[CONFLICT] The Old Nord Way...

[u/cthulhuh00p]

Zizi arrives in Ivarstead, just days after her diplomat was murdered. She calls from atop a hill, "Torygg! Come face me! You shall duel me in the way of your people. No weapons, no magic, no Thu'um. This is to be a fair fight. If you win, my soldiers will leave the Rift. If I win, the Rift shall become a legal part of the Republic."

As she finishes speaking, her guards back away, and she waits patiently for Torygg to come face here.

[u/thewildryanoceros]

Torygg rode forward on a white steed. From atop his horse, he spoke to the Khajiit. "I will duel you," he said coolly, "but it will not decide this war. The precedent should be set that the lives of millions ought not be affected by the skill at arms of one. Do you still wish to duel?"

EDIT: If yes, let me post again so I can set some things straight.

[u/cthulhuh00p → u/thewildryanoceros]

[What is gonna be decided by this duel, then? In the Nordic tradition, a leader is challenged in a duel. I'm challenging your right to rule Skyrim. Would you rather have your seat as High King on the line?]

[u/thewildryanoceros → u/cthulhuh00p]

[The duel wouldn't decide anything. You're not a claimant to the throne, and Torygg has already informed his men to fight on regardless of the result because he knows it doesn't make sense for a war to be decided by two people. The duel would only serve for one to kill the other.]

[u/cthulhuh00p → u/thewildryanoceros]

[OK. I'm still down to duel. Zizi sees this as a way to lessen the overall bloodshed, because a nation without a leader is much less deadly.]

[u/[deleted] → u/cthulhuh00p]

[removed] — view removed comment

[u/lob274 → u/[deleted]]

I agree

[u/[deleted] → u/lob274]

They would have to call a Moot, and Torygg has no children which means anybody could be proclaimed High King. Ulfric would be a likely candidate, since he's the Jarl of the largest and most powerful hold, but Balgruuf would be another big competitor - and there's no law saying that the new High King would have to be a Jarl. Rikke could be a contender as well, depending on how the war plays out.

That is, of course, assuming that Ulfric doesn't just seize total emergency power and refuse to give it back once the war's over.

[u/thewildryanoceros → u/cthulhuh00p]

[Well that's what's about to be clarified.]

Torygg dismounted, and called forth witnesses. Fifty of his elite guard stood at attention. "Ivar," the King called, "step forward."

The commander of the Guards stepped forward, and Torygg walked away from Zizi to address his men. Loudly, he declares, "All bear witness: In the event of my death, I name my cousin, Ragnar Lothbrok, as my heir, and interim King until a new King can be elected."

[Secret]

He leans slightly forward and whispers, "If she slays me, put the beast down. She is a warmonger, not fit to rule."

Ivan was shocked, "My king, there is no honor…"

The King interrupted, "I would rather slay one honorlessly than let thousands fall on a field of battle. Do your duty, soldier."

Begrudgingly, Ivar nodded, "Aye, my King."

[End Secret]

Torygg turned and walked back to Zizi. The large beast intimidated him, but he was honor bound to fight her. "Let us dance, then."

[u/cthulhuh00p → u/thewildryanoceros]

She steps back a few paces, waiting for Torygg to make the first move.

[u/thewildryanoceros → u/cthulhuh00p]

Torygg stripped of his overcoat until his bare chest showed.

He approached the cat, "A fair fight?" He asked. "You're a fool girl. This is no fight. You are twice my size and have razor claws. You think yourself clever for challenging me to a duel? You are pathetic. You shattered peace to protect people who you do not rule, and only brought more pain and suffering to them. Further, your rash actions have led to a war that would've been avoided if you had been content with two nations rather than three. There is no happy ending for you. You are not a benevolent savior of the Rift. You are a warmonger, a liar, and a shame on your father's legacy!"

"Attack me, cat, and let us be done with it."

[u/cthulhuh00p → u/thewildryanoceros]

"I did not wish to harm you. But murderers must be punished. For the lives of my diplomats, the countless lives of the people who burned in Riften that you did not save, for the lives of all you have doomed by perpetuating this war, I find you guilty of murder. And when I'm finished with you, your men will most likely kill me and allege that you won, as would any scum of your ilk. So I name my wife Joneshii as my successor and heir, the one who will finish the rehabilitation of the Rift if I should pass. So, in the old Nord way, let us fight."

She lunges at Torygg, dragging a paw across his chest, and circling around behind him.

[u/thewildryanoceros → u/cthulhuh00p]

Torygg stumbled as the claws cut through his skin. He turns but drops to his knees, and says, with fire in his eyes, "By what right does the lion judge the wolf?"

He stands, and waits for Zizi to strike again. When she does, he falls beneath her strong arm, and grasps the pit of her arm, then used it to drag himself quickly onto her back, and held on for dear life.

[u/cthulhuh00p → u/thewildryanoceros]

She rolls over, crushing him under her weight and clawing at his face.

[u/cthulhuh00p → u/[deleted]]

[She specified no weapons, no magic. When you didn't dispute this, I thought it was implied you were unarmed, so she agreed to use no magic. Is that out the window?]

[u/thewildryanoceros → u/cthulhuh00p]

[Ohp, sorry, I only saw no magic and no Thu'um, disregard that comment]