Interesting. The aloof cat need not rise from the tunnels. Since they had proven unstable, she had slept outside. Her fur, long and silky, was tossed with the night wind. She moved at slinking speed but with her limbs stiffened, steps slow, using her height to her advantage along with her innate haughtiness. There was an evenness to her yellow gaze that did not sharpen when she approached the crowd. But with no spite in particular - let animosity toward all - she judged the situation, pondering that Faelyn was making herself a vulnerable target with her children so near. It just begged one to make assumptions. Unfortunately Toblerone knew too much about her already; she would find a stranger to pry into. And she found one, one of the first trespassers, a runt of a yearling @Caillen. There was also a cub who was a clearer supporter of the intruder - but messing with cubs tended to get one smacked.

So, this runt. "I smell mud," she whispered as she aimed to sneak up all of a sudden. There was a half wrinkle of a grin on her black lips. No fangs. But the intent to prod, to poke and bully and antagonize, that was quite clear to her intended audience of one.

+5 Gather useful information on a enemy lion or pride

Nothing ever stayed the same within Amaryllis. Thrones would rise and fall akin to the tide. Any chance Vitala had started to feel settled something or someone would move a pawn on the board. Tides would shift, winds would change. She was accustom to the call by now. When it laced the air of her new home her gut churned. That churning was more than an unsettled feeling.

It was anger.

It boiled in her belly softly as she strolled to look upon the face of that who had broached their borders with calls of claims and greed. She was finally on the cusp of building a life with the one she loved. She would be damned if it would be shunted from her before it even started. She had seen Roan time and again defend his throne. How would he fair this time?

There were already many gathered when she arrived. Her eyes scanned to see if Keir had shown up before she had, if she did, but saw no sight. Vitala let out a quiet breath and drew up within the crowd to get a look at the interloper. He smelled of a vaguely familiar scent, murky and stagnant like that of the mire. She'd only visited once, but the memory lingered.


+5 Observe a challenge and learn the results - ambassador (1/2)

It had been well over a year since he had attended any challenge that did not directly influence him. The last one he had been present for had been the one in Vermeda when the monster of a lion had come with the intent to screw them all over. Only after a week had the stranger disappeared as though he had never existed and yet the fear that had been left behind still lingered.

Today, he moved towards a call that he worried about. As it did affect him what the outcome could be and it would affect Vermeda even more so. Obsidian Hollow had been a close ally for quite some time now and while the challenger he didn't know or recognize came into view, he did not have to deliberate on whose side he was on today.

Although he did not know her all that well, Gareth came to @Heloise's side as a sign of trust and friendship. They were pride mates and there was trust there regardless of their relationship. Though, eventually he would cast his gaze to those he knew were of Obsidian. Casting a long look of hope that Roan would succeed today and put this challenger down, keep him back a while longer. Too many prides were falling and rising and he understood their reasons and their wants but it did not mean that he enjoyed seeing families lose their homes even if it was often a fair fight.

+5 - Observe a fight (Vaghan vs. Roan for OH)

+5 - Attend a challenge or fight to asses the wounds The always growing Ansel was indeed on the move to join her mother to watch a challenge for the first time in his life. Curious yet respectful he wouldnt leave his mom's side in any circumstances during the way towards the Hollows, a place he had come before, and he already saw the cubs in it as his friends. But unlike the previous time, this wasnt any party of innocent event for family and friends. He felt nervous to say the least, but beside his mother he felt safer. As they arrived he found himself tucked against the free side of @Heloise, feeling unsure but wanting to watch. Even if it may traumatize him on the long run. A shy smile was gifted to @Gareth, as a way to calm himself down. The man felt nice and he felt even more safe with him around. But between the fear, there was the wish to..watch how ouchies could heal after...the curious little thing was once more into an event he was too young to understand like the hunt weeks ago.

Art and Code by Cloudy

A call for his home. It was rare, but not unfamiliar. It had been a while since he last had to defend his home, and truly Roan hoped it would have been a longer span of time between the challenges if only so his youngest children were a bit younger, but wars and fights did not wait for one to be prepared. The challenge rang through the tunnels, bouncing off the walls that already cracked beneath Mother Nature's wrath. The grounds had split open to reveal their hellish core, but the Hodari had a suspicion that Obsidian was not the only land plagued by nature's chaotic whims.

The mauve lion made his way through the familiar tunnels until the night sky came into view. At first, he didn't immediately realize who it had been who had initiated the challenge, but the male's white mane finally allowed the king to pinpoint his opponent. The scent of Ecrosia made its way towards him. So much for neutrality, but then again, Alaric was not to be seen yet. Roan knew not every member could be controlled in such a way. They were individuals with minds of their own and their own goals as well. This one sought a pride, but the Hodari would not make it an easy feat.

Despite his pridemates already collecting upon the sidelines, Roan made no gestures towards them if only to not paint a target upon their backs. Should he lose, it was bad enough their scent matched his own. His opponent didn't need to know who was his mate, though it would be hard to deny who his children were as they all bore his socks and mask. Hopefully, it wouldn't matter anyway. He passed right by @Faelyn, wanting so much to give her a kiss before he stepped into battle, but Roan tried to play the long game. No sooner did the mauve lion step out of the shadows of Obsidian's doorway did he break out into a full run towards his opponent. The Hodari charged forward, head on at the Ecrosia lion. Only when they were a few feet away did he attempt to shift his right shoulder forward, aiming to slam it into the center of Vaghan's chest. When close enough, Roan would throw up his left foreleg with claws extended in an attempt to slash them into the younger lion's right shoulder. Simultaneously, jaws would part with teeth trying to make purchase upon the right side of his opponent's face. The mauve lion did not waste time to talk before a challenge was made. In his mind, if a challenge was issued, the opponent's mind was already made up, and thus, there was no altering their decision, so why bother? All he could hope was that he would not disappoint his family, and would continue to provide a home for them after today.

Roan vs. @Vághan
for Obsidian Hollow
1/5
Hits:

Rolling 6d20: 11 + 14 + 8 + 18 + 17 + 7

Dodges:

Rolling 6d20: 14 + 19 + 18 + 7 + 20 + 17

Luck:

Rolling 6d20: 3 + 2 + 20 + 7 + 4 + 12

Table & Ref by Amanda | Background | Base

A night's terror, sketched and outlined with the ink of a illuminated silver - wholly drawn in the mix variety of whites and dilute greys, joined by the same color as the demonic sky fall, the devil would stretch his eerie silence across the area. Presence and looks alone enough to strike fear even in the likes of small rodents. The times would never get old. Pumping terror into those who only merely wished to pass, the horror so bad of what he could do that even his own kind would become a scum to his wishes and demands. Treacherous scenes of all the wonderful brilliant souls he took would come forth, their plethora of despair and desire, both separate for each party, would call and allure the memories out of the crevices of the male's mind. The most sickening and glorious of crimes playing in sequence, once by once did they go and as if his subconscious had taken control, nothing of the reality in where the reaper stood could be visible. The rocks of the border now a hazed vision, the brute was brought back to it all. Up until his very last but recent kill. He intends to make this one count far more than the others.

His position is rigid and solid, the male would not move from such a stature even as he gazed straight into the eyes of his own void. The mere movement of his shadow lingering amongst the outcrop of their hazy world being but a further reminder of who he does this for. Vághan is pliant. A sturdy pillar amongst their lands as his breast bows forth to assert his own dominance upon those that gather in tens and thousands before him, feet smooth and planted tightly within the rocky floors below, eyes narrow and brows furrowed as the crowning tips of his ears swivel back to fall silent amongst his head. It is the sound of banging war drums that keeps the suspense hanging in the air as he all but waits for the false-God to make his appearance from the murky outcrop of his hobbit hole. He proves quickly to not be a man of many words, but relies on the actions of his own will to guide him further. Vághan would commend him on such a thing if they were not destined to be locked in the throes of battle.

It is the wanderlust of sanctifying blood that spurs the brute forth, mauve blurring into a heed of flashing lights and force as Vághan braces himself for the attack. A sickly smile turning upon the corners of his carmine lips as magenta auds dip in a satisfaction of the feeling of rough and acute bruises that take their place amongst his breast. It explodes like a bullet wound, searing pain that follows the Suter of a ringing static that crackles deep within the tissue, bone and muscle. The force of the brutes attack pressing him back unto the obsidian clad flooring by only a few inches. Daggers meet flesh in an unified sanction, tearing the skin from within as Vághan jerks back with a snarl. Hefty teeth grazing the sides of his jaw to take but a few hairs in the process. Crimson dribbles from the wounds as the beast braces amongst the king's weight, pressing back unto his attacks with a fervor of his own.

He aims to take their position to an advantage as large arms attempt to reach upwards and encapsulate the beast into a headlock of some sorts, all the while vagrant and angry teeth snap wildly at whatever piece of unprotected crowning that he can in a mirrored attempt to grasp tightly upon his pound of flesh that lies between Roan's neck and cheek should he come down from his grazing attacks in a manner that allows it. There can only be one victor here, and he does not care how dirty he must play to be that one.

Vághan vs. @Roan
for Obsidian Hollow
i of v
Hits:

Rolling 8d20: 8 + 11 + 7 + 15 + 16 + 2 + 10 + 14

Dodges:

Rolling 4d20: 15 + 17 + 11 + 2

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 11 + 8 + 20 + 16 + 17

code / art

cassandra

The new mother normally wouldn't have dared make a trek like this with cubs so new to the world, especially not with this weather... But the call had gone out for their ally - the Hollows. She knew Myrkvi's sister resided there, along with her own cubs, and the Hodaris had been longtime allies of her family as well. She owed it to them to support Roan in this, even more so since she was a prominent member of the leadership in the Brook.

She stayed to the back of the crowd, spotting Heloise there alongside her uncle Gareth and Heloise's son Ansel. The look on a white lioness's face as the call rang out told her she was connected to Roan in a close way, though she wasn't sure who the white lioness was to him. Though... judging by the little cub at her heels, Cassandra could presume that the white lioness (@Faelyn) was likely his wife. Quietly coming up alongside her, Cassandra announced her presence with a soft chuff. "Greetings. If Roan falls, know that any with the Hodari name are welcome to seek refuge in the Brook." The Heiress said softly, her words for Faelyn's ears only.

Cassandra knew her best bet to keeping under the radar was to not announce her rank except to those that she trusted completely, but if the white lioness was Roan's wife, she could be trusted. "Cassandra Valour-Sigrun, Heiress of the Brook." Another set of words spoken softly only for Faelyn. Hopefully Roan would come out on top of this challenger, as he had before. But in the event that he did fall, she would do her best to offer him and his family a safe place to call home.

+5 Observe a challenge and learn the results (1/2)

Art by Cala & Code by Zodiac

god fucking damnit.

of all the damn prides he had to go for, the man had to pick on they were on okay terms with? @Vághan was an interesting character, and alaric was starting to wonder if it had been a good idea aligning with such a chaotic man. too chaotic, maybe?

"fucking hell," he muttered as he arrived in time to see @Roan burst on to the scene, much like during his own challenge. the hollows king was a reasonable man, and alaric clung to this knowledge as he settled down to watch the ensuing battle. he kept himself tucked away from the rest of the gathered group, not wanting to bring any further trouble his way.

here's hoping he wouldn't be held responsible for the actions of his pride mate... again...

coding and art by dusk

a booming call of challenge caught his ear. he'd almost thought it a roll of thunder for a moment, the thick dark clouds that seemed permanently clung in amaryllis' sky rarely quiet these days. but a clash resounded shortly thereafter. an unmistakable sound of titans slamming into one another. claws sinking into fur, teeth gnashing. undoubtedly, there would be a need for a medic - perhaps a couple. at least that's what lochlan told himself, the idea making himself feel better than the idea of entering an unknown pride land (unknown to him, at least) without invite.

quiet and unassuming, the storm-blue beast would prowl onto the scene. a cluster of herbs were clutched in his jaws, hastily snatched as he whisked toward the promise of bloodshed. some part of him never could shake the blood lust he'd been born into. the need to see torn skin and crimson.

loch settled his hulking form away from the slashing of claws and baring of teeth, a healthy distance so as not to get swept up in the violence. but his view was good enough to see the droplets of blood and clumps of fur that'd undoubtedly fly. a challenge for land near always ended in a particularly vicious battle. no one was able to give up their home for free.

golden eyes glued to the opponents for a long moment - both strangers to him - before looking to the gathering crowd. he recognized the swirled tabby markings of the man he'd met at the beach with the land-locked whale. the only somewhat familiar sight to him. he'd be left well enough alone however, lochlan uncertain of those surrounding the man. they'd barely spoken anyhow. he wasn't even sure that he'd be allowed to stay for the entirety of the fight. he was no pride lion. not yet.

honeyed stare tilted back toward the battling men with an absent sigh. well, he could take the opportunity to see if there were any attacks that could be of use in the future. both lions looked rather formidable and seasoned.

---

+5 Observe a fight

TABLE © ARGENT 2018

Challenges were usually a lot more fun to travel to when you were in a better mood but alas, nothing had really been great for her lately. She had thought she was getting the red carpet rolled out for her and then all of sudden she had woken up from a dream. Or a nightmare, depending on how sensitive you were. Though, as she traveled through Amaryllis and crossed over the Obsidian borders without hesitation she found @Alaric and didn't hesitate to sit beside him. Keeping at least a foot of space between them and not daring to look in his direction, however, opened her lips to speak. I think you might have recruited too many overly ambitious lions, she points out dryly but it is meant as a bit more of a tease. Things would get better, they didn't have a choice in the matter. This dude wanted a pride, Violarum had wanted a pride... there were probably a few more along with it. They could only do the best with what they're given and so far, they'd been both given the abandonment card.

^{MANIP BY YUMPY !}