@Vermier VS. @Alexander ♔ FOR Obsidian Hollow
— RESULTS —

Vermier Hits: 3+2+2+2+3+5 luck = 17
Vermier Dodges: 3+1+3+1+2= 10

Alexander Hits: 4+3+5+3+4+5 luck= 24
Alexander Dodges: 2+3+2+3+3= 13

Vermier Successful Hits: 4
Alexander Successful Hits: 14

@Alexander ♔ HAS WON THE CHALLENGE FOR OBSIDIAN HOLLOWS!

---

WOUNDED ROLL

performed on discord by @Lars

@Vermier is automatically WOUNDED for losing!

@Alexander ♔ Wounded Roll: 2

@Alexander ♔ is NOT WOUNDED!

Profiles will be adjusted to reflect the wounded rolls, which, if received, reduce the character’s hits and dodges by -1 for an standardized amount of time. Any wounded rolls received from this fight are considered healed as of MAY 4TH, and are logged in the wounded log. Once healed, post in Trade & Dice Updates to have your dice returned to normal.

Please allow the challengers to respond to the fight results first. As per the site rules, if 3 days go by without a post from the challenger(s), they can be skipped. Whichever comes first! Any posts made before this will be removed, unless you are posting to another fight.

GOD KILLS INDISCRIMINATELY AND SO SHALL WE

As with everything since the blackness of the Summit challenge, what is heard is not comprehended and wafts through short term memory like a mist. His ears are stiff, along with the rest of his expression, not understanding that the roar of noise around him had the capacity for meaning. It overwhelms. Shadows and chaos rise to a mixed, formless pitch, and the red around his vision slips to black. He senses a swatch of a dream in which sheep might be counted (only two sheep) but this lapses as well. Although still breathing, his body and struggles go slack. His paws twitch like little birdies on an electric line. Otherwise he is incoherent and insensate: passing in and out of consciousness without any awareness even when he seems to be awake.

-exit via passing out

Alexander knew it was won. He had triumphed and for a moment, he relished. Victory was sweet, it made his blood hot, his skin tingle and the wounds on his body felt like fleeting memories. The Savante had come into this land and given the wrong impression. That they were weak. They had fought wars, survived grief, and loss — and a sickness that ate at their soul. They had endured betrayal and a sorrow he doubted many others could rival.

The Savante were not weak.

They endured, they persevered. And now a home was within their grasp. Panting heavily, spittle coming from his blood covered jaws, Alexander withdrew from the fallen Vermier and removed his paw from his throat, knowing there was nothing more to do here. The Dieudonne had fought well, like an untamed beast — or a cornered, wounded animal. Regardless, he could begin to feel the affects of the fight, but wouldn't dare show it. Nostrils flare, turning to look at the crowd that gathered.

He was proud to see a great many of his allies amongst those spectating. Eyes first linger on @Ember, she had been one of the first to arrive. A chuff is offered to her, hoping that perhaps she might feel compelled to join him. After all, some time ago he had promised her a spot within his family, if she so wished. A tired smile curved those dark lips, offering it to her a moment before he next spots @Laerke there, happy to see her — as ever. Idly, the beast had remind himself that she was not a figment of his imagination. That smile was then offered to her, the affection in his eyes obvious.

Many others arrived after, some from Andal, and others he did not recognize. @Dmitri, @Valerian, @Angelo, @Csitri, @Riordan, @Celestia — even @Tinúviel was there — sitting in the crowd. Brows furrow a moment, unsure on how he felt about her presence. He does not linger his gaze there long, instead offering each of his family and friends a nod of appreciation for their presence. He was happy to see @Ronin here as well, and his ever protective Aunt, @Teodora. It was who was nearby the crimson woman that surprised him. Blue eyes linger on @Nazonal, as if silently hoping their eyes might meet - whether they did or not, Alexander couldn't allow himself to remain for long.

Turning, the newly crowned King notices Amara. She had held true to her word, at least. She stood ready with her family, @Louve being one of them. The sight of the Dieudonne Matriarch made his blood tingle, but once more he passed his gaze to look past her.

@Anthonius, @Valens and @Neculai — surprisingly, Alexander finds himself spotting @Mircea as well. There were still a few fights going on, but he knew they would settle soon. @Isla ♔ was oddly not present, though he could hardly expect the Summit Heiress to follow him about like a smitten, submissive woman. He would see her again soon, he would sure of it.

Licking his lips slowly, the Savante Patriarch turns to face most of those gathered. "Csitri, Riordan, please see to him—" Blue eyes cast toward @Vermier, then toward @Amara immediately in case she wished to protest. "My healers are skilled, they can tend to his wounds, but I fear we do not understand the language he speaks." Alexander noticed he'd not spoken a bit of the common tongue. It may do well to allow someone to remain that could understand him in case he awoke.

Looking to the others, his voice raises, "If you are not an ally or wishing to join, please remove yourself from the territory. " Straight to the point. He was tiring, his muscles aching and the cuts along his body continuing to throb with pain. The healers could tend to him after Vermier, his injuries were not as severe. Ears sweep forward, avoiding looking toward Nazonal or Tinúviel again — if only for his own sake. Paws sweep across the Earth, breathing in the scent covering the Hollows, realizing already that he had much work to do in order to remark the territory.

"For those of you wanting to join, if you are my kin — consider yourself of the Hollows. See me after I have rested for talk of ranks. Should you be a stronger, welcome, but be expected to meet with me as well." He offers each potential rogue in the gathering a nod, in case that was their intention, specifically Ember as well. Tail sweeps behind him, shoulders rolling back as he readies to defend himself and those around him if need be. The Dieudonne were no doubt not going to be pleased with this outcome, but he had to at least try to temper the result.

Finally, Alexander focuses on those in his family. Head raises, his tussled mane sweeping back in it's usual elegant manner, though a bit frayed - those vibrant, sky blue eyes held pride, triumph and an overwhelming sense of accomplishment.

Home.

After so long, they finally had a place to call their own again. Emotion grasped his chest, though he fought not to let it show. No, the beast stood in all his glory — doing his best to give his family a reason to look up and know...know there was purpose and reason behind their displacement. That the Mother had guided them to this land to find a new path. Jaws clench, wishing that Dragos was here, that all of his children were. Now, however, a new generation was to be born. Attention focuses on Celestia then, knowing by now that she held his children.

Should they make it, should the Mother see their lives blessed with cubs once again after so long — it would be the final sign of Her blessing. Call him arrogant for assuming so, but the Savante deserved it after all they had endured. After all the blood spilled. Alexander who could hope that no more war would darken their doorstep, but he was not so naïve. They would thrive here now, and whoever came for the Hollow's would know the wrath of the Mother and those who served her.

At last. The Savante — were home.

code + art

Well. Fuck.

Ears tipped back as @Vermier collapsed, lips pressing into a tight, displeased, line. Strange as the male was, Ryker considered him something of a friend, and had been rooting for him to retain his home. Now, he'd lost a friendly presence and potentially gained a real enemy, though his only issue with the family, now, was the way they seemed to insist on treating his queen.

With Vermier so surrounded, he had little choice but to hope Alexander spoke truth, and that they would heal him. For his part, Ryker had gotten all he needed. The Hollows had changed paws, and Vermier was an adult who could decide what to do and where to go next, though he'd certainly be welcome within Firnen if he chose.

At the very least, Levana needed to know how things had turned out. Ryker would take his leave without really waiting to be told, disappearing in silence to find his queen's trail. She couldn't be too far ahead of him.

-exit-

No shackles on the demon in me

I'd rather be dead than average

code by corvus

Valerian stands tense, muscles rippling beneath his dark pelt as he watches the fight rage on. He shifts closer as he sees the arrival of @Valens, @Anthonius, @Neculai and @Mircea, a rumble of greeting rising for each of his uncles. “You are just in time, bácsik.” Uncles. he rumbles warmly, for the battle had come to a close and @Alexander ♔ stood, bloodied but victorious as the old king falls.

Valerian’s tail flags proudly, neck arching as he looks upon his newly-crowned father. He moves closer, ever loyal soldier to hear him address the group. They are not all here, but this is glorious news for the Savante. The Mother has provided.

When silence rings, the address ended, Valerian calls out. “I stand with you, father. I will join you.” A roar of celebration lifts from his chest, and it rolls through the tunnels, a spirit-rising rouse to their kin to join him in the mark of this momentous occasion.

This, if anything, was a new beginning.

art © drifty

+10 Cast a curse or blessing on a character/group

+5 Observe a fight (Alexander vs. Vermier)

Alexander's victory was never certain, but with the guidance of the Mother, it would eventually come. A new home was found for them. This certainly seemed a more fitting place than the Oasis, he would admit, though a bit further from the cave than was perhaps wished for.

Bless this place, Mother. Let our time here be long and prosperous, he beseeched the Earth Mother in Hungarian. He could guess, from the lions of the Bluffs staring at them, that they had quite a few enemies here and this was only going to solidify the issue. Well, let them come. They would meet with his own teeth and claws.

The Katona stand with the Savante, he confirmed above Valerian's roar, joining his own deep chested call with the other man's, doubling the echo through their new home.

-exit dmitri-

art by era, code by corvus

+5 Observe a fight (Alexander vs. Vermier)
+5 Observe a fight (Aeistrios vs. Seraphiel)
+5 Observe a fight (Aquila vs. Lorien)

It was over and done, Alexander crowning himself the high sovereign of the Hollow in addition to patriarch of the Savante. Angelo couldn't have been more proud of him. No, seriously, he couldn't have been. It was a wonder he didn't burst into a puff of blue merle confetti at the sight of his victory. He'd barely paid attention to the results of the massive fight between the Brook and the Plains which had resulted in the Plains keeping their members, though not for lack of trying by the Brook.

Long may you rule! he cheered, piling his voice on top of Valerian's and Dmitri's. He'd been waiting for the chance to escape the mass of sand and heat that was the Oasis (no offense to anyone who actually liked living there). So it was excitement over multiple things that had him roaring out along with his kin. Hmm, maybe he'd actually bother to go for a rank now. Which one, though? He was a bit curious who would lead alongside Alexander, though he could only assume it was going to be Celestia and certainly wouldn't argue with it because she deserved the spot, if she wanted it.

He could consider this further while he was finding a den for himself.

-exit angelo-

From the distance she remained at, she could hear the growling that came from both of the beasts at play. Chomping and gnawing at one another with great fervor, aggressive taking hold of them as they fought hard against each other for the right to either rule or continue ruling. One such beast, the reddish one, seemed to be taking his jaws and attempting to find the other's throat. Laerra moved, fixated upon the fight as she deigned to know it all. Eventually the already-crowned lion attempts to take whatever he can within his jaws, snapping at anything that he could in the hopes of simply landing them somewhere. Like an alligator starved for food in the swamps, it isn't hard to imagine him this way now.

Though, much unlike Amara the male cannot hold the pride with his bare paws and teeth. Does not covet it as the dark woman can and has done, rendering himself paralyzed as he falls onto the ground and the other victorious. Laerra does not know this male but knows that her time is up here regardless. So she takes a quick look around to those that begin pledging themselves to this new leader and just as she is beginning to slip away and back out of the Hollows does she hear the resounding boom of telling those not interested to get. exit laerra

+10 - remain undetected in a large thread (5+ characters)
+10 - sneak into a pride or group without getting caught
+5 - observe a fight

ART • BG

There was no way that this wouldn't happen again. Not after how things went last time. Elaine lingered on the edges of the Hollows. She could see the fight but as she was cued from her mother, she didn't get close enough to be pulled into anything. Their support this time was a little less active. That didn't stop things from happening but Elaine didn't see anything worth stepping in to help with. Unlike last time. Her eyes narrowed at the thought of what had happened to Mars. As the fight seemed to be coming to an end she started moving closer.

The fight ended with Vermier falling to the ground. Elaine zoned in on him as she started moving closer with every intention to pull him out of the mess. The new King's words reached her as she grew closer. I will stay with him until he can walk. She let the new King know as well as her own family. Someone would be with him, her. She would rip them apart if they tried to do anything but help Vermier and if she needed to, she would kill the new King to protect her blood. She knew that her mother wasn't overly fond of him but it didn't matter to Elaine.

Her blue gaze locked with the members of the family that would now call the Hollows their home as she moved closer to Vermier as she looked to find those who had been called upon to help him. Would they listen? Would they shy away as she stood here? She waited to see what would happen as she moved to stand over Vermier's head.

code | image

Having moved off with Sedona (assumedly), Ember sat quietly beside the tiny girl; having nothing to say to her despite knowing that she was thankful that they had been able to escape. Ember just wanted to observe in silence and quietly support a friend so to have some strange male attempting to smooth talk her and eventually those near to her, she wasn't all that keen to stick around.

Thankfully the fight eventually finished with @Alexander ♔ resounding a call for the other to stand down and well, he did the opposite -- laid down. Their whole body falling to the floor and Ember felt her heart beat harshly but no one would ever know if it was excitement or concern. So with the red male the hero it meant that she had a choice to make. A choice that she had never intended to come face to face with simply because she didn't know how to. Couldn't even be sure that she knew how they worked anymore but she did know that she wanted something.

Whatever that was, she wasn't getting it while being a rogue. Nothing satisfied her anymore and she was beginning to feel the stark reality of what being alone really meant to her and he had offered her a home. Offered for her to meet his family so that she wouldn't have to feel that way anymore. Still fearing that they wouldn't like her even though she felt in her soul that there wasn't anything NOT to like.

So with the male's chuff she feels frozen as her jaw tightens, teeth clicking together before she gives him a solid nod of her head. I will give it a try. A silent expression of her willingness to at least give him the benefit of the doubt. Imagining without question that should she want to leave, she could and he (nor his family) would hassle her. Perhaps that was part of why she had never wanted to join a pride was that others had a habit of disappointing her. Of being friendly and kind, but were always quick to turn their backs. Ember didn't want to have something, someone, slip away from her again. But when you're desperate, anything is better than nothing.

With a shiver down her spine as if the rogue skin of hers slowly slid off her body, she sighed and lifted to stand. Looking to the tiny @Sedona and giving a surprisingly friendly piece of eye contact, thank you. She murmured quietly before moving into the Hollows. Doing whatever she could to not look back and to not regret. In an effort to do that, her walk out started into a sprint. Back to moving quickly as she could to her new home and trying not to think about who was watching or waiting. To any who wouldn't know who she was and make an example out of her. But mostly, she was sprinting carefully through the Hollows now with her legs spread forth as long as they would go as she attempted to forget how out of place she felt.

— exit ember —
+5 - observe a fight (alexander vs. vermier for oh)
+5 - exercise to gain strength

^{ART BY LARS, CODE BY CALA}