Verbannt turned, handing the twinned knives to the guard with the shield, and taking it from him. He worked in hand into it, using his teeth to tighten the leather straps as he secured it to his forearm. It looked more like a buckler in his massive forearms than a regular shield, but he was able to get it secure. He eyed the battle axe, but passed it over for the hand axe instead. It too looked like a child's toy in his grip, and he frowned at it for a while as he tested its weight.

"Two hand axes and a shield would have been better."

He said at last with a rough growl, then turned to face the dwarf, once again going utterly still.

Verbannt's initiative is 10. Switched to secret rolls for funsies, but I poseted my roll here so the DMs can verify I'm not a cheater cheater bananafana fo feater.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:52, Fri 05 Feb 2021.

Brohm did not respond to Lukas, he had said all that was needful earlier.  Instead, from behind his shield he produced a handaxe.  Its' francisca style blade seeming custom made for throwing, but its' flat, hammer-faced back proved it as much a tool as a weapon.  He strode forward, shield in hand, and ready for the onslaught.  His ace hand moved, waving the axe in a "come here" motion that bored no good to the recipient.

19:03, Today: Brohm of Clan Stonehelm rolled 5 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 3.  Initiative.

I have no problem with you rolling in secret Lukas, as long as the DM can see the rolls on the dice roller.

We can see secret rolls. Lukas goes first. Would you like a battle map, or would you prefer "theatre of the mind" style.

Battlemap please!

If you aren't, I won't roll in secret either. I like playing with minimal information, but I won't impose that on others.

In reply to Lukas Verbannt (msg # 11):

You're welcome to play how you want.  I see no reason to hide my rolls, as I'll need to post the results anyway. )

Nearby, among the crowd, Santio watched on with passive, casual curiosity.

Watching, a little back from the circle so that the guards needn't be worried about him, Victor looks on with his arms crossed and a reserved look on his face.

"An honour duel is all well and good if both duellists uphold the rules and get a few good hits in, the problem is when a duel is too one-sided," he thinks to himself, "damaged pride can lead to resentment and future violence."

The fact that the event is being overseen in such a controlled and lawful manner does reassure him though, perhaps this will be a good place to start again after all.

G= Guards. Behind them, the crowd is thick.
ES= Erret Smith. At the edge of the crowd, watching intently.
TW= Tidelan Wavyrus. Unobstructed by guards, so he can move in quickly to heal if someone falls.
LV= Lukas Verbannt
BS= Brohm of Stonehelm
Any other players would need to shove past a guard (bad idea) or Tidelan (even worse) to enter the circle.

At the Governor's signal, Verbannt exploded into motion.

He did not roar, or unleash any battle cry, for he was not truly a warrior. He was a Hunter, and so his long limbs carried him across the fresh snow with little more than a rustle of leathers and the crunch of the ground beneath his feet. It was not until he was nearly upon his much smaller opponent that he unleashed a low grunt, sweeping the pitifully small hand axe in a wide arc that aimed to get around Brohm's shield.

19:21, Today: Lukas Verbannt rolled 10 using 1d20+4.  Attack.
That's a no.

Lukas' blow swing wide, Brohm easily ducking under it.  His eye smoldering with anger, he swings his handaxe in  a wide arc, missing the tall bugbear.  He keeps his shield positioned to ward off the others blows, as he maneuvers for his next attack.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 14:54, Sun 07 Feb 2021.

As both combatants test each other's defenses, the crowd begins to quiet in anticipation.


G= Guards. Behind them, the crowd is thick.
ES= Erret Smith. At the edge of the crowd, watching intently.
TW= Tidelan Wavyrus. Unobstructed by guards, so he can move in quickly to heal if someone falls.
LV= Lukas Verbannt
BS= Brohm of Stonehelm
Any other players would need to shove past a guard (bad idea) or Tidelan (even worse) to enter the circle.
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:36, Sat 06 Feb 2021.

Verbannt was not putting on the most impressive display. He had strength, and he was using it, but it was abundantly clear that he would have been much deadlier with one of those long knives then with the hand axe. He kept trying to stab with it, muscle memory betraying him as his instincts were all wrong. He circled to the right, trying to use his long limbs to get around the Dwarf's shield a second time, and instead caught the edge of his axe on the shield. He must have been holding it lightly, because the damn thing slipped his grip as he tried to recover, causing him to drop it to the ground. Lightning quick, he circled to Brohm's left and picked it up, trying to keep the shield between himself and the inevitable counterattack he had left himself wide open to.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:17, Sat 06 Feb 2021.

Brohm moved with Lukas, with a lethal patience as he waited for him to grab the handaxe. Keeping his shield between them, the grim faced Dwarf maintained his opening to strike.  As Lukas grabbed his handaxe off the ground and started to rise with it, Brohm struck!  The speed of the Dwarfs' attack carrying a surprising amount of power as it drove deep into the shoulder of the arm that Lukas wielded the handaxe with.  With a quick search, Brohm withdrew his handaxe, Blood spraying from its' edge as it return ready to strike.

That Brohm could have driven his axeinti the back of Verbants' skull as he was disarmed, was obvious to anyone watching.  But the powerful Dwarf seemed to want the satisfaction of the fight.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)

Attack: 19
Damage: 12

16:44, Today: Brohm of Clan Stonehelm rolled 12 using 1d6+6 with rolls of 6.  Handaxe Damage.

16:43, Today: Brohm of Clan Stonehelm rolled 19 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 13.  Handaxe attack.

---

This message was last edited by the player at 22:14, Sat 06 Feb 2021.

Verbannt let out a grunt of pain as the axe struck his arm, bright red blood splashing to the ground. He held his grip on his own blade though, bringing his shield around to push his much smaller opponent backwards. He used the opening to deliver as massive downward chop, seeking to smash through the Dwarf's defenses with savage speed.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:09, Sat 06 Feb 2021.

Brohm takes the hit hit with a grunt, swinging his handaxe, but missing as Lukas dodges back.



19:40, Today: Brohm of Clan Stonehelm rolled 16 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 10.  Handaxe attack.

A 15 hits Brohm.

If I need a 19 to hit Lukas, why does your AC say 15?

Verbannt powered backwards, but the Dwarf's arm was faster, and it was only the shield that kept him safe from another devastating blow. He was far more maneuverable in the snow than his opponent, but the difference in Axe Lore between the two was evident. He swept his own weapon out, but was easily turned aside by his opponent's shield.

19:43, Today: Lukas Verbannt rolled 9 using 1d20+4.  Attack.

Miss.

Oops!  Because I haven't updated that since I was level.... 2?

Muzzrink's armor is +1 studded leather, his Dex is 18, and for this fight he's rocking a shield to get to 19.

All you need is one more good hit and I'm surrendering though. 12 points of damage was almost half my blood!

Brohm sidestepped the attack, letting the blow glance off his shield.  His own attack came back swift, a brutal slash at Verbants' stomach.  The handaxe coming away bloody.


Attack: 19
Damage: 7

23:24, Today: Brohm of Clan Stonehelm rolled 7 using 1d6+6 with rolls of 1.  Handaxe Damage.

23:24, Yesterday: Brohm of Clan Stonehelm rolled 19 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 13.  Handaxe attack.

This message was last edited by the player at 10:29, Sun 07 Feb 2021.

Verbannt let out a roar of pain, and fell to one knee.

"I yield."

He growled, his voice bestial and low, infused with rage or wracked with the agony of the twinned cuts. He let the axe fall from his grip, drops of blood falling along with the weapon into the trampled and muddy snow.

Brohm stops mid-swing as Lukas drops his axe, and yields.  Blood seeping from his own cut, but his face betraying anger still.  He steps back, the handaxe lowered to his side.  "I accept your surrender.". He rumbles in a voice of controlled anger.  His words formally acknowledging the end of the duel.  He then waits for Smith to end the ceremonial part.  His handaxe still in his hand, and his shield still ready to be used.  Some fifteen feet of space sepperating him and Lukas.

Smith moved between the two duelists once more, and raised his hands to quiet the crowd before he said, "This duel is over, in accordance with its terms! Brohm, of Clan Stonehelm is the victor! Both combatants fought with honor!"
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:47, Tue 09 Feb 2021.

Verbannt was bleeding from a viscous cut to his ribs, and another along his right shoulder that was causing blood to drip slowly down his arm. He let out a rumbling noise that was part growl, part groan, and shook his head.

"Scars are a lesson learned, to fools who seek wisdom."

He moved gingerly to remove his shield, and then let it and the axe fall to the trampled snow. Turning slowly, he eyed Brohm and said nothing. What happened next was the Dwarf's choice, and Verbannt could not make it for him. He had fought neither for honor, nor for forgiveness, he had fought because that was what was expected of him. He had bled, and he had bled his opponent. There was no shame in losing a duel where he had been so clearly handicapped. All that remained was to see where he now stood in Brohm's gaze.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:48, Tue 09 Feb 2021.

Brohm stepped forward as Smith spoke.  His left ribs bleeding slowly from the cut.  "I will take care of my wound myself.  Save the healing for those who might need it.". He responds to Erret Smith.  "A lesson is only taught once to those who learn.". He states to Lukas, then turns and leaves the ring, the Duel over.  He find his cloak, slings his battle-scarred shield across his back, and walks back to Town cleaning the handaxe with a rag he pulled from his belt.

Good game Lukas.  Thank you.  I hope you had fun.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:05, Tue 09 Feb 2021.

Verbannt turned then, retrieving his knives from the guard who had kept them, and grabbing his furs from where he had left them in the snow. He held them with his left hand, so that they would not be soaked with his blood, and moved off in the direction of his homestead.

That was a blast. It's fun trying to play handicapped and be like "well shit, is there anything fancy I can do about this? Nope? Don't have any tricks up my sleeve, damn!"

In reply to Lukas Verbannt (msg # 30):

To be honest, I thought Brohm was going to lose.  You've got the higher level.  He was out a bunch of tricks too.  Hunters'  Mark for one.  Brohm, of course, was confident in himself.

The guards who had provided the axe and shield to Lukas picked them up from the snow.

OOC: Without magic, sneak attacks or Wildshape, Lukas' level advantage didn't mean much. Limiting the fight to axes worked out very well for Brohm! I was a bit worried about Lukas' HP though! The fight may have been short, but it was pretty exciting!