the-mateus-minute

[the-mateus-minute]

Dear Readers

Recently most of my time writing for the Mateus Minute has been focused on the Proving Grounds, and while this has been a rewarding endeavor, it has also left me with little time to report on anything else. Combined with certain personal matters happening behind the scenes, I have felt a bit lost, as if I was going in circles with no clear goal. To that end, I have decided that, with the recent crowning of the first champion, and Lady Owu stepping down as games mistress, this is the perfect time for me to step down as the unofficial reporter for the Proving Grounds. I’m going to take some personal time to recenter myself, but worry not, dear readers, this is only a temporary break. I have plans for the future of the Mateus Minute, and none of them involve ending its publication permanently. Thank you all so much for your love and support with this endeavor, and thank you in advance for your patience as I step away for a bit. I assure you that when I return I will continue to inform, and perhaps even entertain you, to the best of my abilities.

                                                         --C. Blythe

[the-mateus-minute]

Proving Grounds 6th Week Breakdown

Dear Readers,

With the recent hiatus, it would be perfectly reasonable to assume that I had stopped writing and the Proving Grounds had met a sudden end, but I assure this is not the case. Due to a personal issue affecting our games mistress, Lady Owuwu Owu, the Proving Grounds had to be delayed until this weekend. During this unexpected downtime, I have been working on some personal projects which I hope to share with you all in the near future.

The 6th Proving Grounds proved to be an exciting, event that was worth the wait and held more than one kind of twist for spectators and fighters alike. The first match of the evening saw Cyneburg Hayle up against Wyra’to Coeurlkin, and the two shared several blows before a foolish person in the crowd thought it clever to heckle to of the Proving Grounds’ most unhinged fighters. Wyra’to turned his rage on the woman, jumping into the crowd and assaulting her repeatedly with his trademarked ferocity before the guards, and Hayle’s axe, brought his attention back to the fight.  The fight did not overstay its welcome after the incident, as ‘the Hailstorm’ sunk her axe into the coeurlkin, leaving him to be carried off the sands yet again. In the end, perhaps Wyra’to learned a lesson about ignoring one’s opponent, and the victim of his ire learned a lesson about heckling mentally unstable fighters overflowing with adrenaline, though only time will tell. I have been assured that the unfortunate heckler was attended to by the wonderful healers who care for the fighters, and should thus make a full recovery. The second match saw D’atlas Lhex take to the sands against Cat Ilson in a match that proved as dangerous for her as ever. Catching a shield thrown her way, Miss Lhex was surprised to find that the edge had been sharpened, Cat clearly having fully accepted his shield’s role as a weapon, more than a defensive tool. Still she persisted in the face of adversity until Cat tempered her fury with the pommel of his sword, moving one step closer to his third dagger. The last match of the first round saw Delesta Dorel face off against Garinn Armstrong in a match that pitted halberd against cesti. It seemed Garinn had the girl outmatched as he used his superior range to keep her well out of striking distance, and his superior strength to deal punishing blows, even lifting the girl into the air before slamming her to the ground when she grabbed onto his halberd. The conclusion of the match took everyone present by surprise, however, as Garinn took to the sky to deal a finishing blow to the girl, so too did Delesta, rising up with all the strength she could muster to meet him in the air. When the dust settled, Delesta Dorel was named the winner, moving on to the second round.

In the first match of round 2, Cat Ilson and Cyneburg Hayle were, once again made to swap weapons, leaving Hayle to wield sword and shield, while Cat swung the unwieldy axe his opponent normally handled with ease. Though this was not the first time they had to swap weapons, the fight was as awkward as one can imagine it might be, with both fighters struggling to master their new tools in the heat of battle. In the end, Cat proved the victor once more as he used the shield wielded by his opponent to propel himself into the air before delivering a powerful strike to Hayle with her own axe. The second match of round 2 saw O’kori Kett, take to the sands for the first time of the evening, having gotten a buy due to the odd number of fighters this evening. She stood against Delesta Dorel, who had not emerged from her battle with Garinn unscathed. For what seemed like an eternity, the pair scarcely moved, each feeling out their opponent and looking for an opening. Truly the two were a fair match, for even when one girl made a move, landing a blow on her opponent, it was met in kind, the two women exchanging several blows before Delesta attempted to take O’kori off her feet. One can only assume being pinned by the Coeurlkin and mauled had an effect on Miss Kett, as she struck out at Delesta without restraint or mercy, turning the stalemate in her favor with a crippling blow to Miss Dorel’s legs, leaving the girl unable to continue the fight.

With O’kori Kett moving on to face Cat Ilson in the final round, this fight would determine who would be named the first champion of the Proving Grounds, a title both fighters wanted dearly. In a move that surprised no one, Lady Owu announced a twist for this final match as her guards fastened a ball and chain to each gladiators’ ankle. The match was intense, each fighter bringing all their skill to bare, each attempting to use the ball and chain to their advantage in their own way to immobilize or distract their opponent. In the end, Cat Ilson emerged victorious after delivering a nasty blow to Miss Kett with the weight of his chain.

As Lady Owu awarded Cat his third dagger, and the title of champion, he offered his boon to his patron, who requested an estate and influence in Ul’dah, that he might continue to train more fighters to take to the sands. Upon granting his request, Lady Owu had an announcement to make, however, revealing that her time as games mistress was at an end. The passing of her father required her to step back and become the head of clan Owu, but she assured the crowd that the Proving Grounds would not fade into the shadows with her, introducing her replacement, Asema Hidae.

How fitting, that the last match overseen by Lady Owu was also the first crowning of a new champion, truly this was a remarkable occasion, and a fitting conclusion to the first chapter of the new Proving Grounds. I have an announcement of my own to make, but that is a matter deserving of its own article; an article I shall be sharing with you all as soon as possible.

                                                             --C. Blythe

@mateusprovinggrounds

[the-mateus-minute]

Proving Grounds 5th Week Breakdown

Dear Readers,

First of all, I would like to apologize for the delay in this most recent article. A lot of things have been happening and I have not had the time I’d have liked to devote to writing this article in a timely manner. I thank you all for your patience.

The most recent round of fights saw more twists orchestrated by the Lady Owu, starting with the first matches which were three gladiator brawls to see who would pass on. In the opening match, Wyra’to Coeurlkin, D’atlas Lhex, and Quoth Raven faced one another. Quoth took a very tactical approach to the battle, while Wyra’s characteristic brutality quickly put D’atlas on the defensive. A sudden blow to the back from Quoth’s scythe sent D’atlas into Wyra’to who proved who of them had the hardest head shortly before he found himself brought low by Quoth and her unique weapon of choice. The second fight of the night saw Burkegan Iriq, Gaspard Vairemont, and Arvic Steel all take to the sands. After an early blow, Arvic went largely ignored by the two experienced fighters who were locked in combat. Both men proved their skill once again, but neglecting Arvic proved to be a dangerous mistake for both of them as he swooped in and ended the match for both of them with nary a warning, leaving both men to be assisted off of the sands. The third match of the evening had Garinn Armstrong and Cyneburg Hayle in the arena with O’kori Kett, the first fighter to have claimed two ivory daggers. Unlike the previous matches, each combatant paid equal attention to both of their opponents, creating a chaotic and exciting battle to behold as blows were traded back and forth between the three of them. Garinn found himself first to fall as the Hailstorm’s axe caught him in the back, but the woman was not through there. Powering through the unconscious dragoon, and the attacks of Miss Kett, Cyneburg disarmed and overpowered her last opponent, moving one step closer to her first dagger. In the last match of round one, Cat Ilson and E’zayi Tia met once more in the arena for what would prove to be the only one on one match of the evening. The two fought long and hard, each getting blow after blow on their opponent, but in the end it was Cat who emerged the victor as E’zayi collapsed from his injuries and was quickly seen to by the medical staff.

The semi-finals proved to be one two-on-two match, pitting Quoth Raven and Arvic Steel against Cat Ilson and Cyneburg Hayle. At first it seemed the match would turn into two separate fights as Arvic and Hayle paired off, leaving Quoth and Cat to fight amongst themselves. It continued this way for a bit, the pairs trading blows with one another, but never partners. Arvic Steel and Cyneburg Hayle seemed an even match, testing their strength on each other time after time until Cat saw an opening and dove in to assist his partner in the fight. The attack proved just the thing, leaving Arvic open for a clean strike from her axe which ended the match for him, leaving Quoth Raven to deal with the pair. In an excellent display of determination and teamwork, the Hailstorm secured victory for her and Ilson as she took a blow to the shoulder. Grabbing Quoth’s scythe, she used the opportunity to lock the girl in place for Cat to finish her off.

With the final match of the night, Lady Owu proved how much she loves surprising her audience once again, as Cyneburg Hayle and Cat Ilson switched weapons and each took up the talents of the other as they fought for their lives against a large elephant and a goobbue. The former proved the easier challenge as Cat mounted it, albeit temporarily, and laid into it with Hayle’s axe, leaving the poor beast injured and angry as it charged for Cyneburg, intent on running her through. Timely advice from Cat turned the tables, however, as Hayle ducked under the rampaging animal and put an end to its suffering. With the elephant taken care of, the pair were able to work together to bring down the goobbue, Hayle launching Cat into the air to attack it from above.

This most recent Proving Grounds was a truly unexpected and interesting affair which saw two more daggers awarded as Cyneburg Hayle claimed her first, and Cat Ilson joined the likes of O’kori Kett by claiming his second. Once again, I would like to apologize for taking so long on this article. Due to the delay in writing this article, as well as the continued issues going on behind the scenes, I will not be posting any interviews this week, but I assure you that I will have an article up for the next match in a more timely manner. While I can’t go into detail at this time, I would also like to inform you that I have some other plans in the works for the Mateus Minute. I look forward to sharing more with you in the near future.

                                                                   --C. Blythe

@mateusprovinggrounds

[the-mateus-minute]

Perseverence

Dear Readers,

As you know, my last attempt to interview E’zayi Tia, the miqo’te who has fought in every Proving Grounds round thus far, ended abruptly. I am pleased to inform you that after he won his first dagger I was able to sit down with him once more, and this time we were able to conduct a complete, though very brief, interview.

C: So, how do you feel about your recent victory in the Proving Grounds? E: Feel right as fuckin' sunshine, Cordy! Ready to get back in there an' snatch my other two daggers up! New boys got a taste for blood now so I figure the fights'll be gettin' more fun.

C: Yes, and speaking of 'new boys', what is your opinion of the new fighters who debuted this week? E: Hm. One with the fuckin'...what was it? Fuckin' farm tool was somethin'. An' Delesta's gotta lotta heart in her...The two highlanders looked like brutes, s'pose, Though, the old man might be in over his head. Experience only gonna get you so far if your body ain't up to the task.

C: Delesta is certainly going to be one to watch. Quoth too, I think she may surprise us. Now, Miss Kett sat out this week to recover from her previous matches, and the fight with that behemoth, but she will be returning for the next round, and has yet to lose a match. How do you feel about her return? E: Oooh. Love to watch that woman fight, ain't gonna lie! Might be a good thing I ain't ever fought her 'cause starin' at that arse too long might knock me out alone! Ah! You know what I mean, don't you? Seriously though, she's got two daggers an' as much as I like her, gonna see to it she don't get to that third one. Just let me fight her, Owu!

C: Well, I for one hope that you two do get to fight. That will be a match to see. I did say I wouldn't keep you long, so I just have one more question. Have you given any further thought to what boon you might request, should you get three daggers? E: Same as it was afore, Cordy. Fightin' the best to prove I'm the best. Don't matter how many times I gotta get in there an' bleed to do it. For the boon...Coin, contacts. Coin could help my tribe, my people. So it can go for that if you need a solid answer.

E’zayi has been a fixture of every round thus far, and it seems his perseverance has finally paid off, but only time will tell if he has what it takes to become the champion of the Proving Grounds.

                                                                          --C. Blythe

@mateusprovinggrounds

[the-mateus-minute]

Behind the Proving Grounds: Cecily Reeve

Dear Readers,

Today I have a very special interview for you; I sat down with Cecily Reeve, the lovely lass in charge of the healers who keep the Proving Grounds’ gladiators in good health. Miss Reeve had some interesting insight into what it is like behind the scenes.

C: Miss Reeve, why don't you tell us a bit about your background in the healing arts? R: Ah... well. I learned all I know from my da— sewing people back together, setting bones, making tinctures and potions and such. I started helping him in the surgery when I was... eh, twelve summers? He'd had some of my older sibling's helping, before me, but I was the only one who didn't get sick when I smelled blood. So. Ended up just sort of staying there.

C: Interesting, I know several of the healers are conjurers or even scholars; do you have any magical talents, or is your healing all medicinal? R: Ah... purely medicinal, I'm afraid. But someone's gotta keep 'em in ethers.

C: Nothing to be ashamed of. Quite the contrary, in fact. You have your own unique talents, and that you are the chief healer when medicinal healing is so often overlooked in favor of conjury says a lot about your talents. So, what made you decide to work at the Proving Grounds? R: Ah, well. As you say, practical medicine is... overlooked, yeah? In favor of magical, especially in a place like Ul'dah. Had a lot of trouble finding working, couldn't hack it in the Flames. The usual sob story y'hear. Was living with a friend, and heard that a new sort of gladiator games was lookin' for folks to patch people up. Figured— what the hell, who knows where it'll take me. Maybe they'll let me set a few broken noses. And that was... that.

C: And now you're the lead healer. I'm glad you found a place your talents are appreciated. Tell me though, how has that turned out for you? With some of the injuries we've seen inflicted on the sands, I can only imagine what things are like for you behind the scenes. R: It gets... it gets right messy at times. Folks with broken arms, smashed heads, bleeding lungs. Not for the faint, that's for sure. It doesn't bother me any— the blood, I mean, that's just the job. But... Sometimes, they.... say stuff, you know? Like, 'will I be okay?' and 'will I walk straight again?' and you just kind of... you don't know, but you're pretty sure, but they don't want pretty sure, they need more than that. And that's... that's hard.

C: I know what you mean all too well. Fresh off the battlefield, I imagine no small number of gladiators come to you and yours with adrenaline still coursing through their veins. Do the fighters ever cause problems while you're trying to care for them? R: Not... not as such. They're usually pretty quiet, all things considered— if they're conscious at all. They snap at each other a little but keep peace. Sometimes they refuse treatment, an' that's like... What c'n we do? We ask a couple times, but if they keep sayin' no, we just let 'em be. The real problem we've had is with patrons in the healing corner, tossing their weight around. I won't name names, but a certain lady made her business pretty clear and had to be asked to leave— not that she listened.

C: I can certainly see a couple of the patrons doing that. A couple weeks ago, after a particularly trying evening, where I hear you were the only healer on staff, Lady Owu hired a decent number of new healers. How was that evening for you, having to manage this all by yourself? and how have things improved since getting the added help? R: That was right hard, I won't lie. I was runnin' ragged between... eight fighters, I think it was? A lot. Too many. Some folk had to make use of their own healers, an' some folk... I did my best, an' all, but gods it was a near thing. After she gave leave to hire new folks, it's tenfold better. Got a good crew of regulars and part-timers, and they got a whole host of talents to help out— an' make sure there's less 'pretty sure' and more 'completely sure' about folks' injuries.

C: I'm glad to know the new hires are helping, and that things are looking better for you all. Well Miss Reeve, I believe that is all of my questions. Is there anything you would like to add before we conclude the interview? R: I... hm. Dunno! I guess... if there's any healers out there looking for work, send word to House Owu, because we can always use a few extra hands!

I would add a disclaimer to that request for healers; having seen the condition some of the fighters end up in, healing for the Proving Grounds is not for the faint of heart. But, if you think you have the stomach for it then, by all means, do take Miss Reeve up on her offer.

                                                                    --C. Blythe

@mateusprovinggrounds @cecilyreeve

[the-mateus-minute]

Triage

Dear Readers,

For my first interview, I caught up with our patronless new fighter, Delesta Dorel, to see how she was coming along after her run-in with E’zayi. Miss Dorel is currently seeking a patron, so if any are looking for new fighters then pay close attention to our interview to see if she is a good fit for you.

C: [So,] how are your injuries coming along? Is your arm healing okay? D: It ain' as bad as other things. It's basically back t' where it was. Still a bi' sore an' all bu' th' fact I can be fightin' wi' it so soon bein' a blessin'.

C: It's good to see you're recovering well. You received a rather rough welcome on your first night. Tell me, what made you decide to fight in the Proving Grounds? D: Tha' wasn' tha' bad o' a rough welcome. I be have two tough an' close fights tha' got painful an' givin' folk th' blood an' violence they be expectin'... Tha' is a good one t' ask. Ain' abou' th' money. I ain' even got a Patron backin' me. It ain' abou' th' glory o' th' people watchin'.  I ain' 'xactly someone who people wan' see mos' o' th' time, compared t' someone like Hayle. Fuck it, les' be honest. Bloodstone? Tha' shit is soft. Three sissy slaps an' th' fight is over. It ain' a fight period. An'  I can't be goin' t' th' Quicksands t' be startin' a fight or th' Blades goin' throw me back in a cell. Nevermind y' don' know when y' goin' run up on someone who don' know how t' handle a fight an' start shootin' they gun off o' stabbin' till y' stop breathin'. I wan' t' fight an' I wan' work through some...problems I be havin' goin' on. An' this bein'...wha' th' word....therapy? Tha' th' one?

C: Interesting, so you were looking for an outlet to work through things. The Proving Grounds will surely give you the chance to do that, though some fighters might kill you just as soon as a drunken gunner at the Quicksand, and I daresay they'd enjoy it a lot more. Speaking of your lack of a patron though, is there any reason that your previous sponsor was just for one fight? D: Those fighters tha' might jus' kill me goin' have a lot t' do to get there. Quicksands be far more people an' far more folk thinkin' they can play a hero. Suddenly one scrap becomes a jump o' for folk an' one starts slippin' a dagger in wi'out th' others knowin'. This is...we jus' go at it. I ain' t' go ou' airin' folk's buisiness abou' it. Bu' things happened at th' party before tha' made me question things. An' I honored th' agreement we had for tha' fight an' after tha', I said I can't accept they name t' mine. Wasn' abou' coin, was abou' principle.

C: That's fair, it is your choice to fight for a patron or not, and I certainly don't mean to pry. Since you are in the market for a patron now, why don't you tell us a little about your fighting experience? D: Heh...experience. Lemme ask y' somethin', y' grew up in Ul'dah? C: I only moved to Ul'dah shortly before the Proving Grounds opened back up. D: Well, y' know abou' Pearl LAne? I ain' know if Limsa be havin' th' same sort o' folk an' y' "Rogues Guild" sor' o' seemin' a tad soft on th' 'Rogue' part. C: I can't say I am familiar with Pearl Lane myself, though I imagine a fair number of my readers may be. D: It's a place y' don' wan' be growin' up. Thieves, killers, swindlers, fighters, folk wi' nowhere t' go an' no help havin' t' find they own way t' be livin'. Ul'dah is like tha'....very much like tha'. This place goin' make o' break y' an' do it early. So my experience? I been a fighter since my eighth summer. I had a lil' sister t' take over an' we came here like so many others be after....well  th' Empire an' shit. So I had t' learn how t' protect me an' mine by any means. I ain' have no formal trainin' ou'side o' th' people I put knuckles to an' they put blades back. I ain' some Pugilist, I ain' some flashy blade holdin' fighter, I fight t' win by any means.

C: I see, I am very sorry to hear you had to grow up in that kind of situation. One last question before we conclude the interview; Are there any fighters that have caught your eye in particular? Ones you'd like to fight or avoid? D: Don' be apologizin'. This is wha' I had t' work wi'. An' I made it work. Th' one who beat me? Th' Tia? I wan' another go at him. Ou'side o' tha'? Anyone who be put in front o' me? I'll handle. An' if anyone answers tha' question differently, they ain' deserve t' have their words read. We here t' fight. Not t' try an' sneak ou' way t' th' easiest ones. I'll fight anyone. Period.

C: Anything you'd like to add before we conclude the interview then? D: I jus' hope th' fighters know they goin' have a lot more trouble goin' forward now tha' I'm here. No easy rounds from me. Period

Miss Dorel is nothing if not confident and candid. Personally, I look forward to seeing how she fares in the coming matches. Hopefully this lovely miqo’te finds a patron soon so she may continue fighting.

                                                                       --C. Blythe

@mateusprovinggrounds

[the-mateus-minute]

Proving Grounds 4th Week Breakdown

Dear Readers,

The fourth week of the Proving Grounds saw something we haven’t had the privilege of recently; new fighters. This week, several gladiators took to the sands for the first time to prove their mettle and win our hearts, and fittingly for our new blood, the evening seemed much tamer compared to the last two weeks.

In the first fight, D’atlas Lhex returned to fight newcomer, Sloth’i Iriqas, a katana wielder who quickly found himself in a hand to hand fight. Sloth’i fought valiantly and took a number of impressive wounds, but in the end, D’atlas stood triumphant, her claws poised at his throat. The second fight of the evening saw the return of the Ishgardian dragoon, Garinn Armstrong, as he fought Gaspard Vairemont, another new fighter, who seemed to feel no pain. Halberd and greatsword clashed, the sound of metal on metal echoing through the arena as the two men gave their all. By all accounts, the fight was evenly matched, with each man giving his all. But there can be no draws, and in the end, Garinn’s halberd pierced the chest of Vairemont with the greatsword moments from striking his head. The third match saw two newcomers fighting each other as Delesta Dorel stood against Arvic Steel. Both fighters gave it their all, each maiming their opponent before the match ended in a flourish the Proving Grounds is no stranger to, a shield to the face, securing Delesta a victory on her first night. The last match of the first round saw E’zayi Tia, true to his words, returning to the sands yet again. His opponent, this time, was Quoth Raven, a new fighter wielding a scythe. Quoth showed herself quite capable of handling the unwieldy weapon, keeping the Tia on the defensive for most of the fight. In the end, though, an attack meant to be his undoing, proved to be her own, as she left her back exposed and found E’zayi’s daggers soon wedged into her.

The first fight of the second round had D’atlas Lhex squaring off against Sir Armstrong. D’atlas seemed well prepared to fight the halberd-wielding dragoon, handling herself better than many against the imposing weapon, but Garinn’s fighting experience saw him to victory yet again, in what looked to be the night the dragoon would claim his first dagger. In the precursor to the final match, Delesta stood against E’zayi in a match that saw him forsake his daggers to match her in an all-out fist fight. The tia soon proved himself as adept at hand to hand combat as he is with daggers, a fact Delesta learned the hard way as E’zayi wailed on her arm until the bone buckled before lifting her into the air and bringing her down on the merciless ground.

Finally, Garinn Armstrong and E’zayi Tia stood facing one another on the sands when Lady Owu announced another of her twists. This time, the fighters were bound together at the ankle by a chain, ensuring they could not stray too far from one another. Though E’zayi’s daggers cut deep, and Garinn’s halberd has proven to be a dangerous weapon, the most effective tool at their disposal ended up being that very chain. The combatants quickly began using the binding to trip and subdue one another, and it was clear that whoever mastered it first would be the victor. In the end, Garinn was left catching his breath after E’zayi wrapped the chain around his neck until he passed out, proving that even a dragon slayer needs to breathe.

E’zayi Tia’s perseverance, fighting in every match thus far, finally paid off as he claimed his first ivory dagger, his first step towards being declared champion of the Proving Grounds. With more fighters and a growing number of dagger holders, the Proving Grounds are becoming more and more exciting with each event.

                                                                         --C. Blythe

@mateusprovinggrounds

[the-mateus-minute]

Champion’s Call

Dear Readers,

I would like to apologize for not getting this article out sooner, I have been very busy these past few days and it threw my schedule into disarray. With that said, for my final interview about the third round of the Proving Grounds, I once again had the pleasure of meeting with O’kori Kett and her patron Nikulas Pierce. Miss Kett now has two wins under her belt, and is only one away from being crowned the first champion of the revived Proving Grounds.

C: Miss Kett, It would seem you a rather close to becoming the first champion of the Proving Grounds. How does that make you feel? O: It feels amazing, honestly. Though I barely managed to get this second one, it still counts, and I know I'll be the first champion. Just wait for the next tournament.

C: Yes, the matches this week were much different from previous matches. How did you feel about the team match aspect of the most recent fights? O: At first I wasn't thrilled about being teamed with Fisher. I thrashed him so soundly the first time and I thought for sure he'd hold me back, but...honestly he saved my life out there. He's got more mettle than I first thought, and if we hadn't been in a team fight, then I would've lost to Wyra'to and that would have been the end of it, possibly permanently in my case. All told, though, I still prefer single combat. N: I'm sure most patrons would have agreed that a bit of warning would have been appreciated. It's our job to prepare and outfit our fighters so they are most ready for the challenge ahead. It would have been interesting to see what we all could have come up with to better fit this type of combat. Regardless, The Lady Owu does like to make a show, and I can say she succeeded spectacularly this time around in that, whether we like it or not.

C: Indeed, she seems rather determined to keep us all on our toes; even releasing a beast on the fighters so soon after a match. Miss Kett, how did you feel about having to fight a behemoth? O: I thought I was hallucinating, I was certain it was just my mind reacting poorly to all the blows I'd taken, but no, it was real. And then...a shot of terror at the sheer size of the thing as it circled us. It was a burst of adrenaline, that's for sure. I knew I had to be the one to focus its attention since I had the shield, that way Fisher could poke it and we could keep it occupied, away from the crowd. [...] I'm proud I was able to do it. I might have collapsed once the beast was dead, but dammit, I gave it all I had before I did.

C: I suppose I might have thought the same thing if I had been in your shoes Miss Kett. [Mr. Pierce,] I was there with you for most of the fight, but could you state, in your own words, how you felt when Miss Kett had to fight that behemoth? N: Ah, yes. Well. She had just avoided near death from the Savage and pronounced victor, so you have to understand at first there was relief, if not a bit of elation. Of course, then Lady Owu made her announcement and it was all I could do not to commit one of the greatest Ul'dah social faux pas by punting her off the balcony. MY fighter, with only a handful of ticks on the clock to recover, was now to fight this ridiculously named behemoth?! I was outraged, but with the creature already in the ring, there was nothing I could do. I hadn't come equipped for much of a fight myself, and even if I did try to intervene I'd be sabotaging Kett's arena career. So...I had to watch. It is not an experience I wish to repeat.

C: It was a rather dire moment. The tension was almost palpable. Thankfully, Miss Kett and her partner, Mr. Fisher, were able to pull through and defeat the beast. Well, I can't say I have too many questions for you tonight, but one last question before we conclude the interview [...] Miss Kett, if you become champion, do you have any idea what sort of boon you might ask of Lady Owu? O: Nope! But I originally came to the Proving Grounds to earn gil, so I might end up just going with that. I'm still undecided, though. And no one said you have to ask the boon as soon as you win; I might hold onto my daggers for a bit to figure it out. They're pretty, you know. Probably worth a bit just on their own. N: I'm sure we'll win over the hearts and minds with that one. To help out some, we' go back a bit, and the arena started shortly after I officially opened Pierce Labs to the public. The endeavor was a dream of mine but left me completely broke. While Kett was already interested in the prospect of the fight, this gave her the final push to take to the sands. In turn, I put the remaining materials I had into shape for her and put my trust and the future of the Lab in her fighting capabilities. My faith was not misplaced.

C: It would seem you made a smart bet Mr. Pierce. And very true, Lady Owu did not say that you had to request your boon right away, so holding onto the daggers while you decide would be a smart call. Any final comments before we conclude the interview? N: We can't properly end the interview without a bit of self-promotion, can we? To you, dear readers, if you wish to be more like the current champion-to-be, please stop by Pierce Labs and make your custom commission today, and I'll do my best to get you outfitted in time to see O'kori take to sands and claim her final dagger. O: I just want people to know that I may have sat out this tournament, but I'm not gone yet. Like Nik said, I'll be coming back at the next one, and I'll win my third dagger when I do.

Miss Kett certainly has her eyes set on that final dagger, it is good to see a fighter such as herself knowing when to sit out and take time to heal though. I’m sure, win or lose, she will be thankful she took this time when she faces her next opponent.

@mateusprovinggrounds 

[the-mateus-minute]

Gladiator Spotlight: C’xhori Fisher & D’atlas Lhex

Dear Readers,

This is a very special interview, in that I had the pleasure of interviewing two gladiators together. D’atlas Lhex and C’xhori Fisher are both sponsored by Sige Ardezen, and seeing as they train together, and fought one in the last round, it seemed only fitting to interview them together.

C: It seems only right to start by asking how both of you are healing up? D: Well, since they had more than one healer this time, ah' have actually been fine since ah' left the grounds. Hopefully they can keep that up for the next games, although they almost seemed to be a bit overstaffed, eh? F: Well, my stomach is still inside of me so that's a positive. Avoided most've the hits to me head and armor absorbed a lot of Hayle's axe but I got a few nicks. Nothing a potion and some rest won't fix, but it's noticeable. I'll be proper.

C: That's good to hear! I was glad to see we had more than one healer this time around. So both of you are sponsored by Miss Ardezen here, how did you feel about having to fight each other in your first match of the evening? S: Ridiculous. I talked to Lady Owu and she said she saw no reason to place them together in the games. Maybe she's worried. Because I -know- together they'd wipe the floors with their competition! D: Aye. Stupidest bleedin' decision that could've been made. What can you do, though? Only way to make it fair, ah' suppose. F: I'd of rather fought with Lhex then against her. Still, we've sparred before so I knew what to expect. Tried to not hurt her too much. Would've gone and complained to Owuwu about it, but I think it'd fall on deaf ears.

C: Lady Owu seems content to do what she thinks is best, whether others agree with her or not. I am glad it hasn't seemed to cause a rift between you two though. Now C'xhori, your last two matches were rather impressive, first getting a near-fatal blow to Wyra'to Coeurlkin, and then the fight with the behemoth. How do you feel about those fights, and about winning your first dagger? F: How I feel? Well to Wyra'to, surprised he's still walking. Never seen someone get up from that, so guess that tells you how good the healers are doing. And that thing? Honestly didn't expect to win that. Granted it had to get put down like a stray, but still...  And y'know, kind've was worried what with how close all that was to the crowd. Should've cleared the floor before letting it out. And winnin' my first dagger, that was a good feelin'. Got one under my belt, just two away from victory.

C: [Yes,] the whole thing with the behemoth had me very unsettled, but at least no one was hurt too badly. So, what made you decide to fight in the Proving Grounds? D: Well, the daggers, 'innit? Safe to say that's probably everyone's reason. Everythin' else just adds to it, really. It's pretty fun too, when yer' not comin' out with injuries, of course. Ye'd be lyin' if ye' said ye' weren't interested. Fightin' for honor an' all that is great, but it's stupid to not go for a prize like this. F: I need gil, and I can fight. Also this sounded a lot more uh.... legal than the Blood Shore. And y'know, every kid wants to be a fighter so I thought 'Hey, might as well'.  See back before the Calamity shut down Halatali, my dad took me there sometimes. Thought it was mighty fine entertainment, and the fighters made fine amounts of gil.

C: Understandable, and possibly the most straightforward answers I've gotten to that question. You'd be surprised how many of the other gladiators have reasons other than the prize for competing. So, why don't you two tell me a bit about your martial background? F: Well uh... I didn't really do much fighting until oh... five years ago. When I signed up with the Yellowjackets is when they taught me how to fight, over at Camp Skull Valley. Swords, shields, axes of course, what with the Marauders Guild. But spears are what stood out to me. Now, a spear and an axe on the same weapon, oh a dream come true. And then when you're fighting Beastkin, bandits, unruly pirates... you learn how to fight properly fast. I've been told to reach out to the Lancer's Guild in Gridania, but ne'er made my way over there. So for now it's just what the Jackets taught me. D: Grew up in Limsa, so ah'm no stranger to fightin'. Whether it was barfights or gettin' in proper trouble. Of course, when ah' got older and found m'self in Uldah more, ah' joined up with the Pugilist guild. 'Course, everyone that fights in the Provin' Grounds is the most intense thing ah've done for a long time.

C: So you enlisted shortly after the Calamity too Mr. Fisher? And another Limsa native? What a small world it is. And you Miss Ardezen, what made you decide to become a patron to these two fine gladiators? S: Lhex was a good friend of mine before the games, and it just happened I was headed to the first social to find someone to sponsor when she stopped in. As it turned out, we were both heading that way, and the rest was history! History in the making too, she'll be a champion one day you know! Fisher here in the meanwhile couldn't make it[...] Anyways, he found one of my shop's fliers when he arrived just after the social had ended, and headed my way, since then he's been a great help, and he's already one foot in the door to three daggers himself! As for me, I just hope to advertise for my store, Ardezen Crafts. The weapons and armor my fighters use are made finely by my own hands, in my own forge! and I'd be happy to produce the same for anyone who stopped in to order something of their own. Even other fighters. Even you, Miss Blythe, though you'd probably be more interested in my clothings. You see what my friends have on here? These are all uniforms set to match the theme of our group, our shop.

C: It seems it was fate that you all come together then, wasn't it? [...] Now, I hate to have to ask this, but in one of my previous interviews, a patron.. well, a former patron, mentioned having heard you offered no assistance to Miss Lhex when she was injured after her first fight. Seeing that you two get on so well, I wager there is more to that than face-value. Would you care to elaborate on this rumor? S: What? That's.. Who told you that? There must be some mistake, I rushed to my friend's aid when her leg was nearly sliced off! Lhex can confirm this for your story. After her first fight, I remember there were no medics around, I had to tend to her wound myself before a doctor finally stopped to have a look, and I'm just an amateur! I wasn't finished there either because if not for the jig I made for her leg to help with her physical therapy she'd have been out a lot longer than she could have been! She might not have been able to walk in here today otherwise, or have performed in the match against Fisher. Someone's lied to you, Miss Blythe, for either of these two can tell you I put great care into them! D: She just did what the medic did for me, but more-... Like she said, she made some gadget to help me leg get better, couldn't bloody stand without it for the first few days, let alone walk on it. Still a bit worried about it, mind you, but ah'd be lyin' on a couch still if it weren't for her intervention. Bugger, she even offered to let me stay at her shop until ah' got better. 'Fraid it ain't true, like Lady Sige was sayin'.

C: Full glad am I to hear it. I suspected as much, seeing the way you all get on together, and I hated to even mention it, but I wouldn't be doing my due diligence if I didn't follow up. Well, with that nasty business out of the way, I think I am all out of questions. Do either of you have aught to add before we conclude the interview? S: Just that anyone who'd like to see the wonderous crafts and inventions our little shop 'Ardezen Crafts' has to offer, they can find us all awaiting patiently to serve down in the goblet! Ward one, plot twenty-six! We would so like to have you there! D: Only one thing else, if ye've got nothin' else for us. Whoever's fightin' in the next Provin' Grounds better be ready.

For those of you at home who may doubt their defense, I assure you that the camaraderie shared between these three convinced me before I even asked about how Miss Ardezen treated her gladiators. While I cannot speak to the motives of our source, I can promise you he could not have been more wrong.

                                                                  --C. Blythe

@mateusprovinggrounds

[the-mateus-minute]

Triage

Dear Readers,

Earlier this week I met with E’zayi Tiw and his patron, Destry Barlow, to check in after his injuries and pick his brain about the Proving Grounds thus far. Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond my control, the interview ended rather abruptly. I would like to apologize to you all for this unfortunate situation, but below I have provided the portion of the interview that was conducted properly.

C: First and foremost E'zayi, how are your injuries healing? E: Eh. Well enough. Big Girl's axe cut me up good enough I'm gonna have some marks you could play a game 'a tic-tac-toe from in the future maybe. The healers didn't have their heads up their arses that night ,so they got everythin' patched up quick.

C: Yes, the healers did seem to be on point, though with everything that happened, they had little choice. So, what made you decide to fight in the Proving Grounds in the first place? D: Proper Tia don't decide to fight any more than a fish decides to swim, It's what they were born to do, until they're at the top. None more than the Eft, and no Eft more than this one. E: S'posed to have some of the best fighters  around in these games, yeah? Seemed like the obvious choice to get involved what to fight those on the heap and climb to the top.

C: Interesting, [...] Is that why you've fought every week thus far? E: Have I? Hot damn! Lookit that! Brass balls an' grit, I guess. Might as well keep goin' 'till I do win all them daggers. D: Some would say self-improvement is a prize all its own. E'zayi hasn't decided what he'll ask for when he wins. There are a great many options, after all, if our dear Lady Owu is to be believed.

Shortly after this, circumstances transpired to cut the interview short, but it is good to hear that he is back in fighting shape and ready to step back into the ring. My sources tell me that Wyra’to Coeurlkin, who received a near fatal blow in the final match of the last round is not only recovering well, but traveling abroad at present. So, whether you love them, or love to hate them, expect to see both of these fighters on the sands again.

                                                              --C. Blythe

@mateusprovinggrounds

[the-mateus-minute]

Proving Grounds 3rd Week Breakdown

     “These games, as I said countless times, are for entertainment, shock                value is very much part of all of this.” -- Owuwu Owu

Dear Reader,

Lady Owu is nothing if not consistent. The third round of matches in the Mateus Proving Grounds was the most shocking yet, and I daresay none will soon forget it. As the first two gladiators were called before the crowd, it seemed as though the first match would be a rematch between Cyneburg Hayle and Wyra’to Coeurlkin, but the enigmatic lalafell revealed that these two would, instead, be a team.

The reluctant duo were paired off against none other than E’zayi Tia and the first week’s winner, Cat Ilson. Even the gladiators had no idea what was happening, and at first it seemed as if Wyra’to might refuse to fight, but the Coeurlkin is nothing if not consistent. The match opened exactly as one can expect, with Wyra’to charging headlong at his opponents. Hailstorm proved herself a capable fighter as she sliced straight through Cat’s shield, overwhelming the first week’s winner and turning her ferocity on E’zayi. With their first opponents unconscious, Wyra’to began beating the Tia with a piece of Cat’s shield, ranting and threatening the other fighters until it was time for the second match to begin.

Team fights proved to be the theme of the night, as D’atlas Lhex and Burkegan Iriq were allied against week two’s champion, O’kori Kett, and C’xhori Fisher. Their fight was a tough one, but Burkegan seemed to also be fighting a battle all his own; between acclimating to life with one eye, and the other wounds he received last week still healing, the ferocious commander of the battlefield found himself brought low by Miss Kett once more, this time losing little more than his pride.

In the final match, the unlikely pairing of Wyra’to’s brutality and lack of conscience with Hayle’s ferocity seemed sure to win them the day as the Coeurlkin pinned O’kori beneath him and began biting into her like a rabid cur. However, following a lucky blow to Hayle, C’xhori found the opening he needed and sunk his halberd into the back of Wyra’to Coeurlkin. With Wyra out of commission, and many thinking him dead, the duo set their sights on finishing off the Hailstorm to claim their victory.

Lady Owu’s surprises for the evening were not at an end yet though. Following the pair’s victory, she assured the crows there would be one more climactic fight before having one of her guards unleash a behemoth on the winded fighters. The outrage, shock, and horror in the arena were audible, even over the angry roars of the beast as it bore down on them, and the injured Miss Kett in particular. Both gladiators took more than their share of blows over the course of the evening, but thanks to quick thinking, and fast reflexes they managed to bring the behemoth lo, with C’xhori putting the creature out of its misery after O’kori landed a blow that would have seen it to a slow and painful end.

Moments after being declared the victors, Miss Kett succumbed to her injuries and collapsed on the sands before being carried off to the healers, leaving her patron, Nikulas Pierce, to claim her dagger on her behalf.

If this week is any indication, Lady Owu is sure to keep shocking us all in new and horrifying ways as the tournament continues, but we do find ourselves very close to our first champion. Will O’kori Kett claim a third dagger and see herself the first to emerge triumphant from the reborn Proving Grounds? I, for one, look forward to her continued exploits.

                                                                  --C. Blythe

@mateusprovinggrounds

[the-mateus-minute]

Special: Interview with Lady Owuwu Owu

This week I had the opportunity to sit down with Lady Owuwu Owu, the hostess, and organizer of the Proving Grounds. Though I don’t see eye to eye with her on all issues, I was very appreciative of her taking time out of her, no doubt, busy schedule to meet with me.

C: The Proving Grounds are a long-standing tradition of your family, one which you recently brought back to the people of Ul'dah. What made you decide to re-open the Proving Grounds after so long? O: I saw the state of Ul'dah, and especially of its people and I fought it was my duty to bring entertainment to them, truly, I am a selfless person, my only goal to make sure the people of the desert jewel are entertained, that they have two evenings a month where their thoughts are far from mistery and turned to a spectacle! Getting to meet important and influential individuals is but a far secondary bonus.

C: How generous of you Lady Owuwu, however, I have heard whispers that you might have less savory motivations. While they are little more than murmurs, I would not be doing my due diligence if I ignored such accusations. Would you care to address these deplorable rumors? O: I would rather not waste breath or thought on such wild rumors. Surely we should not pay such murmurs as you call them any mind, we are better than this, are we not? I simply want to help the city that has given so much to me.

C: Of course. Why don't you tell us more about your prestigious family? O: Clan Owu can find its roots as far back as the construction of Ul'dah, we even have ties to the Ul dynasty. My ancestors made their wealth by finding several remote gold mines in Thanalan. They then expanded in different venues, including trade, in time Owu Manor was built, an estate that would make most jealous, I assure you. And now here I am, heir to all of this.

C: That is, indeed, a rather storied family history. And tell me, how do you feel about the fights thus far? Are they deserving to carry your family's legacy into a modern Ul'dah? O: I believe so, yes. They have been the talk of town, countless individuals have shown up to the games, hoping to see a glimpse of their favorite fighters, hoping to see them reign supreme. I believe the games are perfect for my family's legacy. Gladiatorial games have been central to Ul'dahn politics, one must only look to a few years back to see Raubahn's rise to power and prominence. This is simply another avenue for people of Ul'dah to achieve greatness. And it honors clan Owu to play a part in this, even if it is only as a humble game mistress.

C: And how do you feel about the uptick in violence, with the most recent matches seeing multiple fighters assisted off the sands? O: That is the point, is it not? The point is to bring entertainment to the people of Ul'dah, through violence, something that has been a mainstay in our society. The fighters signed up for it. And the spectators sit upon the stands knowing what to expect. When everyone is consenting, I see no problem with it all. Even if Wyra'to's display was sickening, I presume the crowd will return once more.

C: Yes, speaking of Wyra'to's display, how do you feel about one of the patrons placing a bounty on Coeurlkin's hands? O: It is despicable. These games, as I said countless times, are for entertainment, shock value is very much part of all of this. Everyone involved, from the people seating in those seats, to the men and women fighting on the sands, know what is involved, they know how this all works. Putting a bounty on the feral man's hands impedes our entertainment and puts the life of Wyra'to in danger OUTSIDE of the arena. Because of him, we may lose one of our fighters.

C: While I understand where you're coming from, I have to sympathize with him, seeing his own fighter assaulted so mercilessly; I know he certainly wasn't the only one calling for blood after that match. Mr. Black also expressed suspicions that Wyra'to may have tapped into his aether to allow him to bend Allagan alloy with his head. Are you and your associates looking into the possibility, and IF it is proven that Wyra'to or any other competitors are using aether to augment their abilities, what manner of repercussions would there be? O: Wyra'to's victim was allowed to forfeit if the headbutts became too much. As for the use of aether, yes, we are looking into it. If it is confirmed, then the man will be removed from the games. And if some sort of ill luck befalls him following expulsion...that that will be just... a tragedy, truly.

C: Hmm.. yes. With this uptick in injuries, will you also be hiring more healers to have on staff at fights? As I understand it, the back room was in chaos due to the large number of injured gladiators. O: Yes, we only had one healer, Cecily Reeve did show herself as incredibly capable, but definitely far too overworked. The last week was spent hiring new healers and guards, to make sure the fighters are healed properly and quickly, and guards to keep the peace and make sure spectators are kept safe.

C: That is excellent to hear Lady Owuwu. Well, I believe I am down to my last question; what does the future hold for the Proving Grounds, and for Lady Owuwu? O: For the Proving Grounds? I see a very bright future, filled with brave fighters that take to the sands for the entertainment of Ul'dah. I see our first champion, rewarded with three Ivory Daggers! Truly a momentous occasion. I see other champions rising to prominence as well. As for I? Why, I am but a humble servant to the great Ul'dah, I do not wish to pretend to know what comes next, I can only hope for a future bright, blinding with glory!

Whether Lady Owu will follow through with her promise of retribution is something only time will tell, but I feel this interview was very enlightening, short though it may have been. I assure you, dear readers, that I will continue my own investigation into possible aether use during the matches, as well as gladiator/patron relations.

                                                                 --C. Blythe

@mateusprovinggrounds @galofeorzea @cecilyreeve

[the-mateus-minute]

Gladiator Spotlight: O’kori Kett

After sitting down with the last week’s runner-up, I met with the victor, O’kori Kett, and her brilliant patron Nikulas Pierce, to see how she was recovering and how she felt about her recent, hard-earned, victory.

C: For starters, Miss Kett, how do you feel about your recent victory? O: I'm definitely happy I won. I'm not sure how I feel about the cost of the victory...but I did what I had to do, and Burke would have expected no less of me.

C: Indeed, he seemed rather pleased with your performance when I interviewed him. There was even talk of giving you a raise. I understand where you are coming from though, the fights were much more intense this time around. How are your own injuries healing? O: {raising her injured arm} This one is still healing; Burke cut deep when he broke the shield. Otherwise, though, I'm fine. Another day or two and it should be good as new, though it'll likely scar.

C: I'm glad you're healing is coming along well; it will be a pleasure to see you in fighting shape once more. Tell me though, in your 'fight' against Wyra'to, if one can even call it that, how did you feel about your opponent refusing treatment before your fight? O: It pissed me off, it wasn't a fair fight; how can I prove anything that way? In the end, he just fell over like a toddler that needed a nap. Shite. No wonder the crowd was unhappy; I was unhappy with that.

C: Well, you certainly proved yourself to have some honor. Some would've been happy to get a free win, but you tried to end the match without causing him further injury. So what made you decide to become a gladiator in the Proving Grounds? O: Gil, mostly. I've fought in the arena before, and I figured it would be easy money. I was right. Oh, I was also hoping to prove to my commander, Burke, that I knew how to fight properly. {grinning widely} I did that, too.

C: Now, you said you've fought in the arena before, is that where you learned to fight? I know that sword and shield is a common style amongst Ul'dahn gladiators. O: Yeah, that's where I picked up most of it. You learn a lot when you're out there, even if it looks like chaotic bloodletting. Even this last fight, I learned some things. I think it's made me a better sword arm.

C: We can always learn, even in the most chaotic situations. On to you Mr. Pierce, what made you decide to sponsor a gladiator? N: Honestly, I hadn't intended to. I knew Kett before this whole thing and was in the middle of setting up my new shop, Pierce Labs. She made a convincing argument that some much-needed money and advertising could occur if we played our cards right.

C: So, in short, Miss Kett is the reason? And, I assume, you represent your own budding business in your capacity as a patron? N: [Yes,] I represent my business and it's enterprising solutions using technologies old and new in a unique fashionable blend you won't find anywhere else.

C: So you use a mixture of new technology and technologies salvaged from ancient civilizations? That is most interesting. Okay, last question. How do the two of you feel about the increasing brutality of the Proving Grounds thus far? O: I think it's how the sport plays. I've never been in a match where blood wasn't spilled...it's just the nature of it. We all know that when we sign up for the fights...it's not like Lady Owuwu has ever said anything otherwise. N: In this, we may actually disagree some. I think the little Lady needs to make her rules more abundantly clear. The dragoon from the first round, the Coeurlfist breaking a metal helm with his forehead...I don't think it intentional but it seems aether-enhanced abilities are slipping into the sport and some sort of ruling to keep it in check needs to be made.

C: I would agree that clear rules should be in place, though I am unsure that either of the two used aether in their fights. Sir Armstrong, being a dragoon, would have much training to strengthen his leg muscles. For someone of his background, such a jump would surely be possible without the aid of aether. [...] N: You may be right [...], I admit I haven't been to Ishgard to see if they travel by bouncing from step to step in their daily lives. I do believe there a limit in what the body can do alone, and again, it may have very well been unintentional. The use of aether in the martial arts are so...primal, for lack of a better word. It isn't deliberate casting, like a conjurer or thaumaturge.

C: True enough Mr. Pierce, it would be easy to get carried away, though I suspect some are more likely than others. Well, that's the last of my questions, would either of you like to add anything before we conclude? N: Indeed... I've already made my little product placement, so that checks off my list. I suppose I should endorse Kett though. Before you is a champion, that, unlike the first, won three straight bouts, not just two, and she does so without a lick of complaint. Expect to see more of her in the coming weeks, and...more victories.

I, for one, look forward to seeing just how far Miss Kett will go in the Proving Grounds, and I look forward to seeing some of you at the next set of matches this weekend. But before then, I have one last interview to share with you all, and it is a very special one indeed.

                                                                   --C. Blythe

@mateusprovinggrounds

[the-mateus-minute]

Gladiator Spotlight: Burkegan Iriq

Dear Readers,

Before I interviewed last week’s winner, I wanted to sit down with the runner up, Burkegan Iriq, and his patron Evette Blackstone. A stark contrast to the chaotic style of the Coeurlkin, Sir Iriq relied on speed and control in his fights, dominating his opponents.

C: Let us begin with the most pressing concern; how are your injuries healing up? B: Oh, I'm on the mend. I understand I have Evette and a few other Ward associates to thank for my recovery; the medical staff appeared to be woefully overworked. I am fortunate to have such capable peers.

C: Yes, there were quite a lot of injuries this time around, the medical staff was certainly under a lot of pressure. And, how are you coping with the loss of an eye? B: Slowly. With more than my typical share of irritation. It will take some getting used to, but get used to it I will.

C: That is very reassuring to hear. Many would react far worse to such a loss and their mood would only hinder their recovery. I'm sure you will acclimate to the change well. So, what made you decide to fight as a gladiator in the Proving Grounds? B: Mm... the sport of it. My role these days tends towards the less visceral aspects of warfare. I still take to the field, but not half as often as I did when I was younger. My options are limited when I want to enjoy both a decent scrap and a flimsy veneer of respectability. There might be more children playing at soldier than I'd prefer present at the Proving Grounds, but I'd say I found at least one good fight, wouldn't you?

C: Indeed, Miss Kett handled herself quite well. So you're more interested in the thrill of the fight than the prize offered? [...] Tell me, are there any other fighters in the tournament that you think are worth their salt? B: That little freak... Wyra? In a duel, I imagine he'd be a nightmare to corral. Hmm... The winner of the first tournament intrigues me. Cat, I believe. I admire the Thanalan gladiator style - blade and shield - though it's certainly not my preferred method of combat. It is an effective one, as Kett helped remind me.

C: Yes, between O'kori and Cat, I think the shield is proving the most effective weapon in this tournament so far. Speaking of your preferred fighting style, you handle that axe with remarkable speed; would you mind telling us a little about your fighting experience? B: It is... extensive. I was born on the Steppe. If any of your readers are familiar with the prevailing culture there, that is experience enough. Doubly so, if you are familiar with my tribe, I began learning as a child. When you are young, fighting is how you ensure you are fed. Food goes not to the largest, nor the strongest, but the first boy willing to kill for it. It has been nearly three decades since I first made that decision, and I find the choice is still a simple one.

C: I have heard tales of the way of life on the Steppe; that must have been a difficult way to live. And what of you Miss Blackstone? I presume from Burkegan's earlier comments, that you two are associates outside of the Proving Grounds. Would you care to tell us more about the organization the two of you represent? E: The Aureate Ward has seen many changes since I bought a minority share of the company some months ago, but one thing that has remained constant is the strength of our militia under Burkegan, our commander, and master-at-arms. Our current vision, under Luther Aldric, is to assist the Maelstrom command in ensuring the safe and competent disposal of harmful or chaotic arcane items and the eradication of the voidsent threat to all Eorzeans.

C: I see. Earlier, [before the interview,] you referred to Miss Kett as Burkegan's employee, does that mean she is, herself, a member of Aureate Ward's militia? E: Oh, yes, she's one of our militia's shining stars. I imagine she has to be feeling a bit awkward right now, don't you think? So few people get the chance to meet their direct superiors on the field of battle, much less mutilate them permanently. While he was still in a barely conscious stupor, I'm almost positive I heard Burkegan threaten to give her a raise for her performance. We're very proud of her.

C: A rare opportunity indeed. That final match must have meant a lot for everyone involved. Well, I have but one more question, and it is for both of you. Compared to the Inaugural matches, this week felt unrestrained, some might even say, barbaric even. How do you feel about this spike in brutality? E: Isn't that the whole point of gladiatorial combat? To leave it all out on the dirt? If you ask me, the competition has hit its stride. B: Evette's right. The only beauty involved is in the combat itself; an arena tournament, held in Ul'dah, at the pleasure of Thanalan nobility, carries... connotations. Nobody comes to see us prance around like fops or fight for our honor. They come to watch us bleed.

Sir Iriq and Lady Blackstone may have a grim outlook on the Proving Grounds, but they both seem happy to play their roles for the entertainment of others. I’m sure we all look forward to seeing Burkegan take to the sands once more, all except his opponents, that is.

                                                                     --C. Blythe

@mateusprovinggrounds @ninth-threnody @kalaisgreen

[the-mateus-minute]

Proving Grounds Most Wanted?

Dear Readers,

Last week’s Proving Grounds matches were all very brutal, but only one fighter demonstrated a complete and utter lack of restraint. I am, of course, referring to Wyra’to Coeurlkin, who laid his opponent out by slamming his head against her helmet repeatedly. I thought it prudent to speak with the man, and his contrastingly lovely patron Leilani Amarant, before somebody tried to claim the bounty spoken of in yesterday’s interview.

C: Mr. Coeurlkin, why don't you tell us a bit about yourself? Where did you learn to fight with such... ferocity? W: I's th' chosen student a' Shaka Sandwalker, one'a th' elder members'a th' Fist'a Rhalgr itself. Master Shaka took me in an' put me through tough trainin' ta hone th' ferocity y'see before ya on th' sands. Master Shaka puts me through some'a th' toughest shite y'coulda ever imagined... S'why I's so confused when Is seein' folks gettin' upset over me buttin' some lass outta dis world! Y'gotta come at EVERY fight like it were life or death.

C: Most are unaccustomed to such an approach, especially to an organized competition. Others suspect you may have used aether to augment your power in the match, citing the strength of a helmet such as Hayle's, and how easily you bent it in on her. Would you care to respond to those accusations? W: When ye've been trainin' fer most'a th' day, every day, fer a LONG time, y'tend ta get a little bit tougher dan other folks... Even den, iffin' I's opened me Chakra, me body'd be glowin'. Now, what I's thinkin' is... Maybe th' issue ain' that I's cheatin', but more dat dese folks is weaker dan dey thought dey was. L: I think you could’ve shown some restraint, you promised me... that this was just to get recognised. We’ve certainly been recognised alright, now you’ve got half of Ul’dah baying for your blood and I can’t get no bastard work.

C: But your training doesn't change how well your bones would hold up to a metal helmet. It stands to reason you probably gave yourself a concussion pulling that little stunt, which is why you fell with nary a blow in your second match, but the fact that that is ALL that happened to your head is... suspect to say the least. Speaking of your second match, what compelled you to refuse treatment between bouts? W: Well, why d’ya think I's stuck me mask back on? I's lost so much blood outta me face, only thing keepin' me goin' was 'ow fuckin' angry I was! It ain' dat I's refused treatment, more y'had one woman doin' ten folkses jobs wit' three fighters already down an' injured... Dat an' me pride.

C: I see, so you're saying you chose to abstain from treatment to allow those more heavily wounded to get healed first? W: Not me intent, I's jus' wanted ta put on a show more dan anythin' else... Wanted dese folks ta recognise dat th' Fist ain' nothin' like dey ever been told bout. Look, I's worshippin' Rhalgr by fightin', folks is talkin' bout th' Grounds an' comin' ta watch. Everybody wins.

C: I see. [And you,] Miss Amarant, I am aware of who you represent from our previous conversations, but could you tell us a little about who you represent as a patron, for the record? L: Hmmm, I’m not even sure at this point... but I represent Rage of Rhalgr, we’re a small mercenary outfit hailing from Ul’dah, I hold the Warchief rank. Not that the title means anything now.

C: And you chose to participate in the Proving Grounds to make new connections and seek employment opportunities? [...] So, how do you feel about the fights so far, and Wyra'to's performance in them? L: Yes! We were hoping to recruit some fine men and women to help us clear out the Garlean scum, and take on odd jobs here and there, just to tide us over financially, y'know? Highly doubt my feminine wiles will now though love, can't even keep my gladiator in check. I mean, he won his first round, and despite myself being rather angry at the fucking actions he took, I can't say I didn't warn people, I did say not to take him lightly.

C: [Yes], I remember you had a similar conversation with me. I daresay no one will take him lightly now though. Several of the other gladiators are itching to fight him, and one patron even went so far as to put a bounty on his hands. L: They'll get far more than they bargained for... but a bounty on his stupid thick head is the last thing we bleedin' well need.

C: Well, I think that's all of the questions I have for you, but is there anything you'd like to add before we conclude the interview? W: I's got somethin' ta add... Dat fella who's put th' bounty on me? Tell 'I'm dat I' s gonna break 'is spine nex' time I see 'im out an' about! Puttin' money on a man's 'ead is fer cowards! L: Yes! Despite this bleedin' idiot, we're a competent outfit, if you have a job that needs doing, you'll often find me in The Quicksand, come discuss a price. 

Needless to say, this was an interesting interview, and while I can’t condone Wyra’to’s actions in the Proving Grounds, his patron seems a very competent, and respectable young lady. I hope that their mercenary group finds success, despite Wyra’to’s tactless approach.

                                                                    --C. Blythe

@coeurlkin @sharlayan-noire @mateusprovinggrounds

[the-mateus-minute]

Triage

Dear Readers,

This week I took the opportunity to, once again, interview several of the Proving Grounds gladiators and their patrons. As before, I will be releasing these interviews over the next week, with a very special interview this Friday. But as I did last week, I sought out one of the most injured fighters to interview first. Cyneburge Hayle fought hard against her opponent Wyra’to last week, but his sheer brutality won the match, along with the ire of a great many in attendance. I am pleased to report that miss Hayle, seemed much recovered when she arrived at my office with her patron, Arsene Black, for their interview.

C: First things first, Miss Hayle, you seem to be doing quite well, are you healing well after your fight? H: Aye, I'm alright. Was out for about a week but I'm back at it. Took a few days before I were able t' walk by myself again, though. Good enough t' mop the floor with that Coeurl fetishist next time I see him, anyroad.

C: I'm glad to see you're making a full recovery. Your match with Wyra'to was intense, to say the least. How do you feel about how things went down? H: Hmm... Humbled, I s'pose, would be the best word for it. Made t' realize I need t' train more. Back in Limsa Lominsa, as I'm sure y' know lass, his type ain't too uncommon. Loud, boastful, an' aggressive. Most of 'em, best way t' deal with 'em is t' keep your distance an' let 'em tire themselves out before knockin' 'em senseless. Then y' get lads like Wyra'to what can put his money where his mouth is. Lad was crazy, didn't back down no matter how bad I got him. By the time I went t' change tactics he had me on the ropes hard. Overall? It was a good match. He made me realize what I gotta work on.

C: It's good to hear that you made it out of the fight intact and having learned from it as well. [...] Tell me, you said you're from Limsa Lominsa, what brings you to Ul'dah as a gladiator? H: Well aye, I'm from Limsa Lominsa but I'm an adventurer lass. I travel 'round Eorzea regularly. Why a gladiator y' wonder though? Well, truth be told, it's better pay an' less movin' around. Hard t' hang around your mates when you're halfway across the continent from them any given day, even harder when you're tryin' t' get romantic with folks. Plus I love all this flashy stuff, the titles, the trash speakin', the action. I'm honored t' even be a part of it.

C: True enough. And what of your background as a fighter? Did you learn most of it while adventuring, or did you learn in Limsa? H: Limsa Lominsa, an' a bit from my pa. He was a merc an' would do some light trainin' with me t' keep my muscles up. 'Course I ended up lovin' it an' ran off t' join the Marauders when I was just shy of a young woman. Actually, I've decided t' go back t' trainin' with the Marauder's Guild. I figure goin' back t' basics is a good idea at this point.

C: That's really sweet! The basics are very important, regardless of vocation. It's always a good idea to keep them fresh in our minds. So does that mean you will be quitting the tournament, or just training up before your next match? H: Quittin'? Hardly! Y' can't keep me down lass. I'm gonna be back an' better than ever, you mark my words!

C: Excellent, you had me worried for a moment there. I'd hate for my first interview with you to also be the last. And what about you sir? Things were rather intense during last week's fights; I seem to recall hearing you put a rather impressive bounty on Wyra'to's hands. Tell me, are you serious about that bounty? A: Yes, I'm quite serious about it. While Hayle may believe that fight was completely fine. I do not believe that there is a single being on Hyadelyn that could dent a helmet of Allagan composite metal with headbutts in such a way without fracturing their own skull. That is, unless they used aether, or some sort of drug like Pluto. I do not believe that the investigation by Owu and her security will turn up anything. It's not good for business to have the games marred with controversy. Once one fight turned out to be rigged against someone then every fight will have a mark next to it.

C: You've certainly thought this through, and without more investigation I can't honestly say you're wrong. [...Time will tell who has the right of it though.] So, what made you decide to become a patron in the Proving Grounds? A: I wanted to [get with] one of the guards there, well... It's not really a want. But, She convinced me to do so.  Afterwards, it was a hobby to spend time and hobknob with people with silver spoons in their mouths. But, After watching Hayle's fight... I'm starting to feel a relative level of disgust for every single person involved. That became even worse once I found out that some patrons aren't even paying their fighters per fight. I believe they should be paid for the attempt, with a bonus for winning. I was told Sige Ardezen didn't spare a single gil for her fighter, even though she took an axe into her leg fighting for the honor of her shop. I don't live on that principle. Anyone who has someone fighting for them, be the fighter striving for honor, gil, or a better life. If you can't even provide them a means to have a roof over their head while they recover, you're less then a chocobo's shit in my eyes.

C: I knew the gladiators and patrons made private arrangements, but I was not aware some of the gladiators were not being paid unless they won. I will be looking into this more in the future, I assure you, Mr. Black. Now, would you mind telling us a bit about the interests you represent as a patron? A: My interest currently is simply seeing Hayle through this endeavor until she has had enough of the guts and glory. Owu has nothing to offer me financially or socially. As far as I am concerned, this {resting a hand on Hayle’s shoulder} is my only interest here anymore. Unless of course you meant something else with your question.

C: Yes, sorry, allow me to clarify. Most of the patrons who have sponsored gladiators represent a business or organization. Miss Leclair has her shop, Mr. Pierce has his lab, and Lady Blackstone and Miss Amarant both represent mercenary groups seeking to expand. Do you have any such affiliations? A: I am the Chairman of Black Allag Industries, Currently we have three ventures ongoing. I have my armory and weapon shop in Shirogane, as well as a cafe I recently invested in ran by an old friend of mine. Though our main source of income is a supply contract with the grand companies procuring and forging weapons and armors for them.

C: Oh! Very interesting! I believe I may have heard of you before I left Limsa. Well, I believe that is all of my questions answered. Do either of you have anything you'd like to add before we conclude the interview? A: Take care of your fighters. If people are willing to put their lives on the line for your honor then you can care for and support them equally. Because if your claim to nobility is nothing more then the amount of gil you have in your coffers and not the grace and care for those in your services. You're no longer a lord or a lady, You're a bastard or a bitch. H: We know what we signed up for. Folks are gonna get hurt. That's the point. I'm here t' put on a good show, if I need t' get knocked out for it? So be it! Wyra'to is a proud fighter, even if he is a bit too much of a braggart for my liking. I respect his strength, but next time, I'm gonna put him in the ground, mark my words!

C: I doubt I am the only one looking forward to it! Thank you both for the interview, it's been very enlightening.

Rest assured, dear readers, I meant what I said to Arsene Black, I intend to find the truth of the matters brought to light in this interview.

                                                                                      --C. Blythe

@mateusprovinggrounds  @blackallagan

[the-mateus-minute]

Proving Grounds 2nd Week Breakdown

Dear Readers, I must apologize for my delay in covering the events of this weekend's Proving Grounds matches. In contrast to the respect and honor last week’s opponents showed for one another, the second round of matches proved to be anything but honorable, and I must confess I needed some time to gather myself before I could put word to paper. This weekend was a truly gratuitous display of violence and wanton bloodshed, and I found myself at a loss for words. I have chosen not to include any photos with this week’s breakdown due to the graphic nature of the event.

In the first match of the evening, E'zayi Tia, the only of last week's competitors to fight this time around, squared off against D'atlas Lhex in a duel of knives which saw both fighters spill their fair share of blood. In the end, D'atlas emerged triumphant, one step closer to her first ivory dagger. In the second bout, Z'ro Fallharbor drew his katana against Burkegan Iriq, and his axe. Z'ro showed much promise, but his opponent's surprising speed despite his large weapon proved too much and Z'ro's body fell to the sands, blood pouring from a gash in his side. Lance met sword and shield in the third round as C'xhori Fisher faced off against Ms. O'kori Kett. In an echo of the previous week's finals, the two gladiators fought hard for precious ground, but in the end, shields proved an effective weapon once more as O'kori felled the lancer with a blow to the head. In the fourth match of the evening, Cyneburg Hayle brought her axe to bear against Wyra'to Coeurlkin, a living embodiment of rage who stood against her with nothing but his fists. In a fight that stirred anger in the hearts of many onlookers, Cyneburg defended herself against an onslaught of punches. Though he lost much blood, Wyra'to kept coming at his opponent, laying into her without thought or mercy. In the end, Lady Owuwu Owu called the match after Cyneburg collapsed to the ground from repeated blows to the head, concluding the first series of matches on a decidedly dark note.

In the first match of the semi-finals, the lady D'atlas stood against the imposing Burkegan Iriq. Though she drew first blood, D'atlas stood little chance against the mountainous Au ra who stood over her at the end of the match, bloodied but not beaten. As O'kori took to the battlefield once more, she found her opponent a bloody mess. Wyra'to threw himself against his second opponent with all the fury of the first, having refused treatment between fights. O'kori implored him to stand down and let the healers do their work, but the man threw himself on her shield, leaving her little choice but to fight back. Wyra'to's stubbornness would prove to be his undoing as he succumbed to his wounds, collapsing before his opponent.

At the end, O'kori Kett stood against Burkegan Iriq on the sands, sword and shield in hand. The two fought with ferocity, and hope seemed dim for Miss Kett, especially when her shield was shattered and her arm cut deep by Burkegan's axe. Yet the broken shield was what ultimately cemented her victory. As he pressed his advantage, pinning the young woman to the ground beneath him, she lashed out with a shard of her broken shield, burying it in her opponent’s eye.

The conclusion of the match stood as a testament to tone of the evening as O'kori Kett accepted her first ivory dagger from Lady Owuwu Owu, trembling as blood poured from her wounds. Surely, this was an event to be remembered, if only because it proves impossible to forget.

                                                                   --C. Blythe

@mateusprovinggrounds