Second Round in the Lord's Class Posted In Spring Tournament; Three Hurt in Fire at the City Green

DATELINE: Khazigur City Green, North AG District, 18 Bretranel's Month: The second round of the international spring tournament was announced early this morning after all the competitions had been finished and the results confirmed by the Khazigur Gaming Commission (KGC). 128 rounds were held over the course of two days across a shrinking profile of the competition space, which started with over 2000 rounds at the commons level. Well over 5,000 competitors have already been eliminated, funneling down into this, the lead-in to what is popularly known as 'Mdnothiel's Madness' beginning with the round of 64 to follow.
The prize in this round is a knightship and parcel of land as well as a single military unit of the winner's choice, between pavise crossbow archers and steel pike infantry, with wages prepaid for one year. This would immediately elevate any commoner who wins into the noble rank, should either of the two winners from the commons class who made it past their first round succeed in winning at the second round. The commoners remaining in contention are Valdos the Mage, an interesting case as he has a home in Coldhorn as well as one in Volsin Stronghold; he defeated Maphistal of Volsin and is competing as a Naarodian for the purposes of his combats. The other commoner, who defeated the Baronet Kammodar of Sabretana, is a native Khazigiri woman named Ferri Knives. Valdos will be matched up against La'Thena of Volsin, While Ferri will be fighting Kenti Hamm of Sabretana, who happens to be Kammodar's sister in law.
During the matches yesterday evening, an errant fireball cast by a wild mage resulted in three injuries, but thankfully very little collateral damage other than the loss of one vendor's stall and several thousand gold in merchandise.
Among the dignitaries in attendance at this second round will be Governor Evan Cazaxanes, in his first public appearance since his injury about 5 weeks ago during the incursion of rogue grimocks and quaggoths in a few places in the city, including the Quags. Also visiting the arenas will be Queen Arzibet of Toz and King Charmichael of Naarod, King Oecon VIII of Arac, and the High Chancellor of Dregath, Sorah Tyven, visiting the event with her younger sister Glysah, considered one of the most eligible young nobles at the festival.
Among the postings:

• Bronze Battler of the Order of the Platinum Dragon vs. Baron Grims Angel of Volsin
• Baron Zurian of Volsin vs. Baron Cyprian Macach of Coldhorn
• Baroness La'Thena of Volsin vs. Valdos the Mage of Coldhorn

Things become much more serious in the round of 64 and the week-long runup to the championship battle between the two final combatants. The prizes at each level are listed below:

• Win this round (round of 64): Knightship and title to land parcel outside the capitol; choice of either 1 unit pavise-shielded crossbowmen -or- steel chain pike infantry, wages prepaid for 1 year, +5,000 gold
• Win in the round of 32: chice of either 1 unit of scout cavalry charioteers -or- light goblin skirmishers, with equipment, wages prepaid for 1 year, + 6,000 gold
• Win in the round of 16: 1 unit of heavy cavalry, with equipment, wages prepaid for 1 year -and- 1 unit of cannon artillery (10 field pieces), with equipment, wages prepaid for 1 year; + 6,000 gold
• Win in the round of 8: 3 units of medium infantry, with equipment, wages prepaid for 1 year, + 10,000 gold
• Win in the round of 4: 1 unit of battlemages, with equipment, wages prepaid for 1 year, + 11,000 gold
• Win the Tournament: 1 unit of flying cavalry, with equipment, wages prepaid for 1 year; Private, rent-free quarters in the royal suite inside the House Absolute, +15,000 gold