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Posted by: jack cloudy Mar 25 2006, 02:14 PM

Alright, here it is! Welcome to the first round of this epic competition! Give a warm welcome to our beloved host, Hircine!

Here are the first competitors.
In the left corner, the noble knight. Arthago!
And in the right corner, we have the harvester of souls. Taillus!

Well, let's get started.




The two figures looked at each other in confusion. What had happened? And what where they supposed to do?

One of them was a Redguard, bearing the name Arthago. He was a knight in service of the Order of the Candle, one of the more respected orders in Sentinel. Though young and inexperienced, his talent spoke of many great deeds to come.

The other person was an Imperial, simply known as Taillus. Once a prisoner forced to work for the empire, he was recently released on the Morrowind of one of the many planes of Nirn. There he was taken in by the Daedra lord Molag bal as his harvester of souls. He was first sent to the arena in Vivec by his master to practice the art of killing. His power had since grown at an alarming rate. He stood there proudly, wearing his custom Ebony armour that although strong, left a large area of his body defenceless.

Arthago took in his surroundings while he shivered slightly from the cold. This place looked a remarkable amount like an ice….amphitheatre.

Taillus came to the same conclusion at exactly the same moment and smiled, a smile filled with madness and his eyes burned with wicked fire. Killing was something he was good at and the Redguard was about to find out.

He gasped and clutched his head as the familiar pain erupted in his head.
,,I had not anticipated this, Taillus. But it does not matter. Kill the fool standing before you and become the champion of this pathetic heap of ice. You know that none of these mortal cowards can beat you. Show them!” The voice of Molag Bal boomed in his head.

,,Alright, I’ll do it! Now get out of my head and let me do this!” Taillus yelled in frustration and sighed in relief as the pain dissipated. His hand went to his Ebony Broadsword.
,,You will die, boy. If you think you have what it takes to defeat me, then show me! I will make your warm blood thaw the ice!” He shouted at his opponent.
Arthago redirected his attention to the man in front of him. Right now, he would have to focus on survival instead of wondering where he was. He unsheathed his scimitar and waited for the first move of Taillus.

Taillus was waiting himself. This was a battle of patience.
,,What’s the matter? Did fear froze your legs? Or is it the temperature? Come here so I can kill you, boy!” Taillus yelled as he rapidly began to lose his patience.
,,Why don’t you come to me?” Arthago simply responded.

Taillus laughed. ,,Then maybe that is what I shall do. Prepare to die!” He said and walked forward.
Arthago took the time to look for a weakness in his opponent. Taillus’s armour was missing its chestpiece and left his left arm open. He also wasn’t wearing a helmet. Only a robe that was a dark blue bordering on black covered those parts of his body that weren’t beneath the heavy plates of Ebony. If he could hit the Imperial where he wasn’t wearing armour, he might win. He would have to be careful of his weapons though. The Broadsword would easily cut through his own armour and the mace he saw glowed with a wicked enchantment. And he could see the madness behind the man’s eyes. An opponent who was beyond sanity would be unpredictable and very dangerous. Arthago braced himself as Taillus sped up his approach.

The first swing of Taillus was high and aimed at the young Redguard’s head. Arthago ducked and tried to counter but found that he had to jump away to avoid the Ebony blade that arced downward towards him. He got away just in time, but the broadsword still scraped of a strip of Iron from one of his pauldrons.

Taillus continued to swing his sword at Arthago, forcing the knight to focus all of his efforts on avoiding the deadly blade. Then, he saw his chance and after spinning out of the way of another swing, he reached out with his scimitar and saw how the tip of his sword touched Taillus’s left arm. Blood began to trickle out of the small wound and through the small rip in the robe. Surprised, the Imperial backed of for a moment, giving Arthago some time to catch his breath. Time he needed.

,,You actually scratched me?” Taillus said with a surprised look on his face. That look was soon replaced by the madness that burned in his soul. ,,You are good, kid. But not good enough. I’ll have fun playing with you but in the end, you will die!”

Arthago nearly lost his balance as the scimitar flew out of his hands and landed near the edge of the arena. He knew that this was Taillus’s doing and waited for the next move.
,,Come here, Redguard!” Taillus shouted as he lunged at Arthago. He had switched from the broadsword to his mace. The evil gift of Molag Bal glowed in anticipation of blood.

Arthago waited till the last moment before rolling out of the way but still felt the mace connecting slightly. Sweat trickled from his forehead and he fought the pain caused by the evil weapon. The mace hadn’t wounded him thanks to his armour but it did sap his strength for a moment, making him feel weak. Before he knew what happened, Taillus picked him up with his free hand and hurled him across the icy arena with inhuman strength. Strength that had been given to him by the mace.

,,Are you getting tired? Can you see it, Oblivion? You will be there soon.” Taillus laughed. He enjoyed playing with the knight as a cat plays with its prey before devouring it. Arthago knew that he would not receive any mercy from this madman and crawled back to his feet. If he had to die, he would die fighting. He would not surrender and fall on his knees for anyone. And he would not be an easy opponent. He had wounded Taillus before and he would do it again. He picked up his scimitar that lied close to where he landed.
,,I believe it is you who shall see Oblivion.” He said.

Taillus came at the Redguard again. This time, Arthago was prepared. Though the mace was a deadly weapon, its range was horrible. Arthago waited till Taillus swung his mace downward before acting. Moving so fast that he was nothing more but a blur, Arthago took hold of the descending arm and used the momentum to lift himself up in the air and plant a foot in the face of his enemy.

Taillus reeled back from the impact and created some distance between the two. He wiped of the few drops of blood that came out of his mouth. ,,Impressive.” He said and gave one of his wicked smiles.

Posted by: Tellie Mar 25 2006, 03:57 PM

I believe Arthago wiull win...he keeps his head cool. Taillus have lost one thing that keeps most mortals weary....the fright of death.

Taillus is as we know arrogant and overconcious...I believe that weill be his bane...Arthago, on the other hand, knows what Taillus can do, and so is carefull...well that was my wote...Minkey if you want me to write fro Serene, PM me....MR.Oven have aleredy PM'ed me about Kiln.

Posted by: Agent Griff Mar 25 2006, 05:59 PM

I like your writing style Cloudy. I'll do a shameless thing right now and vote for Arthago, just because I made him and all. In reality I think Taillus would win whitout problems. And the lack of posts on my part lately has been caused by a little thing called Oblivion.

Posted by: minque Mar 25 2006, 06:08 PM

Hmm......I really did vote for Taillus......I think he´s a shrewd one......

Posted by: jack cloudy Mar 25 2006, 07:00 PM

Griff, you can't do that!
Only people who don't own one of the characters and are not involved with the writing may vote.
Now I'll have to substract (is this the right word?) one point from Arthago. Or Taillus will have to vote for Taillus.

Now personally, I believe that Arthago will win, but it is close. Speed defeats Taillus's superior strength. Of course, one good hit and Arthago is down.

Posted by: Agent Griff Mar 25 2006, 07:57 PM

Oh, ok. I didn't know sorry. When Taillus is online he can vote for his own character to even the score. Sorry, but it wasn't like you said "Griff don't vote for yourself!". I'll be more careful if Arthago gets over Taillus. Highly unprobable though.

Posted by: jack cloudy Mar 25 2006, 08:47 PM

Don't worry, I don't mind that you voted. It was said in the original thread where we all posted our characters. Taillus is hereby officially allowed to vote for himself.

Again, don't feel bad about it. We all make mistakes.

Posted by: Kiln Mar 25 2006, 11:03 PM

My vote goes for Taillus, while Arthango might be faster and more cool headed, Taillus has him in experience and strength. Experience is an extremely important part of combat.

Posted by: Taillus Mar 26 2006, 02:31 AM

Well I don't feel really well about voting for myself but fair is fair. I do think Arthago is skilled in so many ways but I do have alot of faith in the power of my character. I know I am biased so I will leave it at that....
good luck to all and keep having loads of fun. I have started writing the battle of Kell and Sirin and I am having a blast using new characters for a change.

Posted by: Agent Griff Mar 26 2006, 07:26 AM

Experience is Arthago's problem. It's not like killing is his duty as in Taillus's case. If Taillus really has no fear of dying then I can foresee a winner. I'm gonna say it from now, good luck in the next battle Taillus, I know I won't get that far. If I did it would be a positive miracle.

Posted by: Kiln Mar 26 2006, 08:54 AM

Remember one thing Griff, the votes are by which character we think would win in a fight, nothing personal mate.

Posted by: Taillus Mar 26 2006, 04:58 PM

...and I do appologise if you think things didn't quite work out fairly in the selection process on who fights who but remember we decided that we would choose based on when everyone entered their characters.

PS: It looks like a close battle thus far so I wouldn't give up just yet friend!

Posted by: Agent Griff Mar 26 2006, 05:18 PM

Well, to be honest when I first saw that I was matched with Taillus I thought to myself: "Wow, this guy really wants my character dead!". I thought that since you made the whole thread, you made the fixtures too. We should have had a draw, as in someone puts the names of competitors on a small paper note and draws them out randomly. But that would be hard to do on the Internet. The battle is close at the moment so who knows who will win?

Posted by: Kiln Mar 26 2006, 06:16 PM

I think that the selection was done by what order you joined in but hey, you're not doing so bad...at the moment you're actually winning.

Posted by: Tellie Mar 26 2006, 07:06 PM

i msut agree with Mr.Oven here...there is no way telling who wins....I still think that when you lose your fear of death, you become recless, and that can often be a HUGE disadvantage...especially against someone like Arthagos caliber.,..the man's a walking genious...he can think.

And also with Taillus attitude, that can also be a disadvantage....honestly, I think Arthago have all there is to win.

PS:Taillus, how long are we going to wait for the result, before the winner is decided, and ending of the duel will be published???

Posted by: Taillus Mar 26 2006, 07:12 PM

That is a very good question. I am not sure how long we should wait to decide a winner. We don't have very many votes so maybe a few more days? Tuesday or wednesday?

Posted by: Kiln Mar 26 2006, 07:19 PM

Perhaps wednesday is a bit too long...my thoughts were tomorrow or tuesday but hey, its whatever everyone else thinks.

Posted by: Tellie Mar 26 2006, 07:24 PM

I was thinking we could hold the tread up for five days...at the maximum....as we want to see the results...and I also thinks that ost of the people who have listed their chars, have aleredy voted...but hey,just my opinion.

Posted by: Agent Griff Mar 26 2006, 07:42 PM

We have 9 votes already. How many writers are there? Not many I can assure you. 5 of the 9 voters have already posted here from what I see. I think we should leave the thread up untill Tuesday at the most. And thanks for having so much confidence in my humble knight Tellie.

And btw, on an off topic note, did you know there was a saying in Romanian "to be dumb as the night." note the relationship between knight and night. Quite ironic eh?

Posted by: jack cloudy Mar 26 2006, 08:16 PM

I think I'll let it stick for two more days (monday, tuesday.) After that, I'll have to start writing on it. Things look very close at the moment.

Two voted for mutual anihilation. That surprises me. I actually put that one in as a joke.

Posted by: jiub Mar 26 2006, 09:50 PM

I hope that my vote can still count even though I am very new to this form. I am an espiring riter myself and I can't wait to start my fan fic. I didn't know who to pick and I hope I didn;t make anyone mad but I think tailus will win.

Posted by: minque Mar 26 2006, 10:09 PM

I hope that my vote can still count even though I am very new to this form. I am an espiring riter myself and I can't wait to start my fan fic. I didn't know who to pick and I hope I didn;t make anyone mad but I think tailus will win.

Posted by: Taillus Mar 26 2006, 10:32 PM

Wow I am seriously biting my nails off here people. It is so close and so very much any man's game at this point. I guess all we can do is wait till tuesday.

Don't forget that anyone can vote. We haven't heard anything from Red, Trey, Shrax, wolfie and more. With such a short time to go we are still tied so we need to get some votes.

Posted by: Agent Griff Mar 27 2006, 06:11 AM

So it seems Taillus is now in the lead. The battle could go in any direction right now if you ask me. Well, we'll have to wait until tomorrow to find out any results.

Posted by: treydog Mar 27 2006, 04:54 PM

Actually I voted and my vote was recorded, but the accompanying post was not.

Anyway, this looks very close. Arthago is a skilled warrior, yet Taillus had no fear of dying, which means he could do something unpredictable. Hmmmm.....

By the way, great write up of the fight, too.

Posted by: jack cloudy Mar 27 2006, 06:44 PM

This is a neck to neck battle. Man, one vote can mean it all.

Thanks for the compliment, Treydog.

Posted by: Agent Griff Mar 28 2006, 07:08 AM

It seems Taillus will win unless I get two more votes. Well, good job for writing the battle Jack. It's been a pleasure fighting Taillus, I wish him luck in the next battle. And I also wish Luper luck in the battle with Telina.

Posted by: Elidor Mar 28 2006, 12:17 PM

I have to say probably taillus, he just sort of strikes me as a juggernaut style killer...

Posted by: Taillus Mar 28 2006, 01:00 PM

Well it seems that in the closing days of this round I somehow managed to come ahead. Griff it was a painfully close one and for a while I thought you were going to have it. I hope you will decide to write a battle for Clash further down the line and keep up the amazing work on your Fic. You have a huge fan base friend and don't forget it!

Posted by: Agent Griff Mar 28 2006, 03:17 PM

Thanks for the kind words. I apreciate it. Well, good luck in your future match with whoever it may be.

Posted by: jack cloudy Mar 28 2006, 08:44 PM

Whew, it was a close match. Well, people can still vote but I doubt we'll get the invasion of voters needed to change the outcome so I'll start brainstorming. Good luck in the next match, taillus. And Griff, Arthago fought well, so no need to feel (too) bad for him. After all, it's a dream arena and no one dies.

Anyway, I also wanted to say this. Welcome to the forums, Jiub! I'll be happy to read any fan fics you'll write.

Posted by: Agent Griff Mar 28 2006, 09:33 PM

You wait until the next Clash of the Titans ! Just kidding, it was good fun comparing Arthago's powers against someone else. I can't wait to do it another time. Well, good luck in the next match Taillus, you're gonna need it if you've gotten this hard over poor old Arthago.

Posted by: jack cloudy Mar 29 2006, 04:25 PM

Alright, here it is. It is quite short, sorry. But I hope you like it.




Despite having been hit twice, Taillus didn’t seemed worried at all. In fact, he looked more confident than ever. He switched back to his sword and started raining blows at the Redguard who dodged as much as he could and parried what he couldn’t.

Arthago was tiring rapidly. He couldn’t hold out against this madman much longer and knew it. That only left one option. When he finally saw his chance, he rolled out of the way and created the distance he needed. He needed to stop Taillus from swinging his sword for a single moment.

,,Coward. Are you afraid to die?” Taillus said. He showed no signs of exhaustion.
,,No, I’m not afraid.” Arthago responded and did the one thing Taillus never expected. He attacked.

In his surprise, Taillus failed to protect himself from the vicious swipes of the knight’s scimitar. Arthago managed to slash his chest several times. He then backed of again. If he could just keep the imperial from healing himself, he would eventually die from bloodloss. But the wounds only seemed to fuel the strength of Taillus. Holding his sword in one hand and his mace in the other, Taillus stormed forward. Gone was the look of madness in his eyes, only rage and bloodlust remained.

Arthago did his best to avoid both of the weapons and for a moment it seemed that he would win as Taillus began to slow. But finally, Taillus’s sword struck and brought Arthago to the ground. Fortunately for the knight, his death would be swift and relatively painless. Taillus drove his mace with all the strength he had left in the skull of the Redguard. The mace of Molag Bal killed the young knight instantly and also healed the wounds Taillus had received. Finally, the fight had ended.

,,You’ve done well, Taillus. Soon, you shall continue the hunt and harvest the souls I need. But first you shall finish this tournament.” The voice of the Daedra echoed in his head. Taillus raised his mace up into the air and looked at the strange figure who seemed to be wearing a deer’s skull as a helmet.
,,Is this the best you’ve got?! Who’s next?!” He shouted. The figure nodded in satisfaction of the battle, raised his hands and placed Taillus on one of the benches that surrounded the arena. He then summoned forth the next two fighters.

Posted by: Agent Griff Mar 29 2006, 04:56 PM

A grand end to this fight, even though Arthago lost. Well, Taillus won by a hair anyway and he seems to be the better fighter. Good luck in the next fight!

Posted by: Tellie Mar 29 2006, 05:32 PM

Ahh....I liked the ending...good that Arthago got away painless...*sniff*...but I'm still sad..Arthago was a great man, and his loss will be felt..

My compliments to you Griffie, and my congratz to you Tai...here let's share a in rememberal of the winner and the one who lost...

So... a Jona for your efforts Cloudy...I wish thee luck against Telina...and take a Milanius as well...

Posted by: Agent Griff Mar 29 2006, 06:12 PM

It's not like Arthago really died. You can still expect great things of him back home in Hammerfell.

Posted by: Taillus Mar 30 2006, 03:52 PM

Truly Tele it will be a cake of sadness and woe as well as a cake of victory. Very well written and I have to say you really portrayed my character well (with voices and everything!) Great work and expect the match of Kell vs Sirin to be up by days end!

Posted by: jack cloudy Mar 30 2006, 04:11 PM

Thank you. I had fun writing it. It was different then using plain old Lup again.

Good luck to both Kell and Sirin, I can't wait.

Telendil, tell Telina that Luper won't hold back. He'll probably go all ,,Where in the name of Oblivion am I?! And who are you?!" But once he gets the idea, he'll go for it. So good luck. (You won't need it. )

Posted by: Kiln Mar 30 2006, 04:12 PM

The battle was well written and it seemed pretty close match up until the end, with both characters being wounded and all, it didn't seem too one sided and the death was quick so it was good.

Great job at writing the battle, Jack and good luck in the next round Taillus.