They took the long way around. As mild as the winter was, even Ken wasn't brainless enough to try forcing the Raiders to fight uphill, in the winter. As he spotted the standing stones, so similar to their own, he slowed his rolling barrel and sent out a call to the wolves of whatever they were calling themselves these days to come out and play. His mother had said they would come and sparing all the chaos they had come as soon as they could. They'd even bought drinks. It was time the two packs had a proper party, a decent chance to blow off some steam for all the turmoil they'd endured in the prior months.

"speech"

Even going the long way around, it was an easy trip to the mountains. She'd been to these stones before, the slope far more forgiving than the sheer slope of the mountain. Dread was pissed, but she just offered him a reckless smirk to prove she would not be contained and ate up the ground between the Ravine and the mountain with steady, sure strides. She added her call to the chorus of howls, regardless of the outcome, they had two barrels of booze to get through, a good time was to be had whether they won or lost. She angled her hat and continued to press forward, closer to the stones, surely their greeting party wouldn't be far off?

"speech"

Even before they left the moor, you could cut the tension in the air between Deluge and Dread with a knife. Sakana hung back, not wanting to catch the ire of the other male as they made their way from one set of standing stones to the other. How Kenway managed to balance on the barrel the whole way? Sakana would never guess, although, he supposed the boy did seem pretty sober, and those noisy fucking dogs of his, leaving no chance for a sneak attack on this occasion, did well to steer him around the roughest terrain. How any of them would still have energy to fight once they arrived was beyond him, or maybe he was just getting old?

“Speech”

Deluge had insisted, insisted on coming out. He's fairly sure she wasn't pregnant yet, but like... fuck, the last thing Dread wants is to have her out of the house. Pissed doesn't begin to cover it, but he knows (perhaps better than anyone) that she won't be controlled. The vulnerabilities of leaving the Raiders homeland without much in the way of protection worried him too. No time left to worry. It's time. Dread stays close to Deluge's side, jaws clacking around his flail. Fidgeting with the handle, tossing his head to rattle the chain. Their call is thunderous, echoing across the Steppe at the base of the mountain. He's ready. dread fallen

table coding by bunni ♥

"Remind me again, why we're invading the north in the winter?" Wake complained to Kenway as they drew closer to the border. Why's it so fucking cold up here? Trying to keep his teeth from chattering as they move to the edge of the Steppe, wintry breeze cutting straight through his thin coat. Wake grimaces. Fuck this weather, man.

The sooner they got this over with, the sooner they could sit around and drink and warm up, right? Wake sighed heavily, hanging toward the front of the formation, not far from his brother. Tipping his head back to join in the call, it shouldn't be long yet.

WAKE UP

Is he good with kids? No. But is he grateful for Björn⁢'s help running patrols? Actually, also no. Makes things slow going on the mountain, and Erik is mostly left feeling he could be doing this with many fewer headaches if he was to do it himself. Alone. Still, he knows that's not the point, and he'd try to be a good older brother. Operative word being try, with both boys being a bit worse for it.

At least the boy can give the return call, as the invaders come. A friendly raid-- as friendly as either pack could be. Erik remains on Björn⁢'s heels as the pair makes their way to the oncoming party, call echoing back over the Steppe. He'd send his cat as a secondary messenger to the rest, get someone who could actually do the shouting. She's too small to be much help in a fight, anyway.

Greeting the party with a glimmer in his eye, fixing on Sakana. "You're back, fishboy." Grinning, head hanging low as he takes the man in. Taller, more tired, but mostly the same as Erik had seen him last. With no further ceremony, Erik rushes the brown wolf head on. This is supposed to be fun, after all.

"Erik"

Erik vs Sakana for dominance (raid)
Round 1/2
Age: over 1
Size: Extra large
Build: Heavy
Mutation 1: Neck crystals - Defensive
Skills: Advanced Fighter & Advanced Hunter

Úlfr continued to work on his recovery, but he still had yet to regain the weight and muscle mass he'd originally had. His form was still gaunt and painfully thin but he would answer the raiders none the less. This was to be a friendly match but even so Úlfr was keen for the odds to tip in his favor. His frail form could only take so much of a beating so he quickly focused on the younger wolves. Tradition would dictate the leader of each would fight. Not that Úlfr particularly cared for that tradition one way or the other but he did not wish to tread on the toes of his new alphess so soon.

Quickly setting his defenses he charged toward the calico colored yearling. Úlfr approached the yearling's right side, aiming just behind the right shoulder. His teeth lashed out for the yearling's side while his left arm darted for the yearling's elbow as he sought to run the blades of his bracers into the sensitive joint.

Úlfr vs Wake for Dominance
Round 1/?
Age: Over 1 Year
Size: Large
Build: Emaciated
Offensive Battle Accessory: Bladed bracers
Defensive Battle Accessory: Spiked helmet and cowl
Companion 1: Raven, Male - Battle
Companion 2: Raven, Bale - Battle
Skills: Master Hunter & Master Fighter
Specialty: Cooperative

Raiding this far north in the winter was a choice, but Kaija wasn't the least bit bothered by it. She was a Jarvela, after all. She was built for the cold, and this climate was hardly extreme, even if her last few seasons with the Raiders had acclimated her to a more temperature climate. The way the crisp cold air hit her lungs was refreshing, a sharp jab that made her feel truly alive, and Kaija was ready.

Not long after they arrived the opposing pack began to trickle in, the first two finding opponents right away. Not Kaija, but she stood ready and waiting for whoever wanted to fight. Head high, chest puffed out a little bit too arrogantly, tail curled in a perfect arc above her back. Her face said it all - come at me, bro.

Another raid, another chance to fuck someone’s shit up. Scald wouldn’t say that the Raider’s were like the best out there, but their streak lately would beg to differ. Looking forward to stash another win under their belt, the lanky male strode confidently after his siblings and the others. Feeling the chill rolling off the mountain, his heterochromatic eyes scan the surroundings. So far, not many of Hemlock’s fighters had shown up. Would there be a good showing from this other pack? When Kenway had mentioned them, the name hadn’t rung a bell from his knowledge of the packs. Interested, Scald keeps to the sidelines, watching and waiting.

Astraios would never miss a raid. This was the first one that he had attended for another pack attacking them so he was a little less prepared. But grabbing his things, he raced through the Steppe to where wolves were beginning to cross the territory.

He gave the assembled wolves a quick glance, (Ene mene miny moe…) Before his gaze settled on an older wolf with impressive tusks for teeth. He came charging in, knowing his companions would be right behind him. The leopard at his paws, and the owl above his head, letting out a battle cry. He aimed to hid the slightly shorter wolf head on, and the moment he was close enough he would attempt to grab at their neck with his fangs.

Astraios vs Kaija for Dominance
Round 1/?
Age: Over one
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Light
Offensive Battle Accessory: Small dagged with sheath
Defensive Battle Accessory: Protective bracers
Companion 1: Snowy Owl, Male, Battle
Companion 2: Snow Leopard, Male, 25"
Mutation 1: Cheek Bone Spurs (Defensive)
Mutation 2: Retractable Claws (Offensive)
Skills: Master Fighter & Expert Hunter
Specialty: Knight

"Speech"

The raiding party traveled to where the mountain dwelling pack lived, circumventing it in favor of a flatter, more even ground to battle on. Calico Jack doesn’t talk to anyone as they go and there a sharpness about him that does not invite the others to even try. Truthfully, he is worried about Rivin and he finds that the best way to deal those uncomfortable feelings is to spill blood. Preferably not his own but he isn’t exactly picky at the moment and he knows that the raid will at least distract him for a moment.

Kenway stops his barrel that he has been rolling which, if Jack is being honest, was pretty cool and howls their arrival for the other pack to come and answer. Eyes flash with delight as he charges over the border, cutlass held firmly in his jaws as he goes.


"Calico Jack"

The howl announcing the raiding party at their borders finds Unagi high up on the mountain, buried under a blanket of snow… watching. Black and white ears perk, shrugging off the powder that had been covering them as she begins lifting her head and standing which sends the rest of white stuff cascading off her form.

Delphi had mentioned that a friendly raid was on the horizon and Unagi is excited to finally see it arrive! Or at least, she hopes this is the friendly raid that her sister was talking about…. Black and white form races down snow filled pathways, half sledding, half running as she makes her way down to the Stone Steppe. When her paws finally hit level ground, the heavy girl is panting but there is still a joyful smile on her lips.

Looping out to where the ‘invaders’ are, she spies a tall guy next to an equal tall woman and the guy is rattling a strange but cool looking weapon. Eyes round in surprise as she angles for him, wanting to see the long chain thing that hangs from his maw in action. Paws heavily slap the ground as she nears him, not uttering a word as she closes the distance, too focused on breathing to even try.

Unagi comes in from a slight angle, aiming to try and slam her body into him to hopefully stop his forward progress which, by extension, would halt her own (she hates running, okay?). The grin still splits her maw as she approaches him.





Unagi vs Dread for Dominance (Raid)
Round 1/?
Age: Over 1 year
Size: Extra large
Build: Heavy
Skills: Advanced Fighter & Advanced Hunter


"Hattori-Klein Unagi"

Their opponents started to trickle in, a good-looking boy headed for Sakana with some familiarity. The next, a raggedy man, coming straight for Wake. A grimace twisted Wake's face, a bit of disgust tugging at his upper lip. "Why'd you get someone cute, and I get a fucking... crypt keeper?" Wake squints as the man approaches, all skin and bones. Diseased or something? Was Hemlock going the biological weapons route?

Closer, and the closest yet-- yup, coming for him. Really, with all the formidable-ass crew they'd brought along, he gets this ol' bag? Rolling his eyes dramatically, Wake dips out of the man's reach. Playing on the edge of his range, a sneer on his lips. "Ew," a snort and a toss of his head, harrying back. Ugh, he's going to have to touch him.

Using his height to his advantage, Wake reaches out with a snarl and a snap. Reaching for the back of the man's head as he flies past, throwing his muzzle and his weight into the creature. Friendly raids mean not holding back, right? What's the raider life if they won't get at least a little rowdy.

WAKE UP

Wake vs Ulfr for maim (scruff scarring)
Round 1/2
Age: over 1
Size: Extra large
Build: Light
Skills: Beginner Healer & Novice Fighter
Specialty:

Grip tightening around his flail as the defenders make their way down the mountain. Dread is tense, excited, alive. So fucking alive. The chain on his flail rattling as he takes a step forward, not breaking formation but ready to receive their welcoming party. Though Dread would sooner eat his own shorts than lose track of Deluge in the fight, he's got bigger things to worry about. Chunkier things, as he lays eyes on the yearling that barrels toward him. Beginning to move, repositioning to take the brunt of her hit to his shoulder. It doesn't knock him off his feet, though it's a hard hit. In the same moment, Dread gives a toss of his head, his flail swinging wildly toward the girls legs. An attempt to tangle her, the chain weapon a threat in its own right. dread fallen

table coding by bunni ♥


Dread vs Unagi for dominance (raid)
Round 1/2
Age: over 1
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Balanced
Offensive Battle Accessory: Flail
Defensive Battle Accessory: Leather Breastplate
Companion 1: Snow Leopard, Female - Attack
Companion 2: Tasmanian Devil, Female - Attack
Mutation 1: Thicker crystalline fur - Defensive
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Intellectual
Specialty: Bard

Siduri sat back and allowed the others to move forward to catch opponents. She was confident in her abilities and maybe her packmates could use the experience. Mismatched eyes watched as others engaged in combat. This was supposed to be a friendly raid, or something. Not shedding blood wasn't as easy as one might believe. Sid just hoped that her packmates could follow through with that.

The sidelines was a decent place to observe her comrades. Siduri studied their fights, filing away anything that they might need to work on later. She waited for her time, if it came. If not... well... at least she was here.

"Siduri"

She’s on the far north side of the Steppe when a chorus of howls breaks the icy air. Vidarr had warned her of a friendly raid impending from the Raider’s, but she had also expected some sort of communication prior as well. Except… did they know Vidarr had stepped down? Her brow scrunches, brain cogs wheeling as she picks up her pace, changing direction from her patrol to the location of the trespass.

As Delphi approaches, she doesn’t see Modesty and wonders where the matriarch of the pack was. Who was leading in her stead? The brown coated boy with the barrels of booze? The sight of their entrance alone brought a smirk to Delphi’s lips. Maybe this was just what Hemlock needed to bring some fire back to their bellies.

Rushing headfirst at the boy, Delphi doesn’t slow as Kenway drops down from his barrel. Presenting her smirking lips to the boy, she leaps up toward his face. Jaws open, arms outstretched, she hopes to meet some part of him. Sink her teeth in, anything to make his blood spill over the icy ground.

Delphi vs Kenway for Minor Maim (Scarring)
Round 1/?
Age: Over 1
Size: Extra small
Build: Balanced
Offensive Battle Accessory: Leather bracers with cougar claws
Defensive Battle Accessory: Spiked collar of bear teeth
Companion 1: Male Binturong, 22” - Battle
Companion 2: Tasmanian Devil, Female - Battle
Mutation 1: Saber fangs (Offensive)
Mutation 2: Spicy blood (Defensive)
Skills: Master Healer & Master Fighter
Specialty: Poison Master

Fury does light her belly, but not because she wants to protect Hemlock. Fuck no. She wants to protect her family. Even if her father had pressed her not to go, to focus on practing, Lumine wasn’t taking no for an answer. She was nearly a year old anyway and in her mind, that was old enough.

Practically stomping her way through the light dusting of snow, Lumine slides on her gear, calls for her reindeer, and approaches the battlefield. Her white-blue eyes are fierce and piercing as she scans the area. Who could she pummel today? Would it help? Probably not. Did she care? No.

Lumine sees the patchwork boy with sword in jaw, charging forward to anyone who would take him. Why not her? A little sword wouldn’t deter her. “Meet him head on,” she tells her reindeers who surge ahead of her, chins tilted and antlers aimed for Jack’s face.

In the meantime, Lumine circles around Jack, turning to face his haunches. Running forward, hoping her reindeer have still distracted him, she leaps and aims to jump onto his back.

Lumine vs Calico Jack for Raid (Dominance)
Round 1/?
Age: Under 1
Size: Extra large
Build: Balanced
Offensive Battle Accessory: Candy Cane Claws
Defensive Battle Accessory: Santa Coat
Companion 1: Mini Reindeer, Male - battle
Companion 2: Mini Reindeer, Male - battle
Mutation 1: Enhanced Eyesight - Perception
Skills: Expert Fighter & Beginner Navigator

White and black form barrels toward the stranger with the peculiar chain weapon, readying herself for the impact that was to come. He shifts, offering Unagi his shoulder and the girl slams into it with glee and a bone-rattling force that is sure to leave a deep bruise her chest after this. The chain rattles as the man suddenly tosses his head, sending the metal weapon flying toward her legs.

Knowing that she does not have the speed to completely dodge the attack, Unagi instead shifts her legs, leaning forward into the man as the flail wraps around only one of her front legs. Grunting in alarm as the chain snaps tight around her leg, the girl strikes out, teeth seeking to try and grab a chunk of the stranger’s muzzle in the hopes of forcing him to drop the weapon.

Truthfully, the girl does not like her odds in this fight but she is determined to try and make the most of it!




Unagi vs Dread for Dominance (Raid)
Round 2/2
Age: Over 1 year
Size: Extra large
Build: Heavy
Skills: Advanced Fighter & Advanced Hunter



"Hattori-Klein Unagi"

Sakana wasn't much of a fighter, but at the familiar call of Fish boy, he smirks, lowers his head and meets the charge head on. Although Erik is shorter (now), he has more weight behind him than Sakana remembers, and he cedes ground without meaning to. Teeth flash and aim to take hold of a shoulder, back behind the crystal spikes that grate against his own throat as their bodies collide. He almost loses his grip at Wake's complaints of him getting the cute one and holds onto it to use against the fire pelted man later. It had been a while since he'd come to the mountain, perhaps too long, but he always received such a warm welcome when he did.

“Speech”

Sakana vs Erik for dominance
Round 1/2
Age: over 1 year
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Light
Offensive Battle Accessory: Tail tip blade
Defensive Battle Accessory: Saddle bags
Companion 1: Lapwing, Male - Perception
Companion 2: Blond Capuchin, Female - Battle
Skills: Master Healer & Master Navigator
Specialty: Anatomist

Ugh, why'd Erik always send him as a fucking gopher? Björn wouldn't let it bother him too much, but it meant he was later to the party than he would have liked. Having carried the call for his older brother, doing as he's asked or whatever, the boy is finally able to make his way across the Steppe. Careful gaze running across the opponents that remained, falling on one of the prettiest girls he's seen in a while. Shiiiit, alright yeah.

Excitement, electricity coursing through Björn's system, he bounds to the girl. Face to face, an excited wag to his tail, lowering his head to lead with his antlers. "Looks like it's you and me," rakish grin, flexing his muscles. Charging head on... this is how you flirt with girls, right?

"Björn"

Björn Trygg vs Siduri for dominance
Round 1/?
Age: under 1 year
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Heavy
Mutation 1: Antlers - Offensive
Mutation 2: Shooting Blood from Eyes - Defensive
Skills: Advanced Fighter & Beginner Navigator