An Interview with Jake

An interview excerpted from Dueling Today and the origin of the quote "Punch 'em inna face!"

So ya' wanna be a fist-fighter...

Welcome readers to the first in a series of articles and interviews relating to everyone's favorite unarmed sport, the Duel of Fists. With me today is long-time dueler Jake Thrash who's been with the Duel of Fists since it's inception. I didn't know what to expect when I met Jake. Sitting down across from him in a booth at the Red Dragon Inn I noted a warrior's attitude about him. His eyes seemed to wander the room keeping track of everything moving, while at any moment it seemed as though he was capable of bursting out into extreme violence. At the same time, one hand stayed glued to a mug of ale as if he feared someone was going to come along and swipe it. One would be tempted to wonder about the mental faculties of a dueller that took over a year to reach the rank of Emerald (when duellers like Dark Axe, Siera Red and Prince Fyre made it in a few short weeks), however this reporter decided to refrain from asking when he noted the large number of knives located about his orcish person. Other than his presence in the Outback, Jake has been known to haunt the Inn at times as well as the Inn's basement where DoS takes place.
Jake is now also a referee for the Duel of Fists, and he can be found calling matches during most weekends.

DoSToday: So tell me Jake, can I call you Jake? What is the Duel of Fists all about?
JakeThrash: Beatin' people up.
DT: Pardon me?
JT: Beatin' people up with yer fists.
DT: That's what the Duel of Fists is all about?
JT: Well ok, that's not the answer the boss would give.
DT: The boss?
JT: Panth. He's the boss.
DT: BlkPanther?
JT: Yeah, that's him.
DT: What would his answer be?
JT: The Duel of Fists is an event where duellers of all sizes and styles can come together to test their prowess against each other in a contest of unarmed combat skill.
DT: How is the Duel different from the Duel of Swords or the Duel of Magic?
JT: It's strictly no weapons allowed, so we almost never have to mop blood off the floor after the place closes for the night.
DT: So, no one can get hurt?
JT: Well we get some pretty good bruises and people limpin' out of the rings, but our overhead on band-aids is much smaller than the Duel of Swords. Also, after gettin' all them bruises, we usually have lots of people in need of pain-killers; we are doin' great business at the bar.
DT: What about the Duel of Magic?
JT: :: look of distaste ::
DT: You don't like the Duel of Magic?
JT: No, no..that's not it...the Duel of Magic is great. It's just a racial thing :) Orcs don't do magic.
DT: Now that you mention it, there aren't that many orcs around Rhydin. Any reason you think that might be the case?
JT: :: shrugs :: No idea. Maybe it's a conspiracy?
DT: Alright, so let's talk about the duelling itself.
JT: ok.
DT: What brought you to the Outback in the first place?
JT: :: fidgets a bit :: I was gettin' my butt kicked over in the Duel of Swords.
DT: That's what caused you to seek out the Duel of Fists?
JT: :: chuckle :: Yeah. I got tired of people pokin' holes in me all'a the time and wandered over [to the Outback] when I saw the msgs about a new Duel openin' up.
DT: And you've been duelling there ever since?
JT: Yeah, whenever I could make it. I enjoy it, even tho' I can't get people to fight me as often anymore.
DT: Why is that? Because of your rank?
JT: I think it's the tusks.
DT: So, since you are one the emerald ranked duellers, care to fill us in on what your secret is?
JT: My secret?
DT: Your style. What technique do you use when you enter the ring?
JT: Oh, ok. Well... I punch 'em inna face.
DT: :: waiting expectantly ::
JT: :: waiting expectantly ::
DT: :: confused look :: That's it?
JT: :: more confused look :: Um...I punch 'em inna face again?
DT: :: confounded look :: That's your secret? That's your technique?
JT: :: broad grin :: Yup. Punch 'em an' punch 'em until they fall down. Then mebbe kick 'em a few times for good measure.
DT: :: getting a disgusted look ::
JT: Throwin' 'em out of the ring is fun too....:: orc continues to ramble ::
DT: Well that's all the time we have for today. Join us again in the upcoming weeks as we interview other duellers from the Outback, including old-timers Siera Red and PrinceFyre, as well as some promising new-comers.