GT 2015 - MATCH 3 - Fenris vs. Firgov Estherol

(Due to the fact Firgov asked me to post first, and assuming it is okay with the judges, I will be taking the first post.)


Fenris was surprised people knew of that little indiscretion, as he was credited with the leaving of the Dragon he had harassed several months ago. He had thought he had gotten out of that with no one knowing. Oh well, perhaps it could not be helped. Regardless a bronze hand scratched a coarse full beard, his grey-cloak left behind as he moved with his bracers also worn for now. He had opted to retain his weapons of the Grosse-Messer, and the the Langes-Messer both at opposite hips. He knew nothing of who he was fighting, and did not make assumptions, instead waiting to see what awaited.

He had emerged from the Northern-Gate into the pit, and his left hand placed itself upon the hilt of his grosse-messer drawing the heavily modified blade. It featured a serrated back-edge, and a broad cruciform cross-guard, as well as a circular pommel. It was balanced towards the middle, and its tip was narrowed, while the blade itself was about the width of a conventional bastard sword. He emerged from the gate looking towards the opposite end.

He brought the blade to his left side, letting it point towards the ground at a slant, the swords 4 foot length extending before him but far from fully extended as its tip hovered a few scant inches off the ground, his left arm almost loose in its positioning. He placed his right leg forward, along with his right arm which was held chambered, and open palm. Not a traditional fencing stance by any means, as his stance slightly lowered. He had no problems making the first move but he wanted to see something of his opponent first.

Fenris might have made a remark about the male ever hearing of a shirt, but thought better of it, othewise he did not seem peturbed by the near naked Firgov. As the male began to yell Fenris raised dark brows as the he proclaimed Fenris was not the savior they all thought he was, he did not make any claims to the contrary and merely offered a shrug. He had not confronted Trogdor for credit, and whatever became of the Dragon afterwards was simply not his concern. "Bwahahahahahaha!" a booming laugh echoed from the wild males robust frame in response to the males indignity. (assuming they were still a fair distance away.)

As the male squared up, Fenris noted his well disciplined stance, his weapon combo was also fairly novel favoring close quarters brutality, well balanced on offense and defense, and fairly agile. Perhaps this male might actually win. Perhaps not. Fenris sighed as he could practically feel the males disgust and anger towards him, for something he had merely done casually.

Fenris of Olfwood walked towards his opponent, as he had done what felt like a thousand times before. A movement that was not a dash, nor a jog, but rather a brisk walk. The blade made a subtle weaving motion in his left hand, minute motions of his wrist causing the tip to sway like a serpents tongue remaining off the ground. His gaze upon the male was one of vague curiosity perhaps, or as if he was a task at hand to be taken care of. A chore.

Assuming he was able to close distance without being impeded, his blade would rise making a cutting motion for the inner left thigh of the male with the tip of Fenris' grosse-messer. His arm extending in the motion keeping him and Firgov about 4 1/2 feet apart with Fenris' arms length accounting for his weapons own reach, while Fens left leg shifted forward slightly in the motion to lead. He had opted to target that spot, simply because it seemed the best place to start at the time, but his intent was to cause response or reaction, as his blade drew back slightly with the motion, and his right arm remained in place. Still half-crouched the Lupine like swordsman began to do what he had been bred for.

His opponent knew backing up would only prolong the inevitable, the only way to win was to get in range, but against a swordsman who knew what they were doing, it would not be that easy. As Fenris' left blade rose, his opponent reacted, a pivoting motion ensued from Firgov as he struck with his left-disc at what would be the left of Fenris' blade causing it to tilt to the Lupines right. As Firgov stepped off with his left leg and pivoted right this meant he was going to Fenris' own left, Fenris turning his head as the opponent did so as if to face him with his left side, while Fenris hips turned towards that direction as well. Fixating the male with a cold predatory gaze, and a fanged smile that showed emphasized incisors.

As his opponent's left leg fell, this was when Fenris' right hand grasped the pommel of his sword...

The greater control and power benefited by the dual-handed grip allowed him to continue the tilt of the grosse-messer that the discs-parry had started, Fenris already turned towards Firgov his right leg moved forward, bringing his left leg back out of optimal range of the snap-kick as Fenris' blade simultaneously moved across in a sudden and vicious draw-cutting motion with the serrated back edge. The attack meant too strike the top outside of the Firgovs grounded left knee in a diagonal motion and continue upward potentially towards the nethers and inner right thigh of the kicking leg, moving forward as his opponent did and using a draw-cut so as to keep his blade "close" to his body. If it hit the intent would be too rend through muscle, tendon, and potentially the formoral artery depending on how well it struck upon the second leg. If nothing else the blades sweep also adding the possibility of the kick simply being pushed off by the motion. The blade seeking to outmaneuver the punching-shield by virtue of Fenris' increased control, and simply being able to shift its vector beneath the shield from an outside angle. The right hands grip on the counter-weight of the pommel allowing for a smooth and agile motion.

The step forward done to ensure contact in timing with his opposition, Fenris knew that Firgov wanted to get in close, if the male managed to get that far he would Find Fenris more than comfortable at close quarters too. A sword was more than just a blade, and a good swordsman was more than just a sword after all.

There was also a fair amount of push behind the attack, and parrying or blocking or deflecting it again from the current angle while on one leg and attacking would be a considerable feat, while it was worth noting that the motion of the cut was the same motion that would break away from the disc-shield seeking to slip under it. All of this was timed to intercept Firgovs offense as it happened. And yet still the Lupine was prepared; as the draw-cut was a controlled motion which was typical for the technique. Regardless of success or failure it would leave his blade placed in a slanted positioning towards the ground at he end with the back-edge facing his opposition and his left arm retracting to align the tip forward instead, while the right hand let go of the pommel as quickly as it had grasped it, leaving his free-arm centered and chambered on defense, Fenris' attention fixated on the task at hand. A beast vs a machine. Yet why was the machine the one that was all but naked? The Ironies of life.

Fenris would trust that whatever enchantments upon the blade would keep it from dealing mortal or grievous injury. The Predatory-Marauder not usually one to pull his punches, especially against someone who apparently had a grudge against him. His opponent might muster a defense, but the simple maneuver of turning his head and waist to follow Firgov, grasping his blade with both hands, and simply cutting again only this time more decisively seemed well employed to Fenris.

Somehow his opponent perceived and was able to bear some semblance of a reaction while Fenris rode the flow, a less experienced fighter may have hesitated but Fenris trusted his instincts. His blade crossing through the vector of the left leg, trusting Firgov would not be able to bend down and reach with his shield in time which his blade had broken contact with, and considering Fenris had timed his attack and movements to happen concurrently with his opponent. His left knee avoiding the kick if it still came by virtue of the shift in positioning with his right switching in place and the left now becoming the back leg as previously stated.

If it struck, it was meant to disable the knee, rending to bone, flesh, muscle, and possibly tendon. If not Firgov would back up, perhaps injured, perhaps not depending on the quality of the protective warding put upon the weapons. If nothing else make no mistake that last attack had been meant to be a potential fight ender if and when contact was made. He would let "fate" decide the matter. Chances were his opponent would probably avoid serious injury if it did hit due to the wards. Fenris maintained that stance even as the male backed up before lowering his blade and letting it sway inches above the ground again, his right hand moving behind his back as he regarded Firgov, the sword in his left hand moving like the restless limb of some beast. If the last attack had not ended the fight, then he might pursue or he might wait. He was perfectly comfortable, as far as he was concerned he was in control of the situation.