It was time for them to fight. The raid had not been long ago, but there were new faces in Yfir and he did not want his packmates to grow soft and weak like the rest of the wolves in Alacritia. It was a very real possibility, despite the lived in one of the less hospitable terrains here - the North bred strong wolves, he knew that. The cold hardened their hearts and strengthened their muscles, and kept them from growing soft from eating too frequently and not moving enough. The threat of winter felt all too real - light snowfalls had begun, and he noted the mountains seemed more snow-capped than they had yet. Soon the harshest season would be upon them, and most of their resources would need to go toward finding food and keeping the young and weak fed and safe, though gratefully those were few and far between. His eyes focused on a puff of steam as he exhaled into the crisp autumn air. He wandered among the trees of the forest for awhile, searching or a suitable spot for them to train. Kaprasíus intended to teach them to fight like Odin's warriors today, whoever might show up. They were often trained to be tactical and precise, but there was another side to fighting that he felt deserved some attention - the part of the warrior that was driven by fury and rage, the side of the berserker, and today he would introduce him to that side. Slowly the Stallari would lift his head to the sky, focusing on the foliage above with his single good eye as he released a call for any warriors who wished to join him.. and healers, too, for they could learn something too from this experiment.

Anyone interested in fighting is expected to attend, even if they just want to watch! Anyone interested in healing should come too, please!

Coming up on his uncle's left side, Laufey aimed to teasingly bump the smaller man's shoulder with his own, maybe even jolt him to the side a little. Grinning wickedly he moved to walk halfway around the elder Finnvi, searching for his gaze as he did so. Slyly the giant hinted, "I don't believe I've had the pleasure of fighting you yet, Kaprasius." Finding a good place to sit, the brute sat down heavily, still grinning at his uncle. He'd jump at the opportunity to fight him - or anyone, really - but fighting (and possibly putting Kaprasius in the dirt) sounded like a good time.

THE WOLVES WILL CHASE YOU IN THE PALE MOONLIGHT Drunk and driven by a devil's hunger... My, my, wasn't Yfir starting to buzz with activity. He supposed with winter coming everyone was starting to get antsy for the weather to change and he half wondered if there might be another raid in the future. Hárekr was still sore to have missed the last one and the thought of participating in a future one was almost salivating. Hárekr strode into the little gathering. The only wolves to have shown thus far was Laufey and he nodded his head in greeting to the men. "A good day for training, yea?" He settled into a loose and easy stance. He had yet to really see many of his packmates fight having only sparred with Hypnos.

Lyndvarr knew he needed to work on his battle skills. He'd been taking a break to focus on healing but now it was time to get back to sharpening his skills. He'd decided that the next raid he would participate and the thought made him nervous. He wasn't nearly confident enough in himself and craved the reassurance that a good match would give him. In addition he was curious of his packmates skills. He hadn't sparred with anyone yet in Yfir apart from Warja. Dam she was fierce! A woman definitely worthy of respect. "Heil Kaprasíus! How are you?"

Hmmm? What was this now? Bernadette would raise her head from her meal -- a goose, and grin. Ahh, a summons. There was always fun to be had in a group, and the femme would glance at her partly finished meal. It could wait. Food could always wait if there was some fun to be had. The femme would quickly stash the remains of her goose under a bush for safe keeping and then set off at a trot toward the older male’s call. The only ones gathered thus far seemed to be males, and Berny would let out a light laugh as she joined them. “Hello men. Hope you don’t mind a woman joining you for this bit of fun.” She found herself near Háre. “You, me, here and now. Wanna go?” Her tone was light, playful, though there was a serious glint in her eyes. The woman was ready for battle, and her heart sung the need to dance the dance of a warrior.

Kapra's call found Katja finishing a patrol around the gorge. She listened, both approving and curious that Kapra had chosen to call a warriors' training session. He was not incapable as a fighter, but he had rarely chosen to delve into it any more than any viking might. Surely if Kapra were calling, this would be no ordinary set of practice bouts... She decided to end her patrol early, that she might see what it was that Kapra had up his metaphorical sleeves.

She came into the group to see many of the pack's wolves already gathered. Once more she made note of Vereux's absence, and this time at a meeting for his own rank. Displeasure rankled over the continued absences - neither scent nor sight of the sworn warrior for some time. Perhaps she ought to alert the pack to keep their eyes open for him...

"Kapra," she greeted simply, inclining her head before sitting among her members, making it clear that right now she was not alpha, but warrior of Yfir and that the command was his.

The number of wolves to arrive was quite... underwhelming. He had hoped, perhaps rather foolishly, that all of Yfir might decide to come. Perhaps there would be no work for the healers here after all - though they needed to spectate fights to learn their craft better, as well. It was no surprise at all that Laufey appeared first, commenting that he hadn't fought him yet - perhaps he wanted to? He grinned in return, knowing Laufey would be as worthy an opponent as any. Hárekr arrived after him, followed by Lyndvarr. His grin widened at how eager everyone seemed to be, at the prospect of training - and he chuckled heartily, quite different than his usual snicker. In Yfir, he found purpose, and his mania could be calmed if only briefly. For his gods. And for his kin. "I am doing better now that the few of you decided to join me," the one-eyed brute spoke honestly, though his voice was tinged with excitement he found no need to contain.   Bernadette came next, and finally Katja, who earned a simple nod from him. He had not called this meeting to impress her, though she seemed curious as to his plans. "Now," he would began quickly, not caring for formalities - he was fine with diving right in. "You are all survivors. You know how to fight. We do not need to discuss the basics." Some, more than others. They did not have to be coddled and taught simple defenses and attacks. These things, they knew, and if they did not? They would learn quickly. "I'd like to briefly tell you about berserkers before we begin. The warriors of Odin, the oldest of the gods, were not your typical fighters. They were fanatically devoted to him. They fought with no abandon and no hesitation." It was not at all unlike how Kapra fought - often abandoning all need for calculated actions, attacking with a relentless fury instead. "Today, you will fight like they did. You will not resist your enemy's attacks. You will take them, and use them to fuel your rage and your passion." It was a dangerous way of fighting, but could be an effective one when cultivated properly. "You will not flinch from the pain or try to avoid one another's teeth - you will only strike, again and again, until one of you forfeits." He'd eye the few that stood before him, wondering if they would find his method of fighting silly - though he knew it was anything but. Yet it likely sounded crazed, coming from this one-eyed, tailless brute. But they were Vikings, or were learning to be part of his and Katja's culture, and they would surely appreciate his methods even if they chose not to follow them completely. "I will fight Laufey. Bernadette and Harekr will fight, and Lyndvarr and Katja will fight. Whoever moves quickest will begin." And that was that. He'd step away from the others, offering a fair bit of room for the spars, turning to grin widely at Laufey as he followed.

Spars can be in this thread if you guys want! Kapra vs Laufey, Bernadette vs Harekr, Lyndvarr vs Katja. Two rounds each unless you both want more. Whoever posts first gets the first move! Do not use any defenses (trying something new just for this training, and you will not receive any points at all for defenses) and try to focus on creative attacks! Try to start the first round by December 6th!

Kapra wasted no time coming to the point, and Katja was, while not expecting his plan, not entirely surprised either. Kapra had ever been attracted to the manic, impassioned side of their culture. It would be good to have the knowledge of it passed on to their pack. The very nature of it would not allow for simply an intellectual knowledge of it; one needed to experience it. Perhaps he would find an unexpected kindred spirit among their pack when the others got a taste for the bersekr.

He paired them off, pairing her with her nephew while pairing himself with his nephew, and the alpha stood slowly, stretching as she did. Her body was growing older and she'd do well to remember that, but it would not keep her from participating. After all, Kapra himself was older yet than she and it would not do for her to be unable to keep up with him.

She dipped her head to Lyndvarr in silent acknowledgement, and faced off with him. It felt strange not to set her defenses - this was not her preferred method of fighting. She was too set in logic, too cold of emotion to feel free within the ranks of Odin's fighters, but she would honor the All-father in this. It was as much ceremony as spar to her, and she allowed a menacing snarl to rip free of her throat, bared fangs and hot breath steaming in the cold air, where normally she would have remained silent.

At seven inches taller than her Lyndvarr would have greater reach and a heavier body. It would be more logical for her to use her greater speed to avoid him, but that would disregard the point of the exercise. Kicking off, she sought to close the midlength distance between them head on. Her right shoulder twisted forward slightly, she attempted to slam the point of her right shoulder into the crease between his chest and left shoulder in the hopes of straining the ligaments that held the joint together, midleap so that she would hit higher on the shoulder as she was partially reared up. As she reared she threw her head up hard, seeking to smash the top of her head against the bottom of the taller wolf's lower jaw midway between the front and his throat, knowing that the top of her skull was much more impervious to the damage that could result than would be his jaw and teeth. As she did, her own jaws sought to obtain a grip high on his throat beneath his jaw, her head tilted only slightly so that her lower jaw was aimed to the left of his throat while her muzzle sought to hook over to his right in an attempt to strangle him. He was at an advantage in this fight, so her best chance lay in ending it quickly.

KATJA vs LYNDVARR for BERSERKER SPAR
Round 1 of 2?

Today it seemed that they would be berserkers. Fighters who ignored the pain, ignored aiding defenses. It seemed to be a bit of an interesting tactic and approach to fighting, and one that Bernadette found herself smiling about. Interesting. Only striking, not resisting attacks... It would be a test of endurance. She’d grin, glancing to Hare again. Ooooh this would be good. The woman wasn’t sure what his fighting capabilities were, but she wanted to test him. Wanted to see if he could give her a good run for her money. The moment the spars were announced was the moment Berny moved. She wanted to go first! The young woman would drop down, not for sake of defending, but for sake of moving. She’d bend her legs and then spring forward, attempting to close the minuscule distance of four feet between herself and Hare. She would attempt to swerve towards her right, his left, at the last moment, seemingly coming head on before that. To begin her attack Bernadette would try to slam her whole body into the left ribs of the other, using her left shoulder as the base of her attack. Furthermore she would attempt to toss her right foreleg forward, crossing over her front, to attempt to slam down upon the back left toes of her opponent. Finally Berny would part her jaws, attempting to latch on to the man’s left rear leg where the fleshy bit met his stomach. She hoped for a hold, though she’d settle for some tearing so long as she got some sort of damage in. BERNADETTE vs HAREKR for BERSERKER SPAR Round ONE of TWO?

THE WOLVES WILL CHASE YOU IN THE PALE MOONLIGHT Drunk and driven by a devil's hunger... Hárekr was intrigued by Kapra's words.  Fight like berserkers?  He laughed.  "I like this plan!  Our healers skills could also use testing, no?"  His bi-colored gaze shot a side-long glance at Lyndvarr. "Try not to pass out, hm?"  With a chuckle he turned to Bernadette, his opponent and readied himself, excitement and adrenaline coursing through is body.  Oh he looked forward to this!  His blue eye seeming to sparkle excitedly with the violence to come.  He'd take a deep breath, letting it spill from his mouth in a fine mist.  It was a strange thing not to set his defenses but he had been moved to battle by the shifting seas of emotion and with a few steady breaths he let himself melt, the urge to set those familiar safety maneuvers leaving him as he faced his opponent.  He grinned, the first move was hers and as she charged he tensed.  It seemed odd for a berserker to merely stand there and take his opponents attacks without going to meet them.   As Bernadette charges his left side Háre twists to arc his upper body to his left in an attempt to slide the left side of his body along her left side.  His legs coil so that he can come in low.  Háre wants to come in close and tight and take her attacks just as he dishes out his own.  Bernadette's left shoulder skims along his back ribs, mid-way between his belly and back, leaving minor bruising as he thrusts the tip of his left shoulder blade forward and up attempting to slam it into the left underside of her belly, about six inches in front of her left hind leg.  He wants to cause severe bruising and make her wretch.  Hárekr's head tilts to his right and down as he seeks to catch Bernie's left hind leg between his jaws just above her heel.  His upper fangs seek to land on the outside of the limb, lower fangs on the inside directly across from his uppers.  He wants a powerful hold he can use to fracture this delicate part of the appendage.  This training was about brutality yes? As if on cue as Hárekr's own jaws launched forward Bernadette's would sink into the meat of his left hip, her attack having been displaced by his effort to crouch and come in low.  Moderate puncture wounds would dig into muscle, sending pain shivering up his spine and staining his white fur with blood as she got a hold.   They were almost like mirrors, Hárekr's weight would shift to his left front leg and hind legs as he lifted his right forepaw, seeking to slam his paw down on her left hind foot.  Just as he moved her right forepaw would slam on the toes of his left hind paw causing severe bruising the toes, he was certain she'd sprained a few. Hárekr vs Bernadette for Berserker Spar Rd. 1/1  (sorry but I really need a fight break, my muse is shot) ><

Lyndvarr wasn't sure about this.  Fight without setting defenses?  It sounded more crazy than mystical to him but Kapra was his senior and he wouldn't disrespect the other man.  There had to be something to learn from this, something he didn't see yet but perhaps would discover after the match.  His stomach dropped though as he was paired against Katja.  He was going to fight his aunt?  Lyndvarr had always wanted to train and spar against her but now that the battle was looking him right in the face he was doubting himself.  Though he supposed he ought to be grateful for the fight format.  He knew that this brutal, straight-forward method was not Katja's preferred form of fighting and it certainly wasn't his either.  Some how he was certain this would level the playing field. Katja dipped her head to him in acknowledgement and he dipped his head as well to offer his respect to her before he moved to face her, leaving a moderate distance between them.  His hackles rose, his ears pinning to his-   crap, no that was against this exercise.  Not setting his defenses was like asking him to fight without breathing.  It was so foreign, so unnatural.  He willed his hackles to lay flat and his ears to stand alert.  Katja snarled at him and Lyndvarr snarled back, psyching himself up for the pain to come, willing himself to accept the fact that his flesh was about to be torn asunder. Katja charged and so too did Lyndvarr as he attempted to meet her half way.  As she stepped to her right he'd seek to step to his left, hoping to keep them in head on alignment.  He wanted to crash right into her.  This was how a berserker fought right?  Head on?  It occurred to him this might be easier to pick up with examples but there was no time to think on it now.  Katja reared and Lyndvarr's neck would recoil, his chin tucking sharply against his neck to avoid her head butt.  He felt a rush of admiration for the woman but it was quickly stifled as Katja's gaping jaws lunged for his throat.  With his chin already tucked he sought to dive his jaws down to meet hers, his head rotating slightly to his right he attempted to dive his jaws and intercept her bite by catching her upper jaw between his.  Lyndvarr sought for his upper fangs to land on the left side of her muzzle, lower fangs on the right.  He hoped to catch the muzzle right in the middle between her nose and where her face began to slope.  Lyndvarr wanted to tear flesh as well as gain a hold.  He was aware it might not be a perfect counter and that at this close proximity her fangs were still likely to cut his flesh but he hoped to minimize some of the damage.  He could hear Hárekr's words in his head, "Try not to pass out hm?",  well he wasn't going to. With his momentum carrying him forward Lyndvarr's muscles rippled and coiled as he sought to throw his chest and shoulders forward into his aunt.  The front of his left shoulder hoping to collide with the front of her right shoulder, the front of his right shoulder seeking to collide with the front of her left shoulder.  The exact center of his chest would push forward, aiming for the exact center of her chest.  He wanted to crash into her with enough force to cause not only significant bruising but to also push her over on to her back.  As she was rearing to attack him he hoped the sudden collision and his larger size might be enough to push her over or at least cause her to stumble back.  He braced himself mentally for the pain. Lyndvarr vs Katja for Berserker Spar Rd. 1/1 Sorry, my fight muse needs a rest.  ><  I'm am totally up for another spar after my respite though <3

Giddily Laufey followed along behind Kaprasius. What the brute demanded they do wasn't far outside Laufey's comfort zone. The thing he'd probably struggle with was the lack of defenses. Even in his wildest states many of them came naturally, like flattening his ears and raising his hackles. Battling those instinctual defenses would probably be his biggest challenge and would, quite possibly, require more thought to ignore than to set. As for the damage... When fighting he didn't particularly care what kind of damage he took so long as what he dealt was far worse. Laufey didn't fear pain. Kaprasius had said that whoever was fastest would start the match and so, for once, Laufey set out to be the fastest. As his uncle turned to face him Laufey kicked off in a violent spray of leaf litter as he attempted to approach Kaprasius directly head on. His lips lifted in a gleeful sneer as he spit out a guttural snarl. He'd show this lot a thing or two about berserkers. Laufey reared up suddenly, his hind legs propelling him forcefully as he sought to use his chest like a battering ram. He hoped the lower center of his chest would strike his uncle's windpipe directly beneath his bottom jaw and Laufey hoped it would strike hard enough to send the breathless elder to the ground with no choice but to submit. Simultaneously the brute sought to raise his forelegs and wrap them around the skinny neck of his opponent. He wanted his left foreleg to circle around the right side of Kaprasius' neck so he could hook his left forepaw across the tops of his uncle's shoulder blades while his right foreleg circled around the left side of Kaprasius' neck. Hopefully he'd end up with both forelegs around his opponent's neck and his right forepaw laying scant inches above his left forepaw so that both paws were able to get a grip. His paws, combined with the pressure exerted inward by his forelegs, would hopefully help Laufey achieve complete control of Kaprasius' head. To top it all off Laufey sought to grab hold of Kaprasius' muzzle. If he couldn't submit him with a blow to the throat then surely a painful, bone cracking bite to the face would end the match. Another roar and a spray of spittle left his lips as his jaws parted. Laufey sought to drive his upper teeth into the right side of his opponent's muzzle directly below the corner of his right eye. Meanwhile, his lower teeth were aimed to strike directly across from them; hopefully digging into the left side of Kaprasius' muzzle directly in front of the corner of his left eye. Laufey hoped to slam his jaws shut and attain a powerful and inescapable grip that would end the fight in his favor. LAUFEY versus KAPRASIUS for BERSERKER SPAR Round ONE of TWO?

KATJA vs LYNDVARR for BESERKER SPAR ROUND ONE KATJA CLARITY - All clear! Total: 10 POWERPLAY - None seen! Total: 10 DEFENSES - Not included Total: 0 ATTACK + 2 shoulder slam + 2 head slam + 3 for bite to throat Total: 7 INJURIES - First round! Total: 10 Total for Round One: 37/40 LYNDVARR CLARITY - All clear! Total: 10 POWERPLAY - You didn't mention Katja's attempted shoulder slam anywhere. -2 Total: 8 DEFENSES - Not included Total: 0 ATTACK + 4 bite to upper jaw + hold attempt + 4 for shoulder slam, +2 for each shoulder Total: 8 INJURIES - First round! Total: 10 Total for Round One: 36/40 And the winner is... KATJA Lyndvarr must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Damage: KATJA - None LYNDVARR - None Notes: Tips for writing and some suggestions. (no points are deducted here): TEALAH Not much to say, but HOLY DAMN really close. XD LUNARCAT7 Same as above! You guys made it real easy on me for this. I was able to blow passed it. - By [Evelyn]

Ah, what fun this would be! He noted those that had gathered looked quite interested in what he had planned, and while they did not appear wary.. this certainly was something different and he noted a look of interest on most of their faces. Still, the moment was short-lived as they broke away from the group and began to fight without needing further encouragement. Perfect. Laufey was no less eager than the rest. He flashed his nephew a toothy grin as they moved away from the group. "Don't go easy on me just because I'm old," he'd quickly tease, unsurprising that Laufey didn't waste a second in charging toward him. It was instinctual to at least brace oneself for the pain, though he knew riding out the pain and bearing it could be beneficial in its own way too. He would do just that as Laufey headed toward him with alarming force, Laufey's chest aimed to collide below his jaw. Rather than attempt to pull away from the collision, he would ready his paws for the blow. Unsurprisingly, it sent him stumbling backwards a few long strides though he struggled to keep himself upright, knowing if he fell over so soon he would easily be done for. Before he had time to react, Laufey's forlegs lifted to wrap around his neck. Letting out a snarl, Kaprasius would attempt to unhinge his jaws, snapping at Laufey's own muzzle in a frenzied panic. He was not afraid of losing, but the sheer drive to win sent him into a frenzy, much like a berserker that he'd spoken of. He felt Laufey's teeth digging into the flesh below his right eye, and his own head would thrash as he attempted to pull away from his nephew's hold, while his own jaws snapped and attempted to grab hold of Laufey's muzzle. Round 1/1

(We can just do 1/1 if you want, sorry this is soooo overdue at my own damn training but I owed it to you! <3 Sorry again!)

And the winner is...

HAREKR! Due to Bernadette's player quitting the site, the fight has been forfeited in Harekr's favor. Bernadette must now give up by either submitting, fleeing or passing out.

LAUFEY vs KAPRASIUS for SPAR ROUND ONE LAUFEY CLARITY - All clear Total: 10 POWERPLAY - None seen Total: 10 DEFENSES - Not included Total: - ATTACK + 2 slam to chest + severity + 2 bear hug (+1 for each limb) + 4 bite to muzzle + grip attempt Total: 8 INJURIES - First round! Total: 10 Total for Round One: 38/40 KAPRASIUS CLARITY - “...while his own jaws snapped and attempted to grab hold of Laufey's muzzle.” Where on his muzzle? -2 Total: 8 POWERPLAY - None seen Total: 10 DEFENSES - Not included Total: - ATTACK + 2 bite to muzzle – clarity issue Total: 2 INJURIES - First round! Total: 10 Total for Round One: 30/40 Totals: Laufey 38/40 KAPRASIUS 30/40 And the winner is... Laufey KAPRASIUS must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Damage: NAME - Excluded NAME - Excluded Notes: Tips for writing and some suggestions. (no points are deducted here): Lazuli Not much to say! NAME Same as above, it was just a simple fight. Just remember to be more specific with attacks, as well as throwing in some more attacks. - By [Evelyn]