"You can begin with your ambitions by striving for a rank."

Well, then, that's exactly what he would do.

Alaric's impression of the oasis, so far, was that they valued fighting and strength. His initial challenge by Rielus had ignited the idea, and after meeting Seneca it had been driven home. The bulky lion had every intention of proving his... worth... and he would begin by calling to whomever wished to challenge him. Alaric wanted power and he would not waste any time seeking it out.

He stood on top of one of the red boulders scattering the sandy landscape, not far from where the trees sprouted as if by magic in this hellish desert. His roar was loud and would carry easily to all who lived her - his intention made clear. Hopping down from his perch he positioned himself before the boulder, spreading his weight evenly over all fours. His chin was tucked and his tail snapped out behind him, flicking just slightly at the tip in a sign of his impatience.

Let's get this party started...



Alaric vs. @??? for Andal Oasis Gentry
Round 0 / 3

code by corvus

Well that was an unexpected sound. It startled him out of a dream - the details faded quickly from memory but the wistful feeling remained. He wondered what he'd been dreaming about as he rose and yawned. Something nostalgic, probably.

Curiosity was what motivated him, rather than ambition. It was a new voice calling out for a rank and Haros didn't particularly care it was one higher than his own. He'd never actually expected to be given any title, and now that he had it, he wasn't all that certain what to do with it. But he figured he'd done something to earn it, right? Might as well just keep doing what he usually did; if he was doing something wrong someone was bound to point it out eventually.

He arrived on the scene with a curious expression, and laid himself down far enough from the stranger to make it very clear he was not the man's opponent-to-be. Just an innocent spectator here to witness a bit of local excitement. It was a new face, so he assumed the man had only recently joined. In that case, he really wasn't wasting any time, was he?

code by corvus

it's been a while since genya has spectated a fight. here in the sandy oasis, life has become too quiet and too peaceful. while she welcomes such a life, especially now with children of her own, genya still longs for the days where entertainment abounds. with her husband tending to his meetings and kingly duties, genya will have to sit in for him, unless he decides to join. she remembers @Haros from her birth but she doesn't know of the other male. for a time, genya debates becoming @Alaric's opponent - test him as a queen to see if he can earn his rank. but that, too, is something seneca decides, not her. and so she seats herself beside haros and hopes that someone will answer alaric's call.

she has wings under her armor

code by corvus

Curiosity beckons the veiled Miroslav woman from her new accommodations. She'd been settling a new set of furs down for her bed when a masculine voice called a challenger forth. It wasn't necessarily surprising to not recognize the owner of said voice, given her own fairly recent status in joining the Oasis, but when she reached the clearing where he stood she still felt vaguely surprised at her own reaction. Outwardly, her features did not so much as twitch... her face remaining in the gilded mask she wore.

Inside, she found herself intrigued. @Alaric was older than herself, and visibly battle hardened with poisonous green eyes searching for his would-be opponent. At the very least she thought it would make for good appearances for Seneca's newly ranked sister to show her face, so she settled down on her own to observe the newcomer. To see if the package truly matched what was inside. Maybe no one would show and she'd have to get her entertainment some other day.

Or perhaps someone would give him a good fight just for fun. @Genya was here to observe as well so she was okay with the challenge. No shock. Miroslav wanted to see strength and reward it for such. The other man was still a stranger to Vesuvia at least in name, but she spared @Haros a glance all the same.

+5 Learn a character’s full name and rank
+5 Observe a challenge and learn the results

table by ferus, art by grav3wolf

It had been far too long since she’d known the trivialities of pride-life. The summons of challenge brought a rush to the veins, an aggressive brontide that lay gooseflesh to her arms. Aidoneus was quick to turn her path, to join the fray. The huntress found eager eyes, and a gnashing gladiator. She’d not the mind to partake in a challenge, to ascent the rungs, but to observe. She moved to sit among the gathered audience, her gaze fixed on Alaric. She leaned towards @Vesuvia, How do you think he’ll do? She asked, her voice low. I am Aidoneus, by the way.

XVIII     the moon ☾

_{ART & CODE}

He cannot help but to smirk when he hears it. He'd had hopes for @Alaric's ambition, and would much prefer to see the man prove his prowess on the field of battle than his simple proclamations that he is capable. Seneca does not move with any particular sort of haste, but a casual stride that sees him to the scene a bit later than some of his pridemates. @Haros has reclined himself quite comfortably off to the side, with no evident intention to take up the challenge, though the sovereign had expected little else. He's not proven himself to be much of a fighter, but he is loyal and a hard enough worker when the moment calls for it.

@Vesuvia and @Aidoneus are getting acquainted, and @Genya is settled not far from them, all granted a lingering glance as he prowls quietly through the gap between his sister and his wife. Finally, Seneca's attention turns to @Alaric, a glint in his eyes as he casually halts a few yards before the pale lion with an idle dip of his skull. The incline of his chin and his position is more than enough to state his purpose, goading his newest recruit to engage the high sovereign himself in the show that their onlookers so greedily desire.

seneca vs alaric for dominance
aka testing your mettle
move zero of three

Seneca Miroslav

table by ferus, art by sleepykyju

They come, as he knew they would. Not many, not enough, but he stands proud before them and sizes up each face that shows. A male, first, but he does not answer the challenge and Alaric cannot mask his disappointment. A lion without ambition earns little respect from the pale coated male, and his gaze moves quickly to the next.

A female - one who intrigues him based solely on the fact that she looks as if she could handle herself in battle - but he does not stare long. Another lionness, and then another, and a wicked grin slides across his lips. He might have struck up conversation had the king not shown. Ah, now this was interesting. Alaric does not bother to speak, but launches straight in to the fight he had asked for.

@Seneca is a worthy opponent but he would not pull his punches for a king. In fact if anything he might hit harder if only to prove his mettle. Plus, there were women to impress…

With a curl of his lip to display his teeth he lunged forward, closing the distance between him and the king as readily as possible. He sought to approach from Seneca’s right, aligning his right shoulder in an attempt to slam it in to the king’s. His lips would fully peel back, then, snapping towards the other man’s face in more of an attempt to distract than anything.

Hoping to keep his face engaged Alaric would lift his left paw from the ground and attempt to slash it towards Seneca’s right side, aiming for the flesh over his ribs. His weight automatically shifts to his haunches, rear claws digging in to the ground to give him his balance while his tail snaps back to assist.

“Alaric vs. @Seneca for Taking the test (aka AO gentry)
Round 1 / 3
Hits:

Rolling 7d20: 1 + 13 + 4 + 15 + 12 + 19 + 8

Dodges:

Rolling 4d20: 6 + 18 + 20 + 14

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 7 + 4 + 1 + 18 + 17

code by corvus

Rielus

A familiar call echoes across the desert, one Rielus has previously run into in the midst of dunes. By the time he had arrived the fight had already begun; just the smallest bit of regret swelled within the chest as he moved to join bystanders. @Genya was among them, though he steered clear of positioning himself too close to those who ruled the pride and instead found a spot near @Aidoneus and @Vesuvia. Pale eyes flashed towards the two lionesses, uncertain who they were in the pride, mirrored by a fleeting glance to @Haros, who also appeared unrecognizable. Rielus wasn't intimately familiar with the hierarchy of the pride, although a couple of the lions present held a poise that spoke of a higher rank (or perhaps foolish arrogance). Lowered onto dark haunches he would observe the fight for gentry, still mildly annoyed that he hadn't made it in time to face off against Alaric once more.

Rielus is observing the fight.

Art by wallflower | Table code by Zodiac

the plot twist happens. seneca comes forth and challenges @Alaric in a fight for dominance. but all know that it isn't true; it's a test to see if the male is capable of holding the position of gentry. genya has seen her husband fight before and he's truly a spectacular dancer on the battlefield. she hopes that their children inherits seneca's luck in fighting and his unique talents. for now, the queen of the oasis remains silent. she wants her husand to win, but she's aware that they need to fill in their ranked positions.

she has wings under her armor

code by corvus