It was something he may have expected, sure, but not by some lioness he had zero inkling of who they were would be the one actually doing it. His attention would be swept away by a voice before he felt weight upon his body, golden eyes watching as the lioness sprung toward him and attempted to wrap both front limbs around his neck. He could feel her claws rip into his mane, keeping the majority of his flesh protected. But there were spots where claws did prick into his skin and those were what caused him to get lost in a crazed frenzy. His ears would stay pinned, keeping their way out from the fray. A snarl would be released as his jaws opened and snapped toward the front of the woman's neck, attempting to gain a hold of it. He wanted his fangs to sink deep into that vulnerable flesh, to taste the blood flow from her and into his mouth. As Valhalla did this would his body lurch itself forward in an attempt to cause for her to stagger on her hind legs, shoulders rolling forward to help aide in his push. His tail would lash out behind him to help with his balance and claws would be unsheathed and gripping into the soft rainforest ground. The Brynmawr was built for this moment and he would be damned if he allowed for a woman to take him down.



Valhalla vs. Ismae
for DEATH
01/07
Hits:

Rolling 7d20: 18 + 16 + 4 + 17 + 2 + 15 + 20

Dodges:

Rolling 3d20: 4 + 20 + 9

@Ismae

table by sentinel / lion + cliffs

the kid was frightened, it was obvious. frantic to make this stop. things like this, were better left as stories to be told later. lochlan had been told not to cause trouble without the consent of the cove's sovereigns and that's what he'd do. the man did his best to be honorable when he could. lochlan had no want to spill the blood of any of these strangers.

so when the child spat at him and preached that he too wanted to fight, loch couldn't hold back a dry chuckle. warm golden eyes darkened. he would fight them, back in the day. try to slaughter them all, if he could. there were many instances where he had been just as Parvati claimed. But not now, not today.

"Whether they fight or not, isn't our business. Neither Avaneira nor Morrigan has given us permission to intervene. Our pride is neutral, kid." he'd explain patiently, although his baritones were flat. "I have no want to fight needlessly here, and I don't even know what they're fighting for. But for all you know, it could be for good reason. It's not your place - especially at your age - to judge nor direct those you do not know. It will only lead to strife. Understand?" tones were stern, eyes sharp.

He didn't feel like plucking the kid out of a fight. Or tearing into some rando. But with the scene they were making, it's possible he would. teeth would grit, an attempt to reign in his irritation.

@Parvati

TABLE © ARGENT 2018

It wasn’t smart for a female to wander so far from her pride when she was so heavily pregnant, but then, who would accuse of anyone in the bluffs of being intelligent? Viné knew how much Dior meant to Aarani and while he was still working out how he felt about the fully maned female, he would not let that cloud his mind from what was right. The swell of her belly was obvious. Vin&#@33; hadn’t, wouldn’t ask who the father was; it wasn’t his concern as she wasn’t, technically his female. He didn’t miss the adoring eyes Aarani would place on that swell, however, and resigned himself to the fact that he’d be raising another lion’s cubs. There was no logic in all of Amaryllis that would ever convince him that two woman had been able to convince children. It was biologically impossible unless there was something about Aarani that he’d missed in their many nights together. No, he did not believe in Maua, would never no matter if she appeared before him in a top hat and did a tap dance for him.

Speaking of intelligence, Dior’s lack of foresight brought the wrath of Aarani on her. While Viné sympathy for the female, they did share a love of battle after all, he had to agree with Aarani on this one. The cubs were more important then spectating a match; especially when the temptation to join would be so high. He of course had no such handicaps, and lingered at the edge of the group, if a little unsure. No, he was a male with the prowess to fight. Aarani could not fault him for remaining, or… at least the male hoped. As Dior passed by his hulking frame, he whispered for her ears. “If it comes to it, I will fight for both of us. Guard her and the cubs.” Even heavily pregnant, it wouldn’t do harm to have a warrior remain in the bluffs if it came to such a thing.

That was a mess, that Viné he didn’t cause (this time). Now, he turned to Circe who was also bloated with coming children. No, there was defiantly one brain cell in all of the bluffs, the only question was, who was currently using it. “My lady,” the dark red lion rumbled with a nod to Zoticus. “Stay close to us.” Just in case someone thought she was an easy target. To Zoticus he grumbled, “It seems they made the choice for us.” Referring to their early conversation of how to handle the growing unrest within the peninsula. Oh well, plans only ever went so far, it was ones ability to adapt that would win this.

What was that about having only one braincell again? He grumbled under his breath as another one of their females, another one heavy with cubs decided that a fight to the death was a good place to be. Luckily she seemed to be wise enough to come stand beside Zoticus, and there for Viné wasn’t worried about another sneaking past and attacking a caring female. But damn if he didn’t wish they’d just stay home in the first place!

@Aarani @Dior @Circe @Zoticus @Arjana

"..."

Throw yourself into the unknown

With pace and a fury defiant

+10 Sneak into a pride or group without getting caught
+5 Infiltrate a group thread without getting caught
+5 Practice hiding your scent

[hidden]
He was...vaguely aware that a shift had occurred within the jungle. With the territory being so close to his own den, it was harder not to notice when some kind of commotion took place. He hadn't made it to the last challenge, however, having been across the island at the time, but the scent in the area had changed and that meant a new leader had stepped up. Apparently, someone wasn't happy about it.

Distasteful as it was, he'd taken an extra little detour along the river to add a thin coating of mud to his fur in order to cover his natural scent. By the roar alone, he had the impression the stakes would likely be far higher than normal should he be discovered.

Careful and quiet, he crept through the underbrush, until he was just far enough into the territory to have a decent enough view of the main event. There were few familiar faces in the crowd, but that spoke more to his own reclusive tendencies than anything else, he supposed. The mystery here, was what either had done to warrant such violence, what offense had been so great it deserved death?

Perhaps, with patience, he would overhear a reasoning. Or perhaps he would be left to wonder. Ultimately, whatever happened here would have very little effect on his life, but it was good to remain in the loop.

code by corvus

There were a number of sounds that haunted Hanneth in her sleep and at first that is what she thought the scream was. Another bad dream starting on the edge of her sleep. She rolled slightly, trying to find @Dero's warmth in their den and waking only slightly to make sure she didn't scare him with her touch. It was in that moment that Kiton's voice called and it was clear that it hadn't been a dream. They were under attack. Again. Without much thought on the heart attack she was about to give Dero she shoved into him. Wake up! I think we are being attacked again! Her voice was in full panic mode as she tried to figure out if it would be best for them to stay in their den and just die together this time or maybe... peek out and see if anything could be done? Tears threatened to start falling as she tried to make sense of things. She moved to the mouth of the den and listened. The sounds didn't sound close. Was the fighting happening on the borders? She looked around in time to see Roan's tail flicking by. Roan! She cried out. Not again. She turned back into the den, gave Dero a long and pained look before giving him a few quick kisses. We have to go help the kids. She said quickly, the weight of her words cutting into her own heart. There wouldn't be a getting away this time, would there? She took in what she thought would be the last look of her husband, who had given so much of himself already to her and their family. I love you Dero. So very much. She grabbed the bundle of herbs that she could before headed out and sending up a clear call for @Copree to come help. She knew the lioness wasn't to far away.

She followed Roan's scent and when she didn't find him fighting on the borders she got confused and paused before hearing a lot of sounds coming from the Rainforest. What was going on? The dread in her soul eased just a little as she followed the scent and arrived to see one fight underway and another getting started. Why did everyone here have to fight so much? The bronze lioness quickly spotted Roan and moved to his free side and pressed into him slightly. She had no idea what was going on but just wanted him safe. She looked at @Furia, Kiton, and @Nymeria but said nothing. She didn't even really watch the fighters, just wanting to keep an eye on her loved ones. She had seen enough fighting, enough death, lost enough. The sounds of the fighting cut deep as she clenched her jaw a little more around her bundle and her claws dug into the forest floor. She doesn't spot @Deimos just yet.

CODE BY Ice - IMAGE BY Autumn

He had truly been trying to keep a low profile. Had been staying away from his temple within the pit, not praying to the gods of violence. Had even hid in the challenge for his old kingdom. However there is only so much he can resist, so much he can avoid. He is a creature born of hellfire and war and when the call for not one, but two death matches echoes from the forest he cannot turn away. The demon king rises from his temporary shelter of the day and begins to carve a path across this land. He is a fair distance away and injured so he has to take the long way round.

However this was too juicy, too interesting to ignore. While he has no hound in this hunt, he knows of the tensions here and like an old lady cannot resist the possible gossip.

Eventually he emerges, gaze sweeping over those gathered( including @Úlla you happy fiore) before finding a seat. He chose a spot apart from the feuding groups, those invested but with a clear view of both fights. Sitting upon his temporary throne, the demon's balefire gaze bright and fixed on the tussling pairs. Yes fight, fight for your lives and his amusement. Movement and a flash of pink in the dark did catch his eyes for a moment, and his gaze tears(and you can see how brutally he has to yank his attention from the fight) from the spectacle to the tiny cub. Balefire eyes narrow and his look seems to say. Come here. at @Asteria

image by Scarf. Code by Saph.

As one of very few warriors within Ecrosia, Jafar did not hesitant at the beckoning call of his High Sovereign, @Kiton. While they did not have any steady friendship, Jafar would give his loyalty to the guy until such a time that he wished to make his own way elsewhere. Obviously having already devised not to double-cross the guy since it seemed that his family did not take well to such things. Jafar was a greedy dude but for the time that he had spent in the Mire, he had no intention of stabbing someone in the back that had only given him kindness.

So the bronze male came dutifully to Kiton's right side, flanking him in an orderly fashion as his dark purple gaze drifted through the crowd. Anticipation growing with every second as he listened, waiting for anyone to make the wrong move or for the Hodari to order him in.

This was wrong, this was so wrong. How could she not come, when she heard the calls; recognized the voices. She came running, feet slamming the ground and kicking out the longest strides she could until her heart hammered in her chest and she could barely breath and she ran on. No, no no. A group was already gathered, large and angry, their faces twisted in anger and rage and some pleasure in this facade. Why, why, had they done this, Aquila and Valhalla. Had she caused this? Had she pressed Aquila's paw by telling him about the forest leader's threats? And there she was too, locked in the throws of battle with the Oasis King. She hadn't even begun to settle in to the idea of having a home, and here it teetered on the edge of life in death. A moment later, another rushed at Valhalla, her only friend in this land (sorry Fenrir and Lochlan), his life too on the edge of a tooth.

"Stop stop stop!! Make them stop!" Someone was screaming in the crowd, it took Salome too long to realize it was her own voice. But no one was stopping, no one was hearing her. Why this? Why now? Why, why why? Rage had no answer. Misery had none either, she didn't know what to do. Who to turned to. They were a pride of three. Salome didn't know of allies, inside or out. And, perhaps soon a pride of one. She would be alone again. Salome was a stranger in this land, thrown into a bubbling cauldron before she could even realize what was happening. All she could do with scream in agony at the things that were being torn away from her before she scarcely knew their value.

@Aquila @Valhalla

image by moogle/code by saph

Nephthys didn't have too much of a dog in the fight, all things considered. She knew Sangria was an enemy of sorts, but outside of attempting to steal Feyre, there wasn't much else she knew about. Her eyes drifted to the group that had gathered; things had exploded so quickly it made her head spin. Neph slipped into a hiding place and spotted @Gostir alongside @Feyre, much to her dismay. Good grief, c'mon Feyre! She made a note of her geographical location in case things went south and settled down, eager to see what happened. Besides chaos.

+5 Observe a fight 1/2
+10 Sneak into a pride or group without getting caught 1/2
+10 Learn something about pride/family relations 1/2

image by moogle/code by saph

Overrun, you're under the gun

Sound the drum, the Great War has come

She had heard the roars that rose above the trees and Jewel - while she initially would have stood down and let it happen.. realized that the cries were coming from the North. The ebon woman rose from her den, intending to trail the pride borders - to ensure that whatever it was didn't tumble over them. Except she realized that some of the younger members had left - their scents trailing to the north. Concern in her heart as she lurched over the border as well.

The once-queen slunk through the shadows that was the night, her tails tight near her haunches as she approached, slinking, ears to her skull, eye casting around. The last time she was near this place - she lost an eye. Though, that was closer to the Mire than the Rainforest. She spotted the Caladan crew and approached with a soft, warning rumble in her breast as she peered at them. "None of you should be here.."

Her tone was curt, clipped as she let her gaze travel those that were embattled with one another and found she didn't recognize many of them - which wasn't all that surprising truthfully. She didn't know if this would spill into Caladan members, but Jewel didn't know of anyone else with rank in the immediate vicinity - and shifted slightly and attempted to keep herself close to the younger members of the Cove.

Code by Corvus.. Image (C)jean wimmerlin @Unsplash. Manip by Tabs