Difference between revisions of "Melee"

[[Paul Crew]] and [[Adelle Choi]] were the final two Rithmatists remaining in the 1888 Melee. Paul's team had been able to protect him for most of the match, leaving him with an almost pristine circle. Adelle's team had been eliminated during the first few minutes. She was heavily bombarded by Lines of Vigor and [[chalkling]]s from Paul and her defense was almost gone when she bounced a Line of Vigor off of three Lines of Forbiddance to reach a weak point at the rear of Paul's circle. This won her the match.{{book ref|Rithmatist|1}}

This Melee is unusual in that, not only did a non-Rithmatist (Joel Saxon) compete, but he was also part of the winning team. ItHe exploited a loophole inwhich limited the rulesentrants which states that onlyto students of Rithmatic professors, arerather permittedthan tobarring participate,all non-Rithmatists. The match was adjudicated by [[JoelExton SaxonL. Pratt]], who correctly stated that Joel was legally allowed to serveddo as he did. As Joel was a research assistant to Professor [[Fitch]], and sohe counted as a student. He joinedand [[Melody Muns shared the same defense and combined both of their strengths (Joel's precision line-drawing and Melody's chalkings) to great effect. Joel would draw their defenses and attacking [[Rithmatics#Line of Vigor|Lines of Vigor]]/[[Rithmatics#Line atof herRevocation|Revocation]], which Melody would then trace. This technique had never been attempted before and its legality was hotly debated by the spectating professors. Due to their poor position in(at the very center of the arena., surrounded by opponents), Joel drewchose theto defense,employ a complex [[Rithmatics#Nine-Point Circles|nine-point circle,defense]]. whichNine-point Melodydefenses thenare traced,typically givingvery thedifficult linesto theirdraw Rithmaticprecisely properties.and quickly, but Joel and Melody's drewteamwork theallowed chalklingsthem usingto heraccomplish skillit, inand the area.inherent strength Theyof alsothe useddefense theenabled newlythem discoveredto Linesurvive the initial barrage of Revocationattacks. Joel's drawing allowed Melody to greatfocus effect,her Joelefforts wouldon drawdrawing theintricate linechalklings. andThey waitalso untildeployed the idealnewly-discovered momentLine toof haveRevocation, Melodywhich tracewas very effective against the lineunsuspecting students. Despite the considerable odds against them, theyand wonbeing thetargeted matchby [[Andrew Nalizar|Professor Nalizar's]] hand-picked team of twelve, they quitewere decisivelyvictorious.{{book ref|Rithmatist|25}}

The Melee arena at [[Armedius Academy]] wasis a large open area that resembled a ice skating rink. It hadis located in the center of [[Armedius Academy#Making Hall|Making Hall]], and takes up most of the central space in the building. It has a rough black surface in order to maximize the visibility of the chalk drawn by the participants. Above the playing field wasis a seating area for professors and local dignitaries, becausesince Rithmatic duels are best viewed from above. The ceiling consistedconsists of glass squares with metal supports in between them. Along the perimeter of the playing field wereare seats for the general public,. and evenEven though there are a lot of seats, there still isnaren't enough for everyone who wants to attend. toEvery sityear, before the Melee, the arena floor is thoroughly cleaned. A finish is then applied, which keeps the floor dark.{{book ref|rithmatist|14}}