First Landing celebrates yet another new year with a tournament for any and all adventurers, including those freshly arrived to the city.
The newcomer bracket offers a great opportunity for newly-arrived talent to display their prowess and prove to the guild and themselves that they are ready to take on the challenges of the New World's frontiers. In this issue, we talk with finalist Cleric Kon, one such adventurer who attained 3rd place, to share with us their experience, thoughts, and advice, on the tournament and other not-wholly-surprising, yet unexpected, events.
We asked Cleric Kon about their combat experience and training before crossing the portal. Their story adds credence to the popular saying: success is 1% talent, 9% luck, and 90% sweat.
"You did really well! I was impressed. I imagine you have trained for a long time before coming here?"
Well, yes, I am classically trained in the wielding of the bladed scarf, Varisian style. My mother was a traveling priestess of Ashava. She taught me in the divine arts- largely meant to guide others to safety but also can be used for self defense, if necessary. She was far more potent a spellcaster than I, however. I started when I was 12, so, 13 years ago?
"That would account for the nearly one-sided battle for your first match against Mr. Xavier. I couldn't help but notice your unique fighting style. Both during this match and our adventure together. How would you describe it in a few words?"
A dance, I suppose? The technique used is in part based on my own style of dance. Ashivite culture is very strongly centered around performance, dance especially, but the acrobatic and rhythmic movements can lend well to combat. An unfortunate revelation but a true one"
Yet, high-stakes combat such as is in display during tournaments means anything can change in the blink of an eye, regardless of how much experience one has under their belt while on the battlefield. This was the case during Cleric Kon's match against Xavier and his eidolon Velio during the tournament's first round. The young summoner landed a direct hit on Kon which caused the Ashivite Cleric to go unconscious for a few seconds before their team mate managed to bring them back with healing magic.
"I wouldn't call it one-sided if they managed, in one blow, to knock me unconcious and wreck my old armor, by the way."
"I did see that! It was a shocking twist of fate. Though you kept going with the help of your team mate, if memory serves. How do you feel then about the part you played in this battle? How would you describe your role?"
"Well, I just try to buy time and do what I can to make sure my teammates can act to the best of their ability."
The success of all finalist teams over the rest of the tournament's contestants follows a trend that has become more pronounced over the years. Teams that mix raw martial prowess with mitigation strategies and support roles have a higher likelihood of winning when compared to very specialized, purely martially trained contestants. Indeed, Cleric Kon's battle style as observed during the tournament suits itself to such an environment where taking on flexible roles as the aggressor, defender, or support, can be immensely valuable.
In an unexpected, and yet not-wholly-surprising turn of events, the tournament's second round was disrupted by a group of invaders who seem to all be part of a band; seemingly a musical band, strangely. On this, Cleric Kon shares what they observed.
... they were inside the building and I was just outside until the last few seconds, as they sprung their attack. So I only caught a brief glimpse of the pair- a werewolf and a serpentfolk. From what they were shouting, sounded like they were upset that the tourney was the main event and not them. They each carried instruments with them, I think the wolf had a guitar? And the serpent folk appeared to be the singer. In any case, the singer struck down the other cleric and continued to attempt to bite her while she was down, which is around where I figured out what was going on and focused on keeping the others alive. Had I charged in sooner, I probably would've seen what they were doing much faster than just using the small gaps in the door frame. But I played far too defensively."
The cleric's tactics in the tournament's second round match where this invasion took place caused some controversy, and animosity between the opposing teams. Some went as far as to question Kon's allegiance, but what is our interviewee's side of the story?
"Now that it has been some time after this all went down, what comes to mind about the tactics on display by your team during this match?"
A... Massive misjudgement on my end. I had not recognized the event breached and believed the band to be part of the band that was supposed to be performing. Pair that with deafining noise drowning out the warnings... Well, it is all excuses. I cannot apologize enough nor expect forgiveness, I can only hope that my competitors were able to make a full recovery."
Finally, we asked Kon for their advice for newcomers joining the guild's ranks.
"Save up some gold. More than I came to first landing with! Adventuring is expensive, and earning money in first landing is a competetive area. A good part of the reason I even joined the tourney was just that I was broke!"
We look forward to Cleric Kon's endeavors in First Landing as they continue rising through the Adventurer's Guild ranks.