I have had it up to here with this tremere Certamen nonsense, we have to settle this matter like scholars. Who would win in a fist fight to the death?
To settle this, we will assemble the founders in an arena in the basements of Durenmar, no magic is allowed and there are referees on site to stop any funny business.
The winner takes it all being crowned the champion of the order. Coming to you next tribunal brought to you by AT&T ( Archivists Tytalus & Tremere )
After a short discussion on the discord, and encounter with its voefully inadequate poll building system, I come here to have a better poll and better archival.
Did Birna change into her heartbeast before the fight? There is no ongoing magic involved, or even way to even detect that she had another form than the bear, so it might be allowed on a technicality. And a bear will sweep the field.
I suspect a bear lacks the ability to ball its paws into fists. If that's the case, Birna can only participate in a fistfight in human form.
I would also point out that it's not entirely clear when the fistfight would take place. Depending on that, some founders might be old and frail (or dead!), others just babies (or unborn).
Originally I voted Birna, but after some consideration, I had to switch to Pralix.
Sure, Birna would have the disposition of a bear even in Human form, but Pralix is the one repeatedly compared to a Soldier, and she absolutely knew how to throw hands:
"Pralix herself was in the midst of battle, sword in one hand and spear in the other, as she fought her way through to Damhan-Allaidh’s redoubt. She had prepared for the moment that she would face him. The mage-smiths amongst her people had made her an unbreakable magic chain, forged from obscure ingredients and strange magics collected over several years. Upon facing Damhan-Allaidh at last, she shackled herself to her opponent with the chain, ensuring that the conflict could only end with one of their deaths."
Honorary mention goes to Diedne and Trianoma! Those two must have been expert Brawlers after all those catfights over Bonisagus.
Perhaps, but neither does having a Bear Heartbeast. No use of magic is allowed (which exists in the moment of transformation). The brawling skill of a bear does not translate to human form.
Flambeau, Pralix, Birna, Tremere, Jerbiton & Trianoma would all offer decent performance as brawlers.
Mercere, having lost his gift and running around as one of the Mythic heroes the dangerous world of Mythic Europe would own them all.
Merinita would lead her charmed life and would win if she was destined to.
Diedne/Verdi, would prefer not to participate in such a childish exercise.
Ultimately, Bonisagus wins as who would dare to land a punch on him? Except Tytalus that is
In order of win:
1-Tytalus (if he gets the last punch)
2- Bonisagus
3 - Merinita's Charmed Life
4 - Mercere's Heroic Heritage
5 - The rest of them
Now if any of them tries to cheat with assistance from the infernal which cannot be detected, then God might empower his champion, Jerbiton, and set the record strait.
Bonisagus was last seen at the regular Theban tribunal meeting in 836. He was recruiting young magi for some secretive mission.
What happened to him after that is unknown. Most likely he died while on that mission, but nobody actually knows for sure.
Birna: Young and fit, even in human form I imagine she could do some damage.
Pralix: Certainly scrappy, but wasn't she still a kid at the time?
Flambeau: Martially inclined to be sure, but Poor Longevity Ritual....
Guernicus: Seems fit, but not necessarily a warrior.
Criamon: Very old, cruelly mutilated, and pacifist.
Tremere: Young, possible epilepsy. Certamen could suggest an interest in duelling.
Trianoma: Description of her meeting Bonisagus suggests she knew how to fight.
Tytalus: Would cheat, but suffering from leprosy...
Verditius: Crippled.
Bonisagus: Elderly nerd.
Diedne: Complete unknown.
Jerbiton: Probably had combat training, but also probably rusty.
Mercere: Fit enough to travel Mythic Europe probably been in a few fights.
Merinita: Elderly and frail.
If we are going with that vibe, I want to swap my vote for Tremere. He'd find some weaselly rules lawyer interpretation where he can have a proxy fight for him.
The brawling skill of a bear does not translate to human form.
Absolutely correct. In Heartbeast form, a magus starts with the physical skills from the form. For a bear, that includes Brawl 5 (claws). (HoH:MC p43) Add in size +2, tough, tough hide and large claws, and I repeat my claim that the bear would run the table. It's a bear.
