Kzin v. Bulrathi: All Bets are Open!

The Dual-Cities are busy preparing for the religious Procession of Locor--in Cothon, the brine of the sea-breezes mixes pleasantly with the perfumed scent of tetel flowers growing plentifully among rooftop gardens, which will be scattered before the idol as it is carried from its heroön in Gadeed, while storefronts and awnings are decked with blue-dyed banners and prayer-flags, both along the processional way and throughout the rest of the city. The great sun shines brightly red over clear days and fine weather, and anticipation is tangible, excitement for the pageantry, for the great fire and sacrifices; even the tinge of apprehension from dark rumors of disgruntled Longshoremen seems to have vanished under the bright sun.

(Odds and the procedure for betting are below the Bulrathi)

But meanwhile, quite different preparations are underway, and quite different anticipation is felt--as the Coreguyi Arena is prepared with fresh sands, and with the acquisition of criminals and beasts for the opening entertainments, the great tavern Herm & Stone is packed with guests drinking in support of the Heroic Companions and their chosen champion Seeker-for-Relics; while behind the walls of the Migdol of Dyers and Fermenters, the Bulrathi warrior Kobur, champion of the Barcidae, sees to the burnishing and fitting of his battle-armor.

For it is only some weeks since the Heroic Companions crossed the sands under the Migdol, but refused to pay the new toll demanded by the Barcidae overlords for such passage, ultimately resulting in a challenge to arbitrate the disagreement in the so-called "Court of the Sword"--the Coreguyi Arena.

Following so closely on the recent case in the Court of the Moon over almost the same issue between the Barcidae and another adventuring company, the Survivors of the Tel, this upcoming contest between the Companions and the Barcidae has drawn a great deal of attention, and bookmakers are excited for the prospect of a duel between a Bulrathi and a Kzin in the arena. The two great warrior races--heavy and ursine Bulrathi and leonine and ruthless Kzinti--when pitted against each other to the death will no doubt draw excited crowds to the Arena, crowds eager to wager on which of the warriors will come out of the Arena victorious (rather than slain, the body ransomed back to friends or family).

At stake for the contending parties, other than the prospect of death in the Arena, is whether the Heroic Companions are liable to pay the passage-toll to the Barcidae (if Seeker loses), or if they successfully deny the toll for themselves, and revoke the toll for all in future as an "innovation" (if Seeker should win). No doubt certain parties await the legal outcome with great interest; but most of the citizens and denizens who will flock to the arena are more interested to hear about the champions themselves. So:

Seeker-for-Relics

Kzin comrade of Akin the Beautiful, Seeker-for-Relics is one of the founding members of the Heroic Companions of Hrrl-ra. A young Hero, he has not yet earned a Name, and so goes by the description of his current occupation. He wields a wtsai, the traditional Kzin-sword, which though somewhat short for an eight-foot-tall Kzin, is nevertheless quite a sword. Before the formation of the Heroic Companions, Seeker has appeared twice in the Coreguyi Arena as a champion-for-hire, and bested his opponents both times.

Because of Kobur's natural advantages in size and strength, the judges have allowed Seeker-for-Relics to appear in the Arena with an inexperienced man-at-arms to be armed as a peltast, i.e. a javelineer (shield, javelins, and dagger). The Heroic Companions have purchased an untested gladiator for this purpose, and promised him manumission if Seeker wins and survives.

a Kzin, by me

Kobur Slagkh's-Nephew

Though not actually much taller than his Kzin opponent, nevertheless the hulking form of Kobur, broad-shouldered and heavy with muscle nevertheless projects a vision of gigantism, especially when viewed by mere humans. Nephew of the sro-wealthy armorer and arms-seller Slagkh, Kobur is well ensconced in the Bulrathi clan of the Barcidae who rule the Migdol-fortress just north of Cothon along the coast. Kobur has represented his clan as champion in the Arena twice before, crushing his opponents in both events.

Outfitted in plate armor and wielding a great macuahuitl fashioned of the mysterious greenish alloy zortrium, Kobur would seem an indomitable opponent. His only real disadvantage in this combat will be his reactions, slow in comparison to the Kzin's zrne-quick leaps, and his ability to chase down his lighter armed and armored opponents.

Kobur in armor ...

The Odds and Betmaking

As mentioned above, Seeker will enter the Arena with a human man-at-arms armed as a peltast, with shield and javelins, in order to even the odds--all of which is to say, Kobur is the expected victor and the odds are calculated in his favor. Nevertheless, the Kzin's faster reactions and the addition of the slave-peltast do somewhat to mitigate the Bulrathi's enormous strength. The fact that both champions have each bested two opponents in the past means that past victories weighs little in the calculation of these odds.

Therefore, the official odds for bets placed with the bookmakers of the Coreguyi Arena are 3/2 in the favor of Kobur. A winning bet of 10 dinars on Kobur will earn the bettor back his 10, plus 7 dinars and 1 nufdinar (7.5 gp); whereas a winning bet on Seeker of 10 dinars will earn the bettor back his wagered 10, plus 15 additional gold; etc.

The bookmakers of the Arena will not take bets in excess of 1000 dinars. Such great sums would be better gambled as private bets, as the nobility of the Cities do--often betting on more obscure criteria, such who will win "first blood", or if a combatant should ever fall prone, or give way, or bowl over his opponent, etc. etc.

Please leave a comment on this post with your wager, or message me with same, by Sunday night. On Monday I will actually roll out the combat, dice and all, and will thereafter post a description of the contest, its outcome, and any winnings.