Flashback Doctor versus Smithy, Round 1(Tourmal)

[Orion Michaels]

Orion, 35 Spring, 512 AV The Djed Storms had left Syliras a mess, but even more so, its people. Man of the events which occurred beneath the keep were unspeakable, and the cruelty of man had truly shown through. After viewing it, attempting to stop it, and truly experiencing it, Orion had decided enough was enough. He was tired of being defenseless, he was tired of not being able to help people. It was simple enough to be a cook. Sure, everyone needed it eat, but that skill set, it was so very easy to replace. Orion had medical training which he would put to use. Everything he did was restorative in nature, and that was the problem. He couldn't do anything to stop these problems. That, however, was something he would fix. In order to do that, he needed a weapon. He needed to be able to defend others. Yet before he could do that, he needed to learn to defend himself. He dug into his funds to purchase a weapon for practice, but he'd had quite the problem deciding on what to use. The longsword was very common with the knights, and really too cliche for the blue eyed man. He toyed with the idea of a rapier or an epee. Flashy weapons. They would make him look good once he'd learned how to make them look good, but as far as striking fear into an opponent? Probably not so much. For now, he would pass. The big weapons, those lit up the young man's eyes. Greatswords, hammers, the beautiful flameberge, oh how he longed for them. It wasn't reasonable for him, though. Really, he didn't have the frame to support such a weapon, and even if he put on the muscle to swing the thing around, it still didn't feel appropriate. When he laid eyes on the staffs, though, that's when he felt confident. A combination of agility and power was needed to wield them. A iron staff it would be. As well as two sets of leather armor. No sense in being stupid while sparring. Orion and Tourmal had decided to move outside the city to do their sparring. Orion had been helping with the clearing of rubble and debris from the walled city, so he was able to come and go. It was a bit interesting, only being paid in food, especially with his double room apartment in the Traveler's Row crammed with guests. Oh well. There was little which could be done now. Everyone had to pull together right now because there simply wasn't room for all the citizens currently. Those who weren't fortunate enough to get cramped up in the small apartments of the city were in a miniature tent city just outside the stone walls. When he spotted his friend, Orion tossed him the set of leather armor. "It's all yours. No reason for us to kill each other doing this." Orion set down his equipment, save for the armor, which he began to don. It was a slow and awkward process, what with it being Orion's first time wearing protective gear. It had to be for the best. Picking up the staff with both hands, his raised it above his head so it was parallel to the ground. That was the first time he really noticed how much it weighed. "Ah...maybe the quarterstaff would have been a better call..Lemme know when you're ready, Tourmal." His muscles, or lack there of, were tense, and his heart was already beating a million times a second. Brawls were one thing, but having someone try and strike with a weapon? There was a first time for everything. Ledger : Subtracted 45GM for staff and 2 sets of leather armor

[Tourmal Firemane]

Tourmal, Spring 35, 512 AV Earlier in the month during the djed storms the two men had decided that it was time for Orion to learn to defend himself. The doctor had been through a lot in the cave seeing things most should not and had realized that fixing the problems at hand was not as good as being able to prevent them. What would happen if he was forced to treat a man he had just injured? The smith wondered, and contemplated on asking him later some time. However now was for training and the both of them needed it despite what either said to other sources. The blue eyed man showed up with quite a bit of gear including a long iron staff and two sets of leather armor. The man held himself well for having carried his purchases from either the bazaar or the works where he would have gotten a better deal. The man boasted his wages on occasion so Tourmal figured he would not mention it, because it was of no concern to him. Let the man spend his gold the way he wished. The doctor seemed like he was not winded on his travel and tossed Tourmal a set of leather armor. This seemed considerate unsure how it would slow him down. He had once faced a girl of significant skill in a sword without armor. Yet now thinking about it for a while he realized she would have much more control than the doctor and decided that donning the armor was a safe bet. As he strapped on the leather he had some dificulties yet still finished before Orion had. Seeing the doctor struggle with the item he decided he would help him. First tightening his strong arms straps ensuring they were tight and fit properly then he proceeded down his torso ending at his legs beginning with the one nigh his crotch. Undoubtedly the doctor had realized what was going on before Tourmal often lost in what was to come he seemed to overlook what was happening. He tightened the straps around the physician's upper thigh. And at its conclusion realized his face so close to the mans groin he stood up and stepped back. “Oh Shyke sorry doc” he shook his head “I'll just let you finish” As they finished the man raised his staff over his head, before passing a comment on it's weight that Tourmal simply chuckled at. I am ready he said taking the other mans position he swung half strenght at his opponent overhead to test both the mans resolve and strength. The larger man brought his light hammer down at half speed to attempt to keep from injuring his friend. He figured the man was not strong having only worked with small knives. Scalps or whatever they were called.

[Orion Michaels]

Orion Tourmal graciously offered to help Orion don the armor. It was much appreciated, because Orion hadn't handled such a thing before. It didn't take too long before his occasionally dense friend had himself in quite the compromising situation. With his face at crotch level, Tourmal was oblivious to his position, so Orion did what he could to make him aware. With a quick hip gyration, he shot Tourmal a wink. "At least take me out for dinner, huh? Don't worry, I'll finish it up from here." Orion set to tightening up the leather straps, making sure the armor was secure. The last thing he wanted was it shifting around. The salesman had warned him against it. If it moved around you wouldn't be as agile, it wouldn't protect fully, and worst of all? Chafing. Orion shuddered at the thought. With a declaration of preparedness, suddenly his sparring partner was on the offensive. It was much more nerve wracking than the blue eyed man had expected. He closed his eyes and grasping the staff at the bottom, reared back and swung with all his (limited) might. He found himself stumbling to the ground as his swing missed wildly, the hammer connecting squarely with he hard leather chest piece he wore. He shook his head, took a deep breath, and stood up, using the staff to help him. "Alright. Lemme figure this thing out." He grasped the staff with one hand just off center. This seemed to be a good stance which allowed him to strike with both ends of the metal pole. Though it just seemed to get heavier and heavier. This way balanced the distribution of weight. Orion stepped forward, striking with the left side of the staff high, then brought the right side down low. It seemed a simple enough one-two combo, but his stance and inexperience likely broadcast his attack.

[Tourmal Firemane]

Tourmal, Spring 35, 512 AV Instead of the doctor keeping his staff up over his head at the sight of his friend he shifted his hands to one end and swung seemingly as hard as he could. The staffs weight threw him off balance and Tourmals hammer was now not heading toward the mans weapon but to his armor. Despite the change in location he was not good enough to stop the blow before it connected with the doctors leather chest plate. Good thing the leather had been hardened. Otherwise the man would likely have a few broken ribs. Seeing the results of their last exchange helped the drykas to see that he need not hold back too much. Afterward the doctor changed his stance hands halfway out from the center of the pole with it angled. “Hold the pole closer to you. Arms tucked in until you are ready to attack or defend.” The man said showing the doctor what he meant. “That way you will save your strength, and we can practice longer.” When the man stepped forward Tourmal was ready for the first attack and brought his hammer up high to block the incoming blow. The second he missed and connected with his thigh. Thankfully the leather took much of the hit but still unsettled his balance. The man stumbled back to regain his balance. As he walked forward he rotated the hammer twisting his wrist in a circular fashion, in hopes to tell his friend he was ready to get going again. He obviously needed work on his own self-defense abilities. And he didn't like being shown up by a frail doctor. The man swung his hammer lightheartedly toward the mans head laterally. Better duck or block this, he thought. He followed up the attack with a few more swings to the mans head. Then after a few unsuccessful attempts he decided would go for the torso. His hand at the top of the handle just below the sledge and thrusting it as one might thrust a sword right in the gut of the man.

[Orion Michaels]

Orion oocNot that I care personally, but try not to assume hits in your posts. Orion attempted to take his friends advice, but was understandably a little confused. "I thought that's what I was doing?" he said, a small smirk on his face. Regardless, Orion brought the staff in a little closer to his body and did notice it was slightly more comfortable to hold this way. "But what do I really know? I'm a a cook and a physician. I'm outta my arena!" He he always thought himself intelligent, but as he stood there, a doctor in leather armor, armed with a metal stave, he couldn't help but question the validity of that idea. He watched Tourmal's movements, though it was difficult for him to gauge his opponents next actions. While Orion did have a pretty decent eye, his lack of experience in this particular field didn't help in his reaction. Once he swung, though, it would quickly become clear. He stumbled back, thrusting forward with the end of the staff as Tourmal swung repeatedly at his head. Again off balance, the length of staff made it effective at keeping a foe with a shorter ranged weapon like Tourmal's at bay. Well, in the hands of an effective wielder. The thrust was shaky, and far from accurate. With a little scuffling of his feet, Orion found himself going to the ground again, this time end over end backwards, hard into the dirt. Wonderful. Why'd I pick the giant freaking Drykas to spar with? Standing up slowly, Orion dusted himself off, grinning. "Aiming for the he- ooof!" He let out a gasp as the Drykas' thrust hit him square, sending Orion tumbling back to the ground. "Petching stupid hammer," the blue eyed man muttered, crawling back to his feet. He was completely on the defensive at this point. He didn't have the stamina or skill to maintain an offensive. Circling around his sparring partner, Orion would feign strikes, but nothing committed. With labored breathing, he would wait for him to try and advance and swing when he came into the staffs range.

[Tourmal Firemane]

Tourmal, Spring 35, 512 AV The hit was solid and his onslaught had very lightly winded him. The man breathed just a bit harder than he did before it. His job did not require so much activity. He was built for slow strong hits not successive light hits. He would need to work on this. However it had not occurred to him that was the reason for his light fatigue. After the last strike he stepped back to give his friend some space to recover. He could have hit harder but didn't want to take it too seriously because this was a learning experience for the both of them. That and he didn't want to scare off a sparring partner after the first bout. “Sorry bout that O. Didn't mean to knock you on your seat. How about you have a go at me It would probably be more fun.” He understood that he would have more strength and more endurance than the man that stood before him, well the endurance might be closer than his strength. The man had quite a few all night romps that he had been forced to listen to. His lack of strength however would drain his endurance more quickly, especially with an iron bow staff. His arms must feel someone put a hot coal to them. As he thought the man set up his stance legs shoulder width apart, with his right leg a half foot behind his center. Then gave a nod to his sparring partner signaling to him 'I'm ready'.

[Orion Michaels]

Orion Orion could only breath heavily in return. Combat was exhausting. He wouldn't have spoken at all if he'd known how tired he'd be after such a short time. He wouldn't have tried to start this sparring event so quickly after lugging all the equipment over to the outskirts of the city. He'd have bought a lighter weapon. Every muscle in his arm felt like it was on fire. His ass was on fire from his hard landing. His breathing was labored, and his lungs felt like tiny shards of glass were piercing the insides. What the petch was I thinking? So as Tourmal spoke, apologized, and suggested Orion go on the offensive, labored breathing was all he could reply with. He slight shake of his head was managed to show his lack of desire to comply with the suggestion, and a step back emphasized it. This event of theirs wouldn't go on much longer at this rate, not because Orion would defeat Tourmal, nor because Tourmal would defeat Orion. It was simple. The doctor's arms would simply fall off after another minute or two and that would be that. It was all over. Orion forced himself to offer a few weak jabs coming from the right of the staff. It was much easier to strike with his dominant hand. He couldn't kill a fly with his left, much less stop a Drykas male, so he'd have to make due with what he could. After a couple of strikes, he released the weapon with his left hand to wipe the sweat from his brow. The armor was extremely annoying at this point. He was hot, sore, tired, and miserable. This was all worth it, right?

[Tourmal Firemane]

Tourmal, Spring 35, 512 AV After his partner shook his head, indicating he was not inclined to put forth an attack. Tourmal took a second to re assess the situation. He thought about the fact that Orion was a doctor, and never really did anything that required a large amount of strength. Evidently he had miss interpreted the facts. Despite his great endurance the man had not enough muscle to lift the metal bar for an extended amount of time. In fact the energy he had already exerted had fatigued him greatly to the point of where he looked faint. Considering the only tools the man had frequently lifted were those tiny knives doctors use, and could not weigh more than a river pebble, the man was doing well. After his thoughts Orion gave him a few weak jabs with the right end of the staff. Tourmal dodged them easily and the last one he knocked out of the way with his hammer. From the impact of his hammer the staff flew wide from its target. “Ok buddy I think we are done here” He said dropping his hammer wielding arm to his side and re setting it in the leather loop that held it. “You did well. This being your first time and all.” He looked at the man smiling and walked over to him and gave him a solid pat on the back completely oblivious to how hard he did so. “Leather armor and a metal staff. Now that I think about it... This must be your first day of real hard work” He winked at the doctor. “Don't worry it gets easier. My first day at the works was dreadful and now I get through it just fine.” “After we get this armor off what do you say to a good soak at the soothing waters and follow that up with a pint or two?” That's what the man needed now was a wash and a few drinks to help him relax. “Who knows you might even find a lady to go home with.” He said jokingly.

[Emblem]

Congratulations! You Get Glorious Experience! Orion Skill Points Earned Weapon: Staff 3 XP Observation 2 XP Body Building 1 XP Lore Earned A New Weapon An Introduction to Combat On the Defensive Other Shenanigans:Nothing here. Tourmal Skill Points Earned Weapon: Light Hammer 3 XP Body Building 1 XP Lore Earned On the Offensive Training a Friend Other Shenanigans: Nope Comments : Sorry about the wait guys, finals had me locked down. Anyway, nice quick sparring thread. It was a good introduction to combat for you Orion. Hopefully the lores and skills all make sense to you guys, and if they don't then shoot me a PM and we will work it out.