The Tusk Duelling School offered an introduction to non-duellists, lessons to those who want to develop the basic skills, and practice facilities to those who wish to improve their skills.

All under the watchful eye of Robert Samuels, a Modern Duellist from Restov.  Although he specializes in rapier, he has practised the other styles and understands them, however, his particular skills and abilities mean he is more comfortable in the modern Style.  He is the first to admit that he isn't the best duellist, but he is a competent coach and reasonable manager for the School.

Whenever the salon is used, Robert will oversee activities, and has an arrangement with Cayden Cailean's priests that they will send an acolyte along to oversee most practice duels.

Duels 'to unconcious' are more difficult.  There are no readily available priests able to raise dead in the city, although the school has a scroll of raise Dead and specuial dispensation.  However, each participant is required to sign a binding contract that states they will pay the costs and fees of associated with the 'accident' and the replacement of the scroll.  It will run into a few thousand GP or a BP at the very least.

The salon itself is well appointed, the walls are hung with matched pairs of swords - Duelling Swords, Falcata (with their associated bucklers), Rapiers and duelling daggers about -  but there is a variety of other blades present too.

---

OOC:

One Duel at a time please.
Oversee your own duels  :)  (Unless it is to the death or there is an accident)

Read this page first.
http://rp.baileymail.net/doku....and:general:duelling
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:36, Fri 28 Aug 2020.

Domitius entered the Salon he had come prepared for his duel with the Lord Mayor of Tusk,  Barbatius had spent hours polishing his armour and the golden sun upon his breastplate gleamed in the sunlight.  He nodded in greeting to Master Samuels as he saw him "Master Samuels, the time has come for my duel with the Lord Mayor.  I thank you for allowing us the use of your Salon."  Dom moved over to one side of the dueling area with Barbatius and Brother Thaddeus in attendance.

Barbatius shook shook his head slightly as the crossed the room "You had to start at the top with the Mayor didn't you boss." he said with a sigh.

Grinning Thaddeus replied "At least it wasn't Lord Henry he started with."

Cass entered the salon with his own retinue and they took up position on the opposite side of the dueling mats as Domitius and his people. As Magatha inspected some of the dueling weapons, Jensen presented himself as the official second for Cass.

Before Jensen could say more, Elkin strode forward all business-like. “Please try not to kill ‘The Mordane’ or render him completely useless!” Elkin said matter-of-factly. “He has promised to purchase for me a well needed pony after this...ceremony. At the request of His High and Mightiness, the opponents will duel with their own personal choice of weapons, but no armor. No magic is to be used either for attacking, defending, or healing. Is this agreeable?”

“I was supposed to discuss the duel terms,” Jensen whispered harshly at Elkin. “I was chosen as second.”

“You are a farm boy wrapped in an iron pot,” Elkin whispered back. “And you already got to select a mount.”

Kendrick Winters walked into the salon. He looked over the small group gathered there for several seconds. Finally he stepped to the mayor. "Cass are you sure about what you're about to do here?"

Cass nodded to Kendrick. “I inadvertently insulted Domitius during the war hall discussions. I must allow him the opportunity to defend his honor by accepting his duel challenge. To refuse to do so would be a dishonor to him and myself both.” Cass pointed to Jensen. “We have a paladin on hand to provide immediate healing if needed.”

Kendrick let out a slow breath, "Alright, try not to get yourself killed. Good luck." He turned to face the other side of dueling area. "Well, I better get myself ready." Kendrick walked away from Cass and crossed the dueling area.

He greeted Domitius with a clasp of his arm. "My sword is ready should you need it." Kendrick drew his sword and inspected the edge while gauging Cass across the salon. "Don't over extend yourself. I'm sure that he'll be quick." Kendrick advised.

Domitius raised an eyebrow at the term "The Mordane" but said nothing as Elkin outlined the terms of the duel. Barbatius looked to Domitius who nodded "Master Domitius agrees to the terms of the duel, it will take but a moment to remove his armour"

Quickly Dom's retinue removes his armour and he is stripped down to his gambeson as Kendrick arrives.  He watches his friend address the Mayor impassively and waited for him to join him, returning his arm clasp "It is good to see you my friend, this should prove interesting I think, I have yet to see his lordship fight but I am sure he shall be a challenging opponent."

He nodded towards Barbatius who drew Blazefury from it's sheath and took it to present to Elkin and Jensen.  "Master Domitius's blade for your inspection."  It was a traditional Aldori dueling sword but made of mithral "Crafted by Mistress Rikka and named Blazefury."

Smiling Domitius says to Kendrick "Smart move on the no armour, that should make it a shorter fight."

“Excellent name and I am sure a near perfect blade.” Jensen had heard that Rikka’s craftsmanship was practically flawless. Meanwhile Elkin inspected the sword with the same stink eye that he was known to use when searching for a carp in a barrel of trout.

Cass presented himself for inspection in that he wore clothing with no armor or enchanted protections. Jensen and Elkin presented the well used Aldori dueling sword Cass had always worn as his official dueling weapon. It was Cass who spoke.

“Best workhorse steel I could afford at the time. So she’s one of the original heavy blades. No enchantments. No formal naming, but I sometimes in combat I call her Mist. Just Mist.” Cass always loved that joke.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:19, Sat 29 Aug 2020.

Robert examines the blades and nods his acceptance. "Lord Adoven explained that there might be days like this. Please remember that this isn't a death match. And we have no assistant Mayor to take over in case of mishap." Robert shows both combattants to their respective marks. "Begin as you wish" he simply says.

Domitius smiled "Hopefully she lives up to her name my Lord Mayor" Domitius replied as he presented himself, he had removed the gambeson and now wore a silk shirt over his trousers.

Barbatius inspected the blade offered and nodded "I believe all is in order gentleman, we shall proceed unless of course The Mordane would like to apologise for his comment."

Off near the entryway, there came a light smacking sound, that was Alisa D'Medvyed, who had just come in, slapping her forehead.

She had gained admission under the pretext she was hear to watch her fiance in his duel. There was a little more to it than that; and once inside, could not contain herself:

"And this here is what prevents me from ever being an Aldori enthusiast!"   She said something mostly under her breath in Azlanti, that had the semblance of cursing.  She paced nearer, went on:

"Never mind we've no dearth of threats and real enemies that want to spill our blood!  And that we should stand united against!  No, you two intend to go at it like a pair of contankerous boys, after one has called the other a do-do head! Ugh! By the Crescent, come to your senses!"
This message was last edited by the player at 20:22, Sat 29 Aug 2020.

Domitius sighed, he had hoped that Alisa would understand that this wasn't done lightly, he moved to stand before her taking one of her hands in his"Alisa my love, you know I cannot back down if I ever want to show my face in society again.  My honour has been challenged and if I do not stand then I may as well cast my sword aside and admit to being a liar and a coward." he raised her hand to his lips "I will promise that I will not fall, not today but if I am to become the First Sword of Midmarch then this is a path I must walk."

Practicing is one thing ... but Berta regards dueling over some slight, imagined or not, as strictly for rank amateurs.  Still, Wyn had bid her attend this farce, whether out of concern for the Mayor's health or hoping to see Domitius get his comeuppance she neither knew nor cared.

Unable to hold back a snort of laughter at Alisa's voicing of her disapproval, the Dragon's resident bouncer pushes her way easily to the priestesses side, thinking to show her support for that stance ... and stare down any others in the crowd who might disagree.

"Little boys," Berta murmurs, winking at the priestess, smiling sweetly all the while.

She'd been watching from the sidelines, but watching Alisa, it had just taken a few nimble steps, and there she was on her other side.

"Sting- just relax, Ali.  Breathe.  This is just like what happens at the Nectar sometimes- two guys will get up, go outside, beat eight kinds of holy hells out of each other over some slight, then come back in, collapse at the bar, and proceed to become the bestest best friends you've ever seen over more alcohol than you'd ever think two people could possibly drink.  But since this is high-society and all, they have to put on airs and do it this way, too.  Still bet they'll go off and get half-plastered after all this.

Just let the boys go get it out of their systems and then maybe this will all be in the past, and we can all move on to bigger and better things.

Besides, I trust the both of them to not go overboard in this- Dom is Dom, he'll keep his word, and the Mayor and I might not see eye to eye on a few things, but I'm pretty sure we can trust him, too."

She looked over to the woman on Ali's other side, gave her a once over, and then looked back to Ali, with a bit of a sly smile on her face.

"Plus- if Dom gets himself hurt, that just means you can get him alone and give him a lecture and a piece of your mind while you heal him up- or just bind his wounds up with some salve and bandages and let him ache for the next few days while you crash with my at the Nectar and give him the silent treatment."

Andalon stood back near the doorway, just as an observer. The duelists were both men of some significance in the community and he felt obliged to see how this played out. But when Elkin announced the rules Andalon felt he needed to make sure his understanding of those rules was correct, at least on the final point. He walked over for a quiet word with Elkin.

"I trust that the rule of no magic use for healing only applies during the duel, not afterwards?" he asked.

Elkin grinned. “Don’t tell Jensen, but one of the reasons that he was selected as second was so he would be ready with his healing hands on less than a moments notice. And as for Cass, His Mystical Loftiness would drop his sword in mid-strike to heal Domitius if needed. His Short and Sassiness just wants to look big in front of a crowd.”

"I've seen people die over what started out as a friendly bar fight," Berta tells Kiera.

"Not here," she clarifies, "back when I was on the Watch.  Saw a lot of bad things."

"Anyone wants to fight at the Dragon, even outside our doors, then they'll be drinking somewhere else thereafter."

Even so, she smiles back in a friendly manner at Kiera's frank appraisal, since all three women seem muchly in agreement.

"Hope you're right ..."

"So what sort of duelling house are you running Robert?" Mia asks from where she lounges by a wall.  "It is always weapons off the wall, stripped down to britches and no jewellery.  Then everyone knows it is fair.  Pure sword skill and nothing else.  No hidden advantages, no extra armour.  Just what skills and abilities THEY have."

Robert smiles grimly. "That won't always be the case. Lord Adoven, who set up this School, is an Arcane Duelist in the Modern style. He fights with two weapons, and has learned defensive magics to suppliment his training."

Alisa was nonplussed for a moment; with the ardent, unanticipated support from both Kiera and the redhead warrioress from the Den. And then Domitius' so earnest expression of his feelings on the matter.

"I..." she bit her lip, paused.  Then spoke with sorrow tinging both her expression and tone:

"I well grasp what it is to be devoted heart and soul to an ideal and a cause."   Her free hand went briefly to Acavna's sigil.  "And, I know how much love you feel for this tradition, this way of life.  And how much your honor means to you."   She shook her head, looked down, back up.

"But, Domitius, what are mere words?  I know that words can sting, or cut; there are members of my own family who've said terrible things to me, for no reason other than my choice in deity is a bit unconventional.   And, haven't you said things which you did not truly mean, or later regretted? I know I have. Have not you and I stung each other on occasion, without meaning to?   Passions and tempers were running high at Lord Henry's gathering.  How could it be otherwise, with so very much at stake?"   When she continued, she was even more intent:

"Your courage is not in question!   How can I make that clear to you?  You are the most courageous man I've ever met, which is saying something.  Sometimes, I wish you were less so. Especially now..."  She bit her lip again, reluctant to add something else.

She gestured in Cass' direction. "Aye, you may well win.  The Lord Mayor is a musician, did you know?  A fine one, by word, whose playing brings joy to people.  And what if you take his hand off? Or 'just' cost him some fingers?  Would that please you?   Is it something you'd be proud to tell your children, one day? Because..." She shook her head, her eyes teared, her hand shook.    She drew a steadying breath.

"Because, I'm pregnant," she said said, just above a whisper.  "I'm pregnant.  Please...forget this, and come home with me.  Please."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:47, Mon 31 Aug 2020.

OOC.  That WILL always be the case.

OOC: Not what you think I meant. The phrase 'Sword skills and Nothing Else' is wrong. But Adoven Does agree to 'Only Skills and Abilities THEY have.'

OOC:  Outside of the salon, in a combat duel, you can do as you wish.  If your character dies, that is something you will have agreed to in OOC beforehand.

Inside the salon it is swords off of the wall, shirts off, no jewellery or magic.  And it is a display / contest of swordsmanship. It is not a 'who is best overall combatant' - it a who is the best swordsman (or woman)

Make the most of this and use it in the way as it is intended.  This is the nearest I have ever come to putting any sort of Arena into any of my games.  PVP (of any sort) is a style of play I dislike.  I won't go anywhere an arena game, I don't play PVP computer games - of any sort.

I also don't mind if this thread gets closed down.

OOC:   On the other hand - if this settles down into a thread that is used for bits of voluntary, communal RP, I will be prepared to relax the rules somewhat.

Berta listened to Alisa's reply to her betrothed, impressed by the woman's wit and passion.  If words were weapons, the warrior-woman figured the priestess had scored more than a few hits.  Though she couldn't say as she enjoyed it, for Alisa's distress becomes more and more evident as she continues to plead.

Figuring she'll weigh in herself in support ...


... Berta's mouth snaps shut, almost audibly as she turns to look at Alisa with sympathy and concern, the stubbornness of Domitius no matter now as she wonders what to say, what she can say, to that revelation.

"You want I should try to get the Mayor out of there," she asks Alisa calmly as she finds her voice again, quite prepared to jump into the arena and pull Cass out, by his ear if necessary.  "He's a decent man.  I tell him that ... that you're ... well, I reckon he'll come quietly."

"This should be adjourned until a later date." Mia says firmly.  "A duel should be fought when both duellists are  fully prepared for it.  Not when either of them are in a state of mental turmoil.  I am sure that Robert will make the facilities available again in a few days time."  She says looking across at the duelling master.

Domitius stopped his mind awhirl with emotions, it was easy to see he was surprised then confused then elated and followed by... bewilderment.  "Pregnant" he paused looked from Alisa to Cass and back "Pregnant" he said once again "Iomedae"  he muttered to himself.

Then as if a light had come on he smiled "How did.... well I know how but.... when... oh probably... Aaah ummm.  Brother Thaddeus yes he will do." he took Alisa into an embrace and Kissed her.  "My love today is our wedding day nad a groom shouldn't duel on his wedding day.  An old Aldori tradition, the big family wedding will come later but I will not allow a child of mine to enter this world a bastard."


He looked around the room "Lords Kendrick and Mordane would you stand as my Groomsmen.  Kiera, Berta if my lady allows will you stand as her maidens?" he winked at Kiera as he spoke.  "Brother Thaddeus if you would perform the ceremony."

Thaddeus moved to join the group "Are you sure about this Domitius it seems a bit rushed."

Domitius looked into Alisa's eyes "As certain as I am the gods themselves look down upon us my friend.  Unless Alisa you object?"

Mia steps back and lets Dom have the stage, as he tries to organize his wedding on the spot.

Cass began to re-button his shirt. “There are many here who do not understand this duel, but I have no reason not to postpone it. It is apparent that the two of us split the coin of honor down the middle of its two sides, but I did speak thoughtlessly and my insult to your family was inadvertent. I apologize now. And it would be an honor stand as your groomsman as well as to offer you lodging at the Mithral until you are ready for your honeymoon. Congratulations to you both and blessings for the child.”

"By the Mother," Berta mutters under her breath, glancing towards Kiera. "Looks like you were right !"

The warrior-woman quickly nods her acquiescence to the duty assigned to her, ready to support Alyisa in more ways than one, now worried moreso that the bride-to-be might faint away, for all she doesn't seem the swooning kind.

"Honoured," Berta echoes the Mayor's response to Domitius, though she looks to the lady in question for acceptance both of the sudden proposal and of her services, grinning in turn at Cass as the Mayor offers his apology and congratulations, figuring he'll be the one to suffer if there's any dancing in the hours to come, as he'll be stuck with her as his partner !
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:21, Tue 01 Sept 2020.

She had opened her mouth, been on the very verge of taking Berta up on her compassionate suggestion, when Domitius had embraced and kissed her, then spoken, leaving her momentarily stunned by what he was suggesting.   Her heart was thumping like a hare's back feet, acutely aware of all the eyes upon them.

"I -  I mean, we do have time.  It's early stage, you know?  And we had so many plans, with our families, for the ceremony.   I -- suppose we could still follow through on some of them."  She shook her head, gave a breath of a laugh. "If it matters?  I would have eloped with you, at any time, if you'd said the word. And those in my family who do love me would not have begrudged it.  And those who do not, I don't so much care about.  But, what about your family, what about -- "  She stopped, realizing she hadn't answered the question.

"No," she said to him, as sincerely as she'd ever said anything in her life.  "No, I don't object! I've been ready for months.  Probably since that first few days we spent together, in fact."   Her dark, tear-glistened eyes briefly swept those present - some like Kiera, that she knew well, others more by brief association, or mostly reputation.    They were, collectively, among the bravest and the best these so-named stolen lands had to offer.  She smiled, then looked into Domitius' face again, expression becoming more solemn.

"And I could ask for no more fine and better company in which to say my vows, to the one I love most of all." 

"That's good," she grins broadly at the two women. "Otherwise I think we'd have had to fight our way out !"

"If Alisa will vouch for you ... congratulations then - be happy together," Berta offers her smile and her hand to Domitius, though after his bride's acceptance speech she doubts the man will even notice, and if that is so she will smile all the more widely.

Kendrick was taken off guard when Domitius announced his wedding. He had been expecting a duel. He shut his open mouth as he turned and watched the women gather around Alisa. "Well Dom, congratulations. I'm very happy for you both."

It seemed that the matter of honor between his business partner and the mayor had been settled. Still he wondered who would have won between the two of them. Kendrick stepped back as others stepped forward to congratulate the couple.

With a brief glance towards the Bishop of Abadar, almost as if he is seeking approval, Thaddeus rakes a short-sword from the wall and steps up onto the main duelling table.

”If I may …” he says perhaps seeking permission, perhaps finding a polite way of asking for a moment of quiet.

”If you would stand here ..” he indicates that Domitius and Alisa should srand in front of him on the duelling table, ”Lord Kendrick, Lord Mordane ….” he indicates the area behind Dom.  ”And Mistress Kiera, Mistress Berta …  if you would stand behind Alisa.”

Once everyone is in position, he hands the short sword to Alisa,  then continues.  ”While the place and the circumstances are unusual, the Inheritor has given me the right to make marriages.  These are marriages that are constrained by the vows that Iomedae’s followers have made to dedicate their sword to a cause or a lord, and can be broken once that vow or service has been honoured.  In this case, both celebrants have a similar arrangement with Lord Henry and the Brevic Knights to protect these new lands.  There is precedent and that will be sufficient.” Thaddeus declares loudly.

Speaking loudly, Thaddeus instructs the couple before him, ”You will take your swords, touch the blades, then repeat after me…

I, Alisa D'Medvyed, take this man, Domitius Solanus, to be my husband.  I will honour him, guard him and protect him.  I will offer succour and care when he needs it.  We will be as one.”

Then he turns to Dom 

I, Domitius Solanus, take this woman, Alisa D'Medvyed, to be my wife.  I will honour her, guard her and protect her.  I will offer succour and care when he needs it.  We will be as one.”

Looking at the couple he waits for them to speak their wedding vows.

"Well, guys are still guys- you can pile titles, gold, whatever on them, and they'll still do stuff like this.  I mean, you just want to whack them over the head for doing stuff like this, sometimes... I think I'll leave that to Ali, though- Dom has an awfully thick head..." she replies, just shaking her head and grinning.

At Ali's announcement, though, she'd pull her friend in close and hug her, still grinning.

"Hey, that means I get to be the cool aunt, doesn't it?  Buying them their first wooden sword or play staff, maybe a rocking warhorse, too?  You'll think of me every time you get bashed in the shins, or something... but still, congratulations to the both of you.  I'll try to find something you could have if you stop by- some juice, or cider, or something.  All the brewers and farms around here, someone's got to be making cider or grape juice, or something..."

But when Brother Riverson decided to just go with it, she'd take her place behind Ali and give her a grin, urging her forward.

"Just... go with it.  Besides, nobody's saying you couldn't kick out all the stops and plan the massive wedding of your dreams after this- just... think of this as getting it down on paper in case, well...  something happens.  Besides, I still have to get you guys a gift or three, anyways..."

"Yes, my sister in all but blood," she replied to Kiera, returning the embrace, "you will be the coolest aunt ever!"

Once Brother Thaddeus asked her onto the dueling table, she drew a breath, then stepped up without more ado, moving to the place he'd indicated. Then awaited as others moved to their requested spots.     

Alisa reflected that Domitius' grandfather had asked they be married in the church of Abadar.   And the bishop himself was on hand here.   Yet...Iomedae was, as she told Dom, the deity she felt to be closest in creed to Acavna.   And was Domitius' patron as well, of course.   She hoped that Dom's grandfather wouldn't be upset...but, in the end, they were not doing this for him.    And it felt so right.  She would make it up to Solanus by being the best daughter in law, wife, and mother she was able to be...

Alisa took the blade into her hand, nodded once, after Brother Thaddeus had explained the origin of the vows and declared the precedent.

Once it came time, she firstly glanced down over herself, her travel attire, with a murmured "Damn it," and a shake her of head.   Then up at Domitius, with an expression both wry and warm.

"You have no idea the time I was planning to put into my appearance...and the gown I had in mind!" She shook her head again.  "I feel something like a shopkeep who failed to sweep the floor for the grandopening!   But...this is much more what you see of me, in the day to day of our lives. So be it, then."

She extended her shortsword. If Domitius did too, and the blades touched as prescribed, she spoke with high emotion, and with no hesitation-

"I, Alisa D'Medvyed, take this man, Domitius Solanus, to be my husband.  I will honour him, guard him and protect him.  I will offer succour and care when he needs it.  We will be as one.” And, perhaps presumptuously, certainly spontaneously, and definitely passionately added "I so swear beneath Sun and beneath Moon, by Sword and by Spear."

Domitius was beaming as he looked at his bride he touched Blazefury to the borrowed shortsword "I, Domitius Solanus, take this woman, Alisa D'Medvyed, to be my wife.  I will honour her, guard her and protect her.  I will offer succour and care when she needs it.  We will be as one.” then he added "By Sun and Moon, by Sword and by Spear.  My wife. you will never look more beautiful to me than you do right now." he reached out and brushed an errant lock of hair from her brow before leaning in and kissing her.

"You are as one." brother Thaddeus intones loudly, "And you have made that oath on the blades of your swords..." he continues as he completes the cermony.  "Hence forth you shall be known as one.  Alisa Medvyed-Solanus, Domitius Medvyed-Solanus - I pronounce you husband and wife."

Ceremony completed, he steps forwards to shake hands with both the bride and groom.

Under his breath he comments, "We need to pay Lord Adoven for that short sword.  Alisa should keep it as a token of her marriage ..."

"You give the child their first blade proper and they'll probably worship you," Berta tells Kiera, not bothering to whisper since it's obvious that the happy couple have eyes for none but each other.  And while happy to supply the cider her fellow maiden suggests, she doubts the strong brew that the Dragon serves is quite what the mother-to-be would accept.

"Dame Roth," she mutters as Thaddeus directs the crowd, as she dutifully lines up behind Alisa, not liking the proffered designation and thinking besides that her title might add to the occasion.

The wording of the vows - in particular the pledge of each to protect the other - brings a smile afresh to her lips, as the warrior-woman bears witness, joining with the rest to applaud and offer well-wishes anew at the conclusion.

"I'll take care of that," she assures the priest as he frets over the borrowed blade.

OOC Information

Cider in the UK, and some other countries is an alcoholic drink, made from apples -  and has often been both cheap and strong.  For years, it was the first-choice drink for underage drinkers getting their hands on alcohol they shouldn't have.  It certainly was for me and my generation.

Cider in the US is a non-alcholic beverage made from apples.
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:57, Sat 05 Sept 2020.

"You are as one." brother Thaddeus intones loudly, "And you have made that oath on the blah de blah de blah," was about what Alisa heard, her senses consumed wholly by that kiss; far more relevant to her than any words or swords.

Once her senses had cleared, one point did manage to stick in her mind however-

"Oh,Brother Thaddeus, on the name...you do understand that D' in D'Medvyed is declaration my family is only distantly related to Medvyed proper?  I just want to make that clear; because in wedding me, Domitius is not acquiring as much he would by taking a noble Medvyed bride."     And not to mention, relations with her father remained, and were likely to stay, a little strained. Though surely his wife would be joyed to know she was now wed, and therefore not coming back home.

"That's so generous of you to offer," she said to Dame Roth, concerning the sword.   "I do have my own means, though! And I likely won't be spending them at the Den, or the Nereid, as things now stand," putting her hand on her belly as she said.

"It is conventional in marriage.  It signifies that you are no longer beholden to the head of House Medvyed, nor to the head of House Solanus. Instead, you have formed your own house.  However, the name signifies an allegiance to, and respect for, both of the senior houses."  Thaddeus explains, in response to Alisa's statement.

"Buy your own blade ?  On your wedding day ?  There'd be a scandal !" Berta grins broadly as Alisa comes up for air. "Besides, I wasn't asking ..."

"It's my wedding gift."

Alisa inclined her head in respect to what the brother told her, a little surprised, but well liking the sound of that.

She then regarded Berta. "I see. Thank you so much."   Then smiled at her in turn. "Perhaps one day I'll be giving you one." 

Alisa recollected something Sejana had remarked upon, after reporting in from a business council meeting; something with which she could but agree.

They would make quite a pair, for certain.  If he's smart, he won't let this one get away...

OOC:  Are we finished with this scene?  I can open up a thread at the Mithral Hotel for an impromptu party / socialize -  if you want to continue.

Andalon stood back and watched the short ceremony with the others in the salon. His smile was a warm one and he nodded in respect when Alisa included reference to Sun and Moon, Sword and Spear. When the time came to step forward and congratulate the happy couple he did not hesitate.

"Congratulations, both of you. May the blessing of Abadar be upon this union, too, and long may your new house Medvyed-Solanus thrive and prosper."

I believe the bishop has put a good ribbon on this scene. 

If there's combined interest for a scene at the Mithral, I'm for it, but it's not a 'must have.'   I think too, there's still a party thread for Adoven & Viktoria which is open...
This message was last edited by the player at 02:10, Tue 08 Sept 2020.

Gradually the wedding party and the observers move away to carry out their celebrations and conversations elsewhere.

Some time later, the salon opens again for training and practice duels.

The Duelling Challenge

Adoven looks over the area set up for the challenge. To Robert he says "I've been looking forward to this. This ought to be fun."

The main practice room of Tusk's duelling salon is a large hall with various duelling 'tables' marked out on the floor.  Duelling Swords, falcata, light blades and a selection of bucklers adorn the walls.

A number of benches give the opportunity to sit, recover or just chat.

It had started as a weekly training session at the salon between Dom and his squire the two of them working at perfecting their forms in the Aldori style.  They would start with the weighted training weapons performing a series of manoeuvres Domitius watching and perfecting Barbatius as they went.

Then several officers of the local garrison had asked to join them and that became a class of about a dozen that Dom would run once a week for any of the Tusk or Midmarch officers and NCO's who wished to attend.

After running his students through their practice kata Dom would pair up the students to begin a series of bouts matching them to similarly skilled swordsfighters.  At the end of each session he would pick one or two of them and finish off with a final bout between himself and the students.  Mostly he won these but occasionally a student would get the better of him.

After the training Dom would sit and discuss the session before  heading back home.

Minia had stood off to the side through most of the instruction. Previous attempts to talk with the more established personalities of the settlements had met some resistance, and the only person she'd made much headway with she'd come to these lands to kill originally.

Now, it seemed like that idea was a distant thought, and the community she and her sister had begun the work to settle and develop, to turn desperate people away from brigandry, it all filled her with a sense of some quiet.

So she turned to things from before. And watched Dom lead his students through the forms and stances of swordplay, reluctant to submit to the class for fear of her own Midori style looking out of place. Already she saw some discrepancies between them

After, when discussion was being had, she approached the swordfighters more boldly.

After all, it's that or trek back and tell Maple I didn't do anything at all while in Tusk

With respect and a little awkward disquiet she reached Dom and his students and gave a courteous if not exactly stationly bow, dressed in traveler's leathers absent her usual shirt of mail, and with her dueling sword the only really opulent item at her belt.

Dom had moticed the new comer watching his lesson, he had noted the sword she wore and she looked familiar but he wasn't sure where he knew her.  It was as he was matching up the students it occurred to him that it was one of the Dosalic sisters who had been talking with Kiera during the wedding reception.

As she appraoched and bowed he returned her bow "Welcome to the Salon, forgive me but I don't think we have been introduced I am Swordlord Domitius Aldori-Solanus and if I am not mistaken you are one of the Dosalic sisters who has taken residence at" he paused momentarily remembering "Apple Lodge wasn't it?"

In reply to Domitius Aldori-Solanus (msg # 56):

"It is now, yes. The Lodge and Litwin Cove have kept my sister and I busy some time . . . "

Straightening up, she looked up at Dom for a moment before remembering

"And yes, Minia Dosalic. My sister is Maple."

Minia stopped herself short of another bow, a force of habit

"I was wondering if you were taking on students? I see you have a lot already but my sister says I need to get out of the house. I don't know why, seeing as she's never in it and it's eight times the size of the home we lived in a year ago, but still. Activities, personal improvement."

Folding her hands together she continued

"Or if not, I'd love a chance to practice swordplay against someone who wasn't a bandit armed with a sharpened cleaver. I got this far without a proper teacher and I don't want to impose or nothing."

"Well I take these classes once a week but if you truly wish to master that blade we would need to meet more often than that.  I train daily myself for at least two hours when I am at home,  usually with that oaf." he waved at a grinning Barbatius "However I would like to see how you handle a blade before we make any commitments.    Is that agreeable?"

Remember the specially blunted sparring swords :)

"Demonstration?"

Minia put a hand to her sword

"Or should we spar a little? I can't promise I'm an interesting opponent, but I've always found it's better to see technique in motion, and not simply displayed"

From the side, the Arms Master says "when interacting with other participants, we leave our steel behind and use the wooden weapons on the walls. They make healing the bruises afterwards easier than the gashes your blades would leave. As the Swordlord well knows......."

Dom looked across at the Swordmaster and nodded to him, they weren't particularly close but they shared a common bond in devotion to learning the art of the blade "This is Master Samuels salon and his rules apply, once I am satisfied that you can handle that sword then yes there will be a time for metal on metal practice.  That and I suspect you will find more use outside of the Salon for your sword than inside one.  Lord Henry does have us all out exploring after all."
With that Dom indicated the training blades on the wall as he moved to take up one of a similar weight to his own blade. "Take your pick and lets test each other out shall we?"

Minia walked over, unbuckling her sword belt and placing it aside and grabbing a suitable training sword

"Of course"

Turning the blade over in her hand Minia took first stance within the dueling space, eyes respectfully lowered until Dom took place as well.

"Let's start at half speed to begin and then take it from there." Domitius said as he stretched and checked his own equipment.  He moved to stand a few meters away "Ready" he announced as he took stance.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:02, Fri 09 July 2021.

Robert watches over the match, ready to referee if needed. But trusting Dom to know the limits of whomever he faces.


"When you are planning to use real steel, the new Sports Arena we are building this year will be the venue for such matches."

In reply to Domitius Aldori-Solanus (msg # 64):

Minia moved with grace, precision and speed of an impressive sort, or so she'd been told. Balanced, swift and deadly, she didn't make the cardinal mistake of swordplay, to wait and let the tension build between the fencers. She needed to strike and strike quick, so as Sword Master Samuels finished she left her stance and lunged, bringing her blade up quickly to align it horizontally, dipping the point lower to create a guard stance on her recovery.

Her eyes remained focused on a single point in space as she let her feet move as extensions of her sword, her body becoming one muscle in service of the artform. This was an audition, in her mind, a chance to impress the first real swordlord she'd met. She was nervous, but moreover she was hungry, and that overeagerness caused her to overlook one crucial thing . . .

Domitius was faster

Domitius watched Minia prepare herself he took in how her body positioned noting a couple of differences to his own more orthodox style, nothing that couldn't be corrected if she chose to accept his teaching but there was definite promise there.

Most swordsman wouldn't have noticed Minia preparing to lunge, however Dom had spent his entire life studying the sword.  In that moment he stepped to one side and lunged himself striking the top of Minia's shoulder lightly but enough to know it would have been a killing blow.

He stepped away "That was good Minia, you are quick and with the right training will be quicker still.  Now I want you to fight purely defensively and use the whole of the salon floor, I want to see you using your footwork as much as your hands.  Ready?"

As soon as Minia gave her ascent Dom launched as series of attacks never quite striking home but forcing Minia to move around to keep away from his blade.

Minia tucked a hand behind her back in a fencing stance, gathered her breath and nodded her ascent, moving her blade as her feet danced along the ground, small circles, keeping her eyes on Dom as she kept calm and parried the attacks, though obviously she was only being tested. Nevertheless by the end of it she was winded and wild-eyed, quickly gathering herself.

"I see your point sir. I haven't found the brigands and cutthroats as accommodating as yourself out in the world though."

Domitius laughed "You are correct, bandits tend to be more concerned with gutting you like a fish than following the correct forms, though if you run into one that does both you will be in trouble.  Come sit and we can discuss things." he indicate a bench off to one side "Now Barbatius is my only  full time student so I can take on another be aware Alisa is due any day now so that will take up more of my time." he pauses rubbing his chin "I can spend at least an hour each day four times a week plus the class we had earlier so five to six hours a week is that possible for your schedule at least while you are in Tusk?"