[quote=@MelonHead]
You'd think so, but usually when someone writes something they write it because they're certain it will work. So confronting someone on something they're sure of is pretty difficult, it's like how often do you think you've managed to debate someone successfully enough to change their opinion on something? It's hard as hell. Judging from a third party is just fairer and takes the bite out of OOC arguments and whatnot. 
[/quote]

Then how do so many fights in the Arena proceed without a judge's intervention?

How did Doc Doctor and DJAtomika finish their fight without ever needing me to step in?

How have I myself been able to work out differences with my opponents in similarly technical and competitive fights?

As I said, I understand it is helpful to have a third party around to decide things sometimes.  But you should at least freaking [i]try[/i] to understand where the opponent is coming from, and cite what is written in the fight (or in outside sources) if you feel they may need convincing.  


[hider=If you insist]
[quote=@Chimera]
This entire action required Iolanthe continue pivoting her right leg behind her left, so that once again, she fully lead with her hoplon. She leaned back a bit, to give the side of her shield closest to her head room to thrust up, and would begin ducking under her shield afterwards. 
[/quote]

There's the shield.

"a straight double-edged blade of around 85 to 110 cm (33 to 43 in)" - Wikipedia page on longswords.  
[quote=@Chimera]
2 feet of space is between Iolanthe and Sigurd, roughly. The span of Iolanthe's body is another 1-2 feet, [i]once she pivots[/i] so that her spear-held arm is practically withdrawing behind her. 
[/quote]

Sigurd's arm will take up some of the two feet between them, and assuming the sword is average length for a longsword, that would put it at over three feet long.  The pivot, no matter how fast, probably wouldn't get Iolanthe's forearm out of reach.

And 15 lbs is a reasonable weight, Melon agrees that it's heavy.  No problem there.

As for the trade-off, I already said it seems pretty fair, based on the ruling and circumstances.  Dunno if Chimera will take issue with it or not, but honestly I don't see anything wrong there...
[/hider]