Plight of another Baron

Read-only archive for the Duel of Swords
Locked
DoS Archive
Archivist
Posts: 30701
Joined: Mon Feb 16, 2004 8:27 am

Plight of another Baron

Post by DoS Archive » Wed Mar 24, 2004 5:59 pm

Message 1 of 14 Subject 131 of 250
Subject: Plight of another Baron...
Date: 09/13/1997 4:16 AM Central Standard Time
From: GnrtDrgoon
MsgId:





Gnort won his second Baronial title, taking it without actually getting struck by his opponents blade. He was truly happy at that moment, friends congratulating him, the ring on his finger, his wife in his arms. Nothing could go wrong.

He went into the Arena after the bout, still technically a Warlord, dueled probably his best weeked ever, Excitedly awaiting the official announcement of his acheivement of the title of Baron, Holder of the Fith Ring. Sunday night he still dueled great, althought ending with a loss. Also ending with that night was his Official rank as Warlord, as no true duels would be fought on monday through wednesday.

Team dueling came, and he had his match agaisnt Kayne. He lost horribly, 5-1 in 7 rounds. There came no duels after that.

Thursday approached, which meant the official duels would start, Gnort missed the opening hours do to some difficulties which made him have a sour mood, so when he finally arrived in the arena, his losses could likely be explained to being in an improper frame of mind. This was what he told himself after dueling three times and losing each one.

Friday afternoon, Gnort decides to take a few practice matches, Facing off against Kayne and Jola Fici... In both matches, Gnort was defeated. Gnort was beginning to worry, but felt that the practice matches weren't to be that upset over.

Friday night was when it happened. Taking on his first opponent, a Swordsman, Gnort should have been able to make a strong showing, yet fell behind 3-0 in three rounds. Finally scoring, but then losing 5-3.5. But that was only one match, surely he can come back. the second duel started the same, only worse..Gnort fell behind 4-0 in 4 rounds, and losing 5-2. Gads, what is going wrong now?

The next two matches he fared better, but still lost, scoring 4 points in each. Then he faced another, losing easily 5-2. Then he faced another Commoner, He again fell behind 4-0 in 4 rounds. Something was seriously wrong and was beginning to unnerve him. He had decided he had enough and would be done with it. Then he saw Bishop, an important figure in the lore of the Duel of Swords, a name nearly everyone spoke of in awe and reverance. He was promised a duel with him and this was the
oppurtunity. Rank or not, Slump or not, he would duel this icon. And he did. They dueled and faced off well, trading blows and defensive manuvers, making it a well fought match. But still, Gnort lost again. None of the losses could be deemed a dishonorable loss, but Gnort knew there was those he should have beated, yet didn't. Causing him to have a losing streak of 11 official duels and 3 unofficial.

A total of 14 straight losses since officially becoming the Holder of the 5th Barons Ring.

Gnort was beginning to wonder if this title had been cursed in some way...or was having a reaction to him. He had never had suck a run of bad luck in his life.

Now he was fearful of a few things. He began to wonder if the challenges would be coming faster, a result of his record falling so drastically, causing people to question his skill and ability to hold onto the ring. He had hoped to honor the titles name by being as good a holder as those of the past.

But if the current streak continued, he wasn't sure how he would be able to manage that.
DoS Archive
Archivist
Posts: 30701
Joined: Mon Feb 16, 2004 8:27 am

Plight of another Baron

Post by DoS Archive » Wed Mar 24, 2004 6:00 pm

Message 2 of 14 Subject 131 of 250
Subject: Re:Plight of another Baron...
Date: 09/13/1997 9:26 AM Central Standard Time
From: DemCyrax
MsgId:



well Gnort...if its any consolation to you...last weekend I lost my warlord status after a grueling
2-10 run but this weekend, on Friday night alone, i managed a 6-2 comeback, and hopefully will fare even better over the next two days...its just a slump my friend you'll come out of it and i'm sure you remember similiar discussions you and I have had in the past, when you were telling me what I'm telling you now. Chin up Baron, you are who you are and nobody doubts you're skill in the ring, as you've proven it often enough.

Dem
DoS Archive
Archivist
Posts: 30701
Joined: Mon Feb 16, 2004 8:27 am

Plight of another Baron

Post by DoS Archive » Wed Mar 24, 2004 6:00 pm

Message 3 of 14 Subject 131 of 250
Subject: Re:Plight of another Baron...
Date: 09/13/1997 2:14 PM Central Standard Time
From: BadgerAx
MsgId:



It's a curse I tell ya ...A CURSE.. any that hold that ring die a horrible, terrible, painfull, DEATHHHHHHHH. MWA HA HA HA HA ::Stops:: No wait thats my wedding ring ::Shrughs:: It's just a slump Gnort my friend..Go kick some arse..


Badger
DoS Archive
Archivist
Posts: 30701
Joined: Mon Feb 16, 2004 8:27 am

Plight of another Baron

Post by DoS Archive » Wed Mar 24, 2004 6:01 pm

Message 4 of 14 Subject 131 of 250
Subject: Re:Plight of another Baron...
Date: 09/13/1997 3:07 PM Central Standard Time
From: SkylerJC
MsgId:



Gnort, as you already know, the exact same thing happened to me as soon as my official Barony started. But what's worse, is now that I'm a Warlord, I STILL can't start winning again. ::shrugs::
It's not a curse; a curse is only something that happens if we believe it will. The only thing I can think of is a terrible coincidence, or either I was and you are letting being a Baron mess with your mind. I think that's where I screwed up. I stopped thinking I was a Warlord and started thinking I was a Baron. The only advice I can offer is to keep *thinking* you're a Warlord.
Oh yeah, and if you wanna end your losing streak, I'll be happy to duel you again. :-)

~Sky
~Not a "Wannabe", not a "Has Been"---simply a "Never Was."
DoS Archive
Archivist
Posts: 30701
Joined: Mon Feb 16, 2004 8:27 am

Plight of another Baron

Post by DoS Archive » Wed Mar 24, 2004 6:02 pm

GMessage 10 of 14 Subject 131 of 250
Subject: The 13th Baron...
Date: 09/14/1997 4:40 AM Central Standard Time
From: GnrtDrgoon
MsgId:
G'nort struggled again. He dueled only three matches, yet lost them all. A Warlord, a Grand Master and a Commoner all had their victories over him. He fell to his streak. Ulath again, the 12th, Commoner Chasity Lane, the 13th, Daemon, a GM, the 14th. What was going on? Gnort could not understand it himself.

The previous night, his wife had performed some small ritual she said to excorsize the "curse" from the ring, perhaps to make him feel more confident about himself. Gnort spoke with Queen Luth, a fellow Baroness, who suggested wearing the ring on the opposite finger.

Gnort did both, allowed Prin to go through her ritual and took the Queens advice and switched hands. It did not work. He lost again and again. Why was this happening to him?

The different thing about this streak was that it wasn't angering him as his previous slump of so many months back. It was simply frustrating him to the point of being unable to cope. Gnort was beginning to step in the ring. Against the Chasity, his hands began to shake, his voice lowered, he took to staring at the ring on his right hand between rounds. He was convinced it couldn't be his skill, as he truly had not changed his technique drastically.

Then he was told something fearful. A former Baron, Steven Glowacki, sent him a note upon hearing of Gnorts current slump. Steve took some interest in it and looked up a few records. After fiinding something that was...stunning, Steve sent Gnort the letter. Upon reading it, Gnorts eyes widened and he commented in somewhat shock, dismay and surprise. There was also fear.

Steve noted how Gnort had become the 13th holder of the 5th Barons ring. Also that 5th ring was the only one to have 13 holders, making Gnort the first to do so. Steve had said if Gnort was Supersticious, that it might unnerve him. Steve admitted it bothered him as it was, being a bit that way himself.

Gnort was indeed supersticious. Gnort was indeed unnerved. Now, he didn't know what to do. 14 official matches took place since winning the ring, 14 losses. 3 unofficial duels, 3 more losses. Then he took a match for practice in his tavern after hours agaisnt someone who rarely, if ever, defeats him. Before being called away on something important, he was a half point from losing that was well.

Something had, no, *has* to be done.

The question now...was what.
DoS Archive
Archivist
Posts: 30701
Joined: Mon Feb 16, 2004 8:27 am

Plight of another Baron

Post by DoS Archive » Wed Mar 24, 2004 6:05 pm

Message 11 of 14 Subject 131 of 250
Subject: Options...
Date: 09/14/1997 4:51 AM Central Standard Time
From: GnrtDrgoon
MsgId:





Gnort went through personal options. Several come to mind, most of which left a sour taste in his mouth. Some he thought of and quickly put out of his mind, classifying them as "Not" an option.

First thought was to retire the ring. This was quickly shoved away as not an option. How would it look to be a quitter. This was something he could not bear to be known as. He fights his own battles, he tries to make the best out of any bad situations. One thing he definately was not, is a quitter. Second option echoed the first, retiring from DoS overall. This Gnort could only laugh at. Rtire from the DoS? You may as well take away his remaining leg, or remove his eyes. DoS was something he
loved, it was as much a part of him as he was a part of it.

Third option was something he didn't like, but a choice he may have to rely on. That was taking some sort of leave from the sport. His friend Rix claimed it was looking as if Gnort was only burned out from dueling so much, that he must need a break. Gnort couldn't see why, as he felt perfectly fine, just that he could not win. The rest was seeming to be an option that, though he would hate, it would be one he could live with.
Fourth was to try and train outside of regular duels, try and get his confidence back, call some, duel some, take more lessons, seek advice, try and find out what was the root of his troubles. Gnort did so, looking to his friends and a legend. It was still not working, though only a few days had passed.

Gnort sighed, totally convinced he was now cursed as the 13th Baron of the 5th ring of DoS.

Then a thought came to him. Had anyone suffered such troubles as a Baron as he had? Did anyone struggle like this?

Yes, there was one he might seek out to gain advice from. One who had been so troubled by his standing he chose to retire the ring and find himself. Gnort now had to find this man. Where?


Ford.
DoS Archive
Archivist
Posts: 30701
Joined: Mon Feb 16, 2004 8:27 am

Plight of another Baron

Post by DoS Archive » Wed Mar 24, 2004 6:06 pm

Message 12 of 14 Subject 131 of 250
Subject: Nightmare...
Date: 09/14/1997 1:55 PM Central Standard Time
From: GnrtDrgoon
MsgId:





"Enter, Salute, and Begin..."

Gnort stood up and entered the ring, smiling as he drew his saluted his opponent and the caller, then drew his Sabre. He started to circle him, watching wairly, awaiting the first move.

But his opponent never moved... He just stood there, watching. Gnort figured "Hell, if he's going to just stay there, I'll get an easier win." And grinned as he began his lunge forward. His Sabre reflecting the light of the arena.

Something was wrong.

Gnorts moves were sluggish. His feet didn't seem to want to move, his Sabre started to weigh heavier than normal. HIs opponent never moved. Then he couldn't move anymore. He fell to his knees, dropping his weapon. He looked down at his hands, watching as the skin dried, then start to suck in against the bones.

He looked to be aging, but no, this wasn't age. His whole body ached and felt pain, Hair started falling out, his clothes hung loosely on his body, he had no strength. Gnort was trying to move, but as he did, his skin cracked and started to fall to the ring surface.

He was deteriorating.

He unconsiously looked to the hand which held the Barons ring. The finger from the ring out was fine, undamaged, but the rest of his body was dying. As he began to lose consciousness, Gnorts last sight was of the ring, Opening a pair of black eyes, grinning at him.

Then it laughed.



Gnort woke up, thrusting himself up in bed, sweat covering his body. Moonlight from the open window reflecting off his skin, his breath ragged. It took him a few moments to regain his thoughts, to calm down. He looked beside him at his still sleeping wife. He hadn't disturbed her. That was good. Gnort stood and went into the wash room, filling the sink with cool water then splashing his face. As he closed the mirror door to the medicine cabinet, he looked into it and started with shock as the
face in the mirror was the face of the dying person from his dream.


Gnort woke again, covered in sweat, the light still reflecting off him. Sitting up, he tried to gain some control over his thoughts, he looked at his wife, whom he woke. She smiled softly and asked if he was okay. No, he wasn't, but he told her he was fine, just had a bad dream. Licking his dry lips,he layed back in bed, eyes open, breathing slowly, unable to sleep for the fear of what might await him in his dreams.
DoS Archive
Archivist
Posts: 30701
Joined: Mon Feb 16, 2004 8:27 am

Plight of another Baron

Post by DoS Archive » Wed Mar 24, 2004 6:06 pm

Message 13 of 14 Subject 131 of 250
Subject: The streak ends...
Date: 09/15/1997 4:40 AM Central Standard Time
From: GnrtDrgoon
MsgId:





Gnort entered the Arena, looking haggard and withdrawn. He took a seat, fearing what may lay ahead of him this night. He looked to the rings, where duels we alreading starting, thinking if he were to step in them, some horrid fate would consume him. He looked at his hand, which no longer wore the ring of his position of DoS. The 5th Barons ring. He couldn't bring himself to wear it, not after the nightmare of the previous evening. He gave the ring to his wife for safekeeping, knowing he could
trust her with it, since he no longer trusted himself.

He was approached by Rad, who had an expression of concern on his features, asking him if everything was well, Gnort could only reply, "I've been cursed," and then breathed a sigh of relief that Rad had been called into the rings, sparing him any further questioning. Gnort debated giving into the call to duel, fearing yet another loss. But the call was somewhat stronger than the fear, the love of the sport outweighing. So, he advertised his availiabilty to duel.

Then, just as his sign went up, a fellow Baron walked into the arena and accepted Gnorts challenge. He swallowed nervously and accepted, almost convinced that he would continue his streak of losses.

After a waiting period, they were called into the rings. His hands were shaking and he knew he may not be at top form, but still he gave his best. Round one, he cut, she matched his cut with an equal one, no score. That was good, his opponent, Ellisa Morgan, was someone who showed great skill in the ring, definately someone who is a difficult opponent. Gnort thought for a moment, she would look for a parry and will sidestep. So he reversed his cut and swung low, and she did indeed step to the
side as his blade struck true. This was good, he was leading, though by a point. Ellisa tied the score in the next round, low cutting his duck, then after that, they matched each other, scoring a point to lose it the next round, Gnort always getting it point first.
They matched Low cuts, Gnort thought of his move, then hers, she may parry or duck, what could he do...
He gambled and slashed. And sure enough, she did duck, giving him the point. He hadn't thrusted the whole duel, will he now? "She would think so", Gnort thought, and decided that his best move would likely be a cut. He cut, she sidestepped. Giving Gnort the win.

Ending the streak at 14.

He wasn't wearing the ring for the first time since he won the title.

He must duel again, he must continue and build a streak in the winning column. Seregill challenged him, Gnort accepted. Seregills staff and skill outlasted Gnort, and he lost by a point. But Gnort wouldn't let this get him down, and took a break. Upon returning to the arena an hour later, Lady Potion offered to duel him, Gnort accepted this duel as well, then went about defeating her by a wide margin, giving him a boost in confidence. Still, he was wearing no ring.

Then Lucian challenged, Gnort fought him and something felt wrong. Falling behind 4-0 in 4 rounds was horrid, Perhaps it wasn't just the ring. Maybe just the title cursed him. "No", Gnort thought, "I will not be shut out, nor will a perfect match be won against me." So, he performed the only move that would score no matter what happened, whether his opponent got the point, advantage or not, the thrusted, Lucian did as well, ending the match in 5 rounds, but at a score of 5-1. Gnort accepted this.
Though not happily.

Another Baron asked for a duel, this time, Heath, who won his title the day after Gnort. Facing him, their blades swung around and about, but Gnort was the victor here, winning against a peer. Gnort dueled once more, and emerged victorious, ending the night with a 4-2-0 record. He had two wins over losses. Ending the weekend a dismal 4-16-0, but he ended the streak.

He felt good.

He wasn't putting the ring on again.

He was and still is convinced it is cursed.

Next Weekend....
Locked