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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Seravin" data-source="post: 1710476" data-attributes="member: 6783">Sword House!!TANG!!Ashimar’s slim rapier met the swing of the heavier Imperial longsword and sang out with a clear note as metal clashed with metal.  Seemingly impossibly, the slighter rapier held.  Ashimar grinned and settled back into a guard position as he allowed his opponent to comprehend that the rapier would not break by sheer might alone.Both the young priest and his opponent were in the outdoor sparring yard, within the church-keep of Sarath; which was usually called Sword House by those who lived there.  It being late fall, it was a cool morning, but both men were sweating with the practice sword-play.  Ashimar’s current partner was a young lieutenant, apparently also recently arrived to Corlean, though the young lieutenant had traveled southwards through the pass to reach Corlean.  Like Ashimar, the lieutenant had a fair amount of combat experience, though his was gained from patrolling the borderlands up north.“I hated trolls the most.”  Spoke Ashimar, answering the lieutenant’s previous questions about the caverns deep below Haranshire.  He stopped talking as the lieutenant swung again, starting an exchange of blows that made both of their blades sing.The lieutenant was well trained and had maintained his focus and discipline through years of training and preparing with the church.  In many ways he was the complete opposite of Ashimar whose own focus had shifted considerably over the last six months.  Oddly, both men, who were both near strangers to Corlean, got along very well.“How so?”  Asked the lieutenant.  “What’s so bad about trolls?”  The lieutenant was strong and gave Ashimar the honor of not pulling his blows.  “The bloody stories are true.  The things…uh…just…hmmf…won’t die.”  Ashimar punctuated his sentence with strong blows of his own.  His opponent met each one of them without qualm.“You’re still here.”  Pointed out the soldier.  “So you must have killed them.”Ashimar grunted as his opponent swung hard.  Normally a rapier wielder who wanted to keep his blade intact would avoid the direct blows of a heavier weapon; Ashimar had overcome his original trainging however.  Six months of training with Kellron though had given Ashimar his own unique style based on both power and speed.  “We didn’t beat them with swords.” Started the priest, who suddenly lunged forward scoring a touch on the lieutenant’s armor, just under the armpit.The lieutenant grimaced, but saluted gracefully, presenting his sword up parallel to his breastbone, the guard just six inches below his eyes.  He then stepped back and signaled that with a wave of his arms that they should take a break.  “How then?”“Fire.  It’s the only way.  Kellron and I could only slow the damn things down.  They’re not that bright, but trolls are strong!  A solid punch from one of them can crumple armor.”  Ashimar shook his head at the memories as he and his new friend walked over to the water bucket.“Still, if you’re good enough, you can drop one.  You can cave in its’ chest, gouge the eyes, and chop the head off.  The thing is that doesn’t stop them.  The troll just keeps coming.  Their flesh writhes as it heals and the thing will just continue to crawl after you, its’ wounds healing with every foot it travels.”  He dipped the ladel into the bucket and drank deep.  “Pierce the heart, drop it, and dig out the entrails and all you’ve done is buy yourself a minute, and only that much time.  Trolls are like nothing I’ve ever seen.”He took a deep breath to ward away the memory.   “If you ever fight one get as much fire as you can; it’s the only thing that will stop the gooey mess you created out of its’ body from standing back up.”Ashimar smiled.  “Fortunately we had Jallarzi.  She was able to bring down a rian of fire every time.”  His smile faltered for a moment.  “But don’t get overconfident, magic only goes so far.  If you find yourself separated, regroup immediately, even if you think you can handle yourself.  Your comrades might not be so fortunate, and Sarath help you if a group of trolls punch through your line."</blockquote>

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