As a heads up I am ok if everyone wants to RP their way to lvl 2.
You could make a fighter's circle and practice I'm sure Hexiros would like to stretch his muscles. Just RP challenging each other and then wrapping weapons setting rules (first blood would be easiest, though no blood will be shed) and then have a Dueling Contest for all those who wish to participate. Those who don't can post talking to other, making side bets, talking about how their spells would be better in a real fight. etc.
Dueling Contest would be best of three roll off as follows...
1) First decide who took the initiative:
-- each combatant rolls initiative and the winner decides who is the aggressor
2) Insight vs Deception contest: The two combatants circle each other and make little lunges as they test each other.
-- Aggressor rolls the Deception
3) If one player has won both contests then post how he executes his "flawless victory" against his opponent
-- If tied going into contest three use the following options:
--- If Insight won Contest two that player may:
---- a) take the dodge action (and wait till Aggressor has finished attacking), and then counterattack with advantage
---- b) make an attack before the Aggressor
--- If Deception won Contest two that player may:
----a) attempt the shove action with the opponent rolling with disadvantage
----b) attack first with advantage
We could do a mock battle here to work out any kinks, you find.
I am absolutly ok with a week or two of RP and then facing the menace on the road with everyone at 2nd lvl, if that is what the group wishes.