Attention: Arena and Annex to be Closed for Remodeling

[Casey Shiv Blade]

DoS Thursday 2/7

The Basement

Freshly swept and declared free of cockroaches, the basement of the West Hotel is once again home to armed combat. Once the home of the famed Bladesingers TDL team, the basement has been allowed to fall stale in the years since the club’s disbanding.

The main entrance to the basement is through a side door, separate and apart from the main confines of the hotel itself. A short flight of ten stairs leads down into a simple wooden door, a portal that swings in to the small space.

The green and white of the walls are muted, showing the room’s age. In fact, the white stripes could more appropriately be called yellow in the flickering torch light. While the rest of the hotel has advanced to electricity, the basement retains its “medieval charm.” The banners that line the walls also show the signs of neglect; the reminders of division wins in seasons 516, 518, and 523 and conference pennants from seasons 515 and 516 are faded and caked with muck and cobwebs – it seemed that whoever cleaned the place failed to look up and dust anything above waist-level.

Along the south well, settled squarely in the center and opposite the musty couch that used to serve callers, is the voluminous, dusty trophy case that contains the two TDL Championship Cups from seasons 515 and 516. What is absent (and it seemed had never been there) is a record of the multitude of duelers that called the basement home as a member of the Bladesingers.

Three rings dominate the east side of the basement; the edges of three fresh piles of sand serve as the only delineation of the rings’ boundaries. There could be little doubt that the size and shape of the rings would be shifted as the night goes on and duelers spread the sands about. A small end table set against the wall next to the caller’s couch serves as a “bar” for the evening – never fear, though, for there is a portal swirling blackly above the freshly-varnished tabletop that retrieves whatever beverage (and only beverages!) a dueler may request out loud. There is even a neatly printed notice to inform duelers of the process of ordering drinks. A miniscule black and white TV sits on the other side of the caller’s couch, providing a live feed to the main lobby upstairs.

The west side of the basement is taken up by a standard pool table. Tan streaks across the green felt show exactly how inadequate the cleaning job was in this place; dirt tracks remain to alter the balls’ paths and rise into the air around the table to choke duelers brave (or bored) enough to attempt a game of billiards. The balls are in a box on the green felt and cues of many lengths stand at attention on the rack against the nearest wall.

Finally, an assortment of unmatched tables and chairs dots the area around the three rings, allowing seating for a dozen or so people.

The Hotel Lobby

Because the basement only has enough tables and chairs for a few people, the main lobby of the West Hotel has been cleared to make space for additional rings and spectating. In order to get there, patrons should utilize the stairwell on the opposite end of the basement, an inner structure leading directly to the lobby. However, the fact that the Duel of Swords has taken over the hotel for the evening doesn’t mean the business is going to close! Random guests of the hotel are likely to wander through the space – and maybe even through the rings themselves!

The setup is almost identical to the area below; piles of sand mark ring edges and tables and chairs surround the area. However, the chairs match and are adorned with comfortable plush green pillows. A full bar stands opposite the check-in desk, a temporary feature procured for tonight and tonight only. The bar, of course, doesn’t have tabs; all drinks are payment due at order!

[DUEL Norah]

Friday Fight Night, February 8, 2013: Evil Empire Brewhouse

((To be Hosted in RDI Chatroom The Docks))

The brewhouse faces the river in the dangerous Dockside district, nestled between busy docks where cranes move cargo from flatboats to sea-worthy vessels. There's enough room on the broad concrete loading docks for duelists to duke it out, with Aurk wizards on standby manning the wards, but watch your step: it's a straight drop off the edge into the water, and touching it could turn you greener than the Aurks!

This is where Silver Mark Brewing Company makes their Evil Empire IPA, which will be available alongside the company's flagship Silver Mark Lager and the all-new Silver Mark: Blue energy drink, produced in partnership with Wrecking Crew Enterprises. A collection of empty casks, barrels and kegs have been converted into a bar and plenty of seating for the event. All the full containers and the vats are in the back, visible to guests but behind a durable glass barrier for climate control. A juke box sits next to the bar, free to use and full to bursting with old blues and rock 'n' roll.

Outside the building's side door an apprentice brewer has set up a fryer and a grill, cooking a steady supply of brats, burgers and steak fries that hungry guests can order from there or the bar.

Welcome to the Evil Empire Brewhouse! Remember to buy Silver Mark: Blue, brought to you by the Wrecking Crew! And also Evil Empire IPA, Silver Mark Lager, Zeppa Lemon-Lime Soda, Dominion Exports-approved coffee, Baron's Batch Specialty Ale, and any and all of our seasonal brews.

[G]

Saturday Night, February 9, 2013: Golden Ivy Tavern



The Golden Ivy Inn is a carefully created classic 28 room Inn and Conference Center across the road from the Talanador Tower in the Old Temple/Southgate District famous for entertaining Duelists for many, many years. It was especially popular during the heyday of the Arena. The second incarnation of this property is majestically situated on the well landscaped area, the original having been destroyed by the Evil Ganderfald Family! The stately Main House offers the spacious guest bedrooms/baths(most with fire places), and a spectacular master suite with private deck and a view of the River that splits the city of Rhydin, usually reserved for special guests or G'nort himself. The antique styled building boasts a large dining room, spacious guest parlor, kitchen, and wrap-around porch. Behind the counter where you would request a room would be the two girls who constantly man the desk, Lina: The no nonsense business type and Tara: The cheerful and happy girl who can make anyone smile. Lina's on the right, Tara's on the left.



The building provides for greater privacy with individually accessed rooms plus a two room suite, all with private baths, refrigeration (Provided by Fyrentennimar, the White Dragon who lives in the extremely large freezer in the kitchen) and entertainment, and with balconies to view the beautifully landscaped grounds and river. A sizable game/reading room rounds out the facility. The main lobby is more than just an area for people to meet or get a room. There is a spacious bar stocked with all manners of drinks as well as several tables for those who are looking to dine. Behind that bar is an old fashioned pair of diner doors that lead to the kitchen, which is manned by the Dwarf Gourmet Chef, Gilgrim. Ready to stable your horses or park your vehicles are the two "Valets," Which are fancy ways of saying "Stable Boys." Mick, who is quick with a smile and might offer to arm wrestle you before parking your horse, and Beni, who is useful if a bit of a suck-up. He will tell you what you want to hear in hopes of getting a better tip.



It had been some since there'd been dueling in the old Golden Ivy, but the tables had been moved in advance for this in order to reopen the three rings in the main area. Three steps take you to the lowered floor where there is plenty of room to get your duel on. The judges have an easy, full view of all the action from their vantage point of either at the bar, or one of the tables outside the lower area. One thing you have to be careful of is the housekeeper, Old Miss Maude, who will smack anyone in the face with her dirty, wet mop, no matter who it is if you make a mess anywhere on her carefully tended floors. Though she might be a little more forgiving if the mess is some spilled blood from the fights. Alternate fighting locations would be on the Bartop, but you will need to take your shoes off if you're fighting there, and the Balcony that overlooks the main area. We thought about fighting on a chandelier, but that would just be silly.



Travel to the Golden Ivy is relatively easy. If you're coming from the Red Dragon Inn, you turn left and head south over the old paved with stones main road. You stay on that path and cross the bridge over the Rhydin river and turn left, or East, at the first intersection, and travel down the road until you come across the well lit Talanador Tower. Across from that is the Golden Ivy Tavern. It's just a short walk up the garden stone path to the Arch Maple Double Doors with Antique Bronze Rosettes and Door Knockers.

[DUEL Norah]

Fight Night - Sunday, February 10, 2013 -- Change of Location!

It seems something fell through with using the Mercenarius Arena! Fight Night will be hosted at The Great Helm Tavern!

[DUEL Norah]

Week Four --FINAL-- Host Sites

Thursday DoS, February 14, 2013: Dockside with the P'IMP

Friday Fight Night, February 15, 2013: Kesey Apartment Complex

Saturday DoS, February 16, 2012: Dragon's Gate Zen Gardens

Sunday Fight Night, February 17, 2013: King's Gambit

[Kazzy Hart]

Friday Fight Night
February 15, 2013: Kesey Apartment Complex

Fight Night at the good old... uh, make that just old, Kesey Apartment Complex, that deliciously degenerate place where the buildings are ancient, the neighbors are crazy and nothing works the way it should. Located on the outskirts of the Old Market district and close enough to the WestEnd to be called suspect the KAC was a slice of rundown heaven for those living on a budget.

The building's management company must not have been clear on exactly why they were hosting Fight Night or maybe they had only heard what they wanted to hear when approached with the idea. Believing the night to be a themed open house for prospective new tenants they had decorated the "Rec Room" (which hadn't seen new furniture in at least thirty years) with cheap painted banners saying "Welcome Future Tenants!" and knotted strands of Christmas lights with mostly broken bulbs.

A bowl of mysterious looking punch with chunks that looked fuzzy for fruit and coolers filled with knock-off beers and bottom shelf booze had been left out as refreshments along with a plate of wilted vegetables, stale chips and a questionable casserole. The ping pong table with its torn net had been pushed against the wall to make room for the "rings" which were really all the couches, chairs, and bookshelves the room held rearranged to make round borders around designated spaces on the stained carpet.

Out through a screen door if more space was needed duels could be held in the courtyard on the patio closest to Kesey's "pool." With its murky, stagnant green-brown water the "SWIM AT YOUR OWN RISK" sign off to the side probably wasn't necessary.

(For more on the setting stop by here One Flew Over the Kesey Complex: Vacancies Available)

[DUEL Norah]

Saturday Duel of Swords
February 16, 2013: Dragon's Gate Zen Gardens







Beyond the two story brick building that served as the Dragon's Gate Dueling School, a path leads to the Zen Gardens. Dragon's Gate barony guards stand watch, making sure to keep the public within those areas allowed to them for the night. Blossoms line the path and the weather has been left untouched by winter's chill for the night. The three story dojo and gardens rest open and welcoming to the public for Saturday night's Duel of Swords location. Several sand covered rings have been made available, indicated by the small rocks that surrounded them. Food and drink--provided by the Jade Dragon--as well as additional seating have been set up within one of the interior rooms.

[DUEL Norah]

Sunday Fight Night
February 17, 2013: King's Gambit

There is an old, dilapidated church that stands several miles outside of RhyDin City. This forlorn looking place has a high bell tower with a rusty iron bell that occasionally lets out a dull ring when the wind blows particularly fierce. As you enter the broken wooden doors, there is a large stone staircase that descends in a spiral to the catacombs below. Dank and moldy, this staircase stops at a surprisingly well preserved and high arched oaken door with torches that flicker on either side. Entering this portal brings you to the expanse that makes up the Arena for King's Gambit. The floor is an alternate pattern of gray granite flagstones, and black obsidian tiles, which gives it the illusion of being a chessboard. Five rings, set up like an X, are placed in the center. The stone bleachers line the west and east sides of the dueling area, and house various creatures of indeterminate origin. Glowing lamps hang from the ceiling, giving off the only light in this shadowy place. You have entered the Catacombs, the dueling arena of Xanth Van Bokkelen, once known as the Terror of Drenthe, and the Scourge of Emmen. Let the battles commence.

The Catacombs has concession stands and eating areas, where all the famous brews of RhyDin are served, but also the “heavy” stuff like Bors the Gouger’s Thick Ogre Grog. As well as drink, there is also food, in large enough quantities to please any appetite. Famous for their “Cow on a Grill” (which is literally, a whole cow served grilled), no one should go home hungry. The rumors of human flesh being served, especially with potatoes, asparagus, and onions, in a light red wine sauce, for only five silver nobles, are completely unsubstantial and denied publicly by the kitchen staff. Souvenirs left over from the days of TDL have been unboxed and put on display for sale, such as the King’s Gambit T-shirts, Baby Doll Tees, and Plastic Blood Dispensing Helmets for the vampire fans. It’s a chance to relive the glory year of 525 when King’s Gambit took home the Championship, so all the “Kings” fans are encouraged to come by and show their support!