Festival Archery (Fourth round)

Rogue · October 20, 2002, 11:54 PM

Being that it was still relatively early in the day Thane Michum standing on the platform stated. The forth round will begin immediately. Looking at Tev and holding his hand behind his back he asked Tev Odd or even?

Tev · October 21, 2002, 03:05 AM

Tev smiles in response to the Thane's question and says, "Odd, of course".

Rogue · October 21, 2002, 11:45 AM

The Thane reveals his hand with two fingers extended. Not this time Ranger he said in a lighthearted tone. [i] Demant, its your choice. Which position do you prefer?

Demant · October 21, 2002, 07:47 PM

Sighing, he turned to the official, "It doesn't matter to me. I will perform the same in either position. I allow Tev the honor of choosing." His manner was stoic and expressionless. Demant only stated fact, as he practiced throughout his life to perform equally no matter what had been thrown at him. It just didn't matter which position he had, he would need to be able to win from both whether if he went first or last.

Tev · October 21, 2002, 10:45 PM

Tev nods to Demant, "My thanks to you sir. I think it proper that the guest of the Ranger Hall start the final round."
He turns to the Thane and says, "I chose to have Demant take the first shot".

Rogue · October 22, 2002, 10:55 PM

Very well Tev he said then continuing he said Demant you may begin when ready.

Demant · October 23, 2002, 07:28 PM

With a quick nod to Tev and a quick nod to the judge, the dark elf picked up his bow and headed up to the starting line. Demant raised his hand in the direction of the crowd, bringing his finger down to his lip to signal to them to remain silent. Whether or not they listened was another story, but he hoped it would tone down most of them. Taking a deep breath to release his stress, his goal in this tournament was to keep his form and method constant. It had worked from the beginning of the tournament and now he was in the final round. While standing on the starting line, he tried to obtain an aura of calm by releasing all of his emotions. He didn't want emotions and feelings of anxiety or excitement to taint his shot. Just like his ruthless and unremorseful character, he tried to mimic that in his shot.

In the Naturan Ranger Hall, they were taught the short bow technique as the basics, and went more in depth into a preferred style of archery. While Synrei took the more bruteful method, Demant opted for a more stealthy silent sniping shot. He was taught how to calm himself and clear his mind to get accuracy and precision. He knew his form and procedure that he was taught by rote, so there was no need for him to think about it. It came second nature, especially since he had been repeating it a number of times throughout this competition. This aided him in keep his mind calm and clear.

The first step was to close his eyes, blocking all incoming visual influence and distraction. He wanted to deattach himself from the outside world, so he followed this by trying to block out all noise from the crowd. His elven ears that once served him well now tried to defeat any audial distractions from disrupting his state of mind. It was this mental state of euphoria which was so critical to his shot, and everytime he stood infront of his target he tried his hardest to obtain it. He had never actually reached it as Seraffeth, his other half, and even after the righteous Seraffeth and the sinister Demant merged, he had never accomplished the feat. He had always come close, which was displayed previously in the tournament when he struck three bulls twice. Now it was crucial for him to score high to take his place as the archery champion.

Opening his eyes to the outside world, which by now would most likely blur due to being closed for a good amount of time to calm himself, he tried to phase out all other visuals except the bullseye. This he locked on with his gaze, and adjusted accordingly with his bow. As if by instinct, he would try to estimate how windspeed and arc would affect the flight of his arrows. With his right elbow cocked up perpendicular position and his feet parallel along an imaginary line which headed directly toward the center of the target he took aim and attempted to slow his breathing. This was the final step. With all other noise hopefully drowned out, he would try and pick up the beating of his cruel heart.

Thump...thump...thump...thump

Trying to slow his heart beat more and more, he also tried to slow down all other bodily functions such as breathing. This would aid in maintaining a steady shot.

When he felt the most calm, he would take his shots in between his heart beats, a moment where most of his body was calm and steady, the optimum and desired time. Releasing the notched arrows from the bow, he would instantly let the outside world back into his mind to watch the arrows soar to their destination.

Tev · October 23, 2002, 10:09 PM

After watching the performance of Demant, Tev takes note of whatever drift was apparent in the flight of his arrows.
Tev steps up for his turn with confidence. It has been 12 years since he qualified as an Archer and he been practicing ever since. He feels no complacency though. His opponent is proficient and can easily win if Tev fails to take care. He looks over toward the spectators and nods. Then he takes his stance, both his forward and back feet are pointed to the left. He judges the affect of the wind on the coming shots. With bow in hand, he nocks an arrow, aims at the bullseye and compensates for distance and wind. He draws back and then releases the arrow.
As he observes the flight of the arrow, Tev reaches for another arrow. After seeing where his arrow lands, Tev fires another arrow in the same manner but he compensates for whatever offset there was with the first shot. Then he does the same with the third arrow.

Rogue · October 28, 2002, 10:53 PM

Demant looked very determined this round, he has proven to be a worthy opponent thus far, and this round wouldn’t be any different. He took a little longer this time, first trying to settle the crowd, which worked well.
This was the last round of a very good competition and the crowd was very respectful of the competitor request.

He appeared to take everything into consideration as he prepared himself. The first shot was a Bull top left, both the second and third were closer to the middle of the bulls eye.

A prefect score once again. The crowd burst into a frenzy of cheers.

Rogue · October 28, 2002, 11:01 PM

Demant had set the level of play; Tev needed a prefect score to remain in the game.
The seasoned Ranger met the challenge and hit three bulls as well.

As Tev’s score is posted the crowd once again erupted in cheers.

It has come down to a tie. Thane Michum congratulates the two remaining competitors and then orders the target to moved back 50 feet. Ok gentlemen, closest to the middle of the target wins. Good luck to you both. Demant you have first go.

Demant · October 30, 2002, 09:45 AM

Demant nodded, joyous of his own success yet angered that Tev replied with a perfect score as well. Tev was obviously skilled and a tough opponent, and he almost instinctively knew the match would come down to this. He tilted his head from side to side to crack his neck and release any stiffness. The dark elf decided it would be a good idea to do some stretches for the rest of his body so he would be loose; it would also aid to his calmness.

He felt that he had good form and just needed to duplicate it and make minor adjustments. Raising his hand again to silence the crowd as he did previously, he stepped up to the firing position and waited. He waited for the crowd to die down and for his bodily processes to slow. Aiding the process with deep, slow breaths, he sluggishly shifted his body into the correct stance. The crimson eyes intrinsic to his vysstichi heritage locked onto the bullseye. Within his mind he tried to imagine an arc that would be natural to the flight of his arrows. This arc would also be parallel to the imaginary line that he lined up on when getting into his stance. Blacking everything else out in his mind by heavily concentrating on the middle of the bullseye, he made one final check of his form along the imaginary line to the bullseye.

Now he tried to get into an extreme state of euphoria as he had been doing for the tournament and during training. He tried to imagine himself in the trees hitting a target like during training, remembering all the key points of his method. Releasing the arrow in between his heart beat, he watched as the arrow sailed through the air.

Tev · October 30, 2002, 05:35 PM

Tev waves to the spectators and then takes a relaxed stance facing the target. As usual, he presents a bit of a left profile to the target. He draws an arrow from his quiver, nocks it and takes aim. After judging the wind, he draws back and releases the arrow.
He watches the flight of the arrow.

Rogue · November 1, 2002, 10:16 PM

Demant
Demant nails the bull once again. It hits the bottom left-hand side of the target.

Tev
Tev hits the bull as well, bottom right-hand side.

Neither arrow appears to be closer to the middle. Another tie declares the judge. Ten more feet on the target, and we’ll do it again. Michum pulls out a crown Demant call it in the air, head or tails. he then flips the coin into the air.

Demant · November 2, 2002, 11:47 PM

Demant shook his head in amazement. Everything he had tried, even when his effort was at his fullest, he couldn't best Tev. The dark elf wasn't fully sure of what the heads or tails had to do with the match, but it was his call. Heads or tails...heads or tails...heads or tails... This was a crucial part of the competition, and the outcome could prove in his favor. "Tails never fails right? I choose tails."

Rogue · November 6, 2002, 10:36 PM

The coin hits the ground and lands on tails. Tails it is, Demant you have your choice of position. What say you?