A Champion Is Needed!

[Celestia Starr]

Greetings one and all, duelists!

I, ever the fan of all you dear people, like to watch and write about your exploits. Your highs and your lows, tragedies and triumphs! With my pen I share these stories- however one Locke D'Vestavio grew irksome and threatening with the words I wrote of him- my true words that chronicled his very poor dueling during the Madness tournament. As such, he has challenged me to an Honor Match that I unfortunately cannot fulfill obligations of, since I myself am not a fighter as you fine people are.

So it is with great reverence that I come to you all in my time of need.

I, Celestia Starr, seek a champion to do battle with Locke D'Vestavio on my behalf in an Honor Match. What lies on the line, of course, is my honor, and Locke's honor as well. Should my champion win, I shall bestow upon them a blessing of luck, and a kiss to boot!

Any and all who wish to be my champion, I ask that you leave your name here, and the reason why you would make a good champion. The one I feel would best represent me shall be made my champion, and will duel Locke at a date of later choosing.

~ Celestia Starr

[Karen Wilder]

It be traditional fer a Knight tae Champion a Lady's Honor.

I know this Locke D'Vestavio. He's 'ad poor role models an' insufficent discipline, by what I's seen.

While some may question me comin' forth, given thet I cannae declare nor accept Loyalty from those nae o' th' Catholic or Christian Faith... thet does nae apply 'ere.

A Lady 'as been Challenged tae an Honor Match, an' 'tis a Knight's duty tae answer such a call.

[Vinny]

Ok, if Karen is the only one who's stepping up to this, then I better come out and give a second, and probably better option.

Miss, I know we've never met, and you probably haven't heard a word about me before, but if selected to be your champion, I will do so with gleeful relish as I do whatever I can to turn Locke into a pincushion, origami figure, throw rug, or whatever else you wish to happen to him. His punishment will be long, protracted, and painful. Plus, you won't have to deal with all the religious talk from Ms. Holier than Thou.

And afterwards, drinks are on me.

Sincerely,
Vincent Smith

[Bran Bale]

Miss Lesty,

I enjoy your articles very much and admire the enthusiasm that you've brought to our sport. I would not like to see you forced to leave because someone was being rude to you. If you need a champion, I would be willing to come to your aid.

Bran Bale
Baron of Battlefield Park

[Grayson]

I'll fight for ya. That's it.

[G]

Why not?

While most of the options are more than acceptable, Bran and Grayson in particular, Vinny is Vinny and therefore isn't the best choice, and Karen is somewhat focused on the knighthood aspect of the whole thing.

Myself, Locke owes the Arena Money and has yet to pay up. Plus, he has yet to defeat me in battle. Plus, he looks like a dark elf and as we all know those are evil. Plus, he owes the Arena money. Plus, he has very poor fashion sense. Plus, he gives *everyone* the cold shoulder. Plus, he owes the Arena money.

Besides, I'm better than everyone else. Who better to defend you than the best there is?

Then, for added incentive, there were those nights where we had deep.. conversations. Those were always acceptable.

K, thanks.
G

[Karen Wilder]

G...

Fer all thet yer me friend... yer th' last person some'un should turn tae in matters o' Honor.

Well... meybe nae th' last person... Thet'd be Vinny.

[Celestia Starr]

I would first like to extend my thanks and gratitude to you who have stepped forward on my behalf. This has been no easy decision for me to make, as I have not taken it lightly.

To G'nort: I don't doubt your skill. You're a very talented man that newer duelists should certainly look up to. However, given your success in the rings, your success in business, and your ability to carry on an interesting conversation, I don't believe you need any more luck than you already have.

To Bran: I think you're absolutely darling and adorable and a treasure to all three sports. I believe you to be one of the most talented people to ever grace the duels. Holding a title in each sport is quite remarkable, and it is for that reason I don't believe you need a blessing of luck either; it's already on your side.

To Grayson: The records show you are quite the talent, I won't dispute that. Unfortunately you're a little too taciturn for my tastes.

To Vincent: You seem very mean to me. While Lockey's behavior to me as of late has been somewhat brutish, I still like him and don't want him turned into a pincushion, origami figure, throw rug, or anything like that. But you are more than welcome to still buy me drinks.

To Karen: I love your views about being a knight. It's so romantic! I'm like a fair damsel, and you're going to be my knight and protect me from a big, nasty dragon - so to speak. And it can be a battle of the sexes! Men vs. Women! I would be most honored if you would be my champion, Karen Wilder.


~Celestia Starr

[Karen Wilder]

As th' Lady wishes.

Should Mr. D'Vestavio be readin' this, 'e should 'ave 'is Second contact me Squire tae arrange th' particulars.

Should I nae receive notice from Mr. D'Vestavio's agent, me Squire shall deliver th' particulars tae 'im instead.

[Locke DVestavio]

To whom it may concern,

Do not think that my prior lack of response to Celestia Starr's inquiries for a champion to defend her honor has gone unnoticed by yours truly. Although my honor is important to me, and I have not forgotten the way she has besmirched it, a sense of respect for the duels that I believe we both hold mutually in common has led me (and Miss Star, as well, I imagine) to hold off on further pursuing our honor match. There were various tournaments and challenges being held around the time that our dispute flared up, and my respect for the Duels and those tournaments outweighs any disdain I may feel towards Miss Starr.

Now that the majority of those tournaments and challenges have been completed (and with the upcoming Duel of Fists tag team tournament and Diamond Quest also in the forefront of everyone's minds, I'm sure), I believe we are set to begin in earnest. I see that Miss Star has selected her champion from various candidates. Do not think I have not been paying attention to the words they have said about me. I have a memory like an elephant and eyes like a hawk. I would like to take this time to respond to some of their...comments towards me.

G: I believe that your memory has become somewhat diminished. It is not my place to speculate on what might have made you forget, but I would be remiss if I did not remind you that, in fact, I have beaten you before. As a matter of fact, we engaged in combat over the matter of who should pay for the damage I did to the bar. Despite the fact that I won, and by all rights I could have easily abdicated responsibility for payment, I decided that my respect for the sport was more important than my pocketbook. A respect, I might add, that you have taken complete advantage of with your exhorbitant and ridiculous bill. Also, I am an ice elf, or frost elf, or snow elf. I am not a dark elf. My skin is pale blue, not black as pitch or charcoal. You might want to get your eyes checked, if you cannot tell the difference between the two hues. As for fashion taste? I daresay that, Koyliak notwithstanding, I am the most fashionable person involved in the duels currently. You wouldn't know fashion if it bit you on the bum.

Grayson: What have I ever done to you, except for beating you that one time on Styx?

Vinny: Ditto. I seem to recall you visiting the Red Dragon Inn while I was tending bar, and we had a rather amicable conversation at the time. If there was something I did to you at that time to offend you such that you would desire to, and I quote, “turn Locke into a pincushion, origami figure, throw rug, or whatever else you wish to happen to him,” please let me know, so that I may rectify it. I have nothing but respect for your accomplishments in the dueling rings, but I am puzzled as to your ire towards me.

Bran: First off, I would like to clarify something. I did not, in fact, ask Miss Star to resign. All I have asked is for her to retract the negative statements she made towards my dueling skills in the Dueling Zone magazine, and apologize for making said statements. That having been said, I am glad that I will not have to face you in the dueling rings for this honor match. I have much respect for your accomplishments in the three sports, and I believe that you respect my talents as well. It would be a shame if something such as this honor match were to drive a wedge between the pair of us.

Karen: As a former baron and overlord, I have nothing but the utmost respect for your skills. Having never met you in person, to the best of my knowledge, I am curious as to how you've come to the conclusion that I have had poor role models and insufficient discipline. Which behaviors of mine have you observed first hand, that led you to this conclusion. None. Everything that you have heard about me is pure hearsay. Still, it will be an honor and a privilege to meet you in combat. Will Thursday, July 17 at 10 p.m. by the eastern clock suffice?

Also, anybody who might be interested in serving as my second and my lady of honor for this august occasion should see me, drop a message in my mailbox at the Inn, or reply here stating why they should be granted the honor of those duties.

Sincerely,

Locke D'Vestavio

[G]

Locke,

You smell funny.

Also, I said you "looked like a dark elf." Not all dark elves are black as pitch or charcoal. Several are rather dark bluish in coloration.

You still smell funny.

I forgot you beat me once out of all those other duels I won. I was probably distracted in that match by your gaudy colors.

Did I mention you smell funny?

I don't need to be a champion to beat on you some more.

And I smelled you, you're funny.

Hugs!

G

[Lydia Loran]

G,

I'm somewhat curious as to why you keep smelling Locke, but on the other hand- I'm not entirely sure I want to know.

And dark blue isn't the equivalent of light blue. That's like comparing ecru and sepia. So your argument about dark elves doesn't make much sense, if you're saying they're dark blue and Locke is light blue.

Kisses!

-Lydia

[Karen Wilder]

Ser D'Vestavio:

As Commander Wilder's Squire and Second, I give you greetings. In a matter of Honor, it is customary for the Seconds of the Principals to arrange such matters and the Principals to cease engaging in communication. This helps to prevent the matter from escallating beyond the level of a simple Duel.

The Lady Wilder accepts your choice of time. As the Champion of the Challenged Party, she abdicates the right of choice of weapons to you with the following provisios:

1) No Magic beyond healing wards for yourself. The use of Magic beyond certain High Holy Relics is nigh impossible for the Commander and she is equally immune to the effects of most magics used against her. Thus, a duel of this type would be futile at best and lethal at worst.

2) No Firearms. While such weapons do provide a certain assurance of equality, they are not suitable for matters of Honor and Dueling.

Unarmed combat is acceptable to the Commander. However, as this dispute is centered around the Duel of Swords, weaponed combat is suggested.

As to choice of official; the Commander is certain that the staff of the Duel of Swords is sufficiently impartial and any official that might be on hand upon the evening in question shall be suitable. If you are in disagreement with this or any of the other terms set forth, the Commander recommends that you or your Second inform me directly... rather than in such a public display.

Squire Dinah DuBlanc
Squire to the Lady Karen Wilder
Order of the Knights Templar

[Querylon]

Greetings to you, Lady Celestia, and greetings to you, Lady Karen

It is my honor to announce to you both that Locke De'Vestavio has accepted my offer to serve as his Second in this duel of honor that is to be held at the 10th hour by the Eastern clock on the 17th day of this, the 7th month. Locke De'Vestavio graciously requests that we will all meet at the appointed time in the arena located in the basement of the Red Dragon Inn. He agrees that whomever is the official on duty for that evening shall be satisfactory to officiate the duel. Locke De'Vestavio further wishes for you both to know that he will be dueling under the colors of Silver and Blue. He finds all other of your stated terms acceptable and satisfactory.

With respectful regards,
Querylon