TASKS (PALADIN): 5xp - Observe a fight (Ghyslaine vs Reti) (1/2)

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The stand-off is a riveting thing - as the start of all pride challenges were. Even more so when your home was the piece of land that was on the line. Ilarion's attention would remain steadfast on the arena; that is, until @Kazimir would prompt him to turn his olive gaze away from the challenge by settling in next to him. "I think it'll be a close thing. Very close. The challenger is big, but the size difference will make Ghyslaine a quick adversary. We'll see, I suppose." The brute knew that his husband would be able to read him easily enough; that he wasn't happy about the potential displacement, yet again. They could always stay under Reti's rule, he supposed, but at what cost? His voice pitched lower, this time - a whisper, meant for the ears of his husband and his husband alone. "There was a lot of talking before. I don't trust it." And I'm not sure how I feel about it. Negotiating, attempts to appease, smiles and platitudes... it was not his way.

Still, it isn't your pride, is it?

He would rise to his paws, then, and come to move closer to @Olive as she sent a glance and a smile of acknowledgement in his and Kazimir's direction. He chuffed in acknowledgement to the pair, hoping to draw her attention away from Nero for just a moment or two. "He offers a throne to Ghyslaine if he wins the Plains, but where does that leave the rest of us? And you?" Perhaps he probed a little too far, considering how he didn't know the little Queen very well at all, but Ilarion could not help himself. And, given how gregarious she was, there was every chance that the brunette monarch would indulge him.

ART BY KIM, CODE BY DEE

With hands so soft - delicate and sweet
That explains what he was doing with the elephant then, she commented of @Weimar's statement. She'd been so confused when she'd come across him fighting (if that had been what it was) the elephant calf. Mostly she'd been worried he was going to be stepped on, but that hadn't happened. It would have been a tragedy. @Thella ♔ didn't seem to believe the story, and Jun didn't blame her. She wouldn't have either if she hadn't seen him interacting with the calf firsthand. The other woman was more quiet, not offering a comment, but neither did she leave. Which was fine by Jun. She was more than welcome to hang out with them if she wanted.

He left the Hollow to claim a pride for himself, she explained. He didn't want us to be targeted because of his choices. For which she was grateful, though she did miss seeing him around the Hollow quite a bit. Perhaps more than she ought to have. Actually, definitely so, but it was too late for her to do anything about that, if she could have done anything if she had realized sooner what was happening.

@Daneri

_{ART BY SPU · CODE BY DEE}

She was growing tired, but the more they tangled into each other the more she found that she appreciated his skill in battle. If Reti were to win here, perhaps he would be a worthy King to follow. What would Violarum think of that? She wondered, as his teeth found her nape and yanked sharply upwards- to her left. Air left her in a whoosh, as she felt the sharp tug of flesh pinned between teeth, and she growled in frustration.

Her attempt at grasping his foreleg was met with near failure but she felt her teeth score his “wrist” and she grinned, aiming to snap her head upwards, trying again to grab ahold of him- but this time aiming for his upper leg, with as much leeway as she could manage, while simultaneously aiming to strike out with her right fore-leg, aiming to score her claws down his front leg or chest- whatever she may be able to reach.

She was growing weary, and ready to rest. Most of all, she just wanted this to be over.

Ghyslaine vs @Reti ♔
For Lorien Plains
4/5
hits:

Rolling 4d20: 3 + 4 + 8 + 10

dodge:

Rolling 9d20: 6 + 15 + 3 + 12 + 8 + 18 + 13 + 1 + 7

luck:

Rolling 7d20: 4 + 16 + 2 + 8 + 13 + 18 + 19

notes: ** Pride Tier 4 doubles the bonus of the master trade, in this case +1 dodge for Paladin. (LP is Tier 5)

** +1 for lead scout -- @Elodie being present.

As always my DM's are open for any clarification! <3

ART COPYRIGHT KIM / CODE COPYRIGHT ANALESE

Whatever should happen to the plains, it was not important for Daedric to know. He had come only to watch and learn battle, a skill one never stopped learning, or so Fissure would have said. The landscape, the time of day, the weather, the age and size of the opponent.. it was never the same in each fight.

His gaze would remain with the fight of the Lorien plains and her opponent. The larger had gripped her by the scruff, for a moment she seemed to struggle with this, it was a hold that was difficult to break away from. He was intrigued by this, would have to try it himself should he fight with someone smaller than himself.

Still chewing on the bit of plant as it cleaned away any buildup on his teeth, the teen would turn and decide to make his exit, eager to practice what he had learned here.

/exit Daedric

You think I’m gonna play your game

I’ll never let you get your way

code: corvus || art: rabbit

Lead Scout Perk:
+1 luck to all pride-mates

"yeah," he moped, and he was so dejected he had duckie glancing around for some sort of guidance. she licked her lips anxiously, ears tipped down ever just so, her head tilting in confusion. why hadn't she known that?

the fight was moving quickly now, and each blow made her flinch. @Peregrine slumped, and she was sure he wasn't even watching - but he wanted her support, and she was grateful for the direction. elodie made a small, sympathetic sound, and shuffled as close to him as she could physically get, pressing her small self against his side like the world's most undersized support beam as she reached up to pet his dark hair, fawning. "it's okay, penn. she'll be fine," she promised, a hard lump in her throat the entire time.

_{art by drifty • table by hush}

Truth be told, Roan hadn't bothered himself with the politics of Amaryllis in sometime, but there was something he couldn't ignore when he heard the call for the Plains. Couldn't say he ever had invested interest in the place, but still the mauve lion made his way casually towards the territory. Last he knew, Ghyslaine ruled Lorien, so this could turn into quite an interesting day, to say the least.

None among the gathered were really familiar enough to warrant the man to join them in spectating, that is until he landed on the bronze form of @Hanneth. She was likely here for the same reason he was: to watch Reti fight. Roan hadn't even know that Reti was in Amaryllis, but unlike seeing Kiton fight for the Mire, at least Reti wasn't presumed dead all this time. The masked lion took a seat next to his step-mother before allowing his gaze to settle onto the fight. "When did Reti get here?" he questioned almost too casually, as if nothing surprised him anymore, which nothing really did anymore. He'd seen a lot, but surely Hanneth would have known of her son being in Amaryllis before today, right?

Table & Image by Amanda | Background | Lineart

Battle fatigue had began nipping at his heals proper now, a familiar feeling paired with the full familiar thrill of combat. This had been one of his most enjoyable competitions in this life.

This pride challenge was far from the most violent fight he had participated in, yet still rated in hi top ten - entirely due to the fresh and enjoyable brand of contest his smaller dance partner had provided this day.

Her right foreleg swiped and started to carve lines down the front of his chest, the fiery sting causing his breath to be held for a moment before exhaling in an almost laugh. Good one!

He would attempt to try and keep his hold on her nape and aim to pull suddenly, to her left. Simultaneously he would lift his right foreleg and attempt to hook his paw with claws extended behind her left front leg just bellow her left elbow before trying to yank forward sharply.

He hoped to try and topple her, figuratively and literally. Attempting to strike at her left leg and yank with his jaws - while her right front claws were drawing gashes down the front of his chest. Ears remained flat, his tail out flung and slightly swaying behind him for balance.

Her jaws sliced into his upper right leg a couple inches bellow where it joined his torso, gaining a hold on the flesh and muscle atop the thick bone. Son of a bitch! He wanted to laugh in enjoyment and praise, but his jaws were otherwise occupied. And Reti knew from experience, this was the turning point - the battle was so close, balancing on the edge - and the next few seconds would determine -everything-.


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Reti vs. @Ghyslaine
Pride Challenge
Round 5/ 5
Hits:

Rolling 8d20: 17 + 2 + 20 + 5 + 4 + 19 + 1 + 16

Dodges:

Rolling 5d20: 10 + 17 + 18 + 16 + 1

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 11 + 16 + 2 + 5 + 6

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Good fight! I actually really enjoyed this one!

code by corvus

usually i'm very polite

The burden of a pride had always weighed heavily on Ghyslaine's shoulders and this fight was a long time coming, and yet was no exception to that rule. She was wearing down, the fatigue getting to her, starting to bring her to the point that she was done. Yet, there was a drive of motivation and a won't quit that lived in her. Ghyslaine's body ached, her paws were weary. She just wanted this to be over, despite the fun that she was having. Despite the way she realized she enjoyed this.

As her claws scored lines down his chest, she did not relish the wound. She breathed out in an exhausted gasp, and he moved quickly for a larger male. His hold on her neck did not loosen and she felt his right leg hit her left leg, and she felt herself begin to topple. Ghyslaine would wildly attempt to snap out with her jaws, aiming to grab onto his neck or shoulder, hoping to go dead weight with any grasps she may get, while her free paw would aim to score through his chest again, trying to find some sort of purchase to regain her balance, while her back legs aimed to flail a bit... uselessly, trying to get ahold of the earth beneath them.

Ghyslaine vs @Reti ♔
For Lorien Plains
5/5
hits:

Rolling 4d20: 16 + 14 + 5 + 17

dodge:

Rolling 9d20: 2 + 18 + 14 + 7 + 15 + 10 + 1 + 11 + 3

luck:

Rolling 7d20: 20 + 17 + 12 + 9 + 16 + 7 + 6

notes: ** Pride Tier 4 doubles the bonus of the master trade, in this case +1 dodge for Paladin. (LP is Tier 5)

** +1 for lead scout -- @Elodie being present.

As always my DM's are open for any clarification! <3

but i'm about to get savage tonight

code x art

Hanneth Hodari

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Hanneth watched Reti closely, unsure what the outcome would be but hoping that he would be ok. That this wouldn't cause him any lasting harm. She jumped slightly at @Roan coming up next to her but smiled at him. Her focus had been on the fight that she forgot that she should be paying attention to other things. Hanneth looked toward Reti, she knew that the brothers had likely circled each other for some time without knowing the other was there. Dero and I bumped into him not long after we came back here. She did her best to hold her voice steady. You left before we were able to tell you and since you have been back... Hanneth trailed off. Things had been strange for them all since the death of Dero and it had slipped her mind not to tell Roan. I am sorry I didn't tell you sooner. He was leading the Hollows but left them not to long ago. She was sure that Roan had the same uneasy feeling about the Hollow that she did. She didn't want to go back into those caves. She couldn't be without the stars now. How much things had changed. A cub who couldn't stand them to an elder lioness who needed them. Do you think he will win? She asked Roan after a moment of watching the fight again.

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Line art by Adoptadpoles | Image and table code by Amanda

@Hanneth didn't need to finish her words. Roan knew what she was trying to say. Truth be told, he hadn't talked about his father much since the old man passed. The mauve lion simply nodded in understanding. His quick departure after only just returning hadn't exactly been planned, but it was necessary. "It's okay, Hannth," Roan brushed off any need to apologize for not informing him about Reti. It wasn't like he'd been around much lately to begin with. At least Roan knew now, and who knows, maybe he'd been greeting his brother as a king when all this was over.

It did surprise the masked man to learn that Reti had been ruling the Hollows for a short time himself, though. It only made him more curious if the swirled lion knew that his big brother had ruled there as well. But then another question came to mind "Does he know... about Dad?" Roan was quiet in asking, almost afraid to bring it up. To Hanneth's question, though, the mauve lion considered it for a moment.Would he win? Ghyslaine had ruled before, but Roan didn't know what fighting experience she had. Even if he arrived a bit late to the challenge, she at least looked to be holding her own. "I do," he finally admitted not because Reti was larger or a male or anything like that,but because Roan felt his brother probably wanted this more. If he did win,though, the Hodari wondered about how Ghyslaine would take it. She had always been kind to the Hodari, and Roan respected her for that. Whatever the outcome today, he just hoped it wouldn't sour and future relations.

Table & Image by Amanda | Background | Lineart