Batleside Chat #3: Rend and Repair

"Cheers to all, good friends! Thank you for joining me in the victory hall after my recent battle in the Gold Arena. I am honored to have each and every one of you with me today. My name is Laazaniah Moorevelt, for those of you who do not know me, and I am blessed to be an Arena Lord representing She and Her will and Her lands of Khymeria in the Great Tournament. I am an adherent and prospesctive manifestee of the Moorevelt Destiny, a prophecy sent to my grandfather which promised one of his descendants would soon be a great champion for his family and people and an agent of unity for all the splintered lands, which would bring about a rebirth of the Unity Prophecy and an end to the wicked Burn. That prophecy is what spurred him into investing and participating in the city project that would later become Victor's Colosseum. If it is Her will, I shall be the one spoken of in this family prophecy. If not, I will serve Her, light, and life in another way and as I am best able. However, it was--indeed--my grandfather and family destiny which brings me to you today to fight in the Gold Arena as an Arena Lord and discuss the recent contest."

"So, enough about the myself and on to the reason you all are here: the battle. Oh no, I know you're not here for me or my victory. You are here for the thrill of the contest. Strong competition breeds healthy bodies and minds, so I have no qualms about why you're truly here.

"The battle's rules were declared at the onset to be a prohibition on the conjuration of legendary entities and the involvement of the summoners in any way except for basic conjuration. The summoners were each afforded 19 condensed mana crystals to use for their summonings.

"I chose the loved and respected Mother Khala to summon and orchestrate my team of combatants. She is a patient, caring woman who shares her heart with all, and best of all, she doesn't let anything faze her.

"My opponent today just so happened to be another Arena Lord from Khymeria, and I could not be more pleased. Fortuitous--indeed!--for us to have met on Mount Mox and demonstrate to all the vibrant glories of light and life! My opponent chose the honorable Tyrus Paladium to be the summoner and leader of his team. His performance was excellect and left room for few critiques, and I believe it might have only been a heavy mix of fate and fortune that led to my victory and his demise. Please do visit the consolation room and lend your respect to my opponent, who deserves it no less than I.

"In this battle between two Khymerian Arena Lords, Mother Khala made a brilliant decision to utilize two of my favorite specimens of light and life: the Crystal Jaguar and the Lone Boatman. What could better represent Khymeria than the pure wild spirit of Her life bustling in the magical jaguar and the earnest spirit of discipline and hardwork demonstrated by one of our greatest classes of tradesmen, the boatmen?"

"The crystal jaguar is said to have a heart of quartz which does not beat but, rather, pulses with the Her light. In fact, some claim the light in their crystal hearts continues to pulse even after their destruction, but on this, I can only speculate. I would never destroy such an illustrious creature given to us by the miracle that is Her light and life. To see a real one of these in the wild is a marvel and more than enough reason to journey to Khymeria.

"This crystal cat has a hard exterior that provides it protection against some physical attacks. Is it not brittle, you might ask? Yes, in some ways it is, which only adds to its defense. If you damage the hide, it shatters and chips away, which creates a more jagged exterior than before; extremely sharp shards will extend and rend those who commit such cruel actions against it--karma incarnate! Even dragons will be injured if they try to bite one of these special gifts from Her On High. Plus, they are quite reflexive in their own right, especially the mature adults, and they will not hesitate to shred you with their crystal claws if you attempt to harm them. They are a fine specimen to be the vanguard of any combat line and, no doubt, a cause of our success today. Salutations to the crystal jaguars of the world and to She who gifts us such splendid specimens of life.

"But a greater specimen still are the tradesmen of Khymeria, such as the glorious boatmen who tame the fringes of our existence and master the shores of life itself! The Lone Boatmen, who go deep into the waters, are the most refined of all. Years of mastering light and life has made them self-reliant and determined. They fear nothing! ...Except the end of light and life, if such a curse were ever possible anywhere except the bowels that is Mortis. Even there, the survivalists called Lone Boatmen fear not to tread. With many years of masterful, learned expertise under their belt, they jump into any situation with practical ambition.

"The Lone Boatman is a cautious fighter who takes careful aim with each toss of his javelins and tridents. They have learned to spear fish through the refraction of the waterline--another of Her miracles--at more than fifty paces! They are also handy men and are excellent at patching both holes in their boats and fractures in your armor. After all, there are no smithies or harbors on the wild, roiling deep seas, so life learns to gird itself! In fact, the most masteful among them are said to be able to combine these skills into one masterful talent which allows them to find a chink in any armor, from far away, and strike it with pinpoint precision!

"My team as a whole triumphed, for life is great alone, in light or darkness, but it shines brightest together as teams and communities. I mentioned these two only for my personal appreciate for what they are: shining examples of light and life made manifest through the determination of spirit to exist and thrive.

"Now, if you'll indulge me, I'll leave you with these final words for consideration. We all must learn to appreciate the vibrancy of our world and all the different ways the spirit manifests in our different lands. Each is unique and majestic. Trust in the Unity and appreciate Her gift to you: the light in your eyes and the life in your chest! Live long and live well, my friends, and most of all, enjoy the life you were given. Thanks to you and to Her. Good day."