I am continually hearing that you are spreading very unfortunate rumors about me and have challenged me to a duel to the death; even though you claim not to kill outside of war. Disregarding the obvious hypocrisy of your words, I am intrigued by the offer.

Before I accept, and I fully intend to, I have a few minor demands.

I wish to know why you think it necessary to die at my hand when I have no quarrel with you.

I wish to know why you try to extend your hostility to the point that you arrange groups of men to hunt me down in an obvious attempt to murder me in a most cowardly fashion.

Finally, what precisely do you believe the terms of this duel must be? I will respond upon receipt of your statement.

Sincerely,

Vladimir Kostova Priest of Bane

Vladimir,

I issued my challenge to the Banite priest who made the proclamation. I have no idea whether that is you or not. It is no small secret of mine that I resent your presence in this city and your pitiful faith and deity in general, but I will not fight you if you did not enact the sacrificial murder described in the proclamation.

As for the hypocrisy of my words, my challenge stands as enough of a declaration of war between two individuals as one can fashion. I will kill one priest of Bane to save others from future murders if need be.

About your demands-

As I said, my quarrel with you depends on whether or not you were the priest of Bane discussed in the proclamation. I will also have you know that I have not arranged any groups of men to pursue you. I fight my own battles, Banite.

As for the terms of the duel, I have already stated them. They will be priest against priest. The divine blessings each man can call and no more- no potions or trinkets.

This is only relevant if you are the Banite I'm calling out. If you are, shirk your craven nature for a small moment and admit to it. If you explain honestly that it wasn't you, you need not fear me ending your life at this juncture.

Reev

I have little fear of you.

I did indeed sacrifice to Bane a woman who stabbed me in the back and latter released her corpse to an ally who wished to return her to life after I bested him in an honorable duel as well. If you've any semblance of honor, you will recognize that someone who attempts murder does not deserve anything beyond a quick and painful death. I fail to see how you can make any attempt to claim honor or conviction when you would seek to duel a man who killed a coward who stabs from behind.

However, most unfortunate is your belief you name the terms of the duel. That is my task as the challenged party. I will take some time to best consider what terms this duel will take, you named the parties and the outcome. Now I will determine how this duel will be fought unless you decide now that this is not worth your life.

Vladimir Kostova

I don't believe you.

Provide me with witnesses who can testify that it wasn't simply an opportunistic murder to your dark god on your part and I will withdraw the challenge.

If you cannot do this, our clash becomes inevitable. Be aware I will slay you even if you do manage to twist a proper battle between priests to your advantage with the inclusion of specifically contrived terms.

I give you three days for the witness accounts before I come for you. Don't bother replying, because I am done with letters and words. The onus for you to remain amongst the living is on you; I suggest you act swiftly in providing the evidence.

Reev

Acolyte Derber and the Harbringers of Hoar did not disagree with my acts. The attack against me occurred in their temple and they claimed my response was legitimate and even allowed me to seek vengeance against the other traitors.

If you knew of my attack, then you would have known this too.

Vladimir Kostova

Explain to me the attack and murder at the Beacon.

I entered the Beacon and helped myself to stew. Jherick the paladin objected to my presence and when I turned to examine the svirneblin device that makes food there, he struck me in the back.

My comrade and I turned to fight him and restrain his assaults. Hruc the half-orc joined the fight, wisely using his fists rather than a weapon trying to separate us. I paralyzed him with magic to focus my attack on the paladin, whose wayward blows killed the half-orc.

The paladin then fled to the back of the Beacon after quaffing a potion of invisibility. Enraged that he would stab me in the back rather than seek a more honorable confrontation, and disappointed at his inability to even differentiate a helpless foe from a true foe, I challenged him to a duel.

Jherick readily accepted, and feeling ashamed for his role in the half-orc's death insisted that he not fight with his weapons but his hands. Unwilling to accept an unfair advantage, I too decided not to use my sword during this battle.

Jherick and I met in the Upper Sanctuary arena some time later after his wounds had been healed by my prayers. There we boxed until his death. He had several people attempt to dissuade him from this duel, but his guilt for Hruc's accidentl death motivated him to continue.

Vladimir Kostova