Knute the Brute vs. Grolsch of Bols
Ultrann stands from his private seating, motioning to silence the crowd. "It has been a while since I've had to run all the details of a gladiator fight myself! For tonight my very own man-at-arms, Grolsch, will fight the brutish and powerful Knute the Brute. The end result of this contest will break part of the logjam at the top of the standings. Enjoy the fight, one and all!" The crowd begins to cheer in anticipation of a nasty battle between two mighty warriors...
Knute the Brute materializes first, in front of the North Gate. As usual, his breastplate armor is covered in peasant rags, and wears no shoes of any sort. He wields a greataxe, with a longbow and quiver on his back and a sling at his side. He wears bright red body paint along a line down the left side of his face. He bows deeply to Ultrann, and Ultrann bows slightly in return. Knute then stands tall and grips his axe in a battle stance.
Grolsch appears next, in front of the South Gate. He is taller than his opponent, and just as burly. His stomach and chest stretch his chain shirt to its limits. He smiles and waves to the crowd, although many cannot see his smile through his bushy beard. His left hand grips his spiked chain, and he begins to swing it in anticipation of the battle to come. "Bring it on, oh brutish one!"
Knute acts first, swiftly moving in Grolschs' direction as he bellows a mighty warcry. Grolsch begins moving towards his foe before hesitating briefly on his approach. Despite his strength and power, Grolsch seems tentative. But he presses on, swinging his mighty spiked chain. He lashes out with it, striking the half-orc warrior squarely in the chest, bashing his breastplate and causing internal injuries.
Knute yells in both anger and pain as he begins to swing his greataxe and approaches his quarry. However, Grolsch's skills with his chain allow him to strike first, slashing Knute's left arm and causing blood to spill. Knute swings his axe, but narrowly misses Grolschs' head. He is quick for such a burly man! "You'll have to do better than that, my friend!", taunts Grolsch. "I will kill you, hu-man!", Knute snarls.
Grolsch then moves sideways, swinging his spiked chain. It connects solidly on Knute's shoulder. Out of the limited battles that Knute has had, no one has seen him in this much pain. Before Knute can react, Grolsch is a few steps out of reach. Knute decides he must tumble under the whipping of the chain if he is to strike a mighty blow against his opponent. So, he tries his best to dodge and weave as he nears his enemy. Unfortunately he weaved when he should have dodged, and one of Grolsch's spikes slams into Knute's back. Knute collapses onto the pit floor, unmoving.
Grolsch raises his hand in victory as he makes his way to his fallen enemy. He begins to attend to some of Knute's wounds as the healers make their approach. "We will meet again, my friend...", he whispers in the half-orc's ear.
Knute the Brute: 550 XP, 141 gp. You can't win 'em all, but you'll probably win plenty!
Grolsch of Bols: 375 XP, 195 gp. Can anyone beat this man-at-arms??