Ecore's Six Year Anniversary of Dueling Challenge

[DoS Archive]

From: eagleecore@aol.com (EagleEcore)
Date: 09 Jun 1999 05:45:20 EDT

Slowly, the booted steps walked down with a muted thud into the dark lonely Arena of Swords. A figure moved alone into the basement caverns of the Red Dragon Inn of RhyDin. The catacombs that now no one was ever truly alone in with so many of the ghosts of warriors past that haunt these hallowed halls. It was dark, as were the ages of the dueling community
these days, and a cool chill seemed to make one almost feel unwelcome to lounge in the duels. Yet the booted steps moved on their own knowing where they were going because the path had been walked many times before in his experience here. He could sleep walk this route and know when to wave at which patrons and nod with a smile to others, or make a passing jibe at a rival without thinking because they knew each others habits and mannerisms. His
steps took him to the bar from the landing first.

At the bar there was a quiet shuffling about a rack to get himself a tall wide tankard. A quiet pouring sound of the thick creamy dark stout that almost tasted as sweet as chocolate hitting the bottom of the mug. Then the sound of liquid being poured into liquid before it stopped. Moments later there was a contented sigh of satisfaction at a basic pleasure of everyday life after a hard day of dueling. Moments later the boots were heard bounding
down in the dark towards the rings across the floor where various tables would normally obstruct a smooth course. Yet, his hips seemed to know when to weave to which way to lead them on his natural course that had always been his destiny. The Second Ring.

It is where his dueling career had begun, and where many of his challenges both good and bad had happened as well. He stopped just outside the ring leaning on the ropes a moment. He sighed a moment thinking back to his first duel and those times of camaraderie he shared with some of his fellow duelers. He had been in the Red Dragon Inn, just come into town when he was also introduced into the duels. The circumstances of his arriving here had
been odd. He had been walking through a forested hilly part of Wales when a vicious storm had come about on top of him. The worst storm he had known the 1500 plus years of his Immortal existence on old Terra. When the storm ended and the sun had rose he had come out of the forest in what he later discovered to be the Mount Bane area of RhyDin, north of RhyDin Towne. He had come to the city and within moments sensed something amiss but decided to
explore.

It was that day when sipping some ale at an inn that seemed to come from his own past when he had actually been a mortal man, that a midevilish warrior had approached him. He was a friendly enough guy who was interested in sharing tales of adventure. Cymranger, his first friend of RhyDin. A man who with some other influences got him to be a student of the Bishop. It was after sharing a bit of ale and swapping tales of deeds that Cym had told
him of the Arena of Swords. A place to keep your blade skills sharp and the muscles that use those skills toned without the worry of death. It was a magic that the nature of the Red Dragon Inn possessed. He later attributed to this as being apart of the same force that made the Red Dragon Inn the Nexus of the Multiverse. Being an Immortal and wanting to save his head from those who would take it, he felt it a great opportunity. He could always
find his way back to Terra if he wanted to later.

So it was he descended the stairs in to the basement catacombs of the Red Dragon Inn on a strange world he would know as RhyDin. What he saw before him was a few rings or what he considered sparing rings. Pits of sand with roped off areas for the boundaries of the combat zone. His attuned senses could pick up on how special the magic was here, both in the general atmosphere of the building and of the people who were in it. So he walked about
the basement following Cym who was introducing him to his associates and friends. The last person he met that night was the first he would duel, Xenograg, back right before he beat Falon for Overlord. The Babe Ruth of Dueling ole Falon was, with the left field bleachers and all, he wonder if Falon even knew about Babe Ruth, or if maybe Babe had been reincarnated as Falon in a different environment. When he left Terra in the 60s he almost fit into
the local population of assorted freaks from different universes and worlds. He actually met a Klingon, and got it on with a fine little redheaded Elven lass. But it was his first duel, and with Xenograg that stuck out as one of the finest first memories of this world.

Xeno had explained to him right there how the duels worked and was honest about the different advantages different ranks had especially when this was back in the day of when a Fancy still scored you an advantage regardless if you were successful with it or not. That was the man reason a lot of duelers followed the "Overlord" rule of dueling by not using more then one Fancy of what your opponent had available. Another common custom of the age he
first learned of the duels was not to Fancy the first round because of that old time advantage as a show of respect that a dueler wasn't greedy for the win but was more interested in the dance. And so it was the bold young new guy in town asked the veteran Warlord soon to be known as the Supreme Dueler of Swords, Xenograg, to duel, and he was honored with a positive response.

As Cym watched on the two battled in the ring in a very enlightening duel about it being more then a spar. It was a philosophy on how one dueled and how one used certain moves when and with what other moves. Already the friendly warrior was involuntarily teaching the beginner some basic wisdom to remember. Later he would witness many great students of that warrior become Overlords and Barons. It was satisfying to win that first duel.

With a sigh he slips into the ring between the ropes with a quick bend and a stepping forth with one leg then swinging back up and dragging the other leg through to turn to the center of the ring as he often does when entering for a match to cross blades with an opponent. He begins to walk around the inside edge of the ring sipping the tankard of stout occasionally while pausing in his movements. Often he would stand there with his arms crossed,
mug dangling and his other free hand stroking his burgundy red devilish goatee in quiet contemplation. It was still very dark but in his mind he could see around him as vividly as if he was stepping across many moments in time seeing the images of his past as almost life like.

The food fights he used to have with Ladye Beth upstairs in the Inn always made him smile. She could always make him laugh and they shared many a drink late into the night at the bar. It had been such a fun experience and new challenges when he first arrived here when he made some local currency he made a long term deal with Kairee. He had leased out room number eight of the Red Dragon Inn as his personal suite. Got to fix up and furnish it the
way he wanted though had to spend his own coin to do so. When he was tired of watching the antics of such fiends as Lestat, Strahd, MacHeath, Gondar, and GrimReaper, he was usually listening to lasses like Chiana and Kitaria go on about the men of the realm. Then of course there were always his favorite lasses to flirt with, besides Beth. He had become known for his obvious narrow minded taste for lasses with the hair color of fire.

And so with the Nexus of the Multiverse at his disposal now why return to Terra when so many worlds teased his curiosity. His first journey to the stars, to the Red Star Station had been an eye opening, if not at first frightening experience. Though eventually he would learn how to pilot a starship. He chuckled a moment thinking of a starship ace he met in the Inn who told him of Red Star, Fin Solo. Who later introduced him to another crazy
pilot, Max, the mad Mad Mad Max, a former Overlord of Swords now. So for a while he didn't return to RhyDin in his exploration of the Multiverse learning new things and experiencing strange new cultures.

On his return he found some of his first comrades still about the rings, and met new ones. He had discovered that there were realms established now. He had only known of the Circle of Tara before he left, a haven for Immortals who did not want to play the game of only one. Luthien of Mountainside, Valmion of Questrion, Gavilean of Westridge, Tolar of Blackmor, Bellum of Holndar, and the crazed magician of Mount Bane, Mydin Blachknyght. He had
met others of their sovereign circle through his course of dueling them and sharing an ale or scotch with them. He found it rather interesting and entertaining this was a way to hobnob with royalty. And so he decided to get more serious about his dueling and try to establish some sort of status as just being an independent accomplished warrior without land and subjects. The best dueler of the day was Fandral Kurgan, the first dueler to reach a
hundred wins over losses.

The days when he was practicing and training with his Chapelmates and his Kempai, the Bishop, had been some of his happiest. Rantom he had know for a while about the duels before and had barely known Branioc before joining the Bishop's Chapel. Aspendale he had seen around a bit and had heard about and he knew Simini very well when they joined together. He had barely made Warlord ahead of his Swordbrother Torquillion by a week in just three weeks
times under Fandral's lessons. Together they had claimed two of the first nine baron rings in the Original Tourney of Nine Barons of Swords. Not in such a long time had he experienced such a camaraderie and in such a fun way to spend one's time. A way that could keep you sharp for when you would be needing those skills in outside the ring.

But those days in the Chapel just discussing dueling theory and philosophy had been very informative and fun. They had fed of each other's experiences and ideas on how to duel and attitudes about the duel. His concepts of honor he had learned watching Xeno, and perhaps because the Bishop didn't stress to much on views of honor he found himself going all over the place on that. It was during this era the taint of his soul was beginning to take
over his destiny. It was meeting the priestess Morgana of Avalon that he had been able to trace a root back to the magical isle to find his mother. His suspicions had become confirmed when he confronted his mother about his lineage which explained his immortality. And so he had gone on the path of self discovery and self distruction.

They say most are usually lured to the dark side by one who desires to mold a protege. But one who walks the path blindly unguided is but an abomination of destruction. And so become his existence there after. The images are a bit blurrier because of forcibly trying to clear the images of the horror and destruction he once relished in from his thoughts. In his final death of what was once his original mortal body he had become imprisoned by his
soul.

He shivered a bit with a shake and the dark blade, Draco, made from a shard of the LyfeStone of Mount Bane by the drow elf magics of House Lathadoscia called out to him wickedly. The blade had been stronger then his ability to control it and it in fact had imprisoned his soul without him realizing it had been the cause. When he had realized this and finally freed his soul from its imprisonment they Elders had brought him before them in council
for judgment. He had won his case that since he had freed his own soul from the artifact under the possession of a more powerful being that he proved he could remain free and could fully begin to develop his own powers. It was grudgingly accepted and he was allowed free reign for now under a probationary status.

He was told his destiny was to go back to RhyDin and begin his personal quest there. What to do had been on his mind ever since his release, as in when he was a lesser immortal he assumed he would have rivals at this level he would have to compete against or fend off, and to prepare for the next level. And so he went back to the basics of his existence, being a warrior.

But every warrior needs a cause or a motivation to uphold certain beliefs or else the blade goes lax. He had always taken a monastic approach to the duels when he could. But they were never sure steps he traveled because he was inexperienced. He thought of the SwordSibling rivalry that Siera and Feadur shared. Or the admiration that Xenograg's students had for him. He though of his own times with his Chapelmates and his respect for his own
teacher, Fandral. He had hope to capture those qualities and mold them into a way to pass on to others. While he was a good teacher of the way to duel better he could never quite get down how to be an example of proper honor, thankfully many of them figured it out on their own anyway, though he never could it seem.

And so with the return of his soul and of his power artifact weapon he found purpose, to maintain the balance. An irony for the Chaos Dragon. But to teach all the history and pagentry he has witnessed of the different styles in skill and honor, so that those who wish to learn a wide scope of the foundation of the sport could create styles of their own or make certain styles in vogue. He had his own personal agenda for his own personal career,
but this time that would be seperate. A thing not for politics but to give the tools to those who would want to become apart of the community and carry on the ways for years to come. Warriors dedicated to the duels and the dueling community seperate from the sovereign realms. Guardians of the Blade, the Dragon Templar.

He had hopes to pass on the knoweldge of his experiences and his memories of the early days and made sure that history was preserved to come for the future who would want to know of todays present and their past. Like the match in which Siera Red had faught for her freedom from Gondar in the Great Hall, and the establishment of the Ward of Gondar. And to teach the skill of the blade, and show them how certain combinations were developed by certain
duelers and why based on dueling philosophies. Let them mold the future as they desire so long as he could help provide all with a level playing field of knowledge and ability.

But before he could do any of this he decided with a resigned sigh staring at the South Banner Wall where now Roland's colors hung in his old spot he would have to first prove himself again at the most basic level of the sport. Strength of the blade. Prove his skill in the ring when it counted. As was his usual custom when around for the anniversary of his start of dueling he always challenges. Now was the perfect timing for him he figured.
Everything had come together in time for this moment of the season and to him it was perhaps an omen. And so sticking with tradition though he might not be entirely ready for the challenge he decided to let the dice roll as they might and fate would deem.

It was then that he pulled from the folds of his cloak the official Issue of Challenge and placed it in the approriate mailboxes of the barons and officials before posting it to the ancient corkboard. He had six years of history and the future of the rings to duel for, and to do his best to put together a good representation of that history for once. He was niether on the light or the dark, but walked that fine edge between the two trying to
maintain the balance that would continue the chaos. And so before the morning hour came he briskly moved from the dark Arena of Swords and into the still dark night looking forward to the night of dueling to come.

On the corkboard the Issue of Challenge when read says the following;

Overlord, Barons, and fellow duelers of Swords,

I, Ecore, hereby challenge the holder of the 7th Baron Ring of Swords, Daelin Dragonbslade, for the right of rank and title on the Baron's Council of Swords. Having not challenged this cycle and amassed ten peer wins while Daelin being availible for challenge find it a qualified challenge, I will as well state my reasons for challenging this particular Baron.
I once said I wanted to hold all of the first nine Baron rings before the recent addition of four more Baron rings. I have held the 8th, 9th, and 5th rings thus far. I decided to go with a basic logic of working from the last number to the first humber, so the 7th would be next on my list. I'll worry about the other four Baron rings if I ever get that oppurtunity later in my dueling career. I find this challenge to the holder of the 7th Baron
Ring of Swords, exceptional in that it should be a challenge for me considering since I have returned he is one of only a few I have dueled against more then once and lost both times. Perhaps the third time will be the charm, especially with a prize at stake.
For now I will duel without colors until I once again attain a titled position within this Arena of Swords, and my Second for this duel will be in memory of my comrades through the ages as well my Lady of Honor will be the sweet memories of all the women of the duels who made me smile. I dedicate this duel to all the warriors who came before for me who I watched and learned from . Skill and Honor with Respect, Baron Daelin Dragonsblade.

1. BN SilentCris 5.5 - 0 in 6 rounds, RDI KID. 3/6/99.
2. BN Cas Maxim 5 - 2.5 in 8 rounds, RDI Gryphn. 3/24/99.
3. WL Fantasy RC 6 - 5 in 14 rounds, RDI Morn. 3/26/99.
4. WL Zen Black 5 - 4 in 11 rounds, RDI Scad. 4/2/99.
5. WL DamonBlack 5 - 0 in 6 rounds, RDI Tyger. 4/10/99.
6. BN OorTael5 7 - 6 in 14 rounds, RDI KID. 4/10/99.
7. WL LrdGunthr 5 - 3 in 9 rounds, RDI Tyger. 4/10/99.
8. WL GrntDrgoon 5.5 - 4 in 10 rounds, RDI Gryphn. 4/14/99.
9. WL AspenMinds 5 - 3 in 10 rounds, RDI Reiver. 5/29/99.
10. OL Unagi M 5 -3 in 10 rounds, RDI Stormi. 6/3/99.


~Ecore~

~Praetor of the Dragon Templar~



Warlord of DoS, Thrice a Baron of Swords, including as one of the original Nine Barons of Swords.

[DoS Archive]

From: takcouma@aol.com (Takcouma)
Date: 09 Jun 1999 09:03:41 EDT

Marit bit her lip softly upon seeing this post. She pulled out a quill from her bag, squibbled and copied down some information. She tucked the information back into the bag along with the quill. She slipped away from the boards and headed straight-away to the portal located inside Castle Dragonsblade. The portal would transport her to Dragonia where she hoped to find her fiancee, soon.

[DoS Archive]

From: methous45@aol.com (Methous45)
Date: 09 Jun 1999 15:20:41 EDT

: Knowing full-well that Ecore would be bashing and crucifying him right now::

Ecore,
Fun and honor, do your best. That's all that can be expected.


Daelin,
Make it happen, but do it with a smile.




Meth

[DoS Archive]

From: sidarthae@aol.com (Sidartha E)
Date: 09 Jun 1999 20:13:52 EDT

Elijah~

Six years..good gods.

Good luck, you old scamp. This redhead, for one, will do her damnedest to make it to this one.

Fondly,
~Sid

[DoS Archive]

From: eagleecore@aol.com (EagleEcore)
Date: 10 Jun 1999 18:24:27 EDT

And so it was that the challenge had come, the quickest ever he could think of. Just less then 35 hours from being issued and 20 hours after his peer wins had been confirmed. Jayc had agreed to call, and once the short notice had gotten out those who were around came to the Arena to observe the challenge. A small pleasant crowd that watched with not much enthusiasm.

And then the duel began without much fanfare though the pageantry was observed as per traditions. He had jumped out with an aggressive double point lead in which his opponent quickly matched the intensity eventually evening the score. Though they were tied briefly, he had the lead otherwise and usually a comfortable two point lead. He stuck to the old school basics that had proved true for him before without getting too fancy. Though the one
time he thought of slashing it would have worked, the other choice was safer and scored him the point as well. His opponent had been so aggressive with the lunge throughout the duel, and to some success as well, that in the end he had turned it against him. A victory and his fourth time a Baron of Swords.

After the closing ceremonies of passing the ring and declaring his neutral alignment he walked over towards the South Banner Wall. He stood before it looking for a space, and noticed one on the left side above the fireplace mantle that was open. Stepping forth he summoned his energies and began casting a spell. The energies collecting as a glowing purplish-white aura about his hands as the bolts of magic launched forth. The magic melded into
the stone of the cavern embedding and etching a pattern into the wall above the fire place on the left side. For the majority of the rest of the afternoon the glow covered the whole surface of the wall before subsiding, in which it revealed the following symbol of Swords newest Baron.

A long thin dark blade pointing down with the hilt at the top, entwined by a blooming white rose and red dragon. The serpent's head facing out on the right side of the hilt of the blade and the bud of the rose on the left side of the hilt of the blade. The stem and thorns of the rose entwining not only the blade but the body of the dragon as it entwines the blade and vice versus. No background color or anything else but the entwined symbol of
the blade, the rose, and the dragon, etched into stone like a tattoo and colored similarly.