The Phoenix Opening: Round 1Match 5: Geshud Deathlord vs. Nanothnir ShadowstrikeRith: Four dwarves have moved on to the quarter-finals so far and it’s time to add another in what is sure to be one of the most unpredictable fights yet. You can’t call either of these dwarves heavily armoured but they’re not lightly armoured either. Look, Geshud Deathlord is the first to enter the arena!
Stakud: Geshud, or Deathlord as I’m told he prefers to be called is the only mace user in this competition. Some may argue though that use of the mace and the war hammer are almost identical, but many usually prefer one over the other.
Rith: What really makes this fight interesting however is Deathlords opponent who we see entering the arena now. Am I saying this right? Nanothnir Shadowstrike!
Rith: Nanothnir loosely translates to Neverone, not exactly a name you want when going up against someone called ‘Deathlord’.
Stakud: You made a funny!
Rith: Har har. Now I say that it’s Nanothnir that makes this fight interesting because of choice of weapon and the choice to fight without a shield. There’s no question that he has the better weapon, an exceptionally made copper spear that could cause all sorts of nasty damage, but he has no shield. Neither dwarf has a speed advantage over the other so it all comes down to experience, of which they have little of, and equipment. A standard mace with shield and bronze armour vs. a deadly spear, no shield and standard armour. Who’s to say which dwarf has the advantage here?
Stakud: I don’t know and I’m not prepared to make a prediction, but it looks like the fight it about to begin. There’s the signal and these goes Nanothnir, spear raised high over his head and Deathlord taking a small step before pulling that shield in front of him to catch the first thrust. Nanothnir leaps into the air his spear glances of Deathlords shield and into his arm, it looks to only be a graze. Nanothnir, not being able to slow down slams into Deathlord and knocks him over!
Rith: Deathlord scrambles to get up but not before Nanothnir gets in another thrust of his spear to the leg. Again it doesn’t look to be a serious wound.
Stakud: Both combatants are on their feet and look at them go! Deathlord is swinging his mace wildly but with incredible agility Nanothnir evades them. Nanothnir, keeping his distance from the swinging mace tries to get in a good thrust but Deathlord has no trouble blocking them with his shield. Nanothnir, seeing an opening charges forward! The attack is blocked but once against Deathlord is knocked off footing. Quickly getting up Death swings but misses. Without a shield Nanothnir having to parry all these vicious attacks by Deathlord, and parrying he is.
Rith: Deathlord however is employing his shield to great use in keeping that spear-tip away from his body, when he’s not on the ground. What a great match-up we have here as both dwarves are continuing to try and get that one good hit in. Block! Dodge! Block! Jump away! HIT!
Stakud: Oh, dear, that might end this! Deathlord took a direct hit to his chest from Nanothnir’s spear, that went in real deep and Deathlord is stumbling around. Wait, where is he going?
Rith: Deathlord, after taking a direct hit seems to be making his way to the exit. Though it’s hard to see with the blood that is already caked onto the arena floor he looks to be bleeding badly. I think he’ll find that door to be locked but wait; no it doesn’t look like he’s going to make it. Falling to his knees and slumping over Deathlord looks to have succumbed to blood loss and died. With his spear Nanothnir turns him over to check, and yes he’s dead. Nanothnir, after a long and excitement filled battle has defeated Deathlord!
Stakud: And without a shield to boot, amazing.
Rith: It sure was. It will be Nanothnir Shadowstrike who will move on to the quarter-finals to fight the winner of our next match-up, a fight reminiscent of Urist McUrist vs. Led Warleach, but more evenly matched. It’s Vulcar vs. Barbaros “The Destroyer” when we come back!
To see a video of the fight click
here.
Nanothnir got quite a lot of experience in this fight. Over 150 xp in speardwarf while most dwarves are lucky to get 50 altogether. The last 2 matches will be kind of like this one so we may actually get some leveling, a big advantage they could have over the first 4 winners.