Me: I apologize for my prolonged absence.

Griffin: (runs at Elanhil and appears to start delivering a slice, but he rolls quickly and springs up behind him, spinning around with sword arm outstretched, slicing at both Chase and Elanhil, completing a full circle and landing, springing back up, prepared for the next move)

Phillip: I believe Hadwin never finished responding to my last move.

Negraz: (a malicious smile spreads slowly across his face) Are you ready, Vetis?

Ravork: Hey, Mordir. A few pages back you asked for a duel and I challenged you, but you never responded. I am still willing to fight.

Chase: [Slams his sword down on Grffin's and jumps to the side.] I feel gross.

Seymour: You've dueling for a long while. I'm not surprised. Just be careful, with all those cuts, you'll be defeated form loss of blood.

Chase: I'm not gonna let a little bit of blood stop me. It's not too bad.

Mordir: That's what everyone says.... until they drop dead.

Chase: Thanks for the lovely mental picture, Mordir.

Mordir: Not a problem. [Turns to Ravork.] I've been waitin' for you. [Swipes his sword along the grass.] Your move.

Cory: Test you? [Spins and knocks away Kimun's sword, then thrusts.] Like, try to find weak points?

Me: Cory, Kimun is the creation of the guy who created all this. They top everyone here. I don't think he has a weakness. And if he does. I don't think you or me will ever find it.

Cory: Way to stay positive there. I'll have you know this was your idea. I was peacefully snoozing until you had me get up.

Me: So, you're complaining that I'm keeping you from being lazy?

Cory: [Smiles slightly] Exactly!

Me: I'm sorry for you loss. You need practice. So do I.

Tynx: Um, you've had a lot of duels-

Me: I didn't ask you, sir. Keep your mind where it's needed.

Ravork: Nay, I never move first.

Me: He is using a 5 ft. long, double-bladed battle axe and has a sword of the same length strapped on his back.

Shawn: Whoa! *slips slightly*

Jay: I'm alive. As for "fit as a fiddle", I won't speculate.

Me: Tough, eh?

Jay: I don't see you riding a dragon.

Me: Ok, I'll put the beginning here to.

Hadwin: Not at all, my good man. It is very draining. What I do is my molecules come apart from each other and I can make them come together someplace else. You are by no means helpless. Whoah... What's happening? *Hadwin is knocked off his feet as the earthquake hits, and he quickly regains his footing. Just as the lightning is about to strike, Hadwin puts up a force-field. As soon as it is hit, it shatters. The ground opens up and Hadwin barely hangs on to the edge, and then the lava bursts upwards. Hadwin is propelled into the air, and then he stops, hovering about 50 meters up. The lava forms into a wave and then gushes towards Phillip.*

*Once the wave is on it's way, the two funnels slowly recede back into the sky and the thunderstorm slowly shrinks until it is gone. Hadwin drops down to the ground surprisingly quickly.* I am exhausted.

Elanhil: *Moves to parry, but get's knocked off balance when there is nothing there. He stumbles forward and Griffin's second stroke is useless against him. He rolls and finishes on his feet and raises his sword tip. He leaps forward, thrusting and flicking the blade upward at the last minute, cutting up Griffin's face.*

Merashath: *Moves to attack Tynx, but when he moves away he follows him, talons ready.*

Imprass: Didn't master Hadwin miss something?

Me: I think that was all...

Trina: *looks down* I didn't realize I was this far up...

Tynx: Uh-oh. [Quickly flies upward, flapping frantically] Irir, you need to lie very low. Make sure as much of you is touching my scales.

Me: Don't get yourself killed.

Tynx: Hey, if bat-man wants a fight, he'll get one.

Chase: I wouldn't insult him, if I were you.

Cory: [Tosses his sword in the air, pulls his wrist back, and catches the sword in his other hand, then returns it to the first hand.] That was too close. [Looks Kimun over.] Your turn.

Me: What does ripostes mean?

Malcolm: *Launches himself at Merashath before he can reach Tynx*

Tanner: Here we go again!!

Skooter: *catches eels in the river*

Erronys: *touches down again in the field with all the other characters*

Pernoxnix: If it's all the same to you my friend, I'll stick around until the snow melts.

Erronys: ...

Me: Ironic isn't it? Snow is part of his name root.

Pernoxnix: Technically no, it's merely an arrangement that appears to be the word snow...

Silver - See, see? Bugs are AWESOME! And so are goggles.

Ryan - You'd think she was on caffine again.

Silver - (darts after the ball, and brings it back to Seymour) Again!

Thysal - Ice dragons where I come from are naturally resistant to toxins, especially if we frequently eat earthen snowsong.

Niarah - Note: it's an herb.

Thysal - (Leaves Chayn, then dives down towards Merashath headfirst, pulling up at the last second, striking him with all four paws and her tail) Jay, any other ideas?

Akira - Eels? Ohh, I loved fishing for eels in my river. (her eyes become dreamy) The silvery sheen of the water at night, the soft music of the waterfall, the glow of the moon through the mist . . . (joins Scooter)

Sabre - That didn't take long.

Merashath: *Turns around ducks suddenly, allowing Malcolm to fly over him, hopefully causing him to get hit instead.*

Trina: Look out!

Imprass: This is an odd world.

A riposte is a fencing term, that refers to a parry and thrust executed simultaneously (simply put, in summary).

And a tip (pun intended): throwing your sword in the air is not a defense against them...

Kimun's blade catches Cory's in midair, spinning it far away before coming to rest at Cory's throat. "No. Your move. Surrender?"

Me: [Starts smashing her head against a tree]

Cory: [Stares, a bit alarmed, at the sword at his neck, then looks up at Kimun.] Uh.

Mordir: [Is dying of laughter.]

Tynx: Wow.

Me: Oh knock it off! I'm not good at strategic stuff!

Cory: [Pulls out his dagger and swipes Kimun's sword away from his neck, then backs off away to the left.] Not yet.

Me: If that's not allowed, let me know.

Seymour: [Tosses the ball even further]

Chayn: Well that stinks. Too bad Elbas isn't here.

Tynx: That stinks?! Dude, taht's awesome! If Elbas comes we-

Me: Will not get him.

Tynx: [Is still flying high up] C'mon, Merashath, can't you catch me?

Me: And, he thinks that's a good idea?

Mordir: [Has settled down] This is Tynx we're talking about. He acts first and thinks later.

Cassie: [Hugs Erronys] Thank you for the ride. That was a lot of fun!

Don't hurt yourself.

"Good. It is good to not give up when you have a dagger in your belt. Good move, young one." Kimun lunges at Cory, blade fully extended.

Malcolm: Hold tight! *arches his neck straight downwards for a quick dive straight at Merashath, bares claws and teeth*

Tanner: *grips tightly with his legs while turning and holding Trina from falling* Alright, swords up again, let's go!

Me: Wyverns are long in just about every way so slight turns change plenty, let alone big ones like that...

Skooter: (to Akira) Yes, come, there is a hole in the ice!

Erronys: *Gently nudges Cassie in return* ....

Cassie: [Giggles]

Chayn: Over my dead body! Hang on!] [Spews poison at Malcolm and Tanner.]

Tynx: She's scary.

Seymour: Dragons can be merciless, no matter how civil they may seem at first.

Mordir: I think Aris was right. You're a walking fortune cookie.

Seymour: I stilll don't understand that.

Cory: [Smiles.] She'll be fine. [Slams the butt of his dagger down on Kimun's blade to lower it, but cuts his leg a little as he steps aside to his right.] Thanks.

Mordir: Is Aris alright?

Me: I'm fine. Just punishign myself for my stupidity.

Cory: It was really col, if nothing else.

Mordir: That's just it. There was nothing else. You failed.

Cory: I'll keep that in mind when I start laughing at your dueling failures.

Mordir: Hey, I won't be dueling the master of the swordfighting art.

Me: You two are arguing like kids. Knock it off. No one will be laughing, because in a sense, you will laughing at me. And you don't want to do that, right?

Mordir and Cory: Yes ma'am.

Kimun's hand rapidly changes grips, allowing the blade to come down, while driving forward with his whole body. His left hand turns the dagger hand away swiftly before striking Cory on the wrist, sending the blade flying, while his right crashes into Cory's face with the pommel of his sword.

Close combat is where he excels.

Trina: *grips with her left hand and draws her dagger.* Hurry Malcolm! *points at Chayn*

Merashath: *completely oblivious, he continues to fly for Tynx.*

Imprass: *turns to Kimun and Cory.* This duel is quite interesting to watch.

Me: I know, right? I wonder what Cory is going to do.

Negraz: Hey, Vetis, if your still here, I would really like a duel!

Ravork: I told you Mordir, your move first.

Griffin: (dives sideways and come up with his sword pointed at Elanhil, lunges forward with his javelin outpointed, looking to skewer Elanhil at the stomach, and slices at his legs with the sword)

Phillip: I'm running out of things to use! If I burn a fire or make water, I might use too much oxygen! (quickly throws up a bulwark of earth, making the wave pass him on both sides, but leaving him unharmed, he half-heartedly throws two gusts of wind at Hadwin to knock him over, and then throws some earth up and down on top of Hadwin to crush him) This doesn't take much of my energy, just like as if I were jogging or something, but even I am starting to get tired.

Malcolm: *tackles Merashath and constricts him with his legs, tail, and neck. Bites Merashath's wings and holds them tight between his jaws*

Tanner: *slides down Malcolm's neck and get's Merashath in a neck knockout hold*

Me: Neither of them are much for talking when they fight...

Chayn: [Comes at Malcolm from behind, digging her talons into his back] Shawn, get Tanner!

Cassie: [Bites her lower lip fearfully as she watches the dragons]

Tynx: Come on, slowpoke! You were faster when we dueled last on the ground. Flying not your strong suit, huh?

Me: Tynx, you're gonna get yourself killed.

Tynx: Nah. I'll live.

Cory: [Falls back with a cry of pain] He remains on his back for a moment.[/i]] Wow, that smarts...

Me: Dang...

Mordir: [Lunges forward viciously, slashing diagonally at Ravork's torso.]

Me: Ravork's human, right?

Mordir: Oh, and you you ask that?

Cory: [Eyes glitter with determined fire and sweep his right leg under Kimun's feet, hoping to trip him down. then rolls to the side and slowly gets to his feet.

Seymour: Are you alright, Cory?

Cory: I'm fine.

Chase: [Thrusts at Griffin's side] Dude, you're bleeding.

Cory: I said I'm fine. It's not that bad, is it?

Seymour: But now you have no blade.

Cory: Hey, I'm still conscious and alive, aren't I?

Me: Yeah, but don't push yourself so far you'll collapse.

Cory: I'll be fine.

Mordir: Ever reckless.

Cory: Be quiet.

Malcolm: *begins to growl/roar between his teeth from the pain. keeps hold on Merashath*

Tanner: Malc... I think... we need... to remember... they have... allies. *let's go a Merashath, clambers up to Malcolm's back careful to avoid the wounds, brings his blade down then jabs up into Chayn's foreleg with all his might* AAAAAGGHHHHHH!

Me:For Heaven's sake! There's no magical healing in Lor-amar, be careful!

Ember - (Snarls, but is pretty unintimidating. Clambers down Chayn's leg and burys his teeth into Tanner's arm, growling)

Sylvia - EMBER!

Ryan - And you say my dragon is out of control?

Ember - (Runs back up to Shawn, squeaking)

Thysal - Coming Malcom! Hang on Jaaaay! (slams into Chayn from the side, tearing her off of Malcom)

Zanya - *winces* Ouch. (rejoins her compatriots in Ciela Rose's post)

Silver - (runs after the ball, then brings it back to Seymour) Here! Hey, there's another one! (darts off and tackles Kherin, snapping for the ball. Missing it, she suddenly gives up and runs back to Seymour) Can you throw it again?

Ryan - Hey, Sey, if you ever get tired of throwing that, just let me know . . .

Tanner: *yells and pulls back arm, tries to remove sword with other arm but looses balance and drops it, barely catching hold of one of Malcolm's spines to keep from falling* Do it... fast Trina...

Me: Erro! get Tanner out of there!

Erronys: *nods and launches into the air*

Me: Be careful... they're right in the thick of it...

* grins * You think Kimun will let you get to your feet?

Kimun skips lightly to the side and forward, his left arm sweeping Cory's legs away as he lays stunned. A moment later Cory's left arm is pinioned to Kimun's chest, with Kimun's right leg trapping his head down. The arm is bent backwards as Kimun slowly lifts his hips.

"The pain you feel means that your joints are about to snap. I believe the correct term for this moment is 'Checkmate.'"

In case that wasn't all that clear, I videoed me demoing the move on my brother for you. It isn't exactly perfect, because I was trying to make it obvious what I was doing.

Me: How in the /world/ did you get your brother to agree to that?

Merashath: I'll deal with you later. *kicks Malcolm and then flies after Chayn, dark blood dripping from his neck.*

Trina: *Turns around with her dagger, then sees Shawn. She hesitates, then just as she is about to thrust, Chayn is pushed away. At Tanner's call, she quickly turns around, and reaches out her hand.*

Elanhil: *jumps over the sword, to the side. The javelin tears his shirt, but he is able to grab it. He raises his sword ready to slice at Griffin's middle.*

Hadwin: *braces himself and simply allows his stoutness and weight as a dwarf to block the wind. Just before contact with the earth he pushes upward, and is locked in a battle of strength with Phillip.*

Imprass: I feel like an extra...

Me: That's because I do, and I do because everybody else is in a duel of some sorts....

Easy. I asked him. * shrugs * We spar together all the time.

Griffin: (using only his wrist, he spins his sword around vertically, knocking away Chase's sword and coming around to block Elanhil, twists his javelin to break Elanhil's hold and brings it around whacking Elanhil in the side on the way, then he swipes at Elanhil's legs with it)

Phillip: (causes a random tree to fall over on top of Hadwin, shoots vines off of the tree to try and keep Hadwin from escaping) I'm about ready to call this a draw. How about you? I won't forfeit though.

Ravork: (pulls his axe up, making the blow glance off the side of the axe). Aah, this makes for nice exercise. (swings axe around at Mordir with tremendous force)

Me: He is human, albeit a very large one.

That doesn't look like sparring. That looks like laying on the floor helplessly while your brother jumps/lays on you for the camera.

Very good sport if you ask me.

Of course it didn't hurt him any. Haha.

Me: Dang again....

Cory: Ow! Ow! Alright, alright! Get off!

Tynx: He so completely totalled you.

Me: That was an impressive demo. Did you have your other foot under your brother?

Seymour: [Chuckles and tosses the ball again] It's not a problem. I enjoy it.

Mordir: [Ducks and rushes forward, thrusting at the same time.]

Chayn: I'm on your side, Merashath, don't come after me! [Glances at wound in her foreleg] Hmm, that kind of hurts. Are you and Ember alright, Shawn?

Chase: [Growls in frustration and tries to slice at Griffin's head.]

Tynx: Come on, Merashath, up this way! We had a tie on the ground, let's see who rules the air!

Chayn: [Huffs, annoyed]

Cassie: [Timidly goes up to Kimun and tugs on his sleeve] Can I try? Battling you?

Chase: Cassie!

Cory: [Snorts in an attempt to keep from laughing]

Me: Dear, you're not even sixteen. Leave the dueling to the older ones. You can just watch.

Cassie: It looks like so much fun, though.

Cory: Believe me, lass, laying pinned like this under someone is not fun.

Cassie: Well, not for you.

Chase: Cassie, our parents would have a fit if you battled anyone or anything.

Cassie: How old do you have to be, then? [Walks over to Seymour and Silver]

Cory: Old. You've gotta have a little bit of facial hair.

Cassie: Eww!

Chase: He's kidding, Cassie.

Cassie: Oh. Well, how old do you have to be?

Me: So long as your able to hold a sword, I would think anyone's able. All you gotta do is swing it wildly. Most likely you're bound to hit sometihng sooner or later.

Cory: I'll keep that in mind when she gets a hold of someone's sword when no one's looking.

Tynx: She'd be a scrappy fighter, if nothing else.

Cassie: [Doesn't really understand a word anyone just said and contents herself with drawing in the dirt]

Me:

Kimun stands up and assists Cory to his feet. "A good fight, young one. Do you wish a rematch?"



Tucked against his side as a brace. My knee pinned him down over there.



Kimun smiles down at her. "When I was your age, I fought quite a bit. I... loved a girl, back then. She was always challenging me to matches. I will fight you, if you so desire it, and if Cory does not want a rematch. I will teach you what I can in a short time."

Cory: [Sighs in relief and tries to relax his muscles] Have to keep that one in mind.

Me: No kidding.

Cassie: [Eyes widen] Really?

Cory: Go ahead. I'll take a remath later, once my face has rid itself of this beautiful goose egg.

Cassie: [Is practically flying off the walls with excitement.]

Me: Um, a wyverns tail and neck are basically like a snake... It would take a lot of will power for Merashath to just decide to leave... Picture being held simultaneously by two anacondas.

Erronys: *flies up behind Malcolm and gently takes Tanner in one of his fore claws*

Me: Oh, sorry. I got confused.

Merashath: *flies after Tynx*

Me@malcolm: I don't know if you realize this or not, but you are dealing with the devil of my world. That's partially why it takes complete goodness to destroy him.

Trina: *is very nervous now that she is alone*

Elanhil: *His shirt gets torn as the Javelin is yanked away. He grunts to himself when the Javelin hits his side. His eyes narrow as he looks at Griffin, and he falls to the side when the javelin trips him. He places his left palm on the floor to stabilize himself, and uses it as a pivot point to swing around and chop at Griffin.* (me: if that's unclear, let me know. I'll...upload a youtube vid or something.)

Hadwin: *causes the tree to change the direction of it's fall, going towards Phillip. One of the longer branches wraps around his wrist and he stumbles forward.* Yes, I am ready to end.

Cassie: I don't.

Cory: You can use mine. It's gonna be heavy.

Cassie: OK!

Cory: Be careful with it, it's a tool, not a toy.

Cassie: Yes, sir.

Mordir: Now look who's a walking fortune cookie.

Me: I couldn't help it.

Cassie: [Finds a comfortable grip, and slowly brings the sword upright.] It feels weird.

Tynx: That's it! Come and get me! I bet you can't!

Me: Tynx, you're carrying a rider. He isn't. Thus, you have more weight.

Tynx: I don't care about how much I weigh. [Starts climbing higher, where it starts to get cold.]

Seymour: I can't wait to see what he's got planned.

Me: Hopefully it works.

Cory: [Sits down with a soft whump] Hey, you're getting clever with your dueling moves, that counts for something.

Me: You still lost.

Cory: [Shrugs] You got four others still dueling. SOmeone's gonna come out on top.

Chase: [Watches the two of them for a while, trying to open an opening.]

Me: @Elanhil. How good are we talking here? The majority of my characters are strong Christians and greater is He in them than he in the world. How far do they need to go?

Erronys: *lightly touches down and places Tanner on the ground*

Me: Okay! Based on past events it would probably be a great time to introduce a new character. This is Melany Hope Galen.

Melany: Hello.

Me: She's a doctor and no, she's not African American... Her skin is darker than a "black" person's because she is melanistic. You may notice the "whites" of her eyes are also black.

Melany: Here Tan, lemme see your arm...

Tanner: *complies but winces a little*

Me: She can help whoever else needs it too.

Skooter: Mel! Here, an eel!

Thysal - (steadys Jay before he can fall) That was close. (Circles up towards the forum ceiling) Lets wait for them to come to us this time.

Ember - (looks pretty smug, perched in front of Shawn on Chayn)

Sylvia - It's looking pretty intense up there.

Sabre - He'll be fine.

Silver - (runs after the ball Seymour threw, then goes to Kherin and places it at his feet. Jumping high, she grabs the ball Kherin tosses and brings it to Seymour) Howzat?

Zanya - Hey, where's the snow leopard?

Me - I'm running Niarah through the fractalling system.

Zanya - *winces* Ouch.

Me - You could be next.

Zanya -

"We should train with spoilers until your muscles are stronger. They are lighter, and when you cannot control the blade completely, you cannot ingrain the correct motions into your mind and arms. What style of swordplay would you desire to learn?"

Your options are pretty varied, but they are all martial art systems from Ithelak, so if I gave you the names, it wouldn't help any. But here are the English relatively near-equivalents:

Rapier, Kris, Dagger, Broadsword, Katana.

Cassie: Broadsword!

Me: (That's assuming I know what eaxtly that is. It's has edges on both sides, right?)

Cory: You know, you should reall think about this stuff before jumping into anything.

Tynx: Alright, let's try this. [Opens his mouth to start breathing fire, but then closes it, trapping the flames, which travel through his body and warm up the inside, melting the tiny icicles forming on his wings.]

Chayn: Good. [Flies clamly for a moment or two, then suddenly crashes into Thysal, teeth bared and claws outstretched.]

So do all the other weapons I mentioned except the Katana. A true broadsword is a bit heavy for her, but we will go with that category.

Kimun waves his hand and a wooden sword appears, brightly painted and colored with fine swirls and flowers mingled with emblazoned runes and emblems.

He holds it up to Cassie, measuring it against her. It reaches the middle of her upper arm at the pommel. The blade is balanced perfectly: the center is about a palm's breadth from the hilt. The grip is slightly shorter than her forearm, and bound with woven leather. It is not sharp.

"You will have to accustom yourself to the blade you will be using for combat, when you acquire one. One who knows how to fight well, can use any weapon: you are the weapon, these are merely tools. They are merely extensions of your body. But to a beginner, to treat a blade this way, they need to be intimately familiar with it. A real blade will be not only heavier, but also slightly longer. Bear that in mind. Do you understand?"

Kimun holds out the waster to her.

Cassie: [In a more calm tone] Yes, sir. [Takes the woden sword, letting Cory take the real one.] It's pretty.

Chase:

Cassie: [Looks at Sonderen] I do like fortune cookies. They're a lot of fun to read the fortunes inside them. [Looks back at Kimun] So, a sword should be your arm, once you get used to it.

Seymour: I think even Aris is learning a few things.

Me: I'm not an expert in swords.

Me: Like, perfect. 100% good, no evil, no sin. So pretty much the Messiah. His curse was placed on him by God, so the only one who can end it and kill/disable him is God. The only way to defeat him is to either convince him the situation is hopeless, (normally takes God's help through light magic) or to trap him.

Merashath: *with powerful thrusts of his wings, he catches up closer to Tynx* *screech!* I will get you!

Elanhil: *after his move he regains his footing, so he is standing.*

Trina: *holds on tight.*

Tynx: [Flies higher, pumping his wings viciously, swipes his tail to keep Merashath form coming too close. The fire trapped inside him keeps both him and Iri warm] Just try!

Cassie: [Swings the sword around in a full circle, then in a sort of figure eight patern with her right hand, and then tosses it to her left hand, and back to her right. Then brings it in a full arc from behind and stikes the ground.] That was fun!

Chase: Goodness, with hardly any instruction, she's still dangerous.

Cory: And she's being taught by one of the best.

Mordir: So, would Aivere beat Merashath?

Me: Again, Aivere's in a biblical allegory story. If he's the King of Eun-Kitt's son-?

Mordir: Oh. OK.

Seymour: Meriaks would definitely be quite interesting for all of the to intereact with.

Cory: You're horrible, Seymour. Those things bring out fear in even the most strongest people. I don't think that excludes dragons.

Me: I'm not letting them come in unless someone wants them.