Mehrunes Dagon, still without his appetite for death, fighting and destruction peruses through the different versions of Nirn in hopes that he could find another pair of powerful mortals to battle to the death for his enjoyment. He peers through alternate realities until coming across two specific warriors potentially capable of entertaining him even if it would only curb his boredom for minutes.

The first, a brown haired, younger Imperial male named Salivan who possessed a definite skill in battle as Captain of the Guard in the city of Kvatch was picked from reality by the curious Mehrunes Dagon. Dressed in the standard Kvatch guard attire complimented by a smoky grey cloak and wielding his personal favorite steel broadsword he was placed where the two previous warriors had been set, frozen in place in waiting for his opponent.

The second fighter to be chosen by Mehrunes Dagon was also of Imperial descent although slightly older. The man named Ian stood across from his opponent after being placed there by the powers of the Daedric Prince and was dressed in his trademark grey agent’s robe. His short black hair was pulled into what we know as a rogue’s knot. A Daedric Bow and arrows sat patiently against his back, partially hidden by his robe and in anticipation for the impending battle.

With only a rising motion of his hand and a quick shouting of the word, “Begin!” The two competitors quickly regained control of their bodies and looked at each other in wonder. They were both confused, disoriented and full of questions but in a battle to the death, one must refrain from thinking outside of the fight. Questions can come after the battle.

Salivan revolts, expressing his disapproval for the battle before it even commences. He doesn’t want to kill a man he doesn’t even know, let alone a man who has probably done nothing to deserve it. He lets his blade drop to the stone floor by his feet before crossing his arms in front of his chest, turning to the now streaming Mehrunes Dagon.

“I refuse to do this. Strike me down where I stand if you so wish to do so but I will not fight just for the sake of killing a man for sport.” Salivan states as he looks Mehrunes Dagon in his demon-like eyes.

The Daedric Prince begins chuckling in a deep, rumbling voice. With a wave of his hand, a vision of Cyrodiil surrounds both of the fighters, allowing them to see a conjured image of their homes, families and friends being destroyed by hordes of Daedra. The land looked completely wasted and charred, with thick smoke and surging flames devouring everything in its path.

“This is the fate of everyone you care about if you two do not fight. This was never open to any sort of discussion and neither of you have a choice. Fight now, or face consequences worse than death!” Mehrunes Dagon explodes before making the vision disappear.

Without thinking twice, Salivan reached down and grabbed the hilt of his weapon but when he looked to face his opponent, he was gone. Salivan could still sense his foe, knowing for sure that he was still around. He could practically still hear the older Imperial’s breathing. Cautiously, Salivan walked in a tight circle all the while being careful not to make too much noise in hopes that he could hear Ian walking but suddenly, a sharp noise breaks his concentration making him spin on his heels to look behind him.

He looks to see a deep, black and red Daedric arrow sticking into the stone wall before him and before he could even react, he was treated to a sword blade in the upper back that broke through his chainmail, knocking loose some of the links to his armor as they fell to the floor.

Salivan stumbled forward, angry at himself for falling for such a tactic and swung behind him violently to give himself some room. In turning around Salivan could see that his opponent’s robe was granting him the gift of chamelionism but also noticed that Ian wasn’t even smiling. He could tell that he wasn’t dealing with an egotistical fighter. Ian seemed to be a cold and calculating man who was ready to get the job done. Salivan readied himself as Ian was in the process of conjuring his bound Daedric blade back after just attaching his bow to its place on his back. Salivan swung with precision, noticing the split second of opportunity and let his blade crash underneath Ian’s arms as he was unable to defend himself.

With a metal on metal sound, Salivan tweaked his brow in wonder. His blow had knocked the wind out of Ian but by all rights his blade should have passed straight through his opponent. Through the sliced robe, Salivan could see what he thought to be part of a suit of black glass armor.

Shaking his head, he launched another attack at Ian, confident in his own blade skill. There was no one around who could stand toe to toe with him in a sword fight that he knew of and he was going to be unforgiving against his crafty opponent. The excruciating sound of blade against blade echoed through the dimly lit stone throne room as Mehrunes Dagon rapped his fingernails against the arm of his throne, eager to see some blood. Little did he know that the attack from Ian to Salivan’s upper back had drawn quite a bit of blood and it was paining the fighter deeply.

The two warriors exchanged blows but in the end it was Salivan who had the upper hand. Ian wasn’t as proficient in close combat skills as he was in delivering blows from a distance and he knew it. He knew he had to get a few steps away from his foe to give him the opportunity to use his bow once again. Salivan parried just about every attack that Ian launched, letting it glance to the side, stumbling Ian and making it very hard to get his blade up to block Salivan’s attacks. With a perfect parry, Ian gasped as his blade fell from his aching hand as minutes of trying to get through Salivan’s defenses was making his blade wielding arm numb.

Salivan brought his blade perpendicular to Ian’s chest, making Ian’s breath escape him again as the edge of the broadsword chipped a fair chunk out of the black glass of his cuirass. Ian fell to the stone floor, hitting his head hard but not willing to give up yet, he quickly pulled a lone arrow from his quiver and stabbed it in between the tight links of chainmail that protected Salivan’s thigh. The links broke free from the force of the strike as the Daedric material of the arrow proved to be far superior in construction when compared to chainmail.

Salivan cried out in pain but still managed to limp over top of Ian and force his blade downward, letting it slam into Ian’s armored ribcage. The tempered glass armor caved from the impact, breaking in two pieces and causing Ian to spit blood as his ribcage, lungs and more had been the focus of Salivan’s attacks.

Ian gasped for air as more blood trickled from his mouth; and Salivan fell to the floor on his tailbone from the sting of the Daedric arrow that still pierced his thigh. Both competitors writhed in pain, still wondering why they were even here but also knowing that they would have to continue to appease the bloodthirsty Daedric Prince laughing from his Throne…


PS - Sorry about Savlian's misspelling...What was I thinking, and not just once either. Eep!!

Nicely written, including giving them a good reason to fight.

As for who wins, I'd say Savlian. He seems to be in better shape than Ian as well as having had the upper hand most of the time.

Wow! What an exciting fight so far, both competitors are getting wreaked!

Though I do have to point out that my character's name is Savlian, not "Salivan" Not a big deal, but I thought it would be good to know after the results come in.

And woo! Savlian gets the first vote!

I sucks not getting to vote...... But nice match, Taillus. An accurate portrail of both characters. Keep it up!

It does seem like Savlian has the edge...

Salvian. What can I say? Looks like he's got the edge on Ian. Though Ian certainly sounds cooler too me; sounding cool doesnt win a brawl.

Yes, I don't see Ian winning unless he escapes into the corridors--and it doesn't look like that's about to happen. A straight fight favors Savlian, it would appear.

Well, looks like everyone is in favor of Savlian......... It kind of hurts that your character doesn't even get one stinking vote........ I hope at least one of the other posters votes for Ian.

Now now now. I don't see it as Ian losing badly at this point. I tried to make the battle as even as I could while still keeping things interesting. Do not choose by how the fight is written. That doesn't matter as much as how the characters stats and personality etc.. pan out. Remember that Ian has slashed the upper back of Savlian as well as stabbing him in the thigh with an arrow. Ian has suffered a blow to his chest but I still think it is open to anyone winning at this point. Remember to be fair. If voting is decided by how one writes the fight, then a writer could decide the fate of the battle before voting even begins. Good luck to both competitors as well as all that follow!


PS - Sorry again for the misspelling of Savlian

Haha, I only mention it due to the purpose that this is a tournament. Revan could say "Savlian didn't beat me, Salivan did!" Of course I could do the same if I lost: "Ian didn't kill SAVLIAN, he killed SALIVAN, whoever that is!"

Well, it did sound a lot to me as if Ian had his ribcage cracked and a few punctured lungs. That's not very healthy I'd say. the way things are, I choose Savlian as he is the master of straightforward duelling. Ian needs to get into the dark maze, if he can make it.

Yeah, it's not so much how the battle is written, it's just that Savlian is a straight sword-fighter, and Ian is a little is better off if he can bring some stealthiness into play. I just don't see him gaining enough separation to escape into the maze.

Well...I voted for Ian.....he´s older, maybe more experienced.....so that may determine the outcome!

I think that maybe by weeks' end I will call this match. Hurry and get the votes out. We do not want this to meet the same fate as the first Clash of the Titans do we?!

All right folks. I am officially closing the polls to this battle and congratulate both competitors for amazing characters no matter what the polls determine. It is also without further ado that I present the winner, SAVLIAN (Note the spelling) as well as the rest of you all with the conclusion to the battle.


Ian quickly pulled himself away from his foe, hoping to keep his distance where his advantage was. He pulled free a moderate healing potion that he downed quickly, spilling most of the liquid on the stone tiled floor beneath him. It gave him just enough to struggle to his feet but his armor was hindered and so was he. He was going to have to put some more arrows into Savlian to win this bout.

Ian also decided that escaping into the depths of the labyrinth maze would allow him to get the better of his opponent but it was in getting there that the problem stood. As he scanned his surroundings for a quick way out, he realized that Savlian had pulled the arrow from his thigh and was literally blocking the way to the maze. Ian sighed to himself noting that nothing ever comes easily but he still had faith, plenty of faith because when a man gives up, he loses.

Savlian was thinking the same to himself. Trying desperately to forget the burning of the site where the arrow had been up until recently. His thigh burned with pain and each step brought him close to tears. Savlian had hobbled over to the doorway to the labyrinth hoping to keep his foe out of there. He was going to have to keep this a close quartered fight.

Suddenly, both men were interrupted from their thoughts by the now overly impatient Mehrunes Dagon. The Prince jumped to his feet before gripping the railing that decorated his perch overlooking the combatants.

“Your petty wounds do not impress me. You fight like small children with wooden swords! You will both fight for your lives or suffer torture the likes in which your mortal minds could never fathom!” Dagon screams as the whole room and beyond rumble from his explosive voice.

With a casual wave of his clawed hand, the area around them shifts and grinds, revealing a small moat of molten rock. Waves of heat accompany the smell of pungent sulfur as the red hot liquid bubbles around them. They also find themselves wielding new equipment provided by the magic of Mehrunes Dagon. Both men stand before the other wearing nothing but a tattered pair of pants, daedric boots and gauntlets and a daedric shortsword.

The evil part of this new equipment was in the fact that they were all enchanted with something devious and deadly, all a part of the Daedric Prince trying to make the fight more interesting to himself. The gauntlets were enchanted with a damage fatigue spell and both hands were gripped to the daedric blade to the point of both men being unable to drop the weapon. The boots were enchanted with a burden spell that made even slight moves incredibly difficult. The pants were enchanted with a damage to the wearer’s health and the sword sapped the life force from the target. This was all explained by Mehrunes Dagon as he also adds the fact that the moat of molten lava will also increase in size by the minute making this a battle of stamina, strength and time.

Ian looked to his boots, feeling completely helpless. The enchantment on his pants were already taking their toll on him as he was feeling incredibly weak within seconds. The fumes of sulfur were making him dizzy and the burden spell made it difficult to even hold his blade in defense. Luckily the evil enchantments were having similar effects on his opponent.

Savlian was sweating badly and shaking from trying to hold his blade up. He knew the only way to even remotely counteract the enchantment that was siphoning his health away was to steal Ian’s life essence through his blade. It would be close to impossible but it was the only way. Even though this fight went against his beliefs and he didn’t even know his enemy, he was going to have to strike him down so that he may get a chance to continue his duties back where he belonged.

Savlian stepped forward, despite the excruciating pain and stepped again and again. He tried so hard to ignore the terms of the battle and focused on making it end. Ian quivered, his arms numb from being forced to hold a blade that felt thousands of pounds heavier than it was and was beginning to look pale from his health being drained. Both men had to make a move or there would be no life force left in either man to prove worth stealing.

With a pain filled grunt, and with the exhausted pull of every muscle in Savlian’s body, he was able to heave himself forward and lift the blade high enough over his own shoulder to let it fall in Ian’s direction. Ian could see this desperate attack coming from a mile away but each time he tried to lift his own blade, his badly damaged ribs prevented him from exerting what little strength he had left to use. Ian could only close his eyes as Savlian’s blade came crashing down, digging into his right shoulder.

Ian’s vision started to fade but not before he could see the exhausted face of Savlian trying to apologize for what he was about to do. Both men understood what it was they had to do and Ian refused to hate his opponent for what was about to happen. It came down to the survival of the fittest and Ian would rather die like this than to have to face Mehrunes Dagon.

The rock gave way to the lava, making their battle area even smaller just as Mehrunes Dagon promised and with one final swing, Savlian freed Ian from the hell that both had endured. As the enchanted items faded from existence and both men fell to the stone floor. Savlian knew he had won the fight but in reality, he envied Ian for his way out of all of this….

Bittersweet victory. Wellwritten and the change of equipment was a neat twist. Oh yeah, I liked it. Though for the next round we'd better hope that Mehrunes fixed Savlian up.

And yes, I noticed the spelling.

Hooray, Savlian's name is spelt right! Just buggin' ya!

What an excellent conclusion to a duel. It was rather interesting to see the equipment change; that was quite unexpected, but really cool all the same. The sense of regret was also evidently well written.

Hmmm... I wonder who will be next to face Savlian?

Indeed who shall Savlian face now? Anyways, well written Taillus. You captured the essence of Ian's character (for some reason I seem to constantly capitalize the "a" which is odd because I'm the one who came up with it)