The Games of Saberhaven
Leshrac vs. Bazoo
        The Arena is bloodthirsty today... It's anticipated that this will be a match of brute strength and fighting ability. The crowd is definitely not the refined types that appreciate displays of spellcasting and tactics, but instead course, rowdy brutes who love a little hack and slash.
       The announcer calls the names, and the doors open. Bazoo steps into the Arena, his bronzed and muscular body rippling with daylight. The half-dwarf is huge, bald, and covered with tattoos. He carries two large two-bladed spears, which crackle with mystic power.
       At the other end, the fighter called Leshrac makes his debut. He is clad in gleaming plate mail, and a glowing scimitar hangs at his side. However, at the moment he is carrying a large bow, and he immediately fires it at Bazoo, quickly nocking a second arrow.
       The first arrow passes harmlessly through the image of Bazoo--displacement. Leshrac regroups and fires his second arrow, but this too is flies wide of its mark.
       In response, the huge mul heaves one of his spears at Leshrac, then sprints forward at incredible speed. He is inhumanly fast... he is obviously under some sort of enchantment.
       The spear flies in a tight arc across the Arena before punching into Leshrac's side, right through the plate mail. Leshrac grunts as he easily pulls the weapon out and tosses it aside, but the wound is pretty bad... blood leaks like a little river down his chain mail.
       Leshrac looks up, and sees the half-dwarf bearing down, spinning his other spear wickedly. At the rate he is moving, he will be upon Leshrac in seconds...
       Stolidly, the fighter launches two more arrows at Bazoo, the first of which grazes his shoulder. Bazoo doesn't seem to notice. The other flies wide.
       Then, the mul is nearly upon him, and Leshrac is forced to throw down his bow and draw his scimitar. Even then, he is not fast enough, and the powerful gladiator has a big opening...
       Bazoo whirls his spear and expertly punches it through Leshrac's plate mail, then yanks it out. Blood gushes from the hole in the plate mail.
       Bazoo then darts to the side, exploiting his weapons longer reach. He dives forward, and rolls past Leshrac. Somehow, his spear snakes out and slashes Leshrac's leg from behind, finding the seam between plates and slicing through the chain beneath. More blood flies. Leshrac totters for a moment, then shakes his head and regains his footing.
       With a roar, Leshrac lunges at Bazoo with his scimitar and slashes at his stomach, masterfully keeping balance and watching his adversary at the same time. The crowd is amazed, considering how wounded Leshrac is. Less impressed is Bazoo--the mul is barely able to avoid the blow.
       After the first attack Leshrac spins, slicing at the top of Bazoo's spear arm. His scimitar gouges into the mul's shoulder, but doesn't seem to faze the gladiator. Leshrac then draws up into a defensive stance waiting for the next attack.
       The roar of the crowd rises to a fever pitch as Bazoo quickly pounces at Leshrac, his twin-bladed spear twirling dangerously. The spear flicks out impossibly fast, once, twice... Leshrac is rocked by the razor-sharp blades, and blood sprays everywhere.
       Bazoo lunges forward once more, and punches his spear right through Leshrac's breastplate, impaling him.
       Leshrac tries to focus, but his vision blurs. Blackness comes in from the edges, and he collapses.
       The mul yanks his weapon free with a spray of blood, and twirls it for a few seconds before whipping it to his side, and bowing to the crowd, who hoot and holler in response. It's been a while since they've seen such a masterful display of spearsmanship.
       Healing clerics and guardsmen rush onto the Arena floor to tend to the young fighter, as Bazoo walks off triumphantly.

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