Seems pretty overdue, but I just grew to the point where I couldn't be bothered typing out entries. So here is the Archonic Academy, and the fighters that represent it.

One day, I'll work on some more serious fluff to add to this, but for now it's all raw characters and the odd blurb where I can be bothered).

Here is a little assortment of the cast and a quick blurb of the characters, in order of appearance in the thread.

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Beastlord Rawrgrath. The most skilled Beastlord to be 'allied' with Auraifka. His tribe is situated outside Cumferenceberg, mainly due to the arena-based treaty that was signed some time ago. Yet to enter an arena.
Sir Cumference. Easily one of my favourite characters so far. Presently the magistrate of Cumferenceberg, he's also an an avid arena fighter (which is why the industry does so well in that particular city). His vendetta is against anyone who would do evil, but a special blanket hatred/distrust is reserved for the Dark Elves. His soul has been taken and held by Saffron Incubi before it was brought back by Milo - The Black Knight. Arena record: Hall of Five (3/2), Off-Seasonal Arena 2 (1/1), The Bloodfury Championship (2/1), Arena of Fate and Fortune (1/? - still going). Presently at 8 from 11. With the combo linked to, yet to enter an arena.
Fluffy the Helper Monkey. A cute yet murderous monkey that works for Sir Cumference. Wherever the templar is, his monkey is bound to be close, which is why he is rarely entered on his own. Present nemeses are ninja skinks and the Court of the Carrot (oh dear...). Arena record: Reaper Arena I (2/1), the Challenge Arena (0/1). Total record: 2 from 4.
Alanthair Forestwalker. Fallen Orc Warlord who roamed about in exile for a while before meeting Auraifka. Presently, he's hired as a bodyguard for said elf but is only allowed in Rezephua on grounds of fighting in an arena, so that's officially why he's here. However, he's begun to fight in a few arenas and loves the work. After a while, he entered in his first ever grand arena, Reaper Arena II, and won (much to his surprise). The publicity does Auraifka good, as the spikier his bodyguard seems, the less affronts on his life occur. Arena record: Reaper Arena II (4/4). Total record: 4 from 4.
Auraifka. More of a side-character, but he's the head of this team. He runs the academy, pays for arenas and organises his own ones. A witty and sarcastic elf who can talk his way out of anything, he makes an ideal businessman, especially now that he has the Knights of the Round Table and Alanthair to fight for him. However, he isn't averse to the occasional gladiatorial combat. Has yet to enter an arena.
Milo - the Black Knight. A large Arabyan lone wolf templar. No-one knows a whole load about him, but he isn't the kind of person you'd want to meet in a dark alleyway on the night of Morrslieb (though fortunately, he isn't known for hanging around dark alleyways on the night of Morrslieb). He's tied with the Knights of the Round Table (therefore Auraifka and the Academy as well), though he is part of no Order. When Sir Cumference had his soul snatched by the vile Saffron Incubi, it was Milo that took Fluffy with him on the perilous quest to get him back. Arena record: Challenger matches (1/0) and Avatar's Arena (0/1). Total record: 1 from 2.

And just in case you're interested (and lazy), all six characters are at 15 from 21, or 71.43% wins, which is a hell of a lot more than what I thought I'd be at. Maybe it's the DKF that are losing.

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And finally, my achievements worth noting.

Sir Cumference comes second in the Hall of Five

Alanthair Forestwalker wins the Reaper Arena II

Gifted to Alanthair from the Reaper Arena II

Beastlord Rawrgrath

As night began to fall, the Brettonian knights ended their day's march, and set up camp. Rather, their squires set up camp. Eventually, they got a fire going, and were beginning to eat. Lord Marc du Prees sat down with his accomplices, and began to plan the rest of their quest. If they went around the forest, they would eventually hit a path that would hopefully take them into the mountains, and then they might be able to kill the mountain-beast said to have a glorious hoard. Plus, of course, the favour of the Lady wouldn't be too bad either.

Sure the Empire may try get the Bretts turfed, but they would just have to live with this incursion. These obviously superior knights would be able to handle anything the landlords could throw at them anyway.

As a large gust of wind blew out the fire, rustling was heard in the forest, and a low growl was emitted. The knights went to their tents and donned their armour suits, ready for a conflict. The fire was relit, but the growls continued, as did the rustling.

All of a sudden, a horn sounded. This was no trumpet of the Empire, but a primitive beasthorn. Large, disfigured beastmen emerged from the forests.

The peasant sentries were quickly impaled, and the beasts rushed to the knights, who had no time to mount their horses, so were forced to fight on foot.

The night rang out with the sound of battle, as gor fought knight, the Bretts holding against the element of surprise, and the vastly superior numbers.

However, a large beastlord emerged. Standing at least a head above his peers, he carried a massive axe, reeking of death and decay, dripping a dark green gore. Though his shield was tatty, his breastplate was quite the opposite. A fine piece of metal, it had the mark of some illegible deity. Any who saw it were instantly repulsed.

Roaring, he moved up to the first knight he saw. Bringing his mighty axe to bear, the poor Brett's armour proved completely useless, and the mighty Rawrgrath crushed it with ease.

Moving onto the next knight, his new opponent was better prepared. Trying to block the beastlord, the knight found this to be in vain, as the beastlord simply sliced though that, shattering the knight's arm. With the next blow, the knight was dead.

Wasting no time, Rawrgrath started discarding knight corpses as quickly as he was killing them off.

That was the last memory Marc du Prees. The foul stench. The ragged and cheap equipment. The mighty bellow, resembling a bestial bray. The towering beastlord swinging his mighty axe. The searing pain. The uselessness of his armour. The claustrophobic blackness engulfing him.

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Rawrgrath is the defending champion of the regular tournament held by the Archon Academy. Managing a surprise win against Markus the Ever-hungry, he was gifted an honourary crown. However, such is his favour in Nurgle's eyes, the crown quickly became a mutated artifact.

Starting off as a mere gorling, Rawrgrath found his ascension to the top of his herd rather rapid. The original Beastlord Rawrgrath was killed in an Off-Seasonal Arena, before his replacement consorted with the blood god. However, Nurgle's grip was still strong on the tribe, and two young Wargors of Nurgle usurped his power. One of them took over the power (and the name Rawrgrath), and appointed his associate as a 2IC.

Since this rather aggressive takeover, the herd has proved very successful. Rawrgrath and Ghargor have joined the Archon Academy, and Rawrgrath himself just won the most recent tournament. With this kind of success, it will become a matter of time before his foul presence is felt in Repezhua.

Beastlord
Axe of Improved Strength- This is a battleaxe with somewhat sharp edges. In addition, this axe gives Rawrgrath superbeast strength. Counts as the Great Fang (ignores armour saves).
All dressed up for battle.- Since killing off his predecessor and stealing his name in outright identity theft, Rawrgrath now has a mighty Nurgle-marked breastplate that he never leaves home without. Also, ever since being infected with Nurgle's Rot, his legs have been a regal symbol of authority, and removed the need for armour leggings. The shield he carries is, naturally, a hunk of stinking, rotted wood, but at least it does the job. Counts as the Mark of Nurgle (+1 wound - total 4-, and means he causes Fear), Chaos Armour (4+ armour save), and a shield (6+ save- total 3+).
Crown of the Archon Academy- Rawrgrath is the reigning champion at the Archon Academy. The crown he was gifted as a reward grants great fortitude. However, such is the state of disrepair it has fallen into, it is unlikely that the organisers of the tournament will ever ask for it back, and will simply make a new one. Counts as the Crown of Horns (5++ save and grants +1 to rally iirc- isn't important either way).

Appearance: Rawrgrath is a simple Beastlord, with the usual features (ie, a muscular frame, dark brown fur, large horns etc). As such, he has the best equipment. This includes a large breastplate, sporting a pale green Mark of Nurgle. His shield is a mass of rotted wood with a few cheap decorations (indeed, it has passed it's Use Before date). His axe is a large battlaxe, held in his right hand, serving as a symbol of authority as well as a functional weapon. It was looted from an orc Warlord several years ago, and has become slightly more sickening in the hands of this new master.

Rawrgrath has been bestowed several blessings of his patron god, and has a rather pallid skin, and several open injuries that have a nasty habit of seeping pus when it's least convenient. his legs' (as stated earlier) skin has become thicker, almost scaly, and is very hard to pierce (yes, there are some characters out there that would attempt such a cheap attack =.=), plus I might grant a couple of minor mutations to the first writer to document one of his fights.

238 pts

-AFG//

Sir Cumference
Thus follows the account of how Sir Cumference saved the honour of Rielle le Brilliant, and propelled himself to famehood in Rezephua (and formed his own fanclub in the process)
There was something unsettling, even slightly frightening, about the innocent-looking Rielle. But while Saffron was not enough of a fool to underestimate a participant to an arena, he made it a point to always appear as scornfully confident as elvenly possible, no matter who or what he was facing. His lips curled into a sneer, for after watching the woman's duel against the knight, he knew two important things. First off, that Rielle was no trained fighter — she used her sword very poorly even for a human. And second, that she had a weakness: the enchanted pendant she wore around her neck. Whatever it was intended to do, it could harm her if it was broken. Saffron would go for it and smash it to pieces as quickly as he could. Flinging his blood-red sea dragon cloak over his shoulder, the Druchii observed his prey carefully and calculated the distance between him and her. This could all be over in a matter of seconds if he did it right. Charge, break the pendant, finish her off. Quick and simple.

"Fight!" shouted Damon.

Never taking his cold gaze off the undead woman, the Druchii went for her, scythe raised. By the time he reached the center of the ring, he faltered and almost tripped, his ferocity coolling down. Rielle was dancing for him, and by Khaine, she had as much grace as any Elven lady. Every muscle in Saffron's body commanded him to keep running and behead her, but now he wondered why. That would be such a sad waste, he thought. The human female was a bit too pale and emaciated to his taste, but with proper care she could be made very beautiful by human standards. He had had a lot of slaves throughout his life, but never a slave dancer. She could probably sing, too, and—

The fog in Saffron's mind cleared just in time for him to notice that her sword was slowly, inexorably arcing toward him. His self-preservation taking over, the Druchii clumsily recoiled from her attack, but the glancing blow opened a broad gash across his unprotected side. A searing pain shot through him, causing him to snap out of his trance, and the magic of his enchanted robes closed the wound instantly without leaving a scar. Dropping his scythe, Saffron immediately leaped at Rielle's neck to slay her before she could strike again. With his hand he grabbed the diamond pendant she wore and pulled on it sharply, trying to snap the chain. Again, crimson lightning bolts emanated from the gem, but this time they caught him full in the chest, and he felt as if a Witch Elf were ripping his heart out with a dull and rusty knife. His vision became blurry and bells rung in his ears. He could feel the pendant's magic damaging him from the inside, burning up nerves and muscles in every part of his body. The pain was such that he wanted to die here and now. But the dancer would die with him, he swore. Blindly, almost only by instinct, he seized her by the throat and started to strangle her. Normally he loved to strangle slaves — to grab their soft and warm flesh with both hands, to taste their growing desperation and helplessness, to feel the madly-beating heart slow down to a halt under his fingers. With Rielle he was disappointed: her flesh was no longer warm, she did not even struggle to escape him and her heart did not beat anymore. Strangling her was just as much fun as squeezing a chunk of cold meat. And that knight Sir Cumference was growing tiresome, yelling curses at him for brutalizing "an innocent damsel".

Rielle tried to grab her sword lying on the ground, but was unable to reach it. With a look of quiet resignation that infuriated the Druchii adventurer, the undead woman rose her hand in surrender to call for an end to the fight. Her true aim here was not to win this arena, anyway — she only wanted a soul to share her brother's eternal captivity inside her sword, and she would much prefer a soul that was not corrupted and cruel like Saffron's.

Frustrated to be denied a kill, Saffron strode out of the arena, ignoring the glares the spectators shot him and their disgusted whispers that called him "woman beater" and the likes. He walked straight into an outraged Sir Cumference, who swore him that he would soon meet death at his hands. The Druchii answered only with a contemptuous smirk.
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Saffron walked untill the aching of the contact with the amulet faded. He stretched himself and strode back to the pit ready to face Reille's Knight In Shiny Armour.
The crowd may think he's a woman brutelizer now but he really couldn't care less. He had remained relatively unscathed while still showing who the superior being is.

On his way back he saw a druchii walking through the deserted streets surrounding the Veleni arena. Driving some fresh human slaves out of the city for departure Saffron could not resist the urge. He had been denied his kill, so a live human would take her place.
He grabbed a pouch from inside his robe filled with could and threw it to the slave master who nodded and halted for Saffron to make his pick.

Saffron gazed over the slaves untill he found a girl looking similar to Rielle. He grabbed the chain she was tied with and thanked the slave master. He dragged the buttnaked human girl behind him untill they reached the pit.

There the human knight was waiting for him. Shocked upon the sight of naked female kin Saffron smiled and thought He's probably still a virgin..

Before the human could say anything Saffron drove his razorsharp nails into the females chest thinking I saw Morathi do this once on Death Night when we went to visit Ghrond during the holidays.. after a few seconds he succeeded in his trick and pulled to still beating heart out of the girls bare chest.

Total silence was in the arena. Even the undead Rielle seemed a little startled. Pleased with the result Saffron took it up a notch. when the girl realized what was going on she tried to scream but before she had time to act her time was up. Saffron drove his fangs into her still bearing heart instantly silencing it and redrawing them just in time to dispose himself of the dead girl by throwing it towards Sir Cumference even managing not to be defiled too much by the blood spray that erupted from the dead girl's chest.

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"Behold, my sweet lady," Sir Cumference told Rielle floridly with the beautiful accent of Albion, "for tonight I shalt avenge the wrongs that have been done to thee! Nay, this dark faerie's affront against thy purity and innocence shalt not go unpunished. A knight suffers not those who harm gentle—"

"Fight!" shouted the savage infidel from the southern lands, he who was so evil that the gods had cursed him with a skin of ebony so that all would see his wickedness.

Cutting short his heroic speech with the firm intention to resume it eventually, the gallant protector of law and virtue turned his charger towards the vile Saffron Incubi and lowered his visor. Then he spurred his mount just as the fallen faerie sprang forward with his greatsword raised. The courageous champion of Light and the malevolent minion of Dark met in the middle of the ring and, as they crossed, swiped at each other simultaneously. The scoundrel escaped his fitting punishment by a cowardly dodge, while the knight was protected from his enemy's dishonorable attack by his unswerving faith, his good cause and, most of all, his armor. The hero and the villain spun for a second charge, met again and had another lightning-fast confrontation. Once more the dark faerie treacherously eluded the holy hammer that brought the justice of the gods, just as his cruel greatsword stained with the blood of countless innocents failed to penetrate the brave knight's twice-blessed Armour of Diplomacy. Sir Cumference reached the other end of the ring and turned his horse around, ready for a third and hopefully decisive charge.

"Thou cannot win, wicked faerie!" warned the knight in a booming voice. "I shalt lead a crusade against thy kingdom, purge it from thy wretched kind and rid the world of corruption forever!"

"Start with me, fool," snarled Saffron defiantly.

"At once," retorted Sir Cumference.

He spurred his horse again and galloped towards the vile faerie, his hammer crackling with white lightning. This time his arm was guided by the noble might of justice, and he struck hard and true: the hammer hit the enemy full in the chest, splitting his unholy armor in two with its divine power and smashing four of the villain's ribs. Saffron fell on his back, screaming with hate and pain, and reached for his handbow to shoot dishonorably at the pure hero looming magnificently over him. Sir Cumference's loyal warhorse reared up and, to protect his valorous master, brought his hooves down on the evil faerie's arm with a crack. Saffron screamed again and, growing desperate like the cowardly dog he was, grabbed a long dagger with his left hand for a last-resort thrust at the knight's most heroic throat. With a tremendous amount of willpower (or maybe help from the dark gods he worshipped), he managed to stand up, making no attempt at grace. Teeth bared, he struck, aiming at a narrow gap right under Sir Cumference's helmet. The sharp blade never found its target, however, for such was the knight's confidence in the rightness of his cause that his shimmering aura of virtue protected him.

Sir Cumference laughed fiercely and brought his enchanted hammer down on the renegade faerie. The villain draped his head with his blood-colored cloak of dragon scales to save his perverted existence, but the knight proved once again that true justice mocks those who would foolishly seek refuge from it: the holy light of his weapon went right through the foe's skull, slaying him instantly and presumably sending his tainted soul to the deepest of the thousand and one hells.

"Thou art avenged, my lady!" exclaimed the knight, turning to the beautiful Rielle.

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Templar Grand Master
The Knights of the Round Table have their own interesting legends, like that of a great warrior of legend named Arthur. His ideals shock the modern world, such as that of no man being above the other, fighting in challenges to maintain honour, and embarking on heroic quests to win the hand of the local damsel (rather like those Brettonians). Ironically enough, Arthur was shot down by a Goblin arrow on a quest to find some Holy Grail. Upon his deathbed, he gave his son, and his captain a trophy each, and told them to preserve his legacy.

His captain received the famed Wyrmpelt. The finest Drake Arthur had killed, and thus had made into a cloak. The captain formed the Knights of the Round Table in his honour, and the badge of office became this mighty cloak.

His son received a slightly less impressive gift. Upon unwrapping it, he discovered a goblin arrow complete with the bloodstained tip. Disappointed by this gift, and angry at his father's alleged betrayal. He is reported to have been the first person in the Old World to have died of the disease tetanus.

Sir Cumference is a living embodiment of Arthur. A Warrior's warrior, and a truly inspiring fighter. Where he goes, fighters all around him put on posh British accents.

Upon hearing about this arena, he decided to take it upon himself to fight this battle to win glory for his maiden, town, and Order.
Sword of Martial Honour- Sir Cumference is very much one for direct conflicts of skill. With this blade, his desire for a fair fight is channeled into this revered blade.
This counts as the Sword of Might (+1S).
The Armour of Diplomacy-The city in which Sir Cumference dwells is home of the Department of Immigrants and Refugees where people from all over the world, including Ind, Cathay, Araby etc, can come and blend in with the residents of the Empire. As a token of friendship, Cathayan smiths forged the Armour of Diplomacy, a magnificent piece granting the wearer a huge amount of fortitude, and nigh impossible to penetrate.
This counts as the Dawn Armour (Full Plate- for a 4+ save-, and allows armour saves to be re-rolled).
The Wyrmpelt - One of the two famed trophies given out on Arthur's deathbed, this magnificent pelt makes the bearer almost impervious to all harm, plus it's a funky piece that makes the bearer look real spiffy
This counts as a Holy Relic (4++ save)

Recap- offensive:
4 WS and I6 attacks, for every hit the enemy takes a Toughness test. On a fail, the hit wounds automatically with no armour saves, plus don't forget the horsies attack;).

Recap- defensive:
Re-rollable 1+ Armour Save, 4+ Ward Save

250 pts

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Arena record:
Hall of Five: Wins against Rielle le Brilliant, Nahaz Eshil and Saffron Incubi. Losses to Radames and Saffron Incubi (the final).
Off-seasonal Arena 2: Win against Jared von Blackheart. Loss to Nurak Tharr.
Bloodfury Championship (and how the hell am I meant to document this?): Wins against Gideon du Courrone and Agrias, loss to Team XKCD (so no shame there :P ).
Arena of Fate and Fortune: Win against Grevnash. To be continued...

-AFG//