A thunderstorm rolled into the Cove. The first one since the last full moon.

Pyrrha returned under the same tumultuous sky as Mirian had arrived. It was a right many claimed to have, this one that today she exercised- to challenge for a home. As if that alone could absolve the action of displacing others. They did not want to own the consequences. Far too often such claims left the lips of others only to be replaced with damnation should anyone dare to do the same to them. Rules for thee, not for me.

Pyrrha wondered as she entered her homelands what sort of Queen Mirian would be. Would she instead welcome the chance to defend her right to rule as she should? How many promises had she woven for her pride that would be put to the test today? Fast and quick Pyrrha readied herself for a fight, readied her hammer of judgement to wield against this enemy. Winning the pride from Yuna had only earned this Queen the chance to try. Winning against challengers was the only means to truly rule. You should really be thanking me. Thought Pyrrha as she walked freely for the first time in months into her home.

To the spot where Mirian had called she traveled, rain coming in harsh waves like sheets of water down her strawberry pelt turning it dark as it trailed across her speckled pelt. She rang her voice aloud following a crash of thunder. Come out come out usurper. Your first trial stands ready and waiting.

Pyrrha vs
For Caladan Cove
Round 0 / 5
Hits: [roll=#d20]
Dodges: [roll=#d20]
Luck: [roll=#d20]

_{BG — ART BY RABBIT — CODE}

They had made a promise, and so she had waited, watching the skies for signs of portent storm clouds. Sitting up straighter in her post overlooking the valley below, she waited to ensure it was no mere drizzle of rain before sending out a chuff to @Talisa ♔, to let her know she would be heading south now, just in case this were the day of reckoning. She ignored the protest of aging bone and muscle as the Illyrian Queen pushed herself southward, through the sheets of summer rain she eventually ran into.

By the time she'd crossed into southern lands it had turned into a proper storm, and as if on cue Morrigan heard @Pyrrha's cry of challenge added to the backdrop of rolling thunder. She did not falter as the familiar terrain of the Cove came into view. The territory that had once rejected her own rulership in favor of that of her dragon kin. She had now come to believe it was because Maua had something better in store, the perfect kingdom of snow and ice like her own birthplace.

Following the sound of her niece's call, she cared not when her paws stepped over the border to come closer, to make her own allegiance obvious and she gave a stoic nod of support to the younger woman. Morrigan wasn't a fool, though. She knew she was trespassing, asking for it even. She rolled her muscular shoulders forward and stretched her neck as she waited for others to arrive. That was alright, let them come if they dared.

table coding by ferus

I’d let the world burn

She had been waiting, when the first harsh wind crashed against the shore from the sea. Otter had been in her den but it was Neeha who left it.

The assassin moved swiftly and quietly through her home, a few plants were gathered from a storage, hemlock and giant hogweed, then she'd slither off into the night. As she moved along she'd walk through the edge of the waves letting them erase her pawprints until she moved away from the crashing waves towards a hidden and sheltered spot in the sandy dunes. Now it was the waiting game, she had no guarantee it would be tonight but the weather was starting to sing the song of battle. A harsh and violent tune that would only grow alongside the storm.

The rain was harsh, cold, and unforgiving as she lay there slowly soaking until it echoed around her, like thunder from the clouds above. Carefully the assassin would coat her claws as promised. Her right was tainted with the hogweed and her left with Hemlock. One would work quickly the other more slowly and more deadly. Then she waits peering through the stormy darkness from her hiding spot. Her eyes fell on her sister and the arrival of the summit high sovereign.

Neeha is attempting to hide

Rolling assassinhide 1d30: 22
You are successfully hidden!

July Y12 || Caladon Cove || Caladan Cove barony || 2 years


Neeha's claws are coated in poison
Her right in giant hogweed - May cause severe skin inflammation
Her left in hemlock - May cause progressive paralysis of the central nervous system

Let the world burn for you

code by corvus, Art by Irish

Without a moment's hesitation she was right on @Morrigan ♔'s tail coming from the summit. Rushing through at a bit of a fast walk to catch up but she was not going to miss this, even if pride challenges were not her favorite thing. It usually brought up really terrible memories but she was quick to find her wife's send and meld her form against her as a means of finding her own sense of security. Talisa did not allow her posture to drop as she did not intend to show any fear in her posture but to be close to Morrigan was to feel safest. Eyes cast to @Pyrrha with a quiet fire, determined to see the lioness rise.

ART • CODE

The wind howled around Noemi, whipping heavy rain into her face, forcing her to squint as she peered through the darkness at the high rocks marking the entrance to the Cove—or at least what she thought was the entrance. She hadn't yet paid it a visit, but through Pyrrha's description and her brief time in the passage, she assumed that this must be it.

She was soaked, and as the earth gave way to sand, her paws were soon caked in the wet mixture; anticipation of the upcoming battle could not rid her features of the annoyance she felt as she neared. Though less poetic, a clear day would have been much more preferred. But, it was what Pyrrha had resolved to do, so that's what it would be.

She could see the woman standing alone as she neared, fierce determination written in her expression and resounding in her voice as she called out for the ruling queen. Noemi's ears perked up at the defiance and her heart began to race. There was much that rode on the success of the strawberry lioness—her own desires achieved, of course, but also the doors of opportunity opening wide for Noemi. A smirk crossed her lips as she took a seat.

code by scorpixia♡︎

While the voice is for familiar, it is the words with which are spoken that resonated even deeper. It might not be @Yuna calling for them but it was the next best thing. So Analia called for the pale lioness and @Moradin to come out from the Mire to go and support. To show the fire of the previous Cove residents and to hopefully regain this one back. It was almost too soon after joining Ecrosia but she at least had made it clear to her Aunt that it might not be a permanent stay. That as soon as they got the Cove back, that was where they would set their sights back to. While her tactics were far different than her Uncle's when he had held the crown, she trusted in those around him that they would do the right thing. So Analia settled herself on the outside of the borders — desperate to go in but knowing respect was far more important — and waited for the inevitable. @Eisa

^{ART • CODE}

i drug your ghost across the country and we plotted out my death, in every city memories would whisper
here is where you rest


She is absolutely consumed by these challenges. They happened so often and the political atmosphere shifted like the tides, throwing the world into utter chaos. Utter chaos that Nyaxia found downright addicting the longer she stuck around Amaryllis, much to her dismay. It was always much more enjoyable to watch things unfold when she had no dog in the fight, so to speak. The lioness slithered her way to the borders and peered from afar, fur soaked from the rains. The only way to could have been made better is if there were a tree nearby for her to lounge in, but alas. Beggars couldn't be choosers.

artwork by ryuu

He knew Pyrrha was going to challenge, he just didn't know when. So when he heard the callings of a challenge during a thunderstorm he had almost thought the thunder was playing tricks on him - almost. The colossal makes his way toward his birth home, bringing up memories of him trying and failing to take it over as well as knowing his wife had been held hostage here, even if it was only for a little while. It made muscles tense as he walked right to the borders, about to pass - until a familiar scent hits his nose.

Arkyn's attention goes into search mode, looking around him to see where she was. Yellow eyes soon find her and he breathes a soft sigh before moving in her direction. "@Nyaxia," he calls out to her, moving so that he were now standing on her left side, so close in fact that his side was brushing up against her own. Call it him being protective but he was not going to let what happened at the last challenge happen again, not to her.

CODE / ART BY RABBIT

Ears pinned upon hearing the challenge call, if this happened months ago she would had been happy to see Pyrrha come to take her home back yet things in her had changed in this period of time beside the grey lioness. She gave her a chance and she didn't disappoint, she was the most accepting and welcoming lioness she had ever seen. She wasn't just any mindless ursurper. She was kind and very resilient. She arrived with her bundle of herbs she had dried out few moments ago and eyes narrowed she lied down with the bunch of items ready to treat Miaran. She was loyal to her for her had been there for her. x2 +10 Dry or prepare herbs for use +10 Attend a spar or challenge to assess the wounds

art by Shaz + code by spu

I put my armor on, show you how strong I am

She'd expected it. Of course she had. The fire burning within her wife's daughter had been so very evident that day. Perhaps for a while she'd waited to see if the girl would come for her throne fast. But time had passed and other things had occupied her mind. Nevertheless, this was still something she'd expected. Something she'd always listened for. To see if the girl had found more of that fire within her to win back her home. To see the strength she knew all children of Sunder carried.

But at first she didn't move, simply sat in her favorite spot on the cliff, high above the Cove as she watched the dance of the waves. When she did though, the pale Valkyrie was not in a hurry. And when she arrived, she did so not quite in the same way she'd moved before. She'd always been regal, in her own way. But now she strode towards the scene exuding that same aura of confidence and authority she had before even setting foot into Amaryllis. Now more than ever, she moved like the warrior queen she'd been before.

Unbroken stride carried her across the chosen battlefield with her head held high. Though briefly, verdant gaze landed on @Morrigan ♔ and @Talisa ♔, steps carrying her closer to the pair. "Thank you....for supporting her," she quietly said for only the two women to hear, words spoken only in passing as she moved past them, but still true. She was grateful that the Summit's Queens had come to support Pyrrha. And her tone had held no animosity, only that genuine gratefulness.

But that moment had been brief, words only spoken so quietly in passing before she had already moved along to somewhere else, never breaking her stride. Only when she spotted a familiar face did she stop. Interesting. Had he come to simply watch or was he still planning on one day taking the Cove and wanted to see who he'd have to fight for it? Not that she would ask him, but she'd wait and see. And watch him closely.

Tearing her gaze away, the shieldmaiden moved again, to sit next to @Khadija while greeting the other with a low rumble.

+5 Observe a fight

code by flea, art by irish