The Band was ready to move forward, all that was needed now was to establish a leader. While the black male might be the founder, whoever took the role of Rook would serve a more important purpose. Whoever proved the most capable on the battlefield would be a commander on the field should the time come for the Crows to fight in someone's war.

Beyond that, this might serve as a demonstration of sorts for any who might come along to observe. Fissure would of course be along to welcome spectators and explain the purpose of this tournament to them, gaining potential clients and choosing a leader all at once.

It was a pleasant afternoon, cloudy with a cool autumn breeze. He had called on the others to fight for the position in question, assigning everyone an opponent as well as allowing for each to have a short break between fights. To make it all more inviting, he would set out a wealth of food and comfortable seating for anyone who happened along, wishing to make sense of the festivities. Let the games begin!

(Fighting order chart can be found HERE. Outsiders wishing to learn about the upcoming Band are welcome to observe the dominance matches.)

image by moogle/code by saph

Seeing his once-Noble , @Fissure , was a refreshing sight.

He’d come to the pit, feeling less and less comfortable within the Brook. While he was there for his children, the change of power to solely Renfri wasn’t something pleasant. He found trips out of the land, adventures with his children or napping his days away had been the best.

“Now this looks like a good time.” He rumbles aloud, seeing the food laid out - a smirk on his lips as he aims to bear a bit closer to Fissure, before pausing a bit away. He greedily helped himself to a snack - before swiveling an ear to him. “What is all this?” Curious as ever, and perhaps even an out to the Brook could be offered.

art by riot/coding by riot

Bordeaux was not the typical sort you might find in the fighting pit, usually she was far removed, somewhere in her personal haven. With her having decided to join this small group of warriors, it seemed only fitting that she be here to observe them doing what they enjoyed best. She had been asked to help gather things for the festivities on account she was not partaking in the fighting. She had obliged the request, given the freedom to collect food items of her own liking. Some fruits, mushrooms and various other items, some more unusual than others, soon found their way into the growing collection.

She would be returning for the last time now, slipping in and placing some sweet berries down. She would glimpse @Aeistrios there, speaking to Fissure. The pair must be acquainted. Good afternoon sir Aeistrios. The last of the food has been brought sir Fissure. She offered before dipping her head and moving away, not wishing to disturb their conversation. She would settle comfortably off to one side, waiting for the combatants to take the field. She had brought a few healing items with her, in her newly patched medicine bag. There was only dominance matches taking place here today, but it never hurt to take precautions.

Amara hadn't been to the pit in awhile. She really didn't have a reason to go looking for fights, they tended to come to her well enough. The star covered High Sovereign's body was littered with scars and reminders of the battles that she had been in. The battles she had won. She had been tracking a lioness that looked like she was sick when she caught sight of something happening in the pit. The lioness has slipped away when Amara's gaze looked to see what was going on so with a huff she decided to check it out. She arrived to hear @Aeistrios's question and since it was her own, she didn't ask it again. Rather her gaze fell upon @Bordeaux. The lioness who had left the Bluffs not that long ago. She seemed to be in with the male that was leading things here. Are you here on your own free will? Amara asked the painted female, checking to make sure that there wasn't a reason for Amara to need to step in here. She gaze a small glance toward @Fissure, did she know him? Had she seen him around? She couldn't recall so her gaze returned to the lioness for now.

code // art // do not use without permission

Settling in was easy, and it was not.

Throughout his year of wandering he'd changed roofs more often than not. Sometimes he slept among mercenaries, other times among healers... regardless of the group he was sharing a roof with, he had to adapt. It never became easier, but he learned to ignore the unpleasant feelings when his belly was full and he didn't have to sleep under the stars.

The past few nights were no different. He seldom participated in the social gatherings of the Crows, and when he did it was simply to take advantage of the wine, food and the warmth of the fire. Otherwise he remained in the background, pretending not to listen. Pretending was the keyword here.

He was aware of the fact they were organising a tourney to establish the pecking order. While he did not vie for power or any sort of title, he knew that somebody else will... and he despised being under a powerhungry prick, as most often happened. He'd learned the hard way that standing down and showing the other cheek when being punched never ended well.

And so he will throw the first punch and, hopefully, come on top just so he isn't on the bottom.

He arrives to a few gathered, one of which was of course @Fissure. It seems the man had went out of his way to set out food for... the audience? Bhaskar thought it a waste. Why give it away when they could eat it among themselves? Regardless his face remained as still as stone, even when his eyes fell upon @Amara's ageless face. Fuck, did the woman not retire? He purposefully avoided her gaze, standing in the ring and preparing for his assigned partner to arrive.

Bhaskar vs @Eurielle
for Dominance
Round 0 / 3

It would not be long before the first inquisitive lion would appear, drawn perhaps to the activity, or the smell of food on the breeze. As much as Fissure might rather keep food for the forming band, he knew the importance of leaving a lasting impression on the various prides, that its members might bring back word of the band's purpose.

Fissure was pleased to see @Aeistrios again, having wondered what had become of the lion after his loss of the Plains. It was truly unfortunate, as Fissure had enjoyed his time there. "Aeistrios, it is good to see you again. My condolences about the Plains, I imagine they would still be yours if someone hadn't sabotaged your chances." He commented, voice genuine.

Before he went on to explain the purpose of this event, he would be interrupted by Bordeaux, coming with the last of the food offerings, of which Fissure was intrigued. "My gratitude lady Bordeaux, I look forward to sampling some of these more unusual offerings." He said with a dip of his head, watching as she moved off to give them space.

Turning his attention back to his plum companion, he would explain with a level of exuberance. "I am forming a band my friend. All within will serve as mercenaries for hire. We will make valuable trades and form temporary contracts with lions or prides that desire our assisted services. We are establishing it now, hoping to draw potential clients with this demonstration of fighting prowess.. and food. Bordeaux has joined as our resident healer, along with some ten or so warriors." He explained.

image by moogle/code by saph

She would observe Aeistrios and Fissure for a moment as they began discussing the band. She was not sure how well this new home of hers would fare, but to see the clear enthusiasm in the black lion suggested to her that he was passionate, thus unlikely to abandon this cause.

She would soon have company in the form of @Amara, the queen who had been gracious in her allowing Bordeaux to leave freely, while also offering extended protection to the pastel girl. Bordeaux felt a little more at ease in her company this time around, though still she would dip her head and address her respectfully.

Queen Amara, I thank you for your concern. I have joined this group of lions of my own will, offering my healing skills to their cause. The leader there, Fissure, has been nothing but kind and gracious towards me. He seems to hold healers in high regard. She explained. We are forming a band of Mercenaries for hire, I imagine I will be kept busy tending to all of their injuries. She didn't know if she could keep up, having not expected so many to join the ranks.

The sight of @Boredaux is quickly noted, and her greeting is taken in with a sly smile, eyes twinkling in delight as his paws stretch him closer to her. Ears swivel forward, having caught sight of @Amara who spoke to Bordeaux, his little doe. He wished she had come to Vermeda - but there was an opportunity to be close to her, and away from Renfri - while still in relationship with his kids.

The Band.

He puts his attention back to @Fissure with a nod, pleased at the sounds of it. He was sure the warriors reaped heavy rewards- and there use lived a simple lifestyle besides training and fighting? It sounded easy enough. “Eh, the Plains were becoming a bore anyways after defeating the Brook.” Which wasn’t entirely a lie. “This bad, does it have any room for one more?” He let his interest show, peering to Bordeaux as he searched for her reaction.

art by riot/coding by riot

my lover's got humour
she's the giggle at the funeral

An autumnal breeze caresses her fur, running its cool fingertips against her skin. Cloudy plumes of ivory saturates the horizon, carving light and shadow into the earth below. Otherworldly and soft, Eurielle arrives silently, treading upon slow, graceful steps. Away from the darkness of the forests, she moves; slinking forward into the bloody colloseum as she positions herself before the larger male, the one who she is to fight.

All others are temporarily ignored - whitenoise to the back of her mind - for she has only focus for the upcoming battle. Her eyes quietly studies him from a distance, assessing; calculating.

He appears strong, athletic, and yet she does not fear his imposing size, nor his look of masculine apathy. Infact, his face seems almost familiar, as if they had met before; but she cannot put a name to his face. Her lips curl upward into a soft-almost snarl then, a breathy noise that sounded close to a savage hiss escapes her mouth. She nods once before her ears flatten against her skull, and there, beneath the smouldering sunlight and rolling clouds - Eurielle lunges for Bhaskar.

She attempts to rush him, her agile physique jolting forward with viperine speed. Her jaws remain agape, snapping forward in an attempt to lock unto his flesh if she can make a hit. Simultaneously, her right arm comes looming upward, attempting to grapple into any part of his flesh if her talons can find their purchase.


Eurielle vs. @Bhaskar
for Dominance
1 of 3

Hits:

Rolling 5d20: 1 + 16 + 13 + 8 + 6

Dodges:

Rolling 5d20: 20 + 19 + 5 + 16 + 4

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 1 + 10 + 11 + 6 + 18

table by ryuu

There is a quiet solemness about Kovirah, a kind of sadness that few truly know. It lingers in the way he carries himself, behind the mask he wears, in the depths of stormy eyes. A lifetime of tragedy hidden under the clay pelt of a rather homely creature, who has taken to nothing but wandering in his days. A lost boy.

That was why he joined the crows, it felt the closest to home than anything he’d experienced since coming here. Old habits tugging at his guts, ripping at his chest. He meanders to The Pit with a stoic expression, head low but ears and body alert. His tail hangs close to the ground. A small gathering has collected as he enters the ring, a fight already breaking out as designed by the lead @Fissure.

Kovirah wondered to himself, if he’d feel the sting of wips or the pang of hunger, should he fail.

Readied, quiet, and tense beneath the fur Kovirah lets a soft throaty sound come from his body. The mere boy he was designated to fight had not appeared yet, so far as he could see. And so he waits, readied, to engage in the most primal of dances they knew.

Kovirah vs. @Arkadi
Dominance
Round 0 / 3


**edited out dice rolls, mistakenly left them in!**

code by daanyan, Art by Rabbit