As noon approaches, a crowd begins to gather outside the wall. Smith has gathered the guard to keep the crowd from interfering or blocking the roadway, knowing that getting them to disperse peacefully before the duel is over would be a lost cause.

Towering over most of those who had come to watch, Verbannt was clearly visible within the circle of guardsmen. Many within the burgeoning township had seen the Bugbear about, but to others he was a new and novel sight. He stood alone, inspecting a knife that was bigger than most short swords. Whatever he was looking for, he appeared satisfied, for with a grunt he sheathed the blade at his hip. He took a step, his massive unshod paw surprisingly quiet upon the packed snow, and began moving towards the edge of the ring that the guards were valiantly trying to hold. With a practiced motion, he unclasped the heavy broach that held his massive fur cloak on, carefully removing the twinned pelts of the mountain goat and the wolf. These he set reverently down upon the snow, so that the wolf's and ram's heads were on the top, adding a short bow and leather quiver of arrows to the growing pile. Unencumbered, he moved back into the middle of the dueling ring, standing ready and waiting for what came next.

A sticky, and powerfully built Dwarf enters the ring, from where he had been leaning on a tree awaiting the arrival of his taller opponent.  Where Verbant looked like a tower oak, Brohm himself resembled more an immovable boulder bearing a grudge.  Clad in black leather armor with steel joints, and a large, round, black  shield.  On his head, a stout steel healm, with a charging boar figure on the central rindge.  From his waist hung a saex, while on his hip was a bearded battle-axe.  His bearskin cloak hung by its' head from a tree branch, well within sight of the guard.  He stood rooted, opposite Lukas, waiting upon ceremony.

Tidelan stood nearby, trying to project authority. He wouldn't interfere in the fight, but once it was over, he would be on standby if either contestant was downed. He didn't cheer or jeer, but just watched solemnly.

Verbannt turned to face the dwarf, slamming his closed fist into the cuirass of his studded leathers.

"I am Verbannt, once known as Lukas!"

He bellowed, his breath frosting in the chill air. If any spoke the Goblin tongue, they would recognize the word. Not a name, but a word. "Banished," it meant, one who had been exiled from their Clan for some heinous crime.

"I am the wolf tamer, the Ogre slayer, bane to Muzzrink and the Redfoot Tribe."

He stalked back and forth as he spoke, addressing the crowd more than Brohm.

"My honor is dead and long grown cold, but for what little renown I have earned here among you under the banner of Smith. In that work, words were spoken that cannot be unsaid, and cannot be forgiven. I am here to pay what price I have earned, through steel and blood."

He drew an unmatched pair of knives at that, one much longer and thicker than the other, holding them out wide at his side. He pivoted, turning to face his challenger.

"I ask not that all be forgiven, but only that the snows be able to fall pure again."

Odd words, and likely an expression that only meant something among his people.

"May you be free of the corruption which darkens my own heart."

And then he said no more.

Boneclaw sat next to Tidelan on a tree trunk and unpacked some crisps and fried chicken.

A circle had been cleared out of the snow, and guards stood around it, prohibiting the crowd from entering Tidelan stood with the guards. If one of the duelists fell, he was authorized to step in and heal them. The guards made way as Smith walked between the duelists. He said, loud enough for the crowd to hear, "I, Erret Smith, stand witness to this duel. In my capacity of governor and protector of Smith's Gambit. I vow to ensure that this duel proceeds according to the agreed upon terms, and than any who violate them, or interfere in the outcome, shall find no peace within our walls. The duelists agreed leather armor, axes and shields. Lukas, if you have no axe or shield, they will be provided you from the armory of the town guard." Three guards came forward, one offering a wooden shield, one offering a battle-axe, and one offering a handaxe. "Attacking with any other weapon-- including fang, claw, hoof, or other animal appendage-- will constitute a breach of the terms of the duel." He walked out of the circle, and said, "When ready, fight with honor."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:10, Thu 04 Feb 2021.

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!