Author Games: Path of the Guildpact

Task Two: Slash and Burn

"Tiny man. You are lost. Paper-pushers live over there."

Allard had done some light reading on the history and many battles of the Gruul clans. He had carefully familiarized himself with the exploits of this particular individual; after all, Borborygmos the cyclops was nothing if not impressive on paper, and actual conversation might well improve if he could think of a proper compliment.

Papers, however, did not quite convey how it felt to have an enormous cyclops with a club staring one down and looking entirely hostile to skinny vedalken trespassers.

"I'm not lost, Guildmaster Borborygmos. My name is Allard Sharikov and I'm the envoy from-"

"You are Azorius paper-pusher. Not welcome here. Go."

"I can't do that yet, Guildmaster," he replied with more courage than he felt. "If you won't fill out the forms, I have to oversee the trial to make sure everything is carried out fairly. That's how this works."

The cyclop's fingers tightened on his club. Allard's life flashed before his eyes, and he found himself somewhat relieved that Isperia would need to send someone else to handle Rakdos.

Then Borborygmos snorted, releasing his weapon. "Fair? Hard to cheat your way through a Gruul challenge, paper-pusher. We pick leaders by strength. By passion. Why should our Guildpact be different?"

There was a heavy crunch of pebbles ground underfoot. Allard barely refrained from flinching, and turned to look over his shoulder towards its source. As the sky began to lighten, he began to pick out twenty warriors of various species in Gruul colors, heavily armed and grinning broadly.

Each of them had a Gruul signet on a necklace.

Allard went pale. "Does that mean what I think it means?"

"Heh. Not so stupid as a normal Azorius, then. Try not to get in the way. Isperia gets cranky when I step on her errand boys. A fair trial. Honest. You lawmages like honest, yes?"

As the sun peeked over the horizon, he was forced to agree.

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Requirements

-This one should be pretty simple. There are twenty armed Gruul warriors. Each has a signet you need to continue, and will be disinclined to part with it. Get one from them, and try not to die in the melée. 

Deaths: Four ballot kills may be used this round, except for Carl, whose kills must be in-entry. Six tributes will go up for votes this round. Four will be eliminated.

Due Date: Friday, February 17 at 10 PM EST