[Snowy]

Rhesal, sitting in his courtyard, watches as champions and spectators alike gather in his courtyard from around Earthia. Some were just humble peasants who had come to feast their eyes upon todays festivities, others were wanderers, always searching for a new thrill.

None of these fools know what I have in store for them, Rhesal thought in contempt. Half of them probably won't make it past the first round.

Nonetheless, they were the best Earthia had to offer, and he didn't want to get too greedy with his choices.

It was a sunny day, and Rhesal's usual throne of ice was replaced by a huge wingback armchair. Two beautiful women sat on the arms of his chairs, petting him and trying to get a reaction from him. He wasn't in the mood.

There were several hooded men in red and black robes who were surrounding a man decked in the Royal Aderonian armor, an honor only Erik's family had earned. Rhesal felt quite like throwing his Sword of Snow at him, but he kept his cool. It had been a long time since Erik's death, and Rhesal hadn't stop grieving.

A shrouded figure seperated itself from the shadows and knelt before the King's throne. Before he could question the figure, it spoke "I am from Shral Valeron and I am your humble servant and champion m'lord." Rhesal was surprised when he realized it was a woman's voice. Intrigued, he started to question her before he noticed that she had disappeared back into the shadows.

Several other champions from around Earthia knelt before his throne, but none impressed him as much as the female from Shral Valeron.

Rhesal paid the rest very little attention, for they were small-town heroes mostly, made out of bravado than skin and bone.

With a flick of his hand, Rhesal's herald hopped forward and began a long speech, pretty much repeating the invitation that they had all recieved. Then the herald began to kiss Rhesal's {expletive antidisestablishmentarianized by Cspace}, proclaiming that he was the mightiest in all the land, and that's when Rhesal spoke up, "Thank you, for that rather unnecessary introduction. My name is Rhesal, known to you as King Blizzard of Frionia. I called you here today to for a tournament. Those of you who wish to participate please step forward."

[Pureblade]

Noticing a crowd gathering not far from the Palace, Neolumin weaves his way through the group.

Hearing only the last half of the herald's message, and all of Rhesal's, Neolumin steps forward. Presenting his stave horizontally and kneeling before it, he looks up at the figure on the armchair.

"I believe you were looking for a challenger, King Blizzard of Frionia?"

[Snowy]

Rhesal looked at this man with nothing but a staff in his hands. Still, judge not a book by it's cover.

"What is your name, challenger?"

[Pureblade]

"Neolumin Animate, sir. I am new to these lands. If I may be so bold as to ask, what type of tournament am I getting myself into?"

He replaces the stave in position on his back and folds his hands behind him expectantly. Taking note of all the weapons and armor on all sides, he raises an eyebrow, then looks back at the king.

[Snowy]

"One that will require proper armor and a weapon. If you need me to assist you in acquiring these things, let me know"

OOC: I STRONGLY suggest it.

[Pureblade]

OOC: I don't think that would help my character very much. But I'll trust your judgment.

BIC: "I've never tried one of these before, so I suppose some protection might be useful. If you have any light armor to spare I would gladly welcome it, and return it when the contest is over. I don't think I will be much good with any other weapons though. Your offer is much appreciated good King."

[Snowy]

Rhesal motions to a servant, who escorts the champion to the armory that is located in the dungeons. Inside the armory, there is usually enough metal to supply all of Frionia for war, but on this day it serves as a changing room for the champions.

On the wall there are four options for armor.

1. Plate Mail (Heavy Melee)

2. Chain Mail (Medium Melee)

3. Ranger's Leather (Heavy Range)

4. Studded Leather (Medium Range)

Next to the armor there is also a wide variety of weapons.

1: Javelin (Medium Range/ Medium Melee)

2: Whip (Medium Melee)

3: Glaive (Medium Range/ Medium Melee)

4: Shruikens (25) (Heavy Range)
[Note: All bows are two-handed]
5: Composite Longbow (Heavy Range) + Quiver of Arrows

6: Composite Shortbow (Medium Range) + Quiver of Arrows

7: Longbow (Medium Range) + Quiver of Arrows

8: Shortbow (Low Range) + Quiver of Arrows

9: Hand Crossbow (Medium range) + 50 bolts.

10: Greataxe (Heavy Melee) [two-handed]

11: Heavy Flail (Medium Melee)

12: Dire Flail (Heavy Melee) [two-handed]

13: Warhammer (Heavy Melee) [two-handed]

14: Katar[x2] {Punching Daggar} (Heavy Melee) [two-handed]

15: Scimitar (Medium Melee)

16: Rapier (Low Melee)

17: Falchion (Heavy Melee) [Two-handed]

18: Greatsowrd (Heavy Melee) [Two-handed]

19: Two-Bladed Sword (Heavy Melee) [Two-Handed]

20: {expletive run over by Cspace} Sword[Hand and a half sword] (Heavy Melee) [Two-handed]

21: Dagger (Low Melee)

22: Short Sword (Medium Melee)

23: Long Sword (Heavy Melee)

There was also a variety of shields:
[Note: Shields CAN NOT be used with two-handed weapons]

Tower Shield (Heavy Defense)

Large Shield (Medium Defense)

Buckler (Low Defense)

The servant made a gesture with his hand and said, " Take your pick."

OOC: I think it is obvious what goes with what, if not, say so.

[Pureblade]

OOC: Wow, nice selection.

BIC: Neolumin follows the servant. Looking around the armory, he grimaces with unease at the weapons all around. Thinking carefully, he reaches forward and takes the lightest chain mail available, then plucks a scimitar from it's rack. Thoughtfully he also wraps a whip around his shoulder, and snatches a quiver of arrows without the bow.

Nodding his head, he changes swiftly, placing his items in the small pouch by his waist. He then asks the servant to direct him back to the tournament grounds.

[Snowy]

OOC: Is all that stuff in a pouch?

IC: The servant led Neolumin down a different twists of corriders, deeper and deeper into the castle's dungeons.

OOC: Go to the Dungeon Arena topic.

[Pureblade]

OOC: No, my clothes and fold-able stave are in the pouch.

[Mobster101]

"Frozen Deadlands... applicable name." Decipi thought to himself as he scanned the horizon. Having heard of some "competition", probably offered by a blood loving savage with little better to do, Decipi had made his way through Frionia and into the King's courtyard, arriving just in time to listen to the exchange between the King and Neolumin. "Savages... fighting for money..." Decipi muttered to himself. Though it was quite the trivial sport, the competition may be interesting to watch nonetheless...

[Snowy]

A servant saw Decipi muttering to himself, and asked the man," Are you a challenger?"

[Mobster101]

Decipi turned his hooded head toward the servant, his slight grin lost within the darkness of the cloak. "No... A quiet spectator of savage stupidity would be a better term for myself." He replied.

[Snowy]

The servant stops listening after Decipip said no and wanders off, trying to work a tip out of some rich and foreign hero.

[Mobster101]

Seeing the servants tip attempt, as trivial as the competition itself, Decipi decides to interrupt. "Might there be a way I can view the action a bit closer?" He asks.