She is not particularly close to the chaos when it begins, but she can hear it, a cacophony of noise that rattles the trees and quakes the earth. Curiosity may have killed the cat, but still she takes a chance on the euphemism of many lives, her nosy nature encouraging her to investigate. She isn't certain where Hazel is, but is confident that her sister can hold her own, and so she sets out through the trees in the direction of the distant fighting.

By the time she reaches the scene, Lexa is met with utter chaos. Her gaze sweeps over those fighting, some more seriously than others -- two stilled bodies on the ground, and multiple others unconscious. It is, perhaps, the wrong sister who has arrived here, for she does not possess the same healing talents as Hazel. And truthfully, she doesn't harbor the sympathy to help strangers, either.

It is @Roarke's familiar frame, in fact, that captures her attention more fully. She can see the fury that ripples beneath the surface, the brooding stare, the rage only just contained. Her gaze flickers to the man who has drawn the attention of others here, but he is hardly as impressive of a specimen as the titan that is Roarke. She slinks towards him and away from the madness descending across the clearing, having little interest in the dramatic scene unfolding -- at least not in being a direct part of it.

It doesn't particularly matter that the red and grey beast isn't someone she knows incredibly well; he is merely someone she knows, and has taken an interest in. Lexa has no way of knowing if it's reciprocated, but that sort of thing has never bothered her regardless. She edges up to his side, her curious gaze drifting past him and towards the bloody scene across the way. "What happened here?" she queries, her curious nature begging to know what has driven these lions to such great lengths of violence.

high achiever, don't you see? nothing comes for free

table by sentinel / art

Roseate hadn't seen any of the proceeding events leading toward this, but a claim he couldn't miss. There wa chaos, blood in the air and he revels in it in the selfish way only a morally-ambiguous bard could be. He slips amongst the gathered to see with steep interest that Roarke is the present here to this claim, but was not challenging.

Roseate sidles in, aware he is once again tresspassing but not caring. This was too interesting to miss. He settles to sit, coiling his tail by his paws with intently-pricked ears and narrowed red eyes. Who indeed, would prevail?

Her simmering curiosity got the better of her, causing Ulla to slip out of her den and trek to the rainforest. She wanted not to recall anything that had happened in the days past and instead focus on what was occurring now. When she spoke to him, she always thought Gwyn would take a kingdom. With Sangria gone, the pride became ripe once more for the taking. A shame it was the rainforest, where temperature fluctuated between hot and cold - she would've loved to claim it if she could. At least, however, Gwyn was a neutral party to all of this. Ulla couldn't imagine attending the claim of an enemy family. When she found the large male, he was still waiting for an opponent. Ulla decided to remain where she was, watching as another male stepped into the ring. She licked her lips and sunk onto the ground, eagerly awaiting the final result.

image © argent 2021

This thread has been paused pending staff discussion.

Any posts after this will be removed.

Roarke's challenge had been voided due to being on a challenge cooldown. Gwyn’s claim can still be contested until 3:30pm EST on September 7.

This thread is now unpaused. Posts after the unpause are not to mention the voiding of the challenge.

“You claim will not go unanswered,” he booms — finding a voice wherein Cupid tended to stay quiet. He has seen so much turmoil on the eastern coast of Amaryllis that he would see it no more; and if he must, he will throw down his gauntlet to enact peace where peace ought to be. It is thus that he strides forth — standing before the older, larger male about six feet away. His head lowered, dark ears tucked in his mane with his claws unsheathed.

Wolfbron may shun him for his decision — for not talking to them beforehand, but there is little time to plan in a storm of violence such as this. They are near if the raid continues onwards not far from where he plans to fight for this home — for @Roarke ’s home. It is what Cupid would have wanted, if he saw his own torn asunder in the past. As Ares, Riptide’s father, had done for them, he would do for Firnen. No more.

Cupid vs @Gwyn
for Firnen Rainforest
zero of five

As per Pride Tier 4 of Wolfbron Bluffs, +1 dice will be added to his primary level 1 trade perk.

EDITED WITH PERMISSION FROM ICE! <3

living like a riot, setting off the sirens; fists are clenched, i'm fighting

table by sentinel / art

She'd heard all the chaos within the rainforest, but she hadn't gotten there before she heard something far more interesting: someone was trying to claim the pride. Naturally, she changed directions and headed there instead. Getting there just as the pair of males faced off against each other, she joined @Roarke in utter confusion.

"The fuck is going on?" she asked him, not knowing that Sangria was dead. "Who're we rooting for Cap?" She didn't know either of them, or if Roarke would even want to continue to stay in the rainforest. She was kind of tired of it, what with everything seemingly up in the air constantly, but hey at least it wasn't boring!

It doesn't take long for others to start trickling in. First comes @Jewel whom he nods at, his voice, low urgent casting out for her ears alone. He knew others would be joining in soon. "My offer to you stands" he states, his mind not catching up to him quite yet. There was a fair amount of things happening, you couldn't really blame him. What with worrying about the two fragile beings as well as this challenge he completely forgets he had first promised the role to his wife. This was going to be a wee bit awkward.

@Wodnik arrived next, earning a nod from the beast, and then his dark daughter. @Dysnomia won a slight smile from the beast, a nod, and then he flicks his gaze to @Asteria and @Elijah. Directing her to join them and help out. He sets his stance better, spreading it a touch wider, his spine aligning properly. Chin tucks but he leaves his mouth closed for the moment. It wasn't going to start too quickly.

The next soul who joined those who supported the demon king was a surprise. Gwyn knew how much @Kalahari hated this sort of tension, but, she had come in support of him all the same. His balefire gaze, fierce and dangerous sparked gently as she appeared. Her jaws held a plant, which, as she dropped it at his feet, was apparently a painkiller. The monster looked between her and the plant, sighed, and chewed it. Just because he knew it would help it didn't mean he would be particularly excited about it. Herbs universally weren't tasty. After swallowing the bitter pill he reaches out with his muzzle in silent thanks. Aiming to press it gently to her forehead, a surprisingly gentle gesture considering the audience. Still on the other hand, it also made it very clear who she belonged to, and who he belonged to in return, so, it worked. "Please stay out of the way, I don't want you caught in the middle." he murmurs, and then, his head snaps. Eyes narrow, his gaze fierce, stance resetting as someone discordant arrives.

Hello @Céleste, what corner did you creep out of?

A grow shivers across his muzzle, scrunching it into a snarl. "Unless you wish to challenge me chit, you have no say." he growls, hulking form taking a step towards her to intimidate her. He is large and angry and her butthurt was foolish. "Land belongs to no one but those who take it. I take it for my family. This is not your home anymore. Blame your leader who threw her life and land away over a stupid personal feud. It needs fresh blood and I will provide that. " he continues, scathing, cruel but she had started it. "If you aren't prepared to defend it, then, kindly take your bullshit and smear it elsewhere." he finishes, leaving his jaw hanging open, relaxed. Standing ready. Its at this point he realizes he also promised rank to his wife... it was too late now to fix it. It would have to wait until after the fight had finished. If there was one. There might be considering the blind bitch before him. If there was one disgruntled idiot, there was likely to be more. And not all would suffer the wee child's wrath well, at which he turns to peer at Jewel and Kalahari once more. Muzzle shifts between @Asteria and the two woman, silently asking one, or both of them to keep an eye on her.

More and more trickle in, and he watches them all. One bejeweled male looks as if he might challenge, but, he does not. Úlla arrives and he flicks an ear to acknowledge her arrival, but then, finally, one of the gathering crowd steps up. A pastel man who oozed a sense of righteousness. Brows rise slightly above balefire; he hadn't made this one for a probable opponent. "Who are you? I am Gwyn Casimir." he rumbles, making slight adjustments to his stance. Facing off, squaring off, he thinks he can feel the start of the herbs taking the edge off the worst of his injuries. Gods below that was good timing. The moment he leaves for the other to answer seems to stretch impossibly long.

Then with an explosion of speed, fueled by adrenaline and blood lust, and directed by experience does he lunge forward. There is a little bounce, a small arc, deceiving in nature with his charge. Many would go to tangle their forehalf in the other from move one, and for a moment it looks like that. However, Gwyn is using the aid of gravity to launch his attack. Right forelimb comes down, bending and absorbing, allowing him to swing his left out and then in. Using this, he attempts to scoop and catch @Cupid's right foreleg with clawed, cupped paw. The blow is aimed to wrap around just above ankle height, talons seeking purchase on the back and inside of the limb. Simultaneously his skull closes distance as he tries his strike, hungry fangs set to devour. They search for a solid grip on the right side of Cupid's face and neck. The lower eyeteeth looking to dig into the meaty muscle of the cheek and jaw, while the upper canines hope to catch above his opponent's right ear. Behind him his tail lashes, stance spread wide for balance and control. Hind claws dig in and Hold so his movement, his weight while slightly front heavy, doesn't commit fully. He does not want to be vulnerable and not be able to move if needed.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Gwyn vs Cupid for Firnen Rainforest
Round 1/5
Hit:

Rolling 6d20: 9 + 13 + 3 + 1 + 14 + 19

dogde:

Rolling 4d20: 5 + 1 + 15 + 10

image by Scarf. Code by Saph.

This is the first time Cupid has stepped forth; his mouth thus far kept shut even within the comforts of his own pride. Whether he wins or loses here will not be the end of the world, but this land hinges on it; Cupid is not keen on Firnen becoming a Wolfbron enemy. He thinks of Roarke and the allies who suddenly saw their home torn away from them; he thinks of Riptide and his friends back at the Bluffs who have been through so much in terms of battle that they needn’t go through it again.

He does not know the stranger that stands before him — and by the reaction of the Firnen (former though they may be), they did not approve of him. Whether they would come to accept him is a different story, too, but he does not plan to force them to leave, he would hear their voices — and what change they wished to see in their own home. Hell, being a leader isn’t something Cupid thought about, he is green behind the ears compared to others who have ruled many times over. But he would learn, and he would take their advice.

Narrowed stone eyes shift upon the challenger who goes about asking for his identity, for once the Gentry sees little need for a business handshake — they may not be personally hostile towards themselves but they are not casual strangers about to spar. “Cupid Beaumont; a member of Wolfbron Bluffs, an ally to the former leadership here.” He settles on the wordy introduction not necessarily for Gwyn, but for the people in the crowd — his allegiance spoken, now they know where he stands. Sangria he knew on a casual level before she’d taken over, and though he knew little of how she ran the pride here, Wolfbron stood with them. And Cupid trusted Zoticus. A respect that he’d earned over the months the spotted Paladin had been here.

There is no more conversation that filters between the two. Instead, Gwyn preps his charge. The length in between them disappears in a matter of moments.

His head remains lowered to align with his spine, dark tail pressed out to assist him with his balance as dark ears keep tucked within his dual-colored mane. His mock charge reminds him of Avaneira — she’d posed a similar one during their spar. It is his experience in fighting as of late that has come to aid the once inexperienced Cupid in standing his own against others. Nothing will be as bad as his first fight outside of this realm, and the dogpile he experienced in the Mire months ago.

Gwyn’s left forepaw is successful in curling around his right ankle — slicing lacerations in its wake and the promise of blood to peak from the thin cuts in the near future. Reflex has the boy picking up the leg, however, and thus a hold cannot be formed on the limb. Instead, Cupid attempts to counter with his right arm attempting to rake down the soft inner portion of Gwyn’s leg that he had cupped towards him. Gwyn’s jaws find mane above his right ear and cup just underneath the right eye — creating tears in his mane and two wounds of his canines on the meaty portion of Cupid’s right cheek that bleed more eagerly.

The Gentry adjusts his head to the left (again working on instinct) — with Gwyn’s jaw attack, it opens his neck to the shorter male’s jaws. He does not intend to go for the kill, but if he can spook the male to call off this fight sooner than later? Yeah. He’s going to. He attempts to bite down just underneath the male’s jaws and hold — lower jaw aiming underneath the jaw of his opponent, and upper teeth more-so on the side of Gwyn’s neck. The motion of his head causing a lack of hold to be formed over his face as well — opening his own defenses but Cupid gambles on the inability to turn the head if his jaws hit their target.

Cupid vs @Gwyn
for Firnen Rainforest
one of five
hits

Rolling 4d20: 19 + 16 + 14 + 15

dodges

Rolling 6d20: 2 + 8 + 4 + 18 + 3 + 15

As per Pride Tier 4 of Wolfbron Bluffs, +1 dice will be added to his primary level 1 trade perk.

living like a riot, setting off the sirens; fists are clenched, i'm fighting

table by sentinel / art

This man was not of the previous pride, but friends of them. On one hand the level of loyalty displayed was impressive, on the other hand it was also stupid. Gwyn fought for his kin, who were settled to the side, while this one fought for honor and friends. Fights often went to who wanted it more. Gwyn wanted it, needed it, craved it. He felt naked without a crown and would take it to make his home and throne once more. So while he files away the knowledge and the name with the barest incline of his skull, he is confident in his win. This place was his, and if @Cupid thought he could snatch it from beneath his paws tough luck.

Gwyn, as always, is silent. He sees no benefit in wasting his breath in paltry words when all your energy, all your focus should go to the battle itself. The boy lifts his leg, dodging his hold and striking against the inside of his limb. Gwyn is in the process of placing this paw to the earth so earns a stretch of gashes, deepest near the back of his left wrist and shallow as it wraps around the front part of the limb. His opposite limb(the right) raises, and aims to try and reach for the tender flesh where elbow and side meet. Right in that crease which is his favourite spot to try and gain a hold. Its so delightfully shaped like Gwyn's paw, his toes trying to aid his claws digging in. Its hard to resist. Meanwhile, his own teeth score purchase, but the other man, despite his inexperience, is smart. Cupids jaw's aim for the beasts chin, throat. While he is not some gunshy novice, any blow to that part of his head has him wary. The demon does not back down though, and instead, jerk flinches his skull down, to his right(insomuch as he could), and into the other mans jaws. He knows his mane will hopefully protect him from the worst of it. The devil trusts the sudden shock of the blow against tender teeth and gums will force the other's jaws away before he can get a proper grip. The Casimir will bleed and cut himself on the other man's forest of fangs, but that was much preferable to the other controlling the fight from his first move. No, Gwyn would not give up that easily. Scaring him(or attempting to) only made him all the more Brutal.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Gwyn vs Cupid for Firnen Rainforest
Round 2/5
Hit:

Rolling 6d20: 11 + 16 + 17 + 1 + 14 + 18

dogde:

Rolling 4d20: 8 + 12 + 14 + 5

image by Scarf. Code by Saph.