Duel: Jaxson v Dyraxdiin, Match 7 of the 2022 Titans of Winter Tournament

From HollowWiki
Duelists: Jaxson vs Dyraxdiin 
Duel: Traditional 3 rounds with final defense, 20 minute posting limit.
Stakes: Standard, autohit delivered by winner with allowance for final reply.
Judges: Arlyeon, Leoxander, and Meri.

Lava Flow

Searing heat greets you upon departing the landing spot within this deep-delving underground cavern. Rivulets of lava are visible at every turn, slithering amid countless islands of earth in a loose resemblance to a river delta. Ancient relics lie embedded in the cavern walls and floor, strange sigils carved into the stone almost at random. Charred remnants of previous misfortunate folks lie strewn about just below the runes and talismans, giving further evidence to some eerie ritualistic behavior having been performed deep in this pit, away from the view of mainstream Hollow life.


Meri :: Frostmaw has taken precautions for those who dare to spectate this event. Both the stands for the commoners and for the Frostmaw Giant named Balgruuf have been climate controlled thanks to the help of mages who specialize in ice magic. There will be no needless sweating or passing out from heat exhaustion for any of their guests. The duelists are not afforded the same luxury and are on their own when it comes to braving these harsh elements. When both Jaxson and Dyraxdiin come into view, the Frostmaw Giant makes his introductory announcements, “We should be in for a real treat tonight. The talented mage known as Jaxson fights another renowned magii, Dyraxdiin. Will the human best the dragon? Or will he be tossed into the lava and meet an untimely demise? Fighters…Have at it.”


Dyraxdiin has to squeeze his way down into this... wait for it... cavern. What is it with caverns lately? His breathing can be heard from nearly every corner, slope and angle of this damnable cave, for indeed his size swallows up a vast area of real estate. He snorts, swivelling his head this way and that to gaze upon the spectators, nestled within their climate-controlled stands. The heat itself is irritating for the gray, but given the time he's spent around the red brood, it's not something that is a detriment to him. Yet. He knows this will change as the pace of the battle picks up... onto that point, he casts aegean eyes down upon Jaxson, a serpentine smile to splay out across scale-clad lips his only greeting.


Jaxson‘s arrival to the designated field of battle doesn’t come with any fancy display of magic or grand procession for the home-grown contestant. No, the man simply walks into his proper position opposite the Great Wyrm known as Dyraxdiin. Most of the man’s body is concealed by a rather thick cloak, pinned together just at the top of the collar bone by a unique clip made of what appears to be coral. The hood is drawn down so one could easily see it was the Ravencroft heir and not some other person, but as far as what he wore beneath that cloak remained to be seen. The only other attention-grabbing item would be the cloth wrapped object he has strapped to his back. Nearly as long as he is tall, the item is bound by a unique material that those who work with it would notice, but to everyone else it would seem rather ordinary. It isn’t, though, by any means. It’s a runic fabric usually reserved to help design the magical robes that wizards and the like use. Only time will tell if one gets to see what lies beneath such a unique and rare fabric, but given the battle about to take place it may not be as long as originally thought. To any spellcaster in the realm Dyraxdiin should be known, as Jax is one who has heard the tale of the Wyrm and his many feats, so it is with that knowledge that the man offers a humble bow of respect from across the cavern out of respect for his next opponent. The incredible heat of this chosen arena would normally be too overwhelming for a mere mortal, but the warlock is, of course, protected by a warding spell that keeps the heat at bay, for now… The sheer size of the dragon almost makes this place seem smaller in comparison, causing a ball of fear to creep up into the man’s throat as terror tries to take hold. But then, like a beacon of in this inferno does the man catch a glimpse of Valrae. She had made it! His reason for entering this tournament is remembered, the people of the very city in which they fight were his cause! That fear that tried to take hold, be it some aura given off by his draconic foe or his own mortality screaming out, is stifled by a newfound resolve. The man assumes a ready stance, the only sign to the dragon that he is ready for what is to come.


Round One:

Dyraxdiin action : hunkers down, rippling mass moving beneath heavy scale, as he lowers his head down in a telltale sign for those familiar with his kind - breath attack. Save it doesn't come. Instead, Dyraxdiin hums softly, attuning himself with the vibrational frequency of the stone beneath his clawed limbs. "I do not wish to kill you, or the onlookers." He offers to Jaxson as explanation for his actions when he finishes. After this, the great wyrm figures now is as good a time as any to initiate combat, knowing exactly the pitch to avoid in order to keep this place from... well, deteriorating any further. No, that will be a card he'll save for later should Jaxson prove to be difficult. For now Dyraxdiin channels, summoning a colossal amount of energy and effort in order to bring to play his first round of magic, on repeat. The lava begins to bubble louder, louder and louder still yet until it starts to pop, spraying the scorching material here and there as it boils over, quite literally, into the battlefield. This isn't the end, for the lava has seemingly come to life as well - intelligence personified by the liquid stone, it reaches out in large sweeping arcs, like tendrils of a fiery elemental, to slap Jaxson any chance it can. Some of the lava even sizzles against the dragon's scales, leaving charred marks where it kissed his hide around hands, feet and tail. Using the area around in this manner saves a great deal of the effort it would take to magically create such a large amount of material... effort he spends instead on keeping it going. To perpetuate the stress and anxiety his opponent has to contend with, moreso than physically harming him.


Jaxson Ravencroft’s cerulean gaze stares forth at the greatest challenge he has ever faced, as across this chasm stands forth the Great Wyrm, Dyraxdiin, is all his bestial glory. Truly impressive to be sure, the creature a testament to his species. But as the seemingly insurmountable task of facing such a creature should make any sane person flee forth from this hellish landscape, the man simply stands firm, almost confidently, as the dragon begins his attack, the crackling energy of what was almost the drake’s breath weapon causing eyes to widen in fear just briefly before the threat passes. The dragon cancelled his attack? Curiosity does not linger long upon the man’s mind though, for Dyraxdiin quickly follows up by demonstrating his arcane prowess by bringing the lava itself to life. The tendrils snake forth from the flowing rivers of molten earth at alarming rates, but Jax is just as quickly on the move. He wasn’t foolish enough there and trade blow for blow with the magister. His cloak whips about his frame as the man explodes into action, dodging the first of those lave tendrils that slam forth behind him, sending a shockwave rumbling beneath his feet from the impact as well as melting the stone where he previously stood. The wrapped up object one the man’s back is grabbed and brought forth, the knot keeping the cloth in place quickly untied as the man continues to move, before a single strong yank rips back that runecloth, sending the object laying within spinning forth in the air just as the man would leap up on a staglamite nearby and push himself off as another one of those tendrils came slamming down. Reaching up, Jax takes hold of the object, and as he does a wave of eldritch power reverberates throughout the chasm. The Trident of the Sea Primordial is an artifact that has been in his family for many generations, as far back as anyone within it could remember. And just as a mage may use a staff or wand to channel their power, the head of his family has used this weapon as their magical medium, and with a familiarity he is unaware of does the man point the trident at the dragon and send forth a powerful blast of eldritch power that surges forth towards the beast’s massive frame. As his blast is sent forth, Jax doesn’t see another one of those molten tendril’s coming from his blindside in time, and it smack him from the air and send him hurtling towards the cavern wall with supernatural strength. It is here that another one of the man’s powers comes into play. Wealth. You see the Ravencroft heir has spent quite the amount of gold to purchase as many items as he could for this fight, and that cloak is one such item. The cloak’s magic is brought to bare as a powerful defensive enchantment rises to meet the lava, saving the man from being incinerated. However the two opposing forces only add to Jax’s body being slammed into the cavern wall, just as that magical barrier would phase away. The sickening sound of mortal flesh meeting harden stone is only drowned out by the violent scream of pain that escapes the warlock as he falls to the ground, hard and heavily dazed.

Round Two:

Dyraxdiin action : hasn't had the pleasure of meeting the mage he faces until the few moments that led up to their fight here; for this, he is sorry. It would appear he is quite skilled, an individual worth knowing and trading secrets with. The great wyrm learns just how... resourceful the youthful man is when he unleashes ancient magic nary wrought since the saurian wars. This catches him off guard, and quite certainly so, because he wasn't aware such power could be manifested by non-saurians. It seems there are secrets yet to learn, Dyraxdiin thinks to himself as the brunt of the eldritch magic slams into his breast with resounding force. Scales, much like man-sized plates, crack and some clatter to the ground. Dyraxdiin stumbles back, his tail to arc out and press against the wall behind him so as to keep himself upright. He howls, defeaningly loud, then grits his teeth against the pain. If this is the power the man wields, Dyraxdiin will assuredly return it in kind. The saurian mage recoils his head, serpentine neck glossy against the glow of lava all around. His mouth opens and out flows... the sound of birds? His breathing is difficult, to be sure, but he continues through the pain and the sweltering heat. A flock of birds appears in the air were one to look and now that you've seen them, the cave above begins to sparkle. Are those twinkling lights actually... stars? Dyraxdiin continues to make these sounds, intertwined with illusion magic - not his strong suit, but aided by the gray's inborn skill with voice - to paint a picture of flying in the skies. The wind is strong this high up in the sky, and thus the great wyrm begins to flap all six wings of his in an easy, rhythmic motion, which rustles at Jaxson's clothing. The clouds come to life. They move and shift, even disperse were Jaxson to touch them.... with great displeasure to himself, for they're tendrils of lava in reality. The audience fades away into an endless horizon of breathtaking beauty. The sun has just set, casting the stars above in a beautiful wash of purple, reds and blues... and then danger. The birds flee, cawing uproariously as they scatter from the coming storm. The errant gusts of wind pick up in force, his wings beating faster and faster. Thunder rings out, distant at first and then rapidly approaching - until Dyraxdiin issues a final clap of thunder unlike the others, his voice pierces straight through the fabricated facade, aimed with deft precision, it screeches forth with terrible force towards his opponent.


Jaxson action : ‘s world is spinning as the impact of man meets rock wall still has lingering effects even as the rush of adrenaline starts to kick in, giving him a much-needed boost to fight through the pain already coursing through his body. A moment is taken to take a deep breath in, that hot air filling his lungs, before he rises to his feet once more as the fight is far from over. The magic in the cloak he wears has faded, a one and done deal that was worth every penny as he sees he isn’t a flaming skeleton like ole Paul over there. Tossing the item aside, the heat of the cavern ignites the now normal cloth and it is soon naught but ashes upon the cavern floor. Maybe it was the damage from the previous blow, but the man swears he can hear the whispers of something calling out to him, these emanations flow and crash upon his mind like the tides themselves for a moment, before his mind finds clarity once more. Or so he thought, for the world itself suddenly shifts into a whole other environment! From the depths of a chasm deep within the earth itself to…. The sky? The monumental shift in landscape does indeed have the man wondering what is going on, only more so as birds and even the winds themself all paint the intended picture needed for the man to fall under the dragon’s cleverly woven spell. What the drake does not account for is that the warlock is never truly alone. The trident in hand, the man’s connection to his family’s mysterious patron is even stronger than before, and the ancient primordial is far from a foolish mortal. Those whispers from earlier become overwhelming roars of anger, as the warlock feels the wrath of his family’s master flood his mind. Reality if snapped back into place by the brunt force of the Drowned Queen, whose plans for the Ravencroft family do not include dying in some silly tournament. Reality I often disappointing though, and Jax will be very disappointed to see he is about to be crushed, yet again, by those molten tendrils as he awakens from his dreamlike trance. Twisting his body around he is able to avoid one of them, and while he does managed to bring that trident around in the same motion to cleave the other in half, the end of the damned thing still smacks into the man’s left shoulder, the molten rock attempting to melt through the human’s frail form. But, luckily for him he had seen Kreekitaka previously this week, and the master designer had made for him quite the outfit for this occasion. Life saving again, wealth proving to be just as useful as arcane magic. While his frame is concealed by the skintight rayskin body suit, and outer layer of carapace is what meets the lava, saving the man’s arm from being melted off. Quick thinking has the warlock unhinge the pauldrons, sending them falling to the ground just as the left one gives way to the tremendous heat of the molten attack. Anger rising as this is twice now his opponents have tried to kill him in this damn tournament, Jaxson takes a firm grip upon his trident and focuses that wrath into his next blast of eldritch might, which causes the azurite gem upon the center of the weapon’s crown to ignite with power, as a blast of concentrated water erupts forth from the spear like tips of the trident. Maybe it was his injuries, or maybe the heat but that blast seems to miss Dyraxdiin comepletly, flying past the dragon way too high to even be a threat. You quickly find out this is not the case, as Jax’s true aim was for a large and viciously pointed stalactite that hangs above the great wyrm like a giant sized spear. The super concentrated blast of water cuts through the stone where jagged rock meets ceiling, cleanly cutting free the projectile that now falls from enough height to impale the massive dragon where it stands. The limited space in the cavern hopefully proving to hinder the dragon’s chances to evade.


Round Three:

Dyraxdiin watches, on high-alert, defenses ready to be cast at the briefest hint of impending danger - such eldritch magic had been forgotten to the ebb and flow of the sands of time... and for good reason. The human begins casting... Diin following the tracers of Jaxson's mana, intent on discerning what danger comes next... but water? I mean, it is hot after all. Dyraxdiin naturally follows the direction of the water with his head, as if in shock that Jaxson had somehow missed? And then the reality of his attack is made clear as the stalactite drops... and the unexpected happens. Instinct kicks in and the great wyrm lashes out with his maw, grabbing hold of the stalactite and then unceremoniously tossing the crude - though potentially devastating - rock to the side. Jaxson is highly skilled, of that he is certain. The man has been able to withstand great forces, both natural and otherwise. Despite their difference in physical stature, the great wyrm can clearly see his opponent is a worthwhile foe for a dragon. Diin doubts he'll likely be able to use his voice again this fight, his breast aching something fierce, each breath short and sharp. He gives a quick shake of his mass, scales to grind and ground as he does, allowing some much needed circulation of air in order to cool off his internal temperature. Fortunately, he is not as weakened by the heat as many of the other races, but regardless it is still insufferably hot. And he's fairly certain the mage managed to break a rib or two, even beneath his heavy scales. He grows tired - a contest of might between two mages a different beast altogether than that of a mage pitted against a knight. Dyraxdiin issues a single word in the rough saurian tongue, "Absorb," He states, his voice ringing out with an undeniable authority. The mana spent within this makeshift arena, were one capable of observing such otherworldly energies, begins to congregate in an area, coalescing into an orb. It continues to grow - the tendrils of lava splash into it, angrily attacking it now instead of Jaxson. It disipates on contact, no sizzle, no hiss. Nothing. But the mass of void energy, raw eldritch force, swells in size. The lava dies down, Dyraxdiin's full attention cast upon it - not just to build upon it, but to keep it under control. It acts as a barrier of black mass between the pair, angrily, greedily swallowing up any spent magicks. "Disperse." He says, his tone wielding that of finality. The mass erupts in a show of inky-black fireworks, some blasting holes in the rock walls, ceiling and the like, others to spray out in Jaxson's general direction. It's all he can do at present, instead opting to reserve his last bit of strength for Jaxson's next attack.


Jaxson can feel the presence of something guiding his actions more and more as this fight rages on, the heat of battle only matched by the heat of the chasm itself. That presence which seems to be attached to the warlock could even be possibly felt by those sensitive to and educated in what kinds of things old power like this comes from. Regardless, the warlock can feel the climax of this battle is drawing near, as his physical strength is starting to wane, as the adrenaline from earlier is also starting to ware off the longer this fight goes, thus the ravages of the pain from his collision earlier come back with a vengeance to remind him that he is only a mere mortal. Even the magical wards he has in place to fight off the overwhelming heat of this hellish arena are starting to wane, signaling to the man that he needs to end this, and quick. It is here that those whispers come once more. The trident was speaking to him? No, it was something speaking through it, telling him something… no.. he didn’t hear it, he ..felt it. It was hungry. As if guided by another hand does the man dip the head of his weapon into the lava that flows forth nearby, the ancient magic that resides within protecting him as the entire crown of the object becomes superheated as it rests beneath the molten earth. The azurite gem that is embedded within the weapon starts to glow ominously, before the scattered remains of the ancient artifacts that liter this forgotten place begin to be drained of whatever remnants of power linger within them. Even the sigils upon the cavern’s wall, once used in rituals of old, becomes the focal point of the trident’s seemingly ravenous hunger. But just as the warlock’s weapon has begun to feed, the saurian foe casts his void spell that seems to try to draw in all magic about the area itself into it. A clash of two forces starts to happen, and as if answering the challenging call of a rival does the primordial in which Jaxson’s power come from answer in kind through her chosen champion. Her name long forgotten in this realm, stricken from the history books by Selene’s own command, the ancient sea primordial has been imprisoned for eons longer than creatures alive could comprehend. She operates through those foolish enough to enter into contracts with her, and Jaxson’s family had been oh so desperate enough when Arrecation’s forces had decimated the land. For generations hence has the Ravencroft family been servants to this old power, though if Jaxson knows the truth or not is yet to be known. But, regardless of if he does he is here, and very much in danger of being blown to bits by the raw power of the ancient dragon’s incredible power. But the Drowned Queen would remind the drake, and the world, of her power this day as what gathered energies the trident was able to absorb into itself before Dyraxdiin’s spell took the rest is focused now within the weapon. Moving more by the command of his patron than himself does Jax spin the trident around with masterful ease, building up momentum before he hurls the thing forth with all the pent up eldritch power his mortal frame could muster. The resulting force sends debris of stone and lava flying into the air, as a path is carved though the arena as the trident flies forth at nearly impossible speed towards the now exposed parts of the dragon’s gargantuan frame, a result of the previous blast of the warlock. This of course occurs just as Dyraxdiin would unleash his own spell, resulting in two opposing clashes of compressed magical energy colliding in the most violent of ways imaginable. The resulting explosion rattles the cavern, as a shockwave sends molten rock flying like parted waves to the left and right of the two combatants. Dyraxdiin’s spell covers a massive area, and Jax lost in a cloud of dust and debris that blocks out all sight for a brief period of time. But the dragon’s spell, however powerful, was not able to fully stop the trident’s momentum, and it would cut through the air and continue on its way towards the great wyrm’s chest with all the magical might one would expect from such ancient powers. As the dust settles, Jax can be seen looking more like a bloody heap than a man, as the spell Diin unleashed upon him seems to have hit him with just as much force, leaving the man’s fate unsure for those watching in the stands.


Final Defense:

Dyraxdiin, feeling rather protected behind the barrier of the mass of void energy betwixt the pair, hasn't ceased his machinations. No, for he suspected that his opponent would have one final trump card, if you will. Whereas Diin decided to not use his, it would appear that Jaxson has. He doesn't fault the man, for he can tell his opponent wishes desperately to win, to prove something to someone. Perhaps if they both survive this fight... the most deadliest battle of the Titans of Winter, he will ask the human what it is he fights for. It must be something grand, to invest so much of himself into the attack that is assuredly coming - even 'yond the black sphere. Had he hairs, they would be standing on end, but moments before the ensuing chaos. Dyraxdiin, smart enough to not let himself be struck twice in the same place, turns himself to the side so as to use his shoulder to shield anything that might come. And come it does, for he has only a moment of time to unleash a half-hearted shielding spell - not exactly what he had prepared, but it would suffice. The trident glances off of it, screeching like a banshee's wail as it does so, and is sent directly through the upper wing on his right side. It tears through with such force it sends Dyraxdiin reeling back yet again, as though punched by a fist from a divine being when the air in its wake collides with his mass. Against his will, the great wyrm cries out, a shriek of pain traced with a hint of fear. The Magister Templi is old... so very old. He watched the humans evolve, erect their kingdoms and even worship his kind. Then he warred with the dwarves, and lost so many of his brothers and sisters... his own wife. He grimaces, shaking himself free of the near-blackout that ensued from Jaxson's attack. Dyraxdiin looks around, attempting to ascertain the situation. It would appear he managed to turn aside what could've killed him, at least. His wing, damaged and nigh broken, hangs limply at his side.


Winner: Dyraxdiin


Auto Hit:

Dyraxdiin action : glances around at the audience, his vision still rather blurry, stance quite unsteady. Is the ground moving, or is he swaying? The great wyrm shakes his head, as if to cast off whatever ails him now. His gaze falls down upon his opponent, Jaxson. The mage fought exceedingly well, and ought to be recognized for his skill... Perhaps later. For now, it was time to truly finish the fight. Dyraxdiin takes a few careful steps forward, looking down upon the collapsed form of the human. "I'm afraid I won't be able to strike you again. You'll likely die and for the lands to lose a man of your skill... it would be a shame. No, you still have a long life to lead." Dyraxdiin turns and, carefully - ever so carefully - climbs his way back out from this sweltering HELL HOLE.