demonstrated with the blunt stick he carried around wherever he went. "I don't need any magic to put you all six feet un---oh, uh, flat on the ground." he amended hastily, remembering the rules. "And I don't need to be the wizard genius that I am to know that you have no chance at all. The real weapon isn't the staff anyway, it's these guns baby." he kissed each of them in turn. He had bared them to the sky recently, and while they were still blindingly white, he was hoping everyone thought that was the most impressive wizard color anyhow. Perhaps all the light reflecting off of them would also blind everyone to how weedy they were. Ducky had not lifted anything heavier than a badger in a long, long time.

He returned to his repping.

"Six hundred thirty six, six hundred thirty seven, six hundred thirty eight..." Ducky trailed off, immediately feeling that it was tedious to count out loud. Also, he tried to pace himself a bit. This constantly moving thing was hard work. "But yeah, anyway," he said in a more subdued tone. "This is just my break between workouts to be honest. Gotta get something light in. Keep my coreceps loose. Shake it out, shake it out, shake it out..." Ducky began jogging in place, waiting for the event to begin proper, and hoping it would be soon because even this slow jog was murder on his ankles.

Ducky
3 lives remaining

[The Elf Imperishable]

Oghren wandered in the tournament grounds. He was in a tourist outfit filled with an assortment of pretty rocks on his shirt and pants. Perhaps they were his pajamas too.

“Where’s the glittering caves and where’s my armor? guess I’ll win this tournament cause I am getting really bored with the lack of nice cave stone here.”

Oghren 3 lives

[Glitterati_Goblin]

Already unnerved by the dissatisfying weight of her wooden weapons, Ula Rhianri nonetheless entered the field with a begrudging acceptance. Her time in Mordor left her with a certain sense of how things should be done, which, she did realize, was leaning heavier towards ‘maiming and death’ than likely practical for the amiable raucous braggadociary of Rohan.

Good lord, the orcs were rubbing off on her.

Still, she’d been promised the hand axes here weighted appropriately for throwing and her empty pockets demanded she do something to earn herself a few free drinks from the tavern in hopes of a meal, so risking naught but her pride and a few bruises did seem more appealing than starving in the stands.

She already knew her place in the narrative of the games - it was inevitable, given her skin. Darker than the men from Rohan or Gondor, marked with the ink of her people, and hair locked against the sea winds, the crowds would know her from Umber and cast her accordingly as the dastardly corsair. The fact it was true played only a small comfort. But, nonetheless, that meant her role was simple; fight dirty, fight well, and fall to the hero.

Though, looking out at her opponents, finding the ‘hero’ was beginning to appear a bigger challenge than she thought.

Ula
3 lives

[Allacan ob Burzum]

Allacan’s energy finally started to settle as warrior after warrior positioned themselves at the edge of the tournament ring. The keenness of focus from some of the competitors was easily the sharpest thing there, and yet others strode with the casual confidence of someone who had wondered in searching for subterranean treasures and then decided perhaps they’d give it a go. However, when her eyes fell on one particular participant she near fainted straight off the mounting block. “What in Bema..?!” She exclaimed at she blinked at Eldrith and was half tempted to leap down to speak to the woman, but then her attention was caught by the sight of Ducky who looked intent on wearing himself out before the competition had even begun, and she recalled herself to her duties.

She dragged back some semblance of professionalism even while her mind whirled in confusion “Good people all, I present your would-be Champions” she said, allowing a pause for the few gathered spectators (mostly just her foot soldiers and healers for now) before raising a horn to her mouth.

The war-horn of Rohan echoed through the halls, fuelling the adrenaline of all those gathered there, and the combat begins.

ROUND ONE!

Everyone has 2 attacks and 1 defence to choose targets for, plus any bonuses detailed below. Please remember to post the targets of your attacks and defence (even if it’s yourself) at the end of your post in bold WHITE.

@Elvheimdros - 3 lives
Your early arrival and keen eye have given you useful insights into your opponents. You receive a bonus attack for this round only.

Frost (@Frostbite) - 3 lives

@Turin Ringhûn - 3 lives

@Eldrith - 3 lives

Zarâm (@Dimcairien Luiniel) - 3 lives

@Taethowen - 3 lives

Ducky (@KingODuckingham) - 3 lives
You’re posturing and showing off has helped get the blood flowing, and as a result your battle-awareness has improved. You receive a bonus defence for this round only.

Oghren (@Dwarrow Elf) - 3 lives

Ula Rhianri (@Glitterati_Goblin) - 3 lives

Round one will close midnight PST on 4th July (which is 3am on 5th July EST, or 8am on 5th July for BST) to allow latecomers to join. No late entrants will be allowed once the first round results are posted.

In response to Elvheimdros's question, to the extent the timeline matters, the Tournament takes place after ALL the other festival events have finished so that the big festival finale is you all beating the Bema out of each other!

Also, Taethowen asked a good question on Discord; 'how do I roleplay my defence roll if no-one else has attacked yet?'

Treat your defence roll as trying to anticipate an attack and being guarded against it. It might be ducking and weaving if you are defending yourself, it might be moving close enough to intercept a strike if you are defending another. You have no idea whether it will be necessary, of course, but that's half the challenge. A lot of defence rolls could be wasted but it helps the roleplay and might also make people think differently about their attacks; if you see someone actively dancing on their feet to make it hard to hit them (defending themselves) or someone getting back to back with an ally (defending someone else) you might not waste your attack on them this round, or you might decide they need taking down early and unite against them.

[Glitterati_Goblin]

Quick to move, Ula abandoned her starting position and pulled back to slowly circle the green with her back to the audience. Not so close as to touch the low wooden walls - she didn’t trust the crowd to avoid the temptation of interference - but well enough to keep her opponents in front of her. She slipped her weighted hand axes into her hands and took a better look at her opponents, now that the facade of civility dropped away.

The orc(Zarâm) was a surprise, almost as much as the full skirts(Eldrith, but the weathered rohirrim(Turin) was exactly what she expected to find. Still not certain he was the one to feed the crowd’s frenzy, though, compared to the light-footed archer (Taeth) or the respectable long blade (Elvheimdros).

That left her with three gaudy, ridiculous men that all had that way about them that suggested something altogether unnatural at their fingertips, though one a dwarf(Frost, Ducky, Oghren).

It was time to see if she had any allies on the field. The orc was tempting, large and plainly skilled, with the same narrative for the audience, but something told her the dramatic backstabbing might come a bit before Ula earned herself a meal for her efforts. Instead, her eyes skipped back to the archer(Taeth). There seemed a clear line of sight between her bow and the worst of the glittering ganders(Oghren).

“Archer!” Ula bellowed across the field, expecting to either catch her(Taeth) attention with her nod towards the target(Oghren) or distract the woman enough to allow a blow from another competitor to take her out. Allies were good, but downed opponents were better, after all. With her gamble cast, Ula decided it was time to take her own action.

Darting behind the dwarf(Oghren), Ula took a swipe at his hamstring with one of her axes while she raised her other in a reflexive guard, only, to shift it to a second blow aimed at his side as her other came around in anticipation to block.

ULA, 3 LIVES

ATTACKS: 2 OGHREN
DEFENSE: 1 ULA

(I did edit to adjust for Oghren being a dwarf, that I somehow missed)

[Amadhrill]

Spectator stands

Amadhrill half dragged her three kids and her husband into the spectator stands, carefully navigating her way between the spectators present untill they found a good spot, where the children could see as well. She looked at the contestants, her green eyes seeking for one contestant in particular, one she could not really believe would actually be there.

She recognized Elvh a former marshal, if her mind served her correctly, then Tæth, also cavalry. She smile encouragingly in their direction, should they look in her. Then there were a few from far away, a Gondorian Turin perhaps, judging from his clothes and look, she was suprised and a little repulsed, though she did her best to hide it from her children, when she saw the orcs. Then she saw her, shorter then most Rohirims, not dressed for fighting, unmistakebaly Eldrith.

«ELDRITH!» She yelled and waved and even her husband and children joined in the cheer for her old friend. Her attention went to a wizard (Ducky) who seemed to talk nonstop, though not actually doing anything that in her eyes at least. She smiled and hid a laughter, but gave him a merry cheer. Then there was a dwarf (Oghren), she had to push down her youngest hand. «Don't point, sweetheart, it is not polite.» The last oponent had entered, darker in the skin than Gondorians and Rohirrims, a corsair perhaps (Ula).

Then Allacan entered and spoke. As the war-horn of Rohan echoed through the walls, she could feel a familiar rush of her blood, her body and mind imidiately put in a fighting spirit. Then the blood rush passed and she took a few deep breath, her eyes on the first round as Ula made her first attacks.

[Turin Ringhûn]

Turin, 3 Lives

Turin heard the war-horn of Rohan echo through the halls. That was the signal to begin. He looked about the arena at all of the contestants. There were mostly those from Rohan, which made since as this contest was being held in that kingdom. There were a couple orcs, a dwarf, and one old looking man. "Why on earth is he doing this?" he thought to himself.

His instinct told him to attack the orcs, but something told him, most everyone else would do that too, and too many people attacking the same person could make things difficult. One had to think of strategy. Who should he attack? Who was going to attack him? Actual war was easier than this as the bad guys and good guys just rushed at each other. This though, what was the best way to go? He scanned the arena once more and made his choices. "Here we go." he said shaking his head. He charged.

Run by attack on Taethowen with knife.
Attack Oghren with sword.
Defend against retaliation from Oghren

[The Elf Imperishable]

CONTENT WARNING: SUGGESTIONS OF SEXUAL HARRASSMENT, PSYCHOLOGICAL MANIPULATION, and GASLIGHTING

Oghren, Three Lives

Now in the eyes of an onlooker, there were a motley of competitors of all shapes, sizes, identities, and races. One would think that Oghren would have checked out each of them to determine their weaknesses and strengths.

Instead his eyes were focused on one person: Taethowen

"Well aren't you a sight with that braid! Reminds me of my own," Oghren commented, perhaps referring to his red beard braids that formed much of his facial hair, "What say you and me leave this Tournament and I can show you some glittering caves? Hehehe."

Suddenly someone (Ula) yelled "Archer!" and the dwarf shouted to Taethowen, "Yeah, I see your bow, but you sent the arrow of passion through my heart, hehe! Just drop them and we can have a real archery contest."

An eyewitness primary source account later surmised the tactic as psychological warfare, to wear down an opponent and force them to give up without even the combatant attacking the other person. After all, as Master Sun of Rhun said, "The best way win is without fighting." The source praised Oghren as a genius mid-fight tactician, fooling everyone in believing that he was just a loudmouth drunk dwarf who could not fight. When in fact Oghren was such a great warrior, he knew how to use psychology as well as physical prowess to defeat his foes. It is said that this would only be one memorable anecdote in the pages of Oghren's Age. But let us move back to the present time.

Oghren's ears and nose twitched as he heard a sudden rustling from behind and sniffed. Fortunately the dwarf was not so drunk that he did not forget his fighting reflexes. He turned his head around just in time to notice a person with two axes.

Because he was only wearing his pajamas, Oghren decided to jump to dodge the axe from hitting his hamstrings. Then, while facing away from the attacker (Ula) he would dive backward in between the person's legs to try and take out the person's legs out from under him using his strong hands. This also could allow him to immediately get up. Furthermore this attack could also serve as a dodge for a follow up strike by Ula's other axe, as well as any other attacks from other people.

If he successfully did all these things he would say, "Well today's my lucky day. Two ladies fighting for me." There of course was the issue of other people possibly attacking the dwarf, but oh well, it wasn't as if Oghren had ten arms to block or dodge everything, ya know?



PSYCHOLOGICALLY ATTACK TAETHOWEN
DEFEND OGHREN
ATTACK ULA

[Elvheimdros]

Elvh watched as the other competitors entered. First Frost, apparently unused to the niceties of formalized fighting, but looking happy enough with that monster of a wooden sword. Turin, equipped similarly to himself but without the shield. In fact none of these people had brought shields, or taken advantage of the - admittedly plain and unadorned - ones hanging on the walls, except for Elarith. Of course a shield weighed you down in a melee, but the only thing worse than fighting with a shield was fighting without one.

Zarâm had come in while he was studying the others, and stood by Frost, but Elvh couldn't tell what weapons she'd selected. Taethowen he recognized from old, brief Cavalry days, and he saw with surprise she was sticking to a bow even here. A bold choice in a melee, especially one in campian not on feld. Still, boldness should be rewarded. Ducky, unmistakeably a wizard, entered with only a staff, and immediately began a set of antics that reminded Elvh strongly of any young buck preening when first allowed to train with "real" weapons - but maybe that was just a mage's subtlety?

Oghren entered the ring apparently without any preparation at all: Zarâm might have concealed her fighting style, but Oghren didn't seem to have even picked a weapon: hopefully the sergeants would let him remedy that before the bout began, but then maybe he was one of those unarmed fighters one occasionally heard rumors of from the Easterlings. And finally, Ula, muttering to herself but clearly aware of how to use those axes, which might even be small enough for throwing. Though the challenge of retrieval made throwing axes nearly as bold a choice for a melee as a bow.

The horn blew to start the melee, and Elvh answered with a quick rat-tat of sword on his own shield and a battle-call, "Forward the Eastmark!" In the spirit of the melee, it seemed only fair to take opponents as they came, and that meant he'd challenge Frost first. As he charged, he called out again, "Ho, warrior, a good fight to you!" Surprise could come later. Using his momentum, he started with a quick lunge trying to get under his opponent's guard, shield high to deflect retribution; then, recoiling, cut in again with two quick strokes against the warrior's left side. The other problem with a shield, he thought, is that it severely limits fancy swordplay: no chance to show off here!

Attack Frost x3
Defend self x2

Elvheimdros
3 lives

[KingODuckingham]

"Heee-yahhh!" Ducky shouted with feverish abandon as he heard the signal for the tournament to begin. It wasn't exactly a war cry, just a way of pumping himself up. What about a war cry though?

"Quack quack you Sackville-Bagginses," he shouted, "Taste my wrath!" He spun his staff up, down, around, and every which way several times, until he dropped it.

"Nobody attack me while I bend over and pick this up, okay? Time out, time out, peace deal, no touchie!" he said anxiously, and went to grab it. He was slow and careful, looking up every so often and making sparring motions with his hands in the direction of Frost and Taethowen. He didn't trust those suspicious looking folk. Once he had risen with staff in hand, he cackled.

"You punks thought you could best me? Let's get funky, baby." He lashed out suddenly in the drection of Zarâm.

"You're gonna find out what it means to see the Light of the Two Trees when it enters your skull, baby." he said. "Afterwards, though, totally coffee and surfing or whatever? Right on."

He turned suddenly and whipped his staff at Turin.

"So, you think because a man is old that he can't bop a youngster? This old man is packing some serious heat! I'm jacked, bro, jacked!" He paused to flex several more times, and dropped his staff again.

"Oh, hang on guys, gotta call a time out again. We get at least three of those right?" he asked sheepishly.

One attack against Zaram
One attack against Turin
Two defenses of myself (just happens to be against Taeth and Frost)

Ducky
Three Lives

[Taethowen]

Only three other contestants entered after her, Taeth noticed as she waited, her fingers tapping out a nervous rhythm against her hip.

It seemed that two of the three remaining contestants were going to be... unbearable. The first one (Ducky) who followed right behind her was apparently enamored with his own muscles. But he looked familiar... oddly so, and her nose wrinkled as she tried to place him. "Oh Bema's horn..." she muttered when she did. "It's that insane wizard from the archery tournament in Imladris a few years back." She would have to keep her eye on him just to make sure he didn't accidentally try to kill the spectators.

The next to wander in was a dwarf (Oghren) who seemed to have a similar ego issue to Ducky. She promptly ignored him.

The final contestant (Ula Rhianri) to wander in caught Taeth's eye, though. The corsair seemed confident and competent and what better way to wipe the Campian field clear of competitors than with another woman.

Then the Campian commander stepped forward, said a few words, and blew the war-horn, its sound filling the hall.

ROUND 1

Taeth cast her gaze about the other contestants as she adjusted the bow in her left hand for the proper grip.

There were a couple competitors she was contemplating as her first attacks, but then her nostrils flared as the dwarf Oghren targeted her with his words. Did he think she would be that easily cowed? She was a woman in the Cavalry, after all, and had been a Marshal. Words like the ones he spewed were by no means new.

She'd just shifted onto the balls of her feet, ready to spring back and evade any of the fiercest action when the corsair (Ula) shouted, "Archer!" as Ula ran across the field toward the Oghren, while Oghren's attention was fixed on Taethowen. She noticed Ula's nod, but didn't respond, not wanting to give away the attack.

Taeth bounded into action darting across the field away from Oghren to keep his attention fixed, reaching back for an arrow from her quiver. Then she twisted back around as she nocked it it to the string, but caught sight of Elvh as he hollered, "Forward the Eastmark!" and while she couldn't help the small swell of pride for her own eored, there was a problem: that being that Elvh was targeting Frost.

She made her decision. Drawing the bowstring, she loosed her first arrow, quickly followed by the second.

ATTACKS: 1 Ogrhen, 1 Elvh
DEFENSE: self

Taethowen
3 Lives

[Lailyn]

Nymlac, spectating and accepting bribes for bonus dice rolls

His walking stick (for he refused to call it a cane at his young age of twenty-nine) clacked on the stairs of the stands as the man climbed up on step at a time until he was satisfied with the space he reached. Ideally, he wanted a higher spot, but his leg already ached. So Nymlac settled partway up the stands and lifted a flask to his lips as he watched the contestants with a discerning eye. Who here was likely to win?

The old man (Ducky) certainly put on a good show with his weight lifting and he was impressed with his quick movements, a surprise from the old man as he launched attacks on Turin and Zaram. Turin and Elvheimdros both seemed the well-disciplined type. They would certainly do well in this contest, but if Nymlac were being honest, he rather held that Zaram and Frost may have the edge here, assuming they would resort to using dirty tricks. Hey, whatever it took to win.

Oghren appeared to be playing mind games with his opponents. While certainly clever, Nymlac felt it would only distract the dwarf in the end. Oghren's outfit and lack of apparent preparation also led Nymlac to list him lower on his list of potential victors.

Taethowen and Ula caught his eye in particular. Nymlac was always pleased to see women taking up arms. In fact, he rather preferred to romance shieldmaidens in his spare time...he would have to watch both women closely, in and out of the arena, knowing they could hold their own as well.

But when he saw Eldrith, he did a double take! What was the old pubmistress doing here in the Campian? He shook his head, sure she was a lost cause in the arena. But he couldn't help notice a woman (Amadhrill) in the stands cheering for her. Seeing a golden opportunity, he approached her, hoping it would be worth the effort.

"Good day, my lady," he greeted @Amadhrill with a smile and a pleasant voice. "I wonder if you might be interested in giving your friend Eldrith a little extra assistance? I would be more than happy to extend my spectator boost (aka spectator bonus dice roll) toward the contestant of your choice for the right price..."

Though he always enjoyed a good fight, Nymlac didn't care who won if he could earn himself some coins.

[Baphởmet]

Competitions like this always drew loud mouth braggards. That was the nature of the beast, Frost could understand and accept this. He didn’t like it, but it was normally against his nature to call them out and attack them directly but this was different.

He rounded in the direction of the dwarf, hearing his braying voice easily over the din of the battle as it began. He had already made himself a target. Frost momentarily reconsidered attacking him but then the oaf went and insulted Taethowen. Frost hadn’t seen her enter the competition but wasn’t surprised to see her. “Zarâm! Watch my back, I’m going to teach a dwarf some manners. Stick close. We’re more than likely to be targets here.” He and Zarâm, his orcish companion, would be targets here simply because they were the scary looking ones, they were the boogeymen and the monsters under the bed.

He was just able to take a step away from Zarâm when some fool of a Rohir (Elvh) issued a challenge to him and quickly began jabbing. He was good, the lunge nearly took Frost offguard, he dodged backward, swinging the bastard sword in front of him to deflect the blow. He quickly fell into fool’s stance, his feet wide, his hips in a half crouch. He held the sword in both hands out straight, angled up. It was the best he could do against sudden onslaught, but in this stance it would be hard for the man get another attack. He then launched his own swing, a vicious upward swing aimed at the man’s chin. Frost didn’t have time to shilly-shally with him. He dashed within reach of the dwarf and, possibly leaving himself open for an attack later, shifted all his weight to his back leg to build momentum for a massive arching strike, as the blade reached the zenith and began to fall, he shift his weight back to the front, aiming angrily for the dwarf’s (Oghren) head. “No one speaks to her that way!” His lips part in a feral snarl, shouting a curse at the dwarf in his native Adûnaic tongue.

He was already on the back foot. Where was Zarâm? Did he lose her in the melee already? They needed to stick together. A wedge with himself, Zarâm, and Taeth should prove effective, but he needed to find her first. Quickly he darted to Taeth’s side, smiled roguishly, if not a bit dazed, the stood beside her, ready to strike out the bastard sword should anyone come within reach.

Frost, 3 Lives
1 Attack on Elvh
1 Attack on Ogren
1 Defense with Taeth

[Eldrith]

Eldrith the cook. Eldrith the one who was ill dressed for the fight. Eldrith the one who everyone knew refused to touch a sword. Eldrith who had disappeared one day from the training grounds of Gondor pursued by a bounty hunter to find out the truth. And who had reinvented herself in Rohan. What took over when she saw the company she was in, was not nerves. The arena assessed, the curvature of it, the people within, even a glance over the spectators at the stand. Was it a wonder that she heard Ama above all, and that her eyes, just glimpsed up one second, before darting around to those gathered to fight. Because of who she was, what she was, she was an unlikely first target, it bought her a few seconds to see, to assess. Knowledge was power.

People were starting to gather, to choose their opponents. The wizard was full of energy.. not just in his words but in his attack, the staff a specific weapon and she already knew he wouldn't be her first to attack. A quiet smile as she caught Ula's eyes. They both wore the green. They both were women. Elv.. was a formidable opponent, in itself and the weapons he chose were familiar to him. She'd seen him enough with them, and if the training weapons were weighted like excellent wasters.. he'd not find a hinder. A good alliance in a melee, he wouldn't be her first target either but...her eyes sought another. She waited until the bowstring was loosened, not wishing to distract from the shot. Three women. A ranged weapon. Unfortunately, Ula's shout prevented that choice.. maybe she'd given away Taeth's attempt, maybe not.. which left Elv... and Taeth and her. A melee was better if you had each other's back, and Ula was on a different side of the Arena from Taeth.

Taeth! *A call out. A name, that was all, AFTER the arrow had flown. She would see if her gamble payed off. Rohirrim tended to stick together and she'd served both Elv and Taeth enough.. never the less.. as she'd called she made sure that Elv's body was between her and Taeth, forming a line, as he challenged Frost.

She moved in swiftly, even as Elv darted in with his longsword, hopefully engaging a counter from Frost, she moved to Frost's left side.. non sword arm, the skirts in no way a hindrance, considering she'd moved barrels in them and they were no longer than a wash dress. Her own right hand moved swift, and surprisingly competent for a backhand cut aimed right underneath his ribcage on the left side, a motion that should she hit and if the sword had been steel, would sheer into kidney and upwards.

*She moved back a slight step, pulling the shortsword from the backhand slash and in the same motion slamming her right arm with the buckler forward and up, trying to catch Frost's left arm, towards the elbow, but just slightly above. It was a champion's match, not a war, the motion in this case hoping to shoot through, and open the hand when nerves got numbed, instead of actually breaking it.

*She was.. aware of the others.. trying to see if Taeth's arrow had struck though for Oghren. A wizard (Ducky) had engaged Turin, Zaram was analysing like she but had not engaged, Elv was next to her attending to Frost. She chose to close her mind to the thoughts of what any who'd seen her fight, openly as herself, for the first in years, would see. She took a step back, still keeping Elv's body between her and Taeth, precautions better to be taken, no matter how much she hoped for a green sweep of the field before they turned on each other.

Eldrith 3 lives




Defense 1 from Taeth
Attack 1 to Frost
Attack 2 to Frost
Defense 2 from Taeth.
@Allafyrefleorhtlig Done, and thank you. *chuckles* Old habits die hard. So used to a different system.

[Veowyn]

Well, she had meant to get to the tournament on time. Things happen. Traveling with kids was full of distractions, laundry, naps, random impromptu song numbers. However she was determined to get to the tournament to cheer one her friend. When Veowyn heard the tournament signal, she quickened her pace. It took a few more minutes to find her way to the edge of the arena, but she did make it. Phew. And there was Ducky!... bent over, picking up his staff. She shook her head with a giggle. That silly wizard.

He did have some mad staff skills. "Woo! Go Ducky! Quack Quack!" She cheered, pumping her fist in the air. She hoped to see some of his hits land effectively. It would be great to see the old guy sweep the field with that stick. Oops, he dropped it again. She covered her face with her hands, but then slowly peaked through them. What could she do to prevent the others from taking advantage of his situation? Could she cause some sort of distraction? Would that be cheating? She was just a spectator! How she wished she could nominate Ducky for some sort of extra defense.

[Allacan ob Burzum]

A few of the words echoing across the arena made Allacan frown with annoyance, and she took a deep breath to bellow. “Oghren! This is an arena of combat, not somewhere to practice your utterly terrible pulling techniques! Save the creepy comments and stick to the combat, please. If you are so terrible a fighter that you have to stoop to making people squirm just to get a strike in, then you better cede right now!” she called challengingly, a hand resting ready on the short sword at her hip in case he took personal offence to her interruption.

OOC @Dwarrow Elf(I appreciate it’s roleplay and all meant in creativity and good jest, and we all love playing a nasty character showing it’s dark side, but could I kindly request that your psychological attacks be targeted towards something a little more appropriate for a younger audience. You’d be amazed how distracting it is when someone insults your hat mid-combat, especially when you aren’t wearing one! I’d also appreciate you adding a content warning to your post at the top as such; “Content Warning; suggestions of sexual harassment, psychological manipulation and gaslighting” to help people who might be uncomfortable by such topics. I’m loving the feistiness and originality though, keep it coming!)

OOC @Eldrith and @Frostbite (Welcome to the insanity of combat posting Eldrith! I don’t think it’s an issue; if you get a hit in on Frost it’ll be because he was so busy defending himself from Elv that he didn’t defend against the Rohir barmaid sneaking up behind; sometimes it’s handy to be short and underestimated. I trust Elv and Frost can figure out how they react to this unexpected appearance of the tenacious short Rohir in their next round post. )

Also @Eldrith (your attacks and defences should also be at the bottom of your post in white please rather than indicating it in your post, to add an air of secrecy to the game and make it easier for me to gather them up for the rolls. Can you edit as appropriate please and much thanksies )

ALL COMPETITORS

Just so you are aware, when you are defending, you don’t have to specify who you are defending from, just who you are trying to protect (I.e yourself or another named combatant). Please make it clear in your white comments if you are trying to protect yourself, or someone else. Particularly @KingODuckingham, @Eldrith and @Dwarrow Elf because my tired brain isn’t sure what you mean with your defences, sorry. If there's no edit, I'll assume you meant you were defending yourselves.

[Bereth]

Ber skidded into the entrance of the Campian with uncharacteristic haste, her breath coming in labored gulps. She’d run all the way from the Ærendgewrit, imagining the worst but secretly hoping she was ever so wrong. She took no notice of the state of the arena, nor the fluttering penants, nor the smell of leather and sweat. Her eyes swept the field of competitors until she spied Eldrith. And groan aloud. It was too lat to stop her. Too late to advise. And ... what, by the stars, was she wearing?!

She gripped the railing before her, certain she’d emboss her prints into the wood, and watched breathlessly as Eldrith launched her first efforts.

She eased back, a smile beginning as she nodded, crossing her arms, her focus widening to snatch glimpsed impressions of the others.

She didn’t dare shout out, or try to snag Eldrith’s attention. But she was here. Willing wisdom and whatever skills lay within her, and a generous dose of luck her way!

[KingODuckingham]

@Allafyrefleorhtlig So sorry, I have edited my post. I am a dunce for not reading the rules more carefully!

[Allacan ob Burzum]

Allacan couldn't hold back a giggle as she spots Ducky stooping to pick up his staff after dropping it for the second time! "No time-outs Ducky" she shouts toward him with a laugh, "Stay vigilant."

OOC @KingODuckingham - Its probably more my fault for making the rules so complicated and loooooooong. Thanksies.

There are exactly 18 hours remaining in the first round for latecomers to join the field, competitors to post their submissions, and for spectator nominations.

@Lailyn, @Bereth and @Amadhrill and anyone else spectating, don't forget to put your nominations for bonus dice in black bold at the bottom of your post so I don't miss anything (I love how Nymlac is trying to profit off this by the way; very clever). @Veowyn your nomination is noted and will be considered for the next round

[Arnyn]

She'd actually come to Edoras' Summer Fair to relax - believe it or not. Most wouldn't, and Arnyn didn't blame them as she walked into the campian with a wry smile on her face. Of course she wouldn't be able to resist an event such as this one... She'd heard talk of it at one of the food stands, and she'd felt an inexorable pull to these halls as the Festival drew to an end - a pull she could not deny (nor did she wish to). Win or lose, it would be a satisfying ending to her vacation.

Arnyn actually didn't do a bad job of fitting in in the Riddermark, considering her long golden braid and today's lack of Gondorian apparel. She'd worn green cloth and brown leathers this day, not wanting to be looked at as the foreigner from Gondor from the very second someone laid eyes on her.
She hadn't brought her weapons with her to the fair (they were still in her room at the inn); so there was nothing for the campian officials to confiscate. They made very sure of it, too, seemingly in disbelief that a tournament competitor would be so strange as to not bring any weapons they could not use!

She chose a wooden longsword as well as a dagger from the selection. Keeping things simple had an elegance to it.

She'd just entered the arena when a war horn sounded. A hint of a grin found its way to her face as she spotted Turin. Not the only Gondorian present, was she? Arnyn's dark eyes quickly surveyed the gathered would-be champions. She spared no time to be impressed or surprised by the collected individuals, and quickly spun towards the staff that whipped at her fellow Hyandaner, Turin, trying to hit it out of the wizard's (Ducky's) hands. Not waiting to see what happened, she heard the staff thud to the sands, but whether the wizard had dropped it or whether Turin had her to thank, Arnyn could not say. Now that she had done the honorable thing by defending her sword brother, she was busy keeping an eye on her surroundings - and figuring out her targets.

Her long legs took her from one target to the next quickly enough, the wooden longsword looking strangely right in her hands as she used her speed and agility to execute a dangerous dance.

Arnyn, 3 lives
1 attack on Taeth
1 attack on Zaram
1 defense for Turin

[Amadhrill]

Amadhrill – spectators stand

She could not help be a bit facinated by the dwarf Oghren that seemed to be more focused on, flirting was it, with his competitors. She watched the melee start and cheered as Elvh cried «Forward the Eastmark!».

Her eyes followed the wizard Ducky as he twice managed to drop his staff, his mouth seemed to move non-stop, just like that of her youngest son. «Look at those arrows fly!» He shouted with admiration as Taeths arrows flew from her bowstring.

Her eyes barely left the ongoing melee as a man (Nymlac) greeted her in a pleasant voice. «Good day, my lord.» She greeted him in a friendly voice, then his words seemed to sink in and she turned with lightening green eyes, obviously taking much offense by his words, but doing her best to calm herself in front of her children. Her voice was cold as she made her answer. «My lord, I do not pay bribes and I do not take bribes! My friend do not need false help!»

Well, truth be told, Ama was in no way sure that Eldrith would manage this by herself, but she would not do with cheathing either. Turning away from the man she made a point to cheer loudly as Elvh attacked one of the orcs Frost, surprised to see the orc darting towards Taeth and smiling?

Her worst fears for her friend however was somewhat lessened, and her surprise even greater, when she saw the pubmistress Eldrith moved swiftly and easily, moving around surprisingly natural with her weapons. «I thought you said that Eldrith never touched weapons?» Her husband, Frithwine's voice mirrored her own surprise. «She didn't...»

Her words were cut short by the cheering of Veowyn beside her, that had her three children laughing and joining in «Quack! Quack! Quack! Quack!»

In her side glance she noticed Lady Bereth entering the spectators' stand, no doubt to cheer form Eldrith too. She raised her hand and waved in greeting between applauding the attacks and defenses, sending a special bonus cheer towards Eldrith.

@Lailyn

[Dimcairien Luiniel]

The melee had begun, much to Zarâm's delight. It was hard to tell who was fighting who at the moment, but as the candidates fell, it would get easier. Zarâm quickly looked around, wondering who she should try an annihilate first. Frost shouted something about covering his back while he went to defend Taeth from that horrid dwarf, (even she had her limits and that dwarf had certainly crossed them) and while minions were notorious for backstabbing, it was also useful to protect the one person who was most likely to protect her.

But before she could give thought to who she wished to attack, several beings attacked her! When the human Arnyn lunged towards her, she did the only natural thing and attacked her back, swiping at her legs with her chosen sword. Without waiting to see if her attack had met its mark, she attempted to defend Frost from the double blow from Eldrith. Dancing around the flailing weapons, she swung a vicious attack towards the strange wizard who had dared to try and hit her.

Zarâm, 3 lives
1 Defense to Frost
1 attack to Arnyn
1 attack to Ducky

(Edited to fix pronoun usage)

[Thalionwen Hunigfolm]

Thalionwen, Spectating As Usual

The trouble was, Thali had too many friends. She'd arrived late to the melee, and there were already so many in the fray who she hoped did well! Zarâm, who was, thus far, her closest friend and confidante in Mordor. Frost, with whom she had a...complicated familial relationship. Taethowen, one of her oldest and dearest companions. Elvh, who never seemed as convinced that they were good friends, but who Thali knew must like her in spite of himself, because truly, what wasn't there to like?

And lastly there was Ducky, the odd wizard with whom she'd recently trod the boards and sunk a cheese boat, thereby earning eternal glory. What was she to do? Who was she to choose?

"HOORAY ZARAM FROST TAETHOWEN ELVH DUCKY!" Thali shouted. "Give 'em blood and vinegar!!!!! I hope none of you die!!!"

Belatedly, she remembered that she was back in Rohan, and that training exercises and tournaments here generally did not incorporate death or dismemberment, as they did at home in Mordor. Oh well. The sentiment was accurate--she liked them all a great deal, and did hope none of them died, whether in the current melee or under other circumstances. And she would just have to support them all by turns.

For now, with the memory of the scents of cheese and river water still fresh in her mind, she'd give her help to her wizardly friend.

"NO REPAIRS, DUCKY!" Thali yelled. "NO REPAIRS!"

(OOC: am nominating Ducky for a bonus this round)

[Allacan ob Burzum]

As soon as the horn sounded, there was a blur of activity in one corner of the arena as a group swiftly closed into tight, messy combat around Frost. The opening of the tournament was messy and frenetic, with simultaneous attacks all across the arena that made it difficult to keep track of all the competitors.

Ducky managed to regain control of his staff long enough to make a strike at Zarâm, somehow managing to catch her through her defences and hindering her ability to rush to Frost's defence.

Taethowen reeled from the creepy comments hurled at her by Oghren and aimed a vengeful arrow at the orcish fellow. Frost had been trading valiant blows with the determined Elvh, for a moment neither gaining the upper hand, but then Frost noticed Taeth's guard was momentarily down and threw up his bastard sword to successfully defend her from the passing attack of Turin. However he foolishly left himself open to Elvheimdros while doing so, and unbeknownst to him the ex-Marshal was also aided by another, Eldrith. Quiet on her feet without armour and unheeded perhaps because people had underestimated her, she closed in on him from behind. Frost was in a perilous position, and he knew it!

Simultaneously things were frenetic outside this tight-knit cluster of fighters. It seemed that Allacan was not the only one to disapprove of Oghren's vocal posturing. As he attempted to manoeuvre through the arena to make his own attacks, he gained passing attacks from Frost and Turin, being struck by the former but deflecting the latter even as Ula closed in with them, determined to finish the job. Oghren managed a spiteful strike at Ula's legs but failed to knock her from her feet; she swiftly retaliated with a blow to his hamstring and then his side. "Yes! Get in there Ula!" Allacan called in encouragement.

Meanwhile Ducky had circled on from the intimidating orc and turned his staff now against Turin who had swiftly disengaged from Taeth, but even as he did so there was a streak of movement as a new entrant (Arnyn) dashed into the field in an attempt to block Ducky's attack. Allacan nodded in appreciation of their late-entry tactic; they must have waited until the last possible minute before grabbing their weapons and entering the arena so that no-one was aware of their intention to take part. Risky, for they would have been disqualified if they had not made the field before the horn sounded, but given they had managed to time it perfectly Allacan had a great deal of respect for them. There were, however, a moment too late to block Ducky's attack, but Turin successfully dodged aside from the wizard's staff all the same.

As the various exchanges between Arnyn, Turin and Ducky were resolved, Zarâm was finally given pause to turn her attention back to the cluster in the corner around Frost and realise he was being aided only by Taeth who was trying desperately to drive back Elvh with an arrow but unfortunately her shot went wide. Zarâm recognised his peril and rushed in to help but was a moment too late to block Eldrith's first strike, and even if she had it would have been too little too late. Eldrith slammed her buckler into Frost's arm and collided so painfully with his funny-bone that he was momentarily vulnerable, so much so that both Elvh's subsequent attacks found easy landings.

Appalled at the swift defeat of Frost, Zarâm dropped their defence for a moment, but a moment was all that Arnyn needed to dive in with a skilled strike at her, then Taeth who failed in her attempt to parry and took another blow. Suddenly noticing his momentary distress, the cluster of figures stepped away from Frost as he fell heavily to the ground, overwhelmed by the co-ordinated assault of Eldrith and Elvh. Ducky was so surprised that he almost dropped his guard, a moment which Zarâm attempted to take advantage of in retaliation for his earlier strike against her, but he narrowly avoided the hit by knocking it away with his quarterstaff.

"Medic!" someone in the crowd shouted, but Allacan (trained cavalry haeland that she was) had already leapt down from her podium and was halfway across the field towards Frost, waving the others away.

With one opponent down, the competitors took a momentary pause to re-consider the field, and it was only then that the rest realised there was another figure on the floor; even while stumbling under the heavy blows of Ula, Oghren had taken Taeth's padded arrow square between the eyes and it had taken him down.

Allacan urged them all not to let their guard down and shouted at an on-hand healer to see to Oghren. Each competitor prepared for the next volley even as Allacan lifted Frost in a bridal carry so she could move him safely to the edge of the arena, calling over her shoulder towards Taeth even as she went "I've got him. Go do some mischief, comrade."

ROUND ONE RESULTS

@Elvheimdros
They attacked Frost 3 times (very effectively) and defended themselves
Bonus defences granted to them from others: NONE
Attacks on them: 2 = Frost x1, Taeth x1
- Frost rolled 6 against Elvh's Defence of 8 - Frost's attack misses
- Taeth rolled 1 against Elvh's Defence of 3 - Taeth's attack misses
3 lives remaining

Frost (@Frostbite )
They attacked Elvh once and Oghren once, and defended Taeth
Bonus defences granted to them: Zaram
Attacks on them: 5 = Elvh x3, Eldrith x2
- Elvh rolled a 6 against a Frost's Defence of 8 - Elvh's first attack misses
- Eldrith rolled a 6 against Zaram's Defence of 5 - Eldrith's first attack hits
- Elvh attacks an undefended Frost - Elvh's second attack automatically hits
- Eldrith attacks an undefended Frost - Eldrith's second attack automatically hits
- Elvh attacks an undefended Frost - Elvh's third attack automatically hits
-1 life remaining - FROST IS ELIMINATED AND SUSTAINS AN INJURY

@Turin Ringhûn
They attacked Taeth once, Oghren once and defended themselves
Bonus defences granted to them: Arnyn
Attacks on them: 1 = Ducky x1
- Ducky rolled a 5 against Turin's Defence of 8 - Ducky's attack misses
3 lives remaining

@Eldrith
They attacked Frost twice (very effectively) and defended themselves
Bonus defences granted to them: NONE
Attacks on them: NONE
3 lives remaining

Zarâm (@Dimcairien Luiniel )
They attacked Arnyn once and Ducky once, and defended Frost
Bonus defences granted to them: NONE
Attacks on them: 2 = Ducky x1, Arnyn x1
- Ducky rolled a 6 against Zarâm's Defence of 4 - Ducky's attack hits
- Arnyn attacks an undefended Zarâm - Arnyn's attack automatically hits
1 life remaining

@Taethowen
They attacked Ogrhen once, Elvh once and defended themselves
Bonus defences granted to them: Frost
Attacks on them: 3 = Oghren x1, Turin x1, Arnyn x1
- Oghren rolled a 6 against Taeth's Defence of 4 - Oghren's 'psychic' attack hits
- Turin rolled a 1 against Frost's Defence of 7 - Turin's attack misses
- Arnyn rolled a 6 against Taeth's Defence of 2 - Arnyn's attack hits
1 life remaining

Ducky (@KingODuckingham )
They attacked Zaram once, Turin once, and defended themselves twice - bonus defence dice
Bonus defences granted to them: NONE
Attacks on them: 1 = Zarâm x1
- Zarâm rolled a 4 against Ducky's Defence of 4 - Zarâm's attack (narrowly) misses
3 lives remaining

Oghren (@Dwarrow Elf )
They attacked Taeth and Ula and defended themselves
Bonus defences granted to them: NONE
Attacks on them: 5 = Frost x1, Turin x1, Ula x2, Taeth x1
- Frost rolled a 4 against Oghren's Defence of 1 - Frost's attack hits
- Turin rolled a 2 against Oghren's Defence of 6 - Turin's attack misses
- Ula attacks an undefended Oghren - Ula's first attack automatically hits
- Ula attacks an undefended Oghren - Ula's second attack automatically hits
- Taeth attacks an undefended Oghren - Taeth's first attack automatically hits
-1 life remaining - OGHREN IS ELIMINATED AND SUSTAINS AN INJURY

Ula Rhianri (@Glitterati_Goblin )
They attacked Oghren twice and defended themselves
Bonus defences granted to them: NONE
Attacks on them: 1 = Oghren x1
- Oghren rolled a 5 against Ula's Defence of 1 - Oghren's attack hits
2 lives remaining

@Arnyn
They attacked Taeth once and Zaram once, and defended Turin
Bonus defences granted to them: NONE
Attacks on them: Zarâm
- Zarâm rolled a 5 against Arnyn's Defence of 3 - Zarâm's attack hits
2 lives remaining

IMPORTANT: SLIGHT RULE CHANGE

For the sake of simplicity, let's post your attacks and defences in Bold Black and not bother hiding them in white; on reflection I don't think it is necessary to be hiding who everyone is attacking and by posting it publicly it allows for more tactical moves from everyone, plus apparently white text messes with my phone. Apologies for the confusion; we'll say in the first round everyone was an unknown so it was difficult to guess at alliances and capabilities and going forward its easier to read people's movements.

ROUND TWO

Every remaining competitor once again has 2 attacks and 1 defence to choose targets for, plus any bonuses detailed below. Please remember to post the targets of your attacks and defence (even if it’s yourself) at the end of your post in Bold Black. Remember, you don't have to say who you are defending from, just who you are trying to protect.

Bonus Dice:-

Eldrith gets a bonus Defence dice for Round 2 (nominated by @Amadhrill)
Ducky gets a bonus Defence dice for Round 2 (nominated by @Veowyn and @Thalionwen)
Taeth gets a bonus Attack dice for Round 2 (GM dice from the referee Allacan)
Ula gets a bonus Defence dice for Round 2 (GM dice from the referee Allacan)

ROUND TWO HAS BEGUN and will close midnight PST on 9th July (which is 3am on 10th July EST, or 8am on 10th July for BST) OR ONCE EVERY REMAINING COMPETITOR HAS POSTED; whichever comes first

If you fail to post in time, your attacks will be wasted and all your Defence dice will be used to defend yourself.

[Elarith]

Elarith, spectating with snacks

Fresh from sorting out all the Tub Race admin, and minus her cunning Rædbeard disguise, Elarith arrived at the Campian. Tucked under her arm she had a bucket of Westemnet fried badger ready to enjoy, and she snacked on a piece as she squeezed her way to a free seat.

She hadn't thought she was very late but two competitors had been taken out already. Woah. This was going to be brutal. She shoved another piece of badger in her mouth as she scanned the fighters, looking to see if recognised anyone. She did a double take. Ha! For a moment, she'd thought one of the women looked like Eldrith. She choked, eyes watering as she did a triple-take. Béma, it was Eldrith! Had the world gone mad?

Elarith had finished coughing on the badger nugget, accompanied by disgusted looks from the family with small children a few seats away, which she pointedly ignored. Recovered somewhat she took in the field of battle again. Eldrith looked to be holding her own. Taeth and Elvh she knew a little from the Cavalry, and Ducky she recognised from his magnificent yet disastrous Tub Race run. And there was that orc who'd ponged out her shop the other day! They couldn't be allowed to win! "Go on, lass!" she shouted at a woman she didn't know (Arnyn) who had landed a hit on Zarâm.

Nominating Arnyn for a bonus roll

[The Elf Imperishable]

A Witness (???)

A Witness (???) noticed that the dwarf named Oghren promptly was hit in the hamstring (Ula), then hit on the side (Ula), then hit again by somebody else (Frost). Then just as he stood up, trying to shake off the hits, an arrow plopped him straight in the face (Taethowen), causing him to collapse on his back. As he did not dodge everything, he could not make a victory taunt to Ula.

The witness then pretty sure they heard heard snoring from the dwarf, who became unconsciousness it looked like. Shrugging, the witness then decided to focus on more interesting people who could actually win this tournament.

[Thalionwen Hunigfolm]

Thalionwen, Spectating


"Oh hooray! That horrible little man is DEAD!" Thali shouted as Oghren fell unconscious. In her enthusiasm, the rules of Campian had once again slipped her mind.

Pulling a large bag of Nurnen Kettle Corn from her satchel (somewhat stale as it had been part of a stockpile of leftovers Orco had lying about after his theatrical production of The Hobbit) Thali stuffed a handful into her mouth. A little chewy, but still sweet and salty. It would do.

"WELL THAT'S JUST MEAN!" Thali yelled around her mouthful of popcorn as Elvh obliterated Frost. "Elvheimdros, you scoundrel, he's my friend too! HOW DARE YOU!"

And forgetting for the thousandth time that she was not in Mordor anymore, Thali dug even deeper into her satchel. At the bottom she found a squelching, mold-spackled tomato--another relic from the production of The Hobbit. Scrambling to her feet she narrowed her eyes and took aim, launching the slimy projectile at Elvh.

"Hooray Zarâm! Hooray Taeth! Hooray Ducky!" she cheered somewhat absently, distracted as she watched the soaring tomato speed towards its target.

Thali nominates Ula for a bonus roll

[Karis Ziranphel]

Karis Ziranphel (Ziran) Spectating

It had been many years since Ziran had ventured back into Rohan after her flight across it on her return home. The dark days of the war had made it impossible to travel for things like vacations across borders. But things were different now, and when she had heard of the Summer Festival it seemed like a good time to venture back to the home of the horse lords.

Arriving late to the festival, it sounded like she had missed quite a bit of fun with a tub race and some sort of personality contest, but the Tournament of Champions sounded much more her style of entertainment anyway. Making her way into the arena with a paper horn full of toasted almonds in hand, Ziran realized that the first round had already begun. She paused and propped her shoulder against the wall to be out of the way of passers-by while she watched the action instead of finding a seat right away. She didn't know most in the ring, but a few stood out. Turin, Arnyn,and was that...Eldrith? She hadn't seen the former Ranger cook in years. It made Ziran smile to see the alacrity with which all her friends were dealing out blows, but a frown crossed her brow when she saw Arnyn receive a blow in return. Double wound. Those happened. At least with wooden weapons it wasn't a double-kill as it might have been with blades. Still. "Arnyn guard up!" She called as the round ended.

With the brief pause in the action, Ziran looked around for a seat along the benches. Favoring edges and higher vantage points to see the action, she was pleased to find an unoccupied bench that provided both not far from where she had been standing.

Ziran nominates Arnyn for a bonus roll

[Gwai]

Gwai, spectating and wishing she brought snacks

Gwai had meant to make it to the campian to watch from the start, but she was so stiff after the Tub Race it had taken her longer than she had thought. She slowly climbed the stairs to the spectator's stands, and immediately took a seat next to Elarith, who had the foresight to bring a bucket of fried badger, which smelled fantastic. Gwai smiled. "What have I missed so far?" she said in a loud whisper to Elarith, waving at Thali nearby, eyes widening as she watched her throw a tomato toward the arena.

It looked as if several competitors had been knocked out already. Gwai cheered as Taeth still seemed to be competing. Elvh she knew remembered from her old days in the cavalry, and Gwai recognized Ducky from the tub race. The wizard must not have as many bumps and bruises as she did, she thought to herself with a smile. And was that Eldrith on the field, in skirts? Gwai cheered loudly as the campian continued.

Nominating Taethowen for a bonus roll

[Lailyn]

Nymlac, spectating and seeking bribes for bonus dice rolls

"Well, well, it seems your friend did not need the extra help from the spectators after all," Nymlac said to Amadhrill with an appraising voice. Indeed, the pubmistress was rather holding her own. He had to admit, he was suitably impressed, especially when Frost was eliminated before Eldrith.

Nymlac laughed as Oghren fell to Taethowen's arrow. If he was a betting man, well he was a betting man, he would not have placed his money on the dwarf. He was pleased to see some of his predictions were accurate.

Nymlac blinked his eyes at Ducky. No - what he at first thought was an old man was indeed not so old. Bringing his flask to his nose, he sniffed it. No, nothing wrong with that. Perhaps it had been something spoiled in his breakfast...or his eyesight needed checking. No wonder Ducky was doing so well after all that prep beforehand. Nymlac moved Ducky up a bit on his mental list of possible winners.

Though he was enjoying the fight, he enjoyed making money even more. He scanned the crowd for potential customers and his gaze settled on Thalionwen. Yes, she had certainly brought some interesting Mordorian friends to the Festival and he thought he spied her with Zaram in the Riddermarket. Perhaps she would pay to help them win...

"I noticed you cheering quite enthusiastically for Ducky," he said as he approached @Thalionwen and just managed to dodge her rotten tomato. "I reckon he has a good chance of winning. I wonder if you might be interested in donating a few coins on his behalf?" he asked. "Or perhaps for another competitor? Such as Zaram?"

Since no one is bribing him yet, Nymlac nominates newly arrived Arnyn for bonus roll, ever in appreciation and support of female warriors

[Elarith]

Elarith, spectating

Elarith looked up as a figure came and sat beside her. "Oh, hi Gwai!" she said. "You’re a bit drier than last time I s- I mean, heard about you. Because I wasn’t at the Tub Race at all. I understand you got a bit wet though."

She offered the WFB (Westemnet fried badger) bucket over and gestured to Gwai to have some. She took another piece for herself and waved it at the action as her friend asked what had gone on.
"Not entirely sure what’s happened, I got here just in time to see the dwarf and whatever the other one is - minion, maybe? - get laid out. Two down already! And did you see Eldrith's down there?"

Finishing off the badger meat, she shouted "Come on then! Hit ‘em!” and hurled a badger bone towards the nearest competitor.

[Elvheimdros]

As Elvh drove in on Frost, the foreign warrior blocked the Rider's lunge, while Elvh caught the cut from the big bastard sword on his shield, though he had to admit that much dexterity with the big hunk of metal was frankly impressive. As Elvh swung again, he noticed Eldrith out of the corner of his eye - well there was more glory mano a mano but this was the melee, and you took your luck when it came. Frost apparently thought the odds were bad and tried to pick a different target, but Elvh's sword was already slashing in as Frost aimed a blow at Taethowen, and Eldrith's attack on the other flank took him out of the fight. Too late Elvh tried to pull his last blow, but Frost went crashing down and Elvh saw Allacan already hurrying across the floor of the campian, even as he just barely caught Taeth's short-range arrow on his own shield.

Elvheimdros tossed a salute towards Frost as he was helped away, and another to Eldrith. "Nice work!" he called over the racket. He might have gotten one blow in, but Eldrith was the real victor here. Now came the tricky part: in the harsh logic of the melee, you were in the fight exactly as long as you stayed lucky. "Pragmatism" wasn't the right word here, more "You scratch my face, I'll scratch yours," and admittedly Taeth's arrow hadn't landed, but she'd certainly picked a fight - and one couldn't let the visitors think the Rohirrim played favorites in the arena, no sir.

Following Frost had brought him right up on his next target: he thought it was Eldrith he saw still there on his side, as they came up on the big knot of fighters. He yelled out, "I'll cover you," in Eldrith's direction, hoped she'd take a hint - no time and bad manners anyway to "plan" in the melee - and waded in toward the archer. An upper-cut to try to knock Taethowen's bow out of line before she could get off another arrow, and a quick backswing aiming for her side, , hoping his shield would keep him covered from other miscellaneous attacks. But he knew when you won your first engagement, that often meant the remaining fighters might be inclined to forcefully cut short your remaining time in the ring.

Attack Taethown x2
Defend self x1
Defend Eldrith x1

Elvheimdros
3 lives

[Eléowyn]

NPC Beda, spectating and smelling snacks

Her work day over, Beda was on her way home when she heard cheers (and jeers) coming from a nearby building. And she could smell ... what was it? ... fried badger? Curiosity overcame her better sense (Mam would be furious if she were not home on time) and she entered the hall, eyes wide at what she saw.

There were Riders, and other folk fighting each other! But no one seemed to be hurt! And was that the former pubmistress (Eldrith with her skirt all hiked up? Oh how exciting this looked after all, even if no blood was going to be spurting about.

"Hurrah for Eldrith!" she shouted in her excitement, all the while looking around to find where the badger-aroma was coming from.

[KingODuckingham]

"Hoo, haah, hnnngh" Ducky grunted, flailing. He opened his eyes after his flailing was up and the round was complete. What had he missed?

Well, Turin, for one. "Yer a speedy little youngin'," he snapped. But he secretly decided to turn his attention elsewhere, like someone he COULD hit. Like Zaram.

"That was a pretty bodacious hit there, wasn't it?" he asked Zaram cheerfully. "Get ready for some double trouble now, because here comes the pain! This is some real extreme sporting going on now. And if you die, you die. The cream is gonna rise to the top eventually, and I am that cream!" he howled. When he was given the opportunity by the referee, he twirled around several times, and on the last go-around lashed out with his leg.

"Oh Eru, I think I pulled a muscle!" he screamed as his leg over-extended. He collapsed to the ground, clutching his thigh. "I should have known better than to skip leg day. I should have spread out the curls. What good are my guns if I can't support them?" he asked himself rhetorically.

Ah, but there was no time for self-pity. Ducky used his "guns" to pull himself back up into a sitting position, sensei-style. He dared anyone to approach, lifting his arms defensively and glaring at each competitor in turn.

"When I'm done with you punks I'll just have to get some extra surfing sessions in." he said, wincing. "I'm a child of Nature, she'll heal me, totally." He spoke confidently, sure that in the meanwhile he could fend off all comers. He risked a wave to his supporters, saying, "Appreciate all my lovely fans! Keep on being awesome!"

Attack Zaram twice
Defend Ducky three times
Ducky
3 Lives

[Allacan ob Burzum]

In the roped off corner of the arena designated as the medic's corner, Allacan eyed the dazed Frost with concern. Unlike Taeth she felt no anger towards either Elvh or Eldrith; accidents happen and likely neither of them had anticipated Frost to go down so quickly and had probably tried to pull their blows, but unfortunately it just hadn't been enough. Frost seemed for a moment unresponsive, his breaths coming in short painful gasps, and her Hælend instincts warned her that this was not good.

"Its ok, you're going to be alright Frost, just focus on your breathing. Try and take slow, gentle breaths" She said in a calm, soothing voice as she pulled a knife from her boot - grateful she had forgotten to remove that one in her quick-change after the pageant earlier that day - and began cutting open Frost's shirt so she could determine why he was having difficult breathing. She was close enough, she suddenly realised, that Frost would see past the kerchief and powder make-up to the black hair and face tattoo beneath, and thus might quickly connect her with the mysterious individual at the Mx Meduseld tent earlier. At least, he would if he could focus, but he seemed to be having difficulty with that right now.

With her attention thus on her patient, she did not witness one of the spectators hurls a soft tomato at @Elvheimdros which arcs through the air directly towards the back of his head (Please let me know whether you would prefer the tomato to hit or miss. This will have no mechanic effect on dice or lives, it's more a question of pride.)

A moment later and a disgruntled healer unceremoniously dumped Oghren on the floor beside Allacan. "Perhaps now you'll think twice before letting loose your teasing tongue in a tourney and making such an obvious target for yourself." she said teasingly towards Oghren without looking up. Not hearing a response, she glanced over at the limp form of the eliminated competitor. "Oh for crying out loud, him too?!" she exclaimed, noticing the reluctance of the healer who had brought him over. They appeared more minded to leave the eliminated competitor to his wounds than tend him; not exactly the most professional attitude, but one Allacan could sympathise with given his earlier comments. All the same, she definitely didn't want any deaths on her watch, not even this nasty man, so she glanced around the now crowded arena until she spotted a familiar face.

"Thali!" she barked loudly, causing the woman to jump in an almost guilty manner. "Get over here, I need your help!" She gesturing to the limp form of Oghren before turning back to her own patient. She had faith that Thali could put aside her own personal opinion for the good of the patient; Allacan recalled her being once being one of the cavalry's finest Hælends, and even if the woman no longer wore that insignia she was someone Allacan trusted.

She inspected Frost's now bare chest and ribs; the handsome shape of his form and the soft colour of his skin was unmarked by bruising, which suggested no internal bleeding. Likely just a couple of broken ribs, she concluded, nothing she could do about that but calm him, make sure he was comfortable and rested as well as offering some pain-relief. She mentally acknowledged that his breathing had calmed a little as she dug around in one of the nearby healer's kit; she didn't want to give him anything to chew until he was breathing normally and she was sure he wouldn't choke on it. As she turned back to him, she was for a moment disarmed by the sight of his piercing blue eyes, as deep as oceans, now focused directly on her face. His expression changed to one of almost friendly recognition, which was disconcerting because other than eyeing each other across a crowded pageant tent, Allacan was pretty confident she didn't know this man in the slightest.

(OOC @Elvheimdros - I hope you are ok with us engaging in @Thalionwen's good-natured audience participation, although knowing Thali the way I do I suspect she will look all innocent or duck back into the crowd so Elvh doesn't not exactly where the tomato came from)

MORE BONUS DICE FOR ROUND TWO

Because Arnyn arrived into the first round a bit too late to receive spectator nominations, and because no less that three spectators have nominated her in quick succession since the beginning of Round Two:-

Still fuelled by the adrenaline rush of her swift, last-minute entry into the ring and emboldened by the supportive calls of a number of spectators, Arnyn is moving with surprising speed and agility. @Arnyn gets a Bonus Defence dice AND a Bonus Attack dice for use in Round 2 only (nominated by @Elarith, Ziran/@Karis Ziranphel and Nymlac/@Lailorn). This is in addition to her other dice as detailed in my post of 4th July.

@Thalionwen and @Gwai I acknowledge your nominations and they will be counted towards the Round Three Bonus dice nominations - if Ula and Taeth last that long - or alternatively used to avoid an injury in this round if they are disqualified.

[Elvheimdros]

OOC @Allafyrefleorhtlig Honestly I don't want to make that decision - I don't really care, and Elvh's unlikely to react either way.

[Baphởmet]

Frost, recovering

Lights and sounds were fuzzy. There was a strange, sibilant roar in Frost’s ears. The roar of a crowd, but one so far away that it was wonder he could hear anything at all. Lights were strange too, they were fuzzy and unfocused, everything lacked a clear, definable shape. It was a weird sort of nightmare he seemed to have woke up into. The roar was coming closer. One shape, lighter and harder around the edges, began to fill up his vision. There was something vaguely familiar about that shape. Had Frost seen that before? He tried to focus, but his mind wasn’t cooperating. There was a screeching mad violin playing in the back of his thoughts and it was drowning out any attempt to clear to fog. Slowly, he began to realize that everything hurt. He tried to breath and it felt like his lungs were full of fire. He hacked and coughed. More pain and fire. He let out a slow moan and put his head back. Where was he? Was he still in Rohan? Where was Taeth? The last thing he remembered was trying to reach her in the melee to protect her. He remembered not seeing Zarâm, lost in the chaos, but he didn’t think she ran off. He remembered getting beaten down, then beaten some more. But that was it. Until he woke up here, wherever that was, with whoever this was standing over him. A breeze blew in from somewhere and Frost realized his shirt had been torn open. His eyes tried to focus, but the world kept shuddering. He could see dark spots that weren’t his tattoos, bruises most likely, from getting wrecked in the melee. He needed to find the man and buy him a drink, then throw him over a table and break a few of his ribs. There was that face again. He had seen that face before. It was beautiful, even if it kept shuddering with the rest of the world around him. He wanted to reach up and touch it, but his arms wouldn’t obey his brain. He swallowed the lump in his throat.

“Hello, stranger.” He managed before the darkness overwhelmed him again.

[Moriel]

Spectating

Late, but fashionably so, as per usual, Írimë had arrived to spectate on the Campain, cheer on her friends, boo everyone else, sample the local cuisine, and perhaps the local eye candy. And speaking of eye candy… half of her entourage was smiling, waving, and winking at every comely lass they passed on their way to the field of competition. Khaulzîm was having the time of his life, like an Easterling in a candy shop, which essentially he was. In deference to local customs and the climate he wasn’t shirtless, but as the loose jerkin he wore was fully unbuttoned, he might as well have been. Khaulzîm’s defined chest and abdominals were his pride and joy, and it would be a shame to lock them away. He was garbed also in a dark, baggy pair of trousers that cuffed snugly at the calf above his black boots. His long, dark hair was braided here and there, and covered partially with a red headscarf. Not exactly blending into the crowd, but who cared about that?

Meanwhile, Írimë’s other companion strode along swathed in a long cloak, hood up, despite the summer heat. “Don’t blame me if you smother under that,” she simpered, tossing her dark chestnut curls. “What do you think will happen if I am discovered?” Swiltang snarled, tuggingthe hood further in front of his face. The orc swordmaster would never, to the end of his days, understand why he had allowed the Írimë to talk him into this. “They won’t care! Zarâm is competing in the Campain! I still think you should have entered.” Swiltang shook his head. “I might have done, if someone hadn’t insisted we stay an extra day in the village.” His red eyes stared daggers at Khaulzîm, who waved a hand airily. “If you understood the pleasures of life, you wouldn’t have let such an opportunity- or such a maiden- slip by you either.”

Both Írimë and Swiltang snorted at that.

It was no trouble at all the find the arena where the Campain was behind held, for the action seemed to have just begun. Írimë lifted her skirts and ran to the stands, her compatriots following suit. Immediately she spotted Thalionwen in the crowd and began to barge her way towards her, but a sudden roar caused all three of them to turn and watch the action. And what action it was! They had arrived just in time to see Frost get thoroughly pummeled, and drop unconscious to the field. “Take good care of him, he has to be back at work soon!” Írimë shouted, cupping her hands around her mouth, “And he’s too pretty to die!” They continued to make their way towards Thali, though the woman herself had been called away by Allacan to help attend Frost. Swiltang took the lead, as both Írimë and Khaulzîm were distracted by the proceedings on the field.

“Do you think if I pretended to succumb to sunstroke she’d cut my shirt open?” Khaulzîm mused, pointing his chin in Allacan’s direction.”

“You aren’t wearing a shirt.”

“Right, but you know what I mean.”

“Do you think if I succumbed to sunstroke she’d carry me like that, and unlace my corset? Out of tender concern of course.”

Swiltang had reached Thali’s seat by then and threw himself down on the bench next to it. He had been inwardly betting on Frost to win, or at least take a high place in this thing. There had better be some good entertainment to come to make it worth the trek, and Khaulzîm’s company. Perhaps Zarâm would prove herself more vicious than he anticipated, and bring the contest home for Mordor? He had heard the corsair Ula’s name but knew nothing else of her. Khaulzîm plopped down next to Swiltang, and Írimë squeezed in beside him, leaving just enough room for Thali to resume her seat once she was done playing nursemaid. The Pubmistress began rummaging through her Rohir cook’s snacks, as Khaulzîm produced a flask from somewhere, and they all waited for the next moment of action.

[Glitterati_Goblin]

Ula grimaced at the sting from Oghren’s blow, even as he fell. It was sloppy on her part, but a fairly earned shot. His graceless crumple as the archer’s (Taeth) arrow thunked him solidly between the eyes was a almost enough satisfaction to ease her frown. Not quite, but close.

The field was quickly breaking into factions around her, however, and Ula stepped back a moment to take in the shifting tides. Her archer (Taeth) shifted rather abruptly from tentative ally to outrage lover when one of the oddballs dropped against the combined attacks of the skirts (Eldrith) and the predictable Rohirrim (Elvh), surprisingly dragging an angry orc in her wake. An odd pair, but one Ula could chance partnering for the short stint they’d survive. If her count was close, their participation was dangling by a single thread.

Unaligned and undecided, two swordsmen - a woman and man (Arnyn, Turin - still stood singularly as they planned their next sally.

The rohirrim (Elvh), however, was closing in fast, archer (Taeth)in his sights, and Ula made what was very likely to be a foolish decision and she dove between them and brought her axes up for a block. “You owe me a meal, archer,” she yelled over the noise. She brought both axes wide in a cross sweep towards his (Elvh) belly,“a big one!”

But she couldn’t linger for an answer. The orc (Zarâm) was alone against her own onslaught and feeling a bit harried, it seemed. Ula never imagined she throw herself in front of a blow for an orc, no matter how questionable the attacker (Ducky), but if this one fell (Zarâm), Ula’s meal ticket wouldn’t be far behind (Taeth). So, she swung herself around, flipping her ax to clip the staff before dancing back out of range.

In for a penny, Ula decided, eying Skirts (Eldrith with a bit of a sigh. There was a change the woman hadn’t tracked her long sprint. She dove, shoulder forward and blow coming in low towards Skirt’s (Eldrith’s) thighs. In for a pound.

If the archer skimped on a meal, Ula was going to peel her pretty hair off.

Attack Elvheimdros
Attack Eldrith
Defend Taeth
+Defend Zaram

Ula
Two Lives

[Taethowen]

Everything happened so quickly that Taeth barely caught what had. She'd fired her first arrow at the vile Oghren--and she did not want to admit how much his words had shaken her--then realized that at some point Frost had come up beside her. He'd managed to keep Turin's blow from hitting her, but Frost had been beset by both Elvh and Eldrith. Her shot at Elvh went wide, unfortunately, and then she felt a glancing blow (dealt by Arnyn) strike her.

And then she watched, horrified, as Eldrith incapacitated Frost to the point where he was incabable of defending himself from Elvh's already incoming blows, and then the skirt wench hit him again. And Frost dropped.

The tournament petered into silence for a moment. She heard someone call for a medic, though the Campian campwisa (Allacan) was already hurrying across the arena. Taeth's bow trembled in her clenched hand as she watched the campwisa pick her lover up and carry him away, calling back, "I've got him. Go do some mischief, comrade."

She barely noticed that the dwarf had fallen from her arrow as she turned her focus back to the arena, the bow in her hand trembling with rage.

Round 2

Elvh was quick, she'd give him that, as she leapt back to try and avoid his strikes. A little glimmer of a memory came through then, of seeing Elvh working in the training fields at the Aldburg. So that's where she knew him from.

Ula dashed between them then, shouting, "You owe me a meal, archer! A big one!"

"It's yours!" Taeth shouted back, and fixed her eyes on Eldrith.

Crouching low, Taeth pulled one of the practice knives she'd found earlier from the tops of her boots, and darted towards Eldrith.

"You!" she hollered. "Petticoat clown! You don't hit a man while he's down and you don't do it in front of his woman."

Ula was moving in for a strike against Eldrith as well, and Taeth darted around Ula to come up behind Eldrith from the right, avoiding the buckler the woman wore. Taeth would rather take her chance with the sword. She ducked, dropped her bow, transferred the knife to her left hand, and reached out with her right hand to yank at Eldrith's skirts and tear them, while she brought the knife up in her left hand to slash at Eldrith's torso.

Then she caught sight Ducky striking out at Zarâm, and once her strikes had done whatever they could do to Eldrith, she retrieved her bow from where, nocked an arrow, and fired it toward the blasted wizard.

Attacks - Eldrith (2)
Bonus Attack - Ducky
Defense - self

Taethowen
1 life

[Arnyn]

She'd landed both of her attacks, but had suffered one blow in return - to her legs, no less. Arnyn winced and bit back a growl at the impact of the wooden sword on her legs. It was only wood, but it would leave a dark bruise, she was sure of it.

Therefore she was quite sympathetic of another competitor, Ducky, when he hurt his leg (even though no one had attacked it) and was left sitting on the floor. Not being one for an easy target, Arnyn's eyes scouted across the arena. The orc, Zaram, was already under attack. So was one of the Rohirrim, Taethowen. That left Turin, who she preferred not to attack if she could help it; a darker-skinned woman, Ula; a male Rohir, Elvh, and then someone in skirts--

Even as Arnyn took a defensive stance while she figured out her next move - taking Ziranphel's advice from the stands to heart - she was both surprised and glad to see Eldrith on the field. A previous Ranger cook, here? She didn't know the woman personally - Eldrith's time with the Rangers dated from before Arnyn's rise through the ranks - but that didn't mean Arnyn didn't know of her. "Eldrith?" she mumbled, testing the name which hadn't passed her lips in years. It was amusing to see her on the field in skirts, albeit unsurprising. She'd heard tales of the former cook being quite adept at handling herself, skirts or no skirts.

That decided it, she supposed. It seemed like Eldrith was working together with the male Rohirrim, and while Arnyn knew the cooperation might come back to bite her later, she still decided not to venture an attack at someone she knew for as long as she could help it, nor at the person they were seemingly in cahoots with.

Not wanting to barrage upon people already under attack, and not wanting to move against Turin, Eldrith or her partner, left only Ducky and Ula. Since Ducky had incapacitated himself for a moment and attacking such a person was not part of Arnyn's code of conduct, that meant Arnyn would be fixing her attention upon Ula. Axes, on the smaller side. She held her longsword in her right hand and readied the wooden dagger in her left, giving her one longer range melee option and a short-range melee option.

Focused and quite 'in the zone', Arnyn used her quick footwork to approach and engage Ula, even as while the Umbarian was moving for Eldrith and Ducky. Arnyn preferred a full one-on-one duel anyways... If the others would choose to grant it to her, that is.

She launched a double attack against the other weapon with her longsword, using years of experience to direct her blows. Her dagger was at the ready in case her opponent managed to get inside the reach of her longsword.

Then she realized that someone might be playing a game of deceit. He could be feigning injury to remain off people's radar. Who was that careless in attacks that they would incapacitate themselves? Plenty of people, she was sure - but not someone who would enter a tournament. That just didn't make any sense. Was it all a lie? If there was one thing Arnyn didn't appreciate, it was people (or wizards, for that matter) abusing her sense of honor. Arnyn prepared her core and drew on her strength and agility to strike at Ducky.


Attack Ula x2
Defend Arnyn x2
Bonus Attack: Ducky
Bonus Defense: Eldrith

Arnyn
2 lives

[Allacan ob Burzum]

She dragged her eyes away from Frost's enchanting gaze and focussed herself back on her duties. Bruises appearing so swiftly on his chest were not a good sign, but as Allacan inspected them with an experienced eye she didn't think they were wide, dark or big enough to suggest serious internal bleeding, which was a good relief. The relief was short-lived however, as she witnessed Frost's blue eyes roll back and he dropped back into unconsciousness. Swearing in annoyance, she reached into her pocket to retrieve a small vial of the most foul, disgusting and vile scents collected from who knows where. She un-stoppered it, swiftly pinched her nose, and waved it momentarily beneath Frost's nostrils. It had a scent both reminiscent of Thali's most pungent sweaty stockings mixed with the most sulphurous, alchemical experiments of Zôrzimril and a hint of Zarâm's pits after a particularly intensive work-out with an overlay of the most putrid manure from Taeth's family's breeding stables. If that didn't wake up Frost, she didn't know what would!

She glanced across at where Oghren was still snoring away peaceably and pondered whether she should try the same trick on him, but she hadn't been able to properly check him over yet; she would trust to Thali's experience. Speaking of Thali, what in the name of Bema was holding her up?!

Thali rolled 3 against Elvh's passive Defence of 4 (no defence dice expended) - Thali's tomato attack misses.

Thali watches on in disappointment as at the last second, an instant before impact, Elvh's battle awareness kicks in and he reflexively ducks from the incoming projectile, which skims over the top of his head without impact and tumbles to the dusty arena floor beyond him.

RULE CLARIFICATION FOR PEOPLE PLAYING MORE THAN ONE CHARACTER

@Moriel For the record, in case it becomes relevant, I will allow one spectator nomination per round per player, rather than per character, so we don't get swarmed with one person bringing in a hundred NPCs from the Ducky Appreciation Society/Duckbunch/Mighty Ducky's/Ducksquad/Ducky's Sword-wielding Sord just to get him one hundred nominations, lol.

There are just under 18 hours remaining in the second round for competitors to post their submissions and for spectator nominations.

@Turin Ringhûn and @Eldrith and @Dimcairien Luiniel:- If you fail to post in time, your attacks will be wasted and all your Defence dice will be used to defend yourself.

Spectator nominations for Round Three so far:-
Ula has been nominated by Thali
Taeth has been nominated by Gwai

@Eléowyn,@Moriel, @Amadhrill, @Veowyn and @Bereth:- if you want to nominate a competitor for bonus dice to use in the next round, please post their name and your nomination in Bold Black at the bottom of your post. Also @Dwarrow Elf and @Frostbite, a reminder you can nominate people if you have been eliminated, as long as you have a conscious character in the arena to do so.

ALSO, IMPORTANT NOTE FOR ROLEPLAY REASONS:- As far as I know, there is only one orc in the competition and that is Zarâm. I think Oghren might be a dwarf, and as best I can tell everyone else is a human. Please try and make sure your posts and actions reflect this

[Amadhrill]

Amadhrill -spectators stand

Ama cheered, applauded, and gasped as the melee went on. Eldriths movements surpised her, her movements elegant and experienced with her weapons hitting well. Two fighters were already out of the fight, the foulmouthed dwarf and one of the orcs. The hælend cast her eyes towards the two, noting the look of Allacan and her shout for Thali. There were some other hælends there, but they seemed unwilling to touch the dwarf and the orc. Well, she could understand that.

There was a smug grin on her face as she nodded towards Nymlac, pleased that her friend had done it so well in the first round.

She made sure that she stood in clear sight of Allacan, so that she would now that she was there if necessary. Then turned her attention back to the fight, noting that Eldrith and Elvh seemed to have formed a temporary alliance. Not completly convinced that it was more than beginners luck, she muttered under her breath "Come on, Eldrith!"

Nominating Eldrith for bonus dice