With the changing of the season came a near total shift in the weather as well. As spring pushed out the dreary cold and wet of winter, the days became brighter and warmer, but it was also clear that the wet winter they'd just endured had also left the land a little bit... squishy. Stepping out of Hearthstone, Artorias was immediately greeted with how damp everything was. The plants in the gardens were loving it, coming into full bloom as they drank in sunlight and rainwater like gluttons at a buffet, but for him, every step he took across the grass made a saturated squelching sound, feeling the soft earth molding between his toes. Gods, Briar is going to hate all of this... he thought to himself with a bit of a smirk. As for him, he never minded getting a bit dirty. The mud was just a side effect of the weather, and it also made for an excellent challenge to fight trainings.

A lightbulb went off in the Aegis' head at that moment. Of course, fighting training and spars! Many of his pups had expressed an interest in honing their combat skills; now would be the perfect time to test their mettle. And for his youngest litter, it meant getting to wrestle each other in the mud and have the time of their lives! Grinning from ear to ear, Artorias headed outside the castle walls to find their outdoor training rings also soaked and turned into veritable mud pits. Excellent. Tipping his muzzle skyward and giving a call for his kids to assemble, Art immediately began praying to the gods that his dirt-loathing wife didn't end up killing him for what he was about to do to their children.

"Artorias" | "Carpathian"

So far, it seemed like spring was just as wet as winter had been. Just as wet, but warmer. Vendrick decided that the warmer weather was okay, but he missed the frost and the chill, he missed the bracing cold that rattled his bones and made his thoughts to crystal clear. But sure. Spring was cool too, he guessed. He was particularly interested in the plants that were starting to show signs of life. Stirring from death, slowly drinking in the sun, and beginning to haunt the world around them once more... neat. It was while the pup visited with the plants that he heard dad calling. Well, alright then. Vendrick picked up a jog to the source of the sound. His father within the training rings... right. They would be training. Vendrick lifted his feet higher than usual as he trotted, trying to make as little contact with the bigger puddles as possible. This backfired spectacularly, as he trotted through a puddle that was far deeper than expected, the leggy pup tripping over his own paws. It only took a moment to right himself, but the damage had been done. In full view of his father, Ven had tripped directly into the puddle and come up sopping wet and muddy. Shaking his coat out, he entered the ring at a walk instead. Head hanging rather low, pride bruised for the moment.

Now that she had her own bedroom, she enjoyed staring out at the sea that churned beneath the cliffs. White-capped waves shifted back and forth, slapping against the rock face. Clouds rolled in, threatening rain as it had yesterday and the day before that as well. From her perch high in the sky, Bramble could see just how wet everything was. Blades of grass drenched, droplets dripping from every tree branch, birds and critters alike trying to stay as dry as possible. Even her own companions nestled inside today instead of venturing out. Apparently, the oncoming cold weather was affecting everyone. Content to rest beneath her blanket and watch the turmoils of the ocean, she was pulled from her reverie when the echoing call of her father caught her attention. It was faint, coming from the front of the castle, but nonetheless, Bramble had heard. Curious and needing something productive to do today, the growing princess wasted no time. Telling her companions to stay put so they could rest and stay dry, she made her way from her room, down the multiple flights of stairs, and out the massive front doors. Once she was on the front stoop of the castle, she paused, lifting her nose to the wind and closing her eyes a moment. Inhaling deeply, Bramble smiled. The crisp winter scent was lovely to her and perhaps her favorite so far of the seasons. Perhaps they would have some snow soon. Once she was satisfied with her admiration of the change of seasons, Bramble made her way down the steps, through the gardens, and out toward the sparring rings. From a distance, she saw her father's deep navy form and her younger brother, Vendrick, already there. Her head tilted out of curiosity, she smiles and lets out an energetic yip to alert them of her presence. As she grows closer, she notices Vendrick's sullen posture and her brow raises curiously. "Cheer up, bubs. Whatever Dad has planned is sure to be fun!" She chirps excitedly as she reaches down to nudge his neck as she passes by him. Coming to stand in front of Artorias, Bramble's tail wags a few times. "A little muddy to be sparring outside today, isn't it?" Bramble questions as she looks around the muddy ring. Bramble Carpathius

Nelu rested his head on the window sill, soaking in what little breeze he could get. The air was heavy and wet, the humidity making everything damp and sticky. His little left foot reached up to scratch vigorously at his scruff, sending little bits of fluff floating limply into the air. Behind him Aster was picking through random sticks and pieces of wood that Nelu had been tinkering with. They were going to try building a few new items today but Nelu just hadn't been in the mood. It was hard to concentrate on building when he felt like he was inhaling water with every breath.

Nelu's ears perked up as he heard his father calling for the pups. Good! Maybe dad had something more interesting to do. He yipped at his companion and the duo raced to the training fields. He avoided most of the puddles but couldn't resist diving right through the middle of one at the base of the garden stairs before turning to the training fields. He arrived to see Vendrick and Bramble already there. He moved to sit next to Bramble, his tail flopping in the mud. "Hello father, what is the plan for today?"

Before he ever heard his father calling for him and his siblings, he was already practically coated in mud from his adventures in the flower beds. The plants had all spring back to life, becoming more like the lush, green plants he had spied in the green house in his many missions so snoop on the wondrous place. That meant that he was now spending his time almost exclusively examining every plant and trying to figure out what they all were. His aunt had started to teach him some names of different kinds of plants, but he hadn't quite made the connection of what names went with what plants. That didn't really matter to him though, it was still fun to guess.

Once he heard their father's howl he dropped what he was doing and went bounding off toward the training rings. As much as he loved the plants and seeing how they responded to the warmth and rain, he still loved spending time with his family more! When he got there he saw that Nelu, Bramble, and Vendrick had beat him there. Trotting over and plopping down onto the muddy ground next to Nelu, he gave his brother a grin first before turning his attention up to their dad expectantly to see what they were going to do together today.

"Solaire Carpathius"

Any chance that Ember could get to be outdoors now that winter was gone and spring was in full force, the tiny midnight black pup took it. She loved being out in the castle gardens or traipsing about the expansive fields of her home, exploring everything she could see or get her paws on, regardless of how muddy or mucky it was. The dark speck of a wolf pup was out amongst those lush grasses when her father’s call came out for her and her siblings, catching her attention and piquing her interest. Not ever wanting to miss out on some fun, Ember made a beeline back for Hearthstone, running as fast as her little legs could carry her.

She arrived just behind Solaire, sneaking up behind her bigger brother and snapping her jaws playfully at his tail before sliding her way forward to poke out from between Bramble’s paws, easily able to slip her tiny body underneath her much bigger sister’s. "Hi Dad! What’re we doing today?" she asked in a bit of a sing-songy voice, little tail wagging eagerly behind her.

"Ember Carpathius"

It didn't take long for Artorias to see the first of his children responding to his call make their way toward him. Vendrick came rushing over at a sprint, bringing a delighted smile to the father's face—only for that smile to grow with a bit of a laugh as he watched his son slip and wipe out in a particularly wet patch of mud, covering his front half in muck. Seeing Ven's deflated mood, Artorias gave his son a sympathetic smile and then brought both of his massive paws down hard into the mud to splash up some of the mud down his forelegs and chest, getting himself dirty with his pup so the two boys were both messy before they'd even begun. "Don't worry, buddy, we're all gonna be getting dirty today," he reassured Ven with a flash of teeth in a playful grin. Bramble arrived next, and once again Artorias was stunned by how much his little girl had grown! Bramble now stood almost as tall as him, and at just over a year it was clear she had inherited her sire's genes for height. Art watched with pride while Bramble give Vendrick a little reassurance, glad that most of his eldest litter were getting along with their younger siblings.

Bramble stood before him with eagerly wagging tail and a fair question on her tongue. Artorias gave his daughter an austere look and simply replied, "You don't always get to choose your battlefields in life. If raiders come after a rainstorm, will you ask them to come back later when the ground dries?" It wasn't asked in a stern manner or to belittle her question, but to get Bramble thinking about situations of things beyond her control. Two of the three times the Hallows had been attacked had occurred at night, and it was probable that others would come in inclement weather. Sadly, most raiders didn't care if it was a little muddy. As he was speaking to Bramble, Artorias saw Nelu approach and sit beside his older sister, the sapphire and black dire wolf greeting his boy with a warm smile. "Hello, Nelu! Once we have everyone who wants to join us here, I'll let you all know." Solaire arrived a moment later, and then came Ember, bringing most of his second litter in attendance.

Once he was certain no others would be joining them, Art turned his attention to his family. "Today, little ones, we're going to be having a bit of fun outside. I know how much everyone here loves play-fighting and wrestling, so we're going to be doing that while enjoying some of the fresh air. We've all been cooped up inside for too long and now that spring is here, let's enjoy it!" Sliding his giant paws through the mud and damp earth, Artorias lifted a pawful of the soil and let it slide through his toes as he spread them. "Fighting an opponent on dry earth is much different than fighting in the mud and muck. Sometimes you won't have a choice in where a battle takes place, and it's always important to be prepared for anything. Knowing how to adapt to your environment is a major part of being a successful fighter and adventurer." Even his children who didn't care for martial arts had shown a passion for travel and adventure; this would be an equally important lesson to them as well.

To demonstrate his point, Artorias turned and took off at a sprint from his gathering of children, running a few feet before kicking out his paws and sliding across the slippery mud, a feat that would've been impossible on hard dirt. After sliding gracefully for a short distance, Art turned and trotted back over to his kids, his legs, paws, and underbelly now sufficiently coated in mud. "I want all of you to play fight as you always do, but keep in mind the changes in the ground beneath your paws. Really feel how the earth moves when it's wet like this. You can break out into partners or start one big melee with everyone. Just be careful not to hurt anyone!" With his instructions given to his youngest litter, Artorias fixed his fiery gaze on Bramble. She was a little too big to be sparring with her baby siblings, but that didn't mean his daughter was going to be left out. "As for you, Brammie, you're going to try to take me down. See if you can knock me off my feet and pin me." He grinned at his daughter, squaring off against her with paws spread in his battle stance. Bramble knew the basics of combat, so this would be more a lesson for her to focus on the terrain and how to manage her movements and feet. "When you're ready, show your old man what you've got!"

"Artorias" | "Carpathian"

At least Bramble knows how to make him smile. Vendrick perked up at the reassurance, hovering closer to his older sister's side. Then dad went too-- splashing. The boy couldn't help but giggle, watching the mud go flying in all directions. It was kinda fun, actually. He tip-tapped his front paws on a squishy patch of ground while waiting for everyone else to come in and get settled. Watching dad finally start the lesson, watching him take off running and slide to a stop-- woah! Vendrick wanted to do that, it looked like fun! He wiggles in his seat, waiting for the instructions to be over. Yeah, he wants to try that and he wants to try it badly. Nearly vibrating with the excitement, not wanting to wait. Way too excited about it, and that was okay. Heck he wants to go! And finally, they're released. Dad had him at melee, actually. Taking off at a dead run through the mud, emulating what dad had done, wiggling excitedly in an effort to get his siblings to chase him. "We should melee, we should melee!" He shouted, unable to hold back his excitement. As he tried to suddenly stop and slide like dad had, the boy crashed to the ground into a patch of slippery, loose mud, feeling his feet go out from under him. Vendrick flailed his way back to his feet, soaked, muddy, and so incredibly excited, waiting to see who he'd be able to try and jump next.

Vendrick vs Nelu vs Solaire vs Ember for melee (training)
Round 1/?
Age: under 6m
Size: Large
Build: Light
Skills: Intermediate Fighter & Intermediate Intellectual

Nelu turned to glance at his brother Solaire as the pup sat down next to him but soon his attention was taken by Artorias as their dad explained that it was important to learn to fight in various environments. As his father spoke Nelu needed the mud beneath his paws, testing it, noting that in one area it was really wet and slick while in another it seemed to be stickier and deeper.

They were split up and the younger group was sent to play fight. Ven was quick to suggest a melee and a moment later the action has begun. Nelu prepped himself, ears pinning to his head and fur standing up on end. Vendrick took off and slid toward the group. Opting to keep his movements small for now he stepped to the side, out of the path of Vendrick as the boy zoomed past him. His front left paw sank deep into the mud but he just rolled with it. He pivoted on that foot, hind legs lifting as he tried to kick Solaire in the chest.

Nelu vs Vendrick vs Solaire vs Ember for melee spar
Round 1/2
Age: Under 6 mo
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Heavy
Companion 1: Raven, Male - Flying
Mutation 1: Enhanced vision (Perception)
Skills: Novice Intellectual & Intermediate Fighter

Honestly, Bramble could get along with anyone. It was embedded into her personality to be fun, loving, energetic, and exciting. There was not a single grumpy guss out there that she could possibly dislike. Even enemies of the Hallows she could see herself befriending. With that being said, she knew how important it was to be able to stand up for herself. Just because she wanted to be friends, didn't mean everyone else did. So she took all of her training with her father and siblings seriously. Even as Ember slid herself beneath her and between her paws, Bramble couldn't hide the eagerness in her expression.

Leaning down to nuzzle Ember between the ears as their father greeted everyone else, Bramble smiled. "Glad to see everyone here," she said warmly as she lifted her head right before Artorias moved into his opening speech. Listening intently, her eyes would widen as Artorias ran and slid in the mud. His demonstration was fantastic and her tail began to wag quickly. She hoped she could master such a move!

"Good luck!" Bramble nearly yipped with excitement as she waited for Ember to slide out from underneath her. Turning her attention to their father as he squared off in front of her, Bramble grinned from ear to ear. "Oh, get ready old man!" She spoke with a playful growl in her tone. Spreading her front paws so that they were slightly wider than her shoulders, she flattened her ears and allowed her hackles to rise. If her objective was to topple him over, she would need to give it everything she got!

In the next moment, as soon as the pups were clear of her path, Bramble shot forward. Her paws were slick in the mud as she moved not as quickly as she had hoped. Instead, she felt as if she couldn't keep her limbs beneath her. She had played in the mud before, but this stuff was almost like water! Stumbling the next few feet, Bramble completely missed Artorias and slid right past him on his left side. A startled yelp left her as she began to fall, but not before she stuck out a paw to try and grab onto her father's leg.

B R A M B L E

Bramble vs Artorias for Spar
Round 1/2
Age: Over 1
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Light
Offensive Battle Accessory: Sharpened & Elongated Canine Tooth Covers
Defensive Battle Accessory: Green leather cloak with a hood
Companion 1: Male Fisher, 45" - Battle
Companion 2: Female Common Raven, 48" - Battle
Mutation 1: Cat claws - Offensive
Skills: Expert Fighter & Master Intellectual
Specialty: Bard

Bramble's zealous enthusiasm to kick off their spar was infectious, and it brought a toothy grin across the Aegis' muzzle. "Bring it on, pup!" he teased her back despite his once little girl now almost matching him to height, fire-toned eyes narrowing to focus on his opponent while she squared up against him. After watching his youngest litter go tumbling about their own separate way in a pile of mud and puppy limbs, his attention returned to Bramble just in time to watch her spring after him. Almost immediately, he could see the way her paws scrabbled to find footing in the loose mud, her charge more like an energetic flail than a graceful bound. Smirking with barely contained amusement, Art watched Bramble do her best to lunge for him, only for his lanky daughter to stumble and go sliding past him, her sire taking an almost comedic sidestep to his right just to smoothly put himself out of her way.

He laughed—then exclaimed in surprise as Bramble's leg shot out to snatch one of his hind legs out from beneath him. Thankfully with his momentum and sidestep, Artorias ended up just sliding down into a sitting position in the mud, still very much upright while he turned to face his daughter as she slip-slides away past him. "Nice try, kiddo! But you're gonna have to be more agile than that!" As if demonstrating his point, Art stood up and kicked off the mud, leaping through the air and coming to land with his paws kicked out so he slid on his heels to the opposite side of Bramble, a playful grin on his face. "Can you hit a moving target, Brammie?" he asked, pushing off his heels and sliding through the mud behind her again. He wasn't aiming to take her down, but he was going to challenge his ambitious girl.

Artorias vs Bramble for Spar
Round 1/2
Age: 1+ years
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Damascus steel sword
Defensive Battle Accessory: Reinforced leather cuirass
Companion 1: Common raven, Male - Flying - Boosted
Companion 2: Silver cross fox - Battle - Boosted
*Companion 3: Common raven, Female - Flying
Mutation 1: Stronger teeth and jaws - Offensive
Mutation 2: Thicker fur - Defensive
Mutation 3: Enhanced vision - Perception
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Navigator
Specialty: Knight or Fleet-footed

"Artorias" | "Carpathian"

The young princess can't help but laugh. As her paw catches her father's hind leg, she almost feels victorious! Even though she had slipped and fallen, mud now streaking along her face, she'd managed to snag him. Well, almost snag him. Not a moment later, she was leaning up onto her paws to watch him right himself and turn back to face her. Furrowing her brow in a determined way, she raises a lip in a playful growl. "I'll show you agile!" Bramble exclaims as her father slides in the mud past her as if he had done it a thousand times before.

Climbing to all four paws and giving her coat a good shake out, she grins at her father as she watches him. Ready to focus and really give it a try, Bramble waits. Patience may not be her best virtue, but she was getting there. She was willing. Moving targets was new and in this slippery environment, it was even more difficult. Turning her head to watch him slide past her once more, Bramble readies herself. Before her father is readied to slide past again, Bramble pushes herself forward, digging her paws into the mud and using her momentum to slide forward with her rear paws dragging slightly as a way to anchor herself. Aiming to slide right into Artorias as he turns, she can't help but start laughing again.

B R A M B L E

Bramble vs Artorias for Spar
Round 2/2
Age: Over 1
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Light
Offensive Battle Accessory: Sharpened & Elongated Canine Tooth Covers
Defensive Battle Accessory: Green leather cloak with a hood
Companion 1: Male Fisher, 45" - Battle
Companion 2: Female Common Raven, 48" - Battle
Mutation 1: Cat claws - Offensive
Skills: Expert Fighter & Master Intellectual
Specialty: Bard

Artorias snickered when he saw the effect his playful goading was having on Bramble. With a fiery determination, his daughter growled out a mock threat, and then she was getting back up and preparing for another shot at him. The dire brute didn't stop his playful sliding about, practically taunting Bramble to make a move for him. But she was learning, and Art watched while she observed his movements, got his timing down, and then... she sprang! He was mid-turn at the end of one of his slides when he saw Bramble coming for him. The Aegis was nimble on his paws, and though he was able to get up and turned around in time, he would not have the momentum to avoid collision with Bramble. So instead, he chose the path of mutual destruction. Grinning at his daughter, Artorias pushed himself forward to meet her with a battle cry, the father careening straight into his daughter, aiming so the two would crash together and go scattering about in the mud. His hope was to keep himself balanced enough to be able to wind up pinning Bramble before she could get him on the ground. The winner would be decided by who could keep their footing the best in the mud, and who the gods showed a little bit of extra luck in this playful battle.

Artorias vs Bramble for Spar
Round 2/2
Age: 1+ years
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Damascus steel sword
Defensive Battle Accessory: Reinforced leather cuirass
Companion 1: Common raven, Male - Flying - Boosted
Companion 2: Silver cross fox - Battle - Boosted
*Companion 3: Common raven, Female - Flying
Mutation 1: Stronger teeth and jaws - Offensive
Mutation 2: Thicker fur - Defensive
Mutation 3: Enhanced vision - Perception
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Navigator
Specialty: Knight or Fleet-footed

"Artorias" | "Carpathian"

And the winner is...

Artorias

Bramble must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Totals: Bramble: Attack Roll: 4 Defense Roll: 89 Agility Roll: 59 Perception Roll: 99 Total: 251 Attack[4] + 50% Bonus[2.00]: 6.00 Defense[89] + 10% Bonus[8.90]: 97.90 Agility[59] + 5% Bonus[2.95]: 61.95 Perception[99] + 25% Bonus[24.75]: 123.75 Total[289.60] + 20% Bonus[57.92]: 347.52 Artorias: Attack Roll: 83 Defense Roll: 96 Agility Roll: 68 Perception Roll: 69 Total: 316 Attack[83] + 55% Bonus[45.65]: 128.65 Defense[96] + 20% Bonus[19.20]: 115.20 Agility[68] + 55% Bonus[37.40]: 105.40 Perception[69] + 40% Bonus[27.60]: 96.60 Total[445.85] + 25% Bonus[111.46]: 557.31

Ember listened intently while their father explained the purpose of today's lesson: learning to fight in unfavorable terrains. The mud was indeed less than ideal for a fight, but Artorias' explanation that your enemies would not wait for a sunny, dry day to try and attack was an important fact to remember. She would likely not get to choose every arena she fought in during her lifetime, so it was important to remain prepared to fight anywhere and everywhere. Artorias divided the pups up into one group while he took on Bramble, and as soon as they were separated, Vendrick declared a melee fight between the four of them. Before she knew it, Ven was then face planting down into the mud and Nelu was trying his best to navigate the slippery mud more gracefully while going for Solaire.

Not one to be left out of the fight, Ember's eyes narrowed to points with fiery determination in her gaze. "You're on! I'm gonna beat all three of you!" she proudly declared against her brothers. Then, without any consideration to what she had just witnessed happen to Vendrick, Ember tried to charge at her brothers, aiming mostly for Ven and Nelu. However, as she lunged forward, her paws immediately slipped on the mud and her forelegs went flying out on either side of her. Ember yipped in surprise, but her momentum kept her going, sliding forward in the muck on her belly, aiming to crash right into Vendrick and Nelu with no chance of stopping herself as her paws skittered in the loose mud. "Whoooa, watch oooout!"

Ember⁢ vs Vendrick vs Nelu vs Solaire for Melee
Round 1/2
Age: Under 6 mo
Size: Large
Build: Light
Companion 1: Raven, Male - Perception
Mutation 1: Stronger bones (Defensive)
Mutation 2: Retractable feline claws (Offensive)
Mutation 3: Enhanced eyesight (Perception)
Skills: Expert Fighter & Intermediate Intellectual

"Ember Carpathius"

Solaire was certainly not shy when it came to playing in the mud and getting dirty so as their father started to explain the premise of today's lesson he was all grins with his tail wagging as he watch his dad slide across the mud. This might be the most fun lesson they had done so far! They were invited to either pair off or just dog pile on one another–with the instruction to not hurt one another, of course–and with just a look at his littermates he already knew what they were going to do. Vendrick seemed to echo those thoughts as he shouted out about how they should melee while sliding through the mud, making Solaire grin and chuckle as he stepped out of the way to avoid his slip-sliding brother. With his attention caught by Ven's antics, he completely missed Nelu's prepping and movements until it was too late and he felt his brother's muddy paws connect with his chest. The impact made a soft "oof!" escape him as he felt back onto his haunches, landing in the mud with a solid splat. "Oh now you're gonna get it!" he cried out with a fit of giggles. He tried to hop up and lunge back at Nelu, but of course his back paws immediately began to slide out from under him right about the same time that Ember came sliding in toward the group of boys. He skittered and slid extremely ungracefully on his too-large-for-his-body paws until he unceremoniously launched himself in a flopping sort of motion toward the trio of siblings, hoping maybe he'd land on at least one of them in the process.

Solaire vs Ember⁢ vs Vendrick vs Nelu for Melee
Round 1/2
Age: Under 6 months
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
Companion 1: Capybara, Male, 24"
Skills: Novice Healer & Intermediate Fighter

"Solaire Carpathius"

Nelu's hind paws connected with Solaire's chest and he grinned at the strike having worked. The grin was soon wiped off his face however when Ember came sliding toward them like a bowling ball toward a set of pins. Nelu tried to get out of the way but it was to late. Ember crashed into him sending him falling onto the side with a squelch of mud. Solaire launched forward and Nelu managed to roll out of the way but received a face full of mud as his brother hit the ground and sent a splatter up over everyone else. Ack! He shook his head. What a mess. Nelu shifted his hind paws, caught the sensation of rock beneath and used that to launch himself toward Ember, stretching his front paws out and letting the mud slide him over where he hoped to flop down on top and pin her.

Nelu vs Solaire vs Ember for melee spar
Round 2/2
Age: Under 6 mo
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Heavy
Companion 1: Raven, Male - Flying
Mutation 1: Enhanced vision (Perception)
Skills: Novice Intellectual & Intermediate Fighter

Like a skit out of a comedy routine, Ember's entire body went slip-sliding into the mess of her brothers, colliding with Nelu and sweeping her larger brother off of his paws while Solaire managed to get out of the way but still ate mud for it in the end. Giggles erupted from Ember as she went sliding to a gradual stop on her belly, now totally covered in mud along her underside, but she didn't care. She was having the time of her life! Grinning from ear to ear, the girl began to rise to her paws, having to go slowly to avoid her feet slipping from underneath her in the soft earth, but she eventually got upright. However, no sooner had she stood, she turned to face off against her brothers and saw Nelu leaping for her.

Ember yipped in surprise and lunged to dive out of the way, but her paws lost their footing in the mud and the girl ended up only flopping half out of the way of her brother. Nelu came crashing on top of her lower half, not quite the full pin he'd been going for but enough to trap her rump underneath him. "Nelu! Get your big butt offa meeeee!" Ember squealed and immediately began to squirm and wriggle, trying to use her smaller size and the slickness of the mud to break away from her bigger brother, kicking her hind legs out any which way she could to get momentum and maybe push him off of her in the process.

Ember⁢ vs Nelu vs Solaire for Melee
Round 2/2
Age: Under 6 mo
Size: Large
Build: Light
Companion 1: Raven, Male - Perception
Mutation 1: Stronger bones (Defensive)
Mutation 2: Retractable feline claws (Offensive)
Mutation 3: Enhanced eyesight (Perception)
Skills: Expert Fighter & Intermediate Intellectual

"Ember Carpathius"

At this point he didn't really remember what they were supposed to be learning on working on today, but he didn't care! He and his siblings were absolutely covered in mud as Ember barreled into them they all went slip sliding in the mud. He grinned and laughed as he managed to wiggle his paws back under himself just in time to watch Nelu flop over on top of Ember, making their sister squeal about him getting off of her. A wicked grin pulled at his muzzle as he called out, "Dog pile!!" before running toward them, his paws spinning under him like a cartoon for a moment before he caught some kind of traction and he lunged forward, leaping to jump on top of both of them, adding to the absolute mess this fun spar had become and wanting to pin both of his siblings in the process.

"Solaire Carpathius"

Solaire vs Ember⁢ vs Nelu for Melee
Round 2/2
Age: Under 6 months
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
Companion 1: Capybara, Male, 24"
Skills: Novice Healer & Intermediate Fighter

And the winner is...

Ember

Solaire & Nelu must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Totals: Ember: Attack Roll: 93 Defense Roll: 55 Agility Roll: 77 Perception Roll: 45 Total: 270 Attack[93] + 10% Bonus[9.30]: 102.30 Defense[55] + 15% Bonus[8.25]: 63.25 Agility[77] + 5% Bonus[3.85]: 80.85 Perception[45] + 30% Bonus[13.50]: 58.50 Total[304.90] + -10% Bonus[-30.49]: 274.41 Nelu: Attack Roll: 45 Defense Roll: 19 Agility Roll: 84 Perception Roll: 70 Total: 218 Attack[45] + 10% Bonus[4.50]: 49.50 Defense[19] + 5% Bonus[0.95]: 19.95 Agility[84] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 84.00 Perception[70] + 25% Bonus[17.50]: 87.50 Total[240.95] + -20% Bonus[-48.19]: 192.76 Solaire : Attack Roll: 43 Defense Roll: 68 Agility Roll: 9 Perception Roll: 89 Total: 209 Attack[43] + 25% Bonus[10.75]: 53.75 Defense[68] + 5% Bonus[3.40]: 71.40 Agility[9] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 9.00 Perception[89] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 89.00 Total[223.15] + -20% Bonus[-44.63]: 178.52