(9) Bran Bale vs. (4) Vanion Shadowcast

[Random McChanse]

Date: TBA

Time: TBA

First Duel: Swords
Second Duel:
Third Duel:

Results: TBA

Random Insight:

At first glance, this might seem to be an uninteresting matchup - by reputation and experience alone, Vanion clearly outclasses Bran. Vanion defeated Art, one of my personal favorites to go far this tournament, while Bran's close victory over Rena and win over Liena don't quite stack up. However, Bran has been tearing it up in RoH challenge matches recently, defeating Koy and Esper, likely the two most skilled title holders in their respective disciplines of Fists and Magic. Therefore, it is likely that Bran will put up a good fight in the semifinals. Unfortunately for him, Vanion is pushing his advantage of choosing the first discipline by going with Swords, which has been Vanion's strongest discipline. Vanion's looking to take a lead here and deal a psychological blow early in the match, but an upset here by Bran could prove to be crucial. Next will likely be Magic, where Bran has proved a formidable competitor, and Vanion has been disinterested in as of late. I expect Bran to take a point or two here, carrying his momentum from the earlier duels. However, the final discipline will be Fists. Both have not been overwhelmingly strong in this event, but I know that when it comes to the wire Vanion will best Bran if he needs to win, and so I think he'll take the match with that win.

This is the place to post match dates and times, the order of the disciplines, predictions, previews/commentary (like my Random Insights) trash talking, shout-outs or other signs of support to the duelists, the announcement of the start of the duel, and the play-by-play results of each duel and the overall outcome of the match.

Let's have a good match and may the best duelist win!

[Bran Bale]

I'll take Magic for the second round match.

[Rena A Cronin]

Swords 1 Bran got clobbered (hc/fcp) 1-0 Vanion.

Swords 2 Vanion blocked nicely (fcp/lc) 2-0 Vanion.

Swords 3 Bran got around Vanion's cut (hc/th) 2-1 Vanion.

Swords 4 Vanion got around Bran's cut this time (th/lc) 3-1 Vanion.

Swords 5 Vanion braced in time (sh/sl) 4-1 Vanion.

Swords 6 They both dance (fss x2).

Swords 7 Bran swing for Vanion's head and connected (fcp/hc) 4-2 Vanion.

Swords 8 Vanion moved...Bran braced (fss/sh).

Swords 9 Vanion's brace did him no good (sh/lc) 4-3 Vanion.

Swords 10 Vanion catches the stepping Bran (hc/fss) 5-3 Vanion.


Vanion leads 2-0.

[Rena A Cronin]

Magic 1 Vanion's touch failed to reach Bran (ft/sh) .5-0 Bran.

Magic 2 Vanion displaced into Bran's chill (dis/ab) 1.5-0 Bran.

Magic 3 Vanion blocked the mind whip of Bran's (sh/mw) 1.5-.5 Bran.

Magic 4 Vanion turned ghostly (gf/ft) 1.5-1 Bran.

Magic 5 Vanion reflected Bran's whip back at him (rf/mw) 2-1.5 Vanion.

Magic 6 Vanion armored up...Bran put up a shield. No score (ar/sh).

Magic 7 Vanion's blades sliced Bran's fingers (wb/ft) 3-1.5 Vanion.

Magic 8 Vanion's armor failed him (ar/mw) 3-2.5 Vanion.

Magic 9 Vanion's shower of meteors failed against Bran's blades (ms/wb) 3 all.

Magic 10 Vanion's touch didn't quite make it (ft/sh) 3.5-3 Bran.

Magic 11 Vanion's blades worked through the fog Bran brought forth (wb/ff) 4-3.5 Vanion.

Magic 12 Vanion's mirror reflects Bran's bolt back at him (rf/mb) 5-3.5 Vanion.

Vanion leads 3.5-0 in the second match.

[Rena A Cronin]

Fists 1 Vanion moved (fancy dodge/jab) 1-0 Vanion.

Fists 2 Vanion went flying (jumpkick/flip) 1 all.

Fists 3 Bran went down (sweep/fancy dodge) 2-1 Vanion.

Fists 4 Both faked but to no avail (feint flip/feint jumpkick).

Fists 5 Vanion threw a left (jab/sweep) 3-1 Vanion.

Fists 6 One faked a chop(Vanion)...the other faked a jab(Bran).

Fists 7 Vanion throws another left (jab/snapkick) 4-1 Vanion.

Fists 8 Bran threw a left (snapkick/jab) 4-2 Vanion.

Fists 9 Dual sweeps and this one is over (sweep x2 ) 5-3 Vanion.


Vanions wins 5.5-0 and moves on.