Mortis had been sent to go over the wolves that had failed spectacularly in the raid. He gave himself a few days to settle in and go over the list his father had given him. An impressive amount of wolves, and against the Pirates no less. He understood why his father was pissed. The first born son of Warlord would do his best to whip the wolves into shape, and prepare the Armada for an oncore with the Pirates. He took himself down to the beach. Perhaps it was engrained in him by now. But so much of the Armada training had been on sandy territory. He walked the Cove until he felt familiar with it, and then returned to the center. He was as ready as he was ever going to be. He pushed aside his doubts and raised his head. Wings spread spectacularly across either side of himself. He opened his maw and let loose a deep, summoning cry. Calling to all the wolves that had lost their first round in the raid. Malachai, Basilisk, Aris, Grimoire, Gossamer, Makara, Keahi Round one due: 22nd feb "Speech"

Mortis' summons put Gossamer in a foul mood. She had nothing against him personally, but after her mess of an attempt at holding fight training as a new Lieutenant she couldn't help but bristle.  It was a pointed reminder of how her change in rank had done little to change her station in the social scheme of the pack. Gossamer had expected things to change, but she still felt detached from her pack, like a nameless body among many.  One of the last remaining of the misfortunate middle litter. Just her and Aris. Briar and Kotori had their own packs. Ophelia was out wandering. Maybe there was a reason for that.

She got up and started heading toward the call, wondering why it was Mortis calling for them. Wasn't her winged brother supposed to be in Valta?  Had her father really called him all the way here to do the training instead of having an Armada wolf lead it?  She'd much rather have had training directly from her father or Azure. Gossamer arrived and gave her older brother a curt nod before sitting down. The higher ups could scold all they wanted. She at least had been trying and was one of the few who could say she'd killed her pirate.

Frankly, Malachai was a mess, his fight with the coyotes had not been too long ago and his body still ached and protested whenever he moved anything, he was covered in half-healing scratches and his ego had yet to recover from a single bruise it had taken since he'd arrived at the Armada. Some part of him was still laying in the snow, bleeding, wishing for anything to make him feel something again. Wishing for a familiar face to come and tell him he was fine, that they were fine. But some part of him knew that wasn't true. He was starting to suspect that he didn't even cross his mate's mind when they weren't together anymore. And that hurt to believe, Malachai wore a scar, a reminder of the way he'd agonized when Grimshaw had been gone for even a short time, the long thin line on his leg... And now it only made him angry to look at, had he been wrong to care? So yeah he wasn't exactly in a good mood as of late, he brooded everywhere he went, and, to be honest, he resented the expectation that came with being called upon. His whole world was crumbling down, why couldn't they just leave him be? Still a small idea was forming in the back of his mind, this distance he felt was because he hadn't proven himself worthy, that had to be it. So well, much as he wanted to ignore the call he'd reluctantly answer, though he glowered the whole way there, because he had to prove himself quickly before it was too late. The dappled woman from the fight training earlier was already there, looking about as happy as he was and it almost made him crack for a moment, the instinct of a smile starting to form before he tramped down on it. Well, at least they could be miserable in tandem. "Speech

Art by Cloudy!

Keahi is running a patrol in the mile-high forest when the call to gather reaches her ears. It is for a select few and she immediately knows why she is being summoned which causes her ears fold flat against her skull. Heat floods her cheeks as she turns around and swiftly begins to move toward the cove. A heaviness is on her shoulders as the scars on her cheek seem to burn as a painful reminder of her failings. She had spent countless days running through the fight she had lost and mentally picking it apart so she could try to figure out exactly where she had gone wrong and how to correct it. With Ruga’s help, the red woman had been able to put her obsessiveness away so that she could move on with her life and she finally put the fight in the past knowing that she working to do better at… everything.

Yet, this call suddenly brings her short-comings as a fighter crushing back down around her ears. Unwilling to be late to the meeting, Keahi swiftly moves toward the area they will be training at and arrives in short order. Mentally, the woman shakes off the shame knowing that she cannot change the past and will use this as the learning opportunity it is. The red woman moves to take a seat in front of the winged wolf while giving the Lieutenant some space so she does not feel like the tropical wolf is infringing on her personal bubble. Ocean blue eyes catch Mortis’s gaze and she offers a respectful dip of her head and warm smile before trying to catch Gossamer’s eyes so she can offer the woman a small, understanding smile and respectful dip of her head. While she is not official met Malachai, the woman tries to catch his gaze so she can offer him a small nod of understanding at his gloomy mood. While situation had sucked, Keahi is determined to make the most this time.


"Keahi Mogotsi"

When a call came again, this time specifically for certain wolves, Aris once more left the pups behind to go answer it. Doing the math, though, she thought that she was pretty sure they were all the wolves who had done poorly in the raid without a single win to them, which couldn't mean anything good. There wasn't anything in particular else that linked all of their names together - she couldn't remember even having more than passing contact with some. Having pups following along at her heels for what was likely to be public humiliation would likely not endear her to anyone, even Mortis, and would definitely do her authority over the pups no good either. So before she left she carefully quelled even a hint of rebellion from the pups to ensure they'd stay put - or at least, stay away from where she was to be meeting.

It was in the faint heat of temper that she stalked up to the small group, and her tight smile to Gossamer did little to hide the sparks in her blue eyes as she slid her gaze around them. She felt her spiked hackles rising in irritation and smoothed them with an effort. If this had been just another fight training or something, she'd not have been so irritated, but the idea that they'd probably been called together for something that had happened months ago grated on her. Was this them being chewed out? or was this remedial training for the bad fighters? Had attending the warrior meeting - as so many had not - despite not being ranked as a fighter not earned her some measure of reprieve from being chewed out? "Did you get recalled from Valta just to tell us off for not being good enough?" she asked her older brother silkily, her voice a teasing purr right on the careful edge of anger, eyes narrowed as she seated herself amongst those who had been called with an assumed air of nonchalance. "Seems like a waste of resources for you to come so far when the rest of us have been here all along, perfectly accessible for anyone to yell at. Shall we get this over with? I have pups to teach." That was no lie. Three of the four pups were shaping up to be fighters, and both Ansem and the sickly Zeejay had both shown some interest in healing as well - it took a great deal of her time to begin early training for both subjects for them all.

She noted idly that many of those called hadn't appeared yet, including Azure's own heir. You'd think they'd have all hurried to reduce the shame of being chewed out for failure... or were they hiding? She felt a spurt of wicked amusement as she realized that she actually hadn't heard Azure, who had also lost his first fight, be called at all. It seemed that being an assistant alpha protected you from being considered one of the failures. From being a disappointment. Aris clamped down on her temper again and deliberately yawned instead as though bored already.

Basilisk had been out patrolling in the woods when the call came through. He recognized the caller - somewhat, and knew that being Heir didn’t excuse him from whatever it was about. He trotted back to his tree house first, grabbing his gear before heading over to the beach. It didn’t take him long to get sorted, and he arrived with plenty of time to spare. He wasn’t the last to arrive, either. He glanced first at the winged wolf wolf, and then about at the assembled ones, and their miserable expressions. Well, some miserable, some downright angry.

He looked back at the Winged Wolf again, a hint of admiration in his expression. Wow. Whatever his Uncle had done, it seemed he was universally hated. Was there some gossip he had missed out on? Perhaps a reason the wolf had been sent to Valta?

His eyes landed on the red toned diplomat, and he trotted towards her. She looked the least miserable and angry, and he decided she might be a good source of information. He settled in beside her and nudged her with a paw. “Psst” He whispered. “Did The winged Uncle kill someone's kid or something?”


"Speech"

Considering the call from his son had mentioned nothing but names, the Warlord was surprised to appear and hear the tail end of their complaints. Would his wolves rather moan then prepare themselves? He pushed aside any feelings of disappointment, and let his eyes rove across each and every wolf present. They were his wolves. And he wouldn't have a single pirate see them as easy prey. He would fight for each wolf here. But Zee [i]oh, Zee...[i/] had taught him the strongest way to protect them was to let them prove they could defend themselves. His gaze lingered for a moment on Gossy. His daughter especially had suffered from heckling from a pirate.

"This isn't punishment, this is a warm up." He said, his voice rolling over the assembled wolves like a crashing wave. Addressing Ari’s words, and the expressions on the other wolves "The Pirates got the jump on us, and think the Armada is a walk in the park for them. But I believe that each and every one of you could give a pirate a piece of your mind. Which is why I'm selecting each of you for a future raid against the Pirates. But first, preparations. Shore your weak spots and take the opportunity to learn from each other. If any of you need battle equipment, I will personally supply it." He promised them. But, hearing their words as he had walked up couldn't go uncontested. "As for your grumblings, If any of you wish to walk from ranks as defenders of the Armada, speak now." He said. He would have no one in the rank that didn't wish to be there. But each of these wolves had volunteered to face the Pirates. Had that nerve failed them now? His eyes roved over their faces again. Searching for any sign of cowardice.

He gave a moment's pause, then plunged on. "Once the last of the stragglers arrive, Mortis will begin the lesson. Those of you that need permanent equipment, see Gossamer at the end of the lesson. She will make notes of each equipment needed and help choose something that fits your style. I will supply the list once she presents it to me." He nodded his head to Gossy. Placing her as intimediatory here specifically to support her new position. The wolves would see her as an authority, and he would drive it home until they did. That said, he settled back to wait. He had not intended to attend the lesson, but to say his piece and leave. Hearing their disgruntlement, he decided to put in the same work he demanded of his wolves.

"Sirius Fatalis"

Mortis stood there in silence as the wolves - many of them family to him - filled in. The looks on their faces ranged from upset to angry. He could feel something inside of himself dying at the looks in their eyes. He had struggled so much lately with feelings of inadequacy, as if he did not belong anywhere. Seeing it in their eyes was almost too much to bear. To hear Aris lay it out so simply - that he was not worth the effort of coming here, that he was not someone she would wish to learn from - well, he almost threw in the towel then and there. Hearing it from his younger sister. And then his father was there, standing in as if he had known all along that Mortis would not be able to manage this on his own. He waited a moment - perhaps even longer than he should, to ensure that the wolves before him were all that were coming. “Very well then, let's begin. I know you don’t want me here, but I’m what you’ve got. He said, keeping emotion from his voice. “Lets have you pair up. Gossy with Basilisk, Keahi with Malachai, and Aris with Sirius.” He said, waiting for the wolves to move into pairs. “Let’s start with a round of spars. As you fight, consider your opponents fighting styles. See if you can think of both strengths and weaknesses to discuss with your opponent at the end.” He said. They were a team, right? What better way for the Armada wolves to team up then to consider how to better each other? It made sense that Mortis himself didn’t have an opponent. He wasn’t a part of these wolves. "Speech"

Everyone that arrives to the fight training seems to be angry and Keahi puzzles over why everyone is so dour. This is an opportunity to learn and, while it is true that they all lost their fights in the raid and it stings, doesn’t that help to show them where they need to improve? When Aris arrives and loudly declares how much she deems this a waste of time, the Diplomat’s eyebrows lift with surprise. Since when is training a waste of time and effort? However, before she can bite back with words, Basilisk, the huge wolf that he is, settles in next to her.

His nudge has her blue gaze shifting to him as he whispers a question she wasn’t expecting. Keahi has to bite the inside of her cheek to keep from erupting with laughter. Her eyes sparkle with mischief as she leans towards him and, in a conspiratorial tone, she drops her voice low so that only Basilisk can hear her words and says, “By the looks of this group, he has killed their pride. Which is a big deal… considering.” A soft chuckle bubbles out and she immediately straightens as she spies the Warlord stalking onto the scene.

As he speaks, Keahi nods along in understanding and grins joyfully at the prospect of getting another shot at the Pirates. Once he finishes, she turns her attention back to Mortis and waits for his instructions. They are paired off and she swiftly stands to go grab the grumpy Malachai. Carefully, she introduces herself, saying, “Malachai… right? I’m Keahi. Ready yourself.” Short, sweet and to the point. Immediately she drops down into her defensive stance, raising her hackles and pinning her ears. Eyes narrow as she pulls her lips back, revealing her pearly whites. She will give the bigger wolf the chance to kick off the party.



Keahi vs Malachai for Spar
Round 0/2
Age: Over 1 year
Size: Large
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Dagger and sheath
Defensive Battle Accessory: Polar bear coat
Companion 1: Red-crowned Amazon, Male - Flying
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Navigator
Specialty: Bulwark


"Keahi Mogotsi"

Gossamer caught sight of Malachai and dipped her head in a quick note of greeting, glad she wasn't the only one feeling sour about this particular meeting. Keahi filed in, followed by Aris who was quick with her cutting words. Basilisk was the last to show and she glanced about wondering where the others were. Was it really just them? Her father then filed in and she looked to him. If there was anyone holding this session she'd have preferred it been Sirius, a leader of the Armada. That made far more sense to her than dragging Mortis all the way back.

Her ears perked up at the mention of a raid against the pirates. Well it was about time! Gossamer was more than ready to take the fight to those bastards for once. She was surprised to hear her name and sat up a bit straighter. When no more wolves arrived Mortis started the meeting and paired them up to spar. She was paired with Basilisk and gave him a quick nod before setting her defenses. It was not often she fought a wolf so much larger than herself. "The first move is yours."

Gossamer vs Basilisk for Spar
Round 1/?
Age: Over 1 Year
Size: Extra large
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Clawed gauntlets
Defensive Battle Accessory: Spiked helmet and coif
Companion 1: Fox, Female - Battle - Boosted
Companion 2: Snow leopard, Male - Battle - Boosted
Mutation 1: Saber fangs - Offensive
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Healer

Basilisk snorted softly at Keahi’s response, before his grandfather appeared and spoke his piece, followed by Mortis beginning the session. He would be pairing up with Gossamer. He nodded his head to the Lieutenant and squared up opposite her. “Very well” He said in the way of agreement. A little nervous about pairing up with the formidable woman.

No time like the present, right?
He dove in, aiming to close the distance between them. He pivoted in an attempt to drive his right shoulder into her right shoulder. Gossy was his senior by a year, and had a lot more experience under her belt - but Basilisk had size. If he could crowd her, he could use that to his advantage.

Basilisk vs Gossamer for Spar
Round 1/?
Age: Over 1
Size: Paleo species
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Shoulder Spurs
Defensive Battle Accessory: Leather Faux Wings
Companion 1: Peregrine Falcon, Female - Battle - Boosted
Companion 2: Miniature reindeer, Male - Battle
*Companion 3: Red panda, Male - Battle
Mutation 1: Bone spurs - Defensive
Mutation 2: Elongated fangs - Offensive
Mutation 3: Feline claws - Offensive
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Hunter
Specialty: Bloodletter

"Speech"

ooc: ignore the round 1 on my last post. Shoulda been round 0. idk where my brain was!

Now that she was face to face with Basilisk he seemed a lot bigger than she'd remembered. This was going to be an interesting fight that was for sure. She swiftly set her defenses, making sure to pin her ears and tuck her tail. He charged toward her then swiftly arced in front of her, his right shoulder aiming for her right shoulder. Gossamer instinctively hopped back out of the way as his shoulder moved past her, missing its intended target. Gossy kicked hard off the ground, throwing her left shoulder forward toward Basilisk's right elbow. She wanted to collide with enough force to strain the joint and maybe slow up her opponent. For now she'd focus on targets that were on her level. If she risked getting up on her hind legs for higher targets he'd likely topple her.

At the same time as she threw her shoulder forward she sought to nip at her brother's lower chest. She just wanted to draw a little blood and get in the practice of combining her attacks. Against a pirate her fangs would be in full play and she needed to practice using them even if she needed to be more controlled in a friendly spar.

Gossamer vs Basilisk for Spar
Round 1/2? (I'm also good with 1 if you'd like to wrap this up quicker)
Age: Over 1 Year
Size: Extra large
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Clawed gauntlets
Defensive Battle Accessory: Spiked helmet and coif
Companion 1: Fox, Female - Battle - Boosted
Companion 2: Snow leopard, Male - Battle - Boosted
Mutation 1: Saber fangs - Offensive
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Healer

Aris' tail tip twitched but shuttered her expression as her father appeared on the heels of Azure's heir to dampen and placate them with a pep talk and the carrot of being specially chosen for a raid. Aris was skeptical. They'd all failed in the raid - they weren't a trusted commando team being sent off to raid. This felt more like... an assessment of their worth to the pack. Like it would be followed by an ultimatum if they weren't good enough.

Her eyes narrowed, one brow quirking, when she was paired with Sirius - by far the most experienced and among the largest of them besides Azure's oversized son, but she twitched an ear in resignation and rose to her paws. Of course she was paired with Sirius... There was no real chance of her beating him, which was the point.

Around them the other spars began, and Aris stepped up to face her father, unsheathing her claws and curling her lips up off her oversized fangs, her spikes rising along her spine. Meager weapons, in this case, especially as out of shape as she was after her litter, but as always she burned with the same determination to prove herself, to be the best of them, to flip the middle finger to the odds.

With a snarl of defiance she threw herself forward without waiting. Her jaws snapped towards his left shoulder, slashing rather than holding because she needed to stay mobile. Weight on three paws, she lifted her left forepaw to slash at the front of his left foreleg as she snapped her jaws, while she let her momentum carry her hindquarters slewing around in a ninety degree pivot to face him.


Aris vs Sirius for spar
Round 1/?
Age: over 1 year
Size: Small
Build: Light
Offensive Battle Accessory: Spiked Plate Mail
Companion 1: Black-footed cat, Female - Battle
Companion 2: Blue jay, Male - Flying
Mutation 1: Oversized canines - Offensive
Mutation 2: Cat claws - Offensive
Mutation 3: Spine bristles - Defensive
Skills: Advanced Healer & Expert Fighter

The Warlord nodded in respect to Aris as he settled himself across from her. In truth, he wanted her to win. He wouldn’t go easy on her, that would be an insult. But he knew his daughter needed the win. He believed in her. Small could be mighty, Asla had proved that a long time ago.

Aris moved suddenly, throwing herself forward. He braced himself and the smaller wolf snapped her jaws over his left shoulder, scouring a hit. As she slashed at his paw, he raised his leg to bring his bracer up to take the blow and then continued moving. Reaching forward in an attempt to grab the smaller wolf in a bear hug. His teeth reached down in an effort to grab at the nap of her neck.

Sirius vs Aris for Spar
Round 1/1
Age: Over 1
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Front leg bracers with knife
Defensive Battle Accessory: Back leg bracers
Companion 1: Black Vulture, Male - Battle - Boosted
Companion 2: Snow Leopard, Female - Battle - Boosted
*Companion 3: Spectacled bear, Female - Battle
Mutation 1: Cat claws - Offensive
Mutation 2: Fangs - Offensive
Mutation 3: Thicker fur - Defensive
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Hunter
Specialty: Bloodletter

"Sirius Fatalis"

And the winner is...

Sirius

Aris must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Totals: Aris: Attack Roll: 4 Defense Roll: 99 Agility Roll: 39 Perception Roll: 65 Total: 207 Attack[4] + 35% Bonus[1.40]: 5.40 Defense[99] + 25% Bonus[24.75]: 123.75 Agility[39] + 10% Bonus[3.90]: 42.90 Perception[65] + 10% Bonus[6.50]: 71.50 Total[243.55] + 20% Bonus[48.71]: 292.26 Sirius : Attack Roll: 89 Defense Roll: 60 Agility Roll: 87 Perception Roll: 78 Total: 314 Attack[89] + 115% Bonus[102.35]: 191.35 Defense[60] + 20% Bonus[12.00]: 72.00 Agility[87] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 87.00 Perception[78] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 78.00 Total[428.35] + 40% Bonus[171.34]: 599.69

And the winner is...

Basilisk

Gossamer must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Totals: Gossamer : Attack Roll: 12 Defense Roll: 84 Agility Roll: 88 Perception Roll: 14 Total: 198 Attack[12] + 65% Bonus[7.80]: 19.80 Defense[84] + 40% Bonus[33.60]: 117.60 Agility[88] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 88.00 Perception[14] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 14.00 Total[239.40] + 25% Bonus[59.85]: 299.25 Basilisk : Attack Roll: 75 Defense Roll: 99 Agility Roll: 65 Perception Roll: 22 Total: 261 Attack[75] + 105% Bonus[78.75]: 153.75 Defense[99] + 20% Bonus[19.80]: 118.80 Agility[65] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 65.00 Perception[22] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 22.00 Total[359.55] + 40% Bonus[143.82]: 503.37

The warlord could try and soften the blow all he wanted, Malachai knew what this was. After all no one could think less of him than himself right now, and he didn't do well with that so it was translating into anger. He did want a chance to return the favour against the red man though so he'd keep his grumbling to himself. They were paired off and Malachai moved sullenly to face his opponent, a smaller woman. She introduced herself and the best he could give her was a grunt and a nod. He matched her readiness, slipping easily into a stance that felt more familiar than anything else in his life right now. He bent his knees, tail lowering to align with his spine, he tucked his chin, eyes narrowing and muzzle wrinkling as a snarl formed. Without warning he burst towards the woman, he was hoping to close the gap between them, but more than that he was hoping to basically keep running right through her, he had no intention of stopping if they connected, he wanted to use his superior size to simply overpower her, not even give her a chance to respond. But he wasn't so dumb as to assume she would just let that happen, so his jaws also parted, and neck craned he wanted to try and grab her scruff and try to force her to remain still. Malachai vs Keahi for Spar Round 1/2 Age: 1+ Size: Dire wolf Build: Heavy Offensive Battle Accessory: Sharpened candy cane claw covers Skills: Expert Fighter & Advanced Hunter "Speech

Art by Cloudy!

Malachai seems sullen as they begin their match and both of them falli into their well-practiced stances. Keahi is use to the giants that roam this land and is familiar with the tactic of using their size to their advantage. It is of little surprise to her when he suddenly bursts forward, easily closing the cap between them. Trained eyes catch the fact he does not slow and a small smirk tugs at her lips. As he nears, the red woman shifts her weight slightly, having the intention of taking the full brunt of his charge.

She does not run and, as he closes the gap, Keahi lifts her front end off the ground and allows him to slam into her chest… hard. With the sudden impact, she shifts the added weight into her back paws and they dig up the ground as she works to stop his forward momentum. At the same time, she attempts to wrap her legs around his neck in a grapple. He manages to grab ahold of her scruff and Keahi growls low as his teeth puncture skin but it does little to deter her as she suddenly tries to retaliate by attempting to bite the side of his neck.



Keahi vs Malachai for Spar
Round 1/2
Age: Over 1 year
Size: Large
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Dagger and sheath
Defensive Battle Accessory: Polar bear coat
Companion 1: Red-crowned Amazon, Male - Flying
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Navigator
Specialty: Bulwark


"Keahi Mogotsi"