The Games of Saberhaven
Bruenor Battlehammer vs. Harumph
As the doors open, Harumph steps out first, roaring mightily as he raises his lotuli in clenched fists, goading the crowd's cheers. The half-giant is dressed in his usual loincloth, belt, bracers, and cloak, and his bronze skin ripples with muscles. The crowd has no doubt that Romus Todd has been training Harumph harshly for this tournament.
From the opposite door comes Bruenor, clad in a fantastic suit of plate made from red dragon hide, and an iron crown with a mail veil that drapes around his face. In his right hand, he holds his warhammer, and in his left, his battleaxe DeathStriker. Without a word, he reaches out with the axe and says a word, indistinguishable above the roar of the crowd.
Two-thirds of the way across the arena, lightning strikes, and the narrow bolt streaks toward Harumph. A few of the audience members actually scream at the sudden flash and huge crack, and even the mighty half-giant flinches - but the bolt falls short, fizzling out over fifty feet from where he stands.
The gladiator turns his full attention toward the dwarf, and begins a charge across the arena. Bruenor likewise runs forward, swinging his warhammer by its thong over his head and screaming a battle cry. Harumph covers the most ground due to his long legs, but considering his short legs and the spinning hammer slowing him down, Bruenor covers a remarkable distance. The two have traveled two-thirds the length of the arena between them when Bruenor looses the hammer. The enchanted weapon flies across the arena and glances off Harumph's shoulder - but still leaves an angry red welt. The half-giant roars in renewed vigor, and runs toward the dwarf almost as fast as the hammer whirls back to its owner.
The two opponents finally meet in a cataclysmic crash. Harumph completes his charge with an overhand jab from both lotulis. Both blades catch Bruenor in his veiled face, one slicing only the edge of his cheek but catching in his crown, and the other fully across the bridge of his nose; the dwarf is slammed on his back in the dust. Harumph once again raises his lotulis over his head, this time loosing a roar of victory. After a moment, when it is clear that the dwarf is not going to get up, the healing clerics rush out to help.
[ Atlas ][
Mythology ][
Bestiary ][
Faiths ][
Kalendarium ][
Credits ]
[ History ][
Lexicon ][
Artifacts ][
The Games ][
PBeM ][
Other Worlds ]