Match 21051 Tyrion Lannister vs. Cyrano De Bergerac

[JohnnyChany]

THE DUEL OF WORDS

 

The townspeople filed into a grand hall at the behest of a local wizard. The wizard in question had no delusions of grandeur or nefarious ambitions. He was more than content to use his amazing abilities to conjure creativity than anything concrete that could be used for good or ill. As a result, he was mostly liked within the community, even if there were those convinced he was wasting his talent.

On this night, the wizard had promised some unique entertainment unlike anything he had done before. His attire for the evening tipped his hand a little to the night’s activities. His robe displayed shifting ink patterns and he had transformed his scepter into the shape of a large quill. The wizard’s love for literature and intellect was well known, still no one expected this.

WIZARD: Ah, my honored guests! Thank you for your audience this evening for an event I have been looking forward to since I dreamt it up many moons ago. Tonight, we shall be enthralled by wit, charm, and intellect. To that end I have conjured here two of fiction’s most fascinating minds for our entertainment. Tyrion Lannister, the sharp-tongued lion of Casterly Rock, and Cyrano de Bergerac, the poetic cavalier based on a real French nobleman whose words are as swift as his sword!

Two figures emerged from opposite ends of the hall, each through swirling portals of light. On the left was Tyrion. He was short in stature and had mismatched eyes, one green and the other black. His golden hair was cropped short and the faintest hint of a beard framed his face. He was dressed in a crimson doublet embroidered with the lion sigil of House Lannister. Despite his diminutive size and slight limp, Tyrion exuded the confidence of a man who had long since turned his perceived weaknesses into strengths.

WIZARD: From the land of Westeros, I present Tyrion Lannister! A man who wields wit as deftly as others wield weapons of war. Gifted politician, stubborn survivor, and enthusiastic enjoyer of wine.

TYRION: At least you didn’t list ‘kinslayer.’ You’ve already proven yourself a better host than most.

On the right was Cyrano. He wore a wide-brimmed hat with a single feather sticking out. His face was dominated by his famously long nose, a feature he carried with defiant pride. His doublet was the color of midnight blue and was trimmed with silver thread. He had a cape fastened to his shoulder and a sword sheathed at his hip.

WIZARD: And from France, or should I say the dramatic retelling of France, Cyrano de Bergerac! Poet, soldier, and lover of the sublime! His words can best armies and win over hearts!

CYRANO: Flattery, good sorcerer, is appreciated though unnecessary. My nose alone could have won me this introduction!

Cyrano turned to regard Tyrion. His eyes gleamed with curiosity.

CYRANO: I can safely assume we will not be competing in a beauty contest, for which we must both be grateful.

Tyrion grinned.

TYRION: And I pray to the gods this is not an athletic competition either, or I would be doomed.

The two men approached each other and nodded respectfully. They introduced themselves to one another.

CYRANO: Cyrano de Bergerac, poet, soldier, and enjoyer of the impossible.

TYRION: Tyrion Lannister, drinker, thinker, and the thinly veiled shame of House Lannister. It seems we’ve been cast as players in an unusual play.

Both men sat in the chairs on stage that had been provided to them by the wizard.

WIZARD: Indeed, gentlemen! Tonight, you will compete in a Duel of Words, a battle of wit and storytelling to delight the masses. Your brilliance shall be judged in three rounds!

Tyrion raised an eyebrow.

TYRION: Will there be wine provided? Or should I assume sobriety is a hard and fast prerequisite. 

The wizard waved his scepter, and a goblet of red wine appeared in Tyrion’s grasp. He inspected the suddenly appearing drink approvingly.

CYRANO: And what of inspiration for the poet? A muse, perhaps, or a rose for my lapel?

With another flick of his scepter, the sorcerer conjured a fresh rose that appeared delicately in Cyrano’s hand.

WIZARD: Now, to the rules! In the first round, Impromptu Banter, you will each respond to absurd prompts with cleverness and creativity. 

TYRION: Such as?

WIZARD: Such as things like the “virtues of being short” or “the art of seduction in a pigsty”. In the second round, Persuasive Argument is the name of the game. You shall take opposing sides of philosophical debates on topics like “Is honor worth dying for”. And in the final round, we will have a Storytelling Duel, you must weave a tale that ensnares the imagination of all those in attendance. The audience shall decide who reigns supreme.

TYRION: Sounds less painful than most games in my experience. And the reward for victory?

WIZARD: The applause and adoration of a whole different realm, and should you wish, a safe return to your respective worlds in a location of your choosing.

Cyrano turned to Tyrion.

CYRANO: It seems the stakes are high. Shall we dance, monsieur?

TYRION:  Lead the way, my good sir. But don’t trip over your words…or your nose.

WIZARD:  Then let the Duel of Words begin!

 

DUEL OF WORDS

ROUND 1: BANTER

ROUND 2: PERSUASIVENESS

ROUND 3: STORYTELLING

[Callisto]

Learn More About
Tyrion Lannister
Read more about Tyrion Lannister at Wikipedia
Official Site: George R.R. Martin Links: Wikipedia A Wiki of Ice and Fire Tower of the Hand

Cyrano De Bergerac
Read more about Cyrano De Bergerac at Wikipedia
Official Site: Public Domain Links: Wikipedia

[JohnnyChany]

Yes, this was inspired by the fact that Peter Dinklage portrayed both characters.