Uzma is always cautious. She still spends much of her time on her own, distanced from the rest of the clan unless she is called upon. In time, she will meld more seamlessly into their group -- especially if Odhgrimm has anything to say about it -- but for now, she is still her own. She'd known this was coming, and when it does, she isn't particularly far. Gathering up the remainder of the herbs she'd been collecting in the desert and stuffing them in her rabbit-skin satchel, she heads for the caverns, her coat tinged red from the sands, and her scent overwhelmingly neutral. Still, some of them may know her face by now, and she approaches the growing crowd with caution, skirting the edges and slinking up a discreet slope where she settles in amongst the rocks. Perched ears hone in on the battle that has already ensued, her ruby gaze studying Alaric's opponent with intrigue. They seem to be an even match, and it's anybody's game who will come out on top. Of course, for the sake of her clan and her future, she hopes it's the would-be usurper to come out victorious. uzma is hidden

image by yumpy, code by koi

He didn't know what was going on, but it sounded interesting. The call of challenge was clear enough, but he didn't know how a pride could live out here. Among the mountains? How strange, and who would want that? The ways of pride lions were endlessly stupid and aggressive. Aurochs decided to trail along and spy on them, maybe find someone to dig his claws into, which wasn't stupid or aggressive at all.

That was a very good train of thought to have while he was stalking along by himself, but as he neared the battle scene the mix of scents and trails and noises made him shy away. He felt his heart pumping, felt his ears twitch and his toes dampen. Astrid wasn't here. He stopped amid the scree, still out of sight, and looked around. A bouldered slope caught his attention. Aurochs was plainly colored and would fit in well. He made a great, heaving jump, landing in a cleft between stones. From below, his tracks would seem to abruptly end. His healed limbs took the landing well but he panted and felt more tired than he should. He still needed to regain strength. Another day. Hopefully he wouldn't have to run. He turned around and leaned and pressed his paws and through a series of cat-as-liquid moves he wedged himself in, a dull grey amid stones, with only his green eyes alight to watch.

-aurochs is hiding

+10x2 Find a notable landmark in a territory
+10x2 Explore a territory and find something useful in it
+5x2 Leave a trail of confusing tracks

It was time.

Erna had informed Eulalia that the challenge would begin soon. The jarl picked his way across the tundra to Obsidian Hollow, a location that very well may become their new home. His heart thundered steadily in his chest, his one good eye gleaming through blond locks as he came onto the scene. He lurked about the outskirts, assessing the already gathering lions. His last experience with a pride challenge hadn't been particularly peaceful, so to speak, so he was a little on edge.

Eulalia spotted the purple hued woman who he had fought so recently, eyeing her momentarily before casting his gaze back to the tussle. Alaric's muscles bulged and flexed as he fought, the opponent his match in size and brawn. He studied their moves with an attentive eye, observing how the young men liked to tussle these days..

+5 Observe a fight 1/2

""

+10 Observe a challenge and learn the results (alaric vs. roan) (double exp from calypso)


A call for the crown of the pride he had challenged for was what brought Keir toward the Hollows territory. He hadn't stepped paw around these parts ever since that day, but the need to know who would be the winner of today's event. So he would head in the direction of the Hollows from exploring a little bit more around the labyrinth, moving with a swift gait until he heard the sounds of battle already underway. His nostrils would flare, taking in the scents of several that had already arrived. Most were unknown but some were not, and as he approached would his gaze go through the small gathering before settling upon Roan and his opponent. Keir would make sure to keep his distance and to keep his defenses up; he now knew that anything could explode in the blink of an eye and he did not want to be taken by surprise if for some reason he were caught in the crossfire.

image & table by gunner

+10 Observe a challenge and learn the results (alaric vs. roan) (double exp from calypso) +10 Attend a spar or challenge to assess the wounds (double exp from calypso) Valkravn knew that Obsidian was an ally to the Brook, so whenever the chilling call challenging for the crown rang out in the air did she decide to make her way toward the pride. She wanted to keep her knowledge about the pride rulers up to date, as well as be able to relay any information back to Aquila if he decided not to show. The pink lioness would move with a rather casual gait but still keeping her pace up, not stopping or slowing until she pushed past the imaginary borders that separated the Hollows from neutral territory. Deeper would she then push, until she came to the opening of the tunnels as well as seeing the gathering of lions and the fight for the crown underway. Periwinkle eyes would watch as the two males threw themselves at each other, her lips pulling into a thin line and her expression steeled. For now would the Brynmawr keep herself standing, her tail tip flicking at her hocks as she wondered who would be the victor today.

table by spu

He had bypassed a random lioness hurrying to the sound of war-drums, and upon curious questioning learnt a familiar face had challenged for The Hollow. Upon arrival the sable beast half expected the drab caves to have laid waste to something more appealing, but alas, the landscape was as dim and depressing as the last time he had wandered in. What was it with lions wanting this land as their own? It was drank and dinghy and wet. If Vio was ever to go tooth and claw for a patch of turf, it’d definitely be some place better than this. He loiters nearby to watch the battle unfurl, catching whispers of pride and family drama on the wind.

+5 x2 Learn something interesting about a pride or family
+5 x2 Observe a fight
+5 x2 Observe a fight _{— code}

He would be the first to spill blood, and he growled his approval at the taste of it in his mouth. This man was no pushover, but Alaric would fight to the bitter end. And if he should fall... well... he wasn't going to entertain that notion right now.

Through the grip on the shoulder he could feel the Hodari's muscles tense, the slightest twitch that gave him a half a second of warning to step back. Even still the shoulder shoved hard against his teeth and he imagines he can hear the strain of the bone, hoping that one does not crack beneath the pressure. Alaric lets go of the bite, unwilling to lose a tooth -- though if asked he would likely be willing to swap one for a throne.

Nonetheless he jerked his head back, chin tucking instinctively towards his chest as his paw, too, falls back to the ground. He resets, in a sense, content that he has left his mark but knowing well that the battle has only just begun.

His ears press flat against his head, buried in his mane, aware of the flash of teeth from above. Alaric wastes no time in seeking to take advantage of his position - as he feels Roan's teeth scrape along the top of his head and snag one of those ears he launches up (his head rising from where it had held his shoulder) and attempts to grasp the tender flesh beneath the Hodari's chin. It is a brutal move, his aim the delicate spot where chin meets neck, where there is too little of the thick mane to offer much protection. Alaric seeks to put an end to this before it has a chance to gather steam, though he hardly expects it to be so easy.

He is aware that Roan has him by the ear, and so focused is he on his own retaliation he is a moment too late to stop the swing of claws, feeling them strike deep on his side behind his arm. It is the kind of injury that could work against him and so he shifts quickly away, swinging his hindquarters to the left -- it is a dance they do. His weight shifts to the left with the move, his right arm lifting to strike out at the one Roan had attacked with (the kings left), attempting to intercept it as it fell and hook his claws in behind the ankle.



Alaric vs @Roan
for Obsidian Hollow
2/5
Hits:

Rolling 9d20: 6 + 18 + 2 + 3 + 15 + 11 + 1 + 10 + 9

Dodges:

Rolling 4d20: 17 + 19 + 3 + 13

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 9 + 4 + 1 + 15 + 2

code by corvus

+10 Attend a spar or challenge to assess the wounds (double exp from calypso)

No, not again. Faelyn felt her heart sink into her paws as she heard someone call for the Hollow. She wanted to cry, honestly, but that wouldn't do anyone any good. Especially not her mate, who she knew would be the one to have to fight him.

She ran to the scene, barely taking notice of all who were there. Blood had already been drawn, but unfortunately not by Roan. Please be all right, she begged. Even if they lost their home again, she would be happy so long as he was okay in the end. Though, she wasn't sure how mentally okay he would be if he lost.

She finally looked around and noticed Avana, and moved to join Roan's sister, aiming to press her right side to Avana's left. At least they could support each other regardless of what might happen.

Seneca is anticipating the call, and when it comes, he's ready. The Hollows have been...quiet since Úlla's downfall. He knows nothing of its leader or customs, which he supposes is preferable to being on bad terms. Still, an ally in the seat is preferable, and he hopes a favorable outcome for the Oasis Gentry.

The fighting is already underway when he arrives, concealing his limp as much as possible despite the way his leg screams at him to place so much weight upon it. Anyone looking too carefully as he approaches the gathering will notice the slight hiccup in his stride, and the grit of his jaw against it. Most of the faces here are unknown to him; in fact, the only one he recognizes is @Eulalia, who is a stranger to him, but had engaged in the fighting at the Brook.

Seneca's gaze sweeps critically over the pale lion, but he makes no move to suggest hostility; he instead heads for an open spot by the base of a charred tree trunk, turning his attention to the ongoing battle.

Seneca Miroslav

table by ferus, art by sleepykyju

Bloodshed and bloody eyes! Hambone trotted through the wastes toward the enthralling call. Maybe the vanquished would be put out for the vultures. (This would be enraging, this was someone's beloved child!) He shoved the passing thought of his mind. It lingered but didn't stick. The sound of his steady pant had an obnoxious whine through it as it passed over his scarred mouth. Otherwise he was healthy, alert, and amused; a smirk posed on the good half of his face, where it may sit intentionally. So many spectators, but more smells than met his eyes once he arrived. He spotted a dark cave entrance near the fight. Ah, maybe they were in there, nestled up and huddling like so many bats! Hambone grinned, forgetting maybe a little that he wasn't the one participating in the pride challenge and therefore it was unlikely that he'd get the fun job of routing them out.

He looked over the fighters. Large males in their prime, neither an easy target for him unless the victor came out severely wounded. That was always possible. He flexed his claws. So much opportunity in the midst of chaos. He watched them fight, watched the dark male take more wounds on a scarred shoulder and act to deepen them, noting that this master would be brave but foolish. But that was a wound and scars that he could offer to mend.

He also noticed a lovely strawberry lioness @Avana, pure of color, unfortunately maned but hey Hambone was not picky. He was pretty pretentious about not being picky in fact. The lady seemed distressed, so if she happened to glance his way he would reassure her with a leer. No need to worry sweety! Hambone could protect you. For like one night. Also @Faelyn cause his player got ninja's, he was into pretty snow babies oh yeah. Extra sweet half-smile for you. There was another female @Calypso as well, less distressed but also of prime age and very beautiful. Maybe too beautiful and stuck up, or knocked up already based on yearling next to her, but hey. He wasn't too good for sloppy seconds. He'd also give @Calypso an unsavory eye wink if she looked his way. He also noticed a large, young male @Amaroq. That one looked like he was in the market for some performance enhancers, but he looked too intent right now. There was also an alert male on the trailing edge of his prime @Eulalia and that one, he was interested in as well. Both lions who would be desperate for strength. He saw an alert, defensive male @Keir hanging back. That one looked too cautious, not worth dealing to. @Violarum seemed a better target. Maybe. He seemed noncommittal. @Seneca drew his eye for the scrutiny he seemed to give the proceedings, as though they had some political meaning for him. He seemed stern with gritted jaw. Hambone might have noticed the limp another time but his gaze was much more prone to linger on the females and he dismissed the piebald lion before seeing it. Another female @Valkravn near his age, but oh she looked like steel! Not too plush and yielding; not his taste. Who was he kidding, he had no taste! He'd leer at her too, if their eyes happened to pass.

Mostly he kept his gaze on the fighting. He stood with his shoulders pressed forward, eager to learn the results. Whoever became king would be a male and males were always more understanding when it came to his needs with women.

+5x2 Attend a spar or challenge to assess the wounds
+5x2 Observe a fight