Sister Love vs. Moonshadow
Ultrann hovers over the stadium, welcoming the crowd. "Welcome to the first battle of themes, in this 5th Session of Ultrann's Gladiators. Today we have Moonshadow, master of the martial arts, just recovering from a quick and painful death at the hand (or greataxe) of Knute the Brute. Moonshadow is fighting another master of the unarmed blow, albeit a darker warrior, Sister Love. Sister has also recently come off a quick an searingly painful loss, to Nutek Dyrrbin. Both are anxious to prove their martial art skills are the best, so without further ado, BEGIN!!"
Sister Love is first to appear, in front of the North Gate. Garbed in her singed robe, her hands are filled with throwing stars. She frowns intensely and awaits her opponent.
Moonshadow materializes next, in front of the West Gate. His hood is pulled over his face as usual, and he sports a large, blood-soaked tear in the front of his robe. He raises his arms, palms extended and open, to again show the crowd his spiritual tatoos. The crowd begins to cheer for today's combatants...
Sister Love is first to act. Careful to avoid the Pit, she runs southwesterly before stopping and throwing three shurikens in quick succession. Moonshadow avoids the first one, but the next two tear into his robes, causing small trickles of blood. Moonshadow pulls back his hood and dashes to meet the dark sister. He screams a mighty "Kiaiii!!" and lets loose a punch. Sister Love moves deftly to avoid the blow. In response, she whips out her well-crafted nunchaku and swings it at her fellow pugilist. He dodges left, but the swing comes from the right, connecting solidly against his skull and shoulder.
Hurting, he takes another mighty swing at Sister Love, but misses. Recognizing his bad position (his missed punches combined with the wounds he has received so far), he decides to somersault backwards before moving more southerly. Sister Love, who is quick on her own feet, pursues him and again swings her nunchaku. This time she hits Moonshadow solidly in the chest, causing him to buckle over in pain. The crowd begins to roar, anticipating Moonshadow's demise.
Again the tattooed monk somersaults backwards and moves southeasterly, but this time he pulls a small potion from a pouch and quaffs it quickly. Some colour returns to his face. Sister Love rushes towards him, yelling, "Come feel the love that I have for you, brother!!" and swings her nunchaku again, striking him on the left arm. Hurt but not out, he steps into fighting stance, lets out an intense yell, and lunges with a powerful fist into her chest. He strikes solidly, and the crunching of her ribs can be heard from the closest rows in the stands. Blood trickles from Sister Love's mouth, and colour rushes from her face. Moonshadow smirks and says, "How do you like my love, sister?"
Hurting severely, she tries a martial art move of her own. Mustering her strength, she performs a jump-turning reverse roundhouse, but Moonshadow ducks and avoids the deadly kick. Sensing his opponents' weakened state, he chooses to unleash two quick kicks: jumping roundhouses. Sister Love wincingly turns her side to avoid the first blow, but is too weak to avoid the second. Moonshadow's kick strikes the side of her rib cage, causing more internal bleeding, and leads her to collapse unconscious on the hard dirt of the Pit floor.
As the clerics rush to the aid of the fallen monk, Moonshadow stands tall, puts his hood back over his head and lifts his opened palms to the audience. Ultrann stands and calls the battle to a close. "Congratulations, Moonshadow. For this session at least, you have proven to be the better monastic martial artist. Enjoy the taste of your victory!"
Moonshadow: 500 XP, 202 gp. Seems like forever! You were almost out for the count, but a timely and solid blow took the wind out of your opponent's sail.
Sister Love: 350 XP, 151 gp. You inflicted some heavy hits on Moonshadow, but this time it wasn't enough. Better luck for Session 6!