One could call it what they want but he didn't see this as a underhanded move. Livyatan wanted a rank, to help draw in members to the pride. Adult members, this place was overrun by cubs. What could would cubs do if enemies threatened their borders? At the very best they would make good fodder. Though he doubted Alaric would even entertain that idea.

The ebony lion moved to a good stable clearing in the Mire, the ground had frozen a bit making it easier to gain traction. His claws curled beneath him to test its thickness, pacing a bit to test the entire ground with his weight. It didn't even twitch beneath it. Good. Amber-yellow eyes narrowed while he chuffed calling for one of the Nobles of the Mire to come meet him for a challenge. Livyatan wanted their title, would they fight him for it?


Livyatan vs ???
for
Ecrosia Mire Noble
0 // 3

ART BY IRISH / CODING BY SENTINEL

@Alaric @Myra @Adeodatus

Chance allowed for Bruno to be the first to answer the summons, though it was not meant for the young prince. The yearling trotted with brisk interest in the direction of the sound, his nose twitching all the while to try and give him further context. A male member of the group was calling for the rank of noble, though he could not tell if he was trying to strip it from someone specific. Interesting.

When he broke through a clearing in the forestry, he could finally see the lion he did not recognize. Younger, objectively, and dark as night's void. Bruno studied his contrasting pelt of ebony and ivory with furrowed brows before pressing forward to take a seat – the first of a would-be audience.

"Fight well," he wished diplomatically, pressed to say something by the lack of other lions to serve as social buffers.

---

|| febaruary y9 | 1y 6m | EM royalty | at ecrosia mire | @Livyatan ||

_CODE

Ecrosia had fallen into a lull for the past few weeks, the humdrum of pride life filling the space between challenges and war and chaos. Once she had craved it, the unpredictability of living in the swamp that surged adrenaline regularly through her veins. But now she is not so sure, perhaps the quiet life suited her more nowadays.
Yet there was still something refreshing about a rank challenge, it meant that Alaric's subjects were keen to prove themselves, eager in their ambitions.

The queen arrived without ceremony, walking onto the scene with a curious and welcome look for the newcomer (@Livyatan), a black and white male who sought to reach so high so quickly. Sapphire gaze was surprised not to see his challenge met yet by one of the nobles, because neither Adeodatus nor Myra were shy of fighting.

The Scot would stop beside @Bruno ♔, a warm smile given to the prince before returning to set her sights on Livyatan. "I am sure ye challenge will be met soon." She reassured.

ART BY IRISH / CODING BY SENTINEL

The call went up for the title of Noble and though Adeodatus thought that maybe @Myra would have taken the fight, that was not the case when he arrived. Ears twisting in his growing mane as he came to the group and spotted those that were already there but none had taken on the challenger and that was a bit disappointing to the Devorre brute.

I'll take up your challenge. He would state, looking to @Livyatan as he readied himself for the fight. Of course, Adeodatus would've started first but that wasn't going to be the case today, today he would let the male make the first move as the Devorre studied him.

Adeodatus vs. Livyatan
For Noble
Round zero

ART BY IRISH / CODING BY SENTINEL

Settling back into the Mire had been easy enough, after all she knew the land like the back of her own paws. Needless to say, when the call for a challenge came up it often didn't fall on deaf ears. Giulia's own curiosity is what drove her forwards but being her normal anti-social self, she didn't have any intentions of being seen. Giulia wanted to merely observe and learn what she could, and of course for curiosities sake she wanted to know who was fighting and why. The peach yearling moved across the snow as quiet as a field mouse, tiny paws carrying her lithe frame towards the nearest cluster of underbrush. It was there that she would settle, curled up in a tight ball to conceal herself even more. Vivid green eyes would first move towards the familiar forms of @Bruno ♔ and @Sláine as they talked amongst themselves. And then she would turn her attention towards the fighters, one as dark as night itself with white markings and the other, older and grey with eyes of crimson. She didn't know either of them, but she was sure she would enjoy observing their fight. Giulia settled herself further into the snow then, shifting slightly only so she could get a better view of the individuals gathered, remaining mute all the while.


*Giulia is observing & attempting to stay hidden~


[assassin exp]
+5 - Practice speed or stealth
+5 - Spy on an individual exchange
+10 - Successfully stay hidden for the duration of a thread

An audience was quickly forming and he paid little mind to it. Though he did notice each one, and someone shifting amongst the snow caught his golden gaze. If only briefly. He could not focus on her while he was attempting to prove himself.

A man a bit older than him had appeared and he would start to move towards him. Ears flattened on his head, his shoulders rolled forwards while claws gripped the cold soil below. Teeth flashed in a snarl while he picked up speed charging him head on. At the last second Livyatan would let his body drop down and to the left a bit, jaws aiming to grapple the front of Adeodatus' mane on the right side. Meanwhile front left paw swung forward attempting to pin the mans toes beneath his own paw. Eyes narrowed to keep them safe he kept his center of gravity lower to prevent being toppled.


Livyatan vs Adeodatus
for
Ecrosia Mire Noble
1 // 3
Hits: 

Rolling 6d20: 15 + 8 + 10 + 6 + 7 + 17

Dodges: 

Rolling 2d20: 18 + 15

Luck: 

Rolling 5d20: 5 + 12 + 10 + 16 + 1

ART BY IRISH / CODING BY SENTINEL

@Alaric @Giulia @Adeodatus

With Adeodatus giving @Livyatan the first round, he was able to study him and realize that the male before him was not that much younger than him. If perhaps a year younger but not by much. But this also gave the Devorre brute a chance to watch Livyatan as he came charging at him and changing his direction last minute. Adeodatus was not given enough time to really move, though he would attempt to side-step away last minute as well, which caused Livyatan's jaws to tear into his mane a little further back from its intended target. A growl formed when toes were smashed into the ground and Adeodatus would attempt to shove his right shoulder forwards, aiming for Livyatan's cheek ( whichever was closest ) as well as he would attempt to dig his own jaws into Livyatan's left shoulder.


Adeodatus vs Livyatan
For Noble
Round one

hit

Rolling 7d20: 3 + 20 + 17 + 8 + 12 + 14 + 6

dodge

Rolling 3d20: 14 + 8 + 2

luck

Rolling 5d20: 6 + 10 + 1 + 5 + 20

ART BY IRISH / CODING BY SENTINEL

~Hubert is attempting to remain hidden~

It'd been a little while since the last call for a rank had rung out throughout the swamp, hadn't it? For his part, Hubert isn't too surprised to be hearing it again today. The lions of his pride were powerful, after all. Ambitious. In all honesty, it had been the lull that was more surprising.

With his ebony pelt as mud streaked as ever, the young Starke would make his way towards the summons at a brisk pace, admittedly more than a little bit curious to witness for himself again, exactly how the Mire lions fought. Perhaps he could pick up a thing or two to try out the next time he ended up wrestling with Ottilie.

He lingers on the outskirts of the clearing, noting how the challenger must've purposefully chosen one of the drier, less soft spots of the swamp to carry out this battle. A logical enough decision, he supposes - though it might've been interesting to see someone use the damp ground to drag their opponent down. Thoughts for another day, perhaps.

For now, the prince is content to remain where he is in the shadows, rather than join Slaine and Bruno's familiar forms, dark green eyes peering out at the battle that had already started. He's familiar with neither lion, one black and one silver, though both seem like capable combatants. This should be interesting to watch, indeed.

+10 Remain undetected in a large thread
+5 Practice hiding your scent
+5 Study the landscape of an area

ART + CODE By Dee

Claws would attempt to hook further into his targets toes to make it rather painful to pull away. He had a hold that he was relcuntant to let go of. Ears pinned in his mane he growled feeling his jaws grasp the mans own mane, and let go before lifting upwards attempting to seize his cheek instead. This movement would cause the mans shoulder to slam into the area of his neck just below his windpipe which made him make a odd coughing gargle sound. Ow, that hurt. If his claws remained in his target he would attempt to pull back with force to hopefully and painfully drag his opponents paw forward whether he wanted it to or not. Adeodatus' jaws would sink into the area where the neck met shoulder but also where his mane ended. And as he felt blood drip down he grunted in pain from the teeth piercing his flesh.


Livyatan vs Adeodatus
for
Ecrosia Mire Noble
2 // 3
Hits: 

Rolling 6d20: 12 + 4 + 20 + 6 + 1 + 14

Dodges: 

Rolling 2d20: 8 + 17

Luck: 

Rolling 5d20: 13 + 17 + 10 + 7 + 6

ART BY IRISH / CODING BY SENTINEL

@Adeodatus

His shoulder didn't meet his intended target and he was very disappointed in himself mentally as he would keep his shoulders close to his neck. However, the fight must go on even as he felt the claws dig deeper into his toes - even moving his paw up a little bit too - which caused Adeodatus to growl in pain. That was going to hurt in the long run as he would try to push the pain away before focusing on the shoulder ( and mane ) in his mouth. Pushing his other foot forward as well, Adeodatus would attempt to shake his head - causing Livaytan's attack on his cheek to go a different direction and only scrapping his cheek - while he tried to tear the shoulder by shaking his head back and forth.

Adeodatus vs @Livyatan
For Noble
Round two

hit

Rolling 7d20: 11 + 12 + 18 + 3 + 16 + 8 + 14

dodge

Rolling 3d20: 18 + 13 + 6

luck

Rolling 5d20: 4 + 19 + 14 + 17 + 12

ART BY IRISH / CODING BY SENTINEL