Elaine struggled with the call from her sister. She didn't want to go back to the Lagoon. She didn't want to feel the sand under her paws. She wanted nothing more than to forget it all but she couldn't. So as @Mirai made her way, Elaine moved with her. This would be the girl's first war and Elaine had no doubt that she would have many lessons to learn. Wars seemed easy, pick a side and fight but Elaine had learned that sides were often messy. They were often not as clear as one might like and Elaine knew that there was a chance this would be the same. Elaine had not been aware that a challenge was going to be made against the Lagoon so the call had caught her off guard. Even more so that it was from one of their own. He wanted the freedom to fight, to cause bloodlust, and her mother had given it to him.

She arrived in step with Mirai, her eyes darting toward the fighting before being quickly pulled away by Mirai's voice. Elaine followed her line of sight to Reti and another that she didn't know. How had she not put those bits together before now? Elaine wasn't really sure what it would mean moving forward for Mirai to know that her father and brother were here. Reti was fighting a very familiar lion too. Before she could say anything, her daughter lept into the fight that was happening against Louve. Elaine watched for a moment. Her sister was able to handle a fight and she had plenty of help. Elaine needed to remain focused on other things.

Her gaze found @Isla ♔ and as quickly as it had landed, Elaine pulled it away. She would not let that cloud her judgment today. Isla had dug the bed she wanted to lay in. Today could have gone very differently if Isla hadn't taken the word of whoever it had been and had sought Elaine out as Elaine would have done. Today, Isla could have had the power of the Bluffs behind her. Isla could have had her at her side, ready to rip apart anyone for her.

Elaine tried to pick apart which side of things everyone was playing on. The Brook and Wolfbron seemed to be together. Lagoon, Summit, Mire were easy ones to pick up. The Rainforest would have been an odd one if it had not been for her learning that Isla had favored the former leader. Is that... is that who had told Isla? Had it been him? She knew Louve went to see him but what else had happened? A low grumble pulled through her chest as she watched Reti dig his claws into the bastard male. There had been a time that Gauthier had been among the ranks of the Bluffs. He had mated into the family and then, he turned his back on them all. She looked at the members of Wolfbron they were here to fight and they would find the fight they wanted soon enough.

It seemed that the Oasis was standing with the Lagoon as well, at least at first glance until Helah jumps into a fight with one. @Harou's anger confused her greatly as well. Elaine had fought with and against so many of those gathered here today. Nothing was safe. Loyalty only went so far. If they had a common enemy, they worked together, otherwise, they fell quickly to their sides of things. She had seen it time and time again. Elaine wanted to fight, she wanted to pull flesh from anyone here but for whatever reason, she couldn't get her paws to move. She couldn't find a target worthy of her rage so she would let one come to her. She was sure that it wouldn't take long.

OOC: Open to fights, just message me so I know to check back. Focusing on a lot of admin things for the update. <3

Art by Lars

The agony that all but splits his skull in two is reflected in her, a truth proven by the echoing roar that echoes in his ears even as they instinctively flatten themselves deeper into the depths of his inky mane, their voices weaving together into a single, thunderous battle cry. A small comfort, certainly. But Rainer relishes it all the same, even blinded by white-hot fog. How...unpredictably predictable this woman was. If only she was not her, Rainer might admit himself somewhat impressed by how wantonly the attack dog sought to bring pain upon herself. As it is, he can only clench his bloodied teeth as Morrigan's babbled delusions drip into his ears, snarling fangs stretching into a manic parody of a smile as he finally feels her begin to falter beneath the bruising impact rippling through his chest and down his spine. "Ist die Ablehnung des Todes alles, was es braucht, damit Ihresgleichen über das "Göttliche" heult? Is rejecting Death all it takes for your kind to howl about the 'divine'? Claws bite deeply into the space behind his shoulders, another sharp note of sweet agony swirling into his world of red and pain and fire. "Ich brauchte keine 'Götter'." I needed no 'gods.' For they did not exist. He remembers it well - ragged breaths and burning lungs, bones broken and bent beneath bruised, tattered skin. The soft whisper of oblivion, yearning to drag him down into the numbing, fathomless depths of nothingness. Death had waited to catch him at the bottom of that mountain. And he had rejected it. "Und ich werde derjenige sein, der deine Schreie hört, wenn sie es nicht tun." And I will be the one to hear your screams when they do not. There was no need for gods in this world, when there were men who were greater. He has survived, all so that he can fall again - but not alone, this time. Icy eyes flash with surprise when Morrigan herself provides the final push, the weight of her body crashing against his promising to plant yet another garden of bruises upon his skin. He would attempt to pull his right foreclaws, still tangled in the fur of her shoulder, in towards himself to rake over her neck and down her chest, seeking to end their downward spiral by pushing her into the sand. The Rike's skull would tilt farther, gaping jaws seeking to place a kiss of teeth upon her chevroned throat, strings of saliva flinging off his fangs with the force of his zealous passion. So the bitch Queen claimed to have been resurrected by gods? It was only fair then, that she should die to something grander. Rainer vs. @Morrigan Major Maim Round 4 / 4 Hits: Rolling 6d20: 3 + 7 + 20 + 10 + 17 + 9 Dodges: Rolling 7d20: 5 + 11 + 8 + 1 + 13 + 17 + 9 Luck: Rolling 5d20: 2 + 6 + 4 + 1 + 3

code by shaz | art by eightysichs

The scales tipped, the balance of their battle shifting against them.

Lathan disengaged, having felt the loss too and Freja immediately backed away from the Scillan female, closer to her pride mate. She might not know him well, had never been formally introduced in fact, but he had tried to defend her and ended up with injuries for his efforts. Heart hammering uncomfortably in her chest, the splotched woman turned towards him as he shifted closer. It was not the comforting promise of retribution that she desperately wished for, but the quiet order to spy. Mismatched eyes clashed with silver, the panic obvious and stark in her dichotomous gaze as he moved away. Freja felt the sharp sting of exposure and fought hard the urge to run after him as he retreated away, the harsh snarl of her captor ringing in her ears.

Don't leave me!

She wanted to shout, to pull the dark Vermedan back by his tail and place him as a physical barrier between herself and the Scillan's. Even the words aimed at reassurance fell flat, the insistence that Scilla had honour. It made her feel sick, the sudden shift of her fate that she had no control over. Instructions were given, to the female now identified as Heloise and towards her, telling her that she would be fed and healed, that she had nothing to fear. She had everything to fear. Not least the shadowed beast who had sparked this very war - Cassius would not be pleased to find his toy in the paws of his enemy.

"I don't want to go to a den. I can feed and heal myself." Her tone was not rude, but there was a firmness to it. "Release me." She asserted, stepping forward towards Colsun with ears pinned against her head. "I have no desire to be here, I told you straight that I was here only to help those wounded. Your interference stopped me from doing the job I needed to do. If Vermeda had targeted your healers, you would have labelled them barbaric." Her words were steady, she did not raise her pitch or become fierce in any way, but there was passion behind them.

@Colsun @Lathan

Art by Moogle, Code by Minxy

@Arcania ♔ VS. @Asbjørn FOR minor maim
— RESULTS —

Arcania Hits: 4+3+5+3+8 Luck = 23
Arcania Dodges: 3+2+2+2 = 9

Asbjørn Hits: 4+6+6+3+4 Luck = 23
Asbjørn Dodges: 3+2+1+2 = 8

Arcania Successful Hits: 15
Asbjørn Successful Hits: 14

ARCANIA HAS WON THE CHALLENGE FOR MINOR MAIM!

The results of this fight cannot be acknowledged ICly until either both challengers have responded or 3 days have gone by — whichever comes first. Any posts breaking this rule will be removed.

---

WOUNDED ROLL

performed on discord by @Zena ★

Asbjørn is automatically WOUNDED for losing!

Arcania Wounded Roll: 3

Arcania is 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 7/22, and are logged in the wounded log. Once healed, post in Trade & Dice Updates to have your dice returned to normal.

@Diomedeidae VS. @Velasco FOR Minor Maim
— RESULTS —

Diomedeidae Hits: 3+3+2+3+8 Luck = 19
Diomedeidae Dodges: 4+2+5+2 = 13

Velasco Hits: 3+2+4+3+5 Luck = 17
Velasco Dodges: 4+2+1+3 = 10

Diomedeidae Successful Hits: 9
Velasco Successful Hits: 4

Diomedeidae HAS WON THE CHALLENGE FOR minor maim!

The results of this fight cannot be acknowledged ICly until either both challengers have responded or 3 days have gone by — whichever comes first. Any posts breaking this rule will be removed.

---

WOUNDED ROLL

performed on discord by @Zena ★

Velasco is automatically WOUNDED for losing!

Diomedeidae Wounded Roll: 3

Diomedeidae is 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 7/22, and are logged in the wounded log. Once healed, post in Trade & Dice Updates to have your dice returned to normal.

@Nazara VS. @Everick FOR minor maim
— RESULTS —

Nazara Hits: 1+1+1+2+5 Luck = 10
Nazara Dodges: 0+3+2+1 = 6

Everick Hits: 1+2+3+1+6 Luck = 13
Everick Dodges: 1+1+1+1 = 4

Nazara Successful Hits: 6
Everick Successful Hits: 7

Everick HAS WON THE CHALLENGE FOR minor maim!

The results of this fight cannot be acknowledged ICly until either both challengers have responded or 3 days have gone by — whichever comes first. Any posts breaking this rule will be removed.

---

WOUNDED ROLL

performed on discord by @Zena ★

Nazara is automatically WOUNDED for losing!

Everick Wounded Roll: 2

Everick 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 7/22, and are logged in the wounded log. Once healed, post in Trade & Dice Updates to have your dice returned to normal.

@Rainer VS. @Morrigan FOR Major Maim
— RESULTS —

Rainer Hits: 5+1+3+2+2 Luck = 13
Rainer Dodges: 1+3+4+3 = 11

Morrigan Hits: 4+4+3+4+8 Luck = 23
Morrigan Dodges: 3+2+3+1 = 9

Rainer Successful Hits: 4
Morrigan Successful Hits: 12

Morrigan HAS WON THE CHALLENGE FOR Major Maim!

The results of this fight cannot be acknowledged ICly until either both challengers have responded or 3 days have gone by — whichever comes first. Any posts breaking this rule will be removed.

---

WOUNDED ROLL

performed on discord by @Zena ★

Rainer is automatically WOUNDED for losing!

Morrigan Wounded Roll: 2

Morrigan 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 8/5, and are logged in the wounded log. Once healed, post in Trade & Dice Updates to have your dice returned to normal.

icefang

This content might touch on topics that are sensitive or triggering for some readers. Trigger Warning for mentions of [graphic gore]

OOC: Icefang has removed Cassandra’s left eye.

She had enough of this shit. Ivory paw rips from its captor’s jaws as Icefang launches herself directly at @Cassandra. An opportunity presents itself and the greedy serpent takes it, fangs roughly grasping the left orb incisors cutting, tearing, and maiming as she jerks her skull back. The hot, thick liquid pooling out from the socket is gratifying, salmon tongue stained with red carefully juggles the sensory organ to avoid crushing it prematurely. The Vermeda queen roughly shoves her opponent away, her attention turning to the rest of the war zone. It was absolute hell. She simmers in the destruction she has brought down on the Lagoon, exemplified by the appendage she has ripped from the former brook sovereign.

She hears Isla’s victory call and immediately she sours, ebony lips pulling back to reveal jagged teeth as she balances Cassandra’s eye between the front row. She had been wrong to put her faith into @Cassius ♔, her blue orbs drifting around her as she attempts to seek him out amidst the writhing bodies. The adrenaline and fury pumping through her as she considers beating him to a bloody pulp for failing her. This incident only convinces her she had lost their match due to her emotions and not because he had excelled in his battle skills since their prior fights. However, she is absorbed by the drama noting the Vermeda members locked in their battles, ears perking up when she hears the delicious roar of @Harou dethroning @Helah as she brawls with their supposed ally. Excitement twinkles in icy depths as she stores this knowledge for later. Temptation urges her to wait and see who the victor is - praying that it will be the Andal seductress, so that she can present her with the ultimate romantic gift. A piece of her enemy, carefully plucked and handled just for her. Let them consummate their lust right now among the blood bath and especially in front of Helah’s traitorous king. Icefang can feel the burning in her loins as she considers tearing Helah from her match to finish the deed.

However, impatience has her slithering between the carnage as her gaze finally lands on the next target on her hit list - @Isla ♔. Carefully, she places the eye down on the sand, issuing a singular call directly at the injured queen, challenging her to attack. Let Icefang do what Cassius could not. She stands directly in front of her, about fifteen feet away, blue orbs locked as she searches for a reaction. She didn’t leave her much choice.

Attack her now or publicly refuse.

Ivory skull dips to pick up the eye, aqueous humor bursting out in different directions as her teeth finally squish it to pieces followed by spitting the vision organ into the sand. A crazed smile etched onto her lips.

Witness what I did to your sister.

ART & TABLE BY AURORA

He steps away, knowing when he has been bested. But losing was not the end of the world like some seemed to precieve. To Cassius, it made winning later all the sweeter. Give them hope just to dash it right into the fucking ground.

Delicious.

@Isla ♔ warns him to get out but he simply remains where he is. She also claims he has sided with the wrong party. Insinuating she and hers were better. But his eyes travel to @Freja who is taken by force. Against her very will. Then to @Icefang ♔ as she calls for the grey woman's attention. The brown furred opponent laid flat and bleeding out from her face.

Cassius huffs a sarcastic chuckle, face caught between wince and smirk. Sure. Is all he has to say to his battle partner. Sure.

He is moving then. To Freja. Ignoring @Colsun and @Heloise even as the other male instructs @Lathan to get away. No matter where she may be in the world, she was his. He had no fear of them. Of anyone. Eyes trail over Lathan, disappointed in his lack of defiance. And he cannot help but laugh softly as he comes up to hear what his woman is saying to the Scillian lions. She's spirited. He rumbles with heavy amusement. Probably a little more than any of you could swallow.

Art by Ink, Code by Minxy

"And what do I get for releasing you? Will that ugly fucker stop coming for my mate's head? Will your decrepit queen cease her tirade? No." Ah, well, @Freja had a bit of an attitude. Colsun sighed. "This must be your first war. No, I am not releasing you straight back to my enemies to heal them. Do not speak to me as if you aren't living with honorless cowards," he said, curling his lip. "Yes, yes, it's all fun and games to say 'oh, but if the roles were reversed!' -- but they're not. You are now a prisoner until Isla declares otherwise. Stopping you from doing your job is the point." Honestly, as Cassius slipped up alongside him -- the loser -- and commented on Freja's spirit, Colsun had to bite back a correction of: you mean stupid. Colsun is not above dragging her back if he needs to.

"We're terrified. Get the fuck out," he snapped.

He's tired of all these arrogant motherfuckers thinking their crooked smirks and tough talks make them badass. They were all forgettable. Replaceable. No one would remember their names in the end.

ART BY SPU, CODE BY DEE, MODIFIED BY GUNNER