Mano a Norn-o

Overview
Summary
 * 1) Speak to Artificer Mullenix when you are ready to duel with Knorr Oaken.
 * 2) Stand as the champion for the Eye of the North and defeat Knorr Oaken for the sake of all humanity!
 * 3) See Artificer Mullenix for your reward.

Obtained from
 * Artificer Mullenix in Eye of the North (outpost)

Reward
 * 100 Vanguard reputation points
 * Skills
 * Deft Strike
 * Lockpick

Dialogue
 * "[Solo Quest] We have a bit of a problem. Of course, with all these Norn around, that shouldn't be too much of a surprise. You wouldn't believe how often Norn warriors wander down here and challenge us to duels to prove their valor. Then they go home and boast about how easy it is to defeat the "puny humans" in battle. Usually, we just ignore them and hope they go find something else to beat about the head.


 * The latest barbarian to arrive, however... some brutish oaf named Knorr Oaken... simply won't leave. He's starting to cause a real problem. Nobody can get any work done what with constantly being challenged to single combat. You're the most battle-tested of anyone here at the Eye. Will you fight as our champion against this Norn?"


 * Accept: "This will be a victory for all humanity!"
 * Reject: "Can't we just hug and be friends?"

Intermediate Dialogue 1 (Artificer Mullenix)
 * "You will be removed from your party to face Knorr Oaken alone. Are you ready?"


 * Accept: "I am ready."
 * Reject: "I am not ready."

Intermediate Dialogue 2
 * Knorr Oaken: "What's this? I ask for a champion and they send me a flea!"
 * Knorr Oaken: "Were you the runt of the litter, or is your entire pack this puny?"
 * Knorr Oaken: "I've eaten bigger chunks of bear meat than you!"

Intermediate Dialogue 3
 * Knorr Oaken: "Astounding! You have bested me. By the bear, you are unlike any human I have ever met. Well fought, little... big one."

Reward Dialogue
 * "Well done! It's certainly good to see someone finally put those brutes in their place! That's the last we'll hear from Knorr Oaken, I imagine. With any luck, and a little help from a crafty artificer, the word will get out to the rest of the Norn about how he was defeated by a human. Take pride; you've raised the reputation of not only the Vanguard but our entire race with these barbarians."

Walkthrough
You do not actually kill Knorr Oaken to win the fight, just get his health down to about 20% and he will declare his defeat. There is time to buff with spells prior to the combat. Additionally, Knorr will only attack if you come close to him, so if you stay where you appear, you have all the time you want to prepare.

So long as you are preparated for single combat with an opponent that will engage in purely melee attacks, the combat is not particularly difficult. Warriors may want to consider bringing Dolyak Signet to prevent knockdown and an interrupt skill like Distracting Blow to interrupt his Bear Form tranformation at the start of the fight and use of Healing Signet. As a Ranger, bringing Dust Trap or Smoke Trap makes this fight very easy. A 55-Monk with Mantra of Resolve works quite well.

Trivia

 * The quest title, 'Mano a Norn-o' is a reference to the spanish phrase, "Mano-a-mano" meaning 'Hand to Hand'.
 * It was used originally in bullfights where just the matador and the bull confront each other.
 * Current Spanish usage describes any kind of competition between two people where they both compete, but somehow cooperate in achieving something.