[quote=@Chimera]
Is the ruling really that Iolanthe must lose a hand? I'd figure bashing his funny bone would be enough. The full length of his sword shouldn't even be getting close.

I say this because - he's wielding the sword in his right arm, and the shield is in Iolanthe's left. He's leading with his right, she's leading with her left. The closest points between them are Iolanthe's shield, and Sigurd's sword. I don't see her defense faltering here, it's just so simple...
[/quote]

Not so simple as that.  Also, as I said, you might not lose the hand.

If you'll recall, when I last left you two, Sigurd's swordpoint was left somewhere just over Iolanthe's right shoulder.  It's effectively already past the shield.  Additionally, the arm is pretty flexible, and a smack like that simply wouldn't be enough to stop it, especially not with the angles you described... might have been better to just try and get it in the way of his sword.

Sword is not so close.  She freaking bashed it out of the way.

EDIT: Look, I didn't budge for Melon, and I won't budge here either.  I've been through the posts with as fine a comb as I can muster, spent ages double-checking details on the characters and weapons, and literally acted out the scenarios to make sure the positioning was possible.  

Maybe you see things differently, and maybe from your point of view, I am wrong.  However, these fights ultimately come down to writing.  As an impartial observer, I read carefully over both the posts, and came to the conclusions I did, led there only by what I read.  If my interpretation differed from yours, perhaps it would be best to make sure you're expressing yourself clearly.  

Tldr; I'm working based on what both players wrote IC, not on arguments made here.