Ansteorra's Crown Tournament Lyst has been posted!
These are my personal opinions on the list overall. Please understand that this comes from a barely AoA level fighter, and is based on who I know and what I've seen of them. There are almost assuredly inaccuracies in these estimations.
A deeply competitive list. Multiple folks who I have a lot respect for, and ill detail them below. A few clear favorites to win by skill or renown, but it'll be an uphill battle for everyone.
Duke Kein: My local duke, and arguably the one who has taught me the most off this list. He's been a duke longer than some of the folks on this list have been alive, but he still puts up an incredible fight. Probably there as obligation, but I would be proud to call him my king once more.
Duke Ulstead: the evergreen gatekeeper. Ulstead is another likely not going for crown, but he is a roadblock to any true conteders. A force of nature that can counterpunch you into next week.
Duke Lochlan: i confess, I know less about this duke than I would like, but he did pretty directly train our current King. He trounced me hard in King's Champion. I have no idea if he is actually gunning for crown or just here to fight at the highest level, but neither would surprise me.
Centurion Sonja: a strong force on the field, but I have real concerns about her against some of the more intense fighters on this list. I suspect she'll struggle against the likes of Floki or Romanius, but most of that is based on years-old fighting vids at this point. Will watch her fights keenly either way, she fights really well with a similar style to several of the BG fighters and I'm eager to help pass on tips.
Count Romanius: a threat on every and any field. I would be deeply curious if he is going for his dukedom, and what I can learn from him. I wonder if the likes of Kein and Ulstead are wise to his tricks though? Either way, Romanius will be exciting to watch, active and bouncy as he is with his combat.
Baron Alejandro: A tower of a knight, with passion to match, he's likely to be the tallest in the lyst. He's been training hard for the last few months, so he's going to put up a helluva fight alongside Sonja, Redbad, and the other central Ansteorrans.
Jarl Floki: another Bryn Gwlad native. He's been on the rapier field primarily at our weekly practices, but his proximity to King John and Duke Sven suggests to me that he's been doing hard training outside of our Thursdays. If he is gunning to win, then he's highly favored(in my amateur estimation), although upsets can happen at any turn.
Count Geoffrey: Man, I would love to see Sir Scott to win. he's been a staple at crown tournaments for a while and has been training HARD the last two years, his style on the field is FASCINATING and lightning quick, and it's only his age that does anything to bring him down. I think he will struggle hard against the likes of Floki, Louis, or Hotaru, but it's anyone's game.
Bo(?) : a fighter I am unfamiliar with and can find no record of. Perhaps out of kingdom, or a changed persona?
Sir Louis: if this is the same Louey that won Steppes Warlord a few weekends ago, then he is a returning knight that is in incredible form and fitness. I think he may still struggle against the speed of Margery or Floki, but his shot selection suggests to me that he won't lose a single match against anyone without a shield.
Sir Torbein: another gentle I have not had the pleasure of meeting.
Centurion Margery: Another whom I would dearly love to see win. She has represented Ansteorra beautifully on the fields of Gulf and terrified me every time I've faced her, her range with a madu is going to make everyone but those experienced against such weapons have to work real hard for their wins. I don't think she's favored, but she does have the skills and ability to win it all.
Sir Alexandre: another gentle I do not know.
Centurion Redbad: Here's another who I think has the skills and experience to win, but isn't necessarily favored. Redbad has the height and reach of Alejandro, the care and patience of Ulstead, and the madu skill of Margery. I don't know if he truly hungers after the crown, but I do think he will put his best damn effort forward and I can't wait to see it.
Centurion Hotaru: the crowd favorite to win, in my circles. A centurion surely on the cusp of knighthood who fights with glaive as her expertise. She has fought almost everyone on this list to a standstill, to victory, and to defeat. She will have a helluva uphill battle for her wins, but she can match Floki in most bouts. I worry against her fights against Kein, Ulstead, and Sonja for sure, as their slow, careful, defensive styles and shields will give her pause.
