 02-28-2010, 9:10 PM
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Daane
 
Joined on 06-04-2005
Port Springs
Posts 62
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One Good Time Deserves Another...
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As most days, Russell was walking through the corridors of the college carrying some books. Also as most days, the books were on history. He walked the corridors without saying much. The students were gone, as were most of the other professors. He walked passed a meeting room and would never have heard anything that was being said if he had not dropped a book, which lead to a bigger collapse of the stack he was carrying. The sound of the fall disturbed his thoughts just enough to bring his mind into the present moment and fully aware of his surroundings. He began to pick them up. As he did, he overheard the conversation in the room.
“… can be no doubt on that. And only a fool would argue that there was anyone second to him other than Stasis.” The voice was familiar and elven.
“I can’t argue that. Stasis was unmatched as a mortal. He had to become a deity to find a challenge. But beyond those two, who would have been next? I don’t think any from our lifetimes or even since the war can match the talent of many of the champions of the old days. So then we’d have to look back at history.” The second voice was human, younger, not familiar..
A third voice, an older dwarf spoke next. “Agreed, we would definitely have to look to the days of antiquity. That said, I don’t think we can go back to the time before the Doggeden War. Those tournaments were too small; the world was not as connected. Many of the warriors of those days did not compete. But after that war, the world became a smaller place. Then it was truly a competition.”.
The elf spoke again, “So then, who do we start with? Tithos in 59 BC? A veteran of the Doggeden War, a master of two swords, and elf that had been a warrior for over two centuries by the time he entered the tournament. He would be a contender. As would the great Owen Windblade, another master of two swords. He neared perfection in the tournament.”.
“I have to look to Borkon. His victory was not pretty, but few can claim to have been as dominant and devastating on their path to the belt.” The human interjected. By this point, Russell had forgotten completely what has was about to read. Clearly, they were talking about history, a subject Russell would talk for hours. He never let the opportunity to enlighten pass, so he walked into the room..
“Excuse me.” The elf, human, and dwarf looked up. Russell immediately recognized Acyll the elf. “Hi, how are you?” He walked up to the table. Drinks and a book were on it, the three sitting apart from each other around the circular table. “I might be able to help you here.” They looked at him suspiciously..
“What do you know of great warriors?” the dwarf grumbled..
“Not much, but I know a great deal of history. I can tell you all of the locations and champions. I can tell the circumstances surrounding each competition, and why certain combatants didn’t compete.”.
The three other seemed intrigued..
“Ok, how about a test.” The human said. Russell smiled. “Of course.”.
The human continued, “In 516, the tournament was held in Messada. It was supposed to be the greatest tournament ever. There were more competitors than any other tournament in history. No former champions were entered into it, so there would have been a high drama with no favorites. So why is it that it is a tournament that few can name many competitors from? Why is it often talked about as the lost tournament?” the human seemed confident in his question. He believed that the wizard would know nothing of the tournament..
Russell was not impressed by the question. He was about to answer, after a few moment of thought, and then decided on a better course of action.
“I could tell you all about it. Every competitor, every match; but that would be less interesting than what I am going to suggest.” The human and the dwarf cocked their heads with interest. Acyll took a drink and shook his head; he had an idea of what Russell was going to do..
“I can show you the tournament. From start to finish. Every match of note. Then you can see for yourselves what happened and why. I think it’s the best way to learn history.”.
With a confused look, the human asked, “Illusion?”.
“Sure,” said Russell, “If you like, a historical realistic illusion.”.
The human had a drink, “Got nothing better to do during the winter break, so say yes.” The dwarf likewise had a drink and nodded. Acyll shrugged, “Why not.”.
“Good then.” Russell said. “Everyone get ready, we’ll leave in an hour. Er, we’ll watch in an hour.”.
The others, half confused and half drunk waited around for an hour. Collecting things in case they needed to sleep somewhere and preparing gear just in case. When Russell returned, Acyll asked, “We’re not going to be gone too long are we? Like for a year the tournament takes.”
Russell’s nosed twitched. “No, best that we don’t do that, we all have lives to live. We can just watch the end, and we can get a feel from that how the earlier months went.”.
“Sounds good,” the skeptical dwarf said..
Russell began his spells and the shocked dwarf, surprised human, wary Acyll and thrilled Russell were soon in the midst of a Messada long ago in the middle of a tournament that is often overlooked by history. And they never would have guessed what they ended up seeing…
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