The Thunder Den
The main antechamber is large and hosts a netted ring to spar in along with several bulls-eyes and weapon racks stationed throughout the chamber. Only wooden melee weapons are used within The Den for the safety of everyone involve. Each weapon is well-maintained for practice and, should a weapon break from wear and tear, another will quickly appear to replace it. The proprietors of The Den are all veterans of specific combat styles and are more than willing to teach what they know to their patrons for a modest fee.
Deeper inside The Den is a staircase that spirals downward and leads into the lower chamber, where Lightning Knights and their Squires can frequently be found. The lower chamber hosts an obstacle course which, while small and compact, is meant to test the agility of Squires training to be Knights. That said, anybody who doesn't mind a proper beating is allowed to run the course at their own volition. When a patron enters the course, they will find themselves facing obstacles that are meant to drop, fling, trip, and even push the runner as they pass. Every obstacle is carved out of wood and can pivot, rotate, and dangle to test that runner's reflexes on the course.
Novice Lessons
Tier 3 and under are covered for unlimited group training sessions. Tier 4 and above for private lessons. (gn amounts listed below are for flavor only) Lessons for those under tiers cost 1 wp for cycle's worth of instruction.
Blades: 2 gn/lesson
Axes & Bludgeons: 2 gn/lesson
Shields: 2 gn/lesson
Ranged Combat: 2 gn/lesson
Unarmed Combat: 2 gn/lesson
Competent - Expert Lessons
Tier 4 and over are covered for unlimited group training sessions. Tier 5 and above for unlimited private lessons. (gn amounts listed below are for flavor only) Lessons for those under tiers cost 1 wp for cycle's worth of instruction.
Blades: 4 gn/lesson
Axes & Bludgeons: 4 gn/lesson
Shields: 4 gn/lesson
Ranged Combat: 4 gn/lesson
Unarmed Combat: 4 gn/lesson
The Gauntlet Obstacle Course
A. The starting point of the track has portions of the floor dipped lower than the other. One must watch their step lest they trip in crossing this simple part.
B. Roped ladders are knotted to a large post. The challenger must climb up the roped ladders, which will twist under the challenger and test their strength.
C. A ramp runs down from the post into a section littered with wooden decoys to test agility. The challenger must run through these decoys with as minimal contact as possible.
D. Wood is stacked in elaborate piles that allows only enough space for the contestant to crawl through, testing their endurance as they work their way through tight spaces.
E. Once the contestant has wormed out of Point D they will find a netted rope to climb. The rope is a testament to the strength they have left as they climb over a man-made wall.
F. The netted rope from Point E must be used to climb over to Point F. The height isn't dangerous but to fall would require one to restart at Point E. When Point F has been reached then the challenger has completed The Gauntlet.
Note: Those who complete The Gauntlet in-thread will earn +5 Renown. Player must have Competent-level Strength, Endurance, and Athletics. Please include a note on your Peer Reviewer request.
The Thunder Den NPC List
Moderator's Note: Players are welcome to use these NPCs if they're writing about this location.
Race: Lotharro
DoB: 22 Saun, 660
Title: Proprietor, Instructor
Skills: Combat: Blades (Falchion): 80, Unarmed Combat: 80, Strength: 65, Endurance: 60, Bludgeon (Maces): 50, Teaching: 50
Rolan is a former Lightning Knight and is the oldest of the three instructors who run The Den. He is a solid and rigid fellow at the peak of his form, standing at 6'4" with a well chiseled body. He is calm and observant when it comes to others and apt to provide insight from time to time. Many see him as the proud embodiment of a retired warrior hoping to pass his wisdom down to the next generation.
Race: Human
DoB: 88 Vhalar, 672
Title: Proprietor, Instructor
Skills: Combat: Blades (1-handed and thrown): 80, Athletics: 60, Ranged (Shortbow): 60, Endurance: 60, Strength: 55, Teaching: 50, Combat (Unarmed): 40
Clarissa is a stern but agreeable woman who tends to prefer things her way. She is usually a little critical towards those training under her instruction. Nevertheless, she is a woman who knows what she teaches and means well beneath the disagreeable facade. She hides it well, but deep down she cares for people and those that become her students are taught the value of trust above all else.
Race: Human
DoB: 55 Ashan, 675
Title: Proprietor, Instructor
Skills: Combat: Blades (Gladius): 80, Shields (Kite): 80, Endurance: 60, Strength: 55, Teaching: 50, Combat: Polearm (Quarterstaff): 50
Nole is most commonly sought out by aspiring knights or squires, as he once trained under a knight for a time until he found himself a different path to walk. Rather than protect those around him, Nole decided teaching people to protect themselves would be even better and so he joined Rolan and Clarissa when they first established the Thunder Den. While he can teach combat skills like the others, Nole is often found in the lower levels as he tends to The Gauntlet when patrons come to try its course.
Credit: Patrick
Rolan Fangros
DoB: 22 Saun, 660
Title: Proprietor, Instructor
Skills: Combat: Blades (Falchion): 80, Unarmed Combat: 80, Strength: 65, Endurance: 60, Bludgeon (Maces): 50, Teaching: 50
Rolan is a former Lightning Knight and is the oldest of the three instructors who run The Den. He is a solid and rigid fellow at the peak of his form, standing at 6'4" with a well chiseled body. He is calm and observant when it comes to others and apt to provide insight from time to time. Many see him as the proud embodiment of a retired warrior hoping to pass his wisdom down to the next generation.
Clarissa Monteirre
DoB: 88 Vhalar, 672
Title: Proprietor, Instructor
Skills: Combat: Blades (1-handed and thrown): 80, Athletics: 60, Ranged (Shortbow): 60, Endurance: 60, Strength: 55, Teaching: 50, Combat (Unarmed): 40
Clarissa is a stern but agreeable woman who tends to prefer things her way. She is usually a little critical towards those training under her instruction. Nevertheless, she is a woman who knows what she teaches and means well beneath the disagreeable facade. She hides it well, but deep down she cares for people and those that become her students are taught the value of trust above all else.
Nole Ronsenburg
DoB: 55 Ashan, 675
Title: Proprietor, Instructor
Skills: Combat: Blades (Gladius): 80, Shields (Kite): 80, Endurance: 60, Strength: 55, Teaching: 50, Combat: Polearm (Quarterstaff): 50
Nole is most commonly sought out by aspiring knights or squires, as he once trained under a knight for a time until he found himself a different path to walk. Rather than protect those around him, Nole decided teaching people to protect themselves would be even better and so he joined Rolan and Clarissa when they first established the Thunder Den. While he can teach combat skills like the others, Nole is often found in the lower levels as he tends to The Gauntlet when patrons come to try its course.