The Role of the Mediator

The character engaged to oversee a magical duel is the person who decides how isolated the combatants are. A fairly impenetrable defensive spell, such as prismatic sphere or a hemispherical wall or force, insures that no one can easily disrupt the proceedings. A fairly weak spell, such as protection from evil 10’ radius, offers the combatants very little protection.

The mediator’s secondary roll is keeping things honest. It is his responsibility to make sure the combatants do not employ magical items in an attempt to gain an unfair advantage. It is traditional for the mediator to search each combatant for contraband before construction of the arena begins. Prohibited items are usually confiscated and held until the duel is completed. Careful mediators usually insist on physically searching each combatant to foil nondetection spells and amulets of proof against detection and location, which can defeat divination spells.

The mediator can end the arena construction process just by touching one of the combatants. The mediator can end the duel itself in a similar manner. A dedicated mediator resists attempts to disturb the combatants, but mediators with less resolve have been known to flee when challenged.

The mediator knows how much time each caster spends contributing spells to the arena, and some judges have been known to intervene, ending the duel for good or for ill.

The mediator is under no special compulsions toward fairness or honesty unless duelists take precautions. A geas spell can help insure a mediator’s fairness, but powerful characters can usually avoid the worst effects of violating the geas. It is best if both combatants agree on a mediator they can trust.

If the protective spell the mediator casts over the duelists is large enough, the character can include himself in the spell and be protected along with the combatants. Some spells, such as prismatic sphere, allow the caster free passage in and out, which makes them ideal for mediators who want to keep an eye on the situation outside the arena as well as the battle taking place in the arena.

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