(YBA) Drax in Wicht's Lair

[Wicht]

The northern portion of the cemetery fence is built on a hill. Just north of the fence the ground drops steeply away. Just outside the northern gate, a semicircular "platform" of earth has been paved over. A small foot high ornamental fence surrrounds this cement and one may stand on the edge of the platform and look over the valley below.

As he exits the cemetery and stands on the observation platform, Drax first notices that there are steps leading down from this platform on the west. The steps, built into the side of the hill lead to a small cobbled path running north through the valley below. The path heads straight to a large cavernous opening which heads into the hill across the valley. Between the two hills, on the western side of the path below, is an old fighting arena. From where Drax stands, the arena appears to be falling apart.

 

[Dalamar]

Drax heads for the fighting arena.

 

[Wicht]

Drax descends the steps and heads up the cobbled path at the bottom of the hill.

There is a small path that leads off of the main and heads to the arena. As Drax gets closer to the fighting ground, he sees that the wood is ancient and in places it is rotting. There are stands for spectators and four fighting pavilions, where one would expect the fighters to prepare and wait for their fight.

As Drax steps onto the floor of the arena, he is startled by the fact that torches around the arena suddenly spring into life.

A voice from behind Drax asks, "For honor, for profit or to the death?"

 

[Dalamar]

Drax turns around to see who it is that spoke to him and answers.
"Honor does not feed me and I wish for no-one's death. For profit then."
Interesting, interesting indeed.

 

[Wicht]

There is no one behind Drax, but even as he spins to look he is aware of movement in the sand at the other end of the arena floor.

Rising up out of the sand, is a figure which, taking shape, looks familiar to Drax. It is himself, equipment and all! As Drax stares at his doppleganger, the voice, again from behind Drax asks, "What is your wager? Place it on the arena floor."

 

[Dalamar]

"Three swords and a dagger."
Drax throws the swords from the thugs he beated, as well as his original sword and the other dagger he got from the thugs, to the arena.

 

[Wicht]

Drax's double throws identical swords and daggers to the ground. Then walking closer to Drax, the doppleganger says, in a perfect imitation of Drax's voice,

"I find your cousin to be cretinous, your graveyard to be squandered, and your mojo to be valueless."

 

[Dalamar]

Drax nods at the insults, that's what he was going to say. But not wanting to repeat himself (or the doppleganger, but that doesn't matter), he says:

"I find your geisha to be honorless, your playground to be dilapidated, and your blocking to be helpless."

 

[Wicht]

From behind Drax, the voice says, "ah, it is true that our playground is not what it used to be, the challenger may set the length of the match. And just a reminder that weapons are not allowed, this is a test of skill!"

 

[Dalamar]

"Three flags it is then."
Drax takes off his armor and weapons and puts them to the side of the arena. He then flexes his muscles a little and takes on a fighting stance.
"I'm ready."